I am still the Undisputed Champion. I am still at the top of the chain in the UCA, and still the leading man as we grow ever-closer to that final day.
But make no mistake, there was no victory for me tonight. I did not win, despite coming out of my match as the title holder, and I have no one to blame but myself. Before my match, I explained that I would come out of my battle the same way I went in: as champion. Did I technically stay true to my word? Yes. But this is not the champion I am. I'm not here to win on technicalities, or abuse my champion's advantage to protect my title from being taken away, and yet tonight I did just that. I'm here to prove my dominance, prove that I'm the best there is in the UCA, that I deserve to be the owner of the 3rd longest Undisputed Championship reign of all time.
Most of all, though, I'm here to echo the words that I spoke of before that fateful match that won me the title all those months ago: I'm ready.
Tonight, I wasn't ready, and I'm thankful that my physical abilities kept me in a match I wasn't mentally prepared for.
Next time, I will be. You have my word.
Now, the result of this match doesn't only have to do with me failing to capitalize when victory was right in front of me.
Strife has proven time and time again that he and I are near-equals, and today, we were. Throughout our two matches, he has provided me with challenges unlike any I've faced in my time here at the UCA. This time, he had the mental edge, something that I'll compliment him on.
Strife has pushed me to my limits, and has torn me apart in more ways than I can count, but I wouldn't be the champion I aim to be if I didn't recognize true competition when I see it.
I suspect, especially after tonight's result, that this isn't over just yet, and I couldn't be more excited because of it.
I figured I'd post this in the old discussion topic as well for maximum visibility. I could have fit it all into one post, but I've always wanted to get the final post in a topic and never had a chance to before this! ---