JC0004 - A Disappointment. Hitting Rock Bottom.

Doctor: Okay. All of the results came back good. Your oxygen is much better. I think you are in the clear.

[The doctor signs off on some sort of paperwork, handing it to Jackson Cole.]

Jackson: Thanks, Doc. So... medically...

Doctor: You are one hundred percent. Great shape. No underlying issues. Whatever you dealt with, either it was more mental or it is passed. You are cleared to return back to work.

Jackson: Appreciate you.

Doctor: Best of luck, Mr. Cole.

[Jackson Cole nods his head as he takes the paperwork, and heads out of the doctor's office]


[We open as Jackson Cole is sitting on the entrance ramp of the arena. The ring is being setup as the only people inside of the arena are FWP workers and staff. Jackson's knees are almost to his chest, with his arms resting on his knees. He is wearing a hoody and shorts, a fairly normal combination for him.]

Jackson: Aurora Graves vs Jackson Cole. I came up short. It is not a total loss though, Aurora is in the finals of the Prestige Tournament. It only makes sense that someone with her experience and talent is in the finals for the title. Facing her husband has to be hard, but either way someone deserving of the championship will win it. I got off on a great foot... I was even called a "Workhorse of FWP" early on. I am damn proud of this match, and I will be more ready for Aurora when the next time we face off rolls around.

[Long sigh from the California boy. He takes a deep breath and continues his thought.]

Jackson Cole vs Stella Basch. This is where it all went wrong. I climbed to the top of the corner, and lost my footing. I slipped. It is something I've done a million times. I am not sure what happened? Maybe something on my shoes? Perhaps nerves? Could something have caught my eye and I simply lost focus? Who knows. But this... this right here is where things just... took a turn. Have I lost my grip? Have I lost my focus? I thought I was ready for my next match. More focused. And then...

[His head lowers.]

Jackson Cole vs Slim. The newcomer versus the unretired veteran. What a quick match. I clearly was not ready. I was not prepared. And I was simply... out of my league. He tried to choke me out, and I fought it. I really did! I fought it with my all. I tried to fight, but I was not one hundred. It was obvious. The announcers knew it. Slim knew it. The crowd knew it. Hell, I should have known it.

[Jackson rises to his feet, shaking off invisible cobwebs and anxiety. He sucks some air in, his chest pushing out. A half grin as he continues.]

And that is where we come to my next match, and it won't be an easy one. A Triple Threat match. That means either of my opponents could pin each other, and I would still lose. That would be, simply put, a travesty. I am not here to knock my opponents, I know better than that. I am taking on both Kelsi Ross and Adrienne Blaque. I don't know a ton about Adrienne, but I do know that her roster picture sure looks like she means business. She scares me, a bit. But hard to really know what you are getting into when it is someone's first match in the company. I know better than to overlook someone, but it is also hard to prepare for the unknown. And as far as Kelsi Ross goes, some say she should be further in the Prestige Tournament than she ended up being. Hard to argue with having two wins in three matches. I know that she is another veteran of the ring, and I cannot take her lightly. I need to make sure that I am in control of the match, and to not allow either of them to try and take me out and handle it between each other. I've taken some time, I've recovered and healed. I am back, and in fighting form. I am ready. And now is my chance to burst the bubble that is my winless streak. Panama City Beach, here I come.

[Fade to black.]