May 27^th 2001 the day Shaman first won the US Title for his first and only reign as Champion. Now Destiny has brought him back into the ring 9 years later for the same title he once held so long ago. Will this be the change Shaman has been seeking. The man is as he always has been....That is very Dangerous when backed against the wall.

~Musings

    The ocean air is clear and beautiful, as the wind licks against his face, his own hair blows around lazily. He simply watches the seagulls fly about on the small updrafts caused by the crashing waves below on the beach and below the pier. He places his forearms down on the piers railing as he clasps his hands together looking out over the ocean.

   Looking to his left he notices a longtime friend Jacob as he speaks. “I don't come out here nearly enough anymore.”

Jacob chuckles as he looks around. “Well sand does get into unmentionable places.” Shaman chuckles as he watches the waves crash. The sun is setting further down the beach causing his face to turn a reddish orange.

    His eyes glint from the sunlight as he watches. “You know Jacob sometimes I cannot help, but think that the sun is setting on my career. They come younger, stronger, tougher nowadays.” As he continues to stare down the beach Jacob chimes in.

“You have always been the Native American bad ass, The kids come in and call you old because they think it bothers you. What haven't you done that they are in awe of?” Turning slightly Shaman looks over at Jacob.

  “Problem is I am only 36 and not old at all. I am at the peak of my game now. Just every time I come close to capturing a title lately or step forward it is yanked out from under me or I make a mistake.” Shaman shakes his head slightly.

“Been asking myself sometimes can I regain a title? I came so close so many time recently. Hell I believe even John Grant the guy I am facing this Underground has beaten me not too far back.” Looking out at the ocean again he seems to go back into deep thought. Jacob looks out over the ocean again with him and smiles.

“Did Foreman give up after he lost to Ali or did he comeback again and win the title? How about Buster Douglas did he give up when all the hoopla surrounding Mike Tyson made him look like a weak underdog?” Jacob pulls on the top railing rocking backwards and then pulls himself back forwards. 

  “Hell no man they kept on fighting. You are one of the oldest and most experienced guys in the WWA. Did you ever think you could come storming back and make the greatest achievement of your career in the WWA?” Jacob holds up his hand showing two fingers.

   Shaman shakes his head looking at Jacob. “There is that old word again.” Chuckling he looks at the two fingers Jacob is holding up. “What is that supposed to mean peace?” Jacob chuckles and looks around, He nods his head.

   “No it means an achievement for you nobody else may have ever achieved in the WWA. When it happens you will know and realize what you have done.” Jacob smiles as he looks over at a sailboat floating a ways away.

“So why did you choose this location to meet anyways?” Clearing his throat Shaman observes the waves crashing before him. “I needed to relax and the ocean was probably the best place for me to clear my head and get things back into perspective.” Rolling his wrists back and forth on the wooden railing of the pier, he closes his eyes and just simply feels the wind blowing upon his face.

  “Sometimes when the wind is against your face you feel that feeling of achievement. You remember where you where about 9 years ago at this time.” Taking a deep breath he doesn't smile or make any reaction. “Right about this time 9 years ago I lost the US title to Jackson Kraven.”

  Releasing his clasped fingers he grabs the top rail of the pier as well. “June 11^th I lost the US Title to be exact, Fond memories or one of failing.”

   Jacob rubs his rough shaven chin as he looks over at Shaman. “Look man I know you haven't exactly had everything go your way, but you still are one of the more prolific Native Americans in wrestling today.” Jacob looks around and then reaches back into his back pocket pulling out his wallet. Slowly he pulls out a picture, He holds it up looking at it.

  “See this picture here, It reminds me of who I was and who I refuse to be again.” Holding the picture towards Shaman it shows a younger Jacob. “When I started training you when you were sixteen it was just a chain of people I had trained. Now you are in a similar position.”

  Looking at the picture Shaman looks over at Jacob. “How does this have to do with how I feel? I have a title defense against a guy who had beaten me before. I want to win the title at hand. Nothing you can say will change that.”

   Looking down at his hands Shaman clenches both into fists. “It is like there is someone always ready to stab you in the back. Be it corporate or some up and coming new guy. You are the target so they can begin saying hey, I beat one of the big dogs.” breathing out a slow breath.

   “Just a lot to think about lately.”

   Jacob nods in understanding. “You know back in the day some civilizations handed their children a spear and some water, Pushed them out into the world expecting them to either live or die. If they returned they obviously lived.” pulling a small pocket flask out he hands it to Shaman. “Sometimes it is either sink or swim kid.”

    looking over at Jacob Shaman shakes his head. “So you believe it is that simple Jacob?” Jacob nods as he takes the flask from Shaman opening it and taking a couple swigs on it. “It is as simple as you make it kid. Sometimes you can over think things. Once you realize that the road to your victory is right beneath your nose.” taking another swig he clears his throat. “Anything can happen.”

   Pondering on this Shaman turns his head and watches the sun slowly descend below the distant horizon. He turns his gaze upwards looking at the stars just beginning to come out. “Guess being a star of someplace regardless of where I am at makes me a target.”

   Jacob turns and walks down the pier back towards the bars and amusement park. Shaman looks over his shoulder at him as he turns himself. “After all who in the hell expects me to win half the time anyways? I have been the WWA's longest running underdog for as far back as I can remember.”

   Jacob turns and looks at Shaman. “So about the Franchise players?” Shaman looks over at him and grins. “One thing at a time Jacob, one thing at a time.” Shaman walks as he whistles a tune and has a bit more of a spring in his step.

   Jacob smirks. “Well well seems to me that you have a plan in mind.” Shaman looks of saying nothing , but continues moving down the pier.

   A following musing...

    A man without destiny is a man without history. You follow the path you build for yourself, in the end you hope it is what you wanted. Only man can change mans destiny, whatever that destiny maybe. Leave your baggage at the door, your garbage on the street corner, and in the end you may find yourself better off than where you found yourself.