Shanetime (016): The NXT Big Thing

[Shane]

Shanetime (016)
The NXT Big Thing

Thanks to the great Doctor for the inspiration


I close my eyes and imagine.


I could be some place else. I should be anywhere else. I'm right where I belong. "Breathe," says the man who has been assigned to me. What is his role anyways? Which side of the curtain does our relationship begin and end on? Who are all these people who now surround me? Agents, writers, bosses, opportunists. . .its like that question about how many people does it take to screw in a light bulb. . .too many from where I'm standing.


I hear them, even though I can't see them. They want me. Some love me; some hate me. What is it that makes a man loved? Damn near the same thing that makes him hated. Bitter, cynical people say that this thing is scripted and unreliable. Yet, only the outcome is determined by others. They cannot write me better than I am able to perform. If they put it on the page, I have to be capable of bringing it to life, on the spot, in front of 20,000 people. So tell me who is in charge here.


The Next Big Thing. Somebody please tell me what that means. Goldberg says, "Who's next?" In that connotation, nobody wants to be next. So, why should I want to be the next big thing? Think about it: it either means you've not yet arrived or that, as soon as you arrive, there will be another new next big thing.


Even in the comfy, closeted world of country music Vince Gill once crooned: "When you finally hit the top, you know what that means: everybody's ready for the next big thing." He had gone from being male vocalist every year to barely making radio, and the bitterness was present even in his "angelic" little voice.


"Next Big Thing" now gets caught in my throat. I wonder how a starting pitcher feels when he sees his replacement warming up in the bullpen. I'm not bitter, though, because tonight I'm in the bullpen.


So, when I push past this curtain, there is nobody but me. Heyman shouts; I don't hear him. The fans scream, but what do they say? It only translates as energy. Tonight, I'm going to hoist up the Rock and send him flying from the mound. Years later, folks will say he left the WWE for Hollywood. Not so. He was F5 catapulted to Hollywood.


I'm now in motion. I move from the back to the front. The Rock moves from the front to the front door. And, somebody, I refuse to look back, moves from the depth of the locker room to the bullpen.


Never before have the higher ups in LoP done what they are about to do. How many are waiting for this opportunity? How many have waited? For how long? My friends, there is only so much room in the bullpen. Still, they are going to let every rookie with a dream and a little ambition line up shoulder to shoulder in the bullpen. How long will you stay? How focused will you be? I suggest you work on your fastball, slider, curveball, and breaking ball. Hell, I expect somebody to bring back the knuckle ball. Writers will enter; writers will compete. Eventually, one will stand, like Brock Lesnar, waiting at the curtain.


Can you hear them call your name? Remember, they can't write you more capable than you are. You will win or lose between the four corners of your keyboard.


So close your eyes and imagine...


Ladies and gentlemen, the winner, the NXT Big Thing


__________________________________

[Pringle]

I think I just got a little too excited reading this. With each line I found myself nodding faster and faster with anticipation. You've really put this contest into perspective. It's a great opportunity for one writer, and you portrayed that here in a very creative way.

The reference to Brock Lesnar/Rock was nice, linking it a little to Doc's most recent column.

Splendid stuff, Shano. Can't wait for LOPNXT, now.

[Roadkill]

This LOPNXT is getting hyped like a mofo! No doubt it's gonna be the biggest competition in CF history! Good move writing a column about it, and I'm happy you got the Rock/Lesnar reference in there. I think it was best that you of all people wrote a column about this, being that you'll be playing the role of Matt Striker in the upcoming competition. Just don't do what the REAL Matt Striker does and cut me off mid-promo or mid-column.

[Shane]

I would put down my mic, take off the suit vest, and join the LoPNXT competition on one condition...

if Nony would be my mentor.

[NabidHassan]

if Nony would be my mentor.

why,you love boobs too? ;-)

great column, i should say more but i ran outta ways to complement you, peace.

