Promoting The Tour

✝ Promoting The Tour ✝
✝ LA, California ✝
✝ The Farewell Tour I ✝

Ever since I made this tour official, my phone has been ringing off the hook with everyone looking to get that final interview with me. On top of everything else, I had HBO sports wanting to buy the rights to follow me around up until the final match. The whole reason I was finally stepping away from the game was to spend more time with my family

So far I’ve been on the road more then I was before I ever announced my retirement tour

I was in LA to sit down with an icon in his own profession. His name was Rich Andrews and he’s sat across from the biggest names this game has ever seen. His show was the premier dream for any superstar in this game to be on. It’s been airing for the last 8 years and Rich always seem to be able to hang on to some very big west coast ratings. He’s been inducted in almost as many Hall of Fames as I have.

He’s the Jay Leno of this game

He’s a stand up guy, and for the first time in my 27 year career I finally agreed to be a guest on his talk show. But I hated being so far way from home. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t having second thoughts about doing this Farewell tour, or even about doing this show. The toll of my career has always been a tuff line to tip toe around when it came from me being pulled away from my family.

They have been through this before in the Insurgency, so they have little to no hope about this being my final run in the game. I think my younger daughters and the ol’ lady have a pool going, guessing how long until I’m board and talking about a comeback. They were all about to be out a healthy amount of allowance

Because there wasn’t any doubt in my mind this was my last tour

I picked up my cell phone, wanted to check in with Jada. We’ve been through a lot in our life together, but despite what happened between the Triangle love saga between us and my brother Frank there wouldn’t be another woman I would rather take this last ride with then Jada

Except for maybe Sam … But that love story was tragically cut short before it really had any chance to blossom. There was never a day that goes by that I don’t miss her.

Smirking to myself as I listened to the ring of her cell phone in my ear, I couldn’t help but feel how much my career was in its Johnny Cash phase of life. Between the tragedy that I’ve faced in my personal and professional career, it was legit a song lyric that Cash never got to write

..:: ::.. Jada Mark-Hart ..:: ::..
“Hey Johnny, how’s LA?”

She was also still my agent/manager and she always answered her phone as such, even when I was just calling as a concern spouse

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘It’s LA babe, home of the stars and every style of crack head the world could ever create.’

..::: ::.. Jada Mark-Hart ..:: ::..
“You coming home before hitting Washington?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘That’s the game plane babe’

Walking into the production house where Rich always recorded his shows. It’s a decent place; it was all up to date and modern. As soon as you step inside through the spinning glass doors, you feel like your stepping into history. For his entire career, Rich always recorded live in this building. There were pictures of wrestling legends and Rich plastered all throughout

..:: ::.. Jada Mark-Hart ..:: ::..
“Johnny … Is this really it? Because … I don’t think I can handle another ride. I don’t think our family can handle it.”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘This story doesn’t have a sequel hun. After this run, you guys are stuck with me.’

..:: ::.. Jada Mark-Hart ..:: ::..
“I hope so …”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘Listen Babe, we can talk more about this when I get back. I’m about to check in, and get this interview started’

..:: ::... Jada Mark-Hart ..:: ::..
“We’ll do it over dinner, enjoy yourself out there. Remember this is your act; no one else is pulling any strings. Just be your self baby and you’ll do fine”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘I’ll call you as soon as I can. Love you Jay’

..:: ::.. Jada Mark-Hart ..:: ::..
“I love you to Johnny”

With that I slowly pressed the END CALL button; I hated having that conversation with her. You would think I would be used to the doubt, but that’s the fucking kicker … I shouldn’t have to expect it. Like I said, this wasn’t the first ride out I’ve been on. But this time I know it’s different.

I finally understand I can’t do this forever

Walking up to the receptionist I was pleasantly surprise when a lady stood up looking around her 30’s stood up. She wore her age well, and she had a rack that would remind you of a porn stars. She offered me a hand shake.

..:: ::.. The Receptionist ..:: ::..
“Welcome Mr. Stylez, it’s an honor to finally meet you. When Rich informed me you were today’s guest I couldn’t believe it. After all these years, you’re finally going to sit down with Rich!”

Poor chick was just trying to do her job, but the fanatic side of her slowly creped out. Even after doing this for almost 27 years, I still enjoy meeting a fan. Even the days when I was pretty much the most hated man in this sport, I would still kick it with a hurt fan. Sure the conversations would always be different.

