Post by Josh Eagles on Mar 18, 2011 15:35:20 GMT -5
The myth or would one be more apt to say the legend of the Phoenix is well known. When it dies or falls it is reborn from it's own ashes and even more ultimate and majestic creature then it was before. Throughout the ages some of the greatest myths and legends had involved the Phoenix it was always a think of awe. It's powers were unknown, different, and limitless. There has never been any record that I know of where a tale defeats a Phoenix a righteous ally of good unless you are talking about the popular Marvel Comics X-Men series which gave birth the the Mutant Phoenix who was not so much a great interpretation of the Phoenix story down the line. But now I sat face to face with my own Phoenix in Jason Phoenix a man who constantly rose from the ashes to face me over and over again.
I sat in the living area of my hotel and I wondered about this man Jason Phoenix, what drove him, what fueled him, what made him tick? Most of the time these things were things I was able to discern from people. But this Jason Phoenix was not one of them and that is why I was doing research into the myth of the Phoenix. Books were spread out everywhere from all different times, ancient tomes, text books, novels, printed internet pages, comics. Anything I could find on this legend as I wanted to see if there was more to this man then met the eyes.
I reach for a glass of water to wet my throat and took a moment to rub my eyes as I stared away from the rather heavy book that was sitting on my lap. I had been locked up reading for days now only taking breaks to stretch, eat, go to the bathroom, sleep, and workout. It may seem like a lot but nearly eight hours of all the past four days had been engrossed in books and tales. As I heard the door click open behind me I knew I was about to get my first true interruption. Jenny the cute little blond who was now staying with me for what reasons I was not 100% sure walked in carrying a rather large duffle bag with her.
"Jenny? Hi, I thought you wouldn't be returning until Sunday?"
"I wasn't going to but I was worried about the stress of a big match on you at all, plus the attack and your health ... have you lost your mind? What is all of this?"
She was worried about me? Interesting. I smiled and stood up stretching my arms high above my head happy to have the book off of me.
"Research Jenny, research."
Jenny drops her bag closing the door and walks over to grab one of the books.
"Tales of the Phoenix? Phoenix: A Myth Unraveled?"
Jenny throws the books she was looking through and places her hands firmly on her hips and looks at me.
"Please tell me you are firmly aware that your just facing a guy with the last name Phoenix not an ACTUAL Phoenix?"
I laugh and run my hand through my hair. I mean of course I knew that, but there was always this nagging question at the back of my head ... this guy didn't stop coming.
"I know that Jason is just a guy, but I mean come on look at what he is done and keeps doing ... it's hard to wonder if there isn't more to it."
"And your solution of there being something more is making him a mythical bird creature made of fire?"
When she said it like that it truly did sound really insane!
"Not so much that. It's just when you look through the tails and stories about Phoenix's there is always one thing you run across is when they are killed or struck down they rise again, stronger then before. That is what Jason has done ... he made his debut against me and lost, then went on a win streak. Faced me again and was a far better opponent then before but still lost to go on a bigger win streak. He fought his way into a title match that he lost only to ONCE AGAIN go on a win streak, beating someone whom even I didn't beat. Now he is sitting with another match against me and for the title on his own."
"Youknow words like hard work and perseverance come to mind before mythical bird."
Isit down on the arm at the end of the couch looking at Jenny. I knew she was right it was only rational. The Phoenix as a bird was never a terrifying creature or one known for it's violence, but Jason was losing his mind. He couldn't stand not being able to overcome me and it showed during our match when hurting me was more important then winning a match. He had cost us that match and disappointed the audience while doing so.
"Phoenix as a name is also great and holds true value in Greek Mythology as a man who raised Achilles, as the man who brought Achilles to the sacking of Troy as ..."
"As something that doesn't matter here at all. Jason Phoenix is a man standing in front of you seeking one thing and that is to wear your title as his own. Phoenix was handed a match against you that there were even admitted by you several other people who should have been granted a match first. He isn't anything but a puppet of Jeremy Sterling a man who can't beat you and cares of nothing but himself."
