http://xwf99.com/showthread.php?tid=39144

THAT!!! ^^^^^

That, Thaddeus, is what I was looking for. THAT is the passion I wanted. THAT is the anger I needed to see, the feathers I needed to ruffle. THAT is the type of heat this title fight needs. I'm just glad I finally got your attention.

Now that that is out of the way, let me remind, once again, in case you were too busy seeing red and slamming a hole through your lavalier microphone to hear it clearly.

"Newsflash Thad, they've all hated me long before they ever loved you."

It's not plagiarism if I quote myself, right?

I digress.

It's nothing new to me, their disdain. It's nothing new to me, the fact that I am most likely the least welcomed person on this roster. Let's just say I don't get invited to the company Christmas party. Eh, no biggie, I heard Roxy's cooking sucks anyway.

I have proven a lot of things with only two trips in front of this camera so far, but you helped me prove another. Yes, you did it. Congrats.

You helped me prove to the XWF community and to the world that I am a lot less emotionally sensitive than you are. You helped me prove that it IS indeed possible to get into your head, that you can be rattled, that you can be flustered. You helped to prove that you, indeed, are human.

Congrats on that. Congrats on having feelings! Congrats on having emotions.

I used to have them once. Hell, I used to be just like you. Get all bent out of shape over what someone said in a promo that was designed to diss the other person, designed to skate the line of realism and fantasy, designed to talk shit that may or may not be backed up. I used to be very emotionally invested, in fact.

Too much so.

Like you, I have a lot of pride. You may not think so. You may think I am just some schlep who does this because I can't get laid and need an outlet, but the truth is....I've grown more than you'll ever know. More than you'll ever care to know. Why? Because you only care about yourself, plain and simple. Always have. I care about the betterment of the XWF, about good storylines, about ruthless trash talking and good vignettes that tell a story and keep people watching. I care about this place, as much as they don't and have never, cared about me. You wanna talk about love, and that's the driving force that kept you here when you were feeling unappreciated, uncared about, unwanted? When you felt like your entire livelihood was being taken from you by people who don't understand what you do, how you think, how your mind works? It's not love Thad, it's anger. It's motivation. It's pride. You proved that. This is as fired up as I've ever seen you. I'm glad I could be a part of this. I feel bad though, I do. I feel bad that I was the one to pull you out you of those monotone promos where all you talk about is how good you are when you haven't proven jack shit in four fucking years. I LOVED those.

Where are those? Can we get more of those?

Of course we can, because that is what you do, Thad. You're a little riled up right now, but I'll admit, if there is a pot there, I am gonna stir it. What's a little Chris without some Chaos, huh? It's my name, after all. Truth is, I snapped long ago. I lost my marbles. I have been dragged through the mud, both inside and outside of the XWF programming, and I have been shamed into giving this whole thing up. I did it, I quit. I'll admit it. I took my ball and I went the fuck home. I stuck up a middle finger and got on the bus. I sought greener pastures, and I was convinced in my own mind that this place was toxic, not me. I was convinced that XWF was hands down the worst working environment on the planet. But I was wrong.

It takes a big man to admit they're wrong.

I went elsewhere and it's just not the same. I even tried to get into management elsewhere. Oh boy was that a mistake.

I SEE YOU.

And I know you saw us.

Was it love that brought me back? No. It was a big ol' piece of humble pie. It was the realization that no place out there in this gigantic world in which we live does things quite like this place. It was like leaving a broken home, and missing it when you got to the shelter. I missed the acidic personalities, the trolls, the negativity, the walking on egg shells. I missed it all. But most importantly, I missed the superstars. I missed the competition. There are some of, if not the, best in the world at what we do that are signed to those ice blue letters, and one time, I was among them. I was on top of the world. It was like I ate a York Peppermint Patty and ended up on a high cliff, shouting down from the heavens as snow pelted my face. One time I WAS, and had to know if I still AM.

That's why I came back, Thad. It wasn't for love. It was for my own selfish desires. It was my own needs. It was my own mind that I was trapped inside, scratching and clawing to get out.

The screams, ohh lord the screams.

I think I found the formula. You see....back in the day, when I was actually "good", I wasn't having fun. I had, as HBK once famously said, lost my smile. I was so emotionally invested in being the best that I never took the time to live a little.

