The confines of The Angel Arena within Grand Rapids, Michigan is a sight to be seen. Most PWT business takes place within it's wall- as does today. With the rumblings of the PWT's inevitable return, contracts being faxed in- staff being assembled.. things seemed to be buzzing. Arriving on a flight from Honolulu- PWT's last Heavyweight Champion.. Jacob Mitchell touched ground in Michigan earlier in the day and headed straight for the arena. After speaking over the terms of a return with PWT's brass, Jake had been absent far too long from the business as for the first time, he actually missed it.
Arriving though- he pulled up in a black R/T Dodge Charger compliments of a local rental service. Making sure to lock the door behind him- it wasn't even a split second before a camera crew sprinted towards Jake- of course, being Jacob Mitchell- he kept his head down and continued to head forward. An unfamiliar voice and face belonging to who probably was going to be PWT's next backstage announcer crowded Jake's space- he attempted to shove a mic into Jake's face and usually, that'd end pretty badly.. but this time?
Jake let it slide.
"JAKE?! JAKE?! ANY THOUGHTS ON PWT'S RETURN!?"
With the hood of his black hoodie pulled over his head- Jake continued to head forward.. all as a flock of security marked with their black shirts headed towards the camera man and pushed him back. A light scuffle broke out between the two parties- the last live shot of Jake was him entering The Angel Arena- then the camera's shot was killed off by a HUGE hand slapping it down and away- of course, bringing static for a brief second.
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Coming back to life- a new camera opened up within The Angel Arena- many tend to forget that the arena itself was built to house shows within it- so locker-rooms, production rooms and everything else needed to create a 'show' environment was located there. The camera was picking up a quick round of black- not before long, a figure emerged from the darkness- the silhouette took a few seconds to emerge.. the hood still pulled above it's head. Taking a second to the left of the camera, the silhouette closed his hands together and leaned forward- allowing his eyes to fix on the concrete floor beneath his feet. The stillness was broken by the light breathes the man took- all before with a simple clear of his voice, the silence was shattered.
"Who would of thought I'd be back in this place, huh?"
With a light chuckle, the man nodded his head a few times before bringing his head back and resting the back of it on a metal locker there. Staring off into space, the man sighed-
"I've learned first hand that there's a time and place to let it all end- to bury the nonsense and march forward. I've made a living off of holding grudges and extracting anger from that. There was a point in my life and career where I was deemed the angriest son of a bitch on the planet. Was it a compliment? Maybe at the time, sure.. But as I've aged, as I've matured, I see that as a total insult. That's how bad I allowed myself to get- how I let my ego engulf who I was and what I was able to do. Anytime I stepped in the ring I was capable of putting on five star matches- I had the potential to be the best of the best, but you know what I did? I let my pride.. I let my anger.. I let my ego get the best of me.. and it knocked me off course.."
As he trailed his words off, the authenticity behind what he spoke was as clear as day. Sarcasm was a second language for him, but there was nothing that'd even hit he wasn't being genuine at the moment. After taking another breath- the figure continued speaking.. the words rolled off of his tongue as if he'd been letting this brew within himself for a while.
"I know I've done some horrible acts.. I know I've burnt more bridges than I've built, but it comes with the territory. No-one in this business can say they pleased'em all, I know for sure I haven't. I've made life-long enemies, I know. There's people out there that wouldn't bother to look twice if I was in the grips of a tiger- bleeding to death. I know that some things I've said- a few courses of action that I've decided to take to further my stock, to build my legacy- to ensure my spot in history.. it's rubbed a lot of people wrong. Apologizing.. apologizing won't change anything. I won't bother trying to change the past- I am who I am, and I've done what I've done. I ain't proud of it, but I for damn sure won't act like it didn't happen. It'd be hypocritical, it'd take away the mystique of who I am- of the legacy I've built.. being.. well, Infamous."
If there was any doubt onto who the figure was- that was put to rest. Clearly, despite having his face hidden in the shadows- there sat the two time PWT Champion; Jacob Mitchell. A man that indeed has built quite the reputation over the course of his career, Jake never stepped into a fight he didn't like- he never met a attitude he couldn't adjust. He made a living, and at a point a TOTAL living off of silencing critics and fighting anyone that stood in between him and what he felt he was owed. The horror stories from San Antonio.. the adversaries that REALLY hated him- it was too much, but it was warranted due to the attitude he presented. He never shyed away from it though- Jake always 'fessed to what he did, he always admitted that it was part of him- that as long as he wanted to achieve specific goals- he needed to be the most ruthless bastard around.
"The last time I was around here- Brooks.. Burden and myself? We stood on the top of the mountain, man. I held the PWT Title and I had absolutely no intention of allowing it to escape my grasp, but I made a mistake- a dire mistake. I allowed myself to believe that I was untouchable- that I'd have it all on lock. Come to find out about a month later? The rug was going to be pulled from under me- it wasn't meant to be. Now I know what you're thinking.. 'damn Jake, you're gonna hold that against PWT, huh!?..' but nah, I won't. See, I brought that on myself, I see that now. This isn't the 80's, a long term title reign? It's boring, I know. I don't mean to toot my own horn but I know I'm good, I'm damn good. When I'm on a roll, there ain't a lot of people that can go toe to toe with me, that's on me- that's my opinion. I suffocated PWT, I killed PWT. I allowed my pride to get the best of me.. I let a lot of people down, I caused a lot of good people to lose their jobs.. It a mess."
