Post by Jackson Burnside on Feb 6, 2024 8:37:41 GMT -5
An interview has been set-up in the ring. The Harrah's Cherokee Center is empty save the two men in the ring. Burnside is on the left across from Cliff Morris on the right. Burnside has his hair tied back but is otherwise dressed how we normally see him. Round sunglasses, a black Testament t-shirt visible under a bomber jacket, and blue jeans with a natural fray at the bottom.
Cliff Morris:
"Jackson Burnside, the Weatherman. How are you doing this morning?"
Jackson Burnside:
"I'm great Cliff."
Cliff Morris:
"You asked for this time. The crew gave us this little spot here, and tonight this building will be sold out for Eruption. You don't have a match tonight, and you asked to carve out some time to talk. Well, what do you want to talk about?"
Burnside shifts in his chair.
Jackson Burnside:
"Brother, two weeks ago I was gonna come down to this ring and give an impassioned promo. I was gonna talk about how pumped I was to have won Universal Stampede and earn another crack at the UWL World Championship. Instead, you were there dude. Cory Chevelle came down, made a jackass of himself, and cut into my time."
Cliff Morris:
"So, I guess... what's so important that you wanted to talk about? I mean it's obvious! Everyone in this company wants to become the World Champ, but you've been there before. This isn't- it's not like you're trying to end your journey or take care of some unfinished business."
Jackson Burnside:
"I'm getting old Cliff. Not by any means an old man now, but I feel it when I'm out in the ring. I'm just a bit slower bouncing off the ropes. There's a little less impact off a big right hand. Or maybe if I was just a little faster I'd have ducked under that lariat. Fact is UWL is still, to this day, signing the best young athletes in the worlds. These dudes brother, theu'r on the top of their game. Refined, polished, and young. And when you're out there man, and you aren't the dog who's the fastest, strongest, and most alert: you get beat. Jackson stomps his foot rhythmically on the canvas. "I'm still the best, but clock's ticking. I won't be the best for long."
Cliff smiles and eyes Jackson sideways.
Cliff Morris:
"But you didn't answer the question."
Jackson Burnside:
"When I won the World Title everything was, in a flux. It was a weird time not only in the world, but in UWL brother. Are we not supposed to say it?" Now Jackson is the one smiling playfully. He sits forward and extends his arms out. "I came out into this ring on April 4th 2022, and Bryan Crews presented me with a new World Title. I was UWL World Champion! UWL, Cliff!" He hoots and slaps his own leg. "And that was it! Done. UWL went through some growing pains, then erased it all, called back that coward Caleb Hart and BAM, finished. My reign is over, and what does everyone remember? UWL, and losing to Caleb Hart."
Cliff Morris:
"I wouldn't say that... I mean you had a terrific run of title defenses again-"
Jackson Burnside:
"UH-UH! Nobody talks about that! It's been memory-holed like the year 2020! And that's the reason brother! I want people to speak of me in the same breath as the other great Champs. Robbie Venom, Mr. Daniels and yeah, Caleb Hart. Ten years time, you're here doing this with somebody else, I want that person to look you in the eye and say 'I'm gonna be greater than The Weatherman, dude.' The only way I can accomplish that is by winning that belt, holding that belt, and by defending that belt."
Burnside puts his heed down and the camera slowly zooms in. He let's out a long sigh and removes his sunglasses. The camera is zoomed in so far now that we can only see Jackson's head. He looks up, presumptively at Cliff Morris.
Jackson Burnside:
"Brother I don't got a lotta time to get it done."
Jackson gives a sort of shrug. It says "that's thee truth and I can't say otherwise." Cliff Morris nods his head and then looks over some notes.
Cliff Morris:
"Jackson you've talked a lot in the past about aaah, overcoming hardship. Longtime viewers know your parents died when you were young. You had a trouble upbringing, a kid floating around group homes and placements on the east side of Chicago. I don't think anyone can imagine that that was easy. Is establishing a legacy, being a guy who can be mentioned in the same breath as past greats, your way of... I guess... How do I put it? Not being forgotten?"
