By: John Sinclair
I sat down with a bloodied Max Maverick after our show, Defending Honor. Sitting on the floor, back leaning on the wall, his head down, I knew I approached a man who had been pushed to the brink of destruction and fought his way back. His eyes, tired but full of fire were focused on the belt sitting in his lap. The EPW Jr. Heavyweight Championship.
It had been a long fought battle from the moment Max Maverick stepped into the EPW locker room at the beginning of the year. Passed over time and time again, never relenting in his quest, he took the hits and kept on pursuing his goal.
“I was tired, frustrated. I go in week in and week out, giving 100% watching others get their shot,” said Max Maverick, “But I couldn't stop. I got the opportunity to step in with one of the most renown wrestlers in our area (Ace), when he had to use a chair to beat me the first time, I knew I could win.”
In their second match, injury took Maverick out of the match. “I slipped off the top rope and ended up landing sideways on my knee. I had a vision of my kneecap pointing sideways under my knee pad. Being real, it hurt like hell.”
Their third match ended when Ace cold-cocked Max with a steel chain setting the finale of their series, a dog-collar match. Whatever the outcome, this was to be the final confrontation.
“I went in hurting. I knew this was going to be brutal and painful, but I had to go in there.” After the match, Max Maverick found his hand raised victoriously. When asked what was his first thought after the bell rang he simply stated, “Thank God this match is over.” I asked him to elaborate, he shoots a half-smirk with a wink and said, “Tomorrow is going to come whether I like it or not, gotta be prepared.”