jayshort
Long Live THE KING
“I don’t wanna come inside, daddy! You’re not playing fair! I’m telling momma!”<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Yonkers</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State></st1lace>. <o></o>
<o></o>
Sitting on the sofa, inside of the living room of their two story, single family home, was professional wrestling superstar SEAN “TRIPLE X” STEVENS, with his four year old son, SHANNON JOSEPH STEVENS on his lap, in full pout mode. <o></o>
<o></o>
“Someone called?” As if on cue, IVY MCGINNIS – <st1lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace>’s mother, and just as equally Stevens’ wife – entered the room.<o></o>
<o></o>
The blue-eyed badass sighed, his heart was clearly heavy. “….Your son. Told him it was time to come in and call it a day, and he threw a fit. Our baby boy has developed quite the stubborn streak.” Trip smiled, softly, rubbing his only child’s light brown hair affectionately. <o></o>
<o></o>
Ivy laughed. “You can say it, Sean. Our baby boy has inherited a hell of a stubborn streak from his mother.”
<o></o>
She crouched down next to the man and his son, and looked <st1lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace> in the eyes. “Shannon, if you go get ready for bed right now, Daddy will read you any two stories you pick out, and he'll do the funny voices that you like so much.”
<o></o>
That seemed to work.
<o></o>
“Okay!” said <st1lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace>, as he climbed down from his father's lap and hustled as fast as his little legs could take him to the staircase.
<o></o>
“Another few years and he'll be taller than <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Adrian</st1lace></st1:City>,” said Ivy. She sat down next to her husband and draped her legs over his lap, smoothing out the folds of her black capris and stretching her arms over her head, exposing her flat, bullet - scarred stomach from under the pale green tank top she also wore. <o></o>
<o></o>
“Seems like just yesterday, I was rushing to the hospital, praying that I’d be there before you delivered…” Trip responded, softly massaging Ivy’s legs, as he drifted in thought. “Puts a lot of things into perspective. So does that.” He said, pointing to Ivy’s bullet wound. “I thought I lost you that day. For a brief moment, my world ended. I’ve always said that if I ever lost a title belt, my world would end, but after losing the big belt last week, and remembering how I felt when I heard you had gotten shot, I can honestly say, it’s no comparison. You two are my world, and I’m thinking it’s time to call it a career. I really miss you guys.” <o></o>
<o></o>
She tensed. Trip noticed.<o></o>
<o></o>
“Something wrong?”<o></o>
<o></o>
Ivy adjusted her glasses. “So you want to call it a career?” she asked.<o></o>
<o></o>
“I've been thinking about it.”<o></o>
<o></o>
“After that match?”<o></o>
<o></o>
Trip didn't answer, but he kept his attention square on Ivy. It was more than just courtesy for the woman he married: when it came to professional wrestling, the people with the most success learned to listen to Ivy McGinnis.<o></o>
<o></o>
“Sean,” said Ivy, “No offense... but do you really think that's the legacy you want to leave behind?”<o></o>
<o></o>
“My legacy is fine. I came back to wrestling to win a world title. I did even better, I won THE world title, and I defended it against all comers for two years straight, successfully. And, I lost it in a match that I clearly won. When the federation that you’ve given your blood, sweat and tears to starts making up rules on the fly, because none of its talent can actually beat you? That’s says a lot about you as a performer. But, it also says I may have worn out my welcome. I’ve proven I’m the best, and my title loss was my EPW co-sign.” Stevens responded.<o></o>
<o></o>
Hesitation.<o></o>
<o></o>
“So you want to go out as a racist, sexist, elitist misanthrope?”<o></o>
<o></o>
“Ouch,” was the only response Trip could muster. “…I can see where you’re going with this, and clearly you feel some kind of way about something I’ve done, or said. But, if that’s how you felt … why wait so long?”
<o></o>
Ivy withdrew her legs, but crossed them in front of her and stayed where she was, facing him.
