Lone Star Wrestling: TEXAS FOREVER

[TCP1]

“Texas FORVER!” the group said together.

 

At the same time a large flabby man in a cowboy hat tipped backwards on his folding chair and crashed through the poorly covered catering table, covering the others in stale food.

 

This is not what I signed up for.

 

3 Months Ago – New York City

 

“Excuse me, but I’ve come over here from London… That’s on another continent you know!” I said.

 

“I don’t give a damn if you’ve come from Mars, there’s no job for you here. Get lost!” said Larry Vessey.

 

This old man was trying my patience.

 

“I got an email from Gerrard Lee. He invited me over to join the backstage booking group. I left a decent marketing job behind for this.”

 

That part wasn’t exactly true. I had once had a decent job in marketing, but I didn’t leave it. They fired me. Still though, I’d used what little money I had left to get to New York for a potential dream job in the world of professional wrestling.

 

“I said get OUT!”

 

Now I was being told by New York Championship Wrestling that there was no job. I might have accepted it more if the meeting wasn’t taking place in a Denny’s.

 

Where was the corporate headquarters? This was an entertainment business wasn’t it?

 

Lucky for him, he was built like a brick outhouse. I left the fast food restaurant and my mobile rang.

 

“Where the Hell are ya?”

 

“Who is this?”

 

“It’s Whistler you fool, where are you? I’m in the Denny’s on Main Street and you ain’t anywhere to be seen. You want this job or not?” he said.

 

“I’ve just met your boss Larry Vessey in the Denny’s on Main Street,” I said. “He’s told me there’s no job…”

 

“What the Hell are you doing with that ingrate?” he said. “Are you in New York?”

 

“Yes…” I replied.

 

Whistler laughed down the phone.

 

“Where are you?”

 

“I’m in Houston… Texas.”

 

***

 

With the last of my money I boarded a flight to Houston and met with Whistler. He looked old. After he’d finished laughing about my meeting with Larry Vessey he explained a little about what was going on. It seems that he was something of a big deal in New York Championship Wrestling and had thought that the previous owner (a guy eloquently named The Stomper) had promised him an ownership share when he retired. Instead he brought in Larry Vessey and loved the guy so much he gave him complete control. Vessey had then fired Whistler the day after he retired.

 

Bitter was not a strong enough word to describe their relationship.

In an act of, frankly petty rebellion Whistler had promised to build his own promotion and put NYCW out of business. Thus Lone Star Wrestling was born.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about working for a grizzled old veteran out for revenge…

 

Who was I kidding? I was broke and penniless. I’d take anything.

He’d been busy recruiting for his new venture and promised me a nice mix of Texas-centric wrestlers to build our company from the ground up. I did enquire about our funds and he changed the subject, which was… worrying.

So we made our way North West. We passed all sorts of weird and wonderful places until a small green sign appeared alongside the road.

 

It read:

Welcome to Sanctuary.

 

That sounded nice.

 

Population: 397.

That sounded less nice.

 

We made our way to Sanctuary Sportatorium on the outskirts of town. I say outskirts. The difference between outskirts and the town centre was about ten paces. And by town centre, I actually meant a local store and a bar called The Boot and Star.

 

The small number of locals milling around tipped their cowboy hats at us as we passed and Whistler lifted the metal door to get access to the Sportatorium. My first impression was: Small. It might even have been smaller than a small schools hall.

 

There wasn’t more than around 300 folding metal chairs and in the centre was a dusty, broken down ring. Whistler flipped the switch and 3 lights turned on and illuminated the ring. It looked even worse under the lights, one of which promptly turned off.

 

“We can replace that,” Whistler said.

 

“Have we got enough money?” I asked.

 

“Let’s go meet the guys,” he said, ignoring my question entirely.

 

We entered the locker room and were met with five muscular wrestlers.

 

“Where’s everyone else?” I asked.

 

“What do you mean the ‘others?’ This is what you’ve got to work with.”

 

I couldn’t imagine it could get much worse.

 

“Introducing,” said Whistler in a mock announcers tone. “Bradley Blaze, Outlaw Wes Revell, Cowboy Buck Winchester, Nathanial Casino and Texas Pete.”

 

“Good names,” I said.

 

I meant it too. If we were going to make it in Texas, having a variety of cowboy-themed wrestling gimmicks would be a massive help. But we needed more. The boys seemed happy about my suggestion for a larger roster too. Whistler of course insisted on joining me in negotiation meetings.

I spoke to each of the ‘boys’ in turn and have to say I was impressed. They all seemed nice, funny and importantly humble. Hopefully there wouldn’t be too many problems off-air.

 

Then I spoke to Texas Pete.

 

“Hello there, I’m Thomas Patrick.”

 

“Howdy,” he slurred.

 

“So you’re Texas Pete?”

 

“Yup.”

 

He took a long swig of a bottle in a brown paper bag.

 

“The others tell me you’re the biggest name we’ve got here.”

 

He laughed and said, “Used to be.”

 

“Ok…”

 

He was hammered. It was time to test my metal as a man manager.

 

“Fancy helping us build something special here?” I began. “I feel like with the right attitude, we could really make a go of this. Maybe compete and get ourselves a nice paycheck.”

 

“Ok,” he replied.

 

“Can I trust you Pete?” I want to trust you. I want to build the promotion around you. Have you headline.”

 

“Yeah,” he replied. “I appreciate that.”

 

He seemed a little more coherent at least.

 

“Will you be my ‘guy?’ champ?”

 

“YEAH!” he yelled and held the bottle in the air. “TEXAS FOREVER!”

 

“That a boy.”