[Shane]

why,you love boobs too? ;-)



Actually, it is just the opposite. I am so much an ass man that I sometimes fail to appreciate the boobs. Let us take this literal example and translate it into writing. I believe there are aspects of my writing and personality that are underdeveloped. Things which, on my own, I don't care enough to develop. I think some of those things are his strong points...his "boobs" if you will.

Alas, I have said enough.

Thanks for reading, my friend.

[Viking Rage]

Damn man, this was so well written. I'm all amped up. I want this thing to start like yesterday.
As usual bro, you impress again. Very well done.

[anonymous]

PM Steve requesting me and he'll make it happen. Maybe.

And I'm moving this to the NxT thread. Because it's about NxT. You know...

[Shane]

Viking -- Amped up was the goal. I have a feeling, though this thing is born of hype and excitement, some of that will be stomped out early...so, you know, put some on reserve for later.

Nony -- Done. It is in the hands of the fates, and 'Tollah.

[PanzerGod]

Damn, I don't want to win anymore. I don't want to be compared to Brock Lesnar, my markdom of him makes all other markdoms shrivel in comparison like it's a cold day in the locker room. I loved the column, I must admit that I had no idea where this was going until an "AHA" moment about halfway in. Very nice, in fact, if you do get into NXT I would instantly sacrifice myself on the altars of Failure and Humiliation. Good Job.

[ChrisBear]

Shane - You will know how drunk i am, so i will feedback properly tomorrow. Im excited about this and my head hurts...

[Roadkill]

Shane - You will know how drunk i am, so i will feedback properly tomorrow. Im excited about this and my head hurts...

You're wasted. But it's 8 o'clock!

EDIT: My bad, time differences.

[Dr. CMV1]

A little MORE hype for the upcoming competition...

Good deal...

Are you in or are you out?

[Shane]

PG -- The irony (as it just dawned on me) is the great doctor once sent a Brock Lesnar comparison my way (probably the greatest compliment I've received in the CF), and then today he inspired me to write a Brock Lesnar column...strange. Not to feedback your feedback, but I enjoyed it...good stuff. I'm glad I'm hyping this thing. I want everyone who is in to be all-in.

Bear -- Thanks for the feed...but thanks more for the drunken PM! Look forward to what you will say tomorrow, bro.

Doc -- I was going to edit my comment on your column, but I will just type it here. It is a compliment to your writing that I went from "nothing to write" to this column in about 20 minutes. I sent Tollah a very "make the decision best for you" PM. I understand, as Zuma pointed out, that we have a heavy number of guys which translates to a heavy number of columns (he didn't use the word clusterfuck but...) So, I'm not sure if I'm in. I'm only in if Nony is my mentor. If not, as I think I've proven, I will support this contest and you guys with just as much energy.

Glad you got over the "uninspired" hurdle quickly.

[Viking Rage]

I know amped is the goal, but I also know that this is serious. fun and games are fine, but as far as joking around, I stomped that out the night Sparty got banned. I was here when it happened. I saw it right in front of my face. I know what this thing means to all involved, and I know it's gonna be a hell of a fight. I also know that alot of people don't know who I am, or who some of the other newer guys are, and that's fine. I can't speak for the rest, but I can say for sure that when this thing is all said and done, they will know me. I'm gonna put everything I have into this. Like I said before, if I go down, I'ma go down swingin'. Damn, I wish it was the weekend.

[Roadkill]

I know amped is the goal, but I also know that this is serious. fun and games are fine, but as far as joking around, I stomped that out the night Sparty got banned. I was here when it happened. I saw it right in front of my face. I know what this thing means to all involved, and I know it's gonna be a hell of a fight. I also know that alot of people don't know who I am, or who some of the other newer guys are, and that's fine. I can't speak for the rest, but I can say for sure that when this thing is all said and done, they will know me. I'm gonna put everything I have into this. Like I said before, if I go down, I'ma go down swingin'. Damn, I wish it was the weekend.

