Economic Rationality [SHANKZ 1]
Nov 8, 2024 11:40:31 GMT -5
edwarddubin0604, ulvendagoth, and 1 more like this
Post by Cross Recoba on Nov 8, 2024 11:40:31 GMT -5
Indecisive.
Shellshocked.
Jubilant.
Relieved.
The faces on the flight from Vegas back to the UK were still recovering from what would undoubtedly be four years that would be great for the headlines but who knew what it would mean for the everyman both in the United States or further afield.
Looking at their faces, AJ saw on each one a new emotion and related to each one. Two weeks, three matches and a two-and-one record. He couldn’t stop the loss last night, watched as Kade had to tap and Shankz was powerless on the ring apron.
“It was non-title, chalk it down to a bad day at the office.”
The words from Marco did little but fan the flames of the interminably bad mood that Shankz found himself in. He’d have realised that himself had he heard of the world ‘interminably’, he’d have said it was peak and that not being uncommon would be why elections go like they did that week.
“You’ve got to get your head out of last night and focused on the title defence in Ireland.”
Shankz raised an eyebrow, aware that it was the only choice and one so obvious it didn’t need to be mentioned at all.
“You’re a double Champion on the Network, I’ll be honest. I was looking at that was an end of your third year stretch-goal so you’re defying the critics and even supporters like me.”
AJ heard him but didn’t give much away that he did; instead stretching his leg out the meagre length it could in Economy.
“Regretting not upgrading?”
A very audible, irritated sigh escaped from the Londoner.
“Listen, fam, I’ll give you straight facts. We were robbed last night, that’s beyond doubt still. Now, you seem to be forgetting that I’ve crossed this water four times in the last month, bruv, that’s mad! Between the press events for Sin City and Blood, cuz, the training, the matches, the medical checks…I’ve fuck all time to myself. You know some joker in Vegas told me that they couldn’t show the Millwall game there? They get all the football, bruv! That’s what we get told, man’s bringing man’s magic Firestick next time out!”
Marco took a beat, as much to appear like he was listening as to decide what would be the best, or any, response he could give.
“It’s…uh, great to see that you’ve got your eyes on the prize. I know you think that you’re getting no let up but I told you back when you were at the Diamond Training Facility that I’d been around the block, I told you how hard the work and schedule would be to rise through the ranks on the Network. This is the price you pay!”
“But, fam, you’ve not been here! I’ve passed you!”
Shankz flashed momentary tell of embarrassment but hid it, a force of habit.
To his credit, di Fiore took the dig on the chin.
“You’re right, AJ. I’ve not done what you’ve achieved in a far shorter time than my career. I wrestled in Japan, I wrestled in the States but I didn’t have the Network as a platform. That is why I’m keeping you so focused. What I needed was someone like myself in my corner but I didn’t have that, I wasted whatever potential and talent I had because I was just happy to be part of the sport. You’ve got a match where you’re going to need to be at the top of your game to come out of the bout without losing the title you fought so hard for. You impressed in your first match, you took full advantage of the opportunity but now? Now’s the time you need to show them you’re not a flash in the pan!”
“Bruv, I’m the Million Dollar Roadman! Man got the P’s in a ladder match! There were more pagans in that match than in Wexford…”
“Both good points but you missed some facts. That was in DTF and more people were in the match, you’re right. Where it differs is that you all had a similar level of experience. You didn’t grow up as the third-generation of a wrestling dynasty, Slam’s place in wrestling was assured from the moment the blue line appeared on the pregnancy test. Your time on this earth is maybe only slightly longer than Goth’s time in wrestling. Instincts are one thing but, and I’ll tell you this until I’m blue in the face, that lack of experience and exposure is why you’ll continue to be underestimated. Make them pay for it!”
Shankz cracked a smile.
“Listen up, Marco. I got this theory, right? These two wastemen look at me and think everything’s calm, that I’m just some dummy from London yard, I get that everywhere. Back home they think I’m some yoot shottin’ food when they look at me but I got out that game. That’s what drives me when I get in the ring; I’m hungry, cuz. Man needs more P’s, man always needs more P’s and I’m not broken down like Goth and pagans already think I’m a nitty so I haven’t got no name to spoil. That’s when I hit them, bredren, man is loud in the ring! I got bare speed and no miles on the clock! Slam’s got some moves, I’ll give man that, but those moves he ends matches with? What good’s a submission when you got to go grab that belt from the top? What good’s a move that means you jump from the tall thing to your opps on the grounds just to have to rise up the tall thing to get what you wanted? Wasteman’s wavy, bruv. Goth though? I should have planted him on his head that little bit fiercer last time out, he’s twisted!”
