Chapter 9
It was Hard Justice AJ and Jake were being interviewed by Jeremy Borash. "AJ Styles, Jake Reed you two have been on the receiving end of Team Canada's attacks the last few weeks how are you feeling headed into tonight's big tag team match?" He questioned. "Well JB I sure as hell don't want to get my head rammed into a ring post again!" Jake said. "Tonight team Canada the Phenomenal One is going to take you out." AJ said as they walked away.
AJ's music played as he and Jake walked out. "The following Tag Team contest is set for one fall with a twenty minute time limit. Introducing first from Atlanta Georgia he is the Phenomenal AJ Styles and his partner from Omaha Nebraska Jake Reed," Dave Panzer said. The Canadian's them hit and the whole team made its way to the ring. Before they could though Jake and AJ hit a pair of suicide dives taking out all five men. Jake and AJ pick up William and Roode and roll them into the ring.
The ref makes Jake and Bobby out of the ring. AJ hits a spinning clothesline. Then he uses a low roundhouse kick. AJ makes a quick tag to Jake. Jake uses a bear hug and gives Williams an atomic drop. Then knocks Petey over with a dropkick. Jake brings Williams to his feet but Williams thumbs the eyes. Petey tags in Roode and Roode gives Jake a vertical suplex. Brings Jake up and throws him in the corner. Roode lays in some punches. The ref forces him back but Petey uses the time to choke Jake.
Roode tags Williams in. Petey gives Jake a Russian leg sweep. Followed by a snap neck breaker. Tag back to Roode. Jake hits a few punches in the gut and makes the break to his corner. Just as he is about to Tag AJ, A-1 pulls him off the apron the picks him up and power bombs him on the floor. AJ is hurt. Jake is now in a handicap match. Roode lays in some double ax handles to Jake.
A stretcher comes out and takes AJ to the back. The meanwhile ejects team Canada from ringside. Jake out of nowhere gets a jaw breaker on Bobby. But Roode just tags out. Petey knocks Jake down with a drop kick then puts him in the Sharpshooter. Jake fights over to the ropes but Roode kicks his hand away allowing Williams to pull him to the center of the ring. Jake manages to reach his hands around and pulls William's feet allowing Jake to reverse the sharp shooter into his own.
Bobby Roode charges in but Jake drops the sharpshooter get a knee in the gut and then gives Roode a DDT. Jake makes a cover on Roode but Petey breaks it up at two. The Canadians go for a double clothesline but decks and hits Williams with a spin kick. Roode charges but gets a spinebuster for his trouble.
Jake tosses Williams over the top rope. He gets Bobby up hits the Death Valley Driver. Cover and a three count. Jake rolls up of the ring and heads up the ramp. "The winner of the match Jake Reed," The ring announcer said as referee raised Jake's hand in victory.
Jake ran to the trainer's room and went in. "Hey doc how is he?" Jake asked seeing AJ sitting up. "Wow that's a switch normally I am the one checking on you," AJ said. "Yeah it's weird. So how are you?" Jake asked again. "I'll be fine I just blacked out from the pain. I might even be able to wrestle on Impact," AJ said.
"I won by the way," Jake said. "Yeah I heard. Great job man but you know with D'Amore being in with Jarrett odds are this isn't over," AJ said. "Yeah I know. But let me enjoy this. Odds are I will screw up soon and lose my job," Jake said half serious half joking. "Try to do it on Thursday that's my day in the pool," AJ ripped. "Why would I do it on Thursday when I have Wednesday in the same pool," Jake responded.
AJ was thrilled to see Jake in good mood. He remembered the times where Jake high to care about anything. He was so glade that Jake had overcome his problems even with the recent scare AJ felt that Jake had turned the corner. Jake addictions had started so simple. Jake like so many young wrestlers enjoyed to party. He started out with a few drink but it was never serious.
Then it all changed when Jake went to OVW. Jake was all alone the fights with Traci were getting worse each time they talked. Then they broke up and Jake lost control. After getting his release Jake had pulled himself together just long enough to get the shot with ROH. Had that just worked out it would have been so different. But seeing Traci realizing she was dating Punk had destroyed him. From then on Jake started using more powerful drugs. Even worse he started no showing matches and got black balled.
Jake hit rock bottom and nearly died off a drug overdose before he finally got clean. Slowly but surely Jake work again and now he was right where he should have been years.
"AJ you ok man?" Jake asked. "I was just thinking of how far you have come the last few years," AJ said. "Ok whatever," Jake said.