Holmes and Constantine had beaten us, we had the momentum in the early going but Holmes resorted to using brass knuckles to keep Mikey down. If only I hadnt stepped into the ring we might have had a different finish to the match. The ref was getting me out of the ring when Mikey took the knuckles to the jaw.
Not that that matters now
Holmes day will come; well make sure of it. For now we needed to refocus on Kingdom Come. Who would believe it; six months ago I was earning petrol money and maybe getting a discount stay at a hotel, now I was on the card for the biggest show of the year. Hopefully Mikey will be there with me but we have some business to attend to in the mean time, specifically my past. Its time Mikey learnt the truth. Or at least as much as I can afford to tell him at this point.
Wed agreed to take a few days sabbatical between Ascension and Kingdom Come to visit family and the likes; I flew to England for a day and a half and met up with my mother and my little brother. Wed talked about the match, about BLT and Runn Reynolds Runn, theyd made more of an insight on them than I had and I was planning to go through it all with Mikey, once wed gotten our other business out of the way.
Wed agreed to meet McCarran International Airport, Id considered booking a hire car, but realised that on the strip there was little point. We were here on business and I was hoping we could be on our way to Dallas within the next twenty-four hours. Dinah and Rose had gone on ahead and were staying at a resort in the middle of the countryside; the Rough Creek Lodge, wed rented a goddamn house from them and theyd let us set up a ring out back so it was ideal for what we needed. I sat in the terminal waiting for Mikey when a fan approached me. Excuse me, um, are you James Howard?
I turned to face the kid stood behind me; he was no older than ten, wearing a shirt with the Strikeforce logo on it. He was also wearing a Runn Reynolds Runn baseball cap, that damn RRR logo followed me everywhere. Hi kid, yeah its me, what can I do for you? The kid looked shocked; I dont think he was expecting a reaction other than waving him away. If the kid had the balls to approach me in an airport, I had to at least acknowledge him.
Hi, Im a, uh, a huge fan of tag teams, you and Mikey especially.
Oh yeah, how come youre wearing a Runn Reynolds Runn cap then? I was joking, based upon the kids reaction I dont think he knew about deadpan delivery. He immediately took off the hat and balled it up into his hands. I was kidding.
The kid laughed awkwardly. Would you mind signing this for me? He handed me a programme from our first Ascension, where Mikey and I took each other on.
Sure. I reached into my pockets. Do you have a pen?
Here you go Howard Mikey was standing behind me, how on Earth a guy that big can sneak like that is beyond me, but hed managed it. Want me to sign it too? The kids face lit up. He didnt speak, he just thrust the programme towards us and smiled from ear to ear. There you go Mikey said as he handed it back. I blinked and the kid was gone, I wondered if he was going to keep it for himself or sell it on ebay. Good to see you buddy. Mikey smirked a little as I paid for my drinks and headed for the exit. Why are we in Las Vegas by the way?
Cut right to the chase why dont you? I made you some promises, Im making sure I keep them. We left the airport and hailed a cab. The taxi ride was only ten minutes long, but Mikey looked fit to burst. We couldnt talk about my gambling just anywhere and especially not in Las Vegas. We arrived at our hotel. Here we are buddy, the Mandalay Bay Resort. Ive got us a suite each, thanks to Aleksey. The MMA crowd are in town and hes working so he managed to bag us a couple of tickets to that too if you wanna go see it.
Im surprised you want to go, given the circumstances.
Why do you think were in Vegas? Who else can give you the full and honest story about what happened that day other than me and Alex? As we headed into the reception room we were met by a burly European man with an accent and breath so thick it had a physical presence.
You are Mr Howard yes? I am Vitali. Aleksey sent me to meet you. He has keys. Follow. Leave the fat one here. His key is at reception.
Im guessing youre Vitali. Mikeys with me, Alex knows hes the main reason Im here so drop the goddamn attitude ok?
Vitali grunted. Fine. Very well. Fat man gets in lift now please Mikey and I followed Ayers rock into the elevator. Alex said to speak to you first. He said pointing at me aggressively. Fat one can wait outside with me.
My name is Mikey, asshole
Vitali took my overnight bag and stared at Mikey blankly for a second, like he was reminding himself not to get violent. Fine, fat Mikey wait with me.
