Post by Lockhart on Mar 18, 2018 9:24:49 GMT -5
Victory. Not a common occurrence in the life of an everyday human, for each day, presented a new challenge that many would either succumb to or simply not even attempt at all. Success in life was not easily attainable, a fact that Ryan Lockhart had realized from an extremely young age. It wasn’t uncommon for a person to open up a local newspaper and quickly find that a new business had fallen under, fizzling out before it could even get started. It wasn’t uncommon to find a potential superstar athlete suffering from a career-ending injury. Along with this, it wasn’t uncommon to read or hear about people going through the ultimate sacrifice - the ending of either a long or short life, where all dreams, wishes, aspirations, and regrets culminate together and then burst, fading out into nothingness.
Ryan emerged through the backstage curtain, a growing smile evident on his face, as he eagerly paced toward the locker room. He was sweating profusely, and some of the welts and bruises that came with being a professional wrestler were just starting to make their appearance on his weathered body, but he took little note of any of this. Adrenaline coursed through his system, his mind telling him to utilize the remainder of the pent-up energy that still left him bouncing lightly on his toes, his own footsteps echoing around him.
It came as a surprise to him, how much the simple feeling of victory could rejuvenize one’s body and make them feel as though they were invincible - as though they were untouchable for that brief moment in time. But as minutes went by, and he calmed himself down in the locker room, white towel hung over his head as beads of sweat continued to gradually trickle down his face, drop down his chin and lightly tap the floor beneath him, he realized that this truly was only temporary.
The journey was only just beginning, and there was far more progress to be made, far greater challenges to experience, and far more success to be had.
His head snaps upward, shooting a glance at a man approaching him in a suit, microphone in hand. The man had a rather unimpressed look on his face, as though this was this was quite literally the hundredth time he had performed this exact same task this day. His walk was uninspired, his face drooped with a frown that fitted well with the dull gray suit and pants that he wore. Next, to him, a young teenager with curly sandy colored hair stood next to him - a complete opposite of his older companion. He eagerly paced alongside him, holding up a notebook and a pen in hand, ready to gather forth the next quote that could build the next article or story.
Ryan smiled at the sight of the teenager - a slight reminder to what he may have once been like in a past time when the stress of daily life and the expectation to make something of yourself immediately wasn’t quite as large as it now was. Nevertheless, he made none of these feelings clear to the duo, who now stood over him while he remained seated. The older, less excitable man reached out a hand, to which Ryan responded by extending out his own arm. They exchanged a handshake.
‘Kenneth Rivers. Local reporter. You get the gist. Ready to answer some questions?’
From behind him, the sandy-haired boy piped in.
‘We’d really appreciate it.’
Immediately, the older man turned his head back, shooting a disapproving glare at his companion, before turning back around.
‘Don’t mind him. A bit too eager for my liking, but I’m stuck with him. Anywa-’
‘He’s good. You’re the one that should chill out here, man. I’m good to answer some questions, but if I’m gonna do that for you, we’ll be doing it my way, alright?’
Cleary not expecting that type of response, the man simply stood, unresponding. Ryan beckoned over to the teenager.
‘Take his pen and paper, you’ll be the one writing the notes for this little interview.’
He then looks over at the boy.
‘And you my friend, you can be the one to ask the questions that people are dying to know. Don’t bother about him - there’s always somebody out here trying to hold another man down. Just never let it get to ya, alright?’
Not getting a reply from either of them, Ryan carried on with a smile, offering his hand now to the youth.
‘What’s your name, pal?’
‘Je- Jeffery. I’m doing work experience at the moment.’
‘That’s awesome, man. Looking to be a big-time journalist one day?’
‘That’s… that’s the plan, I guess.’
‘Well, you’ve definitely got a better shot than your buddy over here. You wanna know why?’
He nods uncertainly.
‘Because while you’ve got motivation, he’s stuck with complacency. And a motivated individual will always beat one that is content with where they are. Always gotta be looking to get better every time you work on your craft. Remember that, yeah?’
This time, he nods with more confidence.
‘Beautiful. Now fire away, I think I’m meant to be catching a flight soon, so make it quick but take your time.’ He winks after saying this, communicating to the teenager that he’s merely joking around. At ease with the situation now, the youth brushes some stray hairs out of his eyes, before thinking up a question for the upstart athlete.
‘You’ve never competed in a professional wrestling match before, right?’
Ryan nods.