 

What can I say? I liked the big lug. Sure he was drunk, and his body was a touch on the flabby side, but he certainly had the aura of a star. For the first time, I felt sort of positive about the whole thing.

 

“So when’s our first show?” I asked. “How long have we got?”

 

“Last Sunday of January,” Whistler replied. “But we still need a name for it.”

 

“What about Texas Forever?” I suggested.

 

I gave Texas Pete a wink and he smiled and nodded.

 

“Not bad,” Whistler replied. “Alright then. Let’s get to work.”

 

“Texas FORVER!” the group said together.

 

At the same time Texas Pete tipped backwards on his folding chair and crashed through the catering table.

 

Things could only get better from here.

 

Right?

[TCP1]

With 3 weeks until Texas Forever it was time to get stuck into the free market. We had our cowboys, we needed some Indians. Is that a thing still? Am I being inappropriate? Who knows?

 

I got online and started surfing the net for fan forums to see who the hottest indy acts were. I didn’t care if they were good, I just cared if other people cared. Fans specifically. Because we needed some.

 

I received a response from someone from the Mid-Atlantic area and we brought him in.

 

“Hi there,” I said. “I’m Thomas Patrick and I’m looking for some new stars for our Texas-based company. Do you think you can help?”

 

“I should think so,” he replied.

 

“And your name is Gregory Gauge?”

 

“Greg Gauge,” he responded.

 

“So you prefer Greg to Gregory?”

 

“No, my name is Greg.”

 

“Well that’s not really a name is it? More an abbreviation of the name… you know what that’s fine. We’re going to change it anyway.”

 

“Wait, why?”

 

“It doesn’t really have a Texas-ring to it,” I replied.

 

“But I’m reasonably famous based off my name. I’m Greg Gauge.”

 

“Well I’ve not heard of you before,” I said.

 

The meeting wasn’t going too well.

 

“Have you heard of Sam Keith?”

 

“Nope,” I replied honestly.

 

Gregory Gauge didn’t respond to that one. He just sat their open-mouthed. Still I was the employer.

 

“Gauge is ok, but much better as a nickname. How about Gregory ‘Twelve Gauge’ McGraw?”

 

“That sounds stupid.”

 

“It sounds Texas.”

 

Again Gregory went silent.

 

I took it to mean he was happy.

 

He wasn’t my only signing either and when all was said and done I had a nicely renamed, reimagined roster of workers who I was confident could put us on the map. And we finally had a name...

 

Lone Star Wrestling

[TCP1]

http://legionverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LSW.jpg

 

Size: Small

Location: Mid-South, USA... sanctuary, TEXAS!!!

Goals: Must gain popularity, not Fall below small, no spot monkeys, no cruiserweights, no luchadors, cannot fall into debt.

 

Main Event: 'Texas' Pete Houston, Gregory 'Twelve Gauge' McGraw, Bulldozer Brandon Smith, Hoodoo Tatum

Upper Midcard: 'Nature Boy' Joffy Laine, Ace Youngblood, Seraphim Samael, Kip Keenan

Midcard: Wes Revell, Roger Monteiro, Jesse Coulter, Seraphim Abaddon, Bradley Blaze

Lower Midcard: Nate Casino, David Wayne III, Wild Bill Jetterson, Cowboy Buck Winchester

Opener: Logan Wolfsbaine

Manager/Colour Commentator: Preacher Travis Century

Announcer/Head Booker: Thomas C Patrick

Referee: Xander Summer

Road Agent/Owner: Gerrard Lee

 

Titles:

LSW Texas Heavyweight – B

LSW Tag Team – C

[TCP1]

The night of the first I peered through the curtain.

 

“Looks sold out to me,” I said excitedly.

 

“Looks like my trick worked,” said Whistler.

 

“What trick?”

 

“I advertised a mystery former World Champion,” he said and showed me the flyer.

 

“Is that Sam Strong’s silhouette?” I replied.

 

“Yessir,” he grinned.

 

“But we don’t have Sam Strong.”

 

“I know that,” Whistler replied. “If anyone asks, that’s a silhouette of an old photo of me.”

 

I ran through the proposed card with the guys.

 

LSW Texas Forever

The Rough Riders (Bradley Blaze and Buck Winchester) vs. David Wayne III and Wild Bill Jetterson

Jesse Coulter vs. Logan Wolfsbaine

Preacher Century's Invaders vs. The Tribe (Ace Youngblood and Roger Monteiro

Kip Keenan vs. Nature Boy Joffy Laine vs. Nate Casino vs. Wes Revell

Hoodoo Tatum vs. Gregory 'Twelve Gauge' McGraw

LSW Texas Heavyweight Title: Bulldozer Brandon Smith vs. 'Texas' Pete Houston

[TCP1]

Steers, cheers, tears and beers… TEXAS FOREVER.

 

Before the first show, I checked the internet to see that NYCW had run their first show of the year, Gang Wars 2016. It was headlined by Rick Sanders beating Roger Cage for the NYCW Empire Title ©. We could beat that for sure. The 1,000 sell-out would be a bit tougher.

 

The Sportatorium actually looked pretty impressive when it was full. Whistler’s kids Gerrard Jr and Kurt took money at the door and provided beer and popcorn to the masses. The atmosphere was electric. I met the boys in the locker room and prepared for my big first speech. I opened my mouth and cutting across me Whistler yelled “TEXAS FOREVER!” The others cheered and he signalled for the bell to ring.

 

http://legionverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LSW-Texas-Forever.jpg

Sunday Week 3, January 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 1

 

OPENING MATCH

(Cowboy Buck Winchester and Bradley Blaze def David Wayne III and Wild Bill Jetterson in 7.35 by Pinfall. E+)

The crowd were pumped up by the fast-paced match. It was so fast-paced they seemed to ignore the fact the match had no flow, psychology or timing. There were some botched spots too. The sight of Buck and Bradley together was visually pleasing though.

