Post by Matt Pulver on Oct 11, 2018 19:07:41 GMT -5
“I didn’t want to face AJ at first.”
He opens his eyes and once again gazes out at the crowd of reporters merging together like a grey blur of humanity in front of him.
“I still don’t, really.”
A sip of water for good measure.
“It’s been almost a year now since AJ and I fought one-on-one for the first time. October 22nd last year. Sword of Lite Quarterfinals. Back when we were still friends. We really brought the best out of each other. He brought out the best in me at least. He brought something out of me that I think helped me win, not just that match, but the entire tournament. It drained me - physically, mentally, emotionally - but in the end… In the end I stood tall with the Sword of Lite and the Junior Heavyweight Championship - my first singles title - and it was all worth it.
Then fast forward to July. Our friendship has long since ended, but then our paths cross again. AJ’s the KOL World Champion and I’m the number one contender. We fight and once again, we bring the best out of each other. And the worst. We drag each other through wrestling hell, and in the end I come out on top.
It still feels unreal to say it, but I won the King of Lions World Championship that night - my first world title. Maybe I never would’ve gotten there if he hadn’t brought it out of me. Who knows? But what I do know, is that whatever he brought out of me, was exhausting. It was draining, that’s the best way I can describe it. I’ve been in some tough battles inside that ring, wars even. But every time I step into the ring with AJ, it’s been something different than that.
There’s some sort of connection we have, I can’t explain it, but I think it’s why we got along so well in the first place. It’s like we know each other on a level we can’t even comprehend, you know? He can get inside my head in a way that makes me reflect upon and question things about myself that I didn’t even know could be questioned. Not in a psychological way either, but in a spiritual way. Like he digs into my soul and makes me feel everything that’s there, whether I want to or not.
And as much of a master of mind games as he is, I don’t think he knows how he does it. I don’t even think it’s intentional. It’s more like two elements that, every time they come into contact with each other, causes a certain chemical reaction. It just happens. It can’t be controlled.
So when AJ wanted another match, I said no. I just lost the KOL title in my first defence and now I need to focus on getting back on track. Facing AJ again would drain me. And even if I beat him, I wouldn’t have anything - no Sword of Lite, no World’s Title - to get me through it. It’s just not worth it.
But…
If we had something to fight for, like the #1 contendership for the King of Lions, it would be worth it. Best case scenario it would even bring that special something out of me that will take me back to the title. And well… It just so happened that the stars aligned in a way that both Lion’s Road and MAX-Japan management agreed to it, and here we are.
Knight versus Pulver part three, for a shot at regaining the throne of the King of Lions. I hope you’re ready AJ. I hope your training with Julian has paid off, I really do. Because I want you to bring the best, the worst and everything else out of me. I want you to give everything you have, so that after I beat you for the third time, you can end this obsession with beating me. And I can go on to the KOL title and then you will have to earn your right to face me for it.”
Deep breath. Another sip of water.
Matt leans back in his chair as if a weight was lifted off of his entire body, as the translator relays everything that was said. Everything that needed to be said. Cameras flashes and hands are raised. He leans forward to the microphone and a tiny hint of a smile can be seen.
“No more questions. Thank you.”
He opens his eyes and once again gazes out at the crowd of reporters merging together like a grey blur of humanity in front of him.
“I still don’t, really.”
A sip of water for good measure.
“It’s been almost a year now since AJ and I fought one-on-one for the first time. October 22nd last year. Sword of Lite Quarterfinals. Back when we were still friends. We really brought the best out of each other. He brought out the best in me at least. He brought something out of me that I think helped me win, not just that match, but the entire tournament. It drained me - physically, mentally, emotionally - but in the end… In the end I stood tall with the Sword of Lite and the Junior Heavyweight Championship - my first singles title - and it was all worth it.
Then fast forward to July. Our friendship has long since ended, but then our paths cross again. AJ’s the KOL World Champion and I’m the number one contender. We fight and once again, we bring the best out of each other. And the worst. We drag each other through wrestling hell, and in the end I come out on top.
It still feels unreal to say it, but I won the King of Lions World Championship that night - my first world title. Maybe I never would’ve gotten there if he hadn’t brought it out of me. Who knows? But what I do know, is that whatever he brought out of me, was exhausting. It was draining, that’s the best way I can describe it. I’ve been in some tough battles inside that ring, wars even. But every time I step into the ring with AJ, it’s been something different than that.
There’s some sort of connection we have, I can’t explain it, but I think it’s why we got along so well in the first place. It’s like we know each other on a level we can’t even comprehend, you know? He can get inside my head in a way that makes me reflect upon and question things about myself that I didn’t even know could be questioned. Not in a psychological way either, but in a spiritual way. Like he digs into my soul and makes me feel everything that’s there, whether I want to or not.
And as much of a master of mind games as he is, I don’t think he knows how he does it. I don’t even think it’s intentional. It’s more like two elements that, every time they come into contact with each other, causes a certain chemical reaction. It just happens. It can’t be controlled.
So when AJ wanted another match, I said no. I just lost the KOL title in my first defence and now I need to focus on getting back on track. Facing AJ again would drain me. And even if I beat him, I wouldn’t have anything - no Sword of Lite, no World’s Title - to get me through it. It’s just not worth it.
But…
If we had something to fight for, like the #1 contendership for the King of Lions, it would be worth it. Best case scenario it would even bring that special something out of me that will take me back to the title. And well… It just so happened that the stars aligned in a way that both Lion’s Road and MAX-Japan management agreed to it, and here we are.
Knight versus Pulver part three, for a shot at regaining the throne of the King of Lions. I hope you’re ready AJ. I hope your training with Julian has paid off, I really do. Because I want you to bring the best, the worst and everything else out of me. I want you to give everything you have, so that after I beat you for the third time, you can end this obsession with beating me. And I can go on to the KOL title and then you will have to earn your right to face me for it.”
Deep breath. Another sip of water.
Matt leans back in his chair as if a weight was lifted off of his entire body, as the translator relays everything that was said. Everything that needed to be said. Cameras flashes and hands are raised. He leans forward to the microphone and a tiny hint of a smile can be seen.
“No more questions. Thank you.”