There was nothing Jenny said that sounded wrong or even unreasonable. Sterling had made it his personal goal to make Jason Phoenix's career and that could mean by ending my reign short once again.
"Josh I know that this is stressful to you. Over the past months you have taken beating after beating and it's starting to wear on you. You've fought to prove that you are a changed man capable of being a champion and a leader and many people respect you for that now. But you also know that the Valiant Championship means more to you then anything because being a large part of this company means more to you then anything and you are letting it spook you."
"If I lose to Jason Phoenix then it has happened again."
She looks at me confused. It made sense she didn't know my wrestling history.
"Only twice in all of my top title holdings have I ever made my first defense a successful one. I have never made a successful second defense."
"Oh."
Now she fell silent, shocked and unsure exactly what she should say. My mind wandering to my room where the Valiant Championship lay tucked under my bed in my gym bag. That belt meant the world to me and I knew I never should have lost it in the first place.
"Well Josh you're going to have to suck it up. I don't know a whole lot about your wrestling world but I do know what you say and that is everyone is human and everyone can lose and three times before this Jason Phoenix has done just that. He has fallen by your hands, he may change is game up and get better but you work everyday and every match to make yourself better also."
She had such faith in me, it was uncanny and I wasn't sure why.
"I am also human and doubts can make me slip up."
"And when did YOUR ego start doubting itself? You know deep down that you are the best wrestler in this company, that you are the most dedicated, and the most deserving."
"I don't believe that at all Jenny. I fight hard for a company I love, but so do others. My body is pushing it's limits and is barely holding on and I don't believe people deserve things, they earn things."
"Well that's your answer Josh, earn it. Go out and beat Jason Phoenix, retain your title and look towards your next match. You always want a chance to prove yourself and this is just another one of those chances."
She was right of course. I wanted to believe Jason Phoenix was going to rise up from the ashes and be something more then what he was to rationalize my fear of losing the championship. But that wasn't me, that wasn't how I needed to be. I needed to be strong and full of conviction and confidence, I needed to take Phoenix down. But most of all I needed to get out of here.
"You're right. Now you know what, lets get out of here and do something, take our minds off things so we can approach the situation with a brand new face tomorrow."
"How about a late St. Paddies day?"
"You know, that isn't such a bad idea."
Even the most dedicated people needed a break. Jason Phoenix was thrust to the back of my mind, but not forgotten, not looked passed, just put on hold. Right now my brain and body needed to relax or I was going to explode.
I sat in the living area of my hotel and I wondered about this man Jason Phoenix, what drove him, what fueled him, what made him tick? Most of the time these things were things I was able to discern from people. But this Jason Phoenix was not one of them and that is why I was doing research into the myth of the Phoenix. Books were spread out everywhere from all different times, ancient tomes, text books, novels, printed internet pages, comics. Anything I could find on this legend as I wanted to see if there was more to this man then met the eyes.
I reach for a glass of water to wet my throat and took a moment to rub my eyes as I stared away from the rather heavy book that was sitting on my lap. I had been locked up reading for days now only taking breaks to stretch, eat, go to the bathroom, sleep, and workout. It may seem like a lot but nearly eight hours of all the past four days had been engrossed in books and tales. As I heard the door click open behind me I knew I was about to get my first true interruption. Jenny the cute little blond who was now staying with me for what reasons I was not 100% sure walked in carrying a rather large duffle bag with her.
"Jenny? Hi, I thought you wouldn't be returning until Sunday?"
"I wasn't going to but I was worried about the stress of a big match on you at all, plus the attack and your health ... have you lost your mind? What is all of this?"
She was worried about me? Interesting. I smiled and stood up stretching my arms high above my head happy to have the book off of me.
"Research Jenny, research."
Jenny drops her bag closing the door and walks over to grab one of the books.
"Tales of the Phoenix? Phoenix: A Myth Unraveled?"
Jenny throws the books she was looking through and places her hands firmly on her hips and looks at me.
"Please tell me you are firmly aware that your just facing a guy with the last name Phoenix not an ACTUAL Phoenix?"
I laugh and run my hand through my hair. I mean of course I knew that, but there was always this nagging question at the back of my head ... this guy didn't stop coming.
