*Ben and Fenris used with permission*
Monday, April 25th
Rhodes, Greece
Max’s balcony
You did it. Way to bounce back. God damn this coffee is delicious. They have great coffee in Greece. I breathe in the familiar salt breeze from the water welcoming me every morning from my balcony.
Max: Back with another V-Log. We really should come up with a name for this thing since we’ve been at it for a few weeks. Leave your comments below, and I’ll pick a winner, and send you some merch of course. There is nothing more refreshing. I’m an east coast boy that grew up on the ocean. Coffee plus the ocean breeze is all I need to get me through the daily grind. What a night. Last evening April 24th in Rhodes, Greece at the Diagoras Stadium I kept my promise. I walked into the stadium, stepped between those ropes and walked out with my spot locked in for Athens at Into The Void.
Man, am I happy that I pulled that one out. When that roulette wheel came to a stop on the Ultimate X, you bet your ass I was nervous. For starters, I hate heights. Always have, always will. Heights come with the territory though. You just have to keep your focus on the task at hand, and get the damn job done.
Max: I definitely needed this win. No doubt about it. I stepped into that ring against Miles Kasey and Agostino Romano to secure my spot on the card at this year’s Into The Void 11. When the wheel stopped, it definitely put a smile on my face. Ultimate X over a damn pool. Not what I was expecting, but that’s the beauty of the Roulette division. You’ve got to adapt. That’s exactly what I did. I’ve been in my fair share of ladder matches over the years. I used that knowledge, and all of the tape I’ve studied on the Ultimate X match to throw together a game plan before the bell rang to the best of my ability. I got the job done, and ripped the X out of the sky and claimed my opportunity. It’s always a good day at the office when you can stay dry when water is the stipulation.
It was a great day at the office yesterday. Time for a refill. I’m going to be wired today.It’s a perfect morning for a run before my flight. Definitely need to knock that out before I take off. It’s too damn nice not to get out there. I’m taking advantage of every second I have here.
Max: At Into the Void I challenge for the Roulette championship with the opportunity to become just the 11th 2 time Roulette champion. It’s not lost on me that it potentially puts me in great company. Coming up in Lesbos, “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart gets his rematch, and his opportunity to get the championship back. Bill is pissed. Can’t say I blame him. That match was all kinds of insanity. The 12 Labours of Hercules was at another level. Finn pulled out the win, bringing Bill’s 6 month reign to a crashing halt.
That sun is amazing. What a day. I’m going to be sad when this tour ends.
Max: Coming up in Lesbos, Finn Whelan defends his newly won Roulette Championship in an immediate rematch with “Bulldog”. I’ve got to admit, I’m not a huge fan of this situation. I’m the number 1 contender. I earned that last night. Bill lost. He could have rested up. Healed those nagging injuries that he’s been hiding. When you go on a run with a championship like Bill has, those little things start sneaking up on you. You push them aside. You convince yourself they’re not that bad. You’re fine. You’ve got a title to defend. You can’t take time off now.
Yep, we’ve all been there.
Max: I know the feeling all too well. So, what you do you push through. You bury it all. You bury it until you can’t hide it anymore. You hide it until you’re exposed. The 12 Labours Of Hercules exposed it all. Coming up in Lesbos is your chance to make things right. On any given night you can lose. When you’re competing in Sin City Wrestling, you are facing the best and the brightest that this business has to offer. You ran into Finn Whelan, and Finn had your number that night. He took your title. You’ve got the 2nd longest reign in the history of the division. It’s damn impressive. I’ll give you that Bill. I’m well aware of how hard that is.
He had a good run. I’ll give Barnhart that.
Max: Am I happy that this match is happening? Of course not, but Bill earned the rematch. It’s part of the game. I’ll be there in Lesbos scouting Finn and Bill. I’ve been watching my tape. As great as it is to have access to everything we need via YouTube and through the SCW website, there is no better way to scout an opponent then live and in person. Up close and personal. I’ll guarantee you this. You’ll both know that I’m watching. I plan on being in the front row this week.
No way I’d miss it. I’ve been scouting Bill since the Blast.
Max: Best of luck gentlemen. I’ll be waiting for you. See you in Athens. I think I’ll wrap this up here. Time to squeeze in a run at the beach before my flight leaves this afternoon. Thanks for watching. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell. I’ll see you next time.
