ON CAMERA
“...So me in a nutshell, I am not a second, third or any number generation wrestler. I am an enthusiast that made a childhood dream a reality.”
The handsome face of our ‘hero’ fills the screen. He offers that debonair smile that had woo’d many a young lady to the camera. Not only does he have that chin cleft but a pretty attractive dimple in his cheek as well.
Ty: “Now... about my first match.”
His smile fades as he shakes his head.
Ty: “I can understand why they would place me in a match against someone who is also new. I guess I was just hoping for someone more experienced. Someone I could actually learn from and get pointers.”
The camera catches the disappointment on Ty’s face before he spins the camera. Sitting in front of him is his gruff looking, smaller than average manager, Chester L. Bannington Esq. (Because the Bennington family are favourites of the Royal family, of course.)
He is looking down at a stack of paper, a set of thick rimmed glasses perched on the end of his nose so he can use the bottom half of his bifocals.
Ty: “Chester... Why so serious?”
Ty chuckles as the forty-something man looks up. It is obvious in the look on his face that he doesn't share Ty’s humour in the situation.
Chester: “Why are you filming me? They want to see you, not me.”
He tries waving him off but it only causes Ty to laugh more.
Ty: “You are the reason I am here at all, Chester. Seeing you is just as important. Maybe you can weigh in on my future opponent?”
This causes the older man to smirk.
Chester: “You mean the guy that had his ass cheeks bared to the audience by a girl? You mean the guy who ran from said girl after losing a tag match, for an opportunity he didn't deserve in the first place?”
Ty is silent on the other side of the camera, obviously shocked at Chester’s words.
Chester: “The burn-out that thinks he has what it takes to be in this physically demanding industry, where his only qualifications before going into training were being a super fan?”
Chester shakes his head.
Ty: “That's all I was too...”
Chester looks pointedly at the camera.
Chester: “No. No, you have experience with fighting. With physical activity. The only activity that guy seems to have is how to microwave a hot pocket and put a pipe in his mouth. Who voluntarily calls themselves, ‘Wasted Youth’?”
Ty: “I am not even sure what that means...”
Chester chuckles, taking his glasses off and putting them on the table in front of him
Chester: “The meaning is literally that he is a waste. A waste of a roster spot. A waste of time. A waste of skin. It is guys like that, which make the world assume that all youth are the same. Lazy, good for nothing and entitled.”
Ty: “Well I don't think he is self-entitled. I didn't get that impression...”
Chester: “No? You just can't see the things deep down. You haven't observed people as long as I have. Not developed a tough skin.”
He reaches forward, it is assumed he puts his hand on Ty’s shoulder.
Chester: “You’ll get there though. I can show you the way.”
Ty: “Yeah. Of course.”
Ty’s voice comes out less than certain of that path. Chester drops his hand and picks up his glasses. Ty spins the camera back around as Chester returns to his paperwork. Ty plasters a smile on his face to try to hid his insecurity from Chester’s words.
Ty: “Of course, with Nick and I both being new here, I want to offer him luck, however he has to know I have every intention of winning. I am not at all sorry about that. It has nothing to do with whether I like you, Nick, or my manager’s opinions on you, it has to do with the fact that I didn't come here to lose matches. I came here to once again make my name well known. And it will be.”
There is a genuine determination on the pretty man’s face now.
Ty: “I hope you will be ready for me, Steen, and this time, let's keep your assets in your pants shall we?”
--End scene--
OFF CAMERA
~Flashback~
...Ten Months ago...
Director: “And action...”
A woman slaps a board and the scene starts. Three men dressed in uniforms are walking, one is limping as the two men support his weight. The man suddenly collapses heavily and the other men have no choice but to let him slide to the ground.
Older Soldier: “No, get up kid.”
The other man gets down on his hunches and reaches out to the soldier's neck. He looks at the older man and slowly shakes his head.
Older Soldier: “No! Noooo...”
The older man tilts his head skyward as he cries out and immediately there is the sound of an automatic weapon and the two men go down next to the first fallen man.
Director: “Annnnnnd Cut!”
The team all cheer, congratulating each other.
Director: “Great job everyone. See you all back at my place.”
The director walks away. As does the rest of the group. The first fallen soldier sits up and removes the helmet, revealing that it is Ty West. He sighs deeply as he dusts himself off and pulls his hair back into a low ponytail. The sudden quiet allows him a moment to release the pent up anxiety in his body. He got it more often then he wanted to admit. The fake people, the fuss of the film. Sure, he got the attention of many of the women who worked behind the lens but all of that felt shallow.