I entered Alexs room. He was sat on a chair, looking out onto the strip. Cigarette smoke floated in the sunlight as he spoke. It is a beautiful day. It is a good day to spend with old friends, and even older enemies. His head did not move; he was fixated on something in the distance. Our match, it could it should - have been there. He pointed at the Mandalay Bay events centre. We were both good enough, but you were too young and I was too old. It is a shame. If only I were ten years younger you and I could have filled that building to the rafters. Instead, you nearly killed me on live television. It seems that we have both bounced back however. You are now filling the arenas you were always going to, I have become respectable commentator.
Its good to see you Alex. He lazily pointed to the chair next to him, I obliged. He passed me a cigarette as he stubbed his out. I didnt think we could smoke in the rooms?
We cannot. He replied in a cold careless voice. I never cared for rules. How much does your friend know anyway?
He knows I used to gamble. I told him the other week while I was drunk.
Alexs put his head in his hands. He also knows you never fixed a fight then I assume. Alex had turned to me and was pointing. You were always an honest one. Not like me. Your friend needs to understand that. I nodded in agreement. Does he know what you did after the fight? I shook my head. Then it is best we do not speak of that. I will follow your lead friend; Comrade.
Dont start your KGB bullshit with me Alex, I hate it when you call me that. You were twenty-two when the wall fell.
<I was twenty-four when the union dissolved, and it was a compliment you ignorant pig.>Alex slipped into Russian without a thought when he was riled. Clearly Id upset him.
Dont call me a pig. Anyway, what time do you need to be at the arena? Alex glared at me, clearly hed forgotten that over the years wed known each other Id picked up a good amount of Russian from him.
I have an hour. When do you fly to Dallas?
Tomorrow morning. We might go to the fight though.
It would be best if you did not. There are still some people who are... less than pleased with you still. Alex looked me in the eyes. His face was emotionless. I gave you tickets to give you a reason to bring your friend. He should hear my side. No doubt my friend has escorted him to his room. Alex walked over to the door. VITALI he yelled at the top of his lungs, no reply. He opened the door and collected the do not disturb sign, he was sat next to me almost instantaneously. Let us talk about your match. Do you have a plan? Neither team can be uh, over done? No, what is the phrase?
Underestimated
Yes. He enthusiastically exclaimed. Neither team can be underestimated. I know you beat the sandwich team before but they are stronger now, and the others, they have been the champions for some time. You have to have a plan friend, or they will bring defeat to you.
BLT have been overlooked by everyone. Theyre not very I paused, searching for the right word marketable.
Which one? The Jew or the one in need of a shave? Alex didnt pull punches. In fact in polite company he was often called racist. He wasnt but that didnt come across very often.
Neither, really. Its not just that though; weve been cutting our way upwards, meanwhile theyve been moving sideways. Theyve only faced off against teams that were doomed from the start. Were the only guys on the Kingdom Come card theyve even faced in the ring. Theres only so many times they can beat the same team.
They are still strong. Do not count them out before the bell rings.
I wont... Im not... BLT are talented. We can beat them though, we have beaten them, how much damage can an unshaven and over-educated hobo and a guy who is probably still afraid of his mother do?
A lot Alex glared at me If you count them out they will win. Focusing on the idiot with a death wish and his mentor will lead to you being caught from behind.
I know, given the match were going into though our opponents seem to be the least important thing. No-one has done anything like this before, were entering the unknown. The most important thing is to get those titles down from above the ring; there are no rules in that match. No disqualifications, hell, using weapons in encouraged. I think the crowd will be disappointed if someone doesnt go through a table, or get their skull cracked on a chair, or even get damn near paralysed falling off of or onto a ladder.
Wrong. Alex was as glib as hed ever been. The match is not as important as your opponents. The one with a death wish; Ricky Runn, he will not be afraid of anything you could do to him. You could drop him from a plane with no parachute and he would smile as he fell to his death. He lives for this. Hes the most dangerous man in that ring, other than you; you need to deal with him. You need to scare him.
I need to help my partner conquer his own fears yet, before I start to worry about scaring someone else.
How are you planning to do that?
This is a very tall building... Theres Austin Reynolds to worry about too. That guy has gone toe to toe with some of the best there is. He faced off against Ty Burna
He lost to Ty Burna, he lost to his friends too. His career is staring at Baba Yaga, his time is short; I doubt he will have many matches after this.