 

ANGLE

Kip Keenan saunters to ring to inform the rowdy Texas crowd that the show may be called Texas Forever, but everyone knows that Vegas produces better athletes. He’ll prove it later in the fatal fourway and reminds everyone that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. (D)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Logan Wolfsbaine def Jesse Coulter in 7:01 by disqualification. E+)

Despite the match sucking, the crowd got even rowdier. Could it have been because of this showcase of young talent, or could it be the cheap beers being consumed? I like to think it’s the former. Common sense says it’s the latter. Whatever it was, the volume in the Sportatorium was rasied.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Travis Century heads from the announcers booth to the ring and the already rowdy crowd got ballistic. They’re pelting the ring with cups and rubbish as he grabs the microphone. He delivers a sermon and introduces the team designed by him to remind Texas that they will pay for their sins… The Seraphim. Two hulking great masked wrestlers waddle down to the ring. (C-)

 

TAG MATCH

(The Seraphim (Abaddon and Samael) defeated The Tribe (Ace Youngblood and Roger Monteiro) in 8:41 by pinfall after Preacher-ference. E+)

Another terrible match with no flow, another recognisable increase in the volume of the crowd. Apparently the free-thinking conservatives don’t like being told they’re sinners by a cheating Preacher and his masked bodyguards. Whatever gets the crowd mad has to be a good thing right?

 

ANGLE

Through the curtain struts Nature Boy Joffy Lane, dressed head-to-toe in a long pink robe with white feather trim, his styled haircut brilliant white. He grabs the mic, gives the crowd a long WOOOO and then steals a beer from a guy in the front row and drinks it. When the fan complains he spits it all over him (Me – “Was that agreed upon?” Whistler “It’s Texas! They love it.”). With the crowd booing him, Joffy explains why he’s the future of Texas wrestling and when the Bulldozer from up North and the old drunk are finished playing, he’s here to pick up the title and the paycheck that goes with it. (D)

 

TEXAS FOURWAY

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine def Kip Keenan, Nate Casino and Wes Revell in 12:48 by pinfall rollup on Casino. D-)

A decent little match by four potential breakout stars of LSW. Despite the victory, the Nature Boy looked a little ropey, probably after the fan at ringside threw his beer at him in retaliation. Still best match of the night so far. I liked this Joffy kid, he understood the Texas fans better than most and they hated him more than most others. I’d have to keep an eye on him.

 

ANGLE

What I can only describe as the most West Texas music of all time blares over the tannoy and out dances Hoodoo Tatum to a rapturous applause. The former Fro Sure (that name wasn’t going to stick around these parts) delivered an open challenge to anyone in the locker room who had the guts to face him and his ‘slick dance movies babeee.’ Gunshots fire out and half the crowd duck and the other half draw their own guns, but it’s actual the music for Gregory ‘Twelve Gauge’ McGraw to answer. (We need to stop the boys from producing their own music). D-

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Gregory McGraw drew with Hoodoo Tatum in 15:38 by double disqualification through duelling chairshots. D)

I asked them to steal the show, they effectively steal the customers entrance fee. Both are looking tired and exhausted towards the end although the crowd do lap up the intensity. Whistler reminds me to try and be a bit smarter when using the boys in matches like this. Note taken.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Century is out with The Seraphim again. After a standard ‘you’re sinners’ promo he introduces the future Texas Heavyweight Champion… ‘Texas’ Pete Houston. The crowd go berserk as Pete walks through the curtain, he then promptly trips and falls into the front row (Me – “Is he drunk?” Whistler – “…”) D+

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(Pete Houston defeated Bulldozer Brandon Smith in 13:15 by pinfall after Preacher-ference. D)

Cowboy hats off to Bulldozer who somehow got any kind of workable match out of Pete, who was drunker than I first thought. I wouldn’t have been mad if he’d changed the finish on the fly either. But he’s a good worker, and now I’m stuck with a drunk at Texas Champion. Crowd loved the big guy though. So there’s that.

 

SHOW RATING: D-

 

With the Sportatorium emptying, I gathered the boys together. I told Joffy and Bulldozer that they’d done great work. Then I turned to Pete. I needed to send a message. Something that he wouldn’t likely forget.

“You can do better Pete.”

That’s right, I was hoping encouragement would help him fight the demons plaguing him and ruining my main event. Bulldozer Brandon Smith wasn’t too pleased, but he’d forgive me. Probably.

 

Whistler brought me the numbers for the show and some fan response. Apparently we looked cheap and nasty compared to other promotions because our production values, our live event experience, our broadcasting values and our music all sucked. Don’t hold back fans. Tell us what you really think. Worse than that, we’d lost $8,246.

 

He had however matched NYCW’s first offering. So there’s that.

 

We’d have to try harder. We’d have to put on a better show. We’d have to stop Pete drinking… or maybe just join him. He at least seemed happy with life.

[Jaysin]

This is so much fun. I can't wait for more.

[TCP1]

Where you can be a drunk by day and a professional champion athlete by night… TEXAS FOREVER.

 

So Pete was our first Texas champ, our number one star and a seemingly professional drunk. Perhaps it made sense to get the title off of him? The loss-making of the last month was more worrying than a drunk champ though. We had plenty of money to burn through, but that didn’t mean I wanted to make a loss forever.

 

Early in the month I called Whistler into my office and showed him tape of a young Mexican worker called El Mitico Jr.

“Nope,” he said.

“Why not?”