Bringing his right hand up- Jake ran it down his face slowly as he moved his hand to the top of his head and brushed his fingers through his hair. The mistake he made- it DID cost a lot of people jobs. Not so much the talent, more like the staff- those involved in production.. it wasn't an easy job field to be involved in. Sitting there in the darkness though- that sudden urge of disappointment slapped Jake across the face again- it was as if he was being choked by a ghost. He couldn't get over the fact that he crippled a promotion so badly that it took nearly 2 years for the wounds to heal- he took it personally.
".. as I was at home, enjoying my family.. there wasn't a second that passed that I didn't think.. 'what if'? What if I applied myself to keeping PWT on the top? What if I put my time and energy into making Professional Wrestling Today THEE place to be?! Instead of scaring competition off, what if I allowed the company to open it's doors- I want that. I want people to feel as if they're welcomed into the company to try and put themselves against the best of the best- it took me 9 long years to see that, but I do.. I WANT to face the best, I WANT the challenge."
His words beamed like a laser- usually, the condescending tone he'd take.. it wasn't there. For the first time in a while, Jacob Mitchell had come clean- and for the first time in his career? He didn't feel the need to destroy and rebuild..
"Not a lot are given a second chance, I know. I've been fortunate enough to be granted a hell of a more than that- but even I know I won't get much more. So when I got the call, I was stoked. I was told they wanted me back- they wanted me to give it another shot. They wanted to see what a two year lay-off would do for Jacob Mitchell- to see if they could harness all that skill- all that infamy- and display it to the world under the PWT banner. I didn't even have to think about it, I said I was in. So if you're looking for that punk- for that miserable son of a bitch that goes around ripping people to shreds- abducting their kids and doing breaking and enterings...?"
Hanging his head- he let an humiliated type of scoff out-
".. My bad Duke, that was uncalled for."
Of course referencing to the controversial moment when Jake, along side his then protege- Tony Rich- broke into the Andrews' Residence and filmed themselves near the crib of Duke's child.. Sighing, he tilted his head back again.
"What you'll get this time around? Is me- is Jacob freakin' Mitchell- you're gonna get.. ME. There's no acts, man.. there's no expectations- there's nothing aside of me- a squared circle and millions.. and millions of fans. I know a lot of people- especially the faithful IWC that won't like it that I've grown up, but eh.. can't please'em all, right?"
Jake shrugged- truer words were never spoken.
".. but don't get it twisted, if you think you're gonna run rough-shed over me because I've decided that my calling is to elevate the PWT into a GOOD light.. you're sadly mistaken. I'm still Jake Mitchell, I've still the silver tongued devil that'll rip a fool to shreds if needed. I wasn't told I needed to restrain myself, but for the first time in a while.. I don't feel like I need to be that person. I don't feel like I need to kick dirt on someone's name to build a rivalry, you know? I'll let my actions speak for me, I'll let it all be settled in the ring. 2003 has come and gone- the days of buring people six foot deep with verbal concrete.. those days are over. Today? In 2013? It's all about the quality of the matches- it's all about making sure to leave a lasting impression. This industry is a 'what have you done for me lately' deal, and lately? I haven't done anything. Luckily my name has value, but at the same time I know that nothing is being handed to me- I know that I've gotta build myself back to where i want to be. It ain't gonna be easy, not when people like Con Escobar is around- people like Whysper- people like Nevymorr, you know? I know that PWT wants to put itself back at the top and this time around.. I'm going to be a helping hand- I won't be the reason it fails. I know that there's people who'll be skeptical, and you know what? Good, be skeptical. I don't blame you, I've been associated with villainy for so long, that won't change overnight. But.. But.."
Holding up a finger- his index on his right hand, Jake nodded.
".. remember one thing, I've always been a man of my word. I've found ways around the truth, but when I said something.. I always did it. Just know, come hell or high water- PWT WILL rise again. I won't let the company that gave me arguably my biggest achievement to date- no offense Mister McCallister.."
Another chuckle escaped Jake's lips..
".. go down without a few more big moments. My name is Jacob Mitchell- I've been called The Infamous... I've been called The Bull Shark- but for the moment let's suspend that and be truthful to the moment.."
Finally.. Finally.. Jake emerged from the dark and pulled the hood off of his head. He looked straight into the camera and rubbed the top of his buzzed head-
".. The Prodigal Son.. has come home."
With a wink of his left eye and a light smirk- the scene cut off to black.. Fitting for the return of one of PWT's biggest names in recent memory. His attitude might of shifted- he didn't seem as petty and arrogant as before but Jake was Jake- it's who he was. Despite seeing much more mature, Jake was still a force to be reckoned with- PWT had grown into his stomping grounds- he took it upon himself to make PWT HIS home away from home.. and this time around, Jake seemed to take the challenge to protect the banner he represented.. instead of tagging all over it and attempting to change the brand. It wasn't known what was in PWT's future, but by locking up it's two time Heavyweight Champion, that was a great start indeed..
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