<o></o>
“Why?” she repeated, “Because--”<o></o>
<o></o>
She hesitated. <o></o>
<o></o>
“It's because you've spent the past two years fending off everyone Ryan could dig up, and because you've been carrying the company on your shoulders for three straight years. I know better than to bungle with your mojo, I just thought... now that you don't have to keep the company going by yourself... you'd show the Empire more of the Sean Stevens that I love instead of the Blue Eyed Badass that everyone despises.”<o></o>
<o></o>
“I am—I was that person. I was that person when I came back. My intentions were pure. I was that person when Craig, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Windham</st1lace></st1:City>, A1E, Westcott, the Plumber and everyone else tried to put that company out of business! When Lindsay took her ball and went home because she lost her title, I was the guy that kept this company afloat! When Melton packed his bags and left us hanging, the entire company panicked, Ryan included, but not me. You remember what I said to you that night, Ivy?”<o></o>
<o></o>
She listened. <o></o>
<o></o>
“I put my construction boots on, and built the Empire from the ground up! You know where that got me, Ivy? I don’t even have to tell you. You were there. You heard the boos. Being the Sean Stevens you love didn’t get the newspapers, the magazines, the beat writers, and the bloggers to recognize me as the pound for pound number one wrestler in the world. Being the Blue Eyed Badass that everyone hates did. It was an easy decision to make.”<o></o>
<o></o>
“Well, what about our son?” Ivy responded. “Sean, whenever you’re on TV, I turn the channel, because I don’t want <st1lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace> seeing or hearing some of the things you do and say.”<o></o>
<o></o>
That seemed to strike a chord. A tear formed in the corner of Stevens’ right eye. Wiping it gently, he attempted to reply, but found himself choked up.<o></o>
<o></o>
“Sean, it takes more than a title to be a champion. I know you hate the sound of his name, but, you know how the business in general refers to Paul as 'Champ'? The last time he held a World Title, I was cracking canes over your head."
<o></o>
Stevens rolled his eyes -- he didn't even like anyone else named Paul anymore. But he nodded his head -- Ivy was right.<o></o>
<o></o>
“Eli was a World Champion for probably less than a year put together, does that make him any less of one,” asked Ivy.<o></o>
<o></o>
“So, what are you saying Ivy? That I wasn’t a champion? That the guy that the EPW chose to replace me is?” Trip responded, clearly irritated with his wife’s inability to simply tell him what he wanted to hear, instead always opting to tell him the truth.<o></o>
<o></o>
Ivy smiled, and cupped his chin in her hands.<o></o>
<o></o>
“Of course not,” she replied, “Two years of defending that belt against everyone who could come up against you? You’re the greatest Champion that the Empire ever had, and anyone who would argue the point has already lost the fight.”<o></o>
<o></o>
She laughed. “To tell you the truth, I kinda feel bad for that First kid... following a champion like you is almost a guaranteed crash and burn. You did the toughest job anyone in our business can do; you filled the seats for two straight years with people who hated your guts. Only Naitch can make that claim, I’d wager.”<o></o>
<o></o>
At a complete loss for words, Stevens could do nothing but smile.<o></o>
<o></o>
“The difference,” continued Ivy, “is that there's a big difference between love to hate and wanna murder. I’ve seen you get trash thrown at you; I’ve been there when some fans have chased us to our car in anger. I’ve heard them cheer a particularly biting sarcastic comment against our favorite Trendy Fake Goth, and I've been proud to stand next to you when ten thousand people were giving you, me, and Alex a standing ovation.”
He continued to listen.<o></o>
<o></o>
“Have you had a chance to check out any of Knox’s work in the New Frontier? He’s got the skills, the chops, and the biting commentary to bring an audience to their feet, but he manages to do it by being a naively decent kid. You’ve got the skills, the chops, and the commentary, and you know far more than he does, how to use it.”<o></o>
<o></o>
Ivy laughed. “I’m rambling. My point, Sean, is that I’ve seen you work for a dozen years now and I know, firsthand, you can get any reaction you want by any means.”<o></o>
The Blue Eyed Badass sighed, conceding in defeat, with one last parting shot. “<st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Rome</st1lace></st1:City> wasn’t built in a day, sweetie. It took a supreme being seven to create the world. I can’t change overnight. If I try, and I fail, where does that leave us? <st1lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace> not being able to watch my matches really hurts.” <o></o>
<o></o>
They looked into each other’s eyes. Ivy’s glasses had slipped to the end of her nose, and she looked over the top of the rims into his steel blue eyes with a pair of her own emerald greens.