“I ain’t havin none of those Mexican jumping beans in this promotion, what we’ve got here is wrasslin, not gymnastics.”

 

I contemplated signing him anyway, but I had enough headaches. Luckily our backstage area was a joyous place. Everyone seemed to get on (except Bulldozer and Pete) and there was a real bond forming. When the world is against you, it’s nice to have other people in the same foxhole.

 

We ploughed ahead to Texas Forever 2. Because Gregory McGraw and Bulldozer had signed on to tour Japan, we moved the show to a Saturday. It would take the edge of Preacher Century’s sermons, but would mean the crowd would drink more.

 

http://legionverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LSW-Texas-Forever.jpg

Sunday Week 3, January 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 2

 

OPENING MATCH

(Bradley Blaze and Kip Keenan def Nate Casino and Wes Revell as well as David Wayne III and Wild Bill Jetterson in 8:21 by pinfall. D-)

A bit of a thrown together outing for these teams as I search for a face of the division. No chemistry so to speak, but a decent match that got the crowd riled up. Here we go again.

 

ANGLE

DAVIS Wayne III gets the microphone to complain about being partnered with a ‘loser’ like Wild Bill. He’s a franchise player. Despite wearing the cowboy hat, his accent dipped from Southern American into obviously Canadian. The crowd hated that. Which is a good thing for a heel. D-

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(‘Texas’ Pete Houston © def Jesse Coulter in 8:33 by pinfall E+)

We decided to keep Pete out of the main event for the show and just let him squash some midcarders while we worked on getting him sober. It was a good plan. Had he not been drunk… AGAIN! Coulter looked angry about it too. Dammit Pete, help me help you.

 

ANGLE

Despite beating Coulter soundly, Pete isn’t finished. Under the orders of Preacher Century he viciously assaults his opponent after the match. For vicious, read, drunkenly. Was he actually punching him there? Oh God. (E)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Bulldozer Brandon Smith def Logan Wolfsbaine in 7:51 by pinfall. D)

A nice clean win for the failed contender. You know what I like about Bulldozer Brandon Smith? He’s almost always sober.

 

ANGLE

Bulldozer grabs the mic and challenges the disgrace and coward that is Pete Houston to a title match next month… in a cage. I briefly catch Pete lumbering through the curtain until Whistler drags him to the back. When it rains it pours. (D)

 

TAG TEAM MATCH

(The Seraphim defeated The Tribe in 8:10 by Samael pinning Monteiro following Preacher-ference. E+)

If at first you don’t succeed. Do the exact same match again. Whistler points out to me that Monteiro is dragging the match pacing down, which explains part of the problem. The Seraphim were impressive though. The crowd really hates them. Especially Abaddon.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Century grabs the mic and delviers a sermon over the fallen Tribe. Apparently sinners will be made to pay the ultimate price. (Me - “Is he threatening to kill the audience?” Whistler – “Yup.”) D+

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine defeated Cowboy Buck Winchester in 10:11 by pinfall and a handful of tights. D-)

Slightly disappointing match, but Nature Boy at least came out of it with more heat. Just need to keep his momentum going.

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy grabs the mic after his win and challenges the winner of tonight’s main event to a match and ends with a quick WOO! (D-)

 

MAIN EVENT STREET FIGHT

(Gregory McGraw drew with Hoodoo Tatum in 17:28 following a double count out while brawling on the floor. D)

Despite the crowd’s loud reaction, the quality of the match was disappointing. I thought one of these two might have taken the leap up, but they delivered only an OK match. More thought required.

 

SHOW RATING: E+

 

Dammit. We were being smashed because of our low values across the board again. Did we dare increase them and pay the exorbitant cost? Who knows? For now I have to deal with Pete. The great drunk mess.

 

I marched into the locker room and it fell silent as I walked straight up to our Texas Heavyweight champion. He looked genuinely scared, then… I hugged him.

“I believe in you,” I whispered.

 

I heard audible groans from Bulldozer and complaints from Coulter. But I ignored them. Love would help our champ turn his life around.

 

In Whistler’s monthly report I discovered that we’d only lost $7,676, but were still considered the worst promotion in the Mid-South. Again. Worse still NYCW Divide and Conquer had got a D- rating and their main event saw Empire Champ rick Sanders def Dean Waldorf in a D+ match.

 

Time to pull the trigger and invest in our production and hope we increased in popularity enough to not go bankrupt. We upgraded music to In-House, production to semi-pro and Live Event to small.

 

Next time on Texas Forever: Do we get the strap off Pete as soon as possible? Are there anymore signings? Will anyone but a bunch of drunk Texans watch our wrestling? Find out next time.

[TCP1]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41714" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This is so much fun. I can't wait for more.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thanks very much. So far I've simmed up to July 2016 and things... Well let's just say there's plenty of room for fun in the write-ups to come.</p>

[TCP1]

New York is the enemy and our enemies are our friends… TEXAS FOREVER!

 

That’s right, we signed another NYCW alumni for the next show. In other news Fern Hathaway and Seraphim Samael are dating, which is just a weird pairing that I refuse to acknowledge. I consider momentarily bringing her in. Then think about how a bad breakup might affect the locker room.

 

I sent Jesse Coulter on a paid holiday hoping to calm him down. Over in Scotland a company called SNP got a top-up grant from the Government. I wonder if I can get something like that?

 

Over in New York Rick Sanders defeated Marv Statler on NYCW Revolution in a D+ match and a D- show. Strangely Howlin Mad Mort went missing before the show… I have a bad feeling about that.