Thats true, the guys neck is like chalk from what Ive heard, theres no way hes going to risk his life over some gold.
Do not be so sure, tell me would you rather retire as a paralysed champion or as a withered husk of a once great man?
I hadnt thought of it that way, if its going around the locker room then clearly Reynolds knows his time is short. Maybe he would be prepared to risk it all to go out on a high. If anything, he might be more dangerous than he usually is. As I realised just how tough the match was going to be, Vitali burst into the room walking quickly backwards as Mikey stomped after him. Do not call me fat Mikey again, do you understand? Comprende? Comprends-pas? English Mother Fu~
MIKEY I yelled across the room. What the hell happened?
Big, dumb and ugly crossed the line. Im sick of people making fat jokes. The next person to make a fat joke gets my size fourteen stuck so far up their ass theyll be tasting leather for a month. Mikey sneered around the room; clearly Mikey had a line in the sand. Being called Fat Mikey by a guy who looked like hed fallen onto the ugly tree from a plane was evidently it. He quickly calmed down and offered his hand to Vitali who had fallen on his ass whilst backtracking. I could see Vitali had his right hand balled into a fist as he grabbed Mikeys hand with his left. So could Mikey, dont even think about it his voice was half hiss and half shout and one hundred percent serious. After Vitali had stood and dusted himself off he made his apologies and left. Ive been babysat for long enough. Why are we really here?
I pointed to a media room in the centre of Alexs suite. Were going to watch something. Well skip to the second round. That way you can see what happened.
As the second round started both Alex and I were bloodied, hed gotten a few good hits in on my left eye and I knew I needed to protect it. My brow was swollen and looked about ready to split with one good hit. My left cheek and knee had both taken some damage too, but Alex knew my style. I was a reactive fighter, dodging and weaving and waiting for an opportunity, if he managed to take out my peripheral vision it would give him a huge advantage. Id gotten some good shots in during the first round and Alex had to get his nose patched up, hed also shifted his posture so that his right leg was protected. He was a great striker but if I could ground him he was screwed and he knew it. If nothing else he was determined to go the distance if he had to lose.
The first thirty seconds or so were pretty even, we traded blows back and forth but nothing major. A few big misses from both of us had cancelled each other out in quick succession. At the thirty-one second mark Alex landed a huge left hook and burst my eye open. Stop the tape. I looked at Mikey, staring him straight in the eye. Remember buddy what happens next is brutal and visceral; I dont know what happened to me but from here until the locker room afterwards is a blur. I havent watched this fight in over a year and a half. Im only watching it again so you can hopefully understand what happened. Sorry Alex, you can press play now. I covered my face; I knew the next thirty seconds blow for blow in my head. I did remember it, every brutal, terrifying second, it haunts me. For thirty seconds I became bestial, I became like a lion, or a shark. After the hit to my face I managed to get into a clutch, forcing enough space to get some elbows into Alexs ribs. The first two hit just to the side of the sternum, the third hit further out, where bone becomes cartilage, it was right over Alexs heart. I felt the rib snap against my elbow and Alex released me to grab onto it. He was doubled over and on the verge of falling to his knees; the referee stepped in and started to call for the doctor. If I had stopped there I would have won by Technical Knockout. There was no way Alex could defend himself when his rib was so dangerously close to his heart.
I didnt stop though. I grabbed him by the hair, a hand over each ear and pulled his head down onto my right knee. The first shot connected on his nose, I barely felt anything save for the dampness of his blood. Id hit right in the centre of the bridge smashing the hardened cartilage; it took two surgeries to make his nose look human again. The second hit was over his left brow; I broke his orbital bone as well as being very close to bursting his eyeball. I remember pulling him towards me for the third strike, hitting his right cheek square on from the front; I felt it move back an inch but it didnt break so I hit it again. The fifth and final blow was to his mandible. The hardest bone in the human body but it snapped like a glow stick. All five strikes happened in less than two seconds. I heard the sound from the video stop.
I looked up and saw that the only person still watching the video was Mikey; his face was pallid. He looked like he had seen death and been told that out of the seven billion people on earth he was next. He opened his mouth as if to speak but nothing came out. Im sorry Mikey I patted my partner on the back. I shouldnt have forced you to watch it but you needed to see the monster I can become. You need to promise me, promise that no matter what the circumstances if I flip out like that in the ring you dont stop, you dont hesitate; you run. If Dinah or Rose are there you go and you get them too. Im sorry. I could feel my tear ducts swelling, reliving those few seconds. Seeing what I did to someone I had and was still able to call a friend, being so helpless.
