Post by jack on Sept 14, 2024 7:16:22 GMT -5
Early morning at Jack Stanton’s ranch, just outside Austin, Texas. The first light of dawn creeps over the horizon, painting the sky in deep oranges, reds, and purples. The land is still, peaceful open fields stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with cattle slowly stirring as the sun rises. A light breeze rustles the leaves of the nearby trees. Jack Stanton sits on a weathered porch in a sturdy rocking chair, his hands resting on his knees, his face etched with years of wear and wisdom. The creaking of the chair is the only sound, apart from the occasional distant crow of a rooster. The camera captures the rustic beauty of the scene before slowly zooming in on Jack. He sits silently for a moment, staring out across the land, letting the peacefulness of the morning settle. Then, with a quiet sigh, he begins to speak.
Jack Stanton: You know… people always talk about moments of reflection about those times when you stop, look back, and think about where you’ve been. Well… this is one of those times.”*
(He pauses, his eyes still fixed on the horizon as the sun climbs higher into the sky. His voice is calm, almost meditative, like a man at peace with his place in the world.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve spent so many years on the road… sometimes I forget what home feels like. Out there, it’s chaos. Airports, arenas, hotel rooms rinse and repeat. City after city, country after country. I’ve seen the world through the lens of a wrestling ring. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything. But there’s somethin’ special about coming back here… to the place where it all started. To the quiet.
(The camera pans out slightly, showing the vast expanse of the ranch in the soft morning light. Jack’s expression softens as he leans back in his chair, resting his hands on the arms of the chair as he speaks with a sense of nostalgia.)
Jack Stanton: This ranch? This land? It’s been in my family for generations. My granddaddy worked this soil with his bare hands, and so did my father after him. Me? I was supposed to take over, keep the family tradition alive. But life had other plans. Wrestling came calling, and when I heard that bell ring for the first time, I knew this… this wasn’t where I belonged. I had to go, had to chase it.
(Jack’s eyes drift for a moment, lost in memories. The weight of his journey, both physical and emotional, is evident in his voice.)
Jack Stanton: And chase it I did. From Austin to New York, from Tokyo to London, I’ve been all over the damn world. Wrestling became my life. That ring? It became home. The road? It became my backyard. I’ve wrestled in high school gyms where the lights barely worked, and I’ve wrestled in arenas packed with 20,000 people chanting my name. And every single time, no matter where I was, no matter how big or small the crowd, I gave ‘em everything I had.
(Jack sits forward, his hands clasped together in front of him as he leans on his knees. His voice takes on a more serious tone as he reflects on his career.)
Jack Stanton: This business… it’s not just about glory. It’s not just about titles or fame. Hell, I’ve never been one for the spotlight. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had my share of championships. Tag titles, hardcore titles… I’ve been there, I’ve held ‘em. But the World Title? That big gold belt? It always eluded me. And I’m okay with that. Because for me, it was never about that. It was about the fight.
(He smirks, a flicker of pride crossing his face as he remembers the battles he’s fought.)
Jack Stanton: It was about walkin’ down that ramp, steppin’ into that ring, and knowin’ that when that bell rang, I was gonna go toe-to-toe with someone who was there to take me down. And no matter what, win or lose, I was gonna give the fans a show. I was gonna make ‘em remember my name. That’s what this is about. Not the titles. Not the fame. It’s about the fight. The heart. The love of the game.
(The camera zooms in slightly on Jack’s face as his expression hardens, his eyes growing more intense as he shifts his focus to what’s coming next.)
Jack Stanton: Now here I am. 50 years old. Most guys my age, they’re sittin’ back, lookin’ at their careers in the rearview mirror, thinkin’ about retirement. Not me. I’m still lacin’ up my boots. Still gettin’ in that ring. Why? Because I still love this business. I still got that fire in my gut. I still got somethin’ to prove. Not to anyone else but to myself.
(The camera shifts to a side view, showing Jack as he stares out over the ranch, his eyes narrowing as the sun fully rises, casting a golden light over the land.)
Jack Stanton: Next week… I make my debut in AAW. And wouldn’t you know it, my first match is against Just Cause. The kid’s good, no doubt about that. I watched him beat Karly Ward to advance in the United States Championship tournament. He’s hungry, he’s talented, and he’s got his eyes on that belt. And you know what? I respect that. I was hungry once too.)