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘I guess its an honor that has been overdue to collect’

..:: ::.. The Receptionist ..:: ::..
“Mr. Andrews is already on stage, he likes to prep everything to make sure its up to par with what the audience expects. Follow me to the green room where you can freshen up if you like, we go live in 25 minutes”

She lead the way to the green room, I followed right behind. We walked through a door and then proceeded to head straight down a long hall way. More pictures were hung on the walls, looking around at them I saw more then a handful of guys who were some of the biggest rivalries I ever had in my career.

..:: ::.. The Receptionist ..:: ::..
“The green room is right this way Mr. Stylez”

So opened the last door that was at the end of the hallway. The room was painted green, with different plagues and gifts from former guest littering the entire room. The receptionist stood by the door while I stood in front of the mirror.

..:: ::.. The Receptionist ..:: ::..
“In a few minutes the producer well come and escort you to the gorilla position. Then the show will go live with Rich’s minor monologue and then he’ll introduce you. If there is anything you need in between then and now, feel free to call me at the front desk.”

She handed me a card with Rich’s logo in the top right corner and the name Susan Seaward was spread across the middle. Under her name was the direct line to her front desk.

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘Thanks for all your help dollface.’

She blushed before she nodded and walked out of the room. Leaving me alone with my thoughts, which now-a-days is a dangerous place to be at. My heads been filled with emotions that I was finding harder to control, another sign that made me positive this was going to be the last tour for me.

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘This is it kid … Time to write that final chapter, lets make it filled with good memories, and surprises’

I told my reflection in the mirror before tossing some water across my face, and adjusting my Bruins ‘We Want the Cup’ Tee-shirt. My momentary serenity was cut short when the producer came knocking on the green room door before she let herself in

..:: ::.. Producer ..:: ::..
“You’re on in 5 SB, listen before we head to the stage is there anything you don’t want to talk about in this interview?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘I’m an open book, I plane on living this game leaving no skeleton unknown’

..:: ::.. Producer ..:: ::..
“Fantastic, Rich loves it when he doesn’t feel like he has to skip over a question in order to make his quest feel comfortable”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘He can ask anything and everything he wants’

..:: ::.. Producer ..:: ::..
“In that case follow me”

We headed out of the green room and headed towards the back stage area, that’s the only place I saw out of whack. There production people running around with there heads cut off making sure everything was in tip top shape and was ready to go live. The make-up team rushed over to me with there tools of the trade in there hands, I instantly waved them off. I was doing this all natural; I could care less if the lights didn’t flatter me.

The producer ushered me past through chaos and into the gorilla position

..:: ::.. The Producer ..:: ::..
“You’re on in 3! Break a leg SB”

Standing in the gorilla position my eyes were locked on Rich Andrews who was slowly wrapping up his monologue. The kid was a riot, all his jokes hitting dead on with today’s Wrestling headlines. Of course he was dropping jokes about James Shark, the insurgency and other companies. The crowed was eating out of his hands

The kid was a natural

The on the screen behind him flashed a picture of me, followed by a hype video package of everything I’ve accomplished, everything I’ve put my body through for 27 years, in between highlights flashed the words ‘FAREWELL TOUR’ it was a great video package and brought back tons and tons of memories.

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Ladies and Gents, tonight I am honored to welcome someone who I’ve been dying for so long to get on the show. He’s a true legend in this game. He has recently announced his farewell tour. And well be taking part in the No Limit Wrestling Federations Global Annihilation tournament. He is the one, the only … Johnny ‘SBK’ Stylez”

The producer pretty much forcefully ushered me on to the stage, where the crowed went bat shit crazy. There wasn’t anyone in the audience who wasn’t on there feet. The ovation caused me to get Goosebumps. You would think after selling out arena’s all across the globe that I would be used to the people’s reaction

But it always ended up getting to me, each and every time

I walked across the stage and Rich and I embraced each other, as he showed me to my seat that was directly next to his chair. You could feel the legacies flow through the seat of all who sat here before me. Rich smiled before he took a sip from his cup of coffee, and I took a sip of my Gentlemen Jack that I had the production team swap out the coffee with in my cup

