Post by cadillac on Jun 27, 2021 18:46:38 GMT -5
- Cadillac & Doobie's apartment [off camera]
"We are the five Norwegian regions,
With the capital of Oslo, visit any season!
We are the five Norwegian regions,
We're in Northern Europe, so let the learning begin!"
The corny somewhat naisely voices sing out in no particular rhythm from the other room, causing Doobie Jackson's head to shoot up from the kitchen table. Quizzically and somewhat annoyed he looks into the adjoining living room to Cadillac, who sits on his laptop on the couch. "The fuck is that? I thought you were doing some research on your opponents this week to get back into the swing of things?" Doobie demands. Cadillac waves him off with a dismissive hand, letting out a pained groan as he does, clutching his shoulders. Still feeling the effects of the Seven Gates of Hell match, clearly.
"I am man, hop off 'em." Cadillac retorts annoyed, stretching his sore shoulder. "Look, I found this informative YouTube documentary on Norway, which is where Ulf is from. And I've found out that Valkyrie was raised by Norwegian parents so it's a two-for!" Cadillac turns the laptop as Doobie raises his eyebrows, seemingly impressed as he gets up to get a closer look.
"Oh, ya know something that's actually not a bad idea. If you can learn a bit about your opponents, their heritage and their intimate backgrounds it could give you just the edge up you need to win at Proving Grou-" Doobie's enthusiasm for Caddy's plan dies down immediately as he locks eyes with the laptop that reads 'Kids Learning Tube - Norway Geography'. "What the fuck man? This isn't a documentary it's a children's song to teach them about the places in Norway! This isn't going to help you gain any intel."
"Yeah but you haven't even heard the song, it's shit hot! Listen -" Cadillac attempts to play the song but Doobie closes the laptop.
"I will not listen! Come on Cameron seriously, I get it. Things haven't gone the way you've wanted in Project Honor, but you can't just keep making a joke about everything. Too many more losses and we're going to lose the apartment Cam. Dad's medical bills are getting worse and you said this was the best way to get us back on our fee-" Cadillac interrupts quickly.
"This is the ONLY way Doug. I get it, I'm not making the big bucks I promised you by floundering around the bottom of the card, but Jesus Christ I'm trying man. Did you watch Hell on Earth? I got eight stitches in my forehead. I haven't been able to get out of bed without painkillers for four fucking days dude. I can't sleep at night because if I move the wrong way I get jolted awake by nerve pain in my shoulder. Do you think this is what I want? To keep winning matches until I'm given an opportunity to do something bigger and blow it? No Doobie, shockingly I'm not in this to make a complete jackass out of myself. I - " This time it was Doobie's turn to interject.
"Then stop acting like one man! You started off as this larger-than-life, suit-wearing superstar, and you've let yourself slowly devolve into a Sunday morning cartoon character. The shit you said at Hell on Earth was fantastic, but the problem is you don't believe it."
"NOBODY believes it Doobs! Why would anybody believe in anything I say? My record is all over the place, hardly anybody even knows I work for this company, and when I do get a little bit of an opportunity - I can't do anything with it. I can't win the big one. THAT'S why nobody believes in me, Doobie." There's a long pause as the tension between the brothers come to an all time high. Doobie furrows his brow, but just shakes his head and moves toward the door. Opening it a crack he looks to step out, but turns back to Cadillac.
"You're my big brother man. I know it's not the admiration you crave, but I've always believed in you. That's why it's so fucked up that you don't." Cadillac looks to retort but is interrupted once more by the door shutting with a bang. Shaking his head and sighing deeply Cadillac sits in long, bitter silence before looking down at his laptop, and tossing it aside onto the couch.
"Fuck Kids Learning Tube." He mumbles before getting up and following after his little brother.
So when is Cadillac Jackson going to capitalize on ANY of the opportunities he's been given on Proving Ground? Great question, my friends, and if I had the answer to it maybe I'd be able to sleep a little better at night. I really thought I could do it, you know? Shock the world at Hell on Earth. Enter a match that absolutely nobody thought I had a chance in - hell - of winning, and prove everybody wrong. It was such a romantic idea in my head because it'd be the perfect launching point to get my career back on the path I want it on. I do have ambition, I do have wants and goals and dreams of doing bigger things in Project Honor. But there's like an invisible wall that no matter how hard I try to break through it, it just pushes me back three steps further.