‘How did it feel stepping out for the first time, and seeing just how many people had come to watch the show? Were you nervous, intimidated? Did it impact your performance at all?’
‘You know, a part of me wants to sit here and tell you how amazing it was… but I’ve wanted to be a performer all my life, man. This shit came naturally to me. Sure, it was an eye-opening experience. It’s not every day you get to go out there in front of thousands and show off what you’ve been working towards.
‘I’m not the most technically gifted, the quickest, or the fastest, but I’ve been practicing and making sure I’ve been getting better every single damn day. I’m not one to be overly generic and talk about “the grind” or whatever the people want to call it, but there’s no denying that I wasn’t handed this opportunity for no reason. I kept at it, I picked myself up from a pretty dark fucking place and tried to see the positive things that surrounded me - even though shit was mostly negative. Now? Nothin’ can really faze me.
‘Sure, I can still get nervous from time to time. But fighting? It’s in my blood. Like I’ve probably already said, and I’ll probably continue to say. I come from a long line of warriors, people who don’t back down from a challenge. And Action Wrestling? Action Wrestling is the ultimate test for anyone who considers themselves a warrior. So yeah, I’m excited to be a part of this all. But at the same time? I know this is exactly where I belong. And that’s why I’m never going to shy away from the bright lights - even if it leads to my demise.’
By this point, the older man has sulked away to the corner of the locker room, leaving the notebook behind him to be taken up by Jeffery, who had furiously been writing away until Ryan had stopped speaking. He flipped to the next page of the pad, before bringing his gaze back down to meet Ryan’s.
‘Alright, so you’ve had your first match and you won it in convincing fashion. You’re in arguably the most talented federation in the entire world at the moment, and everywhere you look there’s either a champion, a contender or an equally promising prospect such as you that is looking to craft their own legacy here. What puts you above all of them, and what’s next for you after this solid start?’
‘You know man, I don’t have it in me to say that I have some “quality” or “X-Factor” that puts me above all the other guys and girls here. Give me a couple matches against them, and I’ll figure out what I need to do to ensure I have the biggest advantage over them that I possibly can. But at the moment? I can only do my absolute best.
‘There’s not going to be any excuses here unless I legitimately am screwed out of a victory. If I do happen to win, that’s great. But even in victory, there’s always something to be learned. Where did I go wrong? What can I do to be even better next time? When could I have ended the match at an earlier point in time? Those are all the things that have to be running through my head all the time if I want to be a World Champion here one day.
‘And if I lose, it’s the exact same process. I can’t sit here and sulk, cry and whine about a result that’s already happened. Life is about pushing on and pressing forward. Nowadays, you never know when you’re gonna be hit with some bullshit that sets you back. That’s why you just have to be prepared, and take EVERYTHING as a learning experience. I could rack up either wins or losses here, and either way I wouldn’t care. As long as I’m steadily improving and positioning myself closer to being at the level where I can solidify myself as the best wrestler in this company. If that’s consistently happening? Then THAT will be exactly above the competition. But until then? We’ll just have to wait and see.’
Having speedily wrote out his next set of notes, Jeffery placed it in between his head and ear, allowing his wrist a moment of reprieve from the continuous writing. He shook it in place for a moment, before clutching at the pen once more, keen to start once more.
‘With that in mind, which title are you looking to go after first? There’s a lot on the table at the moment, plenty of opportunity for a young guy like you to go out there and make your mark. So, what’s it going to be?’
‘That’s a good question - one that I don’t quite have an answer for just yet. I honestly believe that I could challenge for any of them given enough time, but that’s not the only factor to consider. It comes down to a few factors. My own level of ability, as well as the opportunities that are thrown my way, and along with that, pure circumstance.
‘If ya want the truth, I’m confident enough to get a call from Digger saying I’ll be going up against Speede for the World Title today… and I’d welcome it with no fear or hesitation. That’s just the kinda guy I am. But like I just said, it’s not just about how great of a competitor you are. The timing needs to be there, everything needs to line up perfectly.
‘If I had to pick right now? The Television Title would suit me just fine. Remember what I said a minute or two ago about building up my skills? Well, this would be the most fitting place to do just that. Every week against a new, eager challenger. That’s the kind of shit I’m looking for. I also see T.F.K over there with that United States Championship, representing Boston proud. I definitely wouldn’t mind a slice of that pie, but it all comes down to who is available and what’s happening at any given time.’