Jack chuckles softly, shaking his head as if reminiscing about his own younger days.
Jack Stanton: But here’s the thing about hunger… hunger don’t mean a damn thing if you don’t know how to survive. And Just Cause? He’s got all the tools, but he’s never stepped in the ring with someone like me. He’s never faced someone who’s been through the wars, someone who’s been beaten down, broken, and still kept goin’. That’s the difference between me and him. He’s fightin’ for a future. I’m fightin’ because this is all I’ve ever known.”*
(The camera zooms in on Jack’s face as his expression hardens further, his voice growing deeper and more deliberate.)
Jack Stanton: You see, when you’ve been in this business as long as I have, you learn that it’s not just about what you can do in the ring. It’s about heart. It’s about grit. It’s about knowin’ how to get back up after you’ve been knocked down a thousand times. I’ve been knocked down more times than I can count. I’ve broken bones. I’ve bled buckets. And every damn time, I got back up. Every. Damn. Time.
(The sun rises fully over the horizon now, casting long shadows across the ranch as Jack stands up from his chair. The camera pans up as he walks to the edge of the porch, his back to the camera, staring out over the land.)
Jack Stanton: Just Cause… you’re a talented wrestler. But next week, when you step into that ring with me, you’re gonna learn that there’s a difference between bein’ hungry and bein’ ready for the fight of your life.”
(Jack turns around slowly, facing the camera with a determined look in his eyes.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve seen a lot of guys like you, Just Cause. Hungry, talented, full of fire. But when the bell rings, and the fists start flyin’, and the pain sets in… that’s when we see what you’re really made of. That’s when we find out if you can go the distance. And trust me… I’m gonna take you to the limit.
(Jack pauses, his eyes narrowing as he steps closer to the camera, his voice lowering.)
Jack Stanton: You’re the future of this business. But I’m the past, present, and future all rolled into one. And next week, I’m gonna show you why they call me the Ironman. Because I’m not just built for this… I was born for this.
(The camera holds on Jack’s face as he stands in the soft glow of the Texas sun, his presence commanding and resolute. The tension in the air builds as his words hang in the silence.)
Jack Stanton: When I say I was born for this, I’m talkin’ about more than just the fights in the ring. This life? It’s been in my blood since day one. I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. My old man was a hard man, a workin’ man. Raised me and my brothers out here on this ranch, taught us the value of sweat, blood, and perseverance. Every day, we woke up before the sun, worked the land, fixed fences, herded cattle whatever needed doin’, we did it. And we did it ‘til it was done right.”
(Jack steps forward, his gaze intensifying as he continues, his words a glimpse into the heart of who he is.)
Jack Stanton: It wasn’t just about the work. It was about buildin’ somethin’ that lasts. Every fence post I hammered into the ground, every acre we cleared, it all taught me somethin’ important. That nothin’ in this life comes easy. You want somethin’? You fight for it. And you don’t quit until you’ve earned it. I didn’t choose to be tough. This life made me tough. And when I found wrestling… I knew I was home. It wasn’t just a sport to me it was a way of life. I saw those ropes, I felt that canvas under my boots, and I knew that this was where I was meant to be. Just like out here, workin’ the land, wrestling felt like somethin’ I was put on this earth to do.
(He pauses, his hand resting on the porch railing as he looks out over the ranch, the land stretching as far as the eye can see. His voice softens but remains resolute.)
Jack Stanton: I was never the fastest, never the flashiest. But I was always the one still standin’ when the dust settled. That’s where the name ‘Ironman’ comes from. It’s not about strength, though I’ve got plenty of that. It’s about endurance. It’s about diggin’ deep when your body’s screamin’ at you to quit. It’s about takin’ the punches, the suplexes, the chair shots, and keepin’ on goin’. Because that’s what I’ve done my entire life. You think all those years on the road, all those nights in dingy motel rooms, all those hours in the ring, takin’ beatings from some of the toughest sons of bitches in this business, wore me down?”
(Jack shakes his head, a slight grin appearing on his face.)