Jackson Burnside:
"Well that's obvious innit?"
Cliff waits for Burnside to extrapolate. When he doesn't, Cliff tries to push the conversation along.
Cliff Morris:
"Is that really it? You've done it all, Jackson. Coronation Cup, Universal Stampede, Heritage Champion, Television Champion, World Champion..."
Jackson Burnside:
"Listen to me Cliff. Anything can happen to you. I know from experience. One minute and it all ends brother. We could be sittin' here and some of the light rigging gives out, crushes us right in these seats. Or I'm driving on the highway, a good boy brother, going the speed limit and using my signals. The dude next to me, his tire flies off for no reason, rolls under and I flip over in a spectacular wreck. I'm not a nihilst brother, all I'm saying is that I've been through a lot and dude I've seen what can happen." He snaps his fingers. "Like that! No warning, no second chances and you're done. What's left? All we got is the legacy, and the people we-"
Burnside stops himself. Cliff raises an eyebrow.
Cliff Morris:
"People, Jackson?"
He looks down and sucks his teeth. Burnside laughs in that "you caught me way," and nods his head. He puts his hand into his pants pocket. His face contorts into a grimace as fishes around, and then a small smile as he produces a small object. It goes around his finger and Burnside holds his left hand up. A small gold wedding band. Cliff Morris doesn't try to hide his surprise.
Cliff Morris:
"You're married? Jackso- I've known you for years."
Jackson Burnside:
"I play my cards close to my vest. Slipped didn't I? Our legacy brother. What we do and what we leave behind. Siblings, a spouse, maybe a daughter."
Cliff Morris:
"Married and a daughter?"
He nods the affirmative.
Jackson Burnside:
"That's it Cliff. The missing piece to it all. I guess I wasn't being completely honest earlier. Why do I need this so much? I gotta beat Chevelle and become World Champ again to make this all worth it. So I can tell the little girl I got waiting for me that daddy was always on the road because I was the best. I missed those bedtime stories and baths, but all of that sacrifice was worth it 'cause brother, I was the best. The absolute best. And there ain't nobody who hasn't heard tales of the Weatherman. Seen the Weatherman at his peak. Seen him storm into the arena, World Championship around his waist man. I want that little girl to see me when I'm old and this body is broken, but look passed all that and see me stackin' and rackin' everybody who tries to take me down. I can be gone" He snaps again. "like that. Until then I can do it for her; for them. I can earn the money, do the media tours, get the documentaries, write the books, get the cushy play-by-play job, work back there in production. But I can't do it Cliff, unless I prove I'm the best.
So on March 30th at Access Denied I have to beat him. Otherwise what do I have to show for all those moments I missed? How do I sleep knowing they aren't taken care of? Like I said earlier dude, I don't have decades to get it done. March 30th could be my last chance to justify this whole career."
The camera remains focused on Burnside. It's impossible to gauge his emotional state with his eyes hidden behind the sunglasses. Cliff is still processing the revelations from a man he thought he knew well. He doesn't let it distract him for too long, or derail the interview. So he plugs onward, moving away from the subject.
Cliff Morris:
"I suppose then, the last thing I'd like to talk about is Cory."
Jackson Burnside:
"Cory."
Burnside echoes Cliff and can't hide a playful smile.
Cliff Morris:
"See? That, Jackson. That's what I want to talk about. You've never backed don't from Cory Chevelle."
Jackson Burnside:
"You can't brother. Back down from a guy like and you're beaten before the bell rings man."
Cliff Morris:
"It's not just a matter of backing down. You've routinel- let me back up. I would say, that you've gone so far as to provoke the World Champ over the past year. Mocking him." Cliff pantomimes he "spooky fingers" which gets a laugh out of Burnside. "Just two weeks you said that you were, 'going to heed down to Silverback Country, find the 'Hellbilly', beat his face into the mud and take the World Title.' That's a big statement to make about a man with a short temper.
