Back to work: Jamal Payne speaks
If there was any wrestling company that respected Jamal Payne other than the Asylum Wrestlng Society he didn't care to know about them just by how well the indpendent wrestling company treated him in all honesty. The man had just turned 50 with most of his pro wrestling peers retiring at this point. Wrestlers that got into the business at either the same time or not long after Jamal did. Wrestlers who like Jamal had a earned championships at a variety of wrestling promotions. Major and minor, independent and mainstream. At a time where the entire pro wrestling landscape was different. When most of his fellow AWS Lunatics were either kids or not even born yet.
But here's the thing...Jamal wasn't ready to retire just yet. He had no outstanding injuries to keep him from working and he loved where he worked. The Asylum Wrestling Society was good to him in terms of culture in that regard. No drama. And yeah he had a family with no need to wrestle for money as he had plenty of that as he lived in a nice city in Virginia. His two kids and wife of 20 years were fine and aware of Jamal's wrestling life. All he hasked for was some time off between matches so his body can recover and he can spend time with his family since he was certain that AWS wasn't going anywhere. He had a place there and that place was in the ring.
So when Jamal found out that he was going back to TV for Saturday Night Assault in The Crow's Nest. Las Vegas, Nevada to do battle against Adam Stryker in the Gold Rush tournament he got genuinely excited.
Jamal Payne: Baby! Bring me my suitcase I got a match to get ready for!
Jamal called his gorgeous, vivacous, curvaceous ebony spouse from his living room as he stood up with a burst of excitement. He was ready to get back to the ring for real. Not a live event and definitely not media stuff either. An honest to god television wrestling match for a tournament he was happy as hell to be in.
But lets talk about Adam Stryker for a moment. Both Adam and Jamal influenced wrestling in their own ways. If Jamal influenced wrestling by being a damn good professional wrestler with a long career at a variety of levels as a hard-hitting heavyweight wrestler Adam did that while being about 10 years younger than Jamal but also directly influencing wrestlers through his wrestling school. Setting a good example of in-ring dominance in more ways than one.
He was also the current Interstate Champion so that didn't hurt enrollment either. Jamal had to bring his best for this battle without a doubt.
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The scene started with Jamal Payne pulling up in his truck to The Crow's next for a unique segment with camera's focused on his black Ford F-150 before the camera focused on him leaving the truck and standing right next to it. Looking at the Crow's Nest venue stoically. Standing wearing a red and black leather jacket, black jeans, and black high top Nike shows. Waiting for him to speak. And they won't keep him waiting for long.
Jamal Payne: Back to work huh? I missed this y'all. Pulling up to arenas, getting ready to have fun. I mean yeah pro wrestling is my job, my livelihood and shit. Hell, the only things I love more than it is my family and God. But I haven't viewed it as just a job in years. It's fun to go to work, kick ass, make money, make my fans happy, and leave in that order. And yeah I enjoyed my break. Catching up with my family. My wife and kids missed seeing me around the house and I still did my workouts and training, messin' around on an interview but ain't nothing like wrestling for real. And as for my fellow Lunatics I hope y'all enjoyed me bein' gone because now I'm back and I'm here to bring the Payne.
Jamal made it clear to all who were watching that he was back and ready to make up for lost time. From his fellow Lunatics to his fans and just how much wrestling meant to him given his age and experience. All while looking intently into the camera.
Jamal Payne: So now I'm booked for this gold rush tournament. Nice shiny title at the end of it if I win. And yeah I say if I win because I ain't naive. I'm facing some hungry sons of bitches in this tournament. Ain't nobody in here weak, soft, beatable. I damn sure ain't. And my opponent for Assault Adam Stryker ain't either. Or for his sake I hope he ain't. He's the AWS Interstate Champion. Got damn good experience in all of wrestling not just here in the Asylum. Hell, I heard rumors that some of the kids from your wrestling school in LA are gonna come all the way here to see you fight in the first round of this tournament! Now I bet you're wishing you got booked against a better name because you might end up breaking their heart bruh. Because I'm hittin' you full throttle when that bell rings. I respect the shit out of you, this ain't personal, but I'm making up for lost time and imma get mine in this gold rush thing. I ain't come all this way just to lose in the first round!
Jamal cut respectfully deep with this statement. Praising Adam's skills and abilities here in the Asylum Wrestling Society. Talking a little about "Stryke Team wrestling" which was the wrestling school Adam ran. Making Adam feel like a big deal of an opponent before their match tonight while still hyping himself up before his big first round battle at Assault. Jamal's first match in a while along with it.
Jamal Payne: Later today this venue is going be jam-damn-packed. Fans, media people, ready to watch us all fight like hell here in Las Vegas. The fight captial of the world! Damn...I can't think of a better place to make my return and a get my first win at. And Adam if you got a problem with what I'm saying I don't give a damn. Show me how good you are, that Interstate title you got ain't a toy belt is it? In other words bring your (BEEP) best because if you don't this freight train will run your ass over and go on to the next round of the gold rush tournament and you gamble on that.
And with that statement being made Jamal grabbed his bags and walked into the arena employee entrance. Ready to sign in and relax before his hell of a match against Adam Stryker.