Post by Matt Knox "The Raven" on Sept 25, 2020 12:38:46 GMT -5
(collab with The Cowboy)
In the hallowed halls of Violence known as the backstage and training area of the Carnage arena, Mac Bane is walking towards catering and far off in the distance we can see Matt Knox coming from the opposite direction. It’s obvious that they see each other as both men tense up ever so slightly.
Knox relaxes, tossing and catching the Gatorade bottle in his right hand once before striding up to Mac and speaking "Suppose we got some air to clear, Mac?" A pause "Or are we doing the other thing?"
Mac smiles in return, “I’m open for either, your call.”. Mac relaxes his stance and instead of throwing a punch, he extends a hand. “I think we’re after similar things Matt, we’re approaching it in different ways. Likely getting in each other's way.”. Mac then waits to see if Knox will shake his hand.
Knox regards the hand for a moment, then takes it within his own and pays it a firm shake. "I'm not sure what you mean, Mac but I'm open to hearing you out," a pause "While we still got the option." He finishes.
“A level playing field, inclusion, just fair working environment in general.”, Mac again smiles a friendly smile. “We’re after similar things, but our delivery is a bit different.”. Mac shrugs, “I’ve got no beef with you, except when you attack one of mine. Amber is a hill I’ll choose to die on, if you get my meaning.” He pauses for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts, “I understand why you have such a problem with Jack. I know how it looks to the rest of the roster.”
“If you really understood, Mac you’d be as pissed as the rest of us” Knox answers, he cracks the gatorade open and takes a swig, before continuing, “As far as Amber, that’s a fight i’ve wanted since I got here. I meant what I said out of both sides of my mouth. I respect the hell out of her as a competitor, but I question anyone who stood by and let this place rot the way it has.” A brief pause, before he continues “I mean, name one other place you’ve ever worked and bled for where someone can amass a 6-0 or 8-0 record and be completely overlooked in favor of a returning “legend” or an ex champion on a losing streak? Just boggles the mind, man.”
Mac’s gaze hardens, “Something you need to understand is that in most places, that’s considered a cup of coffee. I was in this business for over a year and a half before I got my first title match of any kind. No one felt sorry for me and no one would have taken my side if I had actually complained. As far as Amber goes, you have to realize that when someone shows you respect and then you spit on them. That’s not a good look. We’ve had nothing but respect from day one for all involved. Did I take Jack’s side? You’re Goddamn right I did. There’s a lot of people here who don’t like some of his methods in the past. They do respect him for his body of work and his dedication to his family. I think that has value.”
Knox’s own gaze hardens as he listens, taking another gulp of gatorade, and capping it he begins to speak “I’ve only ever spoken my point of view, for what it’s worth. I have no ill will against Amber, or you. But I won’t hesitate when it gets to that point, either.” he makes sure to meet Mac’s eyes before continuing, “As far as Jack Michaels and his body of work, 500 days and what have you? Of course I respect it. You have to, it’s hard enough getting through one title defense. Especially the BIG title,”
“But don’t try and sell me on this horse shit with him coming back to fight Ken to defend Amber Ryan. Not after the punishment he dealt at Isolation. You, Amber, Jack whoever wants to can try and explain that away to me, but what my eyes saw, they held onto.” he lets out an exhale then, frustrated, “And if this was really about taking Ken out for what he did to Amber? Catch him outside and beat the shit out of him. Coming back and grabbing for the gold? That just makes it what men like Jack Michaels live for. A spectacle.”
Mac chuckles, his gaze softening, “I’m guessing you missed the part of that where that’s what she demanded. She would only face him at his absolute best. She got “The Blast”, that’s what she wanted. Fuck that, it’s what she demanded. When we face someone, we want all of everything they are. I know you would likely agree with that. Right?”
Matthew idly taps the gatorade against his thigh, before answering. His tone remains calm, even, “My daughter, Hope. She wrestles now. I had no say in it, my own fault but...IF I had the opportunity to take that knowledge out of her head, and make this look like unappealing work? I would.” he sighs, then raises his hands, motioning to the universe as much as to Mac, “I don’t care what they ask for, you never hurt your babies intentionally, Mac. If I had the Carnage Title, and Hope challenged me for it, I’d vacate it within a heartbeat and walk away. I don’t care who you are, what’s on the line, what they ask...a father does not do to his daughter what Jack did to Amber,” a pause, a tired shake of the head “Just my opinion. And it’s probably never going to change.” Mac looks at Raven and a lightbulb comes on, “I think you are mistaken about something. Amber is not Jack’s daughter by blood, he adopted her not long ago.”.
Knox waves a dismissive hand “Hope isn’t mine by blood either. I adopted her, when she was a child and I was barely out of being one. But my point stands, Mac. If you call them child..and moreso, Daughter. If they think of you as dad? You. Don’t. Do. That.” Responding quickly, “I won’t and can’t argue that, but there's a rather large difference between raising them to adulthood and adopting them as an adult. There’s a lot you don’t know about the dynamic is all I’m saying.”
