Post by Gerard Angelo on Jan 7, 2022 6:54:44 GMT -5
BOOM!
The car next to John Thomas explodes as the RPG nails it, flames rising into the air as they chase the dilapidated frame of what was once the car. Blood drips down his head as his back is pressed against the side of the car he was hiding behind, his hands clutching his M16 tightly, knuckles white. Sounds of gunshots ring out down the street and another explosion happens not too far from him. He closes his eyes tightly before opening them.
“It’s fucking go time.”
He leaps to his feet and brings the M16 up like an expert, his finger closing around the trigger…
“CUT!”
Gerard lets out an exasperated sigh and throws the prop rifle on the ground.
“What the fuck is it this time, Tony?”
Gerard turns and walks towards the director and crew, spitting fake blood and sweat out of his mouth onto the street they were using for the scene. The director, Tony, shakes his head.
“I just don’t think you’re putting the proper emphasis on the catchphrase.”
“What do you want me to do? Say it like I’m fucking Arnold Schwarzenegger.”
“No, but you could say it like it means something. You’re just stating that it’s fucking go time.”
“That’s because it’s a dumb fucking catchphrase, Tony! The whole fucking dialogue in this movie sucks. Who wrote this? James Cameron?”
Tony fights the urge to roll his eyes and fights to keeps his voice calm while talking to the featured actor.
“Let’s just try it one more time and…”
“No!”
Gerry snaps at the director, cutting him off.
“I’m taking a break. Film Zoe’s fucking part. I’ll be in my trailer.”
Without waiting for a yes or a no, Gerard Angelo turns on his heel and walks offset to the trailer that was written into his contract. Now, one would think that Gerard Angelo is a typical ‘diva’ type actor when that couldn’t be further from the truth. He was a man that cared about his craft, whether it be acting or wrestling. Less of a diva and more of a man that demanded perfection from himself and those around him. This movie, while it was a big-budget action movie, was a favor for an old friend. Plus, he had a lot more on his mind.
Monday night, Gerard Angelo made his first appearance on Action Wrestling’s flagship show, Monday Night Clash. And damn, did it feel good to be in front of a live crowd again. It had been nearly a year since that happened. Gerard mused to himself as he made the stroll to his trailer. In March 2021, Gerard had been burnt out. The last federation he was in had taken its toll on him. While he had a lot of success, it always seemed as if he could never breakthrough to the next level of where he needed to be. While he took his share of the blame, there always seemed to be something from the outside that got in the way of sustained success for him. Not to mention the whole demonic possession that may or may not was a figment of his imagination.
Gerry grips the handle of his trailer and pulls open the door as he climbs up the three small steps and is greeted by the scene of his brother Sean dancing in front of the ring light and the phone stand holding his iPhone.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Sean nearly falls over, startled.
“Oh, shit… um… just doing some TikTok dances…”
“Can you ever not be doing something odd when I walk into a room?” Gerry asks as he rubs his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger. Sean shrugs.
“Technically this is a trailer. You look like hell.”
“It’s make-up.” Gerard sighs and shuts the door behind him before going over to plop down on the small couch in the trailer. He grabs his vape rig to take a pull as Sean walks over to him.
“Here’s a great idea. How about you and I do a TikTok. It will be awesome! We can go viral and I’ll get so many followers!”
Gerard stares up at his brother and blows a cloud of deliciously scented vapor out at his face.
“No.”
“But come onnnn!” Sean says, holding his hands out in front of him, exasperated. Gerard just shakes his head.
“I got famous on my own so you’ll have to as well.”
Sean rolls his eyes and flops down in a chair across from his brother, staring at him.
“Aren’t you supposed to be filming?” Sean asks as Gerry takes another pull from his vape, shrugging at his brother.
“I’m taking a five.”
“You yelled at the director again, eh?”
Gerry blows out another cake-flavored cloud into the air.
“I plead the fifth.”
“You know that if you keep doing this we’re gonna be stuck here even longer.”
“We?” Gerard asks, giving his brother a look, “I told you to stay home. You showed up day and started hitting on Zoe Saldana. You’re lucky she didn’t break your hand.”
“Yeah, I think she’s really into me,” Sean says, putting his chin in both hands like he’s daydreaming. Gerard starts to retort with something smart but is interrupted by the FaceTime ring tone coming from his pocket. He pulls his phone out, answering quickly after reading the contact.
“Deon, my guy,” Gerry says as he holds the phone up, “What’s good?”
Gerry is greeted by the face of his good friend and agent, Deon Jones, former USC star and San Diego Chargers running back turned aspiring agent.
“Gerry, my favorite client. How you doin’, bro?”
“I’m your only client,” Gerry interjects causing Deon to roll his eyes and run two fingers of his well-manicured goatee.
“Well, that will change soon once everyone sees all the projects you got going on this year. Speaking of, I figured you’d be in the middle of filming.”
“He yelled at the director again, Deon!” Sean yells before Gerry can say anything. Gerard hears a sign from the phone speaker as his old friend rubs a hand over his bald, dark-skin, head.
