As much as it'd be hard to believe that person that told me all that, it'd be even harder, to believe that I would have to step out of retirement, to put some snot-nosed punk in his place. I would have them committed. You see, I shouldn't be doing this. I should be behind the scenes, running my company, watching the younger rookies, and the older veterans battle each other while I enjoy the view. I should be special refereeing every other match, making fair decisions without having to screw people out of titles. Things just aren't the way they should be anymore.
It's true. I am the youngest legend in the business today. People mention Joe Cool, like he's been around for decades, when in truth I've only been in the business half a decade. It's also true, that just a few months back, I lost to Armageddon in an Iron Man match, and retired thereafter. Even more truth would be told, if it was said that I now have to drag out the boots, don my tights and step back into the ring. I made the challenge, but I was forced. That is the truth. Why was I forced? Because the punk I fight, doesn't have any respect. He doesn't respect me, and EVERYONE respects me. Armageddon? The man hates me. I hate him. We'll never be "friends". He knows it and I do. But you know what? That man respects me. It is safe to say this. He told me himself he respects me. What about some of the other superstars? Firestarter? He's lying in the hospital right now, but that kid looked up to me. Fate? Fate and I are friends, and he respects me. Kanich? Kanich would tear me in half with his bare hands given the chance, but...he RESPECTS me.
But disrespecting me is one thing. People have done it before, punks like you, veterans like those of Express, Caged Explosion, and others. But in the end, when I fought them, they saw me in a new light. Disrespecting me is one thing, cuz I know it will change over time. But the one I fight, he disrespects his co-workers, with the exception of his stable, the staff of ICW, most importantly, the fans. I've seen him do it. This man, have no respect for any living thing, save himself. And where has that gotten him? Mulitiple losses and a fluke stable trophy win. Yes, I said FLUKE. Had Fate nailed you instead of Reaper with the chair, Dark Forces would have the trophy right now. But I'll get to that later.
Now, I'll adress you formally. Smoke. Yes, Smoke. I see Gladiator as an idiotic name. Smoke, I am going to teach you many lessons in our battle, and before and after. This is the first of many.
Lesson number 1: You will learn how to respect others.
When I was born, out in East Rutherford where I'm flying now, I was born into poverty. I learned to value what I have, and respect those who provide for me. Why does this apply to you? Smoke, you of all people should know. I am your provider. I am your boss. All I ask of you, is to go to the ring and wrestle. Then, each month, I pay you. It's a pretty good salary you make. I give you title shots whenever. Do you appreciate what I give you? Do you respect me, your provider? No. You come out here, accusing me of being a bad president. You come out here and say that I retired because I don't have what it takes. I retired, so I could run my company, and keep your ass employed.
A month before my retirement, I was given a pretty good offer. Adam Norton, the owner of WWFX, came to me, and he said "Joe, how would you like to wrestle full time in my fed. I noticed your talent and WWFX needs you here." I signed up, I joined. Then I had to balance between WWFX and ICW. He came to me with another offer. He'd pay me a large sum of money, for ICW. The company. Not the staff, not the wrestlers. He said that I would be paid heavily, highest contract on the roster, and I'd get money from the ICW earnings. I told him no. Do you know why I did this? I was going to be richer than I'd ever been, richer than I am now. I'd be able to be in the business. I cared about my company. I cared about the wrestlers. The staff. I wanted to keep them employed under a respectable company. I can't imagine you to understand or care. I decided to retire that same month, because I knew I couldn't run a company and still be an active wrestler.
But now I am forced to come out of retirement. Why? I have no idea why. Maybe it's because you, Smoke, have said I don't have what it takes. Maybe it's because I want to show you that I do have what it takes. I want to put you in your place. That is, the wrestler who works for me. I want to appeal to my ego. I want to show that I didn't retire because I didn't have what it takes. Dispite all these possible motives, I still saw no reason to come out of retirement and waste my breath on you. Then...it happened. You physically struck me. Trash talking is one thing, but you assaulted me. I got my revenge then, and decided enough was enough. And now, for forcing me to do this, you have a pissed off Smooth Criminal to deal with.
I saw your promos, and I'll get to them. I'm not done yet. Next I teach you your second lesson....it will come soon.
