From Out of the Shadows

[Jacob The Mantis OGrady]

The camera enters a local fitness center where The Mantis was reportedly training at. He had posted on various social media platforms that he was doing so, and as he visits this facility quite frequently, he thought he'd attempt to give them some free PR as a gesture of his gratitude, and perhaps speak to some fans, however few there may be. The camera crew finds The Mantis laying down on a leg press, pushing what appears to be at least 150 pounds of weight, clearly looking to improve his springboard ability, of which he makes liberal use. A reporter calls out to him.

 

Reporter: Excuse me, sir, are you The Mantis?

 

The Mantis ends his press and places his feet on the floor, either side of the bench.

 

The Mantis: So it would appear. I was wonderin' when someone would find out me name. He chuckles.

 

Reporter: Well, you could say I'm that someone. Dana O'Rourke, OCW UK Media. How are you? She reaches out her hand to him, which, after sitting up from the bench, he happily shakes.

 

The Mantis: Ta' be honest wit' ye, I could'a been doin' a bit better with me career.

 

Reporter: Well, that's exactly what we've come to ask you about, if that's no trouble. It's been several weeks since your last two televised matches against Damian Bourne and Alex Asher, and the OCW Universe has hardly heard from you since, aside from the odd post on social media. If we didn't know any better, we'd assume your 0-2 record had been getting to you. Could you tell us what you've been up to in that time?

 

The Mantis: Yes, I can. I'll not sugarcoat it or nothin', but I've not 'ad it very well these last few weeks. I've been havin' a wee bit of a break to collect meself after me losses. I've been here every other day tryin' ta get stronger and reflect on me life and what's brought me to this point in me wrestlin' career. I've not been gettin' on well wit' the lads in the Turmoil locker room, been gettin' frustrated wit' em, arguin' and talkin' rubbish to 'em, and at one point Mr. Hoot got involved, and, well...I'll end it there, really. So, I've been sorta' low-key since then, just tryin' ta' better meself, both as a wrestler and as a man, mend me attitude...I guess the lads needed a break from me as much as I them. He chuckles again.

 

Reporter: It's good to hear that you're making the most of your situation and attempting to come out of it better than you were.

 

The Mantis: Well, that's not the only reason I've been away... He looks around the gym and exhibits a somber expression, his eyes beginning to gloss. A few days after me match wit' Asher, I, uh...got a call from a hospital in Belfast that me, uh...my mother had just passed on after having a stroke...she'd always been nervous about her only son gettin' inta' this business, 'specially after me da' died in the ring, and I guess me bein' away fer' so long just kinda' got to her...I didn't wanna' tell anyone about it 'cause I didn't want 'em ta' worry or pity me about it, that I've been usin' her death as an excuse ta' basically have an extended holiday or whatever... He quickly glances at his phone. I'm sorry, I gotta go...

 

The Mantis quickly gets up and exits the gym, leaving the reporter and camera crew downtrodden by the update.

 

Reporter: Camera's off, lads. We should probably burn that tape when we get back to the studio...

[Jacob The Mantis OGrady]

just for the record, the green text at the end is just my endplate, it's not part of the promo lol

[Justin Jehst]

Why aren't you putting these on shows rather than the promo room? Get more eyes on it that way.

[Quartz]

Why aren't you putting these on shows rather than the promo room? Get more eyes on it that way.

 

this

[Jacob The Mantis OGrady]

I'm waiting for the next turmoil card to be put up, which was supposed to be yesterday but it's a ppv weekend, so I'll put it up there then with some modifications, namely using an official OCW interviewer's name as opposed to the custom one I put here, so just consider this an early draft.

 

Now that I think about it, that kinda sounds a bit meta >.<

[Pugh]

I'm waiting for the next turmoil card to be put up, which was supposed to be yesterday but it's a ppv weekend, so I'll put it up there then with some modifications, namely using an official OCW interviewer's name as opposed to the custom one I put here, so just consider this an early draft.

 

Now that I think about it, that kinda sounds a bit meta >.<

 

Don't.

 

We've read this content, do something else.

[Jacob Trance]

Don't.

 

We've read this content, do something else.

 

Nah. He'll literally post the exact same promo again on the show... Like he did before.

[Jacob The Mantis OGrady]

I did that because someone suggested I put it there instead of here. And, as I said, there will be some modifications to this promo later on. Not everything in life needs to be made fun of, Trance.