From seemingly nowhere, Ryan’s tone morphs from the light-hearted one he had been carrying himself with to a much darker and heavier one, eyebrows furrowing slightly as he speaks.
‘There’s never any point in expecting something that might not come. You just have to be ready to take whatever is thrown at ya, no matter what it is.’
Sensing the change in the air, Jeffery pulls away instinctively, giving Ryan some much-needed space. He brings himself to his feet, stretching out his arms, shoulders and back simultaneously. He runs a hand through his hair, pulling it away from his face, before flashing a crooked grin at Jeffery.
‘Sorry about that, must be the tiredness coming through. Anyway, man, it was nice meeting you. Good luck making it to the big-time - it’s a huge fuckin’ world we live in.’
He slaps his back in a way that he hoped was encouraging, rather than the half-hearted tap he felt he gave the youth. Nevertheless, there was little point of dwelling on the matter now. He briskly paced away, exiting the locker room, with the subtle feeling that there was a darkness looming on the outskirts of his near future.
The clinking of plates hitting the metallic sink rings through the small home known as the Lockhart household. It was a quiet place, one that would once upon a time bring together a huge family of extreme personalities. A roaring fire coupled with equally fierce laughter and chatter was almost an everyday routine, but this was no longer the case. At this point in time, only Ryan and his mother, Erina, were present.
They had just finished a simple dinner, and now Ryan leaned over the kitchen countertop while his mother scrubbed away absent-mindedly at a plate with a sponge. Meanwhile, he was looking down at his hands, deliberately counting out a small pile of money, before sliding it over to his mother.
‘So, Ma, you think this will be enough for repairs?’
‘Oh Ryan, darling. You don’t have to, I can’t ask this from you.’
He raised his hand as if motioning for her to stop her current train of thought.
‘Nope, don’t stress. It’s only fair. How much did you spend to raise my ungrateful ass back in the day, huh?’
She laughs, although it is a hollow one, one that attempted and subsequently failed to hide an underlying sadness.
‘Well, I appreciate that you’re taking the time to pay me back. Your Dad would proud of you.’
He responded with a frown, leaning in a little further.
‘But are you proud, Ma? I know this isn’t what you wanted from me. Wrestling and all. You wanted me to stay away from fighting. Even back when I was at school you’d scold me and Jack for fighting some kids every now and again.’
‘You and your brother were hard to control. Nothing I couldn’t have handled though, right?’
She smiles whimsically but then assumes a look of seriousness.
‘I’m proud that you’ve made something of yourself, Ryan. After everything we’ve gone through, and what you’ve experienced… I’m glad that you were able to move on from it and reach a dream of yours. You always were a little performer, even back as a child.’
‘But?’
‘But I can’t help but feel as though this isn’t the path you should’ve gone down. I don’t want you to end up like him, Ryan.’
In his life, that “him” could have referenced numerous people. There were multiple assumptions available to him, but he opted for the most likely one, that being the current state of his father, who was a sufferer of early-onset dementia. Doctors were uncertain of the cause, due to the fact that there had been no family history of the disease. However, some chose to believe that constant trauma to the head (which primarily came from fighting) was the trigger for the rapid deterioration of his memory. Now, the once proud William Lockhart was but a shell of his former self - a fact that still ate away at Ryan’s heart till this very day.
‘That’s not going to happen, Ma. I’m going to be careful. I’m not just doing this for me, after all. This is for you and the rest of the family. Not just financially, but for our legacy and dignity. We’ve deserved so much more than what we’ve been given. My brothers and sisters deserve more than what they’ve got - and so do you and Pa. I’m not about to let it go down like this.’
She watched him intently as he said this, the sad smile once again coming over her, as well as a look in her eye which told him a clear message: She had heard this all before from someone not too long ago. It could’ve been his brother, his father, or even his grandfather prior to his unfortunate death.
‘I want to believe that, love. I really do. But I know how this story ends. You’re not the first one to be chained down by that so-called “Lockhart Curse”, you know? I didn’t even think that existed up until after I’d married your Father.’
By now, Ryan had tuned out. He merely shook his head, before turning to head to the room he once called his own.
‘It’s fine, Ma. I know why you can’t trust in me right now.’
‘Ryan, it’s not that, it’s just-’
‘No, don’t be sorry. I get it. I’m just going to have to prove you wrong.’
Then, under his breath, he muttered: ‘Just like everybody else.’