Mac’s tone softens more, his voice almost a whisper, “I get it, my own sons both wrestle. I’ve had to fight them both at one point. Jimmy because he was on the wrong side of things and made the challenge. Calling the old man out, ya know? Aeric, I didn’t even know it was him at the time. My daughter Jules has been trained, but thank god she’s chosen a different path. There are moments though, moments where a father has no choice. I can tell you, I know her, if he had refused, if he had done what you suggest that you would do for your own. It would’ve cheapened what she accomplished and she would never have forgiven him. I think that your own daughter would likely feel the same way.”
Mac sighs an exasperated sigh, “Look I get it, you hate the situation. I think right now we all do. You preach about inclusion and I do the same about holding everyone to a higher standard. When I say that, I wasn’t targeting people like you and I or Jack and JC. I was talking about everyone. I don’t think that gets any more inclusive than that. I don’t have a beef with you, Silvio, Ko, Mitch and certainly not Adrienne. I think you are all fantastic, and we all fight the fight every chance we get. We certainly don’t have to be enemies through this. We could accomplish a lot by working together against the likes of that dip shit Alex and St. James.”
Matthew considers Mac’s words a moment before responding, “There are certain points in time where you have to be able to deal with those wounds, with cheapening the experience for them. I don’t want to sound old fashioned, but rolling in the dirt with your boys is a lot different to me than putting hands on your daughter. You know, you have one. It’s a...it’s different. Just different.” he shakes his head, letting out an exasperated sigh, “I’ll always stand shoulder to shoulder to go against people like Winter and St. James, but we can’t sit here and pretend that we two aren’t on a collision course.”
“And all the respect, all the mutual enemies, all the wars we fight together won’t change what we both gotta do when that time comes.” Mac considers the words, but only briefly, “That’s a fair assessment if we’re being honest. At the end of the day we are still competitors with similar goals and aspirations. At least away from social media, we can speak our minds. I guess the bonus is we didn’t try to kill each other yet. So there’s that.”
Knox finally cracks a smile, and chuckles. He takes a moment to wince and favor his taped up midsection “Yet.” he repeats “Who knows, you get that Ultraviolent title off of Kyra maybe I come for it to use as Rat bait.” he remarks, paying Mac a friendly jab to the shoulder. Mac now openly smiles, “I’d love to defend it against you when I take her shiny away. Against a few others while I’m thinking about it. Maybe we just cordially invite Rat to the party.” Mac returns the playful punch to the shoulder, “I do have to go, was good talking to ya Matt.”. Mac extends his hand one last time before getting ready to leave the area. Knox again shakes hands with Bane before they part company.
In the hallowed halls of Violence known as the backstage and training area of the Carnage arena, Mac Bane is walking towards catering and far off in the distance we can see Matt Knox coming from the opposite direction. It’s obvious that they see each other as both men tense up ever so slightly.
Knox relaxes, tossing and catching the Gatorade bottle in his right hand once before striding up to Mac and speaking "Suppose we got some air to clear, Mac?" A pause "Or are we doing the other thing?"
Mac smiles in return, “I’m open for either, your call.”. Mac relaxes his stance and instead of throwing a punch, he extends a hand. “I think we’re after similar things Matt, we’re approaching it in different ways. Likely getting in each other's way.”. Mac then waits to see if Knox will shake his hand.
Knox regards the hand for a moment, then takes it within his own and pays it a firm shake. "I'm not sure what you mean, Mac but I'm open to hearing you out," a pause "While we still got the option." He finishes.
“A level playing field, inclusion, just fair working environment in general.”, Mac again smiles a friendly smile. “We’re after similar things, but our delivery is a bit different.”. Mac shrugs, “I’ve got no beef with you, except when you attack one of mine. Amber is a hill I’ll choose to die on, if you get my meaning.” He pauses for a moment, as if collecting his thoughts, “I understand why you have such a problem with Jack. I know how it looks to the rest of the roster.”
“If you really understood, Mac you’d be as pissed as the rest of us” Knox answers, he cracks the gatorade open and takes a swig, before continuing, “As far as Amber, that’s a fight i’ve wanted since I got here. I meant what I said out of both sides of my mouth. I respect the hell out of her as a competitor, but I question anyone who stood by and let this place rot the way it has.” A brief pause, before he continues “I mean, name one other place you’ve ever worked and bled for where someone can amass a 6-0 or 8-0 record and be completely overlooked in favor of a returning “legend” or an ex champion on a losing streak? Just boggles the mind, man.”
Mac’s gaze hardens, “Something you need to understand is that in most places, that’s considered a cup of coffee. I was in this business for over a year and a half before I got my first title match of any kind. No one felt sorry for me and no one would have taken my side if I had actually complained. As far as Amber goes, you have to realize that when someone shows you respect and then you spit on them. That’s not a good look. We’ve had nothing but respect from day one for all involved. Did I take Jack’s side? You’re Goddamn right I did. There’s a lot of people here who don’t like some of his methods in the past. They do respect him for his body of work and his dedication to his family. I think that has value.”
