Post by Chris Santiago on May 5, 2019 10:58:41 GMT -5
A ray of light beamed on the left. Its radiation was painful especially when it pointed at the eyeballs. Behind the glow, a humming voice occurred consecutively. It was like no one urged to stop for it was part of their habit. The light flickered off and revealed that a doctor was in front of me. The little flashlight aimed at the right and switched on, and again, it was painful as well feeling like it wanted me to lose my vision. The doctor couldn't help but continue humming in the middle of his examination. But at least, it was more bearable than the glare blinding my right eye.
The flashlight switched off. Finally!
"Mr. Santiago, we asked you to step out of competition for a designated amount of time, and yet you never intend to listen." The doctor scolded at me.
I kept my mouth for I have nothing to defend myself.
"It was a good thing that you didn't take any much action in that match." The doctor spoke like any other professional. "Your body will give up on you if you do that, and you'll be out of competition for months."
"Is that good news, doc?" I asked politely.
"Well, recovery rate went normal, and as is. Your illness has decreased. BUT, for goodness sake, Mr. Santiago, be careful next time."
"I will, doctor," I promised.
"Okay." The doctor reached out his clipboard and gave me some additional instructions. "Continue with your medication and take a long rest. You'll recover in no time."
The doctor ripped off a sheet of paper and handed it over to me. I responded with a nod.
The flashlight switched off. Finally!
"Mr. Santiago, we asked you to step out of competition for a designated amount of time, and yet you never intend to listen." The doctor scolded at me.
I kept my mouth for I have nothing to defend myself.
"It was a good thing that you didn't take any much action in that match." The doctor spoke like any other professional. "Your body will give up on you if you do that, and you'll be out of competition for months."
"Is that good news, doc?" I asked politely.
"Well, recovery rate went normal, and as is. Your illness has decreased. BUT, for goodness sake, Mr. Santiago, be careful next time."
"I will, doctor," I promised.
"Okay." The doctor reached out his clipboard and gave me some additional instructions. "Continue with your medication and take a long rest. You'll recover in no time."
The doctor ripped off a sheet of paper and handed it over to me. I responded with a nod.
May 3, 2019
[ON CAMERA]
4:37 pm
The camera started rolling, and his face leaned on his left knuckle where his left elbow rested on the left arm of the chair. His expression was dissatisfied, probably because of his poor performance at the Havoc Rumble.
“I have to say I was naïve to believe that I can win the Havoc Rumble. I never expected that I fell short when Beau Blaze hit me with a stunner. That gave my head a shake causing me some nausea as I rolled out of the ring. I didn’t have a chance to eliminate not even one of the superstars. All of this because of the stupid sickness that clung to me. Everyone witnessed what I’ve become. They saw a broken man who has reached his limit.”
“For the first five months in 2019, I began to dedicate myself in this combat sport. I remember how many sleeping hours I’ve lacked, the intense training sessions I have with my mentors, and jet-lags I’ve suffered traveling all over the world from Europe to Japan to Canada and now in the United States. All of my hard work began to fall apart when I entered the Havoc Rumble. And it frustrated me how it gave me an impact to my wrestling career. For that, everyone thought that it was the end of my career. They said that I couldn’t make it to the big leagues in Action Wrestling especially when Odin Balfore eliminated me. And now those two cokehead assfarts thought that I was a nobody, a lackluster that should’ve stayed back in my hometown in the Philippines.”
“Evander Cage said to me that I’m not as good as him to win in a triple threat match. Apex Onyx insulted me saying that I couldn’t reach his “apex” despite what I did in the past, present or in the future. Nikki Vaughn declared that I was an embarrassment. She thought that I changed my name from Chris Eno to Chris Santiago (and Chris Ravenna outside of the promotion) out of shame. And yet, I prevailed over them. I defeated Evander Cage along with Dark Tiger in a triple threat match on November 11 last year. I showed my prowess to Apex Onyx when I finished him with my Discus Big Boot on December 3. It was no surprise that I’ve lost to Nikki Vaughn in the singles match on January 14. However, it was redeemed when I finally beat her on March 3 this year with the same move I inflicted to Onyx.”