“You gotta stop doing this shit, man. We're going to be so behind. The next movie starts filming in two weeks.”
“The script is shit, man.” Gerry says back, taking another long hit from the vape, “I can barely work with it.”
“It’s a goddamn Michael Bay movie! It’s not about the script! It’s about… hey, wait, are you vaping right now?”
“I’m trying to quit smoking.”
“No wonder you’re so fuckin’ agitated.”
“He’s been a grumpy ass the whole time filming!” Sean yells again from his chair. Gerard, in one fluid motion, grabs a pillow off the couch and flings it at his brother, hitting him in the face. Sean sells it like he got hit with a cinder block and falls out of the chair. Deon rubs his temples on the iPhone screen.
“Listen, Gerry, please, just put a smile on, go back, and read the damn lines. I know you didn’t wanna do this movie, but it will help me out a lot. Please, for me.”
“Ugh, fine,” Gerard says with a faux groan, “But you owe me one.”
I think you’ll be happy once you see that you have a match next week on clash.”
Gerard perks up a bit.
“A match already? Perfect.”
“Yeah, it’s the first round of some tournament. Calling it Trials of Despair. I dunno what that means, but the winner gets an opportunity for the United States Championship.”
Gerard's face brightens as he looks down at the phone, his lips splitting into a smirk.
“Truly perfect. Finally, an organization that knows where their bread is going to be buttered.”
“CBS was very adamant about you being added to the tournament,” Deon says through the phone, “Office didn’t have much of a choice.”
Gerry lets out a laugh, still smirking.
“Well, the only thing I can do is show that their faith in me is not in vain. Who am I facing anyway?”
“Umm, hold on,” Deon says, the screen image moving as he checks something on his phone, “Sam Kidsgrove.”
“The actor?”
“Yeah, you know him?”
“I’ve heard of him. I just never knew he was a wrestler as well. He’s dating Zooey Deschanel.”
“Ohh, that guy.”
“Didn’t you bang her?” Sean asks from his sprawled position on the floor. Gerry shakes his head.
“No, you’re thinking of Katy Perry.”
“I always get them confused.”
Gerard goes to say something else but Deon coughs to interrupt.
“Before you two get involved with another one of your dumb conversations, Gerard, go finish the filming for the day so we can focus on your match.”
Gerard nods as Deon hangs up.
“He never says bye to me.”
“He’s still mad you tried to have sex with his sister.”
“Krystal’s hot can you blame me? Plus, that was like, so long ago.”
“It literally happened on Christmas.”
“I just wanted to stuff her stocking.”
Gerry sighs as he stands up, walking towards the trailer door.
===============
Nicotine addiction and pro wrestling have a lot in common. Wrestlers and smokers are both always looking for their next fix, whether it be from a cigarette butt or the roar of a live crowd.
There is always that poking in the back of your mind that’s like, ‘Hey, one more won’t hurt. C’mon.’ I’m an expert because I have an addiction to both. Coming out to that crowd in L.A. last Monday, whew boy, that was the fuckin’ rush that I missed.
Oh, sorry. I just jumped right into that. How you doin’ Sam Kidsgrove? It’s nice to see another member of the Screen Actor’s Guild here. Interesting that we are facing each other my very first match here, no? It’s almost like management was salivating, just itching to pull the trigger on this match.
I get it. Put the two guys that do something similar in a match together. Two actors, throw ‘em in a match, pal! It should throw a bunch of nerds online into a frenzied debate. While we share an out-of-ring career, that’s where the similarities end.
I’m fuckin’ built different.
Not just from you, Sam. That’s not fair.
But from the entire roster here.
Like I said on Clash. Everywhere I’ve ever wrestled, I’ve made it to the very top. Championships. Accolades. Fame. Money. I’ve done it all.
This is not me being boastful. This is me as the newcomer, letting you know who you’re stepping into the ring with. I’ve wrestled all over the world. Canada, Mexico, Japan, Europe, etcetera. I’m not a rookie. I’m the biggest star in the industry.
The ratings for Clash speak for themself. Nine million people tuned in to see the Living Legend make his debut for Action Wrestling. That’s why I got placed in this tournament right away. The network knows who’s going to keep business booming.
You know, in all of my world travels I’ve never been a United States champion? Odd now that I think about it. But my chance to rectify that has just been presented to me on a silver platter. I want this very badly, Sam. I just don’t want to advance in this tournament, I need to.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. I’m not going to squander this chance. I have to win. There is way too much riding on this for me. I’m pegged to be the face of this company by the people that pay for the show. There are expectations of me.
And Gerard Angelo always delivers.
But you’re coming off a big win yourself in that five-way match.
Or did you?
Because didn’t you and the Furious Butterscotch, or whatever, tie?
Are you coming in with momentum? Or coming in limping?
Either way, I’m coming to Clash with something to prove. We are in the Era of Angelo now.
Learn to love it.
