Rise of a Saint-Pt. 2

“And when he returns he shall have with him two sirens who will sit at his right and left hands. They shall act as his emissaries, spreading his words and enforcing his will upon the land. The two sirens will do whatever they need to in order to prepare the way for their master to return to greatness. They shall manipulate the weak, torture the strong, and remove any barriers that stand in his path.

It is also these two sirens that will prepare the unknowing servant that will bring about his return. They will lure him in and force him to carry out tasks that will help pave their way for their master’s return…”

The Book of the Saint

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Wrestling Unplugged Radio Station
Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, March 15th
2012



I sit in the radio station, a smirk on my face as I look around the crowded room. I both loved and hated doing these radio interview things. I loved the fact that I could essentially say whatever came to my mind and I didn’t have to worry about really watching what I said when it came to my opponent or IWF or whatever. When I was in Salvation back in NLWF I hated doing radio interviews for that exact reason. I always found myself biting my tongue and holding back from speaking my mind when it came to NLWF or Brenton or Salvation as a whole. But, since breaking free of Salvation and especially now that IWF was in full swing, I found myself being more relaxed and enjoying these radio interviews more. I look across from me as George Zaia begins to talk

George Zaia
So, what was it like being in Nepal?

I try to stifle the sigh that threatens to break free from my chest. The reason I hated doing these radio interviews? Yeah…it was because of morons like this who asked me mind numbingly stupid questions about my personal life...

I smile and try to seem as calm and collected as possible

Corey Casey
It was incredible. Just waking up and seeing the Himalayan Mountains right outside of your window and being able to go outside and hear nothing but the wind and see nothing but the countless snow covered mountain tops stretching out for what seems like forever is an incredible sight to behold. But I wasn’t there for pleasure and I wasn’t in Nepal on some vacation…I was there for some much needed mental health treatment and some much needed time away from the spotlight and away from just everything

George Zaia nods his head, his long shaggy hair shaking with each nod. It was clear to me that this guy thought I was joking…that he thought that I had gone to Nepal on some sort of vacation to try and score some booze or drugs or to just party it up. He was no better than the rest of the Matthews family who thought that I left Jess and my children all because of some whim…

Anthony Nichols
Well Corey, either way, I’m sure IWF is happy that it’s last active founding member is back in action

I nod my head as I think to myself

“That depends on who you ask”

George Zaia
Indeed…and speaking of you being an active competitor, let’s talk about what went down on the One Year Anniversary edition Battle Grounds between you and James Shark

Anthony Nichols
Now we’re talkin! Corey, I’m not sure if you were aware but we had James Shark in the studio yesterday and he was talking about the match between the two of you

I bite my tongue to stop myself from screaming “duh! I live in the area! I have an XM radio! I heard every single thing that Shark had to say!” But I knew better…I knew IWF needed the promotion right now and I knew that I needed to show people that I was not the same old douche that they had come to expect whenever they thought about Corey Casey

Corey Casey
I know I heard bits and pieces of the interview on my way to the gym…

I smirk as I look directly at George Zaia

Corey Casey
I also heard that you wanted Shark and I to romantically hug at the end of the match

George Zaia blushes as he shakes his head and flails his arms wildly

Geogre Zaia
No, no it’s not like that alright?! It’s just that in MMA matches or even sometimes in wrestling matches, competitors that have respect for one another…

I immediately cut George Zaia off

Corey Casey
Stop right there…

A confused look appears on George Zaia’s face as he looks across the table at me

George Zaia
What?

My smirk grows wider as I lean in and rest my elbows on the table

Corey Casey
You said that sometimes after a good match, MMA guys and even professional wrestlers who HAVE RESPECT for one another will sometimes hug it out. You missed something there George…you assumed that Sharky and I have RESPECT for one another.

Anthony Nichols
Are you saying you don’t respect James Shark?