Burnside shifts in his seat and leans forward.
Jackson Burnside:
"The thing is I beat the man before! I became the only Heritage-Television Champ I think in history. I'm sure some stats dork'll correct me, but that's not the point! I get in the ring with Chevy and I beat him. Simple fact, jack. Cory's a bad man, beat the Hell outta me once or twice. Beat my good, but you know Cliff, everybody knows by now 'cause it's out there. My childhood wasn't rainbows and picnics. I took more'n a few ass-whoopings and Chevy, for all he likes to talk... Honestly he doesn't dish it out. I look at Cory Chevelle, I feel what he can do and he's nothin' but a bully. He'd rather pick on women and fellas half his size."
Cliff Morris:
"And that's it! You aren't afraid of him because you think he knows he can't measure up to a man the same size."
Jackson Burnside:
"I didn't say that you said that. Be careful Cliff because you're about the size of the kina guy Chevy would pick a fight with. I'll say somethin' though. Ya aren't far off. I bring the fight to everybody, and it just so happens that I'm big enough, mean enough, and good enough to put the Silverback back in his cage. I think he sees it and he knows it."
Cliff hesitates. It's as though he's wrestling with a question. Something he isn't sure he should ask, because once he does the idea is out there.
Cliff Morris:
"Cory is gonna see this interview. He's gonna hear what you told me earlier. Your family. I'm sure that you are aware of Cory's 'reputation.' Are you worried that he might target your family? Use that as a weakness to go after you?"
Jackson removes his sunglasses. He points straight at Cliff with his other hand.
Jackson Burnside:
"Brother, if Cory thinks about that he's gonna regret it. The World Title is gonna be the last thing on his mind, on anyone's really. Cory wants to go down that road, cross that line then it's the last mistake he ever make dude. The Silverback is gonna find himself put down like an animal, and the old Weatherman's gonna spend a lot of time with Father Marciano coming up with some major repentance. I don't know what's gonna happen between now and Access Denied Cliff. All I can say is that I'm countin' the days until March 30th. I want us to get there in one piece. There're gonna be no excuses when I beat Cory Chevelle, become two-time World Champion, and cement my legacy."
Cliff Morris:
"Jackson Burnside, the Weatherman. How are you doing this morning?"
Jackson Burnside:
"I'm great Cliff."
Cliff Morris:
"You asked for this time. The crew gave us this little spot here, and tonight this building will be sold out for Eruption. You don't have a match tonight, and you asked to carve out some time to talk. Well, what do you want to talk about?"
Burnside shifts in his chair.
Jackson Burnside:
"Brother, two weeks ago I was gonna come down to this ring and give an impassioned promo. I was gonna talk about how pumped I was to have won Universal Stampede and earn another crack at the UWL World Championship. Instead, you were there dude. Cory Chevelle came down, made a jackass of himself, and cut into my time."
Cliff Morris:
"So, I guess... what's so important that you wanted to talk about? I mean it's obvious! Everyone in this company wants to become the World Champ, but you've been there before. This isn't- it's not like you're trying to end your journey or take care of some unfinished business."
Jackson Burnside:
"I'm getting old Cliff. Not by any means an old man now, but I feel it when I'm out in the ring. I'm just a bit slower bouncing off the ropes. There's a little less impact off a big right hand. Or maybe if I was just a little faster I'd have ducked under that lariat. Fact is UWL is still, to this day, signing the best young athletes in the worlds. These dudes brother, theu'r on the top of their game. Refined, polished, and young. And when you're out there man, and you aren't the dog who's the fastest, strongest, and most alert: you get beat. Jackson stomps his foot rhythmically on the canvas. "I'm still the best, but clock's ticking. I won't be the best for long."
Cliff smiles and eyes Jackson sideways.
Cliff Morris:
"But you didn't answer the question."
