Post by Jillie on Mar 16, 2009 23:16:43 GMT -6
Scene opens with "Everyone's Favourite Canadian Lady" Adriana Samu sitting on the bench in the locker room, looking down. She is resting her elbows on her knees and her head is hanging. She looks up at the camera sadly then stares back at the floor. The speech that follows is low in volume and dripping with emotion.
I had a conversation with Scott Anderson once, rest his soul, before he died. He told me that, while he regretted having to retire from in-ring performance, he was fortunate in that he was forced to leave behind the lifestyle that ruined so many of his friends and colleagues. However, he told me that the biggest burden to that was, while he was going to live to his old age, he was going to have to watch all his friends and peers succumb to the mistakes of their youth. In a way, it's fortunate that he died an early death - he doesn't have to watch everyone that he stood tall with fall around him.
We were talking about mentors. Scott had seen many of his mentors die. I was now watching mine pay for the mistakes they made in their youth. Davey Smith died because of his drive to get ahead. Bret Hart had to retire ultimately because of an in-ring injury. Now Eddie had died when his body couldn't take any more of the indulgences he had given up four years prior. Eventually, Chris Benoit succumbed, his actions spurred on by chronic and repetitive injuries and dubious prescription filling. Scott Anderson died because of the mistakes of another.
I have seen the tragedy that occurs when one lives their life carelessly, putting their health and well being aside for pleasure, to avoid pain, or to get ahead. After Eddie died I decided to leave that life behind. I've been sober and clean every since. I gave up the hectic work schedule and grueling regime and work in much less stressful and far more cushy promotion. I have learned from the mistakes of my mentors and idols.
But now I see the burden, just as Scott had. I now get to stand back and watch my friends and colleagues pay for their mistakes - the mistakes they didn't recognize in the lives of their mentors. They haven't officially said why Andrew died. My hope of hopes is that it was some freak accident or medical mystery, but I know better. A pro-wrestler doesn't suddenly die at the age of 33 without it having something to do with their career choice and the lifestyle that comes with it.
Us Canadians stick together. I was introduced to Andrew by Christian, a pal. I trained with him a few times. I considered him a friend. Sure, those boys are a tad older, but they are "my" generation. The generation that never learns.
Just as Owen Hart was the first of a long line of my mentors and idols to meet their makers at far too young an age, so too will Andrew Martin probably be the first of many of my peers to do the same. Is this what I have to look forward to? Watching my friends and colleagues fall down around me - the pain Scott was sparred? Probably. Instead of learning from the mistakes of those that paved the way for us, we indulge ourselves like spoiled children and shun the advice of our elders. We never see. We never listen. We never pay attention. We never learn.
Well, I have. I have seen, listened and have come to attention. I have learned. I just hope I don't have to be only one.
Andrew, you will be missed. I will learn from you just as I learned from Bret, Eddie and Chris. I will take care of myself first, my family second, and my career third. When I am injured, I will take time off to get better. When I need help I will ask for it. When my push is being given to someone else I will not turn to enhancements but work harder to earn respect. I will succeed despite refusing the culture that currently prevails. I will set a standard for those that come after me. That will be my tribute to Andrew Martin.
Adriana bows her head as the camera fades out to end the scene.
I had a conversation with Scott Anderson once, rest his soul, before he died. He told me that, while he regretted having to retire from in-ring performance, he was fortunate in that he was forced to leave behind the lifestyle that ruined so many of his friends and colleagues. However, he told me that the biggest burden to that was, while he was going to live to his old age, he was going to have to watch all his friends and peers succumb to the mistakes of their youth. In a way, it's fortunate that he died an early death - he doesn't have to watch everyone that he stood tall with fall around him.
We were talking about mentors. Scott had seen many of his mentors die. I was now watching mine pay for the mistakes they made in their youth. Davey Smith died because of his drive to get ahead. Bret Hart had to retire ultimately because of an in-ring injury. Now Eddie had died when his body couldn't take any more of the indulgences he had given up four years prior. Eventually, Chris Benoit succumbed, his actions spurred on by chronic and repetitive injuries and dubious prescription filling. Scott Anderson died because of the mistakes of another.
I have seen the tragedy that occurs when one lives their life carelessly, putting their health and well being aside for pleasure, to avoid pain, or to get ahead. After Eddie died I decided to leave that life behind. I've been sober and clean every since. I gave up the hectic work schedule and grueling regime and work in much less stressful and far more cushy promotion. I have learned from the mistakes of my mentors and idols.
But now I see the burden, just as Scott had. I now get to stand back and watch my friends and colleagues pay for their mistakes - the mistakes they didn't recognize in the lives of their mentors. They haven't officially said why Andrew died. My hope of hopes is that it was some freak accident or medical mystery, but I know better. A pro-wrestler doesn't suddenly die at the age of 33 without it having something to do with their career choice and the lifestyle that comes with it.
Us Canadians stick together. I was introduced to Andrew by Christian, a pal. I trained with him a few times. I considered him a friend. Sure, those boys are a tad older, but they are "my" generation. The generation that never learns.
Just as Owen Hart was the first of a long line of my mentors and idols to meet their makers at far too young an age, so too will Andrew Martin probably be the first of many of my peers to do the same. Is this what I have to look forward to? Watching my friends and colleagues fall down around me - the pain Scott was sparred? Probably. Instead of learning from the mistakes of those that paved the way for us, we indulge ourselves like spoiled children and shun the advice of our elders. We never see. We never listen. We never pay attention. We never learn.
Well, I have. I have seen, listened and have come to attention. I have learned. I just hope I don't have to be only one.
Andrew, you will be missed. I will learn from you just as I learned from Bret, Eddie and Chris. I will take care of myself first, my family second, and my career third. When I am injured, I will take time off to get better. When I need help I will ask for it. When my push is being given to someone else I will not turn to enhancements but work harder to earn respect. I will succeed despite refusing the culture that currently prevails. I will set a standard for those that come after me. That will be my tribute to Andrew Martin.
Adriana bows her head as the camera fades out to end the scene.
