Usually..I don't travel anywhere that's outside my usual destination to wrestle...but something about this match had me go back to my roots...Mexico.
Back to basics.
Many don't know about this, but I used to wrestle in Mexico under a mask in the beginning of my career. It had been long since I came here, and now I wanted to get back to basics, the Lucha Libre style. But not before I stock up on some supplies. Alice Knight was by my side as we looked around the marketplace at all the cool looking stuff.
Alice Knight: Wow, look at this place! I feel like I'm in Disneyland..only it's in language I don't understand..
Griffin Hawkins: Well, while you're having fun...I wanna get some stuff that'll help me. I'm up against a crazy son of a bitch who's also a Mariachi...this match could turn into a hardcore match for all I know, the card is always subject to change.
Alice Knight: So why didn't you just get some chairs and kendos and all those cool toys?
Griffin Hawkins: That's just what he's expecting...this match could get out of hand, so I need to play his game, he may be big and sadistic, but there's more than one way to skin a cat!
Alice Knight: That..never sounded good to me...
Griffin Hawkins: .....Right, sorry.
Alice Knight: Sooooo...what are we looking for?
Griffin Hawkins: Whatever gives me the advantage.
I can hear the Spanish music playing.
Alice Knight: I love this song!
Griffin Hawkins: Do you know Spanish?..
Alice Knight: Of course I do! They made me take it twice!
Griffin Hawkins: Do you know enough for me to beat Senor Vinnie?
Alice Knight: Not that much...oooh look at that!
We see a firecracker stand..unattended.
Griffin Hawkins: Oh man these are awesome! Gonna need some fireworks for my victory! Perhaps we should take these for A test drive!
Apparently I've underestimated lighting just one...it sets off a chain reaction as ALL of them go off, sparks flying everywhere as practically everyone is looking in our direction. We quickly rush off before we cause more of a scene. I go over to the next stand and see many colored guitars in neon colors.
Griffin Hawkins: Whoa funky! Could use this in the match!
I grab the bright purple guitar, the man up front asks if I would like to purchase it and I do so.
Alice Knight: Are you gonna bash him with it? Or play a song?
Griffin Hawkins: Not sure, on one hand I could go El Kabong on his ass and bash him, course that would get me DQed..on the other hand, we could just jam after..
Alice Knight: Oooh, battle of the bands? I'm down for that.
I then notice a stand that has a Cactus..and then it hits me...this is what I need.
Griffin Hawkins: Now it all makes sense!
I buy the Cactus...Alice looks confused as to why I bought the small little plant.
Alice Knight: Uhh..I don't get it.
Griffin Hawkins: Alice, don't you see? Vinnie has a Cactus he always goes to for advice..perhaps THIS is what I need to help me!
Alice Knight: ...you're gonna talk to a Cactus?
Griffin Hawkins: Yes! And it will answer me back!....hopefully. I think I'll name him...Spike!
Alice Knight: I hope you and Spike will be very happy with one another going into this match.
Griffin Hawkins: Who knows, he may bring his Cactus and it may turn into a Mix Tag!...uhh....inter..species tag.....or something.
We begin to look around some more at this amazing market. As much fun as I am having now..the fun and games would be over soon.
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~Many Years Ago~
In my early days I wasn't this...big star as you think I am. Too many people make claim that I had everything handed to me my entire career. I had to earn what I had...I had to start from the beginning. And I had some very humble beginnings. Not a lot remember this, but I was known as something else before I became The Jukebox Hero...I was a masked luchador known as The Dark Pegasus. A gimmick I created in Japan...using a black mask and a long flowing dark cape. After a year of duty in Japan...I was offered a spot in an indy promotion Mexico.
I would remain there for a few months until I got a shot at none other than Bloodbane 666 for the Cruiserweight Title. After a long hard fought match, I went back to the locker room to rest. Taking off my mask as I drink a bottle of water. I then hear the sound of what looks to be applause..a Spanish wrestler with long black hair and tattoos all over his body. It was El Romeo..self proclaimed ladies man. He smirks as he looks down at me.
El Romeo: Bravo Esse....congratulations.
Griffin Hawkins: Uhh...thanks.
El Romeo: You just won a chance at the Cruiserweight Title..you must feel really proud of yourself.
Griffin Hawkins: Well...yeah.
El Romeo: You know long I have been here? A year....you've only been here for 3 months and you already get a title shot...you must be the bosses new pet project.
I could see the jealousy in him. Clearly..he wasn't happy with me.
Griffin Hawkins: Hey man, I'm sorry you feel that way, but I earned my shot...
El Romeo: You earned it? You run around in some scary looking mask and cape, and suddenly you get handed all these opportunities. I think you be suckin' up amigo.
I could not let this guy push me around.
Griffin Hawkins: Well..maybe if you pulled your head..out of your culo...and actually win some matches instead of blowing your opportunities, it'd be you getting a title shot.
I then see his expression change.
El Romeo: The fuck you think you talkin' to new boy? You think just because you got some stupid Halloween costume, you're some kinda badass who can talk to anyone the way you want? You need to learn some respect.
I honestly didn't feel like fighting, but I wasn't going to take abuse from this jackass.
Griffin Hawkins: Why don't you teach me some respect now?
He then put his hands up, as if he realizes its a bad idea to get in a scuffle with me. As I go to leave, he cheap shots me with a punch, sending me to the floor. I then feel him drag me across the floor by my leg where the exit to my locker room is.
El Romeo: Hope you can go for the title with one leg Esse!
