Post by Mark 'Ace' Kelly on Jun 30, 2021 18:36:08 GMT -5
The scene opens up on a simple shot of a small hotel gym. Inside the gym stands the the tall form of 'The Australian Ace' Mark Kelly. He has his hat on backwards, headphones in his ears, and is currently more focused on pumping the barbells in his hands then on anything else around him. He makes a few more curls, before his gaze flickers towards the camera, and he smiles softly. Slowing down his curls, he gently sets the barbells down, standing back up and reaching across for a nearby water bottle, which he raises to his lips to take a deep sip and then finally looks back at the camera. Reaching up to pull away his headphones, he shifts to face the camera fully now, his focus quickly settling in.
"Project Honor, right?" The camera bounces a few times to indicate he's right and Kelly nods before taking another sip of his bottle. He takes a few more deep breaths and then runs a hand through his hair, clearly taking his time to settle himself and gather his thoughts before talking. "So, it's been a frantic few weeks for me. I only signed to my first American company at the end of April. I spent years running all around Australia, chasing my dream, trying to get that chance, and it's finally here. And the latest stop on that journey is right here in Project Honor. I'll be honest, it wasn't just the talent that caught my eye, or the chance for another stage to establish myself. It's all about that code. A code that recognises the history of this business, and makes sure that anyone walking in those doors has to have some respect for it. Project Honor just feels like such an old school throwback, and I love it."
Kelly grins as he waits another moment and runs a hand through his sweat slicked hair again before speaking once more. "And this week, it's my debut match. I go from sitting ringside at Hell on Earth and watching three other new arrivals give it their all in their debut, to sharing the ring with them. I'll be honest, what I watched at Hell On Earth was amazing. Tara, John, and Daniel all put on such a good show, and they showed that even though Project Honor was already so full of talent at the top, that there's always room for more. And I am just.....I'm thrilled that I get to be part of that. That I get to call myself a member of this fantastic roster, and in my first few matches, I have a chance to earn myself a title shot. I have a chance to establish my name even more, and on the way, I get to face two veterans of this business like Tara Fenix and John Blade as well? That's amazing."
"I mean....even down under we've heard of the legend that is John Blade. Big Match John goes all over the world, and puts on a show no matter where he goes. I mean, he doesn't really win much, but thats okay. Because this business is about more then just wins or losses. It's about more then just getting your hand raised. It's about putting on a show for the fans, about learning your craft, getting better, finding your spots and your chances. And John Blade has got so many chances, been all over the world, and he gets to do this for a living. I have to respect that. The man is good at what he does, and even if his schtick is almost carbon copy from one place to the next, it still gets a reaction. Still gets people's eyes on him. And knowing, that in my Proving Grounds debut, I get to face this legend of this business between those ropes? That's huge for me. I am genuinely looking forward to facing him."
Kelly pauses for another moment, turning to glance around himself, and then picking up a small towel. He uses it to wipe the sweat from his face, and then looks back at the camera with another grin. "And as for Tara Fenix....well, I was there at Hell on Earth. You could just see it in her eyes. This was a woman that wanted that win so badly. She wasn't coming for the experience. Wasn't looking to try and get her name out there. She wanted that win, and she got it. And when I look at her, all I can think is....this is a woman that's got her edge back. That's gone through so much in her life, and now here she is, in a new company and she's still giving it everything she's got. Because wrestling is all she knows. This business isn't just a job. It's a lifestyle. A lifestyle I am more then willing to take and enjoy myself in. And yet, Tara has lived her entire life in it. She hasn't just wrestled and won titles and faced the best. She's moved on and started training the next generation. And now, here she is, lacing up her boots again, and judging from what I watched at Hell on Earth? Any time someone beats me, their going to absolutely earn it. I am definitely looking forward to testing myself against Fenix, because I know she will give every bit as good as she gets, especially with a title shot on the line. And the scariest thing for me? If she can actually fire up John Blade and get him to try, then me and The Captain are in trouble."
