Post by [ devin copeland ] on Jun 18, 2023 2:07:51 GMT -5
• • • [ ♤ ] WELCOME TO HORRORWOOD [ ♤ ] • • •
It's the official start of my reawakening.
With the victory I achieved against Nakita Niles, I have achieved one of my goals for coming back to WWH - that I've still got it in me. Admittedly, she put up a hell of a fight. But she didn't count on me bringing the full extent of what the Epitome of Divinity can do in that squared circle. Jacob Striker was my warm up - Nakita was me bringing the heat. Now it's time to set my eyes on what's next - and according to the email I received from our gracious overload Eden, Jamie is next on my list.
I can't slow down now. I refuse to slow down. Once upon a time, I may have started to wear down mentally with this wrestling thing. But, with Ascension not being weekly, it almost gives me an advantage. Time to rest, relax, qualm my inner demons. And continue to look forward where, hopefully, I can achieve that ultimate goal of mine. It's gonna be a long road, and the competition is stiff this go around. But I've proven without a shadow of a doubt that the old Devin Copeland is dead and gone.
I'm fully focused and prepared for anything and everything this go around.
As part of my mental preparation, I find myself out in the winding city of Syrene, California, the home of WWH Ascension. It's late at night, and the night life is active, but slow. Sure, there can be distractions, but it's not overwhelming on the senses. The sky has a few clouds, but for the most part, the full moon is giving a faint glimmer of light over the city and the stars are out in full force. A guy like me could really get lost in his thoughts viewing the scenery. The wrestling business is strenuous, but when you really make the attempt to slow down and just absorb your life choices and reflect on what you've done, where you've been, what you've accomplished - it's mesmerizing. Surreal. Serene.
Taking my moment, I find myself sitting against a concrete border to the property of my hotel on thr hard ground, one leg extended with the other bent up to place my foot down flat. An arm straddles my knee as I gaze up at the night stars, a burning cigarette between my index and middle finger with the lingering smoke lines slowly filtering up toward the sky. Burn me at the stake for being a professional wrestler who smokes all you want - it's my stress relief. I don't smoke as often as I use to; the time just felt right in that moment.
The backward hat on my head slightly shifted as I took in a rather large breath and slowly exhaled, closing my eyes and really enjoying my moment. My mind had, a few times by this point in my return, almost buckled under the pressure. But this form of meditation has really helped in keeping me sane in these stressful, anxiety filled times. In between just generally thinking of my life and goals, I finally had the thought that, now was a good time to get to work. But, I felt too lazy to head back up to my room and grab my professional grade hand camera. My phone's front facing camera would suffice. Doesn't always have to be high end bells and whistles after all.
I swiftly took my free hand to reach into the side pocket of my obsidian khaki pants and pulled out my Galaxy and stared at it for a moment. Taking in a quick breath, I brought my cigarette to my lips and took a long drag off of it, holding it in for a moment and slowly exhaling the smoke through my nose before maneuvering the phone to the camera app, pulling up the selfie feature, and hitting record. There's always something about me stepping away from the real life me and going in to my mind to put on the professional wrestling persona that was almost therapeutic to me at times.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"So the almighty warrior of the people falls once again, being vanquished by the ultimate villain. I know you guys love to see me squirm and lose, but man, does it ever feel good to come out on top. And the fact that you want to watch me lose? Just makes the taste of victory that much sweeter."
I chuckled, sitting there and taking a moment to imagine that if this was a live taking, I would be taking a full shower in boos. Gotta love being the bad guy. Letting out a small sigh, I toned down the asshole levels ever so slightly.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"Don't get me wrong. Nakita put up one hell of a fight. I'm man enough to admit it. But, she made one simple mistake. You looked at me as some relic of the past. A being of a bygone era. You said it yourself. Once upon a time, you looked at me as someone to look up to. Great taste, by the way, but I digress. Just as I said, I'm being overlooked as a veteran and an honored star of this company as I should be and being looked at as a washed up former champion who can be used as a Dolph Ziggler type to further others careers. I'm not here to help the next generation. I'm here to make them grovel at my feet."
I paused, a fire in my eye as I spoke that last line before bringing my cigarette back to my mouth for another drag as I look off to the side to the road before me. Lightly I shake my head.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"Guess I should be honored though. That I'm being looked at as important enough to some people that a win against me is proof enough for them that they're worth something. But still. I'm not gonna lay down for anyone. I'm going to prove that I'm exactly that person everyone is gunning me down to be. That, as of right now, I'm the greatest wrestler WWH has ever seen lace a pair of boots to not be a world champion. But, speaking of veterans."