“And in this upcoming match, I will do the same to both TFK and Shadowlove. These two shitheads established their names in Action Wrestling. And now I have to chance to prove myself that I got what it takes to prevail against big names like them. Now my motivation has gone deeper because of Shadowlove’s message about me.”
Santiago's mood changed from sadness to anger.
“Tangina mo Shadowlove! Sinama mo pa ang gagong mong girlfriend na Haponesa.” (You son of a bitch, Shadowlove! You even bring up your shithead Japanese girlfriend.)
Suddenly Santiago looked up as if he was talking to someone.
“Valet, got it! WAIT, IS SHE HIS BODYGUARD?!” *cut*
“So ganyan ka pala kahina, Shadowlove. Kaya pala sinama mo ang girlfriend mo.” (So that’s how weak you are, Shadowlove. That’s why you always have your girlfriend accompany you.)
“Nice clothesline to that poor “kababayan” there, dunce. Compare to my strikes, it just like refine with steel, and freshly made after several Puroretsu matches, four shoot wrestling bouts, and an MMA fight. It was better than you struggling with the test of strength against Ryan Lockhart. I wonder how you can withstand when it sounded like this.”
The promo cut into a video showing the sample sound of the strikes he referred.
“Stiff and precise strikes came from discipline in which you both lacked. So let us see whose going fucked right now.”
“And you said that you and TFK can outperform me in our upcoming match.”
Santiago shook his head thinking that Shadowlove was nothing but an ignorant prick who had a shitty brain as his brain cells were sold in exchange for his sperm to satisfy Miyamoto’s sexual gratification. One comment for Shadowlove, “Pendejo.”
“At first, I thought you meant outperform me in pageantry and popularity. But by saying that you both can outperform me, you are saying that you are better than me, and your wrestling careers are better than mine. But let me tell you something Shadowlove. Your ignorance is showing, and he’s going to stab you in the back. Why?”
“Let’s compare to what we’ve accomplished in your career along with TFK’s. Let’s say five months.”
“TFK has dubbed as the (sorry, let me rephrase it again) THEE longest reigning United States Champion of all time. That’s something. Yours in Action Wrestling? NONE! Not even lucrative deals from the promotion didn’t count as an accolade.”
“What about me, you asked? February 21, I became the Jr. Heavyweight Champion in a Japanese promotion. April 6, I’ve gained my first tournament victory in my wrestling career, the Shooter Ball’s tournament. April 18, I’ve won not only a trophy but a Heritage Heavyweight championship belt in Heritage Cup 2019.”
Santiago sighed and held his forehead trying to contain his anger. He didn’t want to brag some of his accolades outside of the promotion just like he did to his second placer WarTime Rumble. It could hint that he needed to earn some credentials from Action Wrestling. Santiago went back to his arrogant self.
“Four accolades in four months, bitch! I’ve made it with blood, sweat, and tears unlike you and TFK (I’m assumed) who had interested in executive’s money. I didn’t need to sign high-profile deals or to have Action Wrestling’s backing or even title opportunities throwing at me. What I care about the most is in this ring. My sole purpose here in Action Wrestling is to beat the best and learn from them.”
“People can tell me that I was the one who bored Action Wrestling to death telling that it was lackluster. But I brought legitimacy not only to this promotion but to the world of professional wrestling. While you and TFK bring the sparkle and flair to the show, I’m the one who brought the AUTHENTIC and REAL ACTION that shaped Action Wrestling.”
“Don’t get me wrong, but I’m not saying that showman wrestlers are weak. However, there are some cons. One of them involved depth. Take Shadowlove, for instance. I could presume that he currently worked as a model for the other brands since most of the Action Wrestling roster members said it. However, he divided his dedication to professional wrestling. Sure, he has training time but not enough.”
“I have a lot of dates of bouts to schedule which motivated me to train harder in my matches. Most of it, I walked out victorious due to my hard-work and sheer determination, while your dedication in this ring is futile, Shadowlove. But let me give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you and TFK were great. You two have cemented your name here in Action Wrestling. Heck, both of you are perfect sparring partners for my fight against James Edwards. However, you two are not in the same league as Edwards. You know why? TFK, you just won only one belt and you Shadowlove, had a lucrative contract.”
