Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2017 16:07:12 GMT -6
HERE COMES THE PAIN
“Ouch.”
Right away, Carson’s body tensed up in pain as he sat on the medical table. UCI’s medical team were taking a look at his back. To be more specific taking a look at his spine which had taken a beating when he was launched into the barricade.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Guess, it’s a little tender right in that area.”
Using a tone where there was a little bit of a joking manner to it. Although it was a given that he was feeling quite a bit of pain, but that was the price you paid to be a professional wrestler.
[ the physician ] UCI DOCTOR: “Personally, I don’t think there’s anything majorly wrong here. No major injuries to worry about, but that’s just looking at it from an external standpoint.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Then I should be good right? A little bit of rest and relaxation with the holidays coming up. Maybe some ice and elevation for a few days.”
[ the physician ] UCI DOCTOR: “I really don’t know if it’s as simple as that Mikey. Like I said from an external standpoint, I can’t see there being anything majorly wrong. Just a little beat up and a little sore, but I think it’s best that you get things checked out from an internal standpoint. We can take you to the local medical facility and get some x-rays done just to be sure.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “How awesome does this look to the boss? First night in the company and I’ve already gotten injured.”
Shaking his head with a small chuckle.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Well, let’s do what we need to do.”
[ the physician ] UCI DOCTOR: “Stay right here. I’ll make a call to the ambulance and have one sent over. It’ll just take a couple of seconds.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Sure thing doc.”
Giving a thumbs up in the direction of the physician. Mikey then reached into his pocket to pull out his cell phone just as the physician was walking out of the room. Unlocking his phone he went to his iMessages and clicked on the name read “Baby” on it. His fingers tapping quickly against the screen.
iMESSAGE:
Baby...
I hope that everything went well for you tonight and when I see you. You’ve got gold, I know you tore it down tonight. I can just feel it in my bones. But uhm... I wanted to send this text message to tell you. If you try to call, I might be a little occupied with the ER. I kind of maybe got launched back first into a barricade and my back feels like it’s on fire. Guess being in the ring with someone that’s a bit bigger than you and diving to the outside onto said bigger dude with impressive strength isn’t exactly the greatest idea. Lesson learned for next time. But yeah anyway so, they want to do some X-Rays to make sure that I’m alright. Don’t worry or anything. I’m perfectly fine. I can walk and stuff. Don’t overthink and panic. I’ll call you as soon as everything is taken care of. Miss you sugar!
Baby...
I hope that everything went well for you tonight and when I see you. You’ve got gold, I know you tore it down tonight. I can just feel it in my bones. But uhm... I wanted to send this text message to tell you. If you try to call, I might be a little occupied with the ER. I kind of maybe got launched back first into a barricade and my back feels like it’s on fire. Guess being in the ring with someone that’s a bit bigger than you and diving to the outside onto said bigger dude with impressive strength isn’t exactly the greatest idea. Lesson learned for next time. But yeah anyway so, they want to do some X-Rays to make sure that I’m alright. Don’t worry or anything. I’m perfectly fine. I can walk and stuff. Don’t overthink and panic. I’ll call you as soon as everything is taken care of. Miss you sugar!
His thumb pressed the send button, making sure that it went through before putting his phone back in his pocket. The door of the room came open nearly the second. The physician poking his head in the room.
[ the physician ] UCI DOCTOR: “Ambulance will be here in the next ten to fifteen minutes to give us a ride over. You need anyone to get anything for you? I’ll send someone down to get your stuff from a locker room.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Yeah, just get my gear back and stuff from the locker room. Then, I’m ready to roll on out like Jimmy Brooks in a Wheelchair.”
[ the physician ] UCI DOCTOR: “Huh?”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Oh... yeah, guess you’re quite a bit older. Never mind dude, let’s just blow this Popsicle stand. Got a beautiful lady to meet before the end of the night.”
Placing his hands on either side of him when it came to the table and then pushed himself up off of it. There was that instant fire feeling on his spine when he placed his feet under him to be supported. Hopefully there wasn’t anything truly wrong. Hearing the words that nothing externally appeared to be wrong was comforting, but at the same time knowing that there was something that could be wrong internally was a little scary especially with the fire sensation and how sore his back was. Slowly, he made his way to the door where the physician kept it open for him. This had turned out to be a longer night that he had expected but at least his debut to a major company was in the books.