I shake my head as I lean backwards in my black leather rolling chair. These stupid fucks just didn’t quite get it. They didn’t seem to realize just who the hell they were talking about. James Shark isn’t just another competitor that you can either hate or love. He isn’t some kind of monster like Death-Angel or some Ego Tripping Asshole like Nick Ridicule…he was a whole different creature all together…

Corey Casey
I didn’t say that Anthony

Anthony Nichols
Right…but you implied it

Corey Casey
No, you implied it for me before giving me half a second to stop and think of a response. The truth of the matter is this…I do respect James Shark. I mean, the guy has undeniable amounts of talent and he has accomplished things both in and out of the ring that not even I can say that I’ve done. The real problem here is James Shark himself. Or rather, the real problem here is Sho’No Mercy has gotten so deep under Sharky’s skin that SNM is able to kick Sharky’s ass from the inside out

George Zaia
Woah, that is quite the claim

Corey Casey
I ain’t claiming anything…I’m stating a goddamn fact. I mean, James Shark flipped out on me and left Upper Limit because SNM called him a “house nigga.” Let me restate that….SNM called Shark a name and Shark fought me in a TLC Match and threw away his chance to be the greatest IWF World Heavyweight Champion in history by staying a member of Upper Limit. What’s that saying about “sticks and stones” there guys?

Both George Zaia and Anthony Nichols laugh

George Zaia
Good point

Corey Casey
Sharky is a hot head…that much has been proven time and time and time again. I mean, the guy pops off at the mouth first and asks questions later

Anthony Nichols
I’m sorry but isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black?

I frown slightly as I stare at Anthony Nichols

Corey Casey
What do you mean?

Anthony Nichols
Well I mean, you have a history of blowing up and losing your cool. All one needs to do is look at your past track record when it comes to your career in NLWF and the early IWF days

I sigh as I shake my head. These ass holes just didn’t get it…

Corey Casey
I’m a changed man now, Anthony. That seems to be a fact that most of the world just doesn’t seem to understand. I know that I have fucked up in the past but that’s just it…I fucked up IN THE PAST. In case you haven’t noticed I’m a lot calmer these days. More composed, more thoughtful. In the ring my style has changed somewhat. I’m not the same offensive driven monster I once was. I’m more pro-active and less re-active these days.

George Zaia
Speaking of reactions, I can see our phone lines are jam packed full of faithful Wrestling Unplugged listeners who want a chance to ask you questions. Would you mind if we took a few calls?

I shrug my shoulders. The producers of the show had assured me that all the callers had been pre-screened, just like they had been when James Shark had come on the show. I had told them that I didn’t care what people said and didn’t need someone screening people for me but the producers had insisted on making sure that each caller was properly warned about the consequences of asking inappropriate or rude questions.

That last part always made me laugh…mostly because XM radio was supposed to be the new era of radio. XM was supposed to be the place where people like Howard Stern were free to have strippers moan on the air while he stuffed hot dogs in them or whatever. And yet, here we all were…still screening calls and warning people that they had to play nice while on the air. The pure irony of the situation causes me to chuckle slightly as the sound of the first caller’s voice can be heard in my headset

Caller #1
Hello? Am I on the air?

George Zaia
Yeah buddy! You’re live on Wrestling Unplugged with George Zaia, Anthony Nichols, and our special guest IWF Co-Founder and current IWF Superstar Corey Casey!

George Zaia nods his head at me, indicating I should say something

Corey Casey
What’s going on?

Caller #1
Hey, this is Frank Castle from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Listen I was wondering…what ever happened to Tim Patrick? Because he was the last true son of Philadelphia to make it all the way up to the big leagues and I know that he has been clamoring on the internet and trying to whip up support for ONE MORE MACH between the two of you. I mean, the guy did come the closest anyone has ever come to beating you inside the Double Cage Horror!

I laugh…not just chuckle, not just laugh softly…I full on full out almost die laughing. George Zaia and Anthony Nichols both watch me as concern slowly spreads across their faces. I feel tears beginning to stream down my face as I gasp for air. I just couldn’t help it…after a moment of laughing hysterically I hear Frank Castle’s voice on the other end of the line

Frank Castle
Hello?

I try to compose myself, feeling my lungs strain for air as I slowly sit up and wipe a tear from the pit of my eye

Corey Casey
Sorry…hahaha…sorry Frank. Your question was whatever happened to Tim Patrick right?

Frank Castle
Yeah!

Corey Casey
Tim Patrick is a pre-Madonna drama queen who thought he was better than he actually was. Tim Patrick was a guy who thought that he could run with the big dogs when, clearly, he should’ve been nothing more than a mid-card champion at best. I know this might sound cruel, and I’m sure that Frank Castle is going to shit his pants when he hears this, but I honest to god don’t even think Tim Patrick is worth a damn. The guy just can’t take a hint

George Zaia
What do you mean?