Unpucker your asshole, you're far too uptight.

The ones who won, they were loose, they had fun, their promo's flowed, and you could generally tell they had a good time being here and doing this. I've never got that hunch about you. I think you're too much like I was, like you're too stuck in your ways to open your eyes and see how much this place has to offer. You shun creativity Thad, you push it away like I once did. If its not your idea, its a bad idea. You think people are interested in your stories, real or not, and you want to force them down everyone's throats because their idiots for seeing it differently. Everyone's an idiot to you, everyone is beneath you. You sit atop this pedestal that until recently you didn't belong on, and now your nose is stuck in the air even higher than it was before. I admire your consistency to keep us in the loop as to whats going on in your ever active "life", but its just not my cup of tea. Or many others.

Or anyone's.

But who am I to judge? Hell, I have no horse in this race. People haven't cared about what I've had to say in YEARS, why should I poke fun at you for them actually caring for the FIRST time in the same amount of time? They care because you're relevant now, that's all. They care because you're on a hot streak. They care because you're the face of this place for the time being. They cared about Warstein too, they cared about Engy, they cared about Main, they cared about Sarah. Anyone who holds that belt has the privilege of being relevant, being listened to....

....doesn't mean what they are saying is worth hearing.

I sit back and have a little fun, you resort to making threats.

I used to make threats. I use to stomp my feet and throw hissy fits. I used to let the littlest shit bother me....I used to let someone like me throw me off my game, ruffle my feathers, get me all worked up. I never put out my best stuff because I was too worried about if I could without worrying about if I should. Now, I've grown, I've adapted, and I've overcome. Now I can shred you and be as calm as a cat. I am cool as a cucumber you're over here having a massive coronary.

Shame, truly.

See, unlike you, I listened to every word you said with ferocious concentration and voracious anticipation. I heard your words, I could tell you were seething. Just bubbling with rainbow colored rage.

Have you ever had an original thought? Have you ever had one creative idea that wasn’t already done on television? In movies? Hell, even in the XWF?

I don't know Jericho, have I? Mr. Adrian McCallum, Mr. Lionheart.

I'd continue, but I don't want you to get all worked up again. That's not good for your blood pressure Jeric---err---Duke.

While you're over here tooting your own horn, patting yourself on the back and French-tickling your own balls, let me ask you....and this isn't a diss, this is a serious question........

How have you been here just as long as I have, if not longer, and your record is 29-12? How have you been doing this since 2016 and you've had 41 matches?

I think I know, in fact, I think I have an answer to all of your questions.

So, put that horn down for a second, let it breathe.

Duke....you're the kid who restarts the game console before you're character loses. You just can't handle NOT being on top. You can't handle seeing anything through unless it 100 percent benefits you. You hate the truth, yet you're so quick to spew it....

YES they hate me, but I've BEEN HERE. I get so many shots, get in so many interesting storylines, am involved in so many big moments, because I HAVE BEEN HERE. I've put myself through the grind. Opt in to nearly every show. Took my lumps, but won almost double what I lost. You want to talk about being shit? Dukey, you clearly don't do your homework. All you care about is YOU and what YOU have accomplished. The only losses you want to bring up of mine are to YOU. But you're so quick to tell us of your achievements, but why not mention your failures? You touched on it when you said many of your shortcomings were of your own doing, but so quick to keep them in the dark. All you want to shove down our throats is what you've done over me. You fail to see the bigger picture. I left for 8 months after a brutal and non-stop, every night career, you left after a year and a half of nothing, and were gone for nearly two. We are not the same.


"Aaaaahp, there he goes again.

Duke, your trophy case is impressive, I'll give you that. THREE TIME X-Treme Champion. Yowie Wowie! TWO time TV champion. Solid. ONE time tag champ, ONE time Universal Champ. It's safe to say you know what gold taste's like, but your head is FAR too big for what your resume reads. I could walk around, always putting my shiny toys on display. I don't. I bring it up if the conversation warrants, but most of the time its implied. I say I am the best in the world at what I do, nobody believes me, I enter the ring and kick their teeth down their throat, and leave. But....since the conversation warrants...........