= = = = =
TRAINING DAY
Christmas had come and it had gone just like that. It all had went by so quick that Mikey didn’t get the chance to enjoy it. He was always fond of big holidays and coming together with everyone. Then just like that it had come to an end. Which meant it was time for him to get focused on what was important. After all it was just a few days ago that he found out that he was going to be having his second match within UCI. In his first match he got to compete for the Rising Stars Championship. That was quite the opportunity and one he was thankful for. Sadly, he didn’t make the most of it.
Therefore he thought he was going to find himself at the bottom of the barrel and proving his worth to the company, but that turned out to not be the case. Instead he was being thrown right back into another opportunity. Or he was being thrown into a shark tank it kind of just depend on how one looked at it. Reason being is he found himself getting ready to compete against Celeste Mallory. Yep, a former world champion would be his opponent in just his second match with the company. Talk about the pressure being put on. This was going to be something else for him.
It was an opportunity that he had to take seriously. Which is why he found himself deciding to get a little bit of ring time in before that looming match. In fact it was the first bit of ring time he had taken part in since his debut where he had injured his back. He found himself standing in the middle of the ring. He had all the intentions of taking his first bump, but for some reason he couldn’t bring force himself to do it just yet. That looming thought of his back injury bothered him just a little bit. It had since healed, but the last thing he wanted to do was risk bringing it back.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Ehh...”
He stood there rocking back and forth on the heels of his wrestling shoes. Mikey wanted to bring himself to just do it, but that little voice in his head was preventing him. He couldn’t just get over that small amount of fear of possibly hurting himself. His girlfriend, Jazzlyn had stood on the outside stretching her legs out before climbing into the ring. Hearing him speak up, it brought her attention to him and she could see that uncertainty.
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “You okay love?”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “I will be. The moment I get this first bump out of my system.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “What’s stopping you?”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “I’ve got this small irrational fear that I’m going to further mess my back up, if I fall on it. I never really believed the hype of once you get injured. You’re afraid it’ll happen again, but I believe it now.”
He chuckled somewhat continuing to rock back and forth on his heels. Jazzlyn only offered a comforting smile before she started to pull herself up on the ring apron.
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “I totally understand that. Been there a couple different times.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Least I know that not the only one that’s experienced this.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Nope, not at all and you likely won’t be the last.”
Giggling a little, Jazzlyn started to pull herself up on the top turnbuckle. Mikey’s eyes were shifted downward at the ring mat seemingly preparing to go for it, but again he had stopped himself.
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “I might have a way to help you though cutie.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Help me? How are you going to do that?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Simple... catch me!”
As soon as those words escaped her lips, Mikey’s eyes shifted upward. In that moment he watched Jazzlyn launch herself off the top rope soaring through the air. Kicking her body out for a Crossbody. Mikey leaped forward in an attempt to catch her resulting in their bodies colliding and the impact forced him off his feet. Mikey’s body slammed into the mat with Jazzlyn landing directly on top of him. The initial contact shocked him for that moment, but once the shock wore off. It was pretty clear to him he was more than alright. Jazzlyn pushed her hands into his chest and lifted herself up some with a big smile across her lips
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Welp, how did that feel?”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Better than I actually expected. But it might have helped that I had a hottie landing on me.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “I know I’m not a blonde angel falling from the sky or anything, but I’d like to think I’m not half bad when it comes to my looks.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Oh har-har!”
