“I like grit. I like love and death. I'm tired of irony.” - Jim Harrison
Preamble #3
In-Studio
/Scene Opens\
With the Sin City backdrop behind me and a signal from the crew that we were rolling I begin my preamble for this week.
Grit, now there’s a word you don’t hear used much anymore. Many of the competitors in this tournament don’t even know what it means. Not because they lack education, they simply lack context. They have no reference for it, many of them grew up in a world where it was okay to quit. I mean why not give up? Everyone gets a trophy, right?
Rolling my eyes and then narrowing them, I continue.
If that was your childhood, you should without a doubt, find a different line of work. In this business, in this industry, you have to have grit to win championships. It’s not enough to be talented. Hell, I’ve known tons of talented wrestlers that never held a world title in their career. They all had that “IT” factor but lacked real substance when it comes to this business. Having grit is about not giving up, no matter the odds and no matter how many times you get knocked down. It’s a measurement in stamina, passion, a desire to be more than you think you can be. Those are the people who succeed in wrestling and in life.
I drive my fist into my open hand for emphasis.
In the first round of this thing, we faced a pair of performers who have that. Gritty competitors, and I would be remiss and callus if I didn’t pay them some modicum of respect. The last round though, that was a joke. Maki and Bill? I should probably ask Mark why he even allowed them to enter the tournament. Maki probably feels better now anyway. You know, after no longer having to team with Bill that is. It’s like having this unwanted weight removed from your body. That thing that was dragging you down is gone. She’s not the type to know what winning and losing with grace looks like though based on her social media posts. Those clowns you referenced that are main eventing this show? Whether I like those women or not is not relevant, they have earned their place in this company. Period.
I give the camera my shocked face now as I talk more about Bill.
So, after getting his ass handed to him by yours truly, what did Billy-Bob go and do? He actually won a match. Go figure. I’m glad that you finally managed to turn it around. I mean you gave that little heartfelt speech and all about how you’re relevant and all. Now all you have to do is make sure you are capable of delivering on what you promised. Not that anyone buys into your bullshit but you do you.
I allow my levity to melt away as I return to business and the task at hand.
Myra and I have talked many times about the irony of our teaming together. We both spent some time in another company. I saw her once nearly kill another woman in the ring, Amber and I were both there the night that happened. Myra felt that she had been pushed way too far at that time. She was a different person then. I was much the same as I am now, as tragic as it is when a fellow wrestler goes down like that. That is what we sign up for, that is the reality of this profession. I know that Myra felt like shit for a long time but the fact is this. We all know the risks that are a part of this life. The number of men and women I’ve put out of this sport is not a low number. How much regret have I felt over that?
I spread my arms wide, shaking my head, I utter one word.
Zero.
Squaring my shoulders and my jaw, and narrowing my gaze once again. I do these things not only for dramatic effect but so the audience and my opposition knows that I’m deadly serious. To make sure they understand exactly how much this opportunity means to me.
Myra and I have done far better as a team than anyone thought possible. This week though, the semi finals of the Blast From The Past tournament. This will not mark the first time my future bride and I have stood on opposite sides of the ring. The last time was in the finals of a number one contenders tournament for a chance to face Jack Michaels. He was the world champion in another company at that time. She went on to face and then defeat that man. The man who would later adopt her as a member of his family. In that match, we fought tooth and nail for that opportunity. This will be no different. For those of you who think that one might take a dive for the other. You obviously haven’t been paying attention to who we are as individuals or as a team. I’d no more do that for her or to her than I’d piss my my mother’s grave. I knew that Myra and I would face Amber and Despayre at some point in this tournament. I honestly thought that it would be the finals. That’s not how they decided to do it though. We’re okay with that, it would feel strange for us not to be facing each other in an event this important.
Fade
Ride Cowboy Ride
Las Vegas, NV
/Scene Opens\
Nestled between highway five seventy three and Las Vegas Boulevard North is the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post 10047. This parking lot was currently filled with bike’s of all kinds with a few parked in the dental office next door. It wasn’t designated for overflow, these guys just didn’t care. Not like anyone was going to mess with a guy sporting his colors. This was not a case of multiple motorcycle clubs being gathered but a single group. No matter where you go in the United States, the Badidos were well known, universally reviled and feared. So, what the hell was I doing here? Taking care of business was exactly what I was doing. I sat there, studying the men and women coming in out of the “V” for about twenty minutes. As I finish my cigarette I see the man I am here to meet. Pike, the son of the man who founded the group back in the sixties. John Waverly Pike was not a big man, but he was a dangerous one. I didn’t have to fight him to know that.
“John.”, I say as he approaches me. He was cautious, and smart, so I had to give him credit on doing his homework. He was taking no chances, surrounded by armed men. When I say armed I don’t mean it was on display so to speak, but the slight bulge around their left breast flap of the vests they wore really did little to conceal it. I smirk at them as they stop a few feet away. “John, you must think I’m a real dangerous fella or something with all this show of force.”.
He returns the smirk, “I learned my lesson last time.” he says as he lets the smirk slip away replaced by a smile. Not a friendly smile, but a feral one. The look you give someone when you are ready to end them, permanently. “Shorty here..” he gestures over his shoulder at one of his men. “He holds grudges, his knee is gonna need surgery.” I look over at “Shorty”, which as you can imagine was a nickname given to a man who stood almost a head taller than myself. “Shorty” was anything but short, standing probably about six feet eight or nine inches tall. Now it was my turn to smirk.