Corey Casey
It’s simple George…Tim Patrick’s record speaks for its self. He’s 0 and 3 against me. He’s tried to break my Double Cage Horror streak and failed miserably. Yet every single chance he gets he’s screaming to anybody and everybody about how he wants “ONE MORE MATCH!” As if that by complaining and crying to anyone and everyone who will listen it will get him what he wants. I will go on record right now and say that I will NEVER fight Tim Patrick again

Frank Castle
You arrogant son of a…

Frank Castle is suddenly cut off, bringing a smirk to my face. Clearly the producers didn’t want Frank to ruin such a valuable sound clip for them. My little tirade against Tim Patrick would be replayed over and over again on all the major wrestling shows around the world.

Anthony Nichols
Let’s take another call shall we?

Anthony Nichols hits a glowing button on the phone in front of him

Anthony Nichols
Hello caller you’re on Wrestling Unplugged!

Caller #2
Hi this is Taryn Cunningham from Cleveland, Ohio

Corey Casey
How are you Taryn?

Taryn Cunningham
I am doing well. Anyways, I was wondering…who is the one person you want to fight most that you haven’t had the chance to fight yet?

I pause for a moment, running down a list of names in my head. There were so many competitors out there that I hadn’t yet had the chance to fight that it almost seemed impossible for me to give the poor girl an answer.

Corey Casey
That’s a damn good question Taryn but I …

And suddenly, a name flashes before my eyes. The one person that had become champion but had some how avoided fighting me to win the title. The one person that had managed to cause a massive ruckus in IWF but hadn’t once stepped into the ring and gone to war with me. A smile creeps across my features as I lean in and get close to the microphone in front of me

Corey Casey
Stygian

Silence greets me from the other end of the phone. George Zaia and Anthony Nichols both have completely and totally shocked looks on their faces as they stare at me, their mouths slightly agape. I lean back and settle into my chair, the content smirk on my face spreading wider across my features. After a moment of silence, I can hear Taryn’s voice speak softly from the other end of the line

Taryn Cunningham
Why?

Corey Casey
That part is the easiest part, Taryn my love. Stygian was a former IWF World Heavyweight Champion…a guy who joined up with IWF and began a meteoric rise to the top that would culminate in Styg being the man who forced Brandon Macdonald to retire while winning his first IWF Title Reign in the very same match. Stygian is a beast…pure and simple. I mean, this is a guy who likes to refer to himself as “The Dragon of Spirerock” or something like that.

Anthony Nichols
But why would you want to fight him?

Corey Casey
Because…I bet that right now, Stygian is somewhere out there with his little garage punk band composed of him and his two floozies, bragging about how he beat all of the greatest competitors that IWF had to offer. I bet he is regaling both young and old with tales about how he destroyed the founders of IWF and basically beat down on everyone who stood in his path…

I chuckle softly

Corey Casey
But see, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Yeah Stygian beat down on Brandon and forced Brandon to retire…yeah Stygian took the fight to Chuck Matthews and emerged victorious…but see, that’s only two of the three original founders of IWF. Stygian and I have never gone one on one. Stygian hasn’t beaten the very best that IWF has to offer…he’s only beaten 2/3rds of the very best in IWF. So let me say this…right here, right now…

I turn and look at the Wrestling Unplugged producer, who is standing behind a thick layer of sound proof glass. I point to my headphones and call out to him, knowing full well that the producer was listening to the show on a radio on the other side of the glass

Corey Casey
Hey…Mike Lagana…you’re going to want to make sure you get this next part on tape because I’m about to make you a shit load of money!

