Of risks and rewards
Matt Goddard was doing damn good for a still-new Lunatic in the Asylum Wrestling society. He kept his wins high, losses low, and put on damn good matches at every opportunity along with it. All while representing himself as well as the Centre Of Attention to the best of his ability in the process. He was undeniably a new star of the pro wrestling company but he didn’t let it get to his head. He never did. That wasn’t the kind of wrestler and man that Matt was.
To Matt he was just simply doing his job. What he was supposed to do was win matches, fight hard, and put some limbs to the test in the process. If it meant he’d see some fans in the crowd wear some Matt Goddard merch or raise a pro-Matt Goddard sign that was fine but he didn’t wrestle for that. Matt was focused on the glory of competition. The fun of violence. Similarly to his UK colleague Xander Croft. They didn’t wrestle for the money, glory, and adulation of the fans they wrestled for the ACTION and expressed their violent love for the most violent art. They just carried themselves differently.
Xander Croft carried himself like a technical professional wrestling artist that could stretch and bend you into human taffy until you tapped out. Matt was a submission monster who loved to bend and wrench your joints and loved hearing your bones snap, crackle, and pop. Differences.
And with Matt Goddard being selected for the Clash at the Beach: 2026 Lunatic Lottery he had an abundance of bones to play with. Some bones to break in New Zealand. TJ Alexander, Hector Venegas, Mike Dimter, AJ Flare, and KD Fiegel were his opponents. Three briefcases contained coveted championship opportunities. Genuine tickets to a marquee match. Two had absolutely nothing which meant that you would have gotten through all of this violence for no prize. But one briefcase was worse than nothing. A pink slip that would seal your exit from the Asylum Wrestling Society. That was the only briefcase Matt was dreading because he hadn't signed that AWS contract that long ago!
So of course per the mantra and methods of the Centre Of Attention Matt studied film and did his training but he had to account for multiple opponents, ladder climbing, and be mentally prepared to get nothing or worse than nothing. He had to account for TJ and AJ’s fast-moving technical skill, Hector’s brawling grit, and Mike Dimter and KD bringing well-rounded intangibles. Shit you can’t teach or train to the ring. There were a lot of factors for Matt to think about but he was ready for it all on that flight to the Karikari Peninsula in New Zealand. But before Matt booked that flight he decided to give his statement before he left. His first promo in the Centre Of Attention clubhouse in Toronto.
Matt Goddard: I’ve never been a gambling man. I like to control my own fate, bet on myself and all. But this Lunatic Lottery match I’m about to get into has my unique attention. I got the most opponents in one match to deal with that I’ve had to date here in AWS, different styles and experiences too, did I mention it’s a damn ladder match with six briefcases to choose from? That’s a lot of chaos, a lot of pain I’m going to have to give and take to be real. All in the hopes of getting something that I want and that’s a title opportunity.
Matt took a deep breath and then smiled visibly.
Matt Goddard: That’s a risk I’m going to take. Because the reward and the fun is quite frankly worth the risk. I have so many opponents, so many targets in the match to fight, to hurt, to torture on my way up that ladder. TJ, KD, Mike, Hector, AJ Flare…so many limbs to break and so little time. Tough to climb up a ladder when your arms and legs hurt after all.
Matt was sure to say this with a calm and menacing tone. Looking coldly into the camera with images of his five opponents in faces of anguish and pictures of the ladders being used as weapons were shown. Selling the carnage and violence in the match.
Matt Goddard: And yeah I’m aware that the one briefcase that nobody wants has that pink slip in it. I damn near just got to the bloody Asylum. I don’t want to be gone from it already? What would my team think? But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to try. That doesn’t mean I won’t climb, that doesn’t mean I won’t put my five opponents through absolute hell and be their living nightmare. Hector, Mike, you can’t throw a punch or climb a ladder with broken fingers and arms. I’m going to enjoy making that Xander Croft wannabe TJ experience pure pain in the ring. AJ won’t be able to fly once I’m done with his legs and I will humble KD without a doubt!...Now put your attention on that. Now if you excuse me I have a long flight to catch. See you in New Zealand.
The promo ended with Matt standing up, grabbing his suitcases, and heading off screen with the Centre Of Attention eyeball logo fading into view. Next time you saw Matt he’d be competing in Clash At The Beach.