Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2019 10:54:18 GMT -5
“And the twenty-nineteen lifetime achievement award goes to...”
There was a silence in the air. Buster looked at the floor, nervous, and embarrassed, awaiting his name. Heads turned from all around the room before it had even been announced, a hundred eyes upon him. They all knew. Even he.
“...Buster Allen!”
A loud roar echoed around the arena, beneath it a wave of applause as he stood up from his chair and shook the numerous hands around him. He embraced his wife and pulled her in close. She straightened his tie before literally pushing him towards the stage as the cheers grew louder and he was handed a small bust of two men grappling.
“Wow, talk about nerve racking. I’ve stood in front of fifty thousand people in nothing more than my underwear yet this is terrifying!”
The crowd laughed, putting him at ease.
“But in all honesty, this really is an honour, you know. Success and championships are temporary, but this..” He held up the award. “..is something so much more. Something I can cherish forever. As I look around the room at some of the many men and women that have been with me on this journey, I owe it at all to you. I see people I’ve wrestled with, and against. People I’ve won titles from, lost titles to, and won titles with! And then there’s wrestlers I never lost to, and some that I never beat. My wife, my kids, the trainers at my school, the students at my school, the students that became trainers at my school! Wrestling has afforded me a wonderful life, and I’ve been very fortunate. But five years ago I was stood just a few yards away from where I am now, pouring my all into that farewell match, and it pained me to say goodbye. But with it I was able to give more to the academy, to spend more time going into schools and institutions, meeting with young men and women that we could help steer away from the streets, and become something of themselves. But funding hasn’t always been easy, to be honest. We’ve put on the occasional benefit show and you’ve all been wonderful in supporting those causes, but sadly, for the last few years, we just haven’t been able to balance the books. So I feel that now, with all you guys present, and the media and the fans that are here tonight, I should announce that I am coming out of retirement.”
There was an audible gasp from several members of the audience, as people began muttering to themselves.
“This isn’t an act of vanity, or a decision I’ve taken lightly. I still feel fit, I’m injury free, and the money I generate from going back out on the road I can put back into the wrestling school. I’m sure this will come as a shock to most of you. Hell, I didn’t even tell my wife about this, so that’s one promo I’m not looking forward to this evening..”
The crowd laughed.
“But this is the real deal. How long I intend to do this for is anybody’s guess, but I’ve already signed some deals and agreed some dates. So once again, thank you all for this award, for making it all possible, and to any promoters out there.. book me! To all you young bucks that I might be getting in the ring with.. be on your a-game, and to the journalists and keyboard warriors already writing me off, be prepared to eat your words, because there’s life in this old dog yet, and with any luck I’ll be stood up here again soon, in recognition of becoming your World Heavyweight champion one final time! Thank you, Austin!”
He raised the award in the air as the crowd rose to their feet and clapped him off the stage.
There was a silence in the air. Buster looked at the floor, nervous, and embarrassed, awaiting his name. Heads turned from all around the room before it had even been announced, a hundred eyes upon him. They all knew. Even he.
“...Buster Allen!”
A loud roar echoed around the arena, beneath it a wave of applause as he stood up from his chair and shook the numerous hands around him. He embraced his wife and pulled her in close. She straightened his tie before literally pushing him towards the stage as the cheers grew louder and he was handed a small bust of two men grappling.
“Wow, talk about nerve racking. I’ve stood in front of fifty thousand people in nothing more than my underwear yet this is terrifying!”
The crowd laughed, putting him at ease.
“But in all honesty, this really is an honour, you know. Success and championships are temporary, but this..” He held up the award. “..is something so much more. Something I can cherish forever. As I look around the room at some of the many men and women that have been with me on this journey, I owe it at all to you. I see people I’ve wrestled with, and against. People I’ve won titles from, lost titles to, and won titles with! And then there’s wrestlers I never lost to, and some that I never beat. My wife, my kids, the trainers at my school, the students at my school, the students that became trainers at my school! Wrestling has afforded me a wonderful life, and I’ve been very fortunate. But five years ago I was stood just a few yards away from where I am now, pouring my all into that farewell match, and it pained me to say goodbye. But with it I was able to give more to the academy, to spend more time going into schools and institutions, meeting with young men and women that we could help steer away from the streets, and become something of themselves. But funding hasn’t always been easy, to be honest. We’ve put on the occasional benefit show and you’ve all been wonderful in supporting those causes, but sadly, for the last few years, we just haven’t been able to balance the books. So I feel that now, with all you guys present, and the media and the fans that are here tonight, I should announce that I am coming out of retirement.”
There was an audible gasp from several members of the audience, as people began muttering to themselves.
“This isn’t an act of vanity, or a decision I’ve taken lightly. I still feel fit, I’m injury free, and the money I generate from going back out on the road I can put back into the wrestling school. I’m sure this will come as a shock to most of you. Hell, I didn’t even tell my wife about this, so that’s one promo I’m not looking forward to this evening..”
The crowd laughed.
“But this is the real deal. How long I intend to do this for is anybody’s guess, but I’ve already signed some deals and agreed some dates. So once again, thank you all for this award, for making it all possible, and to any promoters out there.. book me! To all you young bucks that I might be getting in the ring with.. be on your a-game, and to the journalists and keyboard warriors already writing me off, be prepared to eat your words, because there’s life in this old dog yet, and with any luck I’ll be stood up here again soon, in recognition of becoming your World Heavyweight champion one final time! Thank you, Austin!”
He raised the award in the air as the crowd rose to their feet and clapped him off the stage.