Post by Chris Santiago on Feb 22, 2019 16:07:06 GMT -5
February 21, 2019
Backstage at Mango Dome, Manila, Philippines
10:45 pm
Chris walked groggily at the backstage pouring sweat from his epic match against the champion. For the first time since he won a title back on January 2016, he finally captured it hailing as Junior Heavyweight Champion of the other company.
Chris finally met with his brother, Paco and embraced at each other. It was an emotional moment for both. Chris held a title that he just won while Paco carried their family heirloom, the Santiago Bolo. It was given to the oldest, Chris so that the strength of his ancestors will be with him always. His match against a now-former champion, Eron Hunter will serve as a tribute to his biological father, Manuel Santiago.
Lolo Tasyo patted the current champion on his back and commented, “Matutuwa ang tatay mo dahil sa pagkapanalo mo.” (Your father will be happy because of your victory.)
Chris tended to agree. Lolo Tasyo then spotted an official and informed the young champion. “Oo pala, gusto makiusap sa’yo ng Mayor ng Laguna.” (By the way, the Mayor of Laguna wants to have a word with you.)
Chris turned around and shook hands with the mayor himself.
“Chris, binabati kita sa pagkapanalo mo sa titulong iyan.” (Chris, I want to congratulate you for winning that title.) The mayor greeted.
“Salamat po.” (Thank you.) Chris responded politely.
“Nais makipista ang taga-Calamba para sa iyong pagkapanalo. Pero pinaalam nila sa akin na may laban ka pala sa ika-23. May iba ka ba pang laban bukod sa araw na iyon?” (The people in Calamba wanted to hold a feast for your win. However, the management informed me that you have a match on 23rd. Did you have another after that?)
Chris did remember something,
“Meron po, babalik po ako sa Amerika sa ika-24 para makalaban ko ng isang beterano. Sa Ika-2 ng Marso, may laban din po ako, MMA.” (Actually, I have to go back to America on 24th to face a veteran. On March 2nd, I have an MMA debut there.)
The answer did not receive the mayor very well. “Kung ganon, wala kang panahon para ipagdiriwang sa amin?” (If that’s the case, does it mean that you don’t have time to celebrate with us?)
Chris shook his head. “Sisikapin ka po, Mayor. Gusto ko nga po bumalik sa bahay namin para makasama ko si Inay.” (I’ll try, Mayor. I want to go back to my hometown to spend time with my mother.)
It sounded like great news to the Mayor of Laguna. “Sige. Salamat at pinabati kita sa pagkapanalo mo.” (Okay! Thank you and again, congratulations.)
Chris smiled and gave respect to the official. He reunited again to his friends and went on their way to celebrate.
February 22, 2019
3:45 am
Chris and his group boarded on the ship traveling from Manila, the Philippines to New Delhi, India. Chris found himself in his cabin alone on the desk. He was on his laptop watching the matches of his upcoming opponent, Rose. Chris thought of her to be a challenging opponent. Rose is a powerhouse wrestler that relies on strength, while Chris is a kickboxer. The match would be grappler vs. striker.
While Chris paid attention to his laptop, he held a pen on his left hand with a paper beneath. He examined Rose’s techniques and skills, while brainstormed for possible strategies for the match. Lolo Tasyo, his coach, trained Chris to be an in-ring tactician.
As Chris went through all the matches that Rose participated and listed some, he then proceeded with that her promos, as well her opponent’s. After a few promos he watched, Chris started to comment.
“This is a sad, sad wrestler.” Chris shook his head and went on his way to watch the rest of the promos.
7:45 am
Chris was on his bed sleeping like a log. His laptop turned off and a pile of papers and pen scattered everywhere. Suddenly someone knocked at the door.
No response. Chris was still asleep. So someone knocked at the door again with a higher volume.
Chris didn’t wake up. Someone knocked the door heavily producing a higher volume than before.
Chris’s eye began to open but in an instant. That was until the knocking sound has turned into a bang. Finally, Chris woke up.
“What is it?”
