Featuring: Jimmy Thunder Date: 01/09/11 Event: WorldWide 143
Jimmy Thunder puts the phone down and walks into the kitchen with a rye smirk on his face. Seated in the kitchen are both Emma and Jimmy Junior, both smirking as well. They had just finished listening to Jimmy’s segment on GCW Live and were as entertained as Jimmy was. The three just looked at each other and just started laughing.
"That was awesome, dad." Junior said towards the end of his laugh.
"It was great fun son." Jimmy replied with a smile on his face. ‘I’m glad you guys are having fun with me. This was what I was hoping for when I first came back." He added.
"Baby, we were just worried you would get seriously hurt." Emma said while looking at her glowing husband.
"I’ve been around this business way too long to know whether I would get hurt or not." Jimmy explains to Emma.
Emma smiles before saying, "I do trust you, baby."
The two exchange a short a quick kiss before Jimmy heads over to his garage. After walking through his garage door, he heads towards his Harley Davidson, covered up with tarpaulin to keep the dust off the machine. Ever since Jimmy returned to the public eye, he hasn’t had the time to even think about going for a ride but when Jordan White, a close friend of Jimmy’s, rides into town tomorrow , there will be nothing that will stop him from riding with one of his closest friends.
When Jimmy first arrived at GCW way back in 2007, he arrived with much hope and plenty of unwanted hype. He was well known for dominating lesser companies but this time Jimmy was in with the big boys. Jimmy remembers walking into the arena showing the confidence of a peacock but inside he was a nervous wreck. It was Jordan who, unexpectedly too, extended his hand in friendship and showed Jimmy how things worked at GCW.
It Was Jordan who was there to congratulate Jimmy when he won the Television title and it was Jordan who poured Champagne over Jimmy’s head when he won the United States title. It would be fair to say that the two share a mutual respect for each other and even though Jordan was a step above Jimmy, Jordan never flaunted that in Jimmy’s face. Not even once.
Jimmy takes out a new soft cloth and runs it over the paint and chrome on the Harley Davidson. The sparkles shining brightly from this bike would have any enthusiast believing that this machine was a show bike. The eye catching custom paint job on the gas tank is the cherry on the cake of this masterpiece. The predominantly black tank with the blue stripes wrapping around it is the eye catching centerpiece that is the topic of many conversations for those that are lucky enough to see it first hand.
The sheer majesty of this Harley Davidson is testimony to the long hours Jimmy spent taking care of it. The countless hours of polishing and buffing is enough to make anyone proud of this manly machine. The thing that Jimmy loves about this bike is the long history between himself and the bike.
Before being a famous professional wrestler, Jimmy was just a two bit night club bouncer in Boise Idaho. When he went to the offices of the WFW to sign his first wrestling contract, Jimmy rode his bike. After winning his first world title at DWA, the Idaho State Government organized a ticker tape parade for Jimmy. Instead of riding in an open top car, Jimmy decided he’d prefer to ride his bike instead.
When his first wife was killed unexpectedly by a drunk driver. Jimmy lead the funeral procession on his bike. The connection Jimmy has with this bike goes way further than the million dollar appearance. These days he only really takes it out for special occasions. A bike ride with an old friend like Jordan White was definitely an occasion to bring the Harley Davidson out.
After waking up and getting ready for his ride, Jimmy walked outside into the brisk January morning. He looked around and saw no sign of Jordan. He headed to his garage and unveiled his Harley Davidson. As he started to walk it out, Jimmy could hear a motorcycle driving up his drive way. He opened the large main garage door and climbing off his BMW bike was Jordan.
"Holy shit Jordan it really is you." Jimmy said as he leaned his Harley Davidson on it’s kick stand and walked over to Jordan and giving him a big hug.
"HA HA HA!!! Who else would it be?" Jordan said while hugging Jimmy back and laughing.
"You have no idea how many Jordan White’s I found that use to wrestle." Jimmy said with a smile on his face.
"On the contrary, I do." Replied Jordan as he laughed.
"I even came across a black girl named Jordan White who wrestled and when I spoke to her on the phone she was feisty as hell!" Jimmy explained.