Jack Stanton: Hell no. They made me. Every hit, every fall, every drop of sweat it made me stronger, it made me tougher. Wrestling isn’t somethin’ you just do for a paycheck. It’s somethin’ you’re born into, somethin’ you live and breathe. The fans? They see the glitz, the glamor, the big lights. But what they don’t see is the grind. The early mornings, the busted knuckles, the bruised ribs that never quite heal. The nights you spend wonderin’ if your body’s got one more match left in it. And every time I ask myself that question, every damn time, I find the same answer: I was born for this.”
(His voice grows deeper, more intense, as the words flow with unshakable conviction.)
Jack Stanton: You can’t fake this. You can’t pretend to be cut out for this business. Either you got it in your bones, or you don’t. And I’ve got it in mine. From the day I set foot in a wrestling ring, I knew this wasn’t just a job. It’s a calling. A purpose. And that’s why, even after all these years, I’m still here. Still fightin’. Still showin’ up every damn night to remind people what this sport’s really about. The reason I’m still in this game, after all these years, is because wrestling is all I’ve ever known, all I’ve ever been.
(Jack takes a slow step down from the porch, his boots crunching softly in the gravel as he walks forward, staring straight into the camera.)
Jack Stanton: And Just Cause, that’s what you’re gonna realize next week. You’re good. I ain’t takin’ that away from you. But this? This is what I do. This is what I’ve always done. You might be the future of this business, but don’t get it twisted I’m still the present. I’m still the standard-bearer. You’re just gettin’ started, but I’ve been here, week in and week out, for damn near thirty years. And I ain’t slowin’ down, not for you, not for anyone.
(He stops in the middle of the driveway, the sunlight casting a golden hue over his silhouette as the camera zooms in, catching every line, every crease of his weathered face, the years of hard work etched into his skin.)
Jack Stanton: You’re out here tryin’ to make a name for yourself, tryin’ to prove you belong. I respect that. But next week, you’re gonna find out that wantin’ to be here, and belongin’ here, are two very different things. When you step into that ring with me, you’re not just fightin’ for a win you’re fightin’ for survival. I don’t care what you’ve done before, who you’ve beaten, or what mask you hide behind. When that bell rings, I’m gonna show you why they call me the Ironman. I’m gonna show you why I’ve lasted this long, why I’m still here while others have come and gone.”
(Jack’s eyes narrow, his voice lowering to a near growl, each word deliberate, filled with intent.)
Jack Stanton:I’ve seen a lot of men like you, Just Cause. They come in with fire, with ambition. They think they’ve got what it takes. But then they step into the ring with someone like me, someone who’s got nothin’ left to prove, but every reason to keep fightin’. And that’s where the difference is. You’re fightin’ for your future, and that’s fine. But I’m fightin’ for somethin’ more. I’m fightin’ to leave this business in better hands than I found it. I’m fightin’ to turn boys like you into men. And if that means I gotta give you the beatin’ of your life to do it? Then so be it.”*
(Jack pauses, the wind rustling the trees behind him, his face set in stone as he stares down the camera.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve been through the wars. I’ve seen the highs and the lows of this business. I’ve held titles, I’ve fought in front of crowds all over the world, but none of that matters now. What matters is that next week, in front of all those fans, I’m gonna show them and you why I’m still here. Why I’m still doin’ this. Because I was born for it. And once you’ve felt what it’s like to be in the ring with me, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.
(Jack stands tall, his frame silhouetted against the early morning light, unyielding, immovable, a symbol of the grit and determination that has carried him through a lifetime of battles. He may not be finished speaking, but the weight of his words already hangs in the air, a promise of what’s to come.)
Jack Stanton: And Just Cause… let’s talk about that mask you wear.”*
(Jack’s voice takes on a sharper edge, a hint of disdain creeping in as he mentions his opponent’s signature feature.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve been in this business a long time, and I’ve seen a lot of men strong men hide behind a mask. Sometimes it’s tradition, sometimes it’s fear. And sometimes… it’s ‘cause they’re not ready to show the world who they really are. Now, I don’t know which category you fall into, Just Cause, but I do know this: that mask you wear, it’s just a shield. A shield between you and the pain. Between you and the truth.
(Jack steps forward, his eyes narrowing as he locks his gaze into the camera.)