The video is not yet finished. Alex sounded callous and cold as Mikey tapped on the bin, he tapped out from watching any more. You need to see, if you want to trust your friend you need to see what he can do if provoked.
That wasnt provoked Mikey shouted as he lifted his head. It was attempted murder; he was trying to kill you Alex. How can you be so, so, blank? How can you watch this and not feel helpless?
I cannot, but sometimes you must do the difficult things in order to succeed. This video, it reminds me of what I have overcome, as a man and as a fighter. I am stronger because I was rebuilt from the ground up. Your friend, he tore me down like a building in demolition. He forced me to rebuild myself stronger and better so that this could never happen again.
How can you not be angry? How can you act like this was good for you in the long run? I dont understand. I... I think I need some air. Mikey stormed out of the room, I heard the room door slam shut behind him.
Give him time, he needs to think about what has just seen. He will be back.
I know he will, but that doesnt change the fact that hell never look at me the same way again.
I am the man you hurt in that video, and here I am sitting and talking to you like we are women with fish.
Fishwives, you mean talking like fishwives.
Whatever, here is a spare key to my room. I will go and talk to your friend then I must go to the event. I think you and he will need to talk tonight. I will do my best to mention Kingdom Come on air. Any press is good press eh?
Thanks Alex. I sat in the room and waited, after ten minutes I realised I had not yet stopped the video. I wiped my cheek and through blurred vision I turned off the television. I must have fallen asleep in the chair. My phone was ringing and it kicked me out of my slumber. The screen had a picture of Dinah, a picture she probably wouldnt approve of me having on my phone, I had taken it in the morning early on in our relationship, as in whilst we were still lazing in bed. Seeing that picture of her made me feel better at least temporarily. I raised the phone to my ear. Hello?
Hi honey, are you alone?
Yeah; why? Something wrong?
No, no. Im feeling better. I need to talk to you, in person. Great. The last time Id heard that phrase it was from a girl called Kirsty. She was calling to dump me.
What about?
Its a surprise. She giggled like an eight year old. I could hear Rose giggling in the background too. Those two had become inseparable; Dinah finally had a sister. There was a knock at the door.
Oh... Okay? Listen its kind of a bad time right now. Ill see you tomorrow Hun, love you. I heard her reciprocate as I removed the phone from my ear and hung up. Life had thrown me something new to worry about. As I got older I realised that life was a bastard, always coming in and messing things up when they seemed to be going right. Our undefeated streak for example, life waited until the show immediately before Kingdom Come to take it away. I meandered over to the door, I didnt want to face what was on the other side. I opened the door and was met with a fist. Vitali smacked me on the jaw with all of the force and finesse of a train. What the hell was that for?
Mister Mikey asked me to do so, he is in his room. I picked myself up off the floor, with my hand rubbing the spot on my jaw where Vitali had almost punched a hole.
I preferred it when you called him fat. I muttered as I walked past him and towards the elevator. The corridor to Mikeys room felt a mile long, because we were in adjacent suites we were placed right at the end of the corridor. I quickly popped into my room to splash some water on my face and make sure Vitali hadnt done too much damage before psyching myself up to knock on his door.
I knocked loudly Theres a seat by the door. Mikey yelled in response. I knew he would need some time to get over what he had watched, but I didnt expect him to make me sit outside. Did you ever fix a fight?
Mikey, I dont want to have this conversation through a door. Can you just let me in?
Did you ever fix a fight? Mikey was already loud enough to hear clearly. His volume had raised significantly.
No, never, I never even considered it. I buried my head in my hands after I spoke. The door clicked open Mikey was staring through me.
Prove it.
I stood up and walked towards the door, he held out his hand to stop me. I cant I never... I never fixed a fight. Up until Alex all of my opponents were jokes, guys who would never have cut it in the big leagues. There was no way I would lose.
Did you bet on your fight with Alex?
Yes. My voice became quieter, I lost ten grand. Look, as much as I love the fact that were stood in a hotel corridor discussing this I cant help but think we could have this conversation inside.