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Welcome Johnny, I am honored to have you on the show tonight.”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘Not as honored as I am to be here myself, we should have done this a long time ago’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Who are you kidding SB, you were always to good to do to this show”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘Can’t bullshit a bullshitter’

We both shared a laugh and another sip of our beverages of choice

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“You announced at NLWF’s OWN that you’re kicking off a Farewell tour, and when the tour is over you will be officially retiring from the game. A lot of people think it’s just a stunt to give yourself a year vacation time before you once again return to the ring”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘They would be wrong. I don’t know what the future holds, but I can tell you that after the King of the throne match, driving home, I told my wife, ‘You know what, I think it’s seriously time to end it’ Being on the road has really been bothering my two young daughters…To be honest, it has also started to bother me to. This job as great as it is, it keeps you so busy. To just have time to get a hobby, not to get in the car and head out to another show, to just sort of do what I want, I think it will be the first time since I thought about that since I was 19-years-old’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“When can we expect the grand finale of this tour?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘I still haven’t selected an exact date, I’m pretty much going by ear at this point’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“What will make this retirement different then before?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘I’m a lazy person by nature, so retirement is right up my alley. I would have stuck with it before, but apparently you have to work before you retire.’

Getting even more comfortable in the seat, I took another swig of my cup waiting for the next question from Rich

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Why didn’t you stick with your retirement after you faced Crimson Skull at IWF’s From the Ashes? It was a compiling story, and I thought was one of your best matches you have ever competed in. So why return after that one?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘It’s defiantly one of the matches I’m most proud of. But it just didn’t feel like it should have been my last one. Skull kept on going in the insurgency after that match; I kinda got the feeling we were both going to go out at the same time, you know put our decade long feud to bed along with both our careers. Skull obviously didn’t see it that way. Then I saw NLWF was reopening and after sitting down with my ol’ lady, I just felt that I had one last chance in correcting some moments in my career that I wasn’t thrilled to be associated with. And even with the bad break up we had four years ago, I always wanted to end my story with them.’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Is there any bad blood between you and Crimson Skull for not retiring then?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘Not at all, I’ve done it to him before. Even though that match didn’t end our careers, I honestly feel like it ended our bitter and ugly personal and professional feud. So in the end it all worked out for the better’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“ You sort of retired twice in 27 years, in a way, because you stopped wrestling for four years. Then as mentioned you had the run in the Insurgency and the curtain call match between Skull. At that point, everyone thought this was the last time we’re honestly going to see Johnny Stylez. Then, you went on almost a year-long run of amazing matches and amazing performances here in the NLWF. What was that like to have that come back?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘It was a gift. The first time the word retirement came up; I never really said I was retiring. I guess, in my mind, retirement is when you leave on your own terms. The first one, being told I was never going to wrestle again as the result of a neck injury, obviously that’s not the way you envision your career ending. Having dealt with that and gone through it and having the opportunity for a second chance, was a dream come true, but then I find myself being a cash cow and not really being able to show that I still had what it takes in the Insurgency quickly killed that dream. Now this current run, as you say, being almost a sold year of great memories, was at first, honestly as much of a shock to me as it was to everybody else. The genuine intention was to come back and work against Brenton Cyrus and sort of see how everything did. To honestly feel like, holy cow, I feel like I can do what I used to do. I went with that until I felt that the peace within me that I could walk away again and it would be on my terms, my timing and all those things you wish and you envision being like. I got the opportunity to do that, and I’m running with it bro’

Rich nods in agreement and crosses his legs before asking the next question, It was strange how much fun this interview was becoming. Through out all my years in this game I’ve always sort of had a ‘script’ of sorts to follow.

Not this time, and I am loving it

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“I noticed you talking to some of the younger aspiring wrestlers who have been climbing up the NLWF ranks. How much has breaking into the business changed since you broke in back in the JWF?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘That’s what I always find myself talking about with some of the greener talent. It’s changed a great deal. As it should. Everything evolves. It has changed a bunch. People can see it from different perspectives. Some say positive. Some say negative. The business itself does far more for the guys who are in it than it ever has. From that perspective, I think it’s positive. I think, like everything in life, you, as the individual, have to adjust. You’ve got to make the most out of the situation you have. That’s obviously what you want to try to tell young blood. It doesn’t matter what kind of job you’re in. In any situation in life, life is this way and it’s never going to be fair. What are you going to do about that? How are you going to best arm yourself with the tools you need to be successful in this life or in this business?’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Any fun memories of coming to LA? I know you’ve spent a lot of time here in your career.”

