Post by Icon Lord Jon Kellar on Jul 29, 2015 5:40:07 GMT -6
Jon Kellar took another sip from his cold, refreshing pint of lager and looked around the lounge.
He had to admit, sitting in the Business Class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport was a welcome change from the hot stuffy trailer he’d called home in the run up to GZW2K1’s Heatwave XII Pay Per View. He’d had a shower, a shave, and now he was enjoying a refreshing drink all at someone else’s expense.
It wasn’t the complete package of course. His tailored suit had been replaced with a tatty t-shirt and a pair of worn jeans. Frankly it was a miracle they’d let him in, but someone had clearly pulled some strings. The other residents of the lounge turned their nose up at him, but he didn’t care. Someone wanted him there, and his curiosity (and the promise of free alcohol) was enough to pique his interest.
He checked his watch. His mystery benefactor was almost half an hour late, and Kellar’s flight to London would be leaving in less than an hour. Sean had agreed to meet him at Heathrow with Melissa, though truth be told there was something about the reunion that was nagging away at him.
Was it guilt? No, he hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d wrestled a good, albeit unsuccessful, match, picked up a cheque, and ensured they would be on a strong financial footing for a good while. Everything was as it should be.
Wasn’t it?
Bartender: Excuse me sir…
Kellar looked up
Icon Kellar: Yes?
Bartender: The gentleman in the corner asked me to give you this.
Kellar stared in amazement as a good old fashioned glass, handle and all, of brown room-temperature gloriousness was pushed across the bar towards him.
Icon Kellar: Is that… real ale?
Bartender: Yes sir.
Icon Kellar: But I asked your colleague for one and he said you didn’t stock it.
Bartender: We don’t… though we make an exception for… special clients.
Icon Kellar: Well I’m flattered but…
Bartender: I wasn’t talking about you Mr Kellar…
Icon Kellar: Charming… where is he…
Bartender: Just there in the booth… he apologises for his lateness but hopes this offering will assist.
The GZW2K1 Icon and Lord of the Coliseum turned on his stool. A familiar face caught his eye.
Icon Kellar: Well… that’s interesting…
Kellar finished his drink and made his way slowly over to the booth in the corner. His mysterious benefactor rose to greet him, and did so with a firm handshake.
Icon Kellar: James Peterson…
Peterson: Icon Kellar… a pleasure to finally meet you face to face.
Icon Kellar: Likewise…
Peterson: Have a seat.
Kellar slid into the booth opposite the young Brit, who almost immediately produced an iPad from a nearby bag. He tapped it a few times.
Peterson: Jonathan Harrison Kellar, Ring Name “Human Dynamite”, GZW2K1 Ring of Icon, 2006 Lord of the Coliseum, three time World Heavyweight Champion, one time Unified Extreme Champion, 4th Dan Judo, Second Degree Black Belt BJJ, trained by Sensei Carlos Macheda.
Kellar was impressed, even he couldn’t rattle it off that quickly.
Icon Kellar: Well there’s some dispute as to whether it’s three or four World Titles but yes, that’s more or less correct.
Peterson: I was at Heatwave XII, I liked your work.
Icon Kellar:…I lost
Peterson: And still nearly destroyed a fellow Ring of Honor Icon. Ring rust, injuries, supposedly only there to pick up a paycheque…
Icon Kellar: I was only there to pick up a paycheque. I’m going home in an hour.
Peterson looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.
Peterson: Based on what I know about you, I find that unlikely…
Kellar folded his arms.
Icon Kellar: Oh really?
Peterson: Jon… may I call you Jon?
Kellar nodded.
Peterson: I’ve followed your work extensively since you walked through GZW2K1’s doors.
Icon Kellar raised an eyebrow.
Icon Kellar: How extensively?
Peterson: I know that at one point you were popping painkillers minute by minute to get through the day… but I also know you got clean, healed up, and you’ve had plenty of great matches since then.
Icon Kellar: But no championships…
Peterson: Well… that’s what I’m here to talk to you about.
Again Peterson tapped on his iPad, then turned it to face the Ring of Honor Icon.
Icon Kellar: Collision Course?
Peterson: The best wrestlers in the world from multiple federations all under one roof, the Tokyo Dome… one tournament to crown a contender to face REINA Reiko for the NJFC Fighting Heavyweight Championship.
Icon Kellar: What does this have to do with me?
Peterson: I want you in it.
Kellar laughed
Icon Kellar: Very funny…
Peterson: I’m serious.
Icon Kellar: I’m not even GZW2K1’s Champion… no no no… wait… I couldn’t even win the Intercontinental Championship.
Peterson: Didn’t… not couldn’t… didn’t… and you gave Eva Hikari one hell of a scare.
Icon Kellar: So you want me to scare my opponent to death?
Peterson: What tactics you use are entirely up to you… but I want you in this tournament. I want to see the “Human Dynamite” explode again, and I want you to do it in my ring.
Kellar shook his head.
Icon Kellar: I can’t. I have a daughter and…
Peterson: Jon… I know that your daughter is the most precious thing in the world to you, especially after what happened to her mother, but you can’t just shut out who you are. I saw you at Heatwave, and when you were sparring with Lady Munin, you were enjoying it.