<o></o>
“<st1:City w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Rome</st1lace></st1:City> wasn’t built in a day, cute stuff, because they didn’t have me on staff.”<o></o>
<o></o>
Stevens smiled, “Touché.” <o></o>
fficeffice" /><o></o><o
></o><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
ffice:smarttags" /><st1lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Yonkers</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">New York</st1:State></st1lace>. <o></o><o
></o>Sitting on the sofa, inside of the living room of their two story, single family home, was professional wrestling superstar SEAN “TRIPLE X” STEVENS, with his four year old son, SHANNON JOSEPH STEVENS on his lap, in full pout mode. <o
></o><o
></o>“Someone called?” As if on cue, IVY MCGINNIS – <st1
lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace>’s mother, and just as equally Stevens’ wife – entered the room.<o></o><o
></o>The blue-eyed badass sighed, his heart was clearly heavy. “….Your son. Told him it was time to come in and call it a day, and he threw a fit. Our baby boy has developed quite the stubborn streak.” Trip smiled, softly, rubbing his only child’s light brown hair affectionately. <o
></o><o
></o>Ivy laughed. “You can say it, Sean. Our baby boy has inherited a hell of a stubborn streak from his mother.”
<o
></o>She crouched down next to the man and his son, and looked <st1
lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace> in the eyes. “Shannon, if you go get ready for bed right now, Daddy will read you any two stories you pick out, and he'll do the funny voices that you like so much.”<o
></o>That seemed to work.
<o
></o>“Okay!” said <st1
lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace>, as he climbed down from his father's lap and hustled as fast as his little legs could take him to the staircase.<o
></o>“Another few years and he'll be taller than <st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Adrian</st1lace></st1:City>,” said Ivy. She sat down next to her husband and draped her legs over his lap, smoothing out the folds of her black capris and stretching her arms over her head, exposing her flat, bullet - scarred stomach from under the pale green tank top she also wore. <o></o><o
></o>“Seems like just yesterday, I was rushing to the hospital, praying that I’d be there before you delivered…” Trip responded, softly massaging Ivy’s legs, as he drifted in thought. “Puts a lot of things into perspective. So does that.” He said, pointing to Ivy’s bullet wound. “I thought I lost you that day. For a brief moment, my world ended. I’ve always said that if I ever lost a title belt, my world would end, but after losing the big belt last week, and remembering how I felt when I heard you had gotten shot, I can honestly say, it’s no comparison. You two are my world, and I’m thinking it’s time to call it a career. I really miss you guys.” <o
></o><o
></o>She tensed. Trip noticed.<o
></o><o
></o>“Something wrong?”<o
></o><o
></o>Ivy adjusted her glasses. “So you want to call it a career?” she asked.<o
></o><o
></o>“I've been thinking about it.”<o
></o><o
></o>“After that match?”<o
></o><o
></o>Trip didn't answer, but he kept his attention square on Ivy. It was more than just courtesy for the woman he married: when it came to professional wrestling, the people with the most success learned to listen to Ivy McGinnis.<o
></o><o
></o>“Sean,” said Ivy, “No offense... but do you really think that's the legacy you want to leave behind?”<o
></o><o
></o>“My legacy is fine. I came back to wrestling to win a world title. I did even better, I won THE world title, and I defended it against all comers for two years straight, successfully. And, I lost it in a match that I clearly won. When the federation that you’ve given your blood, sweat and tears to starts making up rules on the fly, because none of its talent can actually beat you? That’s says a lot about you as a performer. But, it also says I may have worn out my welcome. I’ve proven I’m the best, and my title loss was my EPW co-sign.” Stevens responded.<o
></o><o
></o>Hesitation.<o
></o><o
></o>“So you want to go out as a racist, sexist, elitist misanthrope?”<o
></o><o
></o>“Ouch,” was the only response Trip could muster. “…I can see where you’re going with this, and clearly you feel some kind of way about something I’ve done, or said. But, if that’s how you felt … why wait so long?”
<o
></o>Ivy withdrew her legs, but crossed them in front of her and stayed where she was, facing him.