George Zaia
Sorry folks, for those of you who don’t know Mike Lagana is our head producer here at Wrestling Unplugged

I turn back and stare directly into the faces of Anthony Nichols and George Zaia

Corey Casey
Stygian…if you’re listening…you’re more than welcome to come back to IWF anytime you’d like. I am calling out Stygian, right here, right now. Styg, I will fight you anywhere, anytime. All you have to do is come find me and I will give you the fight of your life and prove to everyone in the world that while you might be good…you aren’t the best in the world…because that title belongs to one man and one man only…and that’s me

Silence overtakes the radio waves as both George Zaia and Anthony Nichols stare at me, once again dumbfounded. I lean back in my chair and kick my feet up on the table in front of me, resisting the urge to laugh at the two radio disc jockeys. There was no way in hell that either of these idiots thought for a split second that I would go on their radio show and start popping off at the mouth and start giving my honest opinions about people like Tim Patrick. I could also guarantee that no one expected me to throw down the gauntlet for a match with Stygian.

I turn my head slightly and see the massive smile on the face of Wrestling Unplugged producer Mike Lagana. I can almost see the dollar signs in his eyes as he stares into the broadcast room and gives me a double thumbs up. I look Mike up and down, feeling somewhat surprised…I half expected Mike to be wetting himself with excitement over the amount of money he was going to make because of this interview. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, George Zaia looks past me at Mike Lagana

George Zaia
So…I think we have time for one more caller is that right?

Mike Lagana nods his head so emphatically that, for a second, I thought he was going to snap his own neck

George Zaia
So it seems like we have time for one more caller. Hhhmmmmm….it’s already been an explosive interview here today with IWF Co-Founder and current IWF Superstar Corey Casey so let’s see if our final caller can end this interview with a bang!

George Zaia leans forward and presses one of the glowing lights on the phone in front of him

George Zaia
Hello caller you’re on Wrestling Unplugged!

The sound of another female voice echoes softly into my head phones. As soon as the woman begins to speak I suddenly feel a nagging sensation in the pit of my stomach…almost as if I had heard the woman’s voice before.

Caller #3
I’m sorry George…I don’t have a question…

A confused look appears on George Zaia’s face. George looks over at his co-host Anthony Nichols and mouths

“Who the fuck is this? What was her question?”

Anthony Nichols shrugs his shoulders as he looks over at producer Mike Lagana…who also shrugs his shoulders. I remove my feet from the table in front of me and slowly lean forward. I knew that I knew this woman’s voice…but from where…somewhere in my past…and from the tightening in the pit of my stomach it clearly wasn’t a good memory from my past…

George Zaia
Uh…ok…then I guess we’re going to…

The woman’s voice interrupts George Zaia before he can cut her off

Caller #3
I said I didn’t have a question George…but that doesn’t mean I don’t have something to say…

Anthony Nichols
Uh…alright…what would you like to say?

The second the female voice says my name I feel the nagging sensation in the pit of my stomach intensify. I close my eyes as I focus on the sound of her voice, trying desperately to figure out the face that went along with this soft but deadly sounding voice…

Caller #3
I simply wanted to say to Corey Casey…check your phone

As soon as the word “phone” leaves the woman’s lips, two things happen simultaneously. The first thing that happens is that the woman immediately hangs up the phone…and the second thing that happens is that as soon as the woman stops speaking and hangs up the cell phone in my pocket begins to vibrate, indicating that I had one next text message…

George Zaia
Uh…ok…that was weird…

My hand flies immediately into my pocket and I whip out my cell phone. I unlock my phone’s screen and quickly read the text message

From: Restricted Numer
To: Corey Casey

“Park Grill. 11 North Michigan Avenue. Two hours. Reservations are under the name Krysten Rollins”




TO BE CONTINUED…







…:::…
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…::: To the Moon :::…
…:::…
…:::…

So…it would seem that I am on a bit of a winning streak here eh? I mean, yeah, Upper Limit has definitely seen better days…but come on now…you can’t even deny the fact that Robbie Hart and I have been holding what’s left of Upper Limit together quite nicely if I do say so myself. Robbie Hart is still the High Impact Champion…I am still undefeated inside of the Double Cage Horror, thus Improving my streak to 11-0-1…not to mention that in my previous 4 matches that I’ve had over the course of the last 5 weeks I have walked out victorious…and the only reason I’m not 5 for 5 is because I wasn’t booked one week! So, realistically speaking, I’m 4 and 0 in my last 4 matches.