"That would have been one hell of a conversation." said Jordan.
"She was bitchin’ me out on the phone for over a minute without giving me a chance to explain." Jimmy said.
The two just started laughing before Jimmy asked, "You want to come in the house for a coffee?"
"Dude, I’d rather we hit the road." Jordan said with enthusiasm.
Pointing to Jordan’s bike, Jimmy asked, "I see you’re still riding this thing around. When are you going to get yourself a real bike?"
"HA HA HA!!! This bike is built for comfort to suite the rider, not like your thing." Jordan answered with a laugh.
"Mate, my "thing" is a steel horse. It’s got raw power and looks a million dollars." Jimmy responded with.
"Where are we going?" Jordan asked.
"There’s this awesome little hamburger place up at a little town called Grand View. It’s about an hour away and has some awesome scenery of the Owyhee mountain ranges." Jimmy Explained. "Guaranteed best burgers you’ll ever have." Jimmy added.
"Ok let’s go!" Jordan replied as they both climbed on their bikes and ride on down the never ending highway that Jimmy lives on.
While listening to the brute horsepower exuding from his polished steel exhausts, Jimmy starts to reflect on where he is on his life at the moment. His wife and children are finally supporting his in-ring wrestling return. He and his brother-In-law Theo Solomon have resurrected Dangerous Intentions. Tomorrow he’s accepting an award from the Idaho State Government and also announcing the launch of his autobiography. Now he’s enjoying the company of one of the greatest GCW superstars of all time!
Still one thing is taking the shine off what could be a perfect time in Jimmy’s life. That first elusive win at GCW. If there is ever a time Jimmy needed a win, now was it. His return hasn’t been anything to brag about but now he’s revived Dangerous Intentions, his new book will be out soon and all he needs now is a win to help push the moment he needs to make the Dangerous Intentions revival and his up coming book launch a resounding success.
The two ride up to the diner in Grand View, which Jimmy swears are the best. They walk inside to a totally empty diner. An older woman walks out and escorts them to one of many empty tables. Jimmy and Jordan sit opposite each other and pick up the menus that are already half open. Jimmy has a quick glance and places the menu down and watches with amusement at the intensity to which Jordan is studying the menu with, like his life depended on the choice he was about to make.
"Doesn’t matter how hard you look at it, the menu wont change." Jimmy said without laughing.
"Just checking out my options here Thunder." Answered Jordan in a distracted tone
After several minutes, Jordan finally decides to get the same as Jimmy and the waitress leaves the two alone.
"So what’s it like being back in GCW." Jordan asks while wiping his dusty sunglasses.
Jimmy leans back and says, "You know what mate, there’s only one way to describe it and it’s just different."
"How so?" Jordan asks.
"This younger brigade coming through just do things differently, mate" Jimmy replies.
"So you know what you have to do now, right?" Jordan asks while still wiping his glasses and looking into the light with the lenses.
"What’s that?" Jimmy asked in an inquisitive tone.
Jordan looks straight at Jimmy and says, "Change with the times."
Jimmy leans back and thinks for a moment before saying, "I don’t want to change. I like who I am."
"Still without a win?" Jordan asks in a curious tone.
"Yeah." Replies Jimmy.
"There’s your answer." Jordan announced.
Jimmy looks out the window knowing that Jordan is right but being too stubborn to admit it. Trying to change the subject Jimmy asks, "Why don’t you come back to GCW?"
"Seriously?" Jordan asks as his left eyebrow raises.
"Of course I’m serious!" Jimmy quickly responds with enthusiasm.
"Thunder, you crazy assed son of a bitch, hahaha have a look at me. I’m in no shape to be in any ring." Jordan said while laughing.
As the burgers come out, Jimmy gets the feeling that Jordan isn’t interested at all about coming back but he isn’t about to give up on him. As Jordan takes a bite into his burger and starts chewing Jimmy picks up his burger and before he bites into it he looks at Jordan and says, "Getting you into shape wont be a problem, I know you can pick up from where you left off and go back to kicking some ass. I know for a fact that Garbage Bag Johnny will take you back in a second."
