Chapter 10
What Kind of Man are you?
Jake walked into a gym. He saw someone he knew really well. The person didn't see him coming. "Hey buddy," Jake yells chopping the guy on the back. AJ Styles turns around and jumps back. "What's the matter? I have been back a couple of weeks and you haven't said anything," Jake says. "Look Jake…" "What? What can you say AJ? Forty eight hours after I put my son in the ground I go into a match with Christian Cage. I lose my belt but at that point I don't care," Jake says needing to take a breath. "Look Jake let me…"
"Explain! Hold on because I want tell you what went through my mind. Because after Cage and his thugs beat me down. I look up and see you on the turnbuckle. And one second later you jump and not only shatter my leg but ten years of friendship. Ten years AJ, ten years that go all the way back to Atlanta when we were two kids. When you broke but you wanted to propose to Wendy I sold my drum kit to lend you the money. I lost of the times you made sure I got home safe when I was screwed up that I couldn't see straight," Jake yells.
"Look I had my reasons," AJ yells. "Oh really? You had a good reason to stab me in the back after ten years. Ten years, my Christ AJ that is life time in wrestling. Time and again I was asked if I could trust you. And would tell them that I knew I could because you won't just my friend you were brother," Jake yells. AJ stays silent. "Yeah I thought as much. See yeah around," Jake says leaving.
A few days later it was time for Impact. Jake was already in the ring with Jim. "Alright Robert Roode get out here," Jim orders. Robert's music hits, Eric and Alex come out first and have to unroll a red carpet. "Give me a break," Don says. Robert finally makes his way out with his arm in sling. "Watch it Jake he may have a pipe in there," Mike says. Eric and Alex open the ropes. Jim stands between the two men.
"Now you want to explain this," Jim says pointing at the sling. "Well Mr. Cornett I suffered an injury while training this week. And sadly I am unable to wrestle until the PPV. And to prove it here is the note from my doctor," Roode says pulling out a note and handing to Jim. "Where's the one from your mother?" Jake asks mocking him. "Dr. Pepper?" Jim asks. "Yes her name is Dr. Pepper," Robert yells. "You know Jim I don't care. Let this guy set on his ass for two weeks," Jake says starting to leave.
"Hold on Jake now while I am hurting you seem fine to me. And I have verbal contract with you," Robert says. Jake knows where this heading and takes off his jacket. "Alright let's get Abyss out here," Jake says. "Oh it's not Abyss. I have a big surprise for you Jake," Robert says. "You know what Roode I don't care. Because any man alive I can beat," Jake says. "Well Jake since you are so confidante how about a little wager?" "Don't you speak right? Call it a bet," Jake yells.
"Come Reed what do you?" Robert asks. "Fine what's the bet?" Jake asks. "You win tonight I release Eric Young from his contract and that little idiot is free to do what ever he wants. But if my wrestler wins I get to pick your match next week," Robert says. "Let me guess it would any match you want," Jake says. "Well yes but remember if you win, Eric Young is free," Robert says. "You know Roode if nothing else it will piss you of so yeah I accept, but like I said no man can beat me but watch real close because this just a preview of what I will do to you," Jake says.
"Oh Jake I thought is job needed a female touch," Robert says. "A female touch what does that mean?" Don asks. "Wait a minute," Mike says looking at the ramp. "You got to be kidding me," Don says. Miss Brooks makes her way down dressed to wrestle. She is clearly not happy about this. "What kind of man are you? I mean come on," Jake says. "What Reed you said… oh wait it was no man could beat you," Roode taunts.
Traci gets into the ring and Rudy Charles comes to the ring. "Now either you put effort here or the next time you will able to be near a wrestling ring you'll be older that you ex father in law," Robert tells Traci. Robert, Eric, and Alex leave the ring as does Jim. Rudy calls for the bell. "What is Jake going to do?" Don asks. "I mean he can't let Roode have control next but this is his estranged wife," Mike says.
Jake lies down in the middle of ring. Traci goes to covers him. Count of one, count of two, Roode pulls Traci off of Jake and out of the ring. "Oh it's not going to be that easy. I want you wrestle," Robert yells before letting her go back in the ring. Jake rolls out of the ring and walks up to Eric. "I'm sorry," Jake says before walking off. The referee is counting Jake out. Jake just starts to walk down the tunnel when Robert jumps in the ring and attacks the referee. Meanwhile cage and crew attack Jake.
Tomoko slams Jake on the ramp. Rhino comes out and gores Steiner but Christian takes him out by hitting him with the belt. Roode goes down and starts to put the boots to Jake. Hero and Claudio run out from the crowd and go after Robert. Security comes out and removes the Kings of Wrestling. "Cover him," Robert yells at Traci. Traci reluctantly does as she is told as Rudy Charles comes to, count of one, count of two, the bell rings as Jim Cornett comes down calling for it.
"That's it this match is over. But I'll tell you what Robert Roode since you arm is healed up and Christian Cage since you seem unable to stay away from Jake Reed. I am making a match week. Robert Roode and Christian Cage taking on Jake and…" The lights go out and when they come back on the man called Sting is in the ring. The bad guys charge but Sting takes them out with his bat.
Jake and Sting stand face to face. "Don think this when Jake Reed came to TNA one of the first guys to help him to the next level was Sting. Going even further back Sting was Jake's hero growing up," Mike says. Sting extends his hand to Jake. "Ever since Jake Reed came back he hasn't been the same guy. He's been so closed off. Maybe it's Sting that can break down that wall," Don says.
The crowd is cheering wanting to see this. Jake seems unsure of what to do. Rhino has gotten up and is in the ring. "Jake come on," Rhino says. Jake starts to leave but turns back and shakes Sting's hand and than walks away.
In the locker room Cage and Roode are pissed off. "I can't believe this. That Hillbilly can't make me fight that drunken redneck," Cage yells. "Christian it's alright. Think back I was in the ring when Jarrett and D'Amore gave him the beating of a lifetime well what I have in mind we make that seem like the best day of his life," Robert says. Christian gets an evil smile on his. "What do you have in mind," Christian says. "Oh Christian this is the end of Jake Reed," Robert says.
"If that's true than I will give you a title shot," Christian says and about a second later realizing he has to stop doing that. "Thanks Champ," Robert says leaving.