helped $lim jinx NXT. Woops
Post by Spankymac is sick of the swiss on Dec 27, 2007 13:54:42 GMT -5
From Chikara's Blog page:
12/26/2007: "Hey CHIKARA fans! With our season ending and the New Year approaching I’d thought I’d take some time away from the turkey and apple pie to reflect on what’s been a rollercoaster of a year for me.
"I’ve dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler for as long as I can remember. I took my first step 3 years ago when I began training with the Chikara Wrestle Factory in Allentown, PA. But it wasn’t until April 22, 2007 that I was able to fulfill my dream by debuting in the former ECW Arena. Though not a highflier by any means (as displayed by my lack of leapfrogs, dropkicks and moonsaults) I wrestled alongside my classmates Andy Sumner and Drew Gulak at Rey de Voladores. If you remember the match, you might recall that it would be my first of many losses this year. I’d trained 3 years to debut - with a loss. And while a loss is just a number to some, to me it’s a moment in time I can’t have back.
"A win would escape me once again in my first singles match against Shayne Hawke...as did the opportunity to win the Young Lions Cup, which is an ultimate goal of mine. Little did I know, the jump-start beating he gave me was just a warm up for the next pivotal point of my rookie year.
"On July 22nd, I drove to Wallingford, CT for what would be the biggest (and most painful) match in my career. Eddie Kingston used that match as an excuse to hurt me. He used me to send a message to the CHIKARA office to give him a match with Hallowicked, and left me with a concussion that lasted for weeks. Well that’s OK. Because I showed the world that Tim Donst can absorb punishment like no one else. I took his chops. I took his suplexes. I took his lariat on the floor. Ultimately, I even took the back-fist that would cost me the match. But even in losing, I gained something.
"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is. And I believe I showed our CHIKARMY my will to win as I rose up after the match, on my own two feet, and was greeted by the unexpected standing ovation that I was fortunate enough to receive. To everyone in attendance that night, I thank you. It was an emotional moment for me and a pat on the back for all the hard work I’ve put in over the years, preparing and training for my life in the ring.
"After my first career win in a singles match (against ROH's Alex Payne,) and eating a boot to the face from Brodie Lee, (which has far too many YouTube views,) I found myself with another huge opportunity. I wasn’t so much nervous as I was privileged to be stepping into the ring with my trainer, mentor and friend. A professional bout was a long stretch from the Allentown training ring that I had become accustomed to facing Mike Quackenbush in. This match alone showed me just how far I’ve come. Usually, I’m so focused on what I have to do I don’t absorb the moment. But I assure you that wasn’t the case on September 22nd, as I took in all the 400+ fans. If I had to tap, I’m glad it was through the CHIKARA Special - it reprensents a promotion and a school I hold with the utmost respect. It’s the only match I’ve lost via submission, but I’m confident it showed the world that I could hold my own against anyone.
"I respect Eddie Kingston for what he’s accomplished in this business, but make no mistake about it, not for the man he is. Some fights need to be fought and our rematch at Bruised was one of them. Even with the crowd rallying behind me, I wasn’t able to overcome the so-called "King of Diamonds," and once again lost. However, I’d make up for it the next night at New Star Navigation when I beat Icarus with a bale of hay, and the move that cost me the match at Cibernetico & Robin.
"A month later I found myself alongside Delirious and Hallowicked against The BLK Out, on November 16th in Reading. The Reading Coliseum has always been a special building to me, as it was there that I saw my first CHIKARA show. To go from working security at my first CHIKARA event, to main-eventing the last in the building was overwhelming. Throw in the fact that I pinned Eddie Kingston to cap it off, and it made for a great evening.
"My first match of the year ended with a loss, but the last left me with a win. That’s improvement huh? I’ve never spent my life looking for four-leafed clovers or winning lottery tickets, but with hard work and the American dream, I hope to become an even better competitor next year. Was the dream worth all the losses, the boot to the face and the concussion? Absolutely. Thank you all for making my first year a successful one. And remember, don’t follow your dreams, Chase Them."
