Monday, 16 January 2012
Aftershock Locker room
Alexander Steele rests on the bench inside of the locker room, holding a damp towel over his face. Hes letting the heat and dampness relax him and his headache, seemingly still feeling some effects of the concussion he suffered at the hands of Everest at All or Nothing.
This crap always happens, starts with one loss and then moves on into two or three before I can catch a break again.
He groans and sits up straight as he pulls the towel from his face. His eyes squint at the lighting in the locker room, having to readjust. He tosses the towel into his gym bag before pulling off his boots.
I hate to see what my match is going to be next week. Heres hoping that Ill finally be completely over that damned concussion.
He places his boots into the bag and pulls out a pair of track pants. Standing up, he pulls them on and then pulls on a pair of shoes. Alex sighs lightly as he picks up his jacket and pulls it on, zipping it all the way up.
And maybe Ill be able to get a full night sleep. I do too much at home.
Steele smiles lightly thinking about being at home with his girlfriend and daughter. He walks out of the locker room and takes notice of the match schedule for the next week. He spots his name and nods before heading for the exit, as the scene fades to black.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Boston, Massachusetts
The Steele Residence
Alex sits on the couch, stretched out with his feet propped up on the coffee table. Hes watching television, an episode of Regular Show that was DVRd for him. He seems peaceful when Mazi walks up and sits next to him. She twists so that she can put her legs up onto his lap.
You do realize that youre not supposed to have your feet on the coffee table right?
She teases him as she casually the episode with him. Alex turns his head to look at her with a raised eyebrow.
Im serious, we said no feet on the coffee table a long time ago.
She continues to tease him until Alex begins to pulls his feet down. Mazi then looks at him and laughs lightly letting him finally know that she was only teasing.
Howre you holding up honey? Is your head still hurting you?
Her first question is really a veiled question about his run in with Jason last week. Shes concerned for Alex as hes not said a word about it since it happened.
Im doing alright; my head is finally starting to feel normal again. Everest really did a number on me. I really underestimated that guy.
Well he does have a few years of experience on you. You really should have known better than to underestimate Everest.
Alex smirks at Mazi as he shakes his head. She hit the nail on the head but hes refusing to verbalize that shes right.
I know, I got overconfident, I was certain that I was going to walk out of that match as the victor. My thinking was that only Ty Burna would be a problem. I was however the only one to pull out all the stop to try and win.
And thats ultimately why you lost, karma. You underestimated and even made fun of Everest. You got what you deserved actually.
Steele cant help but laugh at Mazis statement. He knows that she is completely serious about what shes saying but it just comes off as being snarky.
On top of that, you got thrown into another match against him and once more you lost. Everest didnt take you out this time but your body was used to take him out of the match.
I know, that sucked royally; I hated that that happened. Showtime is a great competitor; he was destined to win that fatal four way match. Still, I do wish it couldve come down to me and Everest.
This time its Mazis turn to raise an eyebrow. Part of her cant believe that Alex still wants to take on Everest at this point in his career. She understands that he wants to test his abilities but believes that he should maybe wait a few more months.
I know what youre thinking, why am I still after having a match with Everest? Thats because hes the pinnacle of talent in WZCW. Sure, he might not be the champion right now, but Everest has been at this longer than just about everyone else that are currently in WZCW. Hes that measuring stick for anyone going after the heavyweight title.
No, I know exactly why you want a match with him. I just wonder if thats what your current problem is. I mean youre becoming consumed with having a match with him. You act like you need that match but what happens if you get tasked to be his partner?
Alex smiles at her and begins to pat her legs that are resting on his lap.
Baby that would be an honor; I dont have to beat Everest; I just want a shot at a one-on-one match is all. If management wanted us to team for a match then Id have no problem working with him. In fact our particular wrestling styles are very similar and would probably work very well together.
Mazi grins at his answer, figuring that hed be humble about it now. She guesses that hes probably in his right mind at the moment and possibly not being effected by the shouting match with his father.
Well, whos up next then?
Alexander Stark, someone I dont actually know much about. I know hes a former tag team champion. I know that his partner has left WZCW and hes now out to make a name for himself. I also know that his first outing by himself was a lost against Scott Hammond. I am however, not about to underestimate this guy. Hes bound to have a fire to win this match against me and get into the Lethal Lottery match.
Mazi nods lightly as she listens to her man speak about his upcoming match. Soon he lifts her legs off of his lap and moves to take up. Alex stretches and then leans down and kisses Mazi.
Got to go baby, I have a class to teach.