Ditto, Rage. If I go down, I'll fucking go down swinging, and EVERYONE will remember the name.

[Zuma]

Shane-O: nice work on this little hype job. Real short, but I guess I wouldn't consider it a "normal" column. You guys have been granted such a special opportunity. I worked in these forums for years before I was given my call up, and while here I would have died to have such an EASY route to the main page. Make no mistake... the Pros will not make this easy on any of you - because to me, this seems like an EASY road to the Main Page, and if that's the case, I'm going to make damn well sure the RIGHT PERSON wins.

[Shane]

Zuma -- thanks for stopping by. That was a good word. I may be a new cat, but I'm old school. Even today, when I saw the new Main Page, I thought, "I don't think those CF columns should be directly linked cause it is too close to having Main Page access" (and one of them was mine!).

I'd like to think that some of the excitement around here is more than restless-rookie energy. I think folks are aware that this is unprecedented. If they aren't, I hope they will read and re-read your comment until they grasp the opportunity that is in front of us.

That is why Brock Lesnar makes a good representative. There is a strong case that he was pushed too fast, too soon. A lot of those guys leave as soon as they come in because they don't have time to understand the significance of what they've been given. We have some rookies that are rookies, and some who are far from it. If the Pros are involved whole-heartedly, this may go from the easiest road to the main page to the most vetted.

Clearly you got me thinking.

[Pen15]

I'm going to make damn well sure the RIGHT PERSON wins.


Me = Right. You = WRONG!!

The fix is in.

[Shane]

If there is a matching section, its in the bag.

[da_shee]

I could've sworn I saw a Shane column in the CF yesterday and I couldn't find it this morning. Thought I was going crazy but bam here it is. This was a short sweet little preivew that I think ties together NXT and the LOP NXT thats gonna be goin down out here. In a way this tiny little IWC world that we have gets a little more exciting.......and why not?

Good stuff as always bro and I'll remember this piece fondly when I destroy everyone in this tournament!

[Shane]

I love it!

Glad you tracked me down, and that you understand that beneath the hype piece here there is actually a visualization exercise that leads one to take the number one spot in the competition.

Very dangerous mind tricks...not everyone should attempt to place their name on that line.

[Savior4Hire]

Brock was the perfect parallel here. He was given a unprecedented opportunity at a young age, and far from disappointing, he amazed. Until he got bored and went home. Like Brock the winner of this thing has an unprecedented opportunity to jump to the forefront of what it is we do. Hopefully the winner of this will take that as seriously as Brock didn't.

[KeenanField]

I know that Im far from well known on these forums and I don't write columns, but the columns Skittlez wrote as well as many others were the things that most inspired me to join the LOP forum, I loved the column Shane and Im looking forward to this competition because I will be able to read the columns of many of those that know much more than I do (Nony, Pen, my favorite brit Bear, Lunchbox, Hustle and many others, hopefully Skitz) and while many have said that this will be the easiest way to get to the MP, I must say I have to disagree because after reading many of the MPer's over the past year, I already know they are going to put their "Rookies" through Hell and high water to join the MP elites

Edit: just realized I forgot to include Oni and yourself.... Woops

[Super Chrisss]

I find it ironic that the author may very well be the nxt big thing.

I doubt we'll be paired up Shane-O, so I'll say it now: good luck. Not like you'll need it.

[Shane]

It is especially ironic if you consider that I had zero-intention of being a part of this when I wrote the column. Just wanted to get the lot of competitors fired up. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'm top 5 with some of the guys who are in it. I've been meditating in the mornings lately and it has given me some kind of well-being and good will towards all that I'm not used to. If I don't stop I'll be PM'ing competitors with tips on how to get the best of me in the competition!

Thanks for the good word. You will be a hell of a Pro to some Rookie, just hope its someone that will benefit from you.