It was true I always loved the city of angels, and I had some very fantastic memories that I could have shared but then this episode would have been a two parter and I really wanted to get back to Boston to spend more time with Jada and the girls, So I figured I would give a memory that I don’t really share a lot about Cali

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘It’s funny. The biggest memory I have of LA is the parking. There’s just that one little line in the back of the building. We all had to line up. If a guy got behind you and you were on early, you weren’t going anywhere. You could be first or second match and you’d have to stay there until the last match because you had four cars behind you. That and the dressing rooms around here. That was one of the things that, in your mind, you envision your world championship being awesome. This is one of the first places I came after being champion for the first time and going on last and then, going into the shower and the shower just being full of everything not good. I thought to myself, you know, I thought being champion would be different. Good memories.’

We both laugh because we both been in this game long enough to know how true this was for a lot of arenas. It’s the small things that us ‘lifers’ get a true kick out of

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“I’ve been hearing from everyone that you’ve made a deal with HBO sports to film the entire tour, catching every moment starting from GAT to your final match. Is there any truth behind these rumors?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘It is indeed true. I’m actually meeting up with there production crew when I fly back home to Boston. Then we’ll start shooting my life inside and out of the ring. It was a fantastic idea from there end and the pay out made sense to me with my pending retirement coming up. I honestly believe this show is going to give everyone of the public a chance to finally see the real me.’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“No restrictions … just the real SBK?”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
“Nope it’s the real me, and its HBO so I can’t even rule out a soft core porn episode!’

Another laugh breaks out between the two of us, as the show’s theme slowly starts to fade in signaling it was time to wrap up my part of the interview segment and head out to a commercial break.

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Man, I wish we had more time! This has really been a blast having you on the show”

..:: ✝::.. Johnny Stylez ..:: ✝::..
‘Yea Rich, after this sit down I really am kicking myself in the ass for not doing it sooner.’

..:: ::.. Rich Andrews ..:: ::..
“Make sure everyone orders NLWF’s Global Annihilation tournament, where this guy attempts to win what very well could be his last NLWF Championship of his storied career! Johnny I wish you all the luck, and I hope we do this again after the tour is all said and done”

We shook hands as the camera fades out, and Rich walks me back to the gorilla position where his next guest is already prep to take on the hot seat. Rich and I share more pleasantries before I head down the hallway passed the green room. I was heading for the parking lot; I wanted to be sure I would catch the first plane out of LAX heading to Boston

The Farewell tour was officially in full effect



If Kingston thinks he’s going to snap his 12 year drought of winning a Heavyweight Championship at GAT then he is sadly mistaken! Really kid? 12 years? And you got the balls to tell everyone else they suck? Face it playa, you’re 12 year dream isn’t going to be a reality, its going to end in a first round disappointment!

You’re focusing on the finals, but face it kid this isn’t the ECWF. That’s another contradicting fact I spotted in your flow, you call Robbie the Chris Benoit of NLWF, when you admit to killing a promotion?! How the fuck are you even apart of the Reign of Chaos? There all about “saving” this promotion and you have a track record of sending feds to an early grave?!

GETHEFUCKOUTTAHERE

How does it feel to have a week’s worth of hard work be blown out the water by two paragraphs? Looks like this old dog has more skills then the Son of Liberty! But look at it this way; after Brenton and Psycho see how much of a fucking failure you are, at least you still got Silver Suffer to eat off of. But then again I’m sure you’re nothing more then a paid extra in that flick

It’s almost like your contract with NLWF … chump change

You may have been the Respect of Wrestling champion at one point in your career but it's been highly entertaining to watch you fall down that mountain, face it kid your career is destined to end up on the same level as Pure himself. He was handed that championship, you won it and then couldn’t even defend it! Don’t bullshit a bullshitter Kingston, you may still be the Respect of Wrestling champion, but as far as the record books see it you lost that belt to Psycho at OWN in the first tier of the seven stages of hell, then Psycho handed it back to you …

I guess you’re already on McClure’s status

Kingston, Sure, you have some amazing feats to follow your name … Wait what have you done here again besides win a title meant for the lower card? You keep talking like you’re someone special when you really haven’t accomplished a fucking thing here! You’re only career highlight is the NLWF Respect of wrestling championship! A feat I just made null and void with this shoot bro!