Mikey scoffed Yeah, whatever he walked into the room and I heard him throw himself onto a chair. Come in then. I walked into the room and stood across from him, leaning on the chair in front of me. Sit down, tell me everything. Mikeys voice was calmer now; his eyes were closed, almost squinting but not quite, staring blankly at where my head would be if I were sat down.
I used to get someone a friend or a relative to bet my previous fights purse on my match. If I were really confident Id bet every penny I had. I leaned forward resting my elbows on my knees. Even if you only have four hundred quid to your name long odds pay really well. I used to shop around online to find the best. If Id beaten Alex I would have made eighty thousand. Mikey looked at me unimpressed. In one of my early fights I was at 25-1 against but I knew I had the guy beaten; my sparring partner at the time was almost identical to him. The odds of me getting a first round win by submission were 100-1. I started tapping my finger onto the table, Mikey was putting on his best poker face and he was leaning on his right arm, with his hand covering his mouth. It was how the fight with my sparring partner always went down too. I put four thousand on it. The purse for that bout was three grand, I made four hundred and three. It was what I needed to do to sustain my career. I stood again. Look, I know its difficult to understand everything thats happened since that night I got drunk. But you need to learn to trust me again Mikey. We will win at Kingdom Come, we will be the best tag team in WZCW history, but if you cant get past this were screwed. I stood and began walking towards the door. The balls in your court.
As I reached the door Mikey finally broke his silence. I believe you. I dont know why, but I do. Alex told me about the rest of the fight too. He also said you never fixed a fight, so did Dinah.
I turned, was that why Dinah had called me? Was she trying to make sure I was unprepared for what would happen next? You called Dinah? What did she say?
She told me she knew about it. She said down in the lower divisions it was more common than I would expect, that most guys did it so they could train full time and win more fights. From the way she spoke she made it sound like it was almost necessary.
It was. If Id gotten caught Id be in prison but it was what I needed to do. You need to understand that Mikey.
I understand; I resent it too. After all how many bookies will take bets on wrestling? I had to work every crappy hourly paid job I could get my hands on to survive. You took the easy way out and just gambled on your own success. I hate it, I hate the fact that you got to take a shortcut and I didnt. Mikey had gotten up and was damn near in my face.
Hit me, if you think getting mad will do anything to help then smack me square on the jaw. Its the quickest way of dealing with something, you want a shortcut? Its right here. I lifted my jaw for Mikey to hit me pointing right at the fleshy part directly beneath my tongue. I closed my eyes, this was going to hurt.
Why bother? Mikey spat as we backed away. When I opened my eyes again he was already sat down it wont solve anything. The way Im feeling right now Id gladly break your jaw, but it wont make anything better, itll just give Reynolds, Runn and the Sub Club a weakness to target. I laughed
Good one, Sub Club, I like it. Mikey glared at me. There was an awkward pause Are we good?
Mikey sighed. Were gonna have to be. Mikey smiled as I turned to leave the room. Congratulations by the way, Ill see you tomorrow buddy.
I span on the spot Congratulations for what?
Mikey looked panicked. His eyes darted across the room as his head began to move rapidly, he was a terrible liar What? Oh never mind, it was a uh... a figure of speech. I looked at him suspiciously Ill see you in the morning.
Mikey the vowels were elongated, Mikey had stood up and was starting to walk around the room.
Ill see you tomorrow buddy he laughed nervously You going to grab me on your way down to breakfast? I nodded as I exited the room. As soon as the door closed Mikey swore at the top of his lungs.
As I laid on the bed in my room I couldnt help but think about our team. We came pretty damn close to the brink. I decided my plan for the next day needed to be scrapped, I doubt he would respond well to me pushing him off the building with a parachute after the day wed had. And what was going on with Dinah? What did Mikey know that he wasnt telling me? The following morning we had breakfast and made our way to the airport. A few hours later we were arriving at the house wed rented. Dinah and Rose made us lunch and then me and Dinah headed to our room. What was it you wanted to tell me anyway? I know Rose and Mikey know already so come on, out with it.
How do you know that?
Mikey is a terrible liar and I could hear Rose giggling in the background on the phone.
Rose told Mikey? Goddamn her. She sighed I may as well just say it. She paused and took in a breath. Im pregnant.
I blacked out.