"I know that Jason is just a guy, but I mean come on look at what he is done and keeps doing ... it's hard to wonder if there isn't more to it."
"And your solution of there being something more is making him a mythical bird creature made of fire?"
When she said it like that it truly did sound really insane!
"Not so much that. It's just when you look through the tails and stories about Phoenix's there is always one thing you run across is when they are killed or struck down they rise again, stronger then before. That is what Jason has done ... he made his debut against me and lost, then went on a win streak. Faced me again and was a far better opponent then before but still lost to go on a bigger win streak. He fought his way into a title match that he lost only to ONCE AGAIN go on a win streak, beating someone whom even I didn't beat. Now he is sitting with another match against me and for the title on his own."
"Youknow words like hard work and perseverance come to mind before mythical bird."
Isit down on the arm at the end of the couch looking at Jenny. I knew she was right it was only rational. The Phoenix as a bird was never a terrifying creature or one known for it's violence, but Jason was losing his mind. He couldn't stand not being able to overcome me and it showed during our match when hurting me was more important then winning a match. He had cost us that match and disappointed the audience while doing so.
"Phoenix as a name is also great and holds true value in Greek Mythology as a man who raised Achilles, as the man who brought Achilles to the sacking of Troy as ..."
"As something that doesn't matter here at all. Jason Phoenix is a man standing in front of you seeking one thing and that is to wear your title as his own. Phoenix was handed a match against you that there were even admitted by you several other people who should have been granted a match first. He isn't anything but a puppet of Jeremy Sterling a man who can't beat you and cares of nothing but himself."
There was nothing Jenny said that sounded wrong or even unreasonable. Sterling had made it his personal goal to make Jason Phoenix's career and that could mean by ending my reign short once again.
"Josh I know that this is stressful to you. Over the past months you have taken beating after beating and it's starting to wear on you. You've fought to prove that you are a changed man capable of being a champion and a leader and many people respect you for that now. But you also know that the Valiant Championship means more to you then anything because being a large part of this company means more to you then anything and you are letting it spook you."
"If I lose to Jason Phoenix then it has happened again."
She looks at me confused. It made sense she didn't know my wrestling history.
"Only twice in all of my top title holdings have I ever made my first defense a successful one. I have never made a successful second defense."
"Oh."
Now she fell silent, shocked and unsure exactly what she should say. My mind wandering to my room where the Valiant Championship lay tucked under my bed in my gym bag. That belt meant the world to me and I knew I never should have lost it in the first place.
"Well Josh you're going to have to suck it up. I don't know a whole lot about your wrestling world but I do know what you say and that is everyone is human and everyone can lose and three times before this Jason Phoenix has done just that. He has fallen by your hands, he may change is game up and get better but you work everyday and every match to make yourself better also."
She had such faith in me, it was uncanny and I wasn't sure why.
"I am also human and doubts can make me slip up."
"And when did YOUR ego start doubting itself? You know deep down that you are the best wrestler in this company, that you are the most dedicated, and the most deserving."
"I don't believe that at all Jenny. I fight hard for a company I love, but so do others. My body is pushing it's limits and is barely holding on and I don't believe people deserve things, they earn things."
"Well that's your answer Josh, earn it. Go out and beat Jason Phoenix, retain your title and look towards your next match. You always want a chance to prove yourself and this is just another one of those chances."
She was right of course. I wanted to believe Jason Phoenix was going to rise up from the ashes and be something more then what he was to rationalize my fear of losing the championship. But that wasn't me, that wasn't how I needed to be. I needed to be strong and full of conviction and confidence, I needed to take Phoenix down. But most of all I needed to get out of here.
"You're right. Now you know what, lets get out of here and do something, take our minds off things so we can approach the situation with a brand new face tomorrow."
"How about a late St. Paddies day?"
"You know, that isn't such a bad idea."
Even the most dedicated people needed a break. Jason Phoenix was thrust to the back of my mind, but not forgotten, not looked passed, just put on hold. Right now my brain and body needed to relax or I was going to explode.