She stuck her tongue out at his response. Jazzlyn enjoyed giving him a hard time for his previous like for blonde women prior to meeting her. She finished pulling herself up to her feet and then allowed him to do the same.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Can I ask you something babe?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Course, what’s on your mind?”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Do you really think I am ready to be in this type of match? I thought being put in a title match my first night in the company was pretty wild. But being put against a former World Champion in just my second match? That’s way more wild.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Babe, I don’t even know why you bother asking me. You know what my response is going to be every single time. I think you’re a true talent between these ropes and any opportunity that you’re given. I’m going to always think you deserved it and I’m going to always believe you’ve got a chance.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Oh really? Even if we have some super nasty breakup where nastier words and names are used against each other, where I say that your cooking is bad, and make fun of you for snoring in your sleep? You’re still going to give me credit?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “One, we’re never going to have a super nasty breakup. You’re stuck with me for life rather you realize it or not. Two, you’re too nice to call me names. Three, girls don’t snore and four, my cooking is amazing. Sooooo, none of that stuff is even likely. But I’ll play along, if all of that DID happen. I think I’d still be able to give you credit because I know talent when I see it. You’ve got talent!”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Ha, well I appreciate it babe!”
A warming smile spread across his lips as he leaned up against the ring ropes and used them to stretch out a little bit. Being limber and loose was always something he focused on for his matches. That played a big factor in avoiding injuries, as well as played a big factor in him being able to do the things that he did in the ring. Pulling on the ropes a little more.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Was curious is all babe. This Celeste Mallory seems to be a rare kind of person within UCI. She’s only lost one match since being here. One on one, she’s proven to be better than over half the roster. One on one, she’s proven that she has an answer for anything that an opponent brings to the table. Not to mention from what I’ve seen. She’s always got an ace up her sleeve. She’s not afraid to bend the rules. She isn’t afraid to cheat.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Well you know what they say? Cheaters never win.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “People might say that, but I think Celeste’s record proves otherwise. I’m not saying that it’s a given loss. I plan on fighting with everything I’ve got and I think my style is going to give her a little bit of trouble, but at the same time there’s the experience factor there. That’s going to be a lot to overcome. I’m essentially going to have to have eyes in the back of my head.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Sadly, love that’s kind of how this business works these days. You can be as good as you are, but you’ve always got to have eyes in the back of your head. Most people don’t rely on pure competition. Most people don’t go out there with the intentions of finding out who the better wrestler is and relying purely on skill. Someone is always going be shady. Someone is always going to do something underhanded. Someone is always going to attempt to cheat. You’ve just gotta prepare for it the best you can.”
The words that had come out of her mouth were without a doubt. One hundred and ten percent true when it came to most of the people that existed in wrestling today. It was all about glory, fame, and money for those people. Therefore they’d break every rule in the book to have it. Releasing the ropes from his hands seemingly more than stretched out at that point. His gaze falling back on Jazzlyn.
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “But despite her having an ace or two up her sleeve. Despite her being known for doing things a tad bit on the shady side and being known to cheat. I believe with all my heart. That you’ve got what it takes to beat her.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Really?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “I wouldn’t say something unless I meant it. You’ve got the tools to do it. You just have to go in there focused and not be worried about anything else. Be the better wrestler. Beat her in the middle of that ring and I guarantee you’ll never have to worry about her again. She just seems like the type that can’t handle taking a loss. Like it would send her into a deep depression and make her leave UCI.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “That isn’t my goal though, I wouldn’t want to make anyone leave a company that they’ve given their all too, despite how I feel about some of their actions. That would be horrible of me to ruin someone’s dream or goals.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Trust me love, you wouldn’t truly be to blame. Sure beating her would be your fault, because you worked hard to get that win. But whatever happened after that match? The meltdown that I see coming? The possibility of her quitting and going into darkness? That would be all the downfall of her ego. That would be all her fault and her fault only.”
Looking at her with a bit of a concerned look on his face, but at the same time her words seemed pretty convincing. He just wanted to do his best against someone of that caliber. Sure, he’d like to pull off the big win but at the same time winning wasn’t everything. As long as he showed that he could hold his own.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Guess, we’ll just have to wait and see how it goes.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Mhmmm, but as for now. You’re going to show me what you’ve got.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “What?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “You heard me. Let’s see if you’re really all that good Mr. Always In The Gym.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Babe, I really hate to...”