‘One match under my belt, and one win. I could be like every other guy out there and start talking about how, through this one result, I am about to run rampant through the rest of the federation and conquer every challenge before me - but I’d prefer to take the slower, more tactical approach.
‘Last week, I proved I can do what many people struggle to - pick up a straight-up, no bullshit win in a wrestling ring. Now? I go on to something bigger. A six-man tag match, featuring an opposition team that could definitely be a threat to handing me my first defeat. I’m taking on a former World Champion, along with an athletic young talent in Carnica Zefare, and a proven competitor in Dark Spectre.
‘Most people seeing that line-up would either feel threatened or feel overly arrogant. You’d get the people who’d look at Purse and immediately think “Well, fuck. A World Champion in my second match?” or you’d get someone who’d look at him, scoff and say “He’s washed-up”.
‘Either way, that’s the wrong way to go about it. And that’s the common issue with people nowadays, we all make assumptions and predictions based too heavily on one’s past, rather than what they’ve shown in the here or now. For example, though Purse has proven he’s the best in the world on more than one occasion - that doesn’t necessarily mean that he still has that ability. On the other hand, you also have to take into account that, there’s no way he’s going to perform like a scrub and just hand me the win.
‘Then you have to add in the other variables. Like my teammates, and how they’ll perform on the night. I know little of them, but Lachlan Rhodes seems like a good kid who’ll put his best foot forward, and Karlie Nash has had her fair share of experience over at UCI. With that in mind, you just have to take what you’ve got and put your own best effort in. You can’t control what other people do, and that’s why people treat tag matches as such a challenge.
‘But for me? I take everything as it comes. I read and react, and adapt to the situation that develops before me. That’s what’ll give me a mental edge over the competition this week. Not to say that they can’t do it themselves, but I can do it better. I’ve been doing it my entire life. I've been thrown into the deep end where coming out with my life wasn’t a certainty - and I survived. The dangers I have faced give me the power to face the new obstacles that now stand before me.
‘So let’s start talking about them, shall we?
‘Carnica. Welcome to the wrestling business. Like me, you’re on a fresh start. A clean slate to get the ball rolling. First impressions are pretty important, huh? Let’s take a look at the one you’ve made.
‘In your first few weeks, you’ve already shown that you’re happy for other people to fight your battles for you. You have a manager of sorts in “The Jackdaw” who likes to hype you and your abilities up. And that’s absolutely fine, some people need that type of confidence boost in their lives to ever be competent. Is that you? I don’t know. You seem like a rather headstrong individual who’ll leap at a challenge, but that could also be what brings you down.
‘You’re fast, but I can be just as quick when I need to be. That might frustrate you, to think that somebody can either keep up with your pace - or slow it down to a halt. And then? You’re out of your element. You won’t have your Troupe to help pick up your performance, you’re all alone with two variables in Dark Spectre and Jeff Purse, who may or may not come to play. Can you perform at your very best with that pressure on your side?
‘Well, we’ll just have to find out. By my calculations though? It’s a long shot.
‘Speaking of long shots, who would’ve thought a road-weary veteran like Dark Spectre would’ve made it into the biggest promotion around? Sometimes, guys like you get overlooked. And it’s fuckin’ sad man. People who have worked their entire lives are passed up for younger talent who are just in the right place at the right time.
‘But not you, man. You’re here and you’re ready to go. You’ve been jumping all over twitter, eager and biting at the bit to get your first match underway. You want to prove yourself, and that’s respectable. I’m in the same boat. The difference is, you’ve already been through that process. And that’s both an advantage and a disadvantage.
‘See, what you call experience, I call being “hard-wired” to think a certain way. So, when I come at you with moves and combinations that you’ve never seen before? You’re going to over-react. You’re going to over-adjust. And you’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to have to relearn everything you’ve been taught over the past years, and that shit just doesn’t happen overnight. Sorry to break it to you man, but I’m on the up and up, and that leaves you in a tough spot.
‘And speaking of tough spots, there’s Purse himself. You’re at a crossroads, huh? You’ve been at the pinnacle, but now you’re at a point where you need to either give it your all or accept your fate. What will it be? There’s new and old talent everywhere, showing that they have a place here in these new proving grounds that separate The Elite from the “really good”, so which category do you fit into? I know exactly where I’m gunning for.
‘And I guess that’s the difference between you and I. You’ve already tasted what it’s like to be at the top, but me? I’ve known nothing but the bottom. And that makes me hungrier. Motivation always beats complacency, and that’s why I’m gonna do everything to pull off this win, even though we may be viewed as the “underdogs”.
