2014.07.18: PWN - LEGACY - Man in the Mirror Part 2
Frank Washington: …Bobby, if you have any hope of defeating him you need to clear your mind and stay focused! If you’re going to beat him you’ll have to do so on your terms and not his, don’t give him the benefit of homefield advantage in the realm of mental chess. His mind may be razor sharp but he only has as much power over you as you give him…
The words of his mentor and manager days before his professional debut against Christian Othniel and Brandon Marks were running through his mind every time The CO tried to push his buttons looking to send him into a rage and lose his cool. Othniel was going back to a tried and true method in an attempt to get back into Bobby’s head as they head into their first one on one match against each other and why wouldn’t he? The master of “Evil Ways” always looks to secure the advantage by any means necessary especially mentally but Bobby was a quick learner, when he finds a mistake in his game plan he does his best to avoid committing the same mistake. Admittedly to Bobby it was difficult at times with how personal this rivalry has gone in near record time and there was clear hatred on both sides, it was clear as day but he couldn’t give him that satisfaction – not again. If WASTE and Natural Selection had truly joined forces it was kept on the down low but at the very least one could assume that they had an informal alliance to help each other with common enemies all in the name of the all-important numbers advantage.
Bobby Langford could be seen standing outside the Kansas City Repertory Theatre as the latest edition of Legacy sister promotion MSW’s Unstoppable had just finished taking place. The talent share has worked out well for both Legacy and MSW ever since it was announced but almost as soon as the show ended his focuses immediately shifted back to the west coast in Carson, California. His eyes reflected a steely sharp focus as he made his way to the parking lot with his bags in tow like a man on a mission but knowing that cameras were rolling from Legacy he didn’t hesitate to speak his mind.
Bobby Langford: Should anyone have expected anything else from Christian Othniel instead of once again deflecting responsibility and looking at the main in the mirror? He refuses to look at his own flaws and mistakes, in his eyes he’s not the one in the wrong and he could certainly NEVER be a part of the problem right? In his eyes it’s everyone else that’s the problem save for a select few in his inner circle and people who serve his agenda for the time being. You’re quick to tear me down for being a man of honor, integrity, and respect and having a sense of right and wrong and having heart?!
Bobby emphatically slaps his hand on his chest several times as he raises his voice not out of anger but out of passion.
Bobby Langford: Do you think this is some kind of gimmick, a persona I adopt in front of the crowd? This is who I am Christian! I had to work for damn near everything in life in a household where everyone earned their keep. My father worked many long days and nights just to keep food on the table and pay the bills and everyone pitched in to keep the house and yard in order, my brother and I had responsibility thrust on us from an early age so we knew the value of a dollar and what a hard day’s work meant. If David and I wanted to play a brand new Super Nintendo we had to earn it and while many people would be ready to complain about having to put forth a mountain of effort to achieve their goals? Well let me tell you something brother, there’s no satisfaction greater than seeing the fruits of your labor pay off but you wouldn’t know anything about that would you?
Bobby paused as he let his bag drop to the ground, shaking his head half out of pity and half out of just being downright disgusted.
Bobby Langford: It’s all about “The Purge”, removing anybody and everybody that runs counter to your ideals and eliminating those that actually decided to play the hand they were dealt instead of folding to their inner demons. I’m not a knight in shining armor nor did I ever claim to be but if the fans look up to me as a role model and a “hero” because of what I stand for and who I am then I’m honored to be that positive role model; something that’s become increasingly scarce in this day and age.
So before you decide to throw your stones at me atop your house of glass ask yourself one question; am I happy with who I’ve become? And I don’t mean looking in that mirror and saying what you want to hear but be honest with yourself; life must be miserable living behind the façade you’ve erected to compensate for your own insecurity.
Bobby spoke straight from the heart and even though he knew chances are Othniel would twist his words or even outright boast how evil he truly is it had to strike a nerve. As far as Bobby as concerned Othniel was nothing more than a schoolyard bully who said and did unspeakable things to compensate for his own insecurity and inner strife. For people like Othniel it was an easy way to feel better about himself by tearing people down and justifying his actions but more often times it was the bully trying to convince himself the most that what he was doing was right. Despite speaking his mind however he only addressed a portion of the problem as he was still looking at a 2 on 3 disadvantage in the best case scenario. In addition to Ruby Red running interference Con Escobar had reemerged from retirement to act as an insurance policy just in case the Steel City Dream managed to beat him from pillar to post one on one.
Bobby Langford: Speaking about insecurity how about Con Escobar? What a shock, Christian Othniel can’t fight his own battles like a man so he resorts to calling in favors as an insurance policy. Now I’m not going to take anything away from your ability in the ring Escboar, your resume simply speaks for itself but for a man who’s apart of Christian Othniel’s “psychological Vietnam” history also shows that your heart isn’t always in the game. At the same I also understand your desire to make things right and do the industry right even if it’s for your own selfish reasons. But I’ll tell you this right now Escobar, if you want a match with me all you have to do is ask. I can’t speak for Mr. Decaine but my goal was never to be the “Greatest African American Wrestler” so by all means claim that title as your own. I’ve always been about putting in the hard work and dedication into my job and being the best I can be and God willing become the one of the Best Professional Wrestlers, period.
Bobby goes to pick his bag up off the ground as he flashes that warm smile as he looks back into the camera.
Bobby Langford: I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, grasp and reach for whatever edge you can because at the end of the day? You can’t beat me one on one on your own and it’s not because you lack talent but it’s your lack of confidence. You need to cling to outside interference; you need to cling to bending and breaking the rules just to have a chance of winning because when it comes down to it? You’d rather take shortcuts and then make excuses when your plan falls apart; you just simply don’t have what it takes to put forth the hard work and apply yourself when the going gets tough. You never will either, not until you finally decide to take responsibility for yourself and change your ways. Just remember…
With his free arm Bobby balls his hand into a fist and goes through the motions of his finisher, Driving Steel.
Bobby Langford: Hammer always beats the steam drill.
With that Bobby walks off into the parking lot. The war of ideals was quickly reaching a flash point as all the combustible elements were ready to explode inside a Legacy wrestling ring. History was already in the making as Bobby Langford was looking for his third straight victory in a virtual must win situation. A loss here would embolden Christian Othniel and his campaign to purge the masses all in the name of “Evil Ways” while a win by Bobby would deal a severe blow to a purge that already burst onto the scene with a great whimper. Regardless a win or loss would be very unlikely to win the budding war but to the victor goes the spoils and the ever important momentum both in Legacy and in this personal rivalry. With that the scene fades to black.