Before he could finish his statement. Jazzlyn had rushed in and caught him with a single leg dropkick right to the chest. The amount of forced that she used managed to knock him off his feet. Mikey went tumbling through the middle rope, but he was quick to grab the rope as he tumbled out managing to help himself land on his feet. He looked right back in the ring as Jazzlyn motioned with his hand for him to bring it. He let a smile cross his lips. This wasn’t exactly what he had planned for his ring time and his work out, but if this is what she wanted. Then it was game time, sliding back in the ring, and prepared to make his girlfriend wish she hadn’t challenged him.
= = = = =
NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNINGS
“Let’s call it the way it is shall we ladies and gents? 2016 was a pretty crazy year.”
Those few words that came from the “Next Generation” himself, Mikey Carson were heard, just as the cameras had turned on and began filming. That boyish grin was spread across his face.
“We lost a Prince, We lost a Princess, We lost an Musical Artist and Genius. A gorilla was shot and killed in a Zoo. Rest in Peace, Harambe. Somehow someway the Chicago Cubs did the impossible and won the World Series. The Warriors blew a Three to One lead. The legendary Kobe Bryant retired from basketball. The St. Louis Rams became the Los Angeles Rams. Leonardo Dicaprio won an oscar. Kermit the Frog became a popular meme again. And the seemingly impossible happened when Donald Trump was elected president.”
Based on the last sentence that came out of his mouth. It was a little cringe worthy for him. Pretty much telling the story, he wasn’t one of those that had supported Trump in the election. Needless to say the point was being driven home on how crazy of a year it had been for literally everyone.
“The list just goes on and on. Lot of 2016 negative, but a lot of it was positive too. It was positive for me because I spent the entire year busting my behind and gearing up to finally step foot into a wrestling ring. All the hard work paid off and then just a few weeks ago I signed my first major deal when I decided to come to United Championship Infinite. My first match did manage to take place with the company in the year 2016 too. I have a lot to be thankful for, but at the same time 2016 is on it’s way out. In a matter of a couple of days 2017 will be here. Cue all the cheesy new year, new me social media posts.”
His lips broke out into another smirk. Nothing wrong with cracking a little joke here and there. It was common knowledge that every year people broke out into a ton new year, new me posts. Yet those posts and those goals quickly died very quickly. In that moment though he was starting to buckle down and focus.
“You’re not going to get that out of me, but at the same time I will say that this is a new year which means it is at time for new beginnings. A time for new goals to be set for yourself. Even a time for some of the goals that you didn’t meet in 2016, for you to work harder in the year 2017 to make them happen. For example I might have achieved the goal of signing to my first major company, but I didn’t achieve the goal of winning my first championship. To which I find myself in a position where I’m going to work even harder to make sure that happens in this new year.
From what I’ve seen from the talent in UCI. That’s not going to be an easy goal to accomplish. I’m going to have to compete against some of the best that has ever existed. They’re going to test me, make things hard for me, but eventually I see myself finding a way to conquer. Speaking of challenges and speaking of finding myself being tested. It seems that’s going to be the case for me as soon as the New Year starts. In my first time competing on Overload live in Washington, D.C. I find myself competing in the semi-main event against Celeste Mallory.”
From the tone of voice used there was clear a little bit of excitement in it.
“The moment I found out about this match, it completely blew my mind. I went from getting a shot at the Rising Stars Championship to finding myself competing in the semi-main event against the former World Champion herself. I’ve always been told to be thankful for opportunities and blessings as they come your way. The moment that you aren’t thankful is the moment that you’re going to start losing out on those opportunities and is the moment that those blessings will stop coming to you. That’s exactly what this is for me. It’s an opportunity and a blessing. To which I am very thankful for, but something tells me that Ms. Mallory isn’t going to be the type to share the same view.”
Shaking his head from side to side. Little did his opponent know, he had spent the proper time doing the research of who she was and what he was up against. All for the sake of having his bases covered when the two finally did meet.
“Ms. Mallory, I’ve come to understand that you’re a woman that cares about one thing and one thing only. You’re a woman that cares about herself. You don’t care about anyone else around you. You don’t care to have respect for the business that you’ve entered yourself in And from what I’ve picked up on. Your only focus is doing whatever you can to make sure that you have the limelight. Making sure that you have the spotlight. Making sure you’re the one getting all the fame and the fortune. Going out of your way to make sure that you are the center of attention. At this current moment the most important thing to you is seeing to it that you get that UCI Heavyweight Championship back around your waist.