"And speaking of The Captain..." Mark pauses for a moment now, head leaning back slightly as he glances around, looking for a way to say what he wants to. Finally glancing back at the camera and sighing. "This tournament is a big thing. A way for a challenger to be set for Emmanuelle. A way for someone to earn a chance at the Warrior Rising title. Emmanuelle proved how incredible a champion she is when she walked out of all that steel with ber belt still around her waist. That match was absolutely brutal, and yet she refused to lose. She went through Seven Gates of Hell and STILL walked out champion. Now thats dedication. Thats the kind of champion I want to be. The kind of champion that you can only get my title when you pry it from my cold dead fingers. I am looking forward to one day, standing across the ring from Emmanuelle, and testing myself against her. But in order for me to reach that, I need help. And thats help from you Ackerman."
"I don't know what set you off at Hell on Earth. I've got no idea what made you think cussing me out right after your match was a smart idea, but I'm willing to be the bigger man here and ignore that. Because if we're going to make it through this and earn one of us a shot at Emmanuelle? Then we need to work together. This week is a tough match. You and me against two legends like Fenix and Blade. Two young hungry rookies against two older veterans trying for another chance at the brass. I have no doubt in my mind, that if we're off our game even a little, then we're in some serious trouble. Now, for me? I don't have to like you to recognise how good you are. You're a prodigious talent, one of the greatest exports from Ireland since Guinness. Now, me personally, I'm not a Guinness a drinker. I've tried it once, and it was too thick and dark for my happy little soul. I'm a Bundy man. But I can respect it has it's place.....just like you. And this week, your place is right by my side, getting us a chance at that title."
"Now, after this tournament is over, if you want to come at me? Want to find out who the better man is? I'll happily take that challenge. Maybe we can have ourselves a drinking competition, and I can prove Australian's are the TRUE drinking champions of the world. But for this week, and however long this tournament goes, you and I are going to need to get along. I can play nice if you can, Captain. Because the stakes are just too high for us not too." Mark grins now, making the belt motion around his waist before stepping back, hands now raised and finger guns pointed right at the camera.
"Anyway, thats all from me this week. I still got a work out to finish, an arena to find, and some rum to drink. Proving Ground, this is THE Australian Ace signing out. G'Day." And with a double shot from his guns, the camera cuts to black.
"Project Honor, right?" The camera bounces a few times to indicate he's right and Kelly nods before taking another sip of his bottle. He takes a few more deep breaths and then runs a hand through his hair, clearly taking his time to settle himself and gather his thoughts before talking. "So, it's been a frantic few weeks for me. I only signed to my first American company at the end of April. I spent years running all around Australia, chasing my dream, trying to get that chance, and it's finally here. And the latest stop on that journey is right here in Project Honor. I'll be honest, it wasn't just the talent that caught my eye, or the chance for another stage to establish myself. It's all about that code. A code that recognises the history of this business, and makes sure that anyone walking in those doors has to have some respect for it. Project Honor just feels like such an old school throwback, and I love it."
Kelly grins as he waits another moment and runs a hand through his sweat slicked hair again before speaking once more. "And this week, it's my debut match. I go from sitting ringside at Hell on Earth and watching three other new arrivals give it their all in their debut, to sharing the ring with them. I'll be honest, what I watched at Hell On Earth was amazing. Tara, John, and Daniel all put on such a good show, and they showed that even though Project Honor was already so full of talent at the top, that there's always room for more. And I am just.....I'm thrilled that I get to be part of that. That I get to call myself a member of this fantastic roster, and in my first few matches, I have a chance to earn myself a title shot. I have a chance to establish my name even more, and on the way, I get to face two veterans of this business like Tara Fenix and John Blade as well? That's amazing."