 

http://legionverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LSW-Texas-Forever.jpg

Tuesday Week 4, March 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 3

 

TAG TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL 1

(The Seraphim def Ace Youngblood and Cowboy Buck Winchester in 5:52 by pinfall when Preacher-ference lead to Abaddon pinning Youngblood. E+)

In the first of three tournament qualifiers to find our first tag team champions the Seraphim do what they always do. Dominate. However, while watching Cowboy and Youngblood they seem to have some pretty great chemistry. A decent way to kick-off the show for sure.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Century lords it over the rest of the locker room by presenting the Seraphim to the audience again. Apparently their going to be champions too, just like Pete Houston. Hopefully not quite as drunk however. (C-)

 

TAG TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL 2

(Bradley Blaze and Jesse Coulter def Logan Wolfsbaine and Nate Casino in 5:42 by pinfall when Coulter pinned Wolfsbaine. D-)

Random team-up does not lead to any secret chemistry, but does provide a decent match. Blaze and Coulter move into the finals along with the Seraphim.

 

ANGLE

Davis Wayne III invites Gregory McGraw to be his tag team partner in the third qualifier for the title shot. Gregory accepts. Two really awful Texas accents on display here. (E)

 

TAG TOURNAMENT SEMI-FINAL 3

(David Wayne III and Gregory McGraw def Kip Keenan and Roger Monteiro in 6:23 by pinfall when Wayne hits the Fisherman Suplex on Menteiro. D)

Wow, Monteiro sucks. Time to shuffle him away now that Youngblood has Buck. Decent match thanks in part to Gregory and Davis. The finals are set.

 

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH

(Andrew Harper def Wes Revell and Wild Bill Jetterson in 3:36 by pinfall when he hit Revell with the Spike Slam. E)

The debuting Andrew Harper, stolen from the clutches of New York performs… alright. I suppose. I actually expected something else. He’s running with a bodyguard gimmick. But a bodyguard for whom?

 

TAG TOURNAMENT FINAL

(The Seraphim def Bradley Blaze and Jesse Coulter and David Wayne III and Gregory McGraw in 8:36 by pinfall when Samael pinned Coulter. They become the first LSW Tag Team Champions. D-)

Coulter was off his game and he sucked the remaining life out of the crowd. For a whinger he is not exactly pulling his weight. The Seraphim are the natural choice for the titles. For now at least, Preacher Century’s Gospel hold all the gold. How long can it last?

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy Joffy Laine gives Hoodoo some last minute advice before their match. His advice is to not show up. Love the Nature Boy, by far one of our most entertaining characters and performers. (E+)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine def Hoodoo Tatum in 12:55 by pinfall after interference from Andrew Harper. D-)

A decent if a little disappointing performance from both men. But it did a job, which at the moment is all we can ask. Joffy parades around the ring celebrating while Harper laying the beatdown on Hoodoo.

 

ANGLE

Bulldozer tells Pete Houston he’s a disgrace and should be ready to enter the steel cage to sort out their differences, once and for all. (D)

 

CAGE TITLE MATCH

(Pete Houston def Bulldozer Brandon Smith in a Cage match in 20:45 by pinfall after Preacher found a way in and hit Bulldozer. E+)

Oh wow. What a shambles. First up, Pete was drunk AGAIN. It’s getting to the point where I can’t even be surprised anymore. The match was also too long, both were exhausted as I accidently switched to a Wild Brawl but left the time at 21 minutes. So that’s my fault. So doubling-down on Pete might destroy the promotion in the long run. But I had faith.

 

SHOW RATING: E+

 

What to do, what to do. On the one hand my softly-softly approach with Pete didn’t appear to be working. On the other hand, he was the champ. I decided to give him one more chance and told him “You’re awesome!!!!” He agreed “You’re damn right I am.”

 

Bulldozer continues to be unimpressed. To add insult to the whole thing, we finished last in regional battle. Our production increases didn’t work and we LOST -$12,666 thanks to upgrades in production.

 

Screw that for a pistol shot. Bye bye production, we’re stripping it all away. If we can’t compete there’s no point trying.

 

That’s winners talk.

 

Then something interesting happened. Whistler called me in and told me the news. Pete’s contract was up for renewal.

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER, do we resign Pete for a contract? Do we finally get the title off of him? Will he ever stop being drunk?

[TCP1]

Sometimes you need to just take the title away from the drunk, but other times it’s better to run a Texas Six Man Tag. Story trumps personal demons… TEXAS FOREVER

 

Over to New York where Howling Mad Mort has had enough and left. Nothing to say about that other than, HAH! Suck it! We thought we’d rub salt in the wounds and sign another of their talents. Either he’d do great for us, or we’d run him into the ground.

 

At NYCW Fade to Black they ran with Sanders defeating Dean Waldorf in a D+ main event of a D- show. They had clearly run out of ideas. Idiots. Wait, why did I care so much? This was Whistler’s war, not mine. I must get my head in the game.

 

http://legionverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LSW-Texas-Forever.jpg

Tuesday Week 4, April 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 4

 

OPENING MATCH

(Native Gunslingers (Buck Winchester and Ace Youngblood) def Logan Wolfsbaine and Wes Revell in 7:55 by pinfall when Buck pinned Revell. D-)

The push begins.

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy Joffy Laine can’t believe that Hoodoo is coming back for more punishment, especially now that Joffy has a brutish bodyguard of his very own. Hoodoo tells him to sack up. (D+)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum def Nature Boy Joffy Laine in 9:41 by DQ when Andrew Harper interfered and beat up Hoodoo. D-)

More decent, if unspectacular work from these two. Might be time to elevate. I mean it can’t be long before Pete shows up drunk… or dead. I need a backup plan in case of emergency.