“Don’t even think that you said that I bite more than I can chew. Aside from Edwards who currently held four belts, I saw some competitors who had more than that, probably six. So Shadowlove, you better started to leave my “kababayan” out of this, and get a proper sparring partner (and you too, TFK) because you are going to face not only a little Filipino boy but a tough nut who can school you what REAL professional wrestling is all about. PRO WRESTLING IS PAINFUL.”
“I’ve fought many greats back in a Japanese promotion. Go Gensai had to beat me in pulp dominating me in a physical match. It was a refinement strengthening my resilience against opponents like Shinjiro Nakama. I remembered when I fought him in a twenty-five match.” Santiago laughed as he reminisced one of his memorable matches. “I recalled the time when Nakama’s face swollen up like he had an allergy while my chest bruised in a bluish discoloration. Good times.”
Santiago shifted to stern nature addressing back to Shadowlove.
“With all stated, I think you need to specify on what you mean by “outperform”. Comparing to your wrestling career and TFK’s, I’m on a roll here. I’ve proven to everyone in Canada, Japan and here in the United States that I’m one of the rising stars in the wrestling business.”
“Everyone was right that you are an ignorant prick. You just made an example by hitting a clothesline on the little Filipino boy. You made it worst when you put him a military attire making a statement about what you are going to do with me in the match. By doing that stunt in your promos, you mocked not only me but my countrymen as well. You’re sending a message that we Filipinos are too weak to face against foreign men like you.”
Santiago pinched a cloth from his military uniform.
“See this military uniform I’m wearing. In normal sight, you think that I’m wearing a horrible attire like I’ve borrowed my grandfather’s second-hand military attire just as Spencer Adams told me. NO! It was something more than that. This ATTIRE was USED against the Americans in the Philippine-American war. By pulling that stunt to your promos, you have just opened the wounds of every Filipino telling that the Philippine-American war was far from over. It was supposed to end when the Americans returned that Balangiga bells to us. But it’s not, thanks to your fucking promo. Unforgivable, punyeta!”
Santiago let the cloth go. At this point, his anger got more intense. It was like Shadowlove woke the sleeping lion. After all, Santiago was known to be “Leon Guerrero ng Laguna” translated as the War Lion of Laguna.
“You never understand what my forefathers were fighting for in the name of liberty. Four hundred years! FOUR HUNDRED FUCKIN’ YEARS we’ve been colonized, despised, mistreated and oppressed by the foreign conquerors: three hundred and thirty-three years by the Spaniards, forty-five years by the likes of you, Shadowlove as Americans, and five years by the likes of your girlfriend as Japanese. By making that statement, you have insulted and disrespected our country and our people. And now you just reminded the struggle that we had to gain independence.”
“What’s even worse is that you reminded how you Americans stabbed us in the back in the treaty of Paris in 1898. You promised that you helped us to liberate our country. BUT NO! When Spain decided to sell our country to you, you made a deal as you take advantage of it. You just made me recall how I hated Americans the most. That is why I’m hesitant to win that #1 contender’s match against Sam Kidsgrove and Claire Hawkins for the United States Championship. Winning it would mean that I’ve sold myself to the Americans.”
“When my forefathers wore this uniform against the American army, it was to unify the Philippine Revolutionary Army and to promote discipline. Sadly, our countrymen didn’t get it resulting in our downfall. It was my honor to wear this Raydillo attire. I’ve become the embodiment of what the Philippine Revolutionary Army stood for: discipline, determination, and courage. These men were more courageous to fight for our motherland back then. They were determined to attain independence for our country. And with discipline on their side, they could’ve obtained success. I proved to be fearless when I fight competitors bigger and heavier than me. I was determined to win matches to show that I’m a standout in the world of professional wrestling. And I could’ve done it if it wasn’t for discipline.”
Santiago noticed that his emotion got the best of him. So he closed his eyes to regain his composure. As he opened his eyes, he got stirred with sheer determination.
“My countrymen failed to stand up against foreigners who taunted us with contempt in the past. Now with this uniform, I will redeem their previous defeat and destroy both of you as I did to Evander Cage and Dark Tiger. I am determined to make you pay this, Shadowlove. I can't wait until I grab your arm, twist it and stomp straight down causing it to dislocate or fracture. You make me so mad that I can put an end to your wrestling career and have no regrets on doing it.”