While chewing on his burger Jordan swallows down the last of his first bite and says, "You know what Jimmy, you’re right."
Surprised that he agreed so quickly, Jimmy sits back in amazement and asks, "I’m right?"
"Yeah, this is the best freaking burger I think I have ever had!" Jordan announces.
Frustrated at Jordan not taking seriously, Jimmy drops his burger and says "Listen Jordan, if you don’t want to come back then just say so but don’t treat me like an idiot."
"Jimmy, I just don’t have it in me anymore. I’m out of shape, broken down, I’m done." Jordan explains.
Jimmy nods to show he accepts Jordan’s explanation. He knows that there was nothing he could say to change Jordan’s mind. He had been there himself and had many people ask him to return and knows when you want to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile, there’s nothing anyone can say that will change his mind. Instead of pushing Jimmy just let it die. The two continued to eat their burgers and exchange stories and views like two old friends usually do.
After having their meals they walked out to their bikes, Jimmy slowly climbing on his Harley Davidson, asks "Where you headed to now, Jordan?"
"Well, I’m not sure yet, I have some friends in Reno, I might just head on down that way." Jordan replies.
Jimmy thinks for a moment before asking, "Why don’t you come back to my place and stay the night. Tomorrow I’m suppose to receiving an award from the Idaho State Government and I’m announcing my upcoming book as well. Just stay the night and we’ll just hangout."
Looking at the scenery around him, Jordan says "I’d love to man but got places I have to be."
Jimmy just nods and gives Jordan a hug. "It was awesome to see you again, mate. Don’t ever be stranger, you have my number, you know where I live, my doors are always open to you."
"Thanks man." Jordan says as he puts his sunglasses on and climbs onto his BMW bike, Jordan nods and just before he rides off he smiles at Jimmy and says, "Remember, change with the times amigo." With that he rides off as Jimmy gives him a semi salute.
The night is a quiet one at the Thunder ranch until Jimmy comes home with his Harley Davidson roaring up the long driveway. He parks the motorcycle in his garage and immediately covers it with tarpaulin then heads towards the house in total darkness. He walks in and finds that everyone is asleep. Creeping into his bedroom, unsuccessfully and waking Emma up.
"Sorry babe, I didn’t mean to wake you up." Jimmy whispered.
"It’s ok baby, how was your ride?" Emma asked while sitting up and wiping her eyes.
"It was great, Jordan and I had a good talk, he rode off to Nevada and I turned around and headed off to Boise." Jimmy explained
"Why did you go to Boise?" Emma asked
"I was enjoying the ride and just stretched it out a little longer." Replied Jimmy.
"You’re like a big kid sometimes baby." Emma said while giggling. "You should come to bed baby, we have a huge day tomorrow." She added.
"I know." Said Jimmy. "Let me get a shower and I’ll come to bed." He said with a smile before heading into the huge open en-suite adjoining his bedroom.
The next morning Jimmy was woken by the sunlight beaming through his window where the shutters were obviously left wide open by Emma. Covering his eyes to save them from the sun’s blinding rays, Jimmy rolls towards the darker side of his bed as Emma walks into the bedroom with determination in her stride to get Jimmy out of bed.
"Baby, we have 45 minutes before we have to leave, you need to get out of bed now and get ready." She announced.
Jimmy just covers his face with his pillow when Emma pulls the covers off him, leaving him laying in his bed with just his boxer shorts on. He sits up and looks at Emma who is ready to leave as Jimmy wipes the sleep out of his eyes.
"I must have slept in." He says in a whispering tone.
"You got time to get a shower, so you better get your ass in gear. Junior and Chloe are ready, we’re just waiting on you." She barks at him.
Jimmy heads into the shower and in no time is in his SUV being driven by Emma out his driveway and headed to the Idaho State Governor’s Mansion the official residence of Governor Butch Otter. As they turn onto the highway from the driveway, Jimmy notices a white SUV parked opposite his ranch. The SUV is unfamiliar to him and assumes it’s either a member of the press or someone pulled over for whatever reason.