 

ANGLE

With Hoodoo carried off in a stretcher Harper and Joffy remain in the ring. Harper grabs a microphone and says there isn’t a man in Texas who can beat him. Strange carnival clown music hits and out comes… Animal Harper. He’s dribbling everywhere and licking fans faces on the way. They seem unimpressed. (E+)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Andrew Harper drew with Animal Harker in 7:38 following a double count out when both brawled to the outside. D-)

Well the match was ok, but every time they tried to do a move more complicated than a punch it looked awkward. Fortunately punching is what they do best. Terrible, terrible chemistry. I must remember not to put them in a singles match again.

 

ANGLE

Davis Wayne comes out and complains about the series of awful partners he’s been saddled with so far. So he calls out Wild Man Bill Jetterson who comes down to the ring with his pet snake. Davis lets him know how lucky he is to have a partner like DW III. (E+)

 

TAG TEAM MATCH

(Bradley Blaze and Roger Monteiro def David Wayne III and Wild Bill Jetterson in 7:10 when DW III walked out on his partner. E+)

I wanted to test out more partnerships for decent chemistry. They didn’t exist so we move on with our lives. Might be time to just push a couple of these guys as singles performers. I quite like the ring of DW III.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Century comes out with Pete Houston and the Seraphim all draped in gold. He tells the sinners to shut up and listen to his sermon. He’s so confident that he has the best three-man team in Texas that he’s invited the sinner Bulldozer Whatever to pick two partners and face The Century Gospel tonight. (C-)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Jesse Coulter def Nate Casino in 6:09 by submission. E+)

Now we get the great chemistry note from Whistler. In a match with two lower-midcarders, which means nothing and was designed simply to juice the crowd before the big six-man main event. Dammit. I’d have to remember this and see if we can build a proper feud out of it.

 

ANGLE

Bulldozer hits the ring and asks if there’s anyone backstage with the stones to join him in fighting the Century Gospel. Kip Keenan joins him and the two shake hands. Gunshots fire out and here comes Gregory ‘Twelve Gauge’ McGraw. He nods at the two as an unlikely alliance is born. (D-)

 

SIX-MAN TAG MAIN EVENT

(Bulldozer Brandon Smith, Gregory McGraw and Kip Keenan def The Gospel (Pete Houston, Seraphim Abaddon and Seraphim Samael) in 11:32 when Bulldozer Brandon Smith defeated Seraphim Samael by pinfall. D-)

 

SHOW RATING: E+

 

What can we say about the main event? On the plus-side: It was better than last month. On the downside: Pete Houston was hammered again. I decided to try the firm-but-fair approach and told him he should have done better. Instead of responding, he passed out.

 

End of month report: We finished last in Mid-South of course. We also lost $11,049. The damn contracts of the boys were proving costly. So I figured it might be worth splitting the roster and working two shows in a month. There was a chance we’d burn through fans, but how knows, we might strike gold somewhere.

 

Probably not though.

 

Seraphim Abaddon, Bulldozer Brandon Smith and Gregory McGraw were all angry with having to work for a drunk. Tell me about it boys.

 

The good news, I told them, was that Pete had just signed a new three year contract. An empty whiskey bottle smashed on the floor near us and Pete fell off his chair.

 

Meanwhile in California, CZCW have hired some guy called William Peers as a head booker. Never heard of him, not worried about him. He is using something called Tidal Tag Booking for small shows. Two singles matches leading to a tag team match. Interesting…

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER, do we try and branch into two shows in a month? Perhaps it’s time to run a Super-Show too. But what’s a good name?

[Jaded]

This is AMAZINGLY fun. Keep up the great work! I wanna see Pete Houston hold the title for a full year... <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[TCP1]

Where if at first you don’t make money, spend twice as much… TEXAS FOREVER!

 

Yup we’re running two shows in May. Cos we’re Texas and we don’t give a damn. Texas Rodeo sounded suitably Texas enough for us and we’d run it Tuesday of Week 2. We aimed to run the shows cheap, so fingers crossed it works out. The following month, we’d continue the mix-and-match style of booking by running a single, high-level, expensive show. Then we’d compare the results and probably cry over the amount of money we’d spent.

 

In New York reports have come out that Empire Champion Rick Sanders is looking flabby, no longer attends the gym and is going downhill fast. I choose not to mock, because I have no vested interest in seeing NYCW fail…

 

HAH!

 

I might sign him for a month and have him job to an enhancement talent. That’s how I roll, because I’m Texas.

 

Oh dear God. What has happened to me?

 

Elsewhere Dan Stone has passed away. I encourage the boys to send a card to the Stone family offering our condolences. They do so, except Pete, who just writes ‘Mine’s a whiskey with a beer chaser please, Big P.’

 

Bless him. I can’t even be mad at him now. He’s like an overgrown baby. An overgrown baby that could snap you in half.

 

We rail into Texas Rodeo and I get a note saying that Gregory McGraw missed a meeting with Whistler to discuss a match. I should send a message. If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s failure to keep a schedule. So I give him a slap on the wrist. Apparently I’ve made his behaviour worse. Great stuff.

 

http://legionverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LSW-Texas-Rodeo.jpg

Tuesday Week 2, May 2016

Live from the NOT SOLD OUT (Wait WHAT!?!) Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS (290 tickets), it’s…

Texas Rodeo 1

 

ANGLE

Hoodoo Tatum announces that he has decided to give the little guy a chance to shine tonight, and he brings out Gregory McGraw for a singles match. (D-)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum def Gregory McGraw in 10:29 by pinfall. D-)

That’ll teach you to miss appointments, you nobody. And you never liked your name and are always banging on about your dad. Decent match though, so I’ll probably keep him around for a while.