Sho’No Mercy…if I were you, I would be VERY scared…

But why? Why should SNM be scared of Corey Casey? Why should SNM, the guy who has been on a hot streak since he debuted and has managed to do what no other man has done…get inside of James Shark’s head…why should SNM be scared of me? Because, as history has shown, there is nothing more terrifying than Corey Casey when he is on a winning streak. SNM, you’re about to step into the ring with the guy who hasn’t lost a match since he returned…IN JANUARY! Do you understand what that means? Do you fully comprehend what that entails? Every single person I have faced since returning to action as an IWF Superstar…I have run the fuck over!

How’s that for showing no mercy? How’s that for being the guy who takes care of fucking business? I have overcome the odds…I have managed to keep Rick Christian and the IWF Board of Directors at bay, despite the fact that I’m sure that they would love nothing more than to see me never win a match between here and the day that I finally hang my boots up and call it a career. I am a part of the most powerful faction in the history of the Insurgency Wrestling Federation. Meanwhile you’ve managed to…what…trick James Shark into giving you a title shot? Called James Shark a nigga over and over again? Stole his girlfriend outside of the ring while beating down nobodies inside of the ring?

By the way, how’d that big time main event last week go? Yeah you looked pretty tough with your golf club and your kitchen sink…but your ex-girlfriend got beat like a red headed fucking step child. Yeah man…that’s real fucking hood right there. Nothing is more hood then kicking back and watching as a woman, whether she is your ex or not, gets punched so hard in the face she’ll be lucky if she can eat solid food again before Christmas. You’re just the fucking MAN SNM! Dude, that is straight HOOD right there!

…jokes…you’re nothing more than a James Shark knock off…

But wait, there’s more! I can already predict that shit storm that is going to come flying out of your mouth. I may not be ETA Hawk…but I too, have a touch of FUTURISTIC MIND READING ABILITIES! You ready for this? Ahem, I predict you’re going to make the following claim

“but DOG! I debuted and immediately began talking shit to the CHAMP! I AM INSIDE OF SHARKY’S HEAD YO! I AM THE GUY WHO IS GOING TO BE THE NEW CHAMP YA FEEL ME?”

…no SNM…I do not “feel you.” Because guess what buddy boy? You aren’t the first guy to come flying through the doors of IWF and make a big time impact. There have been so many new comers to IWF who have been signed to contracts and then gone on winning streaks. I have sat back and watched as guys like Stygian and Dan Alexander mowed through their opponents week after week until they, too, became IWF World Champs in relatively short amounts of time. But look around you SNM…do you see Dan Alexander anywhere around here? Do you see Stygian in the backstage area during a show?

I’ll answer that one for ya dog…the answer is a big time “NO!”

SNM…maybe you’ll get a title match at Spring Fling. Maybe you’ll go on to beat James Shark and become the new IWF World Champ. Maybe pigs will fly and Alison Williams will stop sleeping with people for money. All these things COULD happen…well…all of those things except Alison Williams not being a prostitute…that much has been set in stone. The problem, SNM, is the fact that I can almost guarantee that you’re not a lifer. You’re not a guy who has the heart, the determination, the fire, or the drive to overcome adversity. I can see it in your eyes man. You’re an agitator…a guy with a big mouth who has managed to talk/insult/annoy your way into the main event of a major pay per view…a guy who has managed to piss off an already volatile James Shark and wrangle yourself an IWF World Title match…

I kinda hope you do win…because I want to see this streak that began with Dan Alexander and continued with Stygian keep rolling on.

You’re just another nobody SNM…a flash in the pan who doesn’t have the balls or the drive to take his career and turn it into something special. You’re a one hit wonder whose 15 minutes of fame is about to come to an end. I can’t wait for you to step into the ring with me this week man…I can’t wait for you to step in between the ropes, look across the ring, and see me staring back at you. Because it’s going to be the sweetest thing to see the look of shock and awe on your face as you realize that you’re in over your fucking head.

I can’t wait to see the fucking panic slowly begin to spread across your face as you hear the bell ring and you realize that there is no way in fucking hell that you’re ready to step into the ring with the big boys of IWF. I can’t wait to fucking Purify you and see the glazed over look in your eyes as you stare up at the lights and ask yourself “where did I go wrong? How did I end up here?” Don’t worry SNM…because after our match, I’ll make sure that I lean down and tell you EXACTLY how your life ended up the way it is…

“You got here, SNM, because you fucked with the wrong guy. Good luck dealing with James Shark.”