Jackson Burnside:
"When I won the World Title everything was, in a flux. It was a weird time not only in the world, but in UWL brother. Are we not supposed to say it?" Now Jackson is the one smiling playfully. He sits forward and extends his arms out. "I came out into this ring on April 4th 2022, and Bryan Crews presented me with a new World Title. I was UWL World Champion! UWL, Cliff!" He hoots and slaps his own leg. "And that was it! Done. UWL went through some growing pains, then erased it all, called back that coward Caleb Hart and BAM, finished. My reign is over, and what does everyone remember? UWL, and losing to Caleb Hart."
Cliff Morris:
"I wouldn't say that... I mean you had a terrific run of title defenses again-"
Jackson Burnside:
"UH-UH! Nobody talks about that! It's been memory-holed like the year 2020! And that's the reason brother! I want people to speak of me in the same breath as the other great Champs. Robbie Venom, Mr. Daniels and yeah, Caleb Hart. Ten years time, you're here doing this with somebody else, I want that person to look you in the eye and say 'I'm gonna be greater than The Weatherman, dude.' The only way I can accomplish that is by winning that belt, holding that belt, and by defending that belt."
Burnside puts his heed down and the camera slowly zooms in. He let's out a long sigh and removes his sunglasses. The camera is zoomed in so far now that we can only see Jackson's head. He looks up, presumptively at Cliff Morris.
Jackson Burnside:
"Brother I don't got a lotta time to get it done."
Jackson gives a sort of shrug. It says "that's thee truth and I can't say otherwise." Cliff Morris nods his head and then looks over some notes.
Cliff Morris:
"Jackson you've talked a lot in the past about aaah, overcoming hardship. Longtime viewers know your parents died when you were young. You had a trouble upbringing, a kid floating around group homes and placements on the east side of Chicago. I don't think anyone can imagine that that was easy. Is establishing a legacy, being a guy who can be mentioned in the same breath as past greats, your way of... I guess... How do I put it? Not being forgotten?"
Jackson Burnside:
"Well that's obvious innit?"
Cliff waits for Burnside to extrapolate. When he doesn't, Cliff tries to push the conversation along.
Cliff Morris:
"Is that really it? You've done it all, Jackson. Coronation Cup, Universal Stampede, Heritage Champion, Television Champion, World Champion..."
Jackson Burnside:
"Listen to me Cliff. Anything can happen to you. I know from experience. One minute and it all ends brother. We could be sittin' here and some of the light rigging gives out, crushes us right in these seats. Or I'm driving on the highway, a good boy brother, going the speed limit and using my signals. The dude next to me, his tire flies off for no reason, rolls under and I flip over in a spectacular wreck. I'm not a nihilst brother, all I'm saying is that I've been through a lot and dude I've seen what can happen." He snaps his fingers. "Like that! No warning, no second chances and you're done. What's left? All we got is the legacy, and the people we-"
Burnside stops himself. Cliff raises an eyebrow.
Cliff Morris:
"People, Jackson?"
He looks down and sucks his teeth. Burnside laughs in that "you caught me way," and nods his head. He puts his hand into his pants pocket. His face contorts into a grimace as fishes around, and then a small smile as he produces a small object. It goes around his finger and Burnside holds his left hand up. A small gold wedding band. Cliff Morris doesn't try to hide his surprise.
Cliff Morris:
"You're married? Jackso- I've known you for years."
Jackson Burnside:
"I play my cards close to my vest. Slipped didn't I? Our legacy brother. What we do and what we leave behind. Siblings, a spouse, maybe a daughter."
Cliff Morris:
"Married and a daughter?"
He nods the affirmative.