“Holds grudges, and he’s stupid.” I say with a smile on my face now instead of the smirk. John laughs along but Shorty has made his way to his bosses side. He glares at me with hate in his eyes but he’s smart enough not to say anything. “Shorty, I’m sorry for hurting your knee. Will that help sooth your pride and ego?”, I ask him in earnest. He seems to consider it and then nodding his head like a dumb ass he agrees. We shake hands and John laughs at the scene while rolling his eyes behind his big friends back.
“So, tell me, John, what exactly is it you want me to do?”, I ask him. I’m fully expecting him to ask me to throw matches or aid someone else in winning matches. Imagine my surprise when he tells me that it’s much more simple than what I expected. He gives me an easy going smile, which of course was a warning sign that I didn’t miss. “Mac, all I really need you to do is make an introduction for me.” My right eyebrow shoots up, and he smiles again. “I want to meet the owners of Sin City Wrestling.” A long whistle escapes me causing everyone to chuckle. “Throwing matches and that kind of shit are so old school and bush league Mac. We have much grander designs than that.” His statement, although it did catch me off guard, I don’t skip a beat in my response.
“That’s a good thing, because I would never agree to that.”, I say in a flat tone that betrays no emotion and no room for negotiation. “A man of honor.”, he surmised with a nod and a smile. “Even men of honor have a price, Mac. It’s not always monetary, sometimes it's something as simple as a guarantee that their family is safe or something like that.”, he says with that feral smile returning. I give him a feral smile of my own as I reach for the saddle bag on my V-Rod. Hands flash to holsters and I laugh. “Your boss would be dead three times before you ever fired a shot.”, I quip to them as I pull a manilla file folder out. I hand him the folder.
“What’s this?”, He asks as he looks through the documents. “Hold on.”, and now he realizes how far in over his head he is. “Those are pictures of your wife and children at various times this week at the four different houses you own. It was six up until you sold two of your beach homes about three weeks ago.”, I say as I resecure the flap of my saddle bag. “Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking your smarter than me chief. My family is my first priority in all things. You fucking think of going near them and I’ll put you down for a dirt nap you won’t ever wake up from.” He lifts his head up from the folder and smiles, “A kindred spirit I see. You just earned a lot even if you think your just defending your own.”
I swing my left leg back over the seat and onto the peg, “I’ll be in touch once I have a word with the owners.”.
Fade.
Just Truth
In-Studio
/Scene Opens\
Night has fallen in the desert, the temperature has started to drop. The firepit can be heard as I sit near it. The flames licking at the wood inside, with the acrid smell of burning oak drifting towards me. I light a cigarette, the glow of the zippo lighter framing my face in a light glow. I inhale enjoying the nicotine and the taste of the fuel that comes with using a zippo lighter. I exhale through my nose.
You would think that having to face my future wife in a match would cause me to pause going into it. That it might cause me to pump the breaks. You’d be wrong of course. Thing is, Amber Ryan is one of the most badass women to ever lace up a pair of wrestling boots. Period. End of story. I don’t have to speak about Red, I mean, she’s Myra’s problem in this match not mine.
Another drag from the cigarette as I sink back farther into the chair. Closing my eyes, I continue.
But who is Despayre really, Amber’s tag team partner. I know he is beloved by the fans and his peers alike. I know Red has enjoyed hanging out with him as well. The young man I see on camera running from women and men alike is not who shows up in the ring. I know he has a thing for teddy bears. According to the Sin City archive, this man has won every title except for the one that matters. So, this is his chance to shine. A chance to take greatness by the balls and make it his own. A rare talent in this business, make no mistakes about it. I’ll not disparage this kid or his ability.
Another drag from the cigarette and I then crush it out in the ashtray.
You didn’t really believe that bullshit did you? I’d disparage my own mother if I thought it bought me anything. You see, I know his story. I know about the car wreck that took a normal childhood away from this young man. He was robbed of everything that could have been his. Now, he works for Synn. Now there is a person worth hating. I vaguely remember the seven. Gabriel was an absolute beast in the ring. That’s not who is in this match though. No, this is Despy with Synn and of course Angel in his corner.
I look at the silver flask that sits on the table beside me. Picking it up, I make sure that the inscription is plain to see on the camera. Then I take a drink.
This was given to me on the night I was inducted into a company hall of fame for the first time. There were three others that followed this one over the years. I was a two time world champion there, the longest reigning world champion they ever had. You don’t care about things like that though, because I haven’t done it here right?
My grip on the flask tightens as I set it back down.
Right. Thing is, even though everyone loves Despy and Angel. I cannot allow this opportunity to pass me by. I will not allow it. Synn I’m sure you love him very much, but you’ve no idea who he’s stepping in the ring with. Amber should have probably told you. Despy is not that much bigger than her. The last time I faced her, I dislocated her shoulder…..
Twice.
That being said, what do you suppose I’d do to your boy there for the opportunity?
I wink at the camera.
The question you should all be asking yourself right now is what won’t I do to win? What won’t I do to fulfill what everyone knows I’m capable of. Mark knows it, Underwood knows it, and Amber knows it. Hell Mark and Christian both said it out loud. I am a future world champion in SCW. I am the future of this division and this company. I will not be denied my shot at whoever the world champion happens to be.
The Bulldog couldn’t stop me.
Max Burke couldn’t stop me.
Despy can’t stop me.
Mercer can’t stop me.
Kris Ryans can’t stop me.
Alex Jones can’t stop me.
O’Mally sure as hell can’t stop me.
Why the hell is that guy even in the main event picture?
In this match, I send a message. Those who know me best know what that means. You don’t understand yet, but you will soon enough. We are winning this match.
Period.
You don’t have to like it, but you have to realize by now that there’s nothing you can do about it!
Fade.
