Post by Daron Smythe on Aug 31, 2023 10:54:48 GMT -5
"A letter to the UWL fans,
A wise man once said 'Wrestling is not a love story, it's a Fairy Tale for masochists. A comedy for people who criticize punchlines. A fantasy most can't understand, a spectacle no one can deny.' In my lifetime, I've rarely come across a quote I have identified with like this one. In some ways, it feels so romantic. When I was little, I can remember sitting ringside for the World Wrestling Federation in my little hometown, seeing The Ultimate Warrior, Rick Rude, Brutus Beefcake - thinking these guys were superheroes in real life, wishing one day I could come close to that.
I found that opportunity and burst through that door, pouring my entire being into the sport of professional wrestling. Hoping and wishing one day that I'd get the call from the big show, that huge contract, be a star on television. But no, wrestling is not a love story, it is indeed a fairy tale for masochists. We give our entire bodies and minds to this sport, sometimes that mental pain is hundreds of times worse than any broken bone, bump, or bruise. I met the woman who I thought was the love of my life. When that lie was revealed, I just walked away - knowing I couldn't handle the physical or mental pain.
Finding UWL was such a blessing for me, an opportunity to control my own narrative, to rewrite history, my own history, to write the ending. Instantly I remembered everything, the rush of performing, the creative outlet I had desperately missed. I also remember the bad stuff - the politics, the favoritism, the paranoia. Most of the time, we as wrestlers think everyone is out to get us, everything that is done is to derail our career and leapfrog one another. Often times we can't see the forest for the trees.
I forgot all about the peaks and valleys - knowing I'd need to prove myself in a new place, but not being quite sure. Losses to Robb Daniels, Anthony Cross, Billy Danielson - humbling. Yet, a learning experience, how could I take from those losses and learn from them? The delicate balance of in ring and out of ring. I knew what I had - that's why I call myself #1. Maybe it's a projection of my insecurities? Who knows. Along that journey, I started hearing cheers for the first time in a long time. I hated it at first, but it grew on me.
The successes eventually came, the Television Title, the Universal Stampede, the #1 Contender's Tournament, the World Title - it's been my honor to carry this belt for over three months now. Those cheers have become defeaning now.
Four weeks ago, I barely survived a war with David Carroll. Two weeks ago, in an eliminator match, Mark Storm took me to my limit. I know the target is on my back. I feel that invisible pressure at all times. Am I doing enough? Am I doing this title justice? Is the clock ticking on my title reign?
My answer? No. Hell no. I'm just getting started. Mark Storm is one of the greatest competitors in UWL history. I intend to keep building my legacy and that continues at Under Pressure.
Sincerely,
Your World Champion
#1 Daron Smythe"
A wise man once said 'Wrestling is not a love story, it's a Fairy Tale for masochists. A comedy for people who criticize punchlines. A fantasy most can't understand, a spectacle no one can deny.' In my lifetime, I've rarely come across a quote I have identified with like this one. In some ways, it feels so romantic. When I was little, I can remember sitting ringside for the World Wrestling Federation in my little hometown, seeing The Ultimate Warrior, Rick Rude, Brutus Beefcake - thinking these guys were superheroes in real life, wishing one day I could come close to that.
I found that opportunity and burst through that door, pouring my entire being into the sport of professional wrestling. Hoping and wishing one day that I'd get the call from the big show, that huge contract, be a star on television. But no, wrestling is not a love story, it is indeed a fairy tale for masochists. We give our entire bodies and minds to this sport, sometimes that mental pain is hundreds of times worse than any broken bone, bump, or bruise. I met the woman who I thought was the love of my life. When that lie was revealed, I just walked away - knowing I couldn't handle the physical or mental pain.
Finding UWL was such a blessing for me, an opportunity to control my own narrative, to rewrite history, my own history, to write the ending. Instantly I remembered everything, the rush of performing, the creative outlet I had desperately missed. I also remember the bad stuff - the politics, the favoritism, the paranoia. Most of the time, we as wrestlers think everyone is out to get us, everything that is done is to derail our career and leapfrog one another. Often times we can't see the forest for the trees.
I forgot all about the peaks and valleys - knowing I'd need to prove myself in a new place, but not being quite sure. Losses to Robb Daniels, Anthony Cross, Billy Danielson - humbling. Yet, a learning experience, how could I take from those losses and learn from them? The delicate balance of in ring and out of ring. I knew what I had - that's why I call myself #1. Maybe it's a projection of my insecurities? Who knows. Along that journey, I started hearing cheers for the first time in a long time. I hated it at first, but it grew on me.
The successes eventually came, the Television Title, the Universal Stampede, the #1 Contender's Tournament, the World Title - it's been my honor to carry this belt for over three months now. Those cheers have become defeaning now.
Four weeks ago, I barely survived a war with David Carroll. Two weeks ago, in an eliminator match, Mark Storm took me to my limit. I know the target is on my back. I feel that invisible pressure at all times. Am I doing enough? Am I doing this title justice? Is the clock ticking on my title reign?
My answer? No. Hell no. I'm just getting started. Mark Storm is one of the greatest competitors in UWL history. I intend to keep building my legacy and that continues at Under Pressure.
Sincerely,
Your World Champion
#1 Daron Smythe"