Santiago widened his eye showing the anger.
“Tigilan mo na iyan, baka mapatay kita.” (You better stop me before I could accidentally kill you.)
Santiago blinked his eyes then went on addressing his other opponent.
“As for you TFK, I don’t see how being the Director of Action Wrestling would work you very well. True, I’ve understated you last time since I said bad things from my previous promo. However, those words were sometimes true. Yes, I can acknowledge that you were a great United States Champion in Action Wrestling. But is that all?”
“You wanted to make Action Wrestling great again to lead the promotion to the right direction, be my guest. However, it didn’t concern me and our upcoming match in Monday Night Clash. It would be more convincing if you just beat Spencer Adams for once. You lost to him in the World Championship Tournament Quarterfinals, then again on March 26th, and finally on the First Round of Wrestler of the Year Tournament. You’ve become Adam’s shadow ever since much like Shadowlove’s being Lockhart’s shadow. Not only that, you got one chance to grab the opportunity to grab SJW’s title, but you failed. And don’t call it as a fluke when SJW IS technically a more proficient wrestler than you.”
“With that all stated, you just reached the peak of your success when you got the World Title shot but failed to grasp it. So I highly doubted that you would put both of us in the right direction by pinning one of us in the canvas. Being the Director of Action Wrestler was part of the act, a gimmick as SJW stated. You may contribute well to the backstage production, but you can’t direct what will happen in our matches as I go aggressive on you.”
“Also, I like to note that your TFKO finisher was a great name, better than Box Office Smash I would say (Sorry, Kidsgrove). However, using your knee as your finisher could pose a serious problem especially when you’re facing me, a submission specialist. If it happened to inflict damage to your knee, your finisher would be disabled. However, if you crazy enough to use it on either of us, then your wrestling career would be put into a halt or worse, be done for.”
“There would be a chance that our upcoming match will end in TFKO.”
“No, it’s not your finisher, a running knee strike on either both of us. Let me REPHRASE it again.”
At the end of our upcoming match, it would be TFKO.
Thaddeus Franklin King is OUT!
Thaddeus Franklin King is OUT!
“Alam ko na gusto ninyo na kayong dalawa nalang lumaban. Sige, para naman magkantutan kayong dalawa sa ring na parang mga ulol. Isama ninyo pa si Miyamoto para threesome. Pero pasensya na, inilagay ako ng Action Wrestling kaya next time nalang boys.” (I know you guys want to fight two of you alone. If it is, then go ahead, make love to each other like idiots. Bring Miyamoto as well to make it a threesome. But sorry, Action Wrestling booked me in this match so maybe next time.)
“TFK is determined to put back in the US Title picture while Shadowlove told me that this Filipino kid couldn’t keep up with the top dogs in the business. Not only that, he disrespected my people and my country as well. These two solidified themselves as AW superstars while everyone thought of me as an afterthought. I’ll prove that I’m better than my opponents tonight for I achieved more than TFK’s United States Championship reign, and I became a better world fighter than Shadowlove.”
“My awful showcase in Havoc Rumble will soon change when this Filipino boy defeated “The Franchise Killer” and “The Handsome Half-Breed”. I will prove everyone else in the Action Wrestling locker room that I'm a standout fighter just like everyone else.”
It was clear that his career would change in his upcoming match against TFK and Shadowlove. Either he would be buried in everyone’s shadow as his embarrassing performance in Havoc Rumble would be stuck in everyone’s mind forever, or he would solidify his place in Action Wrestling. However, it was noteworthy that Chris did his best to refrain from his arrogance. What could he possibly move him from doing it so?
May 2, 2019
Somewhere in the Open Fields
10:45 am
“Someone's coming!” Black Onyx uttered while little Angelina clung on her side.
Chris Santiago jumped down to the ground. His curiosity pushed him to pull that crazy stunt like hopping from about three-meter truck. Fortunately, Chris felt okay from that terrible drop and managed to stand up in two feet. Then he spotted his friend, Max Eldritch approaching towards them along with four figures that were too tiny to identify. As Max’s group went closer, someone shouted “Kuya!”
Santiago leaned forward to scan Max’s newly companions. “Paco?”
