The school gym in Phoenix is crowded with people; a small buzz in the air as Triple X, the Elite X champion, has returned home. Sitting at a desk piled with WZCW merchandise, he's been sitting there for over an hour signing shirts with logo's for Kingdom Come, posters with his likeness on, DVD covers of past PPV's, and so on. He cannot recall how many items he's signed, how many people he's had a picture taken with, but neither does he care. This is EXACTLY the kind of thing X loves; pleasing the fans in any way he can.
This is where I began. A little amateur wrestling here and there. I remember running up these bars quicker than anyone else, back-flipping off of walls for fun, while the other kids either watched, or made fun. That's what you do at that age I suppose. Doing those things were my escape, my treat for all the school work. Outside of this room, I was a mess, but in here, I felt like a god.
Triple X!
X looks as the young lady he'd just signed a poster for walks away, to see a kid, no older than thirteen, dressed head to toe in WZCW gear. Trainers, jumper, hat, sweat bands, with bags full of posters and action figures, with an Elite X title belt around his waist.
Err...hey, little man!
OHMYGODYOURETRIPLEXTHATISSOCOOLCANYOUSIGNASHIRTFORMEPLEEEEEASE???????????
X stares blankly, taken aback somewhat by the immense show of affection from a boy no older than thirteen.
Okay my man, do me a favor. Breathe. Start again. Slowly. In English, please.
The kid takes a deep breath.
Oh-my-god-you're-Triple-X-that-is-so-cool-can-you-sign-a-shirt-for-me-please?????????
Why, yes. Yes I can. Pass it here, dude.
The kid almost throws the shirt in X's face, but he takes it and signs it. Before he can even finish, a poster has been placed on the table...
And this poster-
An action figure....
-and this action figure-
A DVD...
-and this DVD-
A replica title belt...
-and my Elite X belt-
WOAH!
The kid stops, looking up to X, puppy-dog eyes in full swing.
Listen man, I'd be happy and willing to sign these all day, but there's a lot of people waiting. So I'll sign the shirt and the poster, and pose for a picture. How's that.
OHMYGODREALLY??????
Oh god...
X quickly signs the poster, and puts his arm around the kid for the photo. Once it's taken, the kid turns back to X.
Can you do one more thing for me, Mr. X?
As long as it isn't signing anything...
...can you beat Blade for me? I know you will anyway, but I really want you to win. I don't like him very much.
X smiles at the request. He'd been thinking about the honor and prestige of his match against a true legend in WZCW all week long, but this was the first time anyone had mentioned it to him today.
I'll do my best, little man.
The kid and his mother (his poor, poor mother) walk away, each loaded with ridiculous amounts of merchandise. As they leave, the kid turns back to X and smiles which, despite just how annoying the kid was, warms X's heart to no end.
A Couple Of Hours Later...
The room is being packed up. All of the merchandise that didn't sell is being packed in boxes by crew working at the event. X wasn't the only WZCW superstar there, but being the hometown 'hero', he was one of the most popular stalls, and was the last one to shut up shop. As people shift stuff around him, he sits on one of the gym bench closest to him, and takes in the memories that the room represents.
That kid...damn he was annoying. Then again, at that age I wasn't any different. He idolized me. I was an obsessed fan just like he is. It's...weird. I never thought I'd be seeing people act like that about me, the way I did about my heroes. I guess I hadn't realized what I would become once I made it here. Never thought in a million years I'd become an idol. But that kid pretty much worshiped me. In his eyes, I'm unbeatable. Even against a legend like Blade.
Blade...I'm his last opponent, at least for now. He's gonna want to go out in style, and while he won't be overlooking me, he certainly won't think I'm at his level. I think that kid overestimates me. I'm not just gonna beat Blade like that. It'll be an all-out war. He's a veteran, he has a ridiculous amount of experience on me.
If anything, this match is a huge landmark for me. I beat Blade, I prove myself that I can hang with the very best. But Blade will want to be going out on a high, and the pressure is on him not to go out as a loser. If I lose, which I won't, but if I do, I lose against one of the best not to hold a world title. I win, I prove to everyone in the back that on my day, I can beat anyone.
Blade goes on about his destiny, and his Sons of Destiny will no doubt look for any way they can to get involved, should Blade see fit to instruct them to do so. If they do, so be it. I'll just have to make sure I'm ready to take their sorry asses out, too.
A match against Blade is a huge opportunity, and I can't waste it. I won't. But now I have another reason to beat him. And I'm not in the habit of letting people down.
X stands up from the bench and picks up his bag. He slings it over his shoulder, and heads for the exit.
Thanks, kid.