Jack Stanton: You can hide behind that mask all you want, kid, but when you step into that ring with me, there’s nowhere to run. I’m not here to expose you, I’m here to break you. Because this isn’t just about beating you, Just Cause it’s about teaching you. I see guys like you every day, young, hungry, hiding from the man they could be behind some gimmick or mask. But when that bell rings, all that’s gone. It’s just you, me, and the fight. And what I’m gonna do in that ring, it ain’t personal. It’s necessary.
(He leans on the wooden railing of the porch, his grip tightening as he speaks with purpose.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve been around long enough to see that this generation, they’ve got the talent. They’ve got the flash. But what they don’t have is that grit, that toughness that separates the boys from the men. And I ain’t just here to win matches, Just Cause. I’m here to shape the future of this business. One match at a time, one ass whoopin’ at a time, I’m gonna turn these kids from these boys and girls into real competitors. ‘Cause the way I see it, this next generation? They need a damn wake-up call.
(Jack straightens up, the intensity building as his voice rises slightly, passion and fire fueling his words.)
Jack Stanton: You don’t get better by winning easy matches. You get better by taking a beating from someone like me, someone who’s been through it all, and still standing tall. You get better by gettin’ your teeth knocked down your throat and still finding a way to get back up. And that’s what I’m bringing to AAW. Not just a fight, but a lesson. I’m here to test this generation, to push ‘em, to see what they’re really made of. And if they can survive a match with me? Then maybe, just maybe, they’ll be ready for what this business is really about.
He pauses, his expression softening for just a moment as the gravity of what he’s saying sinks in.
Jack Stanton: But don’t get me wrong, Just Cause. I know you’re good. I know you’ve got somethin’ special, but you’re gonna learn real fast that the difference between talent and greatness is the ability to take a beating and keep on fightin’. And when I’m done with you, win or lose, you’ll be a little bit closer to being the man you need to be.
Jack walks slowly toward the edge of the porch, his boots heavy against the wood as he leans on the post, the camera following his every movement. His expression grows more focused, more dangerous.
Jack Stanton: So, you think you’re ready, huh? You think that mask is gonna protect you, that your spot in the tournament makes you safe? Well, come next week, kid, you’ll find out real quick that nothin’ can save you from what’s comin’. You’re in my ring now, and when that bell rings, I’m gonna teach you what it means to be a man in this business. No gimmicks. No masks. Just pain.
(The camera zooms in slowly on Jack’s face, capturing the fire in his eyes as his words hang in the air, a palpable tension building as the scene fades out. )
Jack Stanton: You know… people always talk about moments of reflection about those times when you stop, look back, and think about where you’ve been. Well… this is one of those times.”*
(He pauses, his eyes still fixed on the horizon as the sun climbs higher into the sky. His voice is calm, almost meditative, like a man at peace with his place in the world.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve spent so many years on the road… sometimes I forget what home feels like. Out there, it’s chaos. Airports, arenas, hotel rooms rinse and repeat. City after city, country after country. I’ve seen the world through the lens of a wrestling ring. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything. But there’s somethin’ special about coming back here… to the place where it all started. To the quiet.
(The camera pans out slightly, showing the vast expanse of the ranch in the soft morning light. Jack’s expression softens as he leans back in his chair, resting his hands on the arms of the chair as he speaks with a sense of nostalgia.)
Jack Stanton: This ranch? This land? It’s been in my family for generations. My granddaddy worked this soil with his bare hands, and so did my father after him. Me? I was supposed to take over, keep the family tradition alive. But life had other plans. Wrestling came calling, and when I heard that bell ring for the first time, I knew this… this wasn’t where I belonged. I had to go, had to chase it.
(Jack’s eyes drift for a moment, lost in memories. The weight of his journey, both physical and emotional, is evident in his voice.)
Jack Stanton: And chase it I did. From Austin to New York, from Tokyo to London, I’ve been all over the damn world. Wrestling became my life. That ring? It became home. The road? It became my backyard. I’ve wrestled in high school gyms where the lights barely worked, and I’ve wrestled in arenas packed with 20,000 people chanting my name. And every single time, no matter where I was, no matter how big or small the crowd, I gave ‘em everything I had.
(Jack sits forward, his hands clasped together in front of him as he leans on his knees. His voice takes on a more serious tone as he reflects on his career.)
