2014.07.05: PWN - LEGACY - Respect

Respect; a word that was tossed around like confetti in this day and age but a word that most people seemingly couldn’t understand. At one time Bobby Langford had a great deal of respect for Matt Ward but over the last several weeks that had rapidly diminished when he formed the infamous faction known as WASTE. No one ever accused Matt Ward of being a saint or a model citizen but he was a man who always achieved success or failure on his own merits prior to Friday the 20th and that alone was enough to earn Bobby’s respect until he took the dishonorable route to victory by using outside interference. To Bobby Langford it sent several messages, first of all it showed that Matt Ward can’t be trusted by his word; after all if the man was willing to use gang tactics and guerilla warfare to achieve a means to an end then there was no limit to what he’d do to win. Second of all it showed a great amount of weakness, a kink in the armor of Matt Ward; it showed a supreme lack of confidence, it showed that he didn’t think he was capable of winning on his own. Now Matt Ward and the other members of WASTE would very well disagree arguing that they do what they have to in order to achieve their goals, to send a message. While it was true there was strength in numbers and the numbers game would yield quite an advantage it only shows that they need a stacked deck to thrive, catch them alone or with the numbers evened and their flaws are exposed. Bobby knew he would have Frank Washington in his corner as usual but he was only there to manage him and even the odds if and when WASTE decided to get involved and he didn’t expect or want Frank Washington to fight his battles for him. That’s what separated Bobby Langford and Matt Ward the most – confidence in one’s own ability to stand their own ground.

As the scene opens up Bobby Langford and Frank Washington could be seen standing on a bridge overlooking the massive Missouri river. Bobby was leaning against the railing overlooking the river with a lot on his mind between WASTE and the purveyor of “Evil Ways“ himself Christian Othniel each looking to make their move. Bobby Langford could very well be on the verge of fighting a two front war and while this may overwhelm most people, especially someone new to professional wrestling he saw it not only as a test but a duty that needed to be carried out.

Bobby Langford: Matt Ward, you seem to be awfully fond of speaking out of both sides of your mouth. One moment you’re talking about “breaking me” and trying to make me paranoid over my brother’s fall and WASTE’s possible involvement in our match but the next moment you turn around and talk me up, saying how much you “respect” me and looking forward to tearing down the house together. Your tone changes in an instant between friendly competition and complete an utter conquest almost as if you want to have things both ways. I’m not here to talk about Alyssa Pryde and I’m not here to talk about a riot that didn’t exist. Whether you agree with Mr. Stevenson’s actions or not on Friday the 20th as mad as the fans were, there were no riots in Carson after the show. But I find it… peculiar that you use it as an opportunity to play the respect card.

Bobby pauses and chuckles as he shakes his head in disbelief.

Bobby Langford: It’s almost as if you expect me to forget the fast one you pulled on Ian Windermear by using the Emerald Academy connection as a promise of pure competition. Matt as much as I’d love to believe that you and I would put on a wrestling clinic together to show as you put it, what two people from the Emerald Academy can throw down in the ring… that’s never going to happen with WASTE at your beck and call. At the first sign of danger you’re going to turn to Angelica Night for the distraction when you’re out for a pin, you’re going to count on Aiden Marx to slip you some brass knuckles or Cameron Kaiser to jump me from behind, I’m not stupid Matt. A series of wins by WASTE on Independence Day would be the perfect opportunity to showcase your dominance as a group and a series of defeats could put a screeching halt to your building momentum.

Bobby turns his head towards the camera as Frank Washington steps forward towards the camera.

Frank Washington: Long time no see Matt Ward, I see you’ve amassed quite the following with WASTE. I’ve been in your spot before and while this may seem weird to you Bobby… I respect that. I know what it’s like to be in the spot you’re in and I know what it’s like to pursue a goal through any means necessary. You got bills to pay, a mortgage, and food to put on your table and we all know that when you hold championship gold you get a nice big bonus to go with it. If the circumstances were any different I’d be the last person to get in your way… but when you mess with guys like Noah Adelaide it becomes my business.

A wry smile forms on Frank’s face at the irony of the situation. Normally he was the one with the numbers game and taking every shortcut possible to reach the top, at least as the man he used to be. Frank Washington was notorious and by some accounts still notorious to some people for stabbing others in the back and taking any measures necessary to obtain exactly what he wanted; he embodied the ideal of “the ends justify the means”. If anyone understood the mindset of Matt Ward and the rest of WASTE it was the man once dubbed “The Revolutionary Turncoat” himself.

Frank Washington: I know for a fact that if I wasn’t there in his corner after the match you would’ve swarmed to him as well like a pack of hounds for his trouble and that’s something I can’t allow to slide. I’m far from being a saint myself but I’m not going to abandon two men I’m proud to call my friends and students and I won’t hesitate to even the odds on Independence Day. You have my word that I won’t interfere so long as things remain one on one but the moment that changes you’re going to usher in a war you can’t win.

Bobby flashes his trademark warm smile as the two stand together shoulder to shoulder in solidarity.

Bobby Langford: On Independence Day WASTE will learn that there’s no substitute for good ole fashioned hard work and dedication to one’s craft. WASTE’s momentum is going to come to a screeching halt as the steel curtain comes crashing down on the Windy City Nightmare so go ahead and take whatever shortcut you feel is necessary because I have confidence in my own ability to defeat you by myself. The Hammer Of Justice is coming… let freedom ring.

Frank Washington: And that my friend… is Revolutionary.

Matt Ward wouldn’t go down easy and with WASTE in his corner anything could happen on July 5th but with the groundwork laid in place for an “Emerald Alliance” of sorts with Noah Adelaide at least for this week the deck was no longer stacked in WASTE’s favor. On a level playing field WASTE and Matt Ward will be tested when the numbers aren’t nearly as slanted in their favor and if Bobby Langford and Frank Washington had anything to say about it the Steel City Dream was going to notch up a second straight victory in his fledgling career. Whether Christian Othniel was injured or not Bobby was going to champion the values he believes in as a clear cut alternative to the path so many in this industry appear to be falling to the wayside to, it’s just who he is. Honor and integrity are alive and well and if people haven’t learned yet they’re going to in quick order as Bobby Langford plans to lead by example as he aims to show Matt Ward the error of his ways. With that the scene fades to black.