One of Max’s companions rushed towards Santiago, and it turned out that Santiago’s guess was right. It discerned to be Santiago’s brother, Paco. The two close brothers met, and they embraced showing brotherly love. After that, Chris rubbed Paco’s head showing older brother's dominance like they were both kids. Onyx and Angelina were both delighted from a family reunion as they glanced the Eldritch with his companions.
“Who are they?” Onyx asked.
“Chris’ old companions,” Max answered. “They have returned to travel with us.”
An elder figure stepped forward. “Mariano Anastasio, I’m the one who taught Chris some basic Filipino martial arts.” He offered a handshake to Onyx as she accepted.
Mariano Anastasio or Lolo Tasyo for short continued to introduce two women next to him. “This is Isidra Anastasio, my daughter. She’s the one who took care of me while traveling.” The hands of both Onyx and Isidra met for courtesy.
“And here’s our new girl to join us, Marina!”
Chris heard of that name before so he paused from playing his younger brother to check the new travelling companion. Both Marina and Chris contacted together eye-to eye. At the same time they were surprised, “Uy! Kilala kita!” (Hey, I know you!)
And everyone was shocked when they learned the previous history between the two. They’re going to reveal it next time.
===
Paco, Isidra and Lolo Tasyo were split from Santiago due to his request out of shame from his performance at the EUROPA RUSH tour. But now that they’ve reunited, Chris asked the elder, Lolo Tasyo about their reasons to rejoin. They told the Mayor about Santiago’s distaste for fame. The Mayor responded very well and promised not to bother him with any business and political matters. Santiago’s focus was on the art of fighting: professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Tasyo and Santiago took it seriously to make it right, so they determined to reach back to Chris. It was that point when Santiago told his performance at the Havoc Rumble.
“Paano kasi, nagiging mayabang ka. Sinasabi mo sa iba na pangalawa ka sa WarTime Rumble pero ni isang tao hindi mo maeliminate?” (Well it’s because you are arrogant. You said that you are a 2nd placer in the WarTime Rumble, but couldn’t eliminate even a single opponent.)
Santiago restrained his mouth from saying anything against the elder.
“Binulagan ka ng kayabangan mo na hindi mo maisip kung sino talaga ang makakalaban mo. Inakala mo na mas magaling ka kaysa sa iba kaya hindi mo sineseryuso ang training mo.” (Your arrogance blinded you from knowing your opponents very well. You thought that you are better than anyone else. Thus you haven’t take your training seriously.)
Santiago felt a sharp blow on the gut coming from the elder’s word. “Pasensya na po.” (I’m sorry.)
The elder seemed to be disappointed at his discipline, but he gave Santiago some hope by patting on his left shoulder. “Dalawang araw nalang, magiging bente-cuartong anyos ka na. Aasahan ko na lalaki ka na bilang isang adulto.” (Two days to go, you’re going to be twenty-four years old. I expect that you’re going to mature as an adult.)
Santiago spotted Tasyo grabbing something from his back – the Ravenna bolo! The elder threw the heirloom for him to catch it. Santiago’s confidence went back inside of him as his forefathers accepted him back. But Santiago felt something more as if it added something like a plastic bead or something. He pulled it out the garland of rose-carved beads.
“Bigay iyan ng nanay mo. Alam din niya ang situwasyon mo. Sabi niya, hilingin mo sa Maykapal na matulungan ka.” (Your mother gave that to you. She also knows your situation. She said, pray to the Almighty One to help you.)
Santiago kept staring at his mother’s rosary which he expected to pray Hail Mary’s for God’s help in his fight. The elder looked at the young man’s face, “May laban ka ba pagkatapos?” (Do you have any other matches?)
“Ika-18 ng Mayo, may laban ako sa Japan, si James Edwards para sa pagkakataon na maibalik ko ang Junior Heavyweight Championship.” (I had a match on May 18th in Japan. I’m going James Edwards on for a chance to reclaim the Junior Heavyweight Championship.)
The elder nodded as he understood. He then stepped away from him. “Maghanda ka na bukas, aayusin natin yung groundwork mo.” (You should get prepared tomorrow. We need to fix your ground game for your upcoming match.)
Chris watched the elder on his back and nodded. “Sige po.” (Okay)