Jack Stanton: This business… it’s not just about glory. It’s not just about titles or fame. Hell, I’ve never been one for the spotlight. Don’t get me wrong I’ve had my share of championships. Tag titles, hardcore titles… I’ve been there, I’ve held ‘em. But the World Title? That big gold belt? It always eluded me. And I’m okay with that. Because for me, it was never about that. It was about the fight.
(He smirks, a flicker of pride crossing his face as he remembers the battles he’s fought.)
Jack Stanton: It was about walkin’ down that ramp, steppin’ into that ring, and knowin’ that when that bell rang, I was gonna go toe-to-toe with someone who was there to take me down. And no matter what, win or lose, I was gonna give the fans a show. I was gonna make ‘em remember my name. That’s what this is about. Not the titles. Not the fame. It’s about the fight. The heart. The love of the game.
(The camera zooms in slightly on Jack’s face as his expression hardens, his eyes growing more intense as he shifts his focus to what’s coming next.)
Jack Stanton: Now here I am. 50 years old. Most guys my age, they’re sittin’ back, lookin’ at their careers in the rearview mirror, thinkin’ about retirement. Not me. I’m still lacin’ up my boots. Still gettin’ in that ring. Why? Because I still love this business. I still got that fire in my gut. I still got somethin’ to prove. Not to anyone else but to myself.
(The camera shifts to a side view, showing Jack as he stares out over the ranch, his eyes narrowing as the sun fully rises, casting a golden light over the land.)
Jack Stanton: Next week… I make my debut in AAW. And wouldn’t you know it, my first match is against Just Cause. The kid’s good, no doubt about that. I watched him beat Karly Ward to advance in the United States Championship tournament. He’s hungry, he’s talented, and he’s got his eyes on that belt. And you know what? I respect that. I was hungry once too.)
Jack chuckles softly, shaking his head as if reminiscing about his own younger days.
Jack Stanton: But here’s the thing about hunger… hunger don’t mean a damn thing if you don’t know how to survive. And Just Cause? He’s got all the tools, but he’s never stepped in the ring with someone like me. He’s never faced someone who’s been through the wars, someone who’s been beaten down, broken, and still kept goin’. That’s the difference between me and him. He’s fightin’ for a future. I’m fightin’ because this is all I’ve ever known.”*
(The camera zooms in on Jack’s face as his expression hardens further, his voice growing deeper and more deliberate.)
Jack Stanton: You see, when you’ve been in this business as long as I have, you learn that it’s not just about what you can do in the ring. It’s about heart. It’s about grit. It’s about knowin’ how to get back up after you’ve been knocked down a thousand times. I’ve been knocked down more times than I can count. I’ve broken bones. I’ve bled buckets. And every damn time, I got back up. Every. Damn. Time.
(The sun rises fully over the horizon now, casting long shadows across the ranch as Jack stands up from his chair. The camera pans up as he walks to the edge of the porch, his back to the camera, staring out over the land.)
Jack Stanton: Just Cause… you’re a talented wrestler. But next week, when you step into that ring with me, you’re gonna learn that there’s a difference between bein’ hungry and bein’ ready for the fight of your life.”
(Jack turns around slowly, facing the camera with a determined look in his eyes.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve seen a lot of guys like you, Just Cause. Hungry, talented, full of fire. But when the bell rings, and the fists start flyin’, and the pain sets in… that’s when we see what you’re really made of. That’s when we find out if you can go the distance. And trust me… I’m gonna take you to the limit.
(Jack pauses, his eyes narrowing as he steps closer to the camera, his voice lowering.)
Jack Stanton: You’re the future of this business. But I’m the past, present, and future all rolled into one. And next week, I’m gonna show you why they call me the Ironman. Because I’m not just built for this… I was born for this.
(The camera holds on Jack’s face as he stands in the soft glow of the Texas sun, his presence commanding and resolute. The tension in the air builds as his words hang in the silence.)
Jack Stanton: When I say I was born for this, I’m talkin’ about more than just the fights in the ring. This life? It’s been in my blood since day one. I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth. My old man was a hard man, a workin’ man. Raised me and my brothers out here on this ranch, taught us the value of sweat, blood, and perseverance. Every day, we woke up before the sun, worked the land, fixed fences, herded cattle whatever needed doin’, we did it. And we did it ‘til it was done right.”