And I'll be the first to admit I'm not doing myself any favors. I know I'm a little on the - uh - arrogant side. So when I do lose, it surely doesn't paint me in the best of lights. I'm honestly fine with people who consider me all ego, or people who count me out because my record isn't necessarily the most prestine. But what I can't live with? Is this idea that Cadillac Jackson is invisible. That's how it feels lately is like I'm just a ghost haunting the halls of whatever arena we happen to be in. People don't mention me in their promos. I'm not promoted on the show until my match comes up. I'm not talked about in all the fancy little internet blogs and website exclusives. But what hurts the most is that day after day, week after week, month after month I bust my ass to at least be one of the most entertaining members of this company, and I just keep getting overshadowed by the flavor of the month that comes in and signs a contract. Case and point is the match this week.
I was signed to Project Honor for two or three months before I was even considered to be in a championship opportunity. That of course being the X-Factor Championship that my old pal Calfzilla now holds. That one? It was on me. I didn't have my head in the game and it stings because I look at all the clout winning that tournament has afforded Lance Williams, and I know that should have been me. It should have been my spot to take, to propel myself to the top of the card. I slipped up, and I'll be the first to admit that. But I payed my dues to get to that opportunity, and then Indy Darling has the GAUL to award the likes of Will Riley and Ulf Hednir a shot basically upon signing their contract? Convenient.
I'm not trying to downplay anybody in this match. Despite looking like an extra from the show Vikings Ulf had an incredibly impressive debut against PepperJack Sparrow or whatever the hell the cooking dudes name is. He's got a fun little niche gimmick that the fans can get behind even though 75 percent of them are too stupid to understand what he says and too lazy to Google translate it, but if there's one thing us Americans love it's a guy saying things with intensity and giving us a one word phrase to chant. And Will Riley? Fuck man your guess is as good as mine because it's as if the dude is purposely as boring as he looks. Ain't nothing about him online, doesn't have much of a social media presence... I know he likes submissions? Riveting stuff man, really got me on the edge of my seat.
I proved without a shadow of a doubt at Hell on Earth that I'm here to play, and I know this tournament was 'randomly generated', but I'll be damned if I'm going to let you two get in the way of me recapturing the glory I once knew and the destiny that I've earned. I know ol' Emmy is getting tired of seeing my mug, and frankly once I take that title off her shoulder I'll be happy to never see her again because we have fought to nausea at this point. But she's got something I want, and I'm not going to stop until I get it. Will, Ulf, I understand you both want it too. You want that acknowledgment and the accolade of being a champion so early on in your career. But I have different motivation. This is an obsession at this point, because I've been so close I can taste it, and I've been so close that at this point it almost feels like a tease. I'm not thrilled to have to jump through hoops just to jump through more to get another shot at this title, but if that's what it takes? Best believe your boy ain't backing down, baybeee.
Luckily, I guess, I'm not alone against William Walace and drying-paint Will, 'cuz ol' Cadillac has ONCE AGAIN found himself in tag team action, ONCE AGAIN relying on somebody else to hold up their end of the bargain. Look Valkyrie, I'm not trying to be jaded and I'm not trying to talk down to anybody, but there's only so many times I can bust my ass to carry a team only to watch as my partner gets their shoulders pinned to the mat and earn me another big L in the record books. I said it before Hell on Earth and it's worth noting again, you've proven that you got the go in you. Hell in the Seven Gates match you held your own for sure. But all I'm asking is you put your heart into this, and for the love of God show up ready to win. Nothing against any of my partners in the past, but I don't have the best track record of people showing up ready to go. So please Val, I'm begging ya. Just... show up. I don't need another reason for the higher-ups in Proving Ground to ignore me.
Look I get it, I'm not the first to claim favorites and I know Indy has a lot going on trying tame Ozy and Petey and Hunter and Lance and Dickie and everyone else running rampant around his show, but the fact of the matter is this. There's been some missteps along my way but I've finally found myself back on track. And I'm not just here to tell you, I'm here to prove it to you. Cadillac Jackson is going to be the one to beat. Don't believe me? That's fine. I don't need you to believe in me. Because I believe in me, and frankly, my opinion holds a lot more weight than any of you nerds.
This is the turning point. I'm done being the curtain jerker, I'm done playing second fiddle. If Indy isn't willing to utilize the talent he has in Cadillac Jackson?
Somebody else will.