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy Joffy Laine comes out with Andrew Harper by his side. He calls out Kip Keenan for his awful performance last month at Texas Forever. He’s going to teach him a lesson in how to wrestle like the man. WOOOOO. (E+)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine def Kip Keenan in 10:04 by pinfall after interference from Harper. D-)

Decent little match from these two as Joffy continues his slow and subtle rise up the card.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Logan Wolfsbaine def Roger Monteiro in 5:13 by submission. E)

What can I say? I needed to use up more time and these two are cheap. You’re welcome for the win Logan, thanks for not completely sucking. Monteiro… I’ve got nothing.

 

ANGLE

Kip Keenan is in the ring, along with Hoodoo Tatum. Hoodoo announces that he has made he will be joining with Keenan as an ally to fight in a tag match against Nature Boy and Gregory McGraw. Tidal Tag Booking is here. But this is Texas, so enjoy the first of many Texas Twister Booking. (D+)

 

TEXAS TWISTER TAG MATCH

(Kip Keenan and Hoodoo Tatum def Gregory McGraw and Nature Boy Joffy Laine in 12:30 when Kip Keenan defeated Gregory McGraw by pinfall. D)

Not a bad match, but Joffy and Gregory are a horrible team. Dammit Gregory, you can’t do ANYTHING right!

 

ANGLE

Andrew Harper is bored and wants a fight. Who wants some? Well apparently Pete Houston wants some. (D-)

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(Pete Houston def Andrew Harper in 7:44 by pinfall. D-)

Apparently Whistler tells me Pete was off his game tonight. Which makes sense because he downed a bottle of peach schnapps on the way to the ring. He’s not even hiding his rampant alcoholism. I’d imagine Harper is going to hate Pete now and have morale problems. Damn pansies, haven’t they ever seen a man consume more booze than food and pass out each night in a pool of his own vomit?

 

SHOW RATING: E+

 

So our popularity went up despite all our horrible production abilities. It not being a sell-out was a problem, but we’ll see how Texas Forever does in two weeks.

 

I tried to tell Pete he could do better and he seemed irritated. I’m surprised he was sober enough to feel an emotion as complex as irritation.

 

After the meeting, I was alone with my thoughts when Joffy burst into my office.

 

“Boss, boss,” he said.

 

“What?” I said irritably and took a shot of Pete’s secret whiskey stash.

 

“That Roger Moneiro kid, he’s ace.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

“I genuinely think he’s a star in the making.”

 

I looked at the bottle of booze and questioned just how potent it was.

 

“OK then,” I said.

 

Andrew Harper burst then burst in ranting and raving about how unprofessional Pete Hosuton was by being drunk.

 

“HEY NEW GUY,” I yelled. I wasn’t having him disrespect me like that. “WHAT DOES IT SAY ON THE DOOR TO MY OFFICE?”

 

Andrew glanced back.

 

“Err… Girls Volleyball Locker Room.”

 

“It says,” I corrected him. “Head Booker. That means I’m the boss and I’ll tell you what’s what around here.”

 

He stormed out, followed by Joffy. I took another shot of whiskey and patted myself on the back for a situation well handled.

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER, we run our second show in May and we build towards our supershow in June, LSW High Noon I. The reign of Texas Pete Houston continues and how do I deal with further morale problems in our near-perfect locker-room caused by Pete’s drunkenness? If you’re thinking I’ll push him even harder… you might be right.

[TCP1]

Where keeping people strong is not all it’s cracked up to be… TEXAS FOREVER.

 

So the booking note to ‘Keep Strong’ is actually something that’s hampering the in-ring quality. Now that I’d actually read the description, it was time to push ahead for better quality matches. Also with High Noon a mere month away, we started to build towards it by making some moves in free agency. Moves that could rock LSW to its very core. Or could be high-popularity workers we could job away to our regulars.

 

http://legionverse.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/LSW-Texas-Forever.jpg

Tuesday Week 4, May 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 5

 

Before we even started the show I caught the boys playing a game called Snakes and Chairs. Apparently Wild Bill had created it and the boys loved it. I even gave it a go. I did not win. I didn’t like the game. But I let them have it.

 

I also noticed Samael and Xander Summers talking about gardening. I didn’t know what to do about that, so I made my way to the announcers booth.

 

OPENING MATCH

(Seraphim Abaddon def Cowboy Buck Winchester in 6:52 by pinfall. E+)

Texas Twister booking continues. Not a great start, but I’m building a feud here.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Century comes out with The Seraphim and promises to destroy the sinners the Native Gunslingers before their challenge even starts. (C-)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Ace Youngblood def Seraphim Samael in 7:09 by pinfall after failed Preacher-ference. D-)

For some reason that was a surprisingly good little match. I now have reasonably high hopes for the tag title match later.

 

ANGLE

The Native Gunslingers, Ace and Buck celebrate in the ring and tell The Seraphim they want to end the fight… right… now! (E+)

 

TEXAS TWISTER TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH

(The Seraphim © def Native Gunslingers in 8:30 when Seraphim Samael defeated Ace Youngblood by pinfall after using a foreign object handed to him by Preacher Century. D-)

Way to go boys. That’s one of our better tag team matches. It turns out when you’re not trying to ‘keep people strong’ in matches, they cut loose and the mental Texan crowds lap it up. The only downside was Ace being off his game. Clearly winning the Snakes and Chairs competition before the show took it out of him.

 

ANGLE

Davis Wayne III wants a fight, but doesn’t think anyone has the intestinal fortitude to do anything a-boot it. Bradley Blaze apparently does. (E+)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Bradley Blaze defeated David Wayne III in 6:40 by pinfall, illegally using the ropes for leverage. D-)

It’s good to occasionally have the heel reap what they sow. DW III often cheats. This time the good guy (as much as a gun-toting lunatic can be a good guy) got the win.