(Jack steps forward, his gaze intensifying as he continues, his words a glimpse into the heart of who he is.)
Jack Stanton: It wasn’t just about the work. It was about buildin’ somethin’ that lasts. Every fence post I hammered into the ground, every acre we cleared, it all taught me somethin’ important. That nothin’ in this life comes easy. You want somethin’? You fight for it. And you don’t quit until you’ve earned it. I didn’t choose to be tough. This life made me tough. And when I found wrestling… I knew I was home. It wasn’t just a sport to me it was a way of life. I saw those ropes, I felt that canvas under my boots, and I knew that this was where I was meant to be. Just like out here, workin’ the land, wrestling felt like somethin’ I was put on this earth to do.
(He pauses, his hand resting on the porch railing as he looks out over the ranch, the land stretching as far as the eye can see. His voice softens but remains resolute.)
Jack Stanton: I was never the fastest, never the flashiest. But I was always the one still standin’ when the dust settled. That’s where the name ‘Ironman’ comes from. It’s not about strength, though I’ve got plenty of that. It’s about endurance. It’s about diggin’ deep when your body’s screamin’ at you to quit. It’s about takin’ the punches, the suplexes, the chair shots, and keepin’ on goin’. Because that’s what I’ve done my entire life. You think all those years on the road, all those nights in dingy motel rooms, all those hours in the ring, takin’ beatings from some of the toughest sons of bitches in this business, wore me down?”
(Jack shakes his head, a slight grin appearing on his face.)
Jack Stanton: Hell no. They made me. Every hit, every fall, every drop of sweat it made me stronger, it made me tougher. Wrestling isn’t somethin’ you just do for a paycheck. It’s somethin’ you’re born into, somethin’ you live and breathe. The fans? They see the glitz, the glamor, the big lights. But what they don’t see is the grind. The early mornings, the busted knuckles, the bruised ribs that never quite heal. The nights you spend wonderin’ if your body’s got one more match left in it. And every time I ask myself that question, every damn time, I find the same answer: I was born for this.”
(His voice grows deeper, more intense, as the words flow with unshakable conviction.)
Jack Stanton: You can’t fake this. You can’t pretend to be cut out for this business. Either you got it in your bones, or you don’t. And I’ve got it in mine. From the day I set foot in a wrestling ring, I knew this wasn’t just a job. It’s a calling. A purpose. And that’s why, even after all these years, I’m still here. Still fightin’. Still showin’ up every damn night to remind people what this sport’s really about. The reason I’m still in this game, after all these years, is because wrestling is all I’ve ever known, all I’ve ever been.
(Jack takes a slow step down from the porch, his boots crunching softly in the gravel as he walks forward, staring straight into the camera.)
Jack Stanton: And Just Cause, that’s what you’re gonna realize next week. You’re good. I ain’t takin’ that away from you. But this? This is what I do. This is what I’ve always done. You might be the future of this business, but don’t get it twisted I’m still the present. I’m still the standard-bearer. You’re just gettin’ started, but I’ve been here, week in and week out, for damn near thirty years. And I ain’t slowin’ down, not for you, not for anyone.
(He stops in the middle of the driveway, the sunlight casting a golden hue over his silhouette as the camera zooms in, catching every line, every crease of his weathered face, the years of hard work etched into his skin.)
Jack Stanton: You’re out here tryin’ to make a name for yourself, tryin’ to prove you belong. I respect that. But next week, you’re gonna find out that wantin’ to be here, and belongin’ here, are two very different things. When you step into that ring with me, you’re not just fightin’ for a win you’re fightin’ for survival. I don’t care what you’ve done before, who you’ve beaten, or what mask you hide behind. When that bell rings, I’m gonna show you why they call me the Ironman. I’m gonna show you why I’ve lasted this long, why I’m still here while others have come and gone.”
(Jack’s eyes narrow, his voice lowering to a near growl, each word deliberate, filled with intent.)
