Over the weekend I lost a packet of crisps, a bottle of Tango and, oh yeah, my championship.

I’ll start from the beginning…

The reinvention of NXT Wrestling is still in it’s early stages, but the run of shows under the new direction, and new management, has been a good one to close the year. This weekend was the most fun I’ve had at a show for a while. And, to channel Dante, I wasn’t even supposed to be there!

I’d planned a lazy weekend to catch up on some thins, but after a call on Friday asking if I could make the show, tagged along with Damo O’Conor to the venue and after everything was set up was asked to MC. Not something I’m the most comfortable with – I find it hard to be the host and not be a character. I remember guest hosting for a gig Shamer set up a while back and started with a joke which did not go down well. That and a lack of time to check the sound system led to a shaky start. But I enjoyed it and warmed up to the role eventually.

By midnight I was home enjoying a glass of cider and ready for bed and made a quick offer of “If theres no MC tomorrow, let me know now and I’ll pack a suit” Id given up on my weekend of relaxing by that point and was just enjoying seeing the guys.

Then it happened. Saturday morning I got a call asking me if I’d mind putting my title on the line. It had been talked briefly the night before and the idea of doing a number-one contenders match leading to a one-on-one defense in January was in our minds.

I got stupid.

I agreed to a ten-man tag team match and to put the T-Div Championship on the line. I’d have five guys gunning for my title and four guys on my side ensuring they don’t get near it.

One by one I watched as the opposition fell. Craig Byers, eliminated. Jimmy Kahuna, eliminated. Sean Sweeney… well you get the idea. But then our team started to fall leaving me and Damo. After Joe Kerr was gone, I got a little too… well, comfortable.

We beat up Ricky Gibson for a while before I let Damo do his thing and stepped out the ring for a bit of a victory boast. Idiot I am. As soon as my back was turned, Gibson rolled up Damo and as soon as I charged in to retaliate, boom. Spear. From fucking nowhere. I came too just as I heard the three count and the MC announcing Ricky as new champion.

One year. Ten months. Nineteen days. That’s how long I’ve been T-Division Champion. And it came to an end Saturday 28th November 2009 in Govan.

To be honest, if anyone deserves it, it’s Ricky. He’s worked hard to improve since debuting two years ago and has really shaped up in the ring. After deciding to show off his military roots he’s found a new lease of life and there is no one I’d want more to succeed me and take the T-Division title to new levels.

So congrats are due to Ricky Gibson, new T-Division Champion.

Jeers are due to me for losing it.

In the worst part of my life to date it felt at times like I had nothing going for me but that title. I lost a lot and it was the only thing I had to cling onto in those dark times. Now I’m without it and I can see Ricky moving onwards and upwards, maybe it’s time to step back from NXT. Focus my energies elsewhere.

I did say to some of the guys backstage that if I lost the T-Div title on the night, I’d take a ste back and possibly not wrestle on NXT events again. I like to think I’m a man of my word, and although my debts are on the Ric Flair levels, maybe it’s time to say no more to NXT.

Though I’ll always love the moments I’ve had there. Apart from Wolfie and me parting ways on those shows, it’s been fun. So I guess you’ll see me in SWA and NOW next year as I step back and let the NXT Generation rise.

James | End of the chapter.

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Tags: reflection, wrestling