I won’t be someone to judge too harshly because I don’t really know you, and there’s a very good chance I’m not going to ever know you on a personal level. All good, no skin off my nose. But with that being said I know that you’re not going to have any respect for me going into our match that’s set to take place. After all that much was given away with your tweet. Calling me your first victim of 2017. And I get it, I’m the rookie in the company. I’m the kid that no one really expects much out of, especially not against a former World Champion. Well you are in for a bit of rude awakening Ms. Mallory. I won’t flat out say I’ll beat you, but I’ll put money on the fact I’m not going to end up a victim as you put it.”
There was a certain amount of confidence that oozed out of him as he spoke. Confidence that kind of told a story that he believed that he could hold his own when it came down to it. And confidence that might end up rubbing a particular someone the wrong way. Might even put him in a situation where his opponent came a little harder at him because of his confidence.
“Don’t get me wrong Ms. Mallory, I get it. You’re upset. You’re angry. You’re bitter. The one thing that you wanted the most was taken from you. Personally, I’ve never been the World Heavyweight Champion before. Much less held any championship at all. One day that will happen, but because it hasn’t happened yet. Right now I don’t get the obsession that you have with the Heavyweight Championship. More importantly than that, I don’t get this obsession where you feel like you’ve got to hurt everyone in your path in order to get that Heavyweight Championship back.
From the outside looking in Ms. Mallory, it looks like to me that at Black Mass someone was just a little bit better than you. Someone was just a little bit more focused than you were. Someone was just a little bit more determined than you were. Because of that you ended up losing what meant the most to you. And you want to know something else Ms. Mallory? If I was a betting man, I’d bet that your ego played a major role in you losing the title. It’s no a secret that your ego has hyped you up into thinking that you’re literally unstoppable and unbeatable.
Then when your ego fails you and when you realize that you’re not as untouchable as you think. It leaves you in the current state that you’re in right now. You’re in denial. You refuse to accept that someone was better than you on one night. You refuse to accept that maybe just maybe in that situation you weren’t as prepared as you could have been. Therefore you deserved to lose the title. And because you’re in this denial stage, you feel like you’ve got to be the big bad wolf on the roster. You feel like you’ve got to assert your dominance. You feel like you’ve got to hurt everyone that comes in your path, but you’re setting yourself up.”
Those words were going to be words that caught the attention of his opponent. Maybe in a good way, maybe in a bad way, but at least it was a given that he would have her attention for those view brief moments.
“You’re setting yourself up to fail once again. I can already sense that you think that when this match between us happens that you’re just going to go right through me. It’s a given that you don’t see me as someone that is equal talent to you. In that mind of yours Ms. Mallory, you believe that you’ve already got this match won. And in reality there’s nothing wrong with having your own opinion. There’s nothing wrong with feeling a certain way, but in this particular situation. You couldn’t be anymore wrong than what you are right now.”
His eyes seemed to have lit up with a certain amount of fire to them.
“I can admit that I haven’t been doing this as long as you have. I can admit that I don’t have the experience that you have. I can admit that I don’t have the skills that you might have, but that doesn’t mean I’m not capable of holding my ground in the ring with you. In fact because you and seemingly everyone else doesn’t seem to think that I can hold my own. It has done nothing but serve as motivation to me. It has done nothing but hyped me up. Which I can say with one hundred percent certainty that when our paths meet at Overload. I’m going to prove without a doubt that I can hold my own against you.
I do have some things working in my favor. Like the fact that I’ve got a little more speed, a little more quickness, and a little more agility on my side than you do. That is going to force you to up your game. In fact it may even force you to change your game plan just a little bit Ms. Mallory. It’ll be real hard for you to toss me around the ring with those suplexes if you can’t get a hold of me. It’ll be real hard for you to use those dirty tactics you're known for using. Like the eye gouging, the biting, and the occasion low blow you like to hit men with if you can’t slow me down to make it happen in the first place.