Jack Stanton:I’ve seen a lot of men like you, Just Cause. They come in with fire, with ambition. They think they’ve got what it takes. But then they step into the ring with someone like me, someone who’s got nothin’ left to prove, but every reason to keep fightin’. And that’s where the difference is. You’re fightin’ for your future, and that’s fine. But I’m fightin’ for somethin’ more. I’m fightin’ to leave this business in better hands than I found it. I’m fightin’ to turn boys like you into men. And if that means I gotta give you the beatin’ of your life to do it? Then so be it.”*
(Jack pauses, the wind rustling the trees behind him, his face set in stone as he stares down the camera.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve been through the wars. I’ve seen the highs and the lows of this business. I’ve held titles, I’ve fought in front of crowds all over the world, but none of that matters now. What matters is that next week, in front of all those fans, I’m gonna show them and you why I’m still here. Why I’m still doin’ this. Because I was born for it. And once you’ve felt what it’s like to be in the ring with me, you’ll understand exactly what I mean.
(Jack stands tall, his frame silhouetted against the early morning light, unyielding, immovable, a symbol of the grit and determination that has carried him through a lifetime of battles. He may not be finished speaking, but the weight of his words already hangs in the air, a promise of what’s to come.)
Jack Stanton: And Just Cause… let’s talk about that mask you wear.”*
(Jack’s voice takes on a sharper edge, a hint of disdain creeping in as he mentions his opponent’s signature feature.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve been in this business a long time, and I’ve seen a lot of men strong men hide behind a mask. Sometimes it’s tradition, sometimes it’s fear. And sometimes… it’s ‘cause they’re not ready to show the world who they really are. Now, I don’t know which category you fall into, Just Cause, but I do know this: that mask you wear, it’s just a shield. A shield between you and the pain. Between you and the truth.
(Jack steps forward, his eyes narrowing as he locks his gaze into the camera.)
Jack Stanton: You can hide behind that mask all you want, kid, but when you step into that ring with me, there’s nowhere to run. I’m not here to expose you, I’m here to break you. Because this isn’t just about beating you, Just Cause it’s about teaching you. I see guys like you every day, young, hungry, hiding from the man they could be behind some gimmick or mask. But when that bell rings, all that’s gone. It’s just you, me, and the fight. And what I’m gonna do in that ring, it ain’t personal. It’s necessary.
(He leans on the wooden railing of the porch, his grip tightening as he speaks with purpose.)
Jack Stanton: I’ve been around long enough to see that this generation, they’ve got the talent. They’ve got the flash. But what they don’t have is that grit, that toughness that separates the boys from the men. And I ain’t just here to win matches, Just Cause. I’m here to shape the future of this business. One match at a time, one ass whoopin’ at a time, I’m gonna turn these kids from these boys and girls into real competitors. ‘Cause the way I see it, this next generation? They need a damn wake-up call.
(Jack straightens up, the intensity building as his voice rises slightly, passion and fire fueling his words.)
Jack Stanton: You don’t get better by winning easy matches. You get better by taking a beating from someone like me, someone who’s been through it all, and still standing tall. You get better by gettin’ your teeth knocked down your throat and still finding a way to get back up. And that’s what I’m bringing to AAW. Not just a fight, but a lesson. I’m here to test this generation, to push ‘em, to see what they’re really made of. And if they can survive a match with me? Then maybe, just maybe, they’ll be ready for what this business is really about.
He pauses, his expression softening for just a moment as the gravity of what he’s saying sinks in.
Jack Stanton: But don’t get me wrong, Just Cause. I know you’re good. I know you’ve got somethin’ special, but you’re gonna learn real fast that the difference between talent and greatness is the ability to take a beating and keep on fightin’. And when I’m done with you, win or lose, you’ll be a little bit closer to being the man you need to be.
Jack walks slowly toward the edge of the porch, his boots heavy against the wood as he leans on the post, the camera following his every movement. His expression grows more focused, more dangerous.
Jack Stanton: So, you think you’re ready, huh? You think that mask is gonna protect you, that your spot in the tournament makes you safe? Well, come next week, kid, you’ll find out real quick that nothin’ can save you from what’s comin’. You’re in my ring now, and when that bell rings, I’m gonna teach you what it means to be a man in this business. No gimmicks. No masks. Just pain.
(The camera zooms in slowly on Jack’s face, capturing the fire in his eyes as his words hang in the air, a palpable tension building as the scene fades out. )