"I mean....even down under we've heard of the legend that is John Blade. Big Match John goes all over the world, and puts on a show no matter where he goes. I mean, he doesn't really win much, but thats okay. Because this business is about more then just wins or losses. It's about more then just getting your hand raised. It's about putting on a show for the fans, about learning your craft, getting better, finding your spots and your chances. And John Blade has got so many chances, been all over the world, and he gets to do this for a living. I have to respect that. The man is good at what he does, and even if his schtick is almost carbon copy from one place to the next, it still gets a reaction. Still gets people's eyes on him. And knowing, that in my Proving Grounds debut, I get to face this legend of this business between those ropes? That's huge for me. I am genuinely looking forward to facing him."
Kelly pauses for another moment, turning to glance around himself, and then picking up a small towel. He uses it to wipe the sweat from his face, and then looks back at the camera with another grin. "And as for Tara Fenix....well, I was there at Hell on Earth. You could just see it in her eyes. This was a woman that wanted that win so badly. She wasn't coming for the experience. Wasn't looking to try and get her name out there. She wanted that win, and she got it. And when I look at her, all I can think is....this is a woman that's got her edge back. That's gone through so much in her life, and now here she is, in a new company and she's still giving it everything she's got. Because wrestling is all she knows. This business isn't just a job. It's a lifestyle. A lifestyle I am more then willing to take and enjoy myself in. And yet, Tara has lived her entire life in it. She hasn't just wrestled and won titles and faced the best. She's moved on and started training the next generation. And now, here she is, lacing up her boots again, and judging from what I watched at Hell on Earth? Any time someone beats me, their going to absolutely earn it. I am definitely looking forward to testing myself against Fenix, because I know she will give every bit as good as she gets, especially with a title shot on the line. And the scariest thing for me? If she can actually fire up John Blade and get him to try, then me and The Captain are in trouble."
"And speaking of The Captain..." Mark pauses for a moment now, head leaning back slightly as he glances around, looking for a way to say what he wants to. Finally glancing back at the camera and sighing. "This tournament is a big thing. A way for a challenger to be set for Emmanuelle. A way for someone to earn a chance at the Warrior Rising title. Emmanuelle proved how incredible a champion she is when she walked out of all that steel with ber belt still around her waist. That match was absolutely brutal, and yet she refused to lose. She went through Seven Gates of Hell and STILL walked out champion. Now thats dedication. Thats the kind of champion I want to be. The kind of champion that you can only get my title when you pry it from my cold dead fingers. I am looking forward to one day, standing across the ring from Emmanuelle, and testing myself against her. But in order for me to reach that, I need help. And thats help from you Ackerman."
"I don't know what set you off at Hell on Earth. I've got no idea what made you think cussing me out right after your match was a smart idea, but I'm willing to be the bigger man here and ignore that. Because if we're going to make it through this and earn one of us a shot at Emmanuelle? Then we need to work together. This week is a tough match. You and me against two legends like Fenix and Blade. Two young hungry rookies against two older veterans trying for another chance at the brass. I have no doubt in my mind, that if we're off our game even a little, then we're in some serious trouble. Now, for me? I don't have to like you to recognise how good you are. You're a prodigious talent, one of the greatest exports from Ireland since Guinness. Now, me personally, I'm not a Guinness a drinker. I've tried it once, and it was too thick and dark for my happy little soul. I'm a Bundy man. But I can respect it has it's place.....just like you. And this week, your place is right by my side, getting us a chance at that title."
"Now, after this tournament is over, if you want to come at me? Want to find out who the better man is? I'll happily take that challenge. Maybe we can have ourselves a drinking competition, and I can prove Australian's are the TRUE drinking champions of the world. But for this week, and however long this tournament goes, you and I are going to need to get along. I can play nice if you can, Captain. Because the stakes are just too high for us not too." Mark grins now, making the belt motion around his waist before stepping back, hands now raised and finger guns pointed right at the camera.
"Anyway, thats all from me this week. I still got a work out to finish, an arena to find, and some rum to drink. Proving Ground, this is THE Australian Ace signing out. G'Day." And with a double shot from his guns, the camera cuts to black.