I chuckle, tilting my head left and right to crack my neck, ready to dish out whatever verbal assault I'm about to lay out.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"Jamie Austin. I bet you know all about the veteran life, don't you? A sister that's fairly well known. An uncle who's definitely well known. But where does that really leave you in all of this?"
I finally glanced back to the camera, flicking the cigarette off to the side in a single, fluid motion.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"Well, you're just... kinda there, aren't you? Living in a constant state of darkness, fearing that you'll never live up to the expectations of others just because of who your family is, am I right? Take it from me. I've been in the ring with plenty of people with families to live up to. Andy Rhodes, to note. Those of the WWH faithful will know. And let me tell you, just off of what I've seen. You're no Andy Rhodes. You're no Steve Austin. Hell, you're barely even a Jonna Austin."
Quickly, I take a moment to reach up to the hat I have on my head and twist it around, revealing it to be an old Stone Cold Steve Austin hat. A smirk fell on my face.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"Now, when my career started, I took the time to relocate myself to Canada, truly believing that the best of the best in wrestling came from up north. Honing the craft and all that jazz. But, I originally hail from the good ol' Bluegrass, Kentucky. So while my accent isn't what it use to be, let's see if I still got it in me. Ahem."
I put on a fake cough to clear my throat, holding my fist up to put on the full effect. Then, I start lightly cocking my head back and forth in a swift motion continously, as Steve was often known for. I let my Kentucky draw really sink in.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"Now listen here, ya sorry sumbitch, you've done nothin' - and I mean NOTHIN' - that could prove you're up to the standards of the Austin name. What? Ya let your damn sister become the head of that household a long time ago. What? An' if the real 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin were here right now, he'd go to his kitchen shelf - what? - pull out a big ol' can from the shelf - what? - go to the kitchen drawer - what? - pull that sumbitch out - what? - grab the can opener - what? - and he'd open that can of whoop ass on you!"
It wasn't quite Texas draw like expected, just my own twist, but I tried to put some real emphasis on the what's when I spoke them. I finally snuffed out the probably awful attempt and laugh it off a little.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"In all seriousness. 'The Fashionable Snake', in my eyes, is a laughable play on 'The Texas Rattlesnake' that I'm not even surprised you're feeling a little overshadowed by everyone in your life. But what is most unforgivable to me is the fact that it's all. Your. Fault."
That fire began burning in my eyes again as the time for jokes was over.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"I mean, come on. You blindly followed your sister around for how long before deciding to make a name for yourself? Take it from a man who has two other brothers in the business, Kameron and Kayden. You need to be in this for yourself, not for others. That was your first mistake. You having this overwhelming feeling of being at the bottom of the totem of the Austin lineage? That's on you. And quite frankly, it's a little too late for you to try and leave it behind. It's pretty much a character trait of yours now to be the lesser sister. The Matt to the Jeff. The Fritz to the Kerry. The Ole to the Arn."
Another dramatic pause before coming back to and digging into my pocket to pull out my box and grabbing another cigarette, letting it hang out from my mouth.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"And it's like I said earlier. I'm flattered that people think I'm the end all be all around here right now for proving themselves. The final boss. 'If I can beat Devin Copeland, I can beat anyone!' But it's like I said. I'm not here to make names for everyone else. I'm here to reestablish my own name."
My hand brings up a purple Bic lighter and flicks it to erupt a small flame from it, lighting my cigarette with a quick, hot light, smoke pillaring from it as I place the lighter back down.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"You can feel overshadowed all you want, Jamie. You have a right to feel that way. But when Ascension comes around, overshadowed will be an understatement. I'm gonna be a solar eclipse on your career. Bank on it. Now get out of my sight."
With that, I kinda move the phone around to make it seem as if I hard cut the camera away from me and stop the recording. Always gotta put on a little extra to give the video that bit of nuance of professionalism and effect. I kinda let out a small sigh, releasing my mind from its therapy to go back to the real life.
Now that I'm out of WWH wrestler mode, another quick drag preceded me grabbing my phone once more and giving a quick video ring, waiting for an answer while lightly listening to the sound of ringing echoing from the speaker. Finally, Jeanna answers, a bright smile on her face that let's me fully release the beast that I am while in character.
[ ♤ ] DEVIN COPELAND •• EPITOME OF DIVINITY [ ♤ ]
"Hey, hun. How are you tonight?"
Word Count: 1974