Sincerely,
TD
12/26/2007: "Hey CHIKARA fans! With our season ending and the New Year approaching I’d thought I’d take some time away from the turkey and apple pie to reflect on what’s been a rollercoaster of a year for me.
"I’ve dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler for as long as I can remember. I took my first step 3 years ago when I began training with the Chikara Wrestle Factory in Allentown, PA. But it wasn’t until April 22, 2007 that I was able to fulfill my dream by debuting in the former ECW Arena. Though not a highflier by any means (as displayed by my lack of leapfrogs, dropkicks and moonsaults) I wrestled alongside my classmates Andy Sumner and Drew Gulak at Rey de Voladores. If you remember the match, you might recall that it would be my first of many losses this year. I’d trained 3 years to debut - with a loss. And while a loss is just a number to some, to me it’s a moment in time I can’t have back.
"A win would escape me once again in my first singles match against Shayne Hawke...as did the opportunity to win the Young Lions Cup, which is an ultimate goal of mine. Little did I know, the jump-start beating he gave me was just a warm up for the next pivotal point of my rookie year.
"On July 22nd, I drove to Wallingford, CT for what would be the biggest (and most painful) match in my career. Eddie Kingston used that match as an excuse to hurt me. He used me to send a message to the CHIKARA office to give him a match with Hallowicked, and left me with a concussion that lasted for weeks. Well that’s OK. Because I showed the world that Tim Donst can absorb punishment like no one else. I took his chops. I took his suplexes. I took his lariat on the floor. Ultimately, I even took the back-fist that would cost me the match. But even in losing, I gained something.
"Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is. And I believe I showed our CHIKARMY my will to win as I rose up after the match, on my own two feet, and was greeted by the unexpected standing ovation that I was fortunate enough to receive. To everyone in attendance that night, I thank you. It was an emotional moment for me and a pat on the back for all the hard work I’ve put in over the years, preparing and training for my life in the ring.
"After my first career win in a singles match (against ROH's Alex Payne,) and eating a boot to the face from Brodie Lee, (which has far too many YouTube views,) I found myself with another huge opportunity. I wasn’t so much nervous as I was privileged to be stepping into the ring with my trainer, mentor and friend. A professional bout was a long stretch from the Allentown training ring that I had become accustomed to facing Mike Quackenbush in. This match alone showed me just how far I’ve come. Usually, I’m so focused on what I have to do I don’t absorb the moment. But I assure you that wasn’t the case on September 22nd, as I took in all the 400+ fans. If I had to tap, I’m glad it was through the CHIKARA Special - it reprensents a promotion and a school I hold with the utmost respect. It’s the only match I’ve lost via submission, but I’m confident it showed the world that I could hold my own against anyone.
"I respect Eddie Kingston for what he’s accomplished in this business, but make no mistake about it, not for the man he is. Some fights need to be fought and our rematch at Bruised was one of them. Even with the crowd rallying behind me, I wasn’t able to overcome the so-called "King of Diamonds," and once again lost. However, I’d make up for it the next night at New Star Navigation when I beat Icarus with a bale of hay, and the move that cost me the match at Cibernetico & Robin.
"A month later I found myself alongside Delirious and Hallowicked against The BLK Out, on November 16th in Reading. The Reading Coliseum has always been a special building to me, as it was there that I saw my first CHIKARA show. To go from working security at my first CHIKARA event, to main-eventing the last in the building was overwhelming. Throw in the fact that I pinned Eddie Kingston to cap it off, and it made for a great evening.
"My first match of the year ended with a loss, but the last left me with a win. That’s improvement huh? I’ve never spent my life looking for four-leafed clovers or winning lottery tickets, but with hard work and the American dream, I hope to become an even better competitor next year. Was the dream worth all the losses, the boot to the face and the concussion? Absolutely. Thank you all for making my first year a successful one. And remember, don’t follow your dreams, Chase Them."
Sincerely,
TD