Knowing that I have that in my favor. You can bet your behind that I’m going to use it to my advantage as much as I can throughout our match. I’ve got no intentions of slowing down. The moment that bell rings is the moment I’m going to kick everything into high gear and force you to chase me. Force you to step your game up and force you to be just a little quicker on your feet. Then once I’ve got you out of your element. When I’ve got you on your heels so to speak. That’s when the orthodox style is going to come to play. That’s when I’m going to take to the skies and that’s when you’re going to be taken down.”
In that moment his words were coming off a little more on the arrogant side. Granted that wasn’t what he was going for. He wasn’t trying to appear arrogant or carry himself as if he was better than anyone else. Though he was out to prove a specific point to his opponent. He was more of a handful than she was willing to give him credit for.
“That might not be what you want to hear, Ms. Mallory. In fact I’d put money on the fact that me saying that I’m going to be able to take you down is something that seriously upsets you. Someone with a large and out of control ego like yours isn’t going to want to hear something like that. But as much as that might upset you. It’s the truth Ms. Mallory. At some point during this match. My game plan is going to work to my favor and at some point I’m going to be able to take you off your feet. Will it be enough to keep you down for a three count? Well that much is in the air. I’m not you. I’m not going to flat out say it’ll be enough to keep you down. I’m not going to flat out say that I’m going to beat you. But I am saying that I’m coming with a whole bunch of fight in me and I’m going to make you work hard to earn a victory over me.”
Mikey found himself looking right at the cameras that were filming. It was almost like the man was trying to make sure that his message was delivered to the former World Heavyweight Champion. Some might have considered that to be a death wish by making sure that he was in Mallory’s sight, but for him. It was his way of making himself known for better or for worse.
“Overload is a night where so much is going to be on the line if you think about it Ms. Mallory. You find yourself in a position where you have to assert that dominance and remind people of who you are. And I find myself in a position where I have to prove that I belong in this company. In the end only one of us can accomplish our goal at hand. Either way, I got a feeling 2017 is going to be a fantastic year!”
Those words would turn out to be his final words for the time being. No doubt about it the so called “Next Generation” had delivered one hell of a message. He was coming for a fight at Overload. Not only was he coming for a fight but he was aiming to prove himself against one of the biggest and the best that the company had to offer. Even if things didn’t go the way he wanted. Even if he didn’t pick up a victory. There was no way that anyone would ever be able to deny him ever again. 2017 was going to be a good year for the Next Generation and it might just start with the biggest win of his career.
= = = = =
SURPRISE!
Only a few hours until show time and while Mikey should have been getting himself ready for the match. Instead he found himself stepping out of the locker room area with his phone pressed against his ear.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “I’m hurrying love... I can’t believe you came all the way to Washington just to see me wrestle tonight.”
He reached the end of the hall and pressed his hands against the door to push the door open. Entering the parking lot, looking around a little bit. Nothing jumped out at him right away leaving him confused.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “I thought you said you were in the parking lot? I don’t see you anywhere. Is this one of your big practical jokes again?”
As soon as those words escaped his lips. He felt a pair of slender hands slip over his eyes from behind him. This prompt him to bring his phone away from his ear with a smile spread across his lips. He was familiar with those pair of hands.
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Guess who?!”
Jazzlyn stood behind him with a beaming smile spread across her lips. Mikey went to turn pull away from her grip and to turn himself around, but she was pretty quick to put an end to that.
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Hold on there Mr. Impatient. I told you I’ve got a surprise for you.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “How can I see what that surprise is? If you don’t let me turn around? Hm?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Well the surprise isn’t behind you. The surprise really isn’t even me.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Then what’s the surprise?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Just face forward and you’ll see in five... four... three... two... one!”
When “one” escaped her lips. Jazzlyn removed her hands from his eyes and allowed him to see. His focus was forward but what stood before him shocked him. Both his parents were standing there. Proud smiles on their faces.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Mom? Dad?”
It was almost like it was too good to be true. He rushed forward throwing his arms around both of his parents pulling them in for a huge embrace. So much joy had overcome him as he slowly pulled himself away from the embrace.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “What are you guys doing here?”
[ mother of the year ] REBECCA CARSON: “Jazzlyn called us the other night and asked us if we wanted to come see you wrestle. Of course we wanted to. She helped us get our tickets together and here we are.”