Shankz popped an earbud in and stretched his leg out, once more hitting the extremity of his space.
Another sigh.
“Should ha-”
“Yeah, bruv, should have upgraded.”
Shellshocked.
Jubilant.
Relieved.
The faces on the flight from Vegas back to the UK were still recovering from what would undoubtedly be four years that would be great for the headlines but who knew what it would mean for the everyman both in the United States or further afield.
Looking at their faces, AJ saw on each one a new emotion and related to each one. Two weeks, three matches and a two-and-one record. He couldn’t stop the loss last night, watched as Kade had to tap and Shankz was powerless on the ring apron.
“It was non-title, chalk it down to a bad day at the office.”
The words from Marco did little but fan the flames of the interminably bad mood that Shankz found himself in. He’d have realised that himself had he heard of the world ‘interminably’, he’d have said it was peak and that not being uncommon would be why elections go like they did that week.
“You’ve got to get your head out of last night and focused on the title defence in Ireland.”
Shankz raised an eyebrow, aware that it was the only choice and one so obvious it didn’t need to be mentioned at all.
“You’re a double Champion on the Network, I’ll be honest. I was looking at that was an end of your third year stretch-goal so you’re defying the critics and even supporters like me.”
AJ heard him but didn’t give much away that he did; instead stretching his leg out the meagre length it could in Economy.
“Regretting not upgrading?”
A very audible, irritated sigh escaped from the Londoner.
“Listen, fam, I’ll give you straight facts. We were robbed last night, that’s beyond doubt still. Now, you seem to be forgetting that I’ve crossed this water four times in the last month, bruv, that’s mad! Between the press events for Sin City and Blood, cuz, the training, the matches, the medical checks…I’ve fuck all time to myself. You know some joker in Vegas told me that they couldn’t show the Millwall game there? They get all the football, bruv! That’s what we get told, man’s bringing man’s magic Firestick next time out!”
Marco took a beat, as much to appear like he was listening as to decide what would be the best, or any, response he could give.
“It’s…uh, great to see that you’ve got your eyes on the prize. I know you think that you’re getting no let up but I told you back when you were at the Diamond Training Facility that I’d been around the block, I told you how hard the work and schedule would be to rise through the ranks on the Network. This is the price you pay!”
“But, fam, you’ve not been here! I’ve passed you!”
Shankz flashed momentary tell of embarrassment but hid it, a force of habit.
To his credit, di Fiore took the dig on the chin.
“You’re right, AJ. I’ve not done what you’ve achieved in a far shorter time than my career. I wrestled in Japan, I wrestled in the States but I didn’t have the Network as a platform. That is why I’m keeping you so focused. What I needed was someone like myself in my corner but I didn’t have that, I wasted whatever potential and talent I had because I was just happy to be part of the sport. You’ve got a match where you’re going to need to be at the top of your game to come out of the bout without losing the title you fought so hard for. You impressed in your first match, you took full advantage of the opportunity but now? Now’s the time you need to show them you’re not a flash in the pan!”
“Bruv, I’m the Million Dollar Roadman! Man got the P’s in a ladder match! There were more pagans in that match than in Wexford…”
“Both good points but you missed some facts. That was in DTF and more people were in the match, you’re right. Where it differs is that you all had a similar level of experience. You didn’t grow up as the third-generation of a wrestling dynasty, Slam’s place in wrestling was assured from the moment the blue line appeared on the pregnancy test. Your time on this earth is maybe only slightly longer than Goth’s time in wrestling. Instincts are one thing but, and I’ll tell you this until I’m blue in the face, that lack of experience and exposure is why you’ll continue to be underestimated. Make them pay for it!”
Shankz cracked a smile.
“Listen up, Marco. I got this theory, right? These two wastemen look at me and think everything’s calm, that I’m just some dummy from London yard, I get that everywhere. Back home they think I’m some yoot shottin’ food when they look at me but I got out that game. That’s what drives me when I get in the ring; I’m hungry, cuz. Man needs more P’s, man always needs more P’s and I’m not broken down like Goth and pagans already think I’m a nitty so I haven’t got no name to spoil. That’s when I hit them, bredren, man is loud in the ring! I got bare speed and no miles on the clock! Slam’s got some moves, I’ll give man that, but those moves he ends matches with? What good’s a submission when you got to go grab that belt from the top? What good’s a move that means you jump from the tall thing to your opps on the grounds just to have to rise up the tall thing to get what you wanted? Wasteman’s wavy, bruv. Goth though? I should have planted him on his head that little bit fiercer last time out, he’s twisted!”
Shankz popped an earbud in and stretched his leg out, once more hitting the extremity of his space.
Another sigh.
“Should ha-”
“Yeah, bruv, should have upgraded.”
