Post by leonvanzandt on May 23, 2021 22:30:52 GMT -5
“It would appear that Gus Arnold has decided that he will continue placing me in tag team matches despite my open statements that I am fairly weak in that kind of matchup.”
Cold open.
Leon Van Zandt greets us, once again, in his private apartment gym, sitting on the mat and clutching a pair of Indian clubs. Shaking his head and chuckling, the Professional continues on.
“It was very clear when I struggled in that ring with the New Untouchables. They were quicker, harder to grab, and on top of that, there were TWO of them. That was a… humbling experience for me, I don’t mind telling you.
“So of course, myself and Joseph Mack are scheduled to compete against not just one tag team on Tuesday night, but SEVEN. A tag team battle royal, with the Imperial Crown Tag Team Championships on the line, featuring many faces I am familiar with. So not only is it a tag team affair, but also a battle royal.”
A roll of his eyes and a volley of choice words in Flemish later, the Belgian technician takes a deep breath and shakes his head.
“Of course.
“Given the rules of battle royal matches generally precluding the use of pin falls or submissions, I am at a considerable disadvantage. However, I am finding that the philosophy of ‘keep pushing until you get it right’ is in play. My fists, not my wrestling skills, are of some importance here. That suits me just fine, because I know of some competitors who deserve a few of them.
“The Celtic Club being the most deserving of all.”
The joviality of the Professional vanishes with haste. Now, we face the sullen glare of a very angry Professional.
“For far too long, those hooligans have been running roughshod over Northern Pro Wrestling. First, by stealing a golden opportunity for championship gold, then by sticking their noses in business that does not concern them. As unfortunate as it is that I cannot get clear cut retribution on them, I can take solace, knowing that the opportunity to punch the teeth down Chris Cavanaugh’s throat is in play. Andy Donahue’s, too, if he tries to intrude.
“Jesse Jamester and the Colossus. The last time I faced Colossus, I ended up throwing him out of the ring in the Lethal Lottery final. A big, massive beast of a man, and I dispatched him once before… that is something I can do again. Especially with his tag titles on the line. The Syndicate is dead and gone, but the muscle behind it remain, and they are still a threat. But they are a threat that does not scare me.”
“I have already mentioned the New Untouchables, and I know they will be a challenge once again… but in a match where they can’t leave the ring, their aerial tactics now become a disadvantage. Lucha libre styled professional wrestling relies heavily on aerial combat, and that includes launching one’s body as a projectile, onto the arena floor. I also know they aren’t the kind of competitors who will blatantly disregard that and get themselves eliminated, so I am interested in seeing what they do to compensate.
“And then… the Dark Stars. Former Imperial Crown Tag Team Champions. I look forward to facing Niko once again, and am interested in seeing what Kono has to offer as well.”
A deep breath.
“From there, many different people step in the ring. I-69. Donzig and Freakke. Primal, and Timeless. All eager to step in that ring and fight for those tag team championships. Joseph Mack and myself will come out strong, and in the end, we intend to be the ones raising those belts. The rules may not benefit us, but we will persevere.”
A smile as LVZ rises to his feet, pulling his clubs up with him.
——————————
Several years ago, I competed in a Japanese tournament called “King of Pro Wrestling.” It was a tournament inspired by what some people refer to as “shoot style” professional wrestling, but unlike many variations of that form, pins were also a condition of victory. I fought valiantly enough to impress the Japanese fans, and even befriended a few of the talent, including a man who only went by “Mushigihara.” My understanding was, he was once a sumo wrestler before joining the squared circle, which is par for the course, I am told.
We had several talks about our philosophies on wrestling, among other things, and thankfully my knowledge of Japanese was sufficient for a clear discussion. But after that trip, I didn’t see him again. I knew he was competing in both Japan and the United States, but I hadn’t thought to check in and watch him.
Then, his manager Eddie Dante reached out to me.
Since then, we have been in correspondence, with me in Canada and them in the US. Once it is feasible to do so, I anticipate that we will combine our forces, along with Joseph Mack, to become a presence Northern Pro Wrestling greatly needs.