I remind you that you are a joke and the entire roster laughs at your ineptitude…

2x

XWF TOP 50 ALL-TIME (I know, beating that horse, but hey, you started this).

I've held every major belt this company offers, outside of the X-Treme title. That's a personal thing. I think the 12/7 rule is stupid and opens the door for inferior competitors to get their 15 minutes of fame they didn't earn......but that's just me. Best believe if I wanted that, I'd go get that. So while you sit here and flaunt your trophy case, and continue to put my accomplishments down, just remember this question....

WHERE WERE YOU?

When I was out there busting my ass every single night, opting into show's I didn't have to, fighting injured, putting my neck on the line for the betterment of the entire community. Where were you the night I WON the Universal Title?

That's right, getting sent to hell by your own newly acquired ass blaster, Doctor D'Ville.

Where were you at High Stakes 3 years ago? That's right, watching me and Jim Caedus have the match of the night, being nothing but a third wheel. Yes, Caedus pinned me, but nobody remembers you were even in that match.

August 2nd, 2017. You LOST in the King of the Ring Qualifying tournament to Trax. Sure, I lost to Engy on the same night, but I busted my ass, show in show out, card after card following that. Nearly every.single.show. You? You disappeared for two years to lick your wounds and wallow in self pity. Nobody saw a trace of of you until 2019 March Madness, when you LOST to Donovan Blackwater. You were fired by your own family. Then you came back and went on a roll, didn't ya?

WIN over Roman
WIN over Gage Gannon
WIN over Thunder Knuckles--okay, that one is mildly impressive.

My point here?

Until RECENTLY, you've been consistent. You've WON over, what are they referred to as, enhancement talent? Big match after big match, top star after top star. You lost.

You were a loser.

Dr. Louis D'Ville---LOSS
Chris Chaos when he was at this best--LOSS
Peter Gilmour and Mystica (this one is just funny)--LOSS.
James Raven--LOSS
Trax--LOSS
Scully--LOSS
BIG D (okay, this one is funny too)--LOSS
Robbie Bourbon--BACK TO BACK LOSS
Chris Page--LOSS

You beat the people you were SUPPOSED to beat....but, if you want the facts, you lost to the people you were SUPPOSED to lose to.

Every single name listed above, I have beaten at one time or another, sans Page because I haven't had the pleasure of fighting him yet without HIS butt buddy being involved. What is it with all these crutches around here? Yeah, I lost at March Madness to Robert Main. You lost to Donovan Blackwater. We are not the same.

Now before you go pulling up my backstage page (be careful, there's a lot to scroll through), just know I am NOT saying I have had the best track record as of late. I have 36 losses, and a handful of them to you. I'll give you that. But.....Chris Chaos always seems to pull one out of his hat. Always seems to be able to BEAT the big names. That is something that throughout your career, Thad, you just couldn't do.

I get more attention than I need bro.

Yeah, now.

Chris Page made you his bitch until you pulled Doc from the retirement home. He helped you win this title in the first place. He's the reason you're a tag champ now. So you didn't "take down" Cataclysm, you opened your lips for a legend and sucked him to completion. And don't give me that bullshit about the Page win, it was a DQ, you didn't earn shit. Sure, you've had my number, but before you go discrediting my entire career, move your nose away from the real talent's ball sack for a few minutes so you can see what you're looking at. Until your win at High Stakes (have you bought Doc a card and some flowers yet?) the only meaningful thing you've done in your career is beat ME.

When I was Tag champs, Engy cashed in his briefcase, he wasted a Uni title layup, to pin ME. To take the tag straps off ME. You think its because they think its funny? I KNOW its because they see me as a threat.

A real fucking threat.

I know YOU think I suck, but damnit I know what I am. Who I am. They hate me now, sure they do......I'll agree wholeheartedly......but they don't hate me for what I've done, they hate me for what I've become. I've tried so hard to change in recent months that I've forgotten who I was, and what made me successful. I know, I said I've never changed.......and I haven't, until this year. I'll admit that. Ever since I've come back I've been trying so hard to catch up that I've lost sight of what made me.....me. There, I saved you a quote and an accusation of hypocrisy. So how about we put this entire dick waving contest aside, put this pissing match behind us, and come to terms with the fact that this is a BIG fucking match on a BIG fucking show featuring two staples of the XWF landscape? Can you do that? Or has little Dukey come unglued?