‘That shit doesn’t bother me. I’m coming out swinging, all systems go. Can you say the same, Purse? Is this just another throwaway for you, or are you actually going to show why you were one of the best?
“Either way, I’m ready for whatever you and your team bring. I hope you feel the same way.
‘Good luck out there.’
Ryan emerged through the backstage curtain, a growing smile evident on his face, as he eagerly paced toward the locker room. He was sweating profusely, and some of the welts and bruises that came with being a professional wrestler were just starting to make their appearance on his weathered body, but he took little note of any of this. Adrenaline coursed through his system, his mind telling him to utilize the remainder of the pent-up energy that still left him bouncing lightly on his toes, his own footsteps echoing around him.
It came as a surprise to him, how much the simple feeling of victory could rejuvenize one’s body and make them feel as though they were invincible - as though they were untouchable for that brief moment in time. But as minutes went by, and he calmed himself down in the locker room, white towel hung over his head as beads of sweat continued to gradually trickle down his face, drop down his chin and lightly tap the floor beneath him, he realized that this truly was only temporary.
The journey was only just beginning, and there was far more progress to be made, far greater challenges to experience, and far more success to be had.
His head snaps upward, shooting a glance at a man approaching him in a suit, microphone in hand. The man had a rather unimpressed look on his face, as though this was this was quite literally the hundredth time he had performed this exact same task this day. His walk was uninspired, his face drooped with a frown that fitted well with the dull gray suit and pants that he wore. Next, to him, a young teenager with curly sandy colored hair stood next to him - a complete opposite of his older companion. He eagerly paced alongside him, holding up a notebook and a pen in hand, ready to gather forth the next quote that could build the next article or story.
Ryan smiled at the sight of the teenager - a slight reminder to what he may have once been like in a past time when the stress of daily life and the expectation to make something of yourself immediately wasn’t quite as large as it now was. Nevertheless, he made none of these feelings clear to the duo, who now stood over him while he remained seated. The older, less excitable man reached out a hand, to which Ryan responded by extending out his own arm. They exchanged a handshake.
‘Kenneth Rivers. Local reporter. You get the gist. Ready to answer some questions?’
From behind him, the sandy-haired boy piped in.
‘We’d really appreciate it.’
Immediately, the older man turned his head back, shooting a disapproving glare at his companion, before turning back around.
‘Don’t mind him. A bit too eager for my liking, but I’m stuck with him. Anywa-’
‘He’s good. You’re the one that should chill out here, man. I’m good to answer some questions, but if I’m gonna do that for you, we’ll be doing it my way, alright?’
Cleary not expecting that type of response, the man simply stood, unresponding. Ryan beckoned over to the teenager.
‘Take his pen and paper, you’ll be the one writing the notes for this little interview.’
He then looks over at the boy.
‘And you my friend, you can be the one to ask the questions that people are dying to know. Don’t bother about him - there’s always somebody out here trying to hold another man down. Just never let it get to ya, alright?’
Not getting a reply from either of them, Ryan carried on with a smile, offering his hand now to the youth.
‘What’s your name, pal?’
‘Je- Jeffery. I’m doing work experience at the moment.’
‘That’s awesome, man. Looking to be a big-time journalist one day?’
‘That’s… that’s the plan, I guess.’
‘Well, you’ve definitely got a better shot than your buddy over here. You wanna know why?’
He nods uncertainly.
‘Because while you’ve got motivation, he’s stuck with complacency. And a motivated individual will always beat one that is content with where they are. Always gotta be looking to get better every time you work on your craft. Remember that, yeah?’
This time, he nods with more confidence.
‘Beautiful. Now fire away, I think I’m meant to be catching a flight soon, so make it quick but take your time.’ He winks after saying this, communicating to the teenager that he’s merely joking around. At ease with the situation now, the youth brushes some stray hairs out of his eyes, before thinking up a question for the upstart athlete.
‘You’ve never competed in a professional wrestling match before, right?’
Ryan nods.
‘How did it feel stepping out for the first time, and seeing just how many people had come to watch the show? Were you nervous, intimidated? Did it impact your performance at all?’
‘You know, a part of me wants to sit here and tell you how amazing it was… but I’ve wanted to be a performer all my life, man. This shit came naturally to me. Sure, it was an eye-opening experience. It’s not every day you get to go out there in front of thousands and show off what you’ve been working towards.