While driving to the official awards ceremony, Jimmy drifts off into his own little world. He reminisces on his past, in particular, all the awards he has achieved over the years. He may not always be successful in the ring, especially in his latter years, but he has always endeavored to be the best he can at doing what’s right in life. Some wrestlers got a kick out of being an asshole on and off the screen, some enjoyed being seen in dark rooms with some depressing story to tell how their mothers didn’t love them enough. Jimmy, on the other hand, got a kick out of making people smile.
After arriving at the Governor’s mansion, The Thunder’s exit their SUV and after showing their passes, they are escorted through a back door to an assembling area where drinks and snacks are served. Jimmy and Emma are mingling with other award winners while Junior and Chloe seem to be more interested in the snacks that are doing the rounds of the room. It isn’t too long before the ushers ask everyone to move towards the front and be seated, except for the people accepting awards.
The ceremony starts with Governor Butch Otter spending ten minutes for his introductory speech before moving onto the awards announcements. One award after another is handed out for various classifications and after what felt an eternity for Jimmy, an usher calls him to the side of the stage and lets him know he’s next to receive his award.
"The next award is the Idaho Community Most Popular Award given to the most popular Idahoan as voted by the people of Idaho." Says Governor Otter. "No, this winner is not an Idaho native but he’s certainly become one of most famous adopted sons. Ladies and Gentleman, the 2011 winner is none other than Jimmy Thunder!" He announces.
Jimmy walks out to an applause from the small crowd gathered at the front section of the Governor’s Mansion. He shakes Butch Otter’s hand and the two share a short little laugh before Jimmy accepts his plaque and turns to the crowd and positions himself in front of the podium. He takes a quick glance and finds Emma, Junior and Chloe all standing with smiles on their faces.
"First of all I want to thank Governor Otter for presenting me with this award. I also want to thank the people of Idaho for voting for me, to say that receiving this award is humbling is the only way to describe this." Jimmy says before pausing to take a breath and gather his thoughts. "This state really took me in when I had nothing and helped me be the person I am today. No matter where I am in the US and what I’m doing, I always make sure that they know I’m from Idaho and that I’m proud to be." He says while the crowd give a short round of applause. "I really don’t want to take up any more time than what is necessary, I just want to thank the other award winners and to say that I’m humbled to be in the same group as them. They’re all deserved winners." The crowd applaud again. "In closing, I want to give my heart felt thanks to the people of Idaho and hope that, one day, I can bring some championship gold back to Idaho and celebrate with people of this state that I love. Thank you." The crowd applauds again as Jimmy raises the plaque slightly, smiles and gives everyone a wave before leaving the stage.
As he walks off the stage he is swarmed by a team of awaiting local Idaho journalists. "How does it feel to win this award Jimmy?" A journalist asks.
"Well, what can you say? To be nominated was an honor to win is something special. It might not mean anything to some people but to be voted the most popular person in Idaho by it’s inhabitants is something I’ll treasure for sure." He answers.
"Jimmy, you announced on GCW Live last week the launch of the Jimmy Thunder Memoirs, do you know when the book will be out?" Another journalist asks.
"Well the book is still in production. I’ve been collaborating with Josh Jamieson from Direct Publishing and we’re molding it all together so hopefully it’ll be out some time this summer. I can reveal exclusively here that the book will be called ‘Days of Thunder - The Jimmy Thunder Story’ and it’s a book where I’m not holding back or protecting anyone."
"Can you explain to everyone what Dangerous Intentions is all about?" Jimmy is asked.
"To put it quickly, back in the day, Dangerous Intentions was a band of four brothers who watched each others back. We rode together, we lived together, we won together, lost together. The four of us were inseparable. Even though Jeff Harris and Adam Masterson are doing their own thing now, I still have Theodoric Solomon by my side. To me, that’s the best foundation I could ever get to reform another version of Dangerous Intentions." Jimmy explains.
From a distance, Emma, Junior and Chloe watch on as Jimmy has a cacophony of journalists around him. From the other side of the busy back stage area, an evil presence lurks, taking notes and photographs at the same time.
The scene fades.