Kellar sighed
Icon Kellar: That’s not important…
Peterson: Isn’t it? No one in GZW2K1 takes the athletic and sport side of this as seriously as you. Not Leon Corbin, not Eva Hikari, not even James Corbin himself. That’s what makes you perfect for this tournament. No gimmicks. No drama. Just you, and your opponent proving who’s better. I’ve even got an opponent lined up…
Again, a tap on the screen.
Icon Kellar: John Pariah?
Peterson: I know you’ve been waiting for a chance to meet him…
Kellar grabbed the iPad and stared at the face on the screen.
Icon Kellar: We were supposed to cross paths a few years back… but I was too busy working Japan and he was in Chicago.
Peterson: You agree to this, I’ll give you him, one on one, and that’s just in Round 1.
Kellar swiped through the iPad.
Icon Kellar: Wow… that’s quite a field.
Peterson: Yep, and you’ve got a chance to face them all. All you need to do is say the word.
It was like someone had run a current through him. Kellar’s hair (what little he had) stood on end, goosebumps sprang up in every direction, and a shiver went up his spine. The Tokyo Dome, and a tournament with some of the best talent in the world, many of whom he’d never faced before.
A new challenge? Now? At the age he was, with the career he’d had? He didn’t think it possible. But here it was. He’d be stupid to turn this down.
Wouldn’t he?
Kellar sighed and handed back the iPad.
Icon Kellar: I can’t, I’m sorry. I should be at home with my daughter.
Peterson sighed
Peterson: Well, if that’s what you want, I guess I can respect that. If you change your mind..
He rose, and from his pocket produced a First Class ticket to Tokyo, departing in a few hours time.
Peterson: If not, enjoy the beer.
With a friendly tap on the shoulder, Peterson made his way towards the lounge door.
Icon Kellar stared at the ticket, then at his beer, then around at the lounge.
Was this it? The end?
Hey, it had been a good run. I mean, three World titles and a place in the Ring of Honor. Why complain? Most would kill for a career like that!
And he got to walk away, physically walk, and go home to a house and a beautiful young daughter. A fine end to a career like that!
A career… like that…
Gone? Just like that?
No.
One day that career would end, one day he wouldn’t have any more to give. One day he’d have had his fill, called it quits, and on that day and he’d walk away, but not here.
That career was not going to end in an Airport Lounge with a pint of ale and him refusing an opportunity.
Icon Kellar: Wait!
Over by the exit, Peterson smiled and tapped his iPad
Peterson: GZW2K1’s Jon Kellar – Confirmed.
He had to admit, sitting in the Business Class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport was a welcome change from the hot stuffy trailer he’d called home in the run up to GZW2K1’s Heatwave XII Pay Per View. He’d had a shower, a shave, and now he was enjoying a refreshing drink all at someone else’s expense.
It wasn’t the complete package of course. His tailored suit had been replaced with a tatty t-shirt and a pair of worn jeans. Frankly it was a miracle they’d let him in, but someone had clearly pulled some strings. The other residents of the lounge turned their nose up at him, but he didn’t care. Someone wanted him there, and his curiosity (and the promise of free alcohol) was enough to pique his interest.
He checked his watch. His mystery benefactor was almost half an hour late, and Kellar’s flight to London would be leaving in less than an hour. Sean had agreed to meet him at Heathrow with Melissa, though truth be told there was something about the reunion that was nagging away at him.
Was it guilt? No, he hadn’t done anything wrong. He’d wrestled a good, albeit unsuccessful, match, picked up a cheque, and ensured they would be on a strong financial footing for a good while. Everything was as it should be.
Wasn’t it?
Bartender: Excuse me sir…
Kellar looked up
Icon Kellar: Yes?
Bartender: The gentleman in the corner asked me to give you this.
Kellar stared in amazement as a good old fashioned glass, handle and all, of brown room-temperature gloriousness was pushed across the bar towards him.
Icon Kellar: Is that… real ale?
Bartender: Yes sir.
Icon Kellar: But I asked your colleague for one and he said you didn’t stock it.
Bartender: We don’t… though we make an exception for… special clients.
Icon Kellar: Well I’m flattered but…
Bartender: I wasn’t talking about you Mr Kellar…
Icon Kellar: Charming… where is he…
Bartender: Just there in the booth… he apologises for his lateness but hopes this offering will assist.
The GZW2K1 Icon and Lord of the Coliseum turned on his stool. A familiar face caught his eye.
Icon Kellar: Well… that’s interesting…
Kellar finished his drink and made his way slowly over to the booth in the corner. His mysterious benefactor rose to greet him, and did so with a firm handshake.
Icon Kellar: James Peterson…
Peterson: Icon Kellar… a pleasure to finally meet you face to face.
Icon Kellar: Likewise…
Peterson: Have a seat.
Kellar slid into the booth opposite the young Brit, who almost immediately produced an iPad from a nearby bag. He tapped it a few times.