Sunday, May 1st
Lesbos, Greece
Post Climax Control 330
The main event is over. No clear winner. Finn and Bill managed to compete to a draw in a tables match of all matches. Both champion and challenger crashed through the table at the exact same time to bring the championship rematch to an unfulfilling end. That’s where the story took a dramatic twist. You would think, as I was thinking at ringside while enjoying my adult beverage that Finn Whelan retained, that I’d be challenging him at Into The Void 11 as originally planned. “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart was the challenger. When you are the challenger, you have to beat the champion. That’s the whole point of the champion’s advantage. Since they both went through the table, Bill did not successfully defeat the champion. That’s 2 in a row against Finn Whelan that Bill couldn’t get the job done. I have to admit when Christian Underwood came out it wasn’t good. It wasn’t.
Max: What the actual fuck just happened out there!?
I’ll be honest with you. I’m fit to be tied right now as my Gram used to spout at me at least once a week growing up. She put up with way too much with the foolishness she had to deal with when it came to the Burkes. But yeah, I knew when Christian marched out there that Athens was about to change for me in a huge way. I was just waiting for him to fuckin’ say it. And that’s when my beverage went flying. Bill was added to Into The Void 11, and he was added to my Roulette Championship opportunity making it 2 straight triple threats for this guy right here. It’s bullshit, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. I;m on a rampage right
Fenris: Oh boo fucking hoo! Poor Max. I have to share a championship match.
Ben: ...
Ben always chooses his words wisely. I can see him working overtime in his head right now. He’s just waiting for the calm in the storm that’s brewing. He knows my fuse, and he knows exactly what’s happening right now. Just stand back, and stay out of the way.
Max: Hey! This is...
Fenris: Hey nothing. At least you’re getting one. You are so full of shit. Get your head out of your ass.
Ben: What I think he’s trying to say is yeah it’s bollocks, but you still got the shot. Hell, it’s how you got the shot. It’s how you won the GRIME championship. Suck it up, cupcake, and focus. You got this.
There is never any sugarcoating when it comes to professional wrestlers. We’re going to shoot straight with you every time. Well, as long you’re not politicking you will. I know with Ben that I never have to worry about that scenario... ever. I’ve known this man for far too long to get anything but the brutal truth. Fenris, I’m just getting to know you, but I know why Ben wanted us to get together. We’re cut from the same cloth. The 3 of us are professionals that have dealt with it all over the years. We’ve seen it all. We’re no strangers to adjusting on the fly with little to no notice. There have been plenty of wrenches thrown our way during our careers in this industry.
Max: Yeah, I know. I’m just saying...
Fenris: You’re just saying nothing. You’ve got 2 weeks to get your head out of your ass, and show them what Christian just did means jack shit. You’ve got 2 weeks to get ready for the biggest of your life.
Ben: In 2 weeks mate you’re going to do what you did 2 years ago. You’re going to go in there, and remind them just who the fuck Max Burke is. You are going to do what you do best. You’re going to scrap with Finn Whelan and “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart.
Max: Yeah, I am! I’m strapping that belt around my waist for a 2nd time. You’re right though. This is where I’m at my best. I showed that last week. I’ll show it again in Athens. I don’t care what the wheel lands on.
Fenris: My job is done here.
Ben: Mr. Motivation, the one and only... Fenris.
And off he goes. He’s not totally wrong though. They snapped me out of it, after I had my little hissy fit.
Max: Seriously though, thanks. Just the shock of it all. I did not see this scenario coming. Name me another draw in a tables match. I dare ya. Pint on me if you can.
Ben: Mate we both know it’s your turn next time out. Nice try. I can’t off the top of my head.
Max: It is what it is. It wasn’t going to be easy at Into The Void, and you’re right, I do some of my best work in this damn division and I defended the Nightmare championship in these types of situations plenty. It’s nothing new for me.
Ben: You’re welcome brother. This changes nothing. You’re going to Athens. You’re challenging for the Roulette Championship.You get the opportunity to join a pretty exclusive little club. Not many get to be a 2 time champ.
Max: Thanks brother. Time to get back to work. I’m taking this home in 2 weeks.
Saturday, May 7th
Athens, Greece
Private Tour
Max: Tolis, thank you for the adventure today my friend. You’re an excellent host and guide.
Tolis: Thank you Mr. Burke. You’re an excellent guest. Welcome to the Temple of Olympian Zeus. It was built in 131 AD in honor of Zeus.
Tolis really is the best tour guide I’ve ever had. This is worth every penny.