Knox’s own gaze hardens as he listens, taking another gulp of gatorade, and capping it he begins to speak “I’ve only ever spoken my point of view, for what it’s worth. I have no ill will against Amber, or you. But I won’t hesitate when it gets to that point, either.” he makes sure to meet Mac’s eyes before continuing, “As far as Jack Michaels and his body of work, 500 days and what have you? Of course I respect it. You have to, it’s hard enough getting through one title defense. Especially the BIG title,”
“But don’t try and sell me on this horse shit with him coming back to fight Ken to defend Amber Ryan. Not after the punishment he dealt at Isolation. You, Amber, Jack whoever wants to can try and explain that away to me, but what my eyes saw, they held onto.” he lets out an exhale then, frustrated, “And if this was really about taking Ken out for what he did to Amber? Catch him outside and beat the shit out of him. Coming back and grabbing for the gold? That just makes it what men like Jack Michaels live for. A spectacle.”
Mac chuckles, his gaze softening, “I’m guessing you missed the part of that where that’s what she demanded. She would only face him at his absolute best. She got “The Blast”, that’s what she wanted. Fuck that, it’s what she demanded. When we face someone, we want all of everything they are. I know you would likely agree with that. Right?”
Matthew idly taps the gatorade against his thigh, before answering. His tone remains calm, even, “My daughter, Hope. She wrestles now. I had no say in it, my own fault but...IF I had the opportunity to take that knowledge out of her head, and make this look like unappealing work? I would.” he sighs, then raises his hands, motioning to the universe as much as to Mac, “I don’t care what they ask for, you never hurt your babies intentionally, Mac. If I had the Carnage Title, and Hope challenged me for it, I’d vacate it within a heartbeat and walk away. I don’t care who you are, what’s on the line, what they ask...a father does not do to his daughter what Jack did to Amber,” a pause, a tired shake of the head “Just my opinion. And it’s probably never going to change.” Mac looks at Raven and a lightbulb comes on, “I think you are mistaken about something. Amber is not Jack’s daughter by blood, he adopted her not long ago.”.
Knox waves a dismissive hand “Hope isn’t mine by blood either. I adopted her, when she was a child and I was barely out of being one. But my point stands, Mac. If you call them child..and moreso, Daughter. If they think of you as dad? You. Don’t. Do. That.” Responding quickly, “I won’t and can’t argue that, but there's a rather large difference between raising them to adulthood and adopting them as an adult. There’s a lot you don’t know about the dynamic is all I’m saying.”
Mac’s tone softens more, his voice almost a whisper, “I get it, my own sons both wrestle. I’ve had to fight them both at one point. Jimmy because he was on the wrong side of things and made the challenge. Calling the old man out, ya know? Aeric, I didn’t even know it was him at the time. My daughter Jules has been trained, but thank god she’s chosen a different path. There are moments though, moments where a father has no choice. I can tell you, I know her, if he had refused, if he had done what you suggest that you would do for your own. It would’ve cheapened what she accomplished and she would never have forgiven him. I think that your own daughter would likely feel the same way.”
Mac sighs an exasperated sigh, “Look I get it, you hate the situation. I think right now we all do. You preach about inclusion and I do the same about holding everyone to a higher standard. When I say that, I wasn’t targeting people like you and I or Jack and JC. I was talking about everyone. I don’t think that gets any more inclusive than that. I don’t have a beef with you, Silvio, Ko, Mitch and certainly not Adrienne. I think you are all fantastic, and we all fight the fight every chance we get. We certainly don’t have to be enemies through this. We could accomplish a lot by working together against the likes of that dip shit Alex and St. James.”
Matthew considers Mac’s words a moment before responding, “There are certain points in time where you have to be able to deal with those wounds, with cheapening the experience for them. I don’t want to sound old fashioned, but rolling in the dirt with your boys is a lot different to me than putting hands on your daughter. You know, you have one. It’s a...it’s different. Just different.” he shakes his head, letting out an exasperated sigh, “I’ll always stand shoulder to shoulder to go against people like Winter and St. James, but we can’t sit here and pretend that we two aren’t on a collision course.”
“And all the respect, all the mutual enemies, all the wars we fight together won’t change what we both gotta do when that time comes.” Mac considers the words, but only briefly, “That’s a fair assessment if we’re being honest. At the end of the day we are still competitors with similar goals and aspirations. At least away from social media, we can speak our minds. I guess the bonus is we didn’t try to kill each other yet. So there’s that.”
Knox finally cracks a smile, and chuckles. He takes a moment to wince and favor his taped up midsection “Yet.” he repeats “Who knows, you get that Ultraviolent title off of Kyra maybe I come for it to use as Rat bait.” he remarks, paying Mac a friendly jab to the shoulder. Mac now openly smiles, “I’d love to defend it against you when I take her shiny away. Against a few others while I’m thinking about it. Maybe we just cordially invite Rat to the party.” Mac returns the playful punch to the shoulder, “I do have to go, was good talking to ya Matt.”. Mac extends his hand one last time before getting ready to leave the area. Knox again shakes hands with Bane before they part company.