‘I’m not the most technically gifted, the quickest, or the fastest, but I’ve been practicing and making sure I’ve been getting better every single damn day. I’m not one to be overly generic and talk about “the grind” or whatever the people want to call it, but there’s no denying that I wasn’t handed this opportunity for no reason. I kept at it, I picked myself up from a pretty dark fucking place and tried to see the positive things that surrounded me - even though shit was mostly negative. Now? Nothin’ can really faze me.
‘Sure, I can still get nervous from time to time. But fighting? It’s in my blood. Like I’ve probably already said, and I’ll probably continue to say. I come from a long line of warriors, people who don’t back down from a challenge. And Action Wrestling? Action Wrestling is the ultimate test for anyone who considers themselves a warrior. So yeah, I’m excited to be a part of this all. But at the same time? I know this is exactly where I belong. And that’s why I’m never going to shy away from the bright lights - even if it leads to my demise.’
By this point, the older man has sulked away to the corner of the locker room, leaving the notebook behind him to be taken up by Jeffery, who had furiously been writing away until Ryan had stopped speaking. He flipped to the next page of the pad, before bringing his gaze back down to meet Ryan’s.
‘Alright, so you’ve had your first match and you won it in convincing fashion. You’re in arguably the most talented federation in the entire world at the moment, and everywhere you look there’s either a champion, a contender or an equally promising prospect such as you that is looking to craft their own legacy here. What puts you above all of them, and what’s next for you after this solid start?’
‘You know man, I don’t have it in me to say that I have some “quality” or “X-Factor” that puts me above all the other guys and girls here. Give me a couple matches against them, and I’ll figure out what I need to do to ensure I have the biggest advantage over them that I possibly can. But at the moment? I can only do my absolute best.
‘There’s not going to be any excuses here unless I legitimately am screwed out of a victory. If I do happen to win, that’s great. But even in victory, there’s always something to be learned. Where did I go wrong? What can I do to be even better next time? When could I have ended the match at an earlier point in time? Those are all the things that have to be running through my head all the time if I want to be a World Champion here one day.
‘And if I lose, it’s the exact same process. I can’t sit here and sulk, cry and whine about a result that’s already happened. Life is about pushing on and pressing forward. Nowadays, you never know when you’re gonna be hit with some bullshit that sets you back. That’s why you just have to be prepared, and take EVERYTHING as a learning experience. I could rack up either wins or losses here, and either way I wouldn’t care. As long as I’m steadily improving and positioning myself closer to being at the level where I can solidify myself as the best wrestler in this company. If that’s consistently happening? Then THAT will be exactly above the competition. But until then? We’ll just have to wait and see.’
Having speedily wrote out his next set of notes, Jeffery placed it in between his head and ear, allowing his wrist a moment of reprieve from the continuous writing. He shook it in place for a moment, before clutching at the pen once more, keen to start once more.
‘With that in mind, which title are you looking to go after first? There’s a lot on the table at the moment, plenty of opportunity for a young guy like you to go out there and make your mark. So, what’s it going to be?’
‘That’s a good question - one that I don’t quite have an answer for just yet. I honestly believe that I could challenge for any of them given enough time, but that’s not the only factor to consider. It comes down to a few factors. My own level of ability, as well as the opportunities that are thrown my way, and along with that, pure circumstance.
‘If ya want the truth, I’m confident enough to get a call from Digger saying I’ll be going up against Speede for the World Title today… and I’d welcome it with no fear or hesitation. That’s just the kinda guy I am. But like I just said, it’s not just about how great of a competitor you are. The timing needs to be there, everything needs to line up perfectly.
‘If I had to pick right now? The Television Title would suit me just fine. Remember what I said a minute or two ago about building up my skills? Well, this would be the most fitting place to do just that. Every week against a new, eager challenger. That’s the kind of shit I’m looking for. I also see T.F.K over there with that United States Championship, representing Boston proud. I definitely wouldn’t mind a slice of that pie, but it all comes down to who is available and what’s happening at any given time.’
From seemingly nowhere, Ryan’s tone morphs from the light-hearted one he had been carrying himself with to a much darker and heavier one, eyebrows furrowing slightly as he speaks.
‘There’s never any point in expecting something that might not come. You just have to be ready to take whatever is thrown at ya, no matter what it is.’
Sensing the change in the air, Jeffery pulls away instinctively, giving Ryan some much-needed space. He brings himself to his feet, stretching out his arms, shoulders and back simultaneously. He runs a hand through his hair, pulling it away from his face, before flashing a crooked grin at Jeffery.