You keep interjecting yourself in to a place that you don't belong and as long as you're hanging around, I'll be glad to bring out the fly swatter and send you to an early grave. You'll continue to bring your empty threats and broken promises... how are you going to promise to win the tournament, when I just proved that you’re not even making it out the first round? How can you be hell bent on meeting my nephew in the finals when you’re getting an early exit from this tournament?

The definition of insanity is trying to do the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. At least make it somewhat interesting this time and switch up the flow but I'm sure we'll be subjected to the same mindless drivel that you've forced upon us since then word go

You’re grabbing at sticks looking for an advantage and you keep pulling out the short end

I'm going to kick you back down to the opening of the card where you belong, where the Respect of Championship belongs. Let's just face the facts. You know, deep down, that I'm the better man. You know there isn't a fucking thing in your toolbox that could put me down long enough for the referee to count to three. And I'm sure that eats away at your rotting flesh... bite by bite. I'd apologize but I don't honestly care enough!

You're nothing but a roadblock standing in my way

Zubaz or Jack Davidson or what ever the fuck you are calling yourself these days, but lets be frank here for a second … Why the fuck our you taking credit or riding this promotion of Dan Alexander when every Tom, Dick, and Harry knows I was the one who legit ended Dan’s career here. I was the one who got under his skin and made that Mexican go from being a wrestler to looking for a career as a taco bell employer not you

You got my sloppy seconds

You felt like a god beating a guy who legit had nothing to offer but a sombrero and a green card? You’re really hyping up your win against Dan Alexander as if it was something special? Bro you got a free pass with that one, don’t get it twisted like you’re the next Brenton Cyrus! You’ll be left disappointed just like James Shark’s legacy here in the NLWF!

Then there is the defending champion himself Mike Harris

Do you honestly think you have what it takes to defend the NLWF Championship in a tournament when you couldn’t even win a grand opportunity at the Tag-Team championship at OWN? You must be delirious! Everyone already knows you shouldn’t even had a chance at breaking Chuck’s streak at Warrior Games, you got a push when it wasn’t your turn

Everyone knows Hostyle Jones who should have won that one

You may be the NLWF Champion but you sure aren’t a Champion. A Champion defends it with honor and respect. Champions, no matter the stormy weather or rainy forecast, they come to come and defend every night. They suppose to represent the company well, not make it look lackluster. THAT IS what has happened to the NLWF division ever since King of the throne. When have you officially defended that championship? Fuck that, when have you done anything worth mentioning? You won a fixed gauntlet, you won the NLWF Championship in a match where the defending champion didn’t give a flying fuck about defending, and then you came close to winning the Tag team championship, that was before you were sent flying and left OWN with the taste of defeat in your mouth.

And all I heard for a reply to OWN is nothing but fucking excuses!

Tell me I’m washed up bro, you sit there and scream wanting originality out of everyone yet you repeat line for line what everyone pretty much has said about me all month long! I guess this tournament is just filled with contradicting assholes! But by all means tell me I’m done forever. Tell the world how you’re going to end my career! And I’ll be glad to break your neck in a motion that always moves up and down. Then you can tell me forever that I’m better than you.

I’m glad you watched every word and every syllable I said Harris. Watch it over and over and over again if you want to. Learn how to shit on an opponent before you have the match. I think I’ve done a good job of it here, don’t you think Harris?

Mike, here’s what I want you to do. If our paths cross in DC, and on your way to the gorilla position I want you to honestly think that you’re entering our match with the thought of the joke is going to be on me. However, I’ll simply throw up those words on you and continue to expose you as the joke you are. You’ll be the one who has the joke on you as well as a horrible smell. Then when you turn from being the untouchable one to the bitch you are, then you can thank me.

Thanks for being the legend you are and thanks for being awesome. In advance Harris, you’re welcome. I’m just showing you what you will never, ever, ever be while I’m around.

Legendary!

This war of words has been fun, but unlike everyone us buying for there shot at glory tonight

I actually have a tournament to win