With that, he slams the door right on my leg. It feels like it's been hit with a hammer. He proceeds to do so over and over as I am screaming in pain as he advances on my leg. The referees rush over to break up the carnage...but the damage was already done. I clutched my leg in pain as the officials checked on me, escorting Romeo out of the building. I've never been injured before until that night...my knee was in horrible shape as I'd be out for a number of months. By the time I fully recovered and was ready to come back..the company had folded. I missed out on what would have been my first title. I swore then I would never let someone get over me like that..never again..and now I am feeling that same feeling again...
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Cameras come to me as I sit in front of the taco stand, strumming my guitar to the tune of Cielito Lindo...
"Ay Yi Yi Yi...Canta y no llores!"
I continue to strum as a few of the citizens of Mexico leave me money.
"Mexico...one of the most colorful..awesome places in the world. In my time here, a long time ago I wrestled in this very city...under the name of the Dark Pegasus...I never forgot my matches, the Lucha Libre style helped me become the athlete that I am. Little did I know years later, I face a man from this city...not a lucha..but a hardcore maniac who enjoys dismembering people...Senor Vinnie, former World Champion, looking to climb back up the ladder to get another shot at the gold. Meanwhile I'm looking to prove to Levitt once and for all that I earned my title, and my victory over him was no fluke at all. But before that happens, I gotta lock horns with one of the most dangerous athletes in SCW, today. But I will have support, right Spike?!"
"Spike"...says nothing..maybe he's shy.
"...Clearly he's supporting me in silence. Vinnie, man, this match is gonna be interesting. Last time we were in the ring together, it was a Six Person Tag as I reunited with my comrades in Team Hero against you and the Punk and Metal connection. We didn't really get a lot of ringtime together, but now...it's just us, one on one. Truth being Vinnie, I respect you, I respect everything you've done here in SCW. Winning the World Title is not an easy task..something that I haven't even accomplished for myself yet. Which is why a victory over you would mean a lot...probably a lot more than a victory over Levitt. As much as we respect each other...I'm coming to win."
He really had a lot to prove...so did I.
"You've been here quite a while Vinnie. You've built a reputation for yourself. One where you stood at the top of the mountain of SCW. Not to mention your hardcore nature..your willingness to destroy yourself just to get that win. Thing is...I am not afraid of your reputation. I know what you could do to me, I seen your rap sheet..you got a list of victims a mile long. I'm a chill guy...I don't go looking for trouble, but if you push me, it gets ugly REAL fast...but I want you to push me. Because I want this to be a match that people are gonna be talking about for decades to come. I know how bad you want to be champion again...and a victory over the current Roulette Champion just might be the one thing you need to get back into contention for the World Title. But what would a victory over you mean to me?..."
I continue to strum my new guitar as Spike stands guard.
"You see Vinnie, you've been at the top. You've been World Champion, something that I have yet to accomplish here. You're looking to reclaim what was lost...while I am looking to claim what I never got a chance to fight for. I come from the streets like you...just different locations, I know what it's like to fight for what you want...you've already been at the mountain top, you've already been the face of the company. Unlike Alex Jones...I respect you and what you've done. A victory over you would mean a lot, something almost bigger than beating Travis Levitt himself. And while the Roulette Title isn't on the line, I am not going to take it easy. I take you very seriously..I take EVERY match seriously. I consider you a friend and ally...but once that bell rings, I am coming at you with the tenacity of a Superbeast."
He was definitely a great challenge that I had to overcome.
"Do you know why many don't like us Vinnie? It's because they are jealous. They see us both in our perspective top spots....getting the glory that they wish they had. I have Travis Levitt saying I've been protected since I won the title, I got Alex Jones saying that I haven't elevated it enough. People are coming at you saying you lost a step, that you're not the great Champion you were months ago...we both got some critics to silence. But I am looking to prove once more why I am the premiere athlete on Climax Control. Who knows...if I were to beat you...it would get me in line for a shot at the World Heavyweight Title down the line against whomever may be champion...the possibilities are endless..but that doesn't mean I am taking you lightly."
More people throw me money...maybe I could be a street performer.
"Can I beat you Senor Vinnie? I don't know. We've never truly been one on one before...but I have been in the ring with a who's who of giants in SCW and other promotions. But am I roping you with them? No...because unlike them you have spirit, you rely on more than strength. But as history has proven, you can be beaten. Ben Jordan has proved you can be hurt..and you can be defeated when he took your title. Right now..you must be feeling vulnerable. You're trying to hold on to what you are..believing you're not the man you were since losing your gold...as much as I hate to do so...I am coming to take full advantage of your vulnerability.."
I felt that I may have caught Vinnie at his worst..this could work out.
"Weeks ago you were talking about your legacy..asking yourself if you can be the man you've been the last few months, allowing the opinions of others who say that you're a has been get to you...people who think that you're no longer THE man. In my opinion you still are the athlete you are...and in time you'll get your opportunity at the World Title....but I am not gonna let you do that at my expense. Because I too have something to prove...to anyone who doesn't think that I don't got what it takes to one day win the World Title...I want to prove them wrong by beating a former World Champion."
I slowly rise up, picking up Spike.
"The stage is set Vinnie...you and me one on one. As a friend, I wish you luck. I know how competitive you can be...but you're gonna have to bring everything you can if you're gonna walk in and walk out victorious. You know a victory over me would up your stock, and one over you would up mine. With two of Climax Control's top athletes in that ring, it's anyone's ballgame. While I wish we could both be winners...it's not possible. Just like The Highlander...there can be only one. The time is almost here....come Sunday... Te vas a mecer."
I take my guitar and Spike and leave the area as the camera crew close things out.