By that point Jazzlyn had made herself visible. Standing next to him, Mikey looked over at her with a big smile across his lips. His attention was brought back to his parents as he heard his father speak up.
[ father of the year ] WILLIAM CARSON: “You’ve got yourself a good woman here, son.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “I can’t disagree there. She is pretty amazing.”
Smiling, he reached out and put his arm around Jazzlyn’s shoulders. Pulling her in a little closer to him.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “I just wish that I would have known you guys were here. I could have made plans for us to get something to eat before the show.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “No need for all of that sugar. I’ve made us all dinner plans the moment that the show is over. This way you can focus on what’s important.”
[ father of the year ] WILLIAM CARSON: “See what I mean pal? She’s a good woman. One hundred percent on top of things. Like your mother here. Wouldn’t know what I would do without her.”
[ mother of the year ] REBECCA CARSON: “Oh hunny.”
His mother found herself blushing at her husband’s remarks.
[ mother of the year ] REBECCA CARSON: “Your father and I are about to go inside to find our seats. We just wanted to surprise you before we did. We’re going to be rooting for you tonight.”
[ father of the year ] WILLIAM CARSON: “From what Jazzlyn was telling us. It’s a pretty big deal for you and could possibly lead to future opportunities for you.”
[ mother of the year ] REBECCA CARSON: “We feel as parents we haven’t have been as active or as supporting as we could in this dream of yours. We’re going to work on that and start appearing at more of these matches.”
[ father of the year ] WILLIAM CARSON: “And remember even if you don’t win tonight. That’s alright, you did your best. Winning isn’t everything, just knock ‘em dead best you can kiddo.”
Both of his parents reached forward giving him a tight embrace. Once it broke the two of them began to walk away to find their way inside the building. Mikey turned his attention to Jazzlyn right away.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Just had to put more pressure on me for the night huh?”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Well that wasn’t my intentions, I just thought it’d be nice to have all of us here supporting you tonight. Sorry if...”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Babe slow your roll, it was a joke. I’m glad that everyone had come out to see me wrestle tonight. I’m just not going to want to let anyone down.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “You’re not going to let anyone down. We’re not expecting you to be the best wrestler on the roster. We’re not expecting you to just run rapid all over the ring. We’re not expecting you to pull out the victory right away. We’re simply just expecting you to do the best you can tonight and we’re going to enjoy it.”
She turned herself and pulled him closer burying her face into his chest resulting in a warm embrace. His chin rested on top of her head as he nodded to himself a little bit. His arms sneaking around her for a harder embrace.
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Well, you’ve all got my word that I’m going to do the best I can.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “That’s all we’re asking for. And then after we can go be chubbies together.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Leave it to you to be thinking about food already.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Um I’ll have you know the restaurant I picked out is amazing. It’s got so many good yummies. And secondly, it’s my job to worry about food right now. Leaves you to worry about what’s important right now.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Guess when you put it like that. Then it’s a fair statement to make.”
Chuckling out loud a little bit. Their embrace breaking from one another at that moment.
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Sir, you need to get back in there and go over your game plan. I’m going to go catch up with your parents.”
[ the next generation ] MIKEY CARSON: “Yeah, you’re right I better. Thank you though, it was an amazing surprise.”
[ the one ] JAZZLYN ST JAMES: “Don’t mention it babe, anything to see you smile.”
She forced herself up onto her tiptoes to greet him with a kiss. He met her lips with his own for that brief moment before their loving embrace broke apart. Jazzlyn turned herself around and started to walk off in the same direction that his parents had gone several moments before. Shaking his head with a large smile on his lips, Mikey turned himself back around and headed for the door that he had come out of. This was going to be one hell of a night for him. Not only did he find himself in a one in his toughest challenge to date but he’d also have everyone in the building that mattered the most to him there to help support him. The pressure was going to be on, but he didn’t intend on folding under it.
= = = = =
FINAL THOUGHTS
Mikey sat there in the steel chair of his locker room. His hands were working rather quickly to pull the strings tight to his wrestling sneakers before tying them off. There was a sudden knock on the door followed by a loud voice that was heard on the other side of the door.