<o
></o>“Why?” she repeated, “Because--”<o
></o><o
></o>She hesitated. <o
></o><o
></o>“It's because you've spent the past two years fending off everyone Ryan could dig up, and because you've been carrying the company on your shoulders for three straight years. I know better than to bungle with your mojo, I just thought... now that you don't have to keep the company going by yourself... you'd show the Empire more of the Sean Stevens that I love instead of the Blue Eyed Badass that everyone despises.”<o
></o><o
></o>“I am—I was that person. I was that person when I came back. My intentions were pure. I was that person when Craig, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Windham</st1lace></st1:City>, A1E, Westcott, the Plumber and everyone else tried to put that company out of business! When Lindsay took her ball and went home because she lost her title, I was the guy that kept this company afloat! When Melton packed his bags and left us hanging, the entire company panicked, Ryan included, but not me. You remember what I said to you that night, Ivy?”<o></o><o
></o>She listened. <o
></o><o
></o>“I put my construction boots on, and built the Empire from the ground up! You know where that got me, Ivy? I don’t even have to tell you. You were there. You heard the boos. Being the Sean Stevens you love didn’t get the newspapers, the magazines, the beat writers, and the bloggers to recognize me as the pound for pound number one wrestler in the world. Being the Blue Eyed Badass that everyone hates did. It was an easy decision to make.”<o
></o><o
></o>“Well, what about our son?” Ivy responded. “Sean, whenever you’re on TV, I turn the channel, because I don’t want <st1
lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace> seeing or hearing some of the things you do and say.”<o></o><o
></o>That seemed to strike a chord. A tear formed in the corner of Stevens’ right eye. Wiping it gently, he attempted to reply, but found himself choked up.<o
></o><o
></o>“Sean, it takes more than a title to be a champion. I know you hate the sound of his name, but, you know how the business in general refers to Paul as 'Champ'? The last time he held a World Title, I was cracking canes over your head."
<o
></o>Stevens rolled his eyes -- he didn't even like anyone else named Paul anymore. But he nodded his head -- Ivy was right.<o
></o><o
></o>“Eli was a World Champion for probably less than a year put together, does that make him any less of one,” asked Ivy.<o
></o><o
></o>“So, what are you saying Ivy? That I wasn’t a champion? That the guy that the EPW chose to replace me is?” Trip responded, clearly irritated with his wife’s inability to simply tell him what he wanted to hear, instead always opting to tell him the truth.<o
></o><o
></o>Ivy smiled, and cupped his chin in her hands.<o
></o><o
></o>“Of course not,” she replied, “Two years of defending that belt against everyone who could come up against you? You’re the greatest Champion that the Empire ever had, and anyone who would argue the point has already lost the fight.”<o
></o><o
></o>She laughed. “To tell you the truth, I kinda feel bad for that First kid... following a champion like you is almost a guaranteed crash and burn. You did the toughest job anyone in our business can do; you filled the seats for two straight years with people who hated your guts. Only Naitch can make that claim, I’d wager.”<o
></o><o
></o>At a complete loss for words, Stevens could do nothing but smile.<o
></o><o
></o>“The difference,” continued Ivy, “is that there's a big difference between love to hate and wanna murder. I’ve seen you get trash thrown at you; I’ve been there when some fans have chased us to our car in anger. I’ve heard them cheer a particularly biting sarcastic comment against our favorite Trendy Fake Goth, and I've been proud to stand next to you when ten thousand people were giving you, me, and Alex a standing ovation.”
He continued to listen.<o
></o><o
></o>“Have you had a chance to check out any of Knox’s work in the New Frontier? He’s got the skills, the chops, and the biting commentary to bring an audience to their feet, but he manages to do it by being a naively decent kid. You’ve got the skills, the chops, and the commentary, and you know far more than he does, how to use it.”<o
></o><o
></o>Ivy laughed. “I’m rambling. My point, Sean, is that I’ve seen you work for a dozen years now and I know, firsthand, you can get any reaction you want by any means.”<o
></o>The Blue Eyed Badass sighed, conceding in defeat, with one last parting shot. “<st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Rome</st1lace></st1:City> wasn’t built in a day, sweetie. It took a supreme being seven to create the world. I can’t change overnight. If I try, and I fail, where does that leave us? <st1lace w:st="on">Shannon</st1lace> not being able to watch my matches really hurts.” <o></o><o
></o>They looked into each other’s eyes. Ivy’s glasses had slipped to the end of her nose, and she looked over the top of the rims into his steel blue eyes with a pair of her own emerald greens.
<o
></o>“<st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Rome</st1lace></st1:City> wasn’t built in a day, cute stuff, because they didn’t have me on staff.”<o></o><o
></o>Stevens smiled, “Touché.” <o
></o>