Jackson Burnside:
"That's it Cliff. The missing piece to it all. I guess I wasn't being completely honest earlier. Why do I need this so much? I gotta beat Chevelle and become World Champ again to make this all worth it. So I can tell the little girl I got waiting for me that daddy was always on the road because I was the best. I missed those bedtime stories and baths, but all of that sacrifice was worth it 'cause brother, I was the best. The absolute best. And there ain't nobody who hasn't heard tales of the Weatherman. Seen the Weatherman at his peak. Seen him storm into the arena, World Championship around his waist man. I want that little girl to see me when I'm old and this body is broken, but look passed all that and see me stackin' and rackin' everybody who tries to take me down. I can be gone" He snaps again. "like that. Until then I can do it for her; for them. I can earn the money, do the media tours, get the documentaries, write the books, get the cushy play-by-play job, work back there in production. But I can't do it Cliff, unless I prove I'm the best.
So on March 30th at Access Denied I have to beat him. Otherwise what do I have to show for all those moments I missed? How do I sleep knowing they aren't taken care of? Like I said earlier dude, I don't have decades to get it done. March 30th could be my last chance to justify this whole career."
The camera remains focused on Burnside. It's impossible to gauge his emotional state with his eyes hidden behind the sunglasses. Cliff is still processing the revelations from a man he thought he knew well. He doesn't let it distract him for too long, or derail the interview. So he plugs onward, moving away from the subject.
Cliff Morris:
"I suppose then, the last thing I'd like to talk about is Cory."
Jackson Burnside:
"Cory."
Burnside echoes Cliff and can't hide a playful smile.
Cliff Morris:
"See? That, Jackson. That's what I want to talk about. You've never backed don't from Cory Chevelle."
Jackson Burnside:
"You can't brother. Back down from a guy like and you're beaten before the bell rings man."
Cliff Morris:
"It's not just a matter of backing down. You've routinel- let me back up. I would say, that you've gone so far as to provoke the World Champ over the past year. Mocking him." Cliff pantomimes he "spooky fingers" which gets a laugh out of Burnside. "Just two weeks you said that you were, 'going to heed down to Silverback Country, find the 'Hellbilly', beat his face into the mud and take the World Title.' That's a big statement to make about a man with a short temper.
Burnside shifts in his seat and leans forward.
Jackson Burnside:
"The thing is I beat the man before! I became the only Heritage-Television Champ I think in history. I'm sure some stats dork'll correct me, but that's not the point! I get in the ring with Chevy and I beat him. Simple fact, jack. Cory's a bad man, beat the Hell outta me once or twice. Beat my good, but you know Cliff, everybody knows by now 'cause it's out there. My childhood wasn't rainbows and picnics. I took more'n a few ass-whoopings and Chevy, for all he likes to talk... Honestly he doesn't dish it out. I look at Cory Chevelle, I feel what he can do and he's nothin' but a bully. He'd rather pick on women and fellas half his size."
Cliff Morris:
"And that's it! You aren't afraid of him because you think he knows he can't measure up to a man the same size."
Jackson Burnside:
"I didn't say that you said that. Be careful Cliff because you're about the size of the kina guy Chevy would pick a fight with. I'll say somethin' though. Ya aren't far off. I bring the fight to everybody, and it just so happens that I'm big enough, mean enough, and good enough to put the Silverback back in his cage. I think he sees it and he knows it."
Cliff hesitates. It's as though he's wrestling with a question. Something he isn't sure he should ask, because once he does the idea is out there.
Cliff Morris:
"Cory is gonna see this interview. He's gonna hear what you told me earlier. Your family. I'm sure that you are aware of Cory's 'reputation.' Are you worried that he might target your family? Use that as a weakness to go after you?"
Jackson removes his sunglasses. He points straight at Cliff with his other hand.
Jackson Burnside:
"Brother, if Cory thinks about that he's gonna regret it. The World Title is gonna be the last thing on his mind, on anyone's really. Cory wants to go down that road, cross that line then it's the last mistake he ever make dude. The Silverback is gonna find himself put down like an animal, and the old Weatherman's gonna spend a lot of time with Father Marciano coming up with some major repentance. I don't know what's gonna happen between now and Access Denied Cliff. All I can say is that I'm countin' the days until March 30th. I want us to get there in one piece. There're gonna be no excuses when I beat Cory Chevelle, become two-time World Champion, and cement my legacy."