Or, is little Dukey delusional?

I’m Thaddeus Duke. I’ve always been. I’ve never pretended I was anything but.

It’s called evolution dipshit. If you don’t evolve, you don’t get better.

Whether I win or lose, I take stock of myself and identify ways in which I can improve my game. I identify the flaws in my game and work diligently to correct them.

Every single time you aren't happy with the outcome, you leave and come back as a whole new Thaddeus Duke. You've never been you, you've been countless new versions of you, each one more watered down than the last until you finally found one that sucked juuuuussssttt a little less. What you've always been has been the scared kid on the playground, who knew he couldn't hang with the big boys, so you went and got a new tee shirt and some cool Sketchers, hoping they'd accept you.

They didn't.

Ever.

Til now.

You're the flavor of the week, Thad, but you're quickly going out of season.

But while we're here, and the flavor is still fresh......

Lane fired her and vacated the title before you even stepped foot in the ring.

You really think that means anything? Duke, there is that bigger picture thing again. You ignorant troll. One, Lane was trying to protect Sarah from the inevitable. She was going to beat Kenzi, set her on fire, and have NO allies when that Chaos train had come-a-rollin in, or she was going to die in the ring before I got a chance to kill her myself. It's simple strategy from the Vin Man, but it didn't involve you so of course you over looked it.

That whole bigger picture thing.......

Sarah was protected, and Vinnie tried to protect her. Problem is, nothing could protect her from the storm that was coming. Me. So he fired her, but you know DAMN WELL she was going to be given that belt back. Vinnie thought he screwed ME, AGAIN, and took me out of the title picture. He thought I'd go down quietly but Vinnie did what Vinnie has been doing for years.....

Underestimated Chris Chaos.

If anything. I did Sarah Lacklan a damn favor. But I also did YOU a favor....Thad.......

If you mattered, they wouldn’t have been trying to bump you from the High Stakes main event.

You're a funny little guy, Thad. The only one that tried to get me out of that match is YOU. You and your fat Jew mouthpiece. You whined and complained, damn near begged, for YOU to be put there instead of me. But Dukey, you don't make the booking, do you? You don't control what goes on around here, you have no power. No cheese with that whine. You would have gotten the match, lost, left again, and XWF would have moved on without you.....

Like we always do.

But instead.....I listened to you. Nobody else did. The management rolled their eyes and let Heyman ramble...but I listened. I knew how much being more than just a name on a roster meant to you.....so I did what I had to do. I helped Sarah, and I helped you. You're here because I prevented another big match loss and lengthy hiatus to "find yourself", and I gave you the prime opportunity for me to rise up, the glorious and triumphant underdog, and beat you for the only thing good in your miserable life.

I had to hurt her, to help you. Then help myself by hurting you. Oh its all just such masterful puppeteering.

If YOU mattered, I woulda been thrown out on my ass a long time ago.......

I've been knocked off that ladder many times before, but I keep on climbing back up. You want me to leave, but I am going nowhere. I truly am a cancer, Thad, a cancer that just keeps coming back, ravaging and wreaking havoc, causing pain and torment. I've been knocked around more than an abused wife with a cold breakfast but I've got a hell of a lot more fight left in me. Get ready, strap in, because this is going to be a wild ride.

10 DAYS

10 DAYS UNTIL I TAKE YOUR PRIDE AND JOY.

10 DAYS UNTIL I MAKE YOU SAY I QUIT (which is nothing new for you when you think about it)

10 DAYS UNTIL THAT TITLE COMES HOME.

..........and I knew it all along.....

Being a champion is being a leader, Duke. I've been a leader this whole time.....I have been at the forefront of XWF lore for four years while you've sat on your hands to keep the shit in. Knock me down, I get back up. I don't hide in the shadows, I always lead the charge. Face it, Dukey, this last promo exposed you. You aren't cut out to be a leader, you're far too emotional.

They're so disappointed.

The red light from the bedroom illuminated the bathroom as the smell of strawberries spilled from the candles lit on the counter. Steam filled the dark bathroom and rolled into the bedroom as Chris entered to find Mandii in the shower after a long night of some much-needed bed play. Taking in a deep breath Chris spoke with a growl in his voice.