He stands, walking back toward his dressing room. He was wondering at the same time if maybe, he was never going to get his big break. He was considering a higher education, a 9-5 day job at some boring insurance company. But the important part of all of that was that it would give him the opportunity to have genuine, meaningful relationships. Not just with women in a romantic way, but everyone. To have that buddy to watch a football game with while maybe having a beer or two, too many. The guys he could do a hockey fantasy league with. Guys he could turn to for advice when his wife got mad at him.
He looks at himself in the mirror. His cheeks are smudged with fake dirt. A well done cut by the prosthetics department going down his cheek.
He nods at himself in the mirror and then down at his phone. Maybe it was time to call it now. Before he got too old to change things. He calls and puts the phone on speaker.
Chester: “Ty... babe... I got some news.”
Ty: “Chester, well, I do too.”
The male voice on the other end seems more excited than usual.
Chester: “I got the greatest idea for your next project.”
Ty looks at himself in the mirror again.
Ty: “Well, I was thinking that maybe I could take a break...”
Chester laughs.
Chester: “Why? That would be stupid. You are starting to get traction now and just listen to my idea okay? I got some friends in that fighting sport... you know the one with the dramatized stuff...”
Ty: “Professional wrestling?”
Ty’s eyebrows go up.
Chester: “Yeah. So I got some friends who got some friends who own this company in Vegas. They can get you in if you do some training. Will be almost a year...”
Ty grimaces in the mirror.
Ty: “What about money?”
Chester huffs loudly.
Chester: “You got savings, right?”
Ty looks downtrodden. He had been putting money aside so he could go and live that fantasy life, even it was simplistic to most.
Chester: “Besides, this gig is going to make you mint.”
Ty nods. ‘One more gig’
Ty: “Okay Chester, but I am done after this. I will play the part now.”
Chester laughs.
Chester: “You’ll change your tune once you are one of the hottest assets they have. You’ll see. But I gotta go. I’ll send you info for the training gym. Some place called Olympia.”
The line goes dead and Ty sighs loudly. A knock on the door of the dressing room has him looking up. It opens. It is the Director's assistant. A cute little brunette named Susan that could easily pass for a Natalie Portman stunt double.
Susan: “Everyone was wondering where you were. We got a party bus. Think you can be cleaned up in like ten minutes?”
Ty smiles. He had to admit, he did like the attention.
Ty: “Even faster.”
He gives her a wink, she giggles and blushes.
--End Scene--
*Ty was asked to do an interview for a writer from an popular blog site, focusing on Local wrestling promotions in Vegas.*
From Actor to Wrestler: An Interview with one of SCW’s newest recruits
By Jade Purina
Ty West is probably not a name most would recognize but he has dipped his toes into several ponds. He was an actor, a model and most recently a stunt double. Now this man has decided to put professional wrestling on his resume. I had the pleasure of meeting up with Ty to ask him some questions.
JADE: Thank you for taking time to meet with me today Mr. West.
TY: It's no problem. And you can call me Ty.
JADE: Okay, Ty. So first off, what made you consider making the jump to Pro wrestling after being an actor and a model?
TY: Well, I was always a fan growing up. It was just my mom and I, so one time she took me to a show. I think it just clicked into place. Part of me fantasized about being one of those guys but once I got older, it just faded. Then my manager, Chester told me that my martial arts background had then owners of SCW interested. I did ten months of additional training and voila, here I am.
JADE: Speaking of Chester Bannington, in your last live vlog, he had some pretty bold things to say about your first opponent, Nick Steen
TY: Yes, well Chester is not very good at using a filter.
JADE: And do you agree with what he said?
TY: I guess to a point but not entirely. I mean I would not have been as blunt and...
JADE: Rude?
TY: Yes, exactly. Rude. In all honesty, I think I do have a lot of advantages over him. I am bigger, I have a history with Martial arts and competition. I was a stunt double and did a lot of dangerous things that put my body on the line.
JADE: Sounds like you have thought a lot about it.
TY: I am not going to write the guy off or act arrogant. If this match wasn't against me, I would offer him luck as a fellow new-body here.
JADE: So you are confident in a win for yourself?
TY: Of course I am. I am all confidence. I have confidence in my abilities. I have endurance and stamina. I have strength. I am not going to apologise for my lottery win in the DNA department.
JADE: Definitely a winning combination. Do you have an ultimate goal in mind when it comes to SCW? Perhaps a title belt? Or facing a specific opponent?
TY: A title shot would be nice but I want to earn all my opportunities with hard work. And I would like the chance to challenge all then men on the roster eventually. I like challenges, challenges build character
JADE: I couldn't agree more. One last question, we asked our followers to submit questions to ask you in advance of your interview and the most asked was whether you had a girlfriend.
TY: No. Not for a very long time. Women I have dated seem to have a hard time not getting jealous so I tend to avoid anything long term.
To see Ty West in his debut match with SCW simply tune in on Sunday night. I’m sure we will all be on the end of our seats in anticipation.