“You’re up in five, Carson!”
His eyes had shifted up to the door for that brief moment. He didn’t bother to say a single word as he finished tying up his sneakers. Once he had finished his right sneaker he stood up from the steel chair he was sitting in. Before grabbing a hold of his ring jacket that sat on the back of it and slid it on over his body. In sliding up over his arms into place, it fit perfectly. Something about putting that jacket on always made things that more real for him.
Taking a couple of steps towards the locker room door, he pulled it open and made his way out of it whole pulling the door shut behind him. His eyes locked on that long hallway that was before him. Seemed so much longer than the first time he had walked down it. That might of had a lot to do with everything that was running through his head at that moment. Thoughts that were consuming him more than usual.
“Well this is kid. You’ve managed to land yourself in a high profile position, just your second match with UCI and you’re facing the former World Heavyweight Champion. That either means one of two things. Either, you did so well in your first match despite losing. That you’ve managed to impress the powers that be and they want to see what you’re made of. Or, you didn’t impress at all and this is their way of punishing you. Let’s just assume that it’s the first and therefore you keep the focus you have.”
His footsteps echoed throughout the hall. Much to the surprise he was the only one walking down that hall despite the show still going on. Seemed that everyone else had either went to change or had taken themselves to catering. Something that very common among the locker room. Mikey found himself getting a little closer to reaching the gorilla position.
“You already know that going into this match. Mallory doesn’t have any respect for you. You already know that she doesn’t see you as an equal. You already know that as far as she is concerned. You’re nothing more than a victim to her. She’s entitled to her opinion. That’s the great thing about people and being individual. You can think, feel, and act anyway you want. It’s never the same as someone else, but right now you’re in a position where you are going to need to show her that she made a huge mistake in at least not having a mutual respect for you. She didn’t have to like you, didn’t have to like your skill set, or anything like that but she should have at least given you a certain amount of respect. She didn’t and now a lesson needs to be taught.”
In that very moment he found himself reaching the steps that lead up to the gorilla position. Being right there the infamous theme song of Celeste Mallory could already be heard. She was already on the way to the ring. Mikey found himself swallowing hard with the nerves starting to build up just a little bit. He grabbed the banister and started to walk himself them steps.
“No matter how many times she may knock you down, you will force yourself to get right back up on your feet. No matter how hard she may hit you, you need to make sure you hit her a little harder. No matter how quick she tries to be, you’re going to make sure that you’re faster and if done right. You’re going to leave her gassed and breathless. And every single time that she tries to cheat, anytime she tries to bend the rules to her favor. You’re going to have that blow up in her face because you’re going to have an answer for it every single time. When you ruin the game plan that she has. She’s going to go into panic mode, then when she finds herself in panic mode. It’s yours for taking, kid. Take advantage of that situation. Do whatever you need to do to keep her out of element and keep her into panic mode. You do this Mikey and you’re going to have the biggest win of career. Sure it isn’t always about wins and it isn’t always about losses, but this win could further propel you into greatness with UCI. You don’t want to pass up that chance or that opportunity.”
His foot hit the last step as he pulled apart one of the curtains and walked him right into the back where the gorilla position was. All sorts of monitors were put up. Match agents were sitting in front of those monitors. Only a few people actually managed to look his direction, but they were way more focused on the show itself. Mikey’s eyes shifted to one of the monitors as he could see Mallory pacing around the ring a little getting herself ready for him. Seeing this made the situation that much more real for him.
“Taking nothing away from Mallory. She’s great and she’s had one hell of a run at this game, but now it’s your turn. Which means whether she likes it or not, it’s officially game over for her.”
As soon as that thought crossed his mind. He could hear his official theme song “Game Over” by Lil Flip hit the speakers within the arena. From the position he was in backstage, he could hear the eruption of cheers coming from the crowd. That brought a brief smile to his lips as it was at least a given that the crowd was warming up to him. He was now in a position where it was now or never. Stepping forward and grabbing a hold of the curtains that would lead him out on the stage. It was time to go out and see if he could live up to making the most of the opportunity he was given.