"I think it's time you come back...I need you back."

A hum escaped Mandii's lip before there was a low laugh from under her breath. A smirk could be seen behind the glass door of the shower.

"You don't mean that."

"You're right, I want you back. We have a lot to do."

"And plenty of time to do it in, don't worry too much it's not like you."

Chris growled under his breath before walking into the bathroom and leaning back on the counter with his hands crossed over his chest. There was only a moment of silence that was broken by Mandii's playful voice.

"When this first started it was fun. I enjoyed the thrill of it all and finally having something personal that no one knew about. The idea of being a little secret was amazing to me and a new experience. Being able to pull the strings without anyone knowing was exciting but I never knew it would lead to this point."

A loud sigh was audible from the shower mixed with the sound of water hitting the ground.

"Chris, when this started it was a game to me. I have to be honest and tell you that I never expected more out of what this is than just a little fun and then done. I didn't expect to actually fall in love with you."

There was a silence that fell over the room once again. The word love had never been mentioned before or even hinted at. In fact, it took Chris off guard for a moment.

"Part of me was scared to admit it but at this point, I have nothing to lose so I might as well be honest with you. I know I was a pawn to you in the beginning and now, well, if I still am I guess I'm ok with that. I'm not scared of the thought of being next to you while you accomplish everything you've set out to do. I've already made a legacy for myself and now I'm only here because it's the only thing I know...That makes me a threat. I don't fear losing because I have nothing left to prove. That's why I'm fine with you using me whether it be to get ahead or in...other ways...But you, you still do have something to prove and that's what I admire about you; that's what draws me to you. You have so much to prove but it was never proving yourself to other people. You don't give a damn about other's opinions of you but I've watched you lay awake and pick yourself apart. You're your own worst critic and I feel like you'll never be satisfied with yourself. That makes you a threat because you change and adapt in order to be better and I admire that. I admire the fact that you push yourself for yourself and no one else."

"I don't need a pep talk."

Mandii pushed her exposed body against the glass of the shower and showed off a devilish smirk.

"I didn't say it was one. It was more of a reminder than anything; a reminder of who the hell you are. You seem to forget the accomplishments you have all because you don't currently have a big shiny belt around your waist. I know you better than you think I do and I know you're getting antsy. You're itching for this fight and honestly, I've never seen you so determined to be better and do better. You're strong, a fighter, and you need to stop doubting that all because you don't have what you want just yet. That's also why I need to remind you that whatever happens, we have time to do everything we have planned. Chaotic Inc. is going to have its taking over with you leading the pack."

Mandii bit her bottom lip and giggled under her breath.

"The XWF isn't going to know what to do with us when all is said and done. We're a threat and everyone knows it even if they don't want to admit it.

The room grew silent again as Mandii pushed off the glass and the sound of water rushing over her body and hitting the ground took over.

"But...I also have to admit I'm a little concerned about what'll happen when everything is said and done. You saw what they did to you and Jenny...tried to turn you both against each other every chance they got and it worked to a degree. I'm pretty sure by now you know I'm going to be loyal to you and do whatever I can to help you perfect your legacy but what are you going to do under the pressure? I'll...I'm never going to turn against you, I'm going to fight by your side and push you forward because I know what you want and I want you to get it...but I can't help but wonder what you'll do under pressure. You have this dark side and even though our demons play well now...well..."

Silence. Deafening silence.

About 15 minutes of nothing but the liquid pellets assaulting the marble shower floor. There was a light squeak and the sound stopped. A female sigh from behind a curtain. Mandii gets out of the shower, just a tower wrapped around her shapely body. She turns the sink on, and when she looks up, gasps as Chaos is directly behind her. She turns quickly, and get grabs her by the throat, pushing down hard on her larynx.

"When you met me, I had a damn TV show as the Television Champion. I was high fiving children and carrying Jenny's bags..........you don't know what they did to me.......You don't know what brink they pushed me to. You don't know what monster they've awoken. What I did to Ned's parents, foreplay. That was just me having fun. There is nothing fun about being the champion.........but there is something fun about knowing you're still good enough to be."