Peterson: Jonathan Harrison Kellar, Ring Name “Human Dynamite”, GZW2K1 Ring of Icon, 2006 Lord of the Coliseum, three time World Heavyweight Champion, one time Unified Extreme Champion, 4th Dan Judo, Second Degree Black Belt BJJ, trained by Sensei Carlos Macheda.
Kellar was impressed, even he couldn’t rattle it off that quickly.
Icon Kellar: Well there’s some dispute as to whether it’s three or four World Titles but yes, that’s more or less correct.
Peterson: I was at Heatwave XII, I liked your work.
Icon Kellar:…I lost
Peterson: And still nearly destroyed a fellow Ring of Honor Icon. Ring rust, injuries, supposedly only there to pick up a paycheque…
Icon Kellar: I was only there to pick up a paycheque. I’m going home in an hour.
Peterson looked up at him and raised an eyebrow.
Peterson: Based on what I know about you, I find that unlikely…
Kellar folded his arms.
Icon Kellar: Oh really?
Peterson: Jon… may I call you Jon?
Kellar nodded.
Peterson: I’ve followed your work extensively since you walked through GZW2K1’s doors.
Icon Kellar raised an eyebrow.
Icon Kellar: How extensively?
Peterson: I know that at one point you were popping painkillers minute by minute to get through the day… but I also know you got clean, healed up, and you’ve had plenty of great matches since then.
Icon Kellar: But no championships…
Peterson: Well… that’s what I’m here to talk to you about.
Again Peterson tapped on his iPad, then turned it to face the Ring of Honor Icon.
Icon Kellar: Collision Course?
Peterson: The best wrestlers in the world from multiple federations all under one roof, the Tokyo Dome… one tournament to crown a contender to face REINA Reiko for the NJFC Fighting Heavyweight Championship.
Icon Kellar: What does this have to do with me?
Peterson: I want you in it.
Kellar laughed
Icon Kellar: Very funny…
Peterson: I’m serious.
Icon Kellar: I’m not even GZW2K1’s Champion… no no no… wait… I couldn’t even win the Intercontinental Championship.
Peterson: Didn’t… not couldn’t… didn’t… and you gave Eva Hikari one hell of a scare.
Icon Kellar: So you want me to scare my opponent to death?
Peterson: What tactics you use are entirely up to you… but I want you in this tournament. I want to see the “Human Dynamite” explode again, and I want you to do it in my ring.
Kellar shook his head.
Icon Kellar: I can’t. I have a daughter and…
Peterson: Jon… I know that your daughter is the most precious thing in the world to you, especially after what happened to her mother, but you can’t just shut out who you are. I saw you at Heatwave, and when you were sparring with Lady Munin, you were enjoying it.
Kellar sighed
Icon Kellar: That’s not important…
Peterson: Isn’t it? No one in GZW2K1 takes the athletic and sport side of this as seriously as you. Not Leon Corbin, not Eva Hikari, not even James Corbin himself. That’s what makes you perfect for this tournament. No gimmicks. No drama. Just you, and your opponent proving who’s better. I’ve even got an opponent lined up…
Again, a tap on the screen.
Icon Kellar: John Pariah?
Peterson: I know you’ve been waiting for a chance to meet him…
Kellar grabbed the iPad and stared at the face on the screen.
Icon Kellar: We were supposed to cross paths a few years back… but I was too busy working Japan and he was in Chicago.
Peterson: You agree to this, I’ll give you him, one on one, and that’s just in Round 1.
Kellar swiped through the iPad.
Icon Kellar: Wow… that’s quite a field.
Peterson: Yep, and you’ve got a chance to face them all. All you need to do is say the word.
It was like someone had run a current through him. Kellar’s hair (what little he had) stood on end, goosebumps sprang up in every direction, and a shiver went up his spine. The Tokyo Dome, and a tournament with some of the best talent in the world, many of whom he’d never faced before.
A new challenge? Now? At the age he was, with the career he’d had? He didn’t think it possible. But here it was. He’d be stupid to turn this down.
Wouldn’t he?
Kellar sighed and handed back the iPad.
Icon Kellar: I can’t, I’m sorry. I should be at home with my daughter.
Peterson sighed
Peterson: Well, if that’s what you want, I guess I can respect that. If you change your mind..
He rose, and from his pocket produced a First Class ticket to Tokyo, departing in a few hours time.
Peterson: If not, enjoy the beer.
With a friendly tap on the shoulder, Peterson made his way towards the lounge door.
Icon Kellar stared at the ticket, then at his beer, then around at the lounge.
Was this it? The end?
Hey, it had been a good run. I mean, three World titles and a place in the Ring of Honor. Why complain? Most would kill for a career like that!
And he got to walk away, physically walk, and go home to a house and a beautiful young daughter. A fine end to a career like that!
A career… like that…
Gone? Just like that?
No.
One day that career would end, one day he wouldn’t have any more to give. One day he’d have had his fill, called it quits, and on that day and he’d walk away, but not here.
That career was not going to end in an Airport Lounge with a pint of ale and him refusing an opportunity.
Icon Kellar: Wait!
Over by the exit, Peterson smiled and tapped his iPad
Peterson: GZW2K1’s Jon Kellar – Confirmed.