He smiles at her and heads for the door as the scene fades to black.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Boston, Massachusetts
The Refinery
Alex stands in the center of the ring with a student on his shoulders. Hes holding the student in an Samoan drop stance when they both fall to the mat. Steele stands up and then helps the student to his feet and smiles.
Good job. That is how you will perform death valley drivers for the time being. Take your time in executing the move; make sure that youre protecting your partner. A little later well run through the move at full speed. After Im happy with your progress, well move on to joint locks.
The students clap their understanding and all head into the ring to begin working at half speed on the DVD move. Alex smiles as he exits the ring and walks toward his office. He stops at the window and leans against the edge.
I love this, teaching, if I ever become too injured to wrestle Ill continue to teach others how to. I went to Boston University to become a History teacher, but was too consumed by wrestling to finish my classes. Maybe Ill go back to school once I cant wrestle any longer. Of course by that time, any one I taught would easily recognize me as a wrestler. Oh well, its not about anything other than helping the youth.[/COLOR
Alex crosses his arms over his chest as he looks past the camera, watching the students in the ring, making sure that no one is getting hurt.
Jon in there is a kid off the streets, he has a family, but they dont take much notice of him. He used to spend his time stealing from convenience stores, until I caught him a few months ago. This school is the only thing keeping him out of juvie and hes got a lot of potential talent in him. One of these days hell probably be in a WZCW ring and probably ruling the roost. Im doing a good thing here, I took a closed wrestling school that belonged to my father and reopened it. Im not as selective as Jason was about students, I am as tough on them, but I dont care if someone has the talent for it, I just want them all to have the desire to learn.
Soon Im going to open the door for females, Im going to enlist the assistance of Mazi once shes up to it and a few other female wrestlers Ive met since I started wrestling to teach the ladies. Right now, I just dont feel comfortable with being in a teaching role for women, plus I dont trust some of my students around them.
He laughs lightly, indicating that hes joking about not trusting some of his students. Alex sighs lightly, still grinning as he watches the students in the ring.
Alright, thats enough of half speed, go full speed until I tell you to stop.
Steele yells out to the young men in the ring giving each other death valley drivers. He turns his attention to the camera now but keeps the ring in his peripheral vision.
Ive been in two matches in the last two weeks that Ive lost. My opponent this week is under the same pressure. This week one of us gets to break their losing streak and on top of that the winner gets a spot in the Lethal Lottery match. I made a claim two weeks ago that I would be in that match and I intend to make good on that claim. Alexander Stark steps into the ring with me at a time when Im completely happy. Im calm and Im focused. I know that Mazi thinks that Im not because I keep talking about a match with Everest to her and then I know that she heard me and Jason yelling at one another.
She thinks that Im not focused at all and I dont blame her. I wasnt focused last week, knowing that my father wants me to fail and has no faith in me was a factor. However, Im over it now, Im moving on with my life. I can no longer stand around waiting for Jasons approval because Im never going to get it. I just know that I cannot end up like he was, I have to be a better father than he was and I will be a better wrestler than he is. I start my quest to being a better wrestler than he is next week against Mr. Stark.
He unfolds his arms and cracks his knuckles for a moment as he averts his attention to the ring. He watches for a moment in silence and then looks back at the camera.
At the forty-third Ascension Ill be making a case in the ring to move on to the Lethal Lottery match against Alexander Stark. Now, Mr. Stark, I know that youre going to come out the gate swinging. I know this because you have a lot to prove. You want to prove that youre not just a tag team wrestler, that you can handle being a singles wrestler. I honestly have faith that youll be fairly successful in your singles career. However, Im not willing to let you have this win. Im not going to go down without a fight, and youre not walking out of that match if you manage to become the victor. If I go down Mr. Stark, youll be going down with me. Ill be prepared for our match and I hope that you will be too. Two former tag team champions stepping into the ring with one another and only one of us will be able to move past it to the Lethal Lottery match. Like I said earlier I fully intend on it being me. I dont have to prove that I can be successful as a singles wrestler like you do; I just have to prove that Im capable of being the best wrestler WZCW has to offer. You get to contend with my fire and determination to win this match and Im afraid that youre going to be overcome. Come prepared to fight Alexander Stark, thats all the advice I can really give you.
Alex smiles and steps away from his office window and heads toward the practice ring.
Alright, thats enough everyone. Gather round, its time to learn some joint locks. Come one, hurry it up.
He says to the students who are still in the ring. They scramble out of the ring and take positions surrounding Alex on a wrestling mat as if theyd been through this many times before. The scene fades to black as Alex picks a student to help him demonstrate the lock.