Fear flashed in Mandii's eyes as a gasp barely escaped her lips. Her eyes fixed on Chris's as she gasped for breath before a smile stretched across her lips and a giggle hung in her throat unable to escape.

"Mandii......"

He presses harder on her throat, she begins to smack his shoulder to get him off.

"......Mandii you're not a pawn. Peter Gilmour is a pawn. Ares Creed is a pawn......Hanari Carnes even, is a pawn.....you.............you're my reason for even being back here at all. I'd still be rotting away in RLF if it weren't for you."

"You believed in me when nobody else did. You gave me the motivation to come back. You are the one who told me to stick it up their ass, to SHOW them who I was after years of merely telling them. I set up this elaborate plan, I wanted this to be my moment......I wanted this to be my crowning achievement........I have set myself up to hurt........I have taken my bumps, my bruises, my losses, all for this moment....to give Thaddeus Duke the ILLUSION that he is the best in this business....but its ME. DAMNIT. ITS FUCKING ME!"

He punches the wall next to her head, leaving a signifigant dent.

He pushes his body weight harder onto the hold, Mandii's eyes begin to roll. Her face is a light shade of blue, but darkening quickly.......

He says in a soft tone....."its....me."

He brings his lips to hers, and they embrace in a kiss. He loosens the hold on her throat as she bites his lip.

Mandii shoves Chris back trying to make enough room for her to cough and catch her breath. After a couple of hindered gasps for breath she smirks at Chris in front of her while still holding onto her throat. "Then show them...Show them the darkness...Show them who's the real champion...Show them the real Chaos and break Duke in half. You don't have any chains anymore. They can't keep you on a leash anymore."

".....The chains have been my own. Since Day 1 all I have wanted to do was impress them. This place was my second chance. This place was where I got a second lease on life. They gave me that opportunity and I lit their world on fire.......they had never seen anyone like me. They weren't prepared for what I brought to the table. I was the Universal Champion after FOUR MONTHS in this company. I was making waves that no ship could handle. I was on top of the world.......but at what price?"

He sat down on the toilet with a sigh.

"....I wasn't ready for......THAT. I wasn't ready to be the centerpiece of a company this talented. I wasn't ready for everything that comes WITH being champion. But every defense, I found a way. You wanna talk about pawns? I WAS THE PAWN. When someone with even more edge than I had, even more cool pyro and fancy promos, came along.....I was no longer cool enough. They took it from me, Mandii. TOOK IT. Vinnie Lane raised that chair....he brought it down, he knew DAMN WELL who he was swinging it at."

He looks at the floor.

"But then came the excuses. The apologies. Hey, I didn't trip at the time. All is fair in love and war, right? But ever since that moment inside that cage I felt they kept it from me.........I felt like this was all THEIR FAULT. I wasn't the champ BECAUSE OF THEM........but its not true...........I had lost my luster. I lost a step. They had beaten me at my own game and continued to. Time and time again, shot after shot after shot.........interferences, controversial finishes.........but on the stat sheet none of that matters, it all reads the same. L. The truth is....I didn't have it anymore and they knew it. Throwing me into shot after shot, nowing my head was not where it needed to be, knowing I went into every match EXPECTING to lose.........Duke was right, they wanted to see me fail and right now, failure is the only expectation I've ever lived up to around here."

Mandii shook her head and slowly approached Chris. For a moment, she reached her hand out in hesitation but placed it under his chin and pushed up so he was looking up at her.

"Stop. Stop doubting yourself and what you can be...what you are. It's time you stop wallowing in this self pity bullshit and let out the beast you are. Fuck the past, let it go, show them the true Chris Chaos that I know you are. Take what's yours...That championship is yours."

His lips curl into a snarl........

"Take whats mine......."

He stands up.....Mandi backs up. His hand and shot out again to her throat. Her eyes lit up..........He slammed her against the wall and lifted her up by the throat. Mandii bit her lip and smiled, gurgling out "there he is....."

Just when it looked as though Mandii was going to pass out, Chris let go. They embraced into a kiss and he spun her around, dropped her onto the bathroom floor and getting on top of her, her legs wrapped around his.

Mandii whispers "hurt me"

Chris whispers "I have to hurt you, to help you"

She truly was a bright spot in the dark.

She was going to need another shower.

They both were.