The knocking got frequent until Chris swung the door open to see who it is. It was Isidra trying to wake him up.
“Anung nangyari sa iyo? Para nakanood ka ng nakakatakot.” (What happened to you? It’s like you’re watching a horror movie.) Isidra commented on Chris’s heavy eyes. Chris showed her the way to the desk so that Isidra could get the idea. Chris went back to his bed.
“Uy gising!” (Hey wake up!) Isidra shook Chris off the bed until he’s up.
“Bakit?” (Why?) Chris answered in a tired and raspy voice.
“Tinatawag ka na ni tatay.” (My father calls you out.) Isidra told Chris to meet her father, Lolo Tasyo for some warm-up practice.
Chris responded, “Mamaya na lang.” (Later.) Chris yawned and laid back on his bed. “Pakisabi na napuyat ako sa kaka…” (Tell him that I’m all night for…)
Chris didn’t continue his sentence as his strength depleted. Isidra shook her head thinking that her attempts to wake him up failed. She then glanced at the desk he’s working. And she finally understood why he needed to rest. She picked up the mess from the floor and piled the papers into one. She went through the door and shut it.
Vishwa Shanti Stupa, New Delhi, India
7:45 pm
The camera was set showing Chris backstage with his in-ring attire and a Rayadillo coat.
“Kumusta mga perros!” (Greetings, you dogs!)
“We’re here at New Delhi, India. I got one more match to finish the tour here in Asia. After that, we’re off to Philadelphia for #BEACHKREW’S #EFFINRAGER pay-per-view where my opponent is Action Wrestling veteran, Rose.”
“First of all, I would like to comment that Action Wrestling didn’t get my message from my last promo. I began to question about the booking. Don’t assume that I’m sexist! I’m saying they’re making a statement that other male competitors in Action Wrestling had no balls to fight me. Or maybe some of them are busy with other wrestlers, so I’ll be lenient to that.”
“Now about my opponent, Rose.”
Chris began to turn his head side by side and sighed. “Kaawang-awang beterano.” (Poor veteran.)
“Normally, I would say mean things to you and give you the reason why you can’t beat me in the singles match. But I can’t. It is because, for all the rosters in Action Wrestling, you are the most tragic of all competitors.”
“Let me break it down to you.”
Chris asked Paco, who was out of the camera focus, for a paper. Chris’ brother handed over the notes, he stayed all night to jot it down.
“You started to be a promising wrestler on February 12, 2018, when you defeated Dante Storm in your debut. You got the first win, in the first match. I mean look at my career. My first match was CBS Sports Showcase Battle Royal, and sadly I suffered a loss. It didn’t give me momentum to go for title shots but compare to yours, you have been draft-picked for the inaugural United States Championship. However, you missed that chance when Dionysus hit you with a Grapevine finisher.”
“Okay let’s assume that you have a bad day. Maybe you could get the title shot some other time. Sadly, it wasn’t the case anymore. You screw it all over when you faced TFK for the title and got hit by a TFKO.”
“When you returned to the company on July 9, 2018, you proved to the crowd that you have a hope to win the title once again. Little did everyone know that it was just a flash. You keep losing week after week by Anton Chase, Zombie McMorris, Mike Massaro, and the list goes on and on. You even have a title shot for the Television Championship, but just like your previous title shot, you lose.”
“Even a simple Television Championship, just like everyone said, you didn’t even capture it.”
“On September 3, 2018, you defeated not one, not two, but three wrestlers in the fatal four-way match. My impression was you still got it. You do have a hope to capture the TV Title. But you proved me wrong. On the next show, you lost once again by McMorris for the TV Title. Nope! When I saw you defeated Bishop, I was like you were beyond repair. Even you win another bout, you will lose the same opportunity constantly. And it did follow by a massive losing streak.”
“What will the fans think of you now?”
“You managed to pull a win against Chase Jackson on December 17, and entered to the semi-finals when you defeated Ultimate Destroyer in the Television Championship Tournament. But just like your previous matches, you lost the opportunity to capture even a simple title such as the Television Championship.”
