A name means EVERYTHING in this world. If it's worth anything, it is a brand people trust. Look at Rolex.

 

Rolex has been around since 1906. They make watches. That's all the fuck they've done since day one. No televisions, no sunglasses, no private equity bullshit: watches! Only fucking WATCHES! Yet, everybody knows that brand. It's a Coca Cola/Batman/Red Bull level corporate icon. You don't even have to show the name on the logo, people see that crown emblem, they know what it is.

 

Your lawyer probably owns one. Your favorite rapper or actor flosses one in the video or on the red carpet. Everybody knows that one person that's got one, along with a story behind it. All you have to say is the name, and people instantly know.

 

That's why corporations, for reasons legitimate or otherwise, go hard to the paint in court to protect their brands. Even a single blemish to a reputation can be ruinous, especially for the dumbest of reasons. No one is too big to fail. I admit, I can be an uptight, haughty fucker. But that's because everything I do, even in fun, is serious. I have a name to protect, a brand. A reputation of getting the most for your dollar. Once you lose that perception of being reliable, it's a struggle to get it back. Hence, why I take shit so seriously sometimes. Even little mistakes can kill. For example…

 

Hackney, London

 

“Jesus Christ, this wall looks like a science experiment. How many units have this problem?”

 

8 years ago I invested heavily in my father in law's construction and property management firm based out of London. London real estate is a money cheat if you have the right connects and can deal with honey badger levels of fierce competition. That investment was well worth it; Savage/Baker/Carlyle is multi-billion and my 10% rendered has me feeling like Caesar. Brick and mortar always make money. That's why I never understood people whose vision stops at t-shirts and streaming. The real money is the Earth itself, and we reap AMAZING fruit from that soil. So good, we're funding projects the UK government should be.

 

Take for example, these council flats in Hackney. We entered a deal with the government to remodel and upgrade multiple low income apartments. We lose millions on our end each year, but with business booming who cares? We're helping several thousand tenants each year at no cost to them, we make up for much of the lost revenue in tax breaks and deferrals, and it's a public relations goldmine along with our other not for profit operations. 

 

What I'm seeing streaking across this drywall though, could easily shit on this project.

 

“14 apartments. Plus the laundry room tested positive for traces of black mold as well.”

 

The guy in the blue polo and hard hat is Rob Avery, one of our company's site inspectors. Rob had reported to the company on several occasions that there were issues with some of the units, but the higher ups dragged their feet on it. He had to bribe somebody to get my personal mobile number to tell me directly. Once he broke down the reports, I decided to act immediately at a directorate level.

 

I might have just saved our company from getting punched in the dick. Avery's got more evidence of impropriety at this site.

 

“Some of the drywall and pipes in the apartments aren't what we assigned for use on site, Mr. Savage. Take a look.”

 

He had a chunk of drywall that was brittle and discolored. Used stock. They installed used fucking drywall when we had fresh stock up the ass for this! Plus some of the pipes he pulled were worn out and old. They were skimping on supplies when we had plenty for the job! I was scratching my forehead to the bone, absolutely frustrated.

 

“Davidson was the site manager during the construction phase, right?”

 

“Yeah. Same one oversaw that estate remodel last year we had to spend a fortune replacing half the shit we installed.”

 

“Fuck, why is this guy still employed here? Everytime his name pops up, it's always an issue. Didn't he get us fined last year?”

 

“Twice for labour law infractions. He's one of our biggest offenders. But…*sighs*... his uncle is an investor, and he's rooted in the company thanks to connections.”

 

“Great. I hate nepo babies for shit like this. Embarrassing to the rest of us. Don't matter, I want him gone. Like, yesterday gone!”

 

My inspector's looking at me like I'm demanding a skyscraper made out of toothpricks be erected. He huffs like he ran to work.

 

“Myself and others have tried on SEVERAL occasions to convince the directors of the board corrective action to be administered to him. At best, a verbal warning. Wanker has a whole file of those on record. Doesn't affect him in the least. At worst, WE get reprimanded for even bringing up a complaint. We're running on a bloody hamster wheel with that one.”

 

“We're done running. I'm shutting Davidson down. I don't give a fuck if the Pope named him a saint, he's costing us money and face running sites like shit! I'm tired.”

 

“Who are you texting, Mr. Savage?”

 

“Mr. Carlyle. He needs to know, a charity project he personally fund's being sabotaged. And who's doing it. Meanwhile, I want your entire team to put this place under a microscope. The whole building…hell, I want every project reviewed he was site supervisor on in the last year!”

 

“That'll take weeks, not to mention the Housing Council…”

 

I feel bad for growling at the guy, but this is serious shit.

 

“Just fucking…get it done! I'll handle the board. Go!”

 

I owe him lunch, Rob's probably got heartburn after today. But this is ridiculous. I mean, people's health is in danger, this could cost a fortune, and the dissatisfaction on the tenant's faces is understandable. We got caught lacking. We could sweep the shit under the rug quietly, but I don't do business like that. Plus, it always comes back worse. No, get ahead of it and get it fixed. And make the little fucker pay for attaching my name to this fiasco.

 

Little problems become big problems, and when you can't handle even the smallest issues, your name ain't shit. Which leads up to today's talk about Vanguard…

 

5:35 AM the next day.

 

The tea kettle's on the cooker boiling and Tony is still groggy at this ungodly hour. Not even that obnoxious whistling from the kettle registers with him. He pours him a cup at the counter, and starts talking while steeping his Earl packet in the boiling water.

 

“I'll give Alex some credit with his TikTok promos. Dude really don't have shit to say so he keeps it refreshingly brief. God knows how many people I've had to listen to throw word salad bars because their points have no meat on them. Poor little pasty punching bag don't think people respect him. Honestly, we don't.”

 

Very harsh statement as he sits at the table and squeezes lemon in his tea.

 

“Really it's hard to when it seems you lack that respect for yourself. A mere test? That…that's what you value yourself as. Just a test, like the emergency broadcast station? Shit…”

 

“When I was starting out, I was telling veterans I'ma fuck up their record and their marriage. Shit, being a wrestler's like being a fighter pilot. Crazy confidence. I mean, INSUFFERABLE ego. After all, we work a job where we have to perform in front of the masses. They're paying for top guns, and you out here with a paper airplane. Just ANOTHER guy who wants to be a wrestler. Not even a good one. No heat, no heart, no substance. Not even sure WHAT you want in this sport!”

 

“Me…*takes a sip*...what I DON'T want is to be stuck every episode cold opening with guys like you and Mysterion. I want another title to turn into a plaque on the wall. I want a PPV main event down the road. I want to be the GREATEST free agency pick in this company's history! Very succinct, very direct, something fans can feel! A goal, a purpose? You…you don't seem to have one. Just, happy to be here mentality.”

 

My name is my name. Tony Savage. A name associated with “top tier” in and out of the ring. Literal poster boy material for PPV'S. From icons to dudes with blank paper for resumes, you get a Meltzer mega star bonanza. That's the promise behind the brand, beat your ass

and still make you look like your worth twice your contract. I know who I am, and what I do. You, not so much. But maybe we'll get that sorted out for you come fight night.”

 

“Maybe we'll figure out if you just want a job or want a legacy. If all you do is hand out test, become a teacher. Start handling your business and hand opponents L's. Trust me, you'll find out that instills real lessons in folks.”