Max: Can I have a minute to soak it all in. Not often you can say you are dead center in the lore of Zeus and Olympia.
Tolis: Take your time, Mr. Burke.
Can’t get much better of a backdrop than the temple of a god to cut promo eh?
Max: Welcome to Athens. Behind me is a temple that was built to honor the god Zeus. If you ever get a chance to visit Athens, splurge and get the private tour. Tolis back there is top shelf. He knows his stuff.
Time to get down to business.
Max: Next Sunday, Into The Void 11 at Ano Liosia Olympic Sports Hall here in picturesque Athens, Greece I step into the ring with the current reigning, and defending Roulette Champion Finn Whelan and the former champion “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart in a triple threat championship match. It’s my opportunity to become a 2 time Roulette Champion, and join a list of names that have become synonymous with Sin City Wrestling. Names that include the likes of Goth, J2H, Griffin Hawkins and many more. I’m planning to join the club, and make it an even dozen.
It’s an impressive list of names. It’d be an honor to stick my name on it.
Max: “Bulldog” Bill Barnhart. Let me introduce myself to you as we haven’t had the pleasure of exchanging pleasantries. I was hoping to have that opportunity to do it earlier this year during the 10th Blast From The Past Tournament, but you ended up bowing out a lot earlier than even I expected. I really expected yourself and Masque to do much better than you did. I thought for sure I’d see you in the tournament, and I’d get to properly introduce myself to you. Took a little longer than expected, and the circumstances have definitely changed for both of us. But, here we are. I’m still befuddled with how we got here, but it is what it is. You’ve managed to weasel yourself into my match against the man you haven’t able to defeat, the current reigning and defending Roulette Champion Finn Whelan. I am the number 1 contender. I earned that distinction with a definitive victory in the Ultimate X against Miles Kasey, and Agostino Romano. I earned my way here. You didn’t get the job done twice against Finn, but you’re still here by fluke, and brash decisions by management that were not thought through in the slightest. Christian had no reason to make his way out after your match. You didn’t win. You didn’t put Finn through the table cleanly per the stipulations of the results of the roulette wheel. Finn retained his championship because of the outcome of your match as it should have been.
Okay, yes I’m a bit fired up.
Max: This is bullshit, and everyone knows it. You don’t deserve to be in this match. You’ve had 2 chances to defeat Finn and it hasn’t happened. Go rack up a few wins, and work your way back to your title opportunities like everyone else has to. There was no need for you to be inserted into my championship opportunity. Yes, I’m pissed off about it. Yes, I’m going to take it out on both you and Finn when we step between the ropes at Into The Void 11. I don’t give a shit where the wheel lands next Sunday. No matter what the wheel decides for our fate, I will use it to unleash punishment unlike anything you’ve encountered.
I can feel my heart pounding through my chest. I glance down, and I catch a glimpse of my knuckles, white as snow, as I involuntarily clench my fist tightly. I cherish this feeling. I love this feeling. It’s almost time to unleash this feeling. There is nothing I love more than dishing it out, and receiving it back as good as I dish it out with whoever I tangle with when it’s time to put it all on the line on the biggest stages.
Max: Next Sunday, I’m heading to Into The Void 11 with 1 goal, and 1 goal only in mind. I’ve noticed since I’ve returned to Sin City Wrestling that there appears to be a serious lack of knowledge, and respect attached to my name. I’m pretty fed up with it. Next Sunday my intent is violent. My intent is to beat the ever living shit out of both of these individuals. I’ve come to realise that this is the only way to truly correct the course. I need to dip into a place that I haven’t had to visit in a minute.
Flashes of past works of violent art dance in my head as I take the journey to the place that truly satisfies my urges.
Max: Gentlemen, we are going to dance at Into The Void 11. I’m going to dip so far into my toolbox of pro wrestling you will quickly come to the bitter realisation that you’re in there with an architect that is years ahead of you. You won’t be able to fathom just how screwed you are until it is too late. You’re the apprentice. Into The Void 11 is going to be a master class in professional wrestling violence at its highest calibre. 2 years ago at Into The Void 9 I became the World Nightmare Champion by competing in 2 matches, and taking on both of the Monstimals Lord Raab, and that big goof Samuel MacPherson. On that night, they learned exactly what I was capable of inside this squared circle. At Into The Void 11, I’m going to become a champion again. I’m going to become a 2 time Roulette Champion. I’m going to remind everyone just who the fuck Max Burke is.