“The sad part is that you lost to a Singles Match against Wasabi on February 11, 2019. What even sadder is that it was a day early to your one year tenure in Action Wrestling, that time when you celebrated your first win. And now you’ll reach the saddest moment when you are facing me at the #BEACHKREW’S #EFFINRAGER.”
“That’s your tenure in Action Wrestling wrapped up, with your record at 10 wins and 26 losses, 11 title shots wasted and the PPV record of 2 wins and 4 loses. I noted that because I want you to look at the statistics here in the company.”
Chris gave the paper back to his brother and looked straight at the camera.
“You are a veteran, Rose. You were supposed that join the likes of Ryan Lockhart, Zombie McMorris, and L Verez. But now it is like everybody here treated you unjustly. Want more proof?”
“Let’s ask some of the opponents you faced frequently.”
“When TFK commented about you had an opportunity against him for the United States Championship, he said that you didn’t deserve to have a title shot. It may be mere words, but he was right if you consider the opportunities you have wasted.”
“Alex Richards, Ryan Lockhart, and others asked you when you will retire from Action Wrestling. You got two advisors and lack of wrestling talent. What on earth is happening to you? You are a woman with a manly strength that pin three opponents at once, and now suddenly you lost sight of what you are.”
“Everyone knows that you are so terrible that when Wasabi said nothing ill to you and wished you good luck, you met a horrible outcome just like the rest of your Action Wrestling career.”
“What will I say to you, Rose?”
“You have an in-ring tactician accompanied you into the ring while I’m trained to be one of them. You got this, you can beat me. But after I went through your matches, your promos and your opponent’s, do you think that you have a chance? Haven’t you listen to Michelle once, or is she having trouble with your performance here?”
“Maybe Lockhart was right. You do not belong here in this company. Pretty much soon, you’ll be ending up like other stars who have been in the ring before like Apex Onyx, Frankie Harewood, Evander Cage or Alex Richards. These very people are the ones who left in this company saying that Action Wrestling didn’t give enough luster for them to be a competitor. They didn’t inspire me at all, they said.”
“Maybe soon, you will be the likes of Dark Tiger or Ultimate Destroyer to leave the company as well.”
“There you have it, Rose. I didn’t insult you for that matter. I only show you the facts and statistics of your performance. If you ask for my opinion, you’re not a terrible wrestler. Did I witness your strength at the fatal four-way match? You've just wasted all the opportunities given to you.”
“But let’s be optimistic here. There may be a chance to beat me, Rose. You just have to prove it to me that I am wrong. But here’s the challenge.”
Chris asked for something, and Isidra threw a title belt for him to catch it.
“You see, Rose. I have recently become a Junior Heavyweight Championship.”
“Do not ignore the fact that I’m the champion from the other promotion, Rose. Otherwise, you will end up like the previous opponent, Brooke Bell. In her promos, she stated that ‘she didn’t care about what I did to the other companies’. At the time she faced me on that night, she launched a quick assault at the very start of the match. But none of her efforts prevail over me as I knocked her out with my finisher. To say that one became ignorant to his work outside Action Wrestling is futile. It would be the same as a traveler who has little knowledge about the terrain he’s exploring. As he disregarded the dangers of it, he realized in the end that he’s walking into a death trap. And Brooke Bell landed the same outcome. Now she began to learn that her days are behind of her.”
“Speaking of which, there is another “honorable” mention that you want to keep in mind. Remember Nikki Vaughn? The one where Claire Hawkins called her as “Karlie Nash’s tapeworm”? True I’ve lost to that “mayabang na puta” (arrogant whore). However, if it wasn’t for that cocky “punyeta” (wanker), Draven X, the result will be different. Now Nikki went to discredit that and began to talk like she’s on the world title picture. Now, what exactly happened to her when she faced Lockhart? The champion made an example of her as a preview of his match against Jaice Wilds for the World Heavyweight Championship.”