‘Sorry about that, must be the tiredness coming through. Anyway, man, it was nice meeting you. Good luck making it to the big-time - it’s a huge fuckin’ world we live in.’
He slaps his back in a way that he hoped was encouraging, rather than the half-hearted tap he felt he gave the youth. Nevertheless, there was little point of dwelling on the matter now. He briskly paced away, exiting the locker room, with the subtle feeling that there was a darkness looming on the outskirts of his near future.
The clinking of plates hitting the metallic sink rings through the small home known as the Lockhart household. It was a quiet place, one that would once upon a time bring together a huge family of extreme personalities. A roaring fire coupled with equally fierce laughter and chatter was almost an everyday routine, but this was no longer the case. At this point in time, only Ryan and his mother, Erina, were present.
They had just finished a simple dinner, and now Ryan leaned over the kitchen countertop while his mother scrubbed away absent-mindedly at a plate with a sponge. Meanwhile, he was looking down at his hands, deliberately counting out a small pile of money, before sliding it over to his mother.
‘So, Ma, you think this will be enough for repairs?’
‘Oh Ryan, darling. You don’t have to, I can’t ask this from you.’
He raised his hand as if motioning for her to stop her current train of thought.
‘Nope, don’t stress. It’s only fair. How much did you spend to raise my ungrateful ass back in the day, huh?’
She laughs, although it is a hollow one, one that attempted and subsequently failed to hide an underlying sadness.
‘Well, I appreciate that you’re taking the time to pay me back. Your Dad would proud of you.’
He responded with a frown, leaning in a little further.
‘But are you proud, Ma? I know this isn’t what you wanted from me. Wrestling and all. You wanted me to stay away from fighting. Even back when I was at school you’d scold me and Jack for fighting some kids every now and again.’
‘You and your brother were hard to control. Nothing I couldn’t have handled though, right?’
She smiles whimsically but then assumes a look of seriousness.
‘I’m proud that you’ve made something of yourself, Ryan. After everything we’ve gone through, and what you’ve experienced… I’m glad that you were able to move on from it and reach a dream of yours. You always were a little performer, even back as a child.’
‘But?’
‘But I can’t help but feel as though this isn’t the path you should’ve gone down. I don’t want you to end up like him, Ryan.’
In his life, that “him” could have referenced numerous people. There were multiple assumptions available to him, but he opted for the most likely one, that being the current state of his father, who was a sufferer of early-onset dementia. Doctors were uncertain of the cause, due to the fact that there had been no family history of the disease. However, some chose to believe that constant trauma to the head (which primarily came from fighting) was the trigger for the rapid deterioration of his memory. Now, the once proud William Lockhart was but a shell of his former self - a fact that still ate away at Ryan’s heart till this very day.
‘That’s not going to happen, Ma. I’m going to be careful. I’m not just doing this for me, after all. This is for you and the rest of the family. Not just financially, but for our legacy and dignity. We’ve deserved so much more than what we’ve been given. My brothers and sisters deserve more than what they’ve got - and so do you and Pa. I’m not about to let it go down like this.’
She watched him intently as he said this, the sad smile once again coming over her, as well as a look in her eye which told him a clear message: She had heard this all before from someone not too long ago. It could’ve been his brother, his father, or even his grandfather prior to his unfortunate death.
‘I want to believe that, love. I really do. But I know how this story ends. You’re not the first one to be chained down by that so-called “Lockhart Curse”, you know? I didn’t even think that existed up until after I’d married your Father.’
By now, Ryan had tuned out. He merely shook his head, before turning to head to the room he once called his own.
‘It’s fine, Ma. I know why you can’t trust in me right now.’
‘Ryan, it’s not that, it’s just-’
‘No, don’t be sorry. I get it. I’m just going to have to prove you wrong.’
Then, under his breath, he muttered: ‘Just like everybody else.’
‘One match under my belt, and one win. I could be like every other guy out there and start talking about how, through this one result, I am about to run rampant through the rest of the federation and conquer every challenge before me - but I’d prefer to take the slower, more tactical approach.
‘Last week, I proved I can do what many people struggle to - pick up a straight-up, no bullshit win in a wrestling ring. Now? I go on to something bigger. A six-man tag match, featuring an opposition team that could definitely be a threat to handing me my first defeat. I’m taking on a former World Champion, along with an athletic young talent in Carnica Zefare, and a proven competitor in Dark Spectre.