Let the fight begin.
Cold open.
Leon Van Zandt greets us, once again, in his private apartment gym, sitting on the mat and clutching a pair of Indian clubs. Shaking his head and chuckling, the Professional continues on.
“It was very clear when I struggled in that ring with the New Untouchables. They were quicker, harder to grab, and on top of that, there were TWO of them. That was a… humbling experience for me, I don’t mind telling you.
“So of course, myself and Joseph Mack are scheduled to compete against not just one tag team on Tuesday night, but SEVEN. A tag team battle royal, with the Imperial Crown Tag Team Championships on the line, featuring many faces I am familiar with. So not only is it a tag team affair, but also a battle royal.”
A roll of his eyes and a volley of choice words in Flemish later, the Belgian technician takes a deep breath and shakes his head.
“Of course.
“Given the rules of battle royal matches generally precluding the use of pin falls or submissions, I am at a considerable disadvantage. However, I am finding that the philosophy of ‘keep pushing until you get it right’ is in play. My fists, not my wrestling skills, are of some importance here. That suits me just fine, because I know of some competitors who deserve a few of them.
“The Celtic Club being the most deserving of all.”
The joviality of the Professional vanishes with haste. Now, we face the sullen glare of a very angry Professional.
“For far too long, those hooligans have been running roughshod over Northern Pro Wrestling. First, by stealing a golden opportunity for championship gold, then by sticking their noses in business that does not concern them. As unfortunate as it is that I cannot get clear cut retribution on them, I can take solace, knowing that the opportunity to punch the teeth down Chris Cavanaugh’s throat is in play. Andy Donahue’s, too, if he tries to intrude.
“Jesse Jamester and the Colossus. The last time I faced Colossus, I ended up throwing him out of the ring in the Lethal Lottery final. A big, massive beast of a man, and I dispatched him once before… that is something I can do again. Especially with his tag titles on the line. The Syndicate is dead and gone, but the muscle behind it remain, and they are still a threat. But they are a threat that does not scare me.”
“I have already mentioned the New Untouchables, and I know they will be a challenge once again… but in a match where they can’t leave the ring, their aerial tactics now become a disadvantage. Lucha libre styled professional wrestling relies heavily on aerial combat, and that includes launching one’s body as a projectile, onto the arena floor. I also know they aren’t the kind of competitors who will blatantly disregard that and get themselves eliminated, so I am interested in seeing what they do to compensate.
“And then… the Dark Stars. Former Imperial Crown Tag Team Champions. I look forward to facing Niko once again, and am interested in seeing what Kono has to offer as well.”
A deep breath.
“From there, many different people step in the ring. I-69. Donzig and Freakke. Primal, and Timeless. All eager to step in that ring and fight for those tag team championships. Joseph Mack and myself will come out strong, and in the end, we intend to be the ones raising those belts. The rules may not benefit us, but we will persevere.”
A smile as LVZ rises to his feet, pulling his clubs up with him.
——————————
Several years ago, I competed in a Japanese tournament called “King of Pro Wrestling.” It was a tournament inspired by what some people refer to as “shoot style” professional wrestling, but unlike many variations of that form, pins were also a condition of victory. I fought valiantly enough to impress the Japanese fans, and even befriended a few of the talent, including a man who only went by “Mushigihara.” My understanding was, he was once a sumo wrestler before joining the squared circle, which is par for the course, I am told.
We had several talks about our philosophies on wrestling, among other things, and thankfully my knowledge of Japanese was sufficient for a clear discussion. But after that trip, I didn’t see him again. I knew he was competing in both Japan and the United States, but I hadn’t thought to check in and watch him.
Then, his manager Eddie Dante reached out to me.
Since then, we have been in correspondence, with me in Canada and them in the US. Once it is feasible to do so, I anticipate that we will combine our forces, along with Joseph Mack, to become a presence Northern Pro Wrestling greatly needs.
Let the fight begin.