“These two have a lot in common. Both thought that fame and fortune can make you a champion, but reality snapped them out of it. You see Rose, I don’t want you to end up just like them. I want you to be aware of the opponent you're facing with.”
“Now please, if you may, visualize it as one of Action Wrestling’s title.”
Chris raised the title belt and placed it in front of the camera.
“Let’s just say that you chose to imagine it as United States Championship. If you beat me, you might surpass the likes of TFK and that title opportunity may sooner as you think.”
“The same thing applies to the Television Championship. If you beat me, you might have a chance to beat Zombie McMorris, Bishop, Alex Richards or the current champion, L Verez.”
Chris then put the title belt on his left shoulder.
“Please do not ask me on what if you lose. Everybody could predict what’s going to happen next. You have to understand that you have been in this company for more than a year. You were supposed to establish your name there. And now everyone makes fun of you because of your awful record. Do I want this? If you are Nikki Vaughn, then I will enjoy every single of it. But you’re not. You’re better than her (in some way, I guess).”
“My point is that you should know that you are not facing a typical wrestler like Wasabi or Apex Onyx. You are facing a competitor who entered the Action Wrestling ring while receiving success outside the company. And this person applies to what he learned in a match against you. Not only that, he’s more precise, stiff, discipline and focus than he was before.”
“Let it serve you a wake-up call, Rose. You have a strength and in-ring tacticians on your side. Use it seriously.”
“At bago matapos ang promo ito, pagpasiyahan mo ang magiging panungkala na inihanda ko para sa iyo. Ito ang magiging pag-asa mo para kung papaano, mayroon ka pang magagawang mabuti para sa iyong sarili at iyong karera mo dito.” (Before I end this promo, I want you to make a decision to accept my wrestling proposition I have prepared for you. It will serve you as hope so that maybe it can contribute you and your career in this company.)
“I’ll be on the backstage if you want to answer.”
“Hanggang sa muli, kita tayo sa Philadelphia sa ika-24 ng Pebrero, mga carbon! (Until then, see you on February 24 at Philadelphia, you bitches!) Chris smirked at the camera for a second addressing to everyone. He went stern and gave Rose a final reminder.
"Rose, simula pa lang, magseryoso ka na.” (Rose, you should be serious starting today.)
The promo ends here.
February 24, 2019
Outside of Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7:45 pm
Chris and his gang were back in America. They have rented a motorhome vehicle for their trip. In the middle of the night, Chris was at the top of the motorhome stargazing. Unlike any other wrestler, he didn’t reveal himself as a star who live in American middle class lifestyle or higher than that. He was just a working class from a third-world country. He was not shy to wear farmer clothes consisting of long sleeved white tunic and brown pants.
While Chris waited for someone, he noticed something in his head, a ladybug landed on his skin then Chris caught something in his hand, the family heirloom on his side, the war machete. He picked it up and unsheathed the bolo from its scabbard. He put it back on and continued to look at the weapon. He pondered over its significance.
Chris’ biological father, Manuel Santiago went on the war during the Moro Rebellion with the family bolo. It was bizarre for a soldier training in modern warfare to use an ancient weapon. Only Chris and his father understood the importance of it. And it was very important to them to bring its energy (metaphorically) to the battle. Manuel died in the battlefield while serving for the cause of motherland. And the bolo was return to Chris’ mother waiting for their sons to inherit it.
Chris inherited the weapon before the championship match against Eron Hunter. He thought that he won the title because of it. Suddenly a glowing hand reached into Chris’ shoulders.
“Anak.”
Chris turned around and saw something. He thought that his dead father called for him.
“Oy Chris!”
Now here’s someone calling for him.
“Paco, bakit?” (Paco, what is it?)
Chris climbs down from the top of the motor-home meeting Paco and a known staff. She stepped forward to meet the competitor. “Chris Eno, right?”
“Yes. Great to see you, Adeline Floyd.”
“Same.” Adeline Floyd was Action Wrestling’s ring announcer for every match. “I was informed that you decided to change your name.”
“Yes.” Chris nodded.
“Well, can you tell me the new name?”