Chapter 17
Tension
Jake was watching Impact. He watched as Paul Heyman introduced Ace Steel. Traci walked in the living room. "I still can't believe Ace would work with Heymen," Traci said. "Traci I hate to say this but I wouldn't be shocked it a few other faces from you past showed up," Jake says. "Jake I really don't think that Colt or…or…" "Well you thought Ace wouldn't work for Paul E. And Heyman is a master at getting people to do what he wants. Remember how twisted he got RVD when they first came to TNA?" Jake asks.
"Yeah but he is different," Traci says. "Who is different Colt of CM Punk?" Jake asks. "They both are," Traci says. "Look Traci I haven't told you this but I have some friends that still work for OVW and when our past came out he went nuts," Jake says. "So he goes nuts all the time," Traci says.
"Traci will you think about it. CM Punk the straightedge no drugs, no alcohol. Worked his ass off for years. Couldn't break though in TNA. Forced to go down to OVW in the WWE. Then you take me a drug addict and alcoholic who winds up being a world champion," Jake says.
"I still don't think it's Punk beside the last time I heard he was still with the WWE," Traci says. "Yeah well one thing I know about wrestling is expect anything or anyone," Jake says. "Jake I think we are going to have to agree to disagree," Traci says. "Ok besides I am tired of talking about Heyman. Let's talk about anything else," Jake says.
"Well I realized that I am that I can't fit into my cloths anymore," Traci says. "Well what do you expect you are pregnant. I man you got a future world champion in there," Jake says. "What if it's a girl?" Traci asks. "I know TNA has been a little slow in getting a woman's division going but I bet by the time the baby is old enough to wrestle they should have one going. I mean it will take almost two decades," Jake says. "They better," Traci says.
Meanwhile Jeff Jarrett was working out in his home gym. He hadn't pushed himself this hard in years. But he had to go all out if he lost not just his TNA career but his wrestling career was over. Going back to the WWE was not an option. That bridge was burned and the ashes had blown into the wind long ago.
"I can't lose. This is my family's life our legacy," Jeff thought as he went back to working out. "I can't let Reed go into Final Resolution healthy. I am going to have to hurt him and hurt him real bad. I have too much to lose," Jeff says outloud.
The next day Bryan Danielson watched as his students in the ROH wrestling school started there first work out of the day. He could actually take it easy as ROH management had arranged for Austin Aries to come on be a guest instructor for the day. "Alright guys pair off and work on the collar and elbow," Danielson said. Aries walked up ready to teach. "Alright Austin when there done with this workout there yours," Danielson said. "I know Bryan. I ran this place and would still be if not for my leg injury," Aries said.
Danielson just walked off and headed for the office. "I have to give Reed credit. Not even I would be smart enough to come up with a plan to get rid of an enemy like the one Jake had come up for Jarrett," Bryan thought. "But I still got to make sure Jake holds on to the title so I can beat him for it," Danielson thought.
Bryan even knew when he was going to take his title shot. He knew the place and the city and there was no way Jake was gong to win. Jake's one and only win had been a fluke. It was Jake taking advantage of an open contract that Danielson had sent Chikria Pro for an ROH title shot. "Jake must have stayed up all night thinking about that one," Danielson thought. "But this time I have the element of surprise on my side!"
Colt Cabana walked up to a door he had been to many times. He knocked on the door. "Come in," The person that answered said. "Look man we need to talk," Colt said. "I said come in," the guy said.
Terry Taylor was in his office, Jim Cornett walked in. "Something wrong Jim?" Terry asked. "Well I booked a match that upset ROH management because it evolved there champion. All because I to force Heyman's hand and he smarts me," Jim says. "Look we're all getting frustrated at not knowing who Heyman is brining in. But sooner or later he has to reveal the guy," Terry says.
"Yeah but until than Jake and anybody that Heyman doesn't like is in trouble," Jim says. "I know and just the way he talks about the guy you would think he found a clone of Lou Thesz," Terry says. "Tell me about it. And what really worries me is Heyman's power to control people. He finds a way in and just takes over," Jim says. "Yeah I was here when he brought RVD in. I mean Jake still has to wear a knee brace because of the damage is done," Terry says.
Colt walked back out the door. He wasn't his usually happy go lucky self. It wasn't like how it had been during his feud with Homicide but he was extremely serious. "Oh god this is going to get crazy," Colt said out loud nervousness in his voice.
Jake was pumping iron his home gym. He put the bar up on its rest and gets up. His conversation with Traci was still fresh in his mind. Jake knew Traci wanted to think the best about Punk. But Jake also knew one thing that no matter how much he accomplished. That there would always be people that would remind him of the night he choked and lost to Punk in under a minute.
Jake had always wanted a rematch with Punk. But they rarely worked the same promotions and when they did no prompter was willing to book it. "Than again maybe Heyman just wants me to think its Punk," a small voice in Jake's mind said.
"Why I am thinking about this now. I have to get past Jarrett and get him the hell out of wrestling. Than I will deal with what ever moron winds up working with Heyman," Jake says.