‘Most people seeing that line-up would either feel threatened or feel overly arrogant. You’d get the people who’d look at Purse and immediately think “Well, fuck. A World Champion in my second match?” or you’d get someone who’d look at him, scoff and say “He’s washed-up”.
‘Either way, that’s the wrong way to go about it. And that’s the common issue with people nowadays, we all make assumptions and predictions based too heavily on one’s past, rather than what they’ve shown in the here or now. For example, though Purse has proven he’s the best in the world on more than one occasion - that doesn’t necessarily mean that he still has that ability. On the other hand, you also have to take into account that, there’s no way he’s going to perform like a scrub and just hand me the win.
‘Then you have to add in the other variables. Like my teammates, and how they’ll perform on the night. I know little of them, but Lachlan Rhodes seems like a good kid who’ll put his best foot forward, and Karlie Nash has had her fair share of experience over at UCI. With that in mind, you just have to take what you’ve got and put your own best effort in. You can’t control what other people do, and that’s why people treat tag matches as such a challenge.
‘But for me? I take everything as it comes. I read and react, and adapt to the situation that develops before me. That’s what’ll give me a mental edge over the competition this week. Not to say that they can’t do it themselves, but I can do it better. I’ve been doing it my entire life. I've been thrown into the deep end where coming out with my life wasn’t a certainty - and I survived. The dangers I have faced give me the power to face the new obstacles that now stand before me.
‘So let’s start talking about them, shall we?
‘Carnica. Welcome to the wrestling business. Like me, you’re on a fresh start. A clean slate to get the ball rolling. First impressions are pretty important, huh? Let’s take a look at the one you’ve made.
‘In your first few weeks, you’ve already shown that you’re happy for other people to fight your battles for you. You have a manager of sorts in “The Jackdaw” who likes to hype you and your abilities up. And that’s absolutely fine, some people need that type of confidence boost in their lives to ever be competent. Is that you? I don’t know. You seem like a rather headstrong individual who’ll leap at a challenge, but that could also be what brings you down.
‘You’re fast, but I can be just as quick when I need to be. That might frustrate you, to think that somebody can either keep up with your pace - or slow it down to a halt. And then? You’re out of your element. You won’t have your Troupe to help pick up your performance, you’re all alone with two variables in Dark Spectre and Jeff Purse, who may or may not come to play. Can you perform at your very best with that pressure on your side?
‘Well, we’ll just have to find out. By my calculations though? It’s a long shot.
‘Speaking of long shots, who would’ve thought a road-weary veteran like Dark Spectre would’ve made it into the biggest promotion around? Sometimes, guys like you get overlooked. And it’s fuckin’ sad man. People who have worked their entire lives are passed up for younger talent who are just in the right place at the right time.
‘But not you, man. You’re here and you’re ready to go. You’ve been jumping all over twitter, eager and biting at the bit to get your first match underway. You want to prove yourself, and that’s respectable. I’m in the same boat. The difference is, you’ve already been through that process. And that’s both an advantage and a disadvantage.
‘See, what you call experience, I call being “hard-wired” to think a certain way. So, when I come at you with moves and combinations that you’ve never seen before? You’re going to over-react. You’re going to over-adjust. And you’re going to make mistakes. You’re going to have to relearn everything you’ve been taught over the past years, and that shit just doesn’t happen overnight. Sorry to break it to you man, but I’m on the up and up, and that leaves you in a tough spot.
‘And speaking of tough spots, there’s Purse himself. You’re at a crossroads, huh? You’ve been at the pinnacle, but now you’re at a point where you need to either give it your all or accept your fate. What will it be? There’s new and old talent everywhere, showing that they have a place here in these new proving grounds that separate The Elite from the “really good”, so which category do you fit into? I know exactly where I’m gunning for.
‘And I guess that’s the difference between you and I. You’ve already tasted what it’s like to be at the top, but me? I’ve known nothing but the bottom. And that makes me hungrier. Motivation always beats complacency, and that’s why I’m gonna do everything to pull off this win, even though we may be viewed as the “underdogs”.
‘That shit doesn’t bother me. I’m coming out swinging, all systems go. Can you say the same, Purse? Is this just another throwaway for you, or are you actually going to show why you were one of the best?
“Either way, I’m ready for whatever you and your team bring. I hope you feel the same way.
‘Good luck out there.’