 

TEXAS TRIPLE THREAT

(Animal Harker def Jesse Coulter and Nate Casino in 7:42 when Animal Harker pinned Nate Casino. D-)

Say what you will about the scattershot matchups, but they’re all delivering lower down the card. If Pete can just stay sober enough in the main event to not vomit on the front row, we might be in for a best show ever.

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(Pete Houston defeated Bulldozer Brandon Smith, Wild Bill Jetterson and Wes Revell in 10:59 when Pete Houston pinned Wild Bill Jetterson while Bulldozer brawled with Revell outside the ring. D+)

Bulldozer, you absolute whinging beauty. He single-handedly carried this car crash of a match to become our best match to date. Legend. I must buy him a drink. Speaking of drinks… Pete had a lot again.

 

SHOW RATING: D-

 

Oh come on. Surely we deserved a bit better than that?

 

I’m guessing the production problems are holding us back. Well that’s going to change next month when we run HIGH NOON.

 

I was heading to my monthly meeting with Whistler and opening a letter. It was headed The Confederation of the Territories.

 

I was excited.

 

“Whistler have you heard of this Confederation of the Territories thing?” I said.

 

“Yeah course I have,” he replied.

 

“Well why aren’t we in it?” I exclaimed. “A top level talent trading system would massively help us out?”

 

“NYCW,” he replied.

 

Dammit, a quick look at the invitation told me they were a founding member.

 

“Well,” I said slowly, desperately trying to shake off the hangover to come up for an argument for joining. “What better way to sabotage them up North than… by… pretending to be their friends…”

 

Whistler just stared back.

 

“I will NOT join NYCW,” he said. “Now we need to talk about this month: We lost $12,849. That’s only a little bit more than last month with an extra show. But we finished last and NYCW’s War Machine was headlined by Nicholas Lopez beating Dean Waldorf in a D+ match on a D- card. We were so close. High Noon is coming up and I want you to beat all the competition for the month, even if it costs an absolute fortune. Sign whoever you want, bring in celebrities and live music. Let’s torch those sonsabitches.”

 

“Yes boss,” I replied.

 

“Interesting,” Whistler said and absent-mindedly turned up the TV on the wall.

 

“TSUNAMI DEVASTATES JAPAN.”

 

***

 

It was June and time for High Noon I. We had our normal roster and we’d signed no fewer than six new talents to… well there was no point lying, they were all, but one on a contract larger than our largest. We had some actual big name regional stars coming in.

 

The Japanese economy is fried by the devastating natural disaster and in a true disaster a Japanese promotion Black Canvas Grappling’s owner Yoshifusa Maeda drowned in the flood. I was so bummed out I decided to drink heavily.

 

We needed to really sell High Noon I. It felt that with our production cranked up to be better than all competition it was time to shoot for the moon. We released the card to the public in advance as a way to sell tickets and for the first time, we booked a new venue. We were heading up the road to Fort Worth and running at Lon Goldstein Field.

 

High Noon I

LSW Texas Heavyweight Title Texas Elimination Fourway: Pete Houston © vs. Three Winners of the Contender’s Series

Contender’s Series 1: Bulldozer Brandon Smith vs. BRYAN ‘Freakin’ HOLMES

Contender’s Series 2: Hoodoo Tatum vs. Gregory McGraw

Contender’s Series 3: Nature Boy Joffy Laine vs. Kip Keenan

LSW Tag Team Titles: The Seraphim © vs. The Ring Generals (Marv Statler and Dean Waldorf)

The Native Gunslingers vs. The McWade Brothers

Nate Casino vs. Jesse Coulter

Ladder Match: Logan Wolfsbaine vs. Davis Wayne III vs. Frankie Perez vs. ???

Wild Bill Jetterson, Wes Revell and Andrew Harper vs. Bradley Blaze, Roger Monteiro and Animal Harker

[TCP1]

People gotta talk themselves into rules and order before they do anything about it. Maybe because deep down they don’t care. They just don’t care… TEXAS FOREVER.

 

Tuesday Week 4, June 2016

Live from the NOT SOLD OUT (378 tickets sold) LON GOLDSTEIN FIELD, FORT WORTH, TEXAS it’s…

High Noon I

 

Lon Goldstein Field was, not packed but rather… There were people in the stands. The atmosphere was still electric and the chants rang through the building as I called the boys in for the meeting before the big show.

 

“We’ve been doing this a while boys,” I said. “I ain’t got nothing left to say. Let’s go out there and make a name for ourselves shall we? TEXAS FOREVER!”

 

“TEXAS FOREVER!”

 

Outside Selena Gomez belted some unbearable drivel. Quite the special guest. Luckily the crowd were booing. I loved wrestling fans.

 

When she finished a local sportsperson called Ross Henry came out to wave. He was an impressive specimen.

 

“Hey Whistler, you reckon we should try and hire that guy?” I called back.

 

“Already tried,” replied the old man. “Ingrate doesn’t feel we’re big enough for him full-time. Clearly we’re big enough for a one-shot appearance through.”

 

The place looked amazing, I had to admit. All the money we’d spent on production, and I mean all the money really had worked. Now all we had to do was deliver a stand-out show. We were gambling, and it just had to pay off.

 

OPENING TAG TEAM MATCH

(Native Gunslingers def The McWade Brothers in 8:23 when Cowboy Buck Winchester pinned Dean McWade. D+)

Boom goes the dynamite. Our new pretty boy tag team schooled the well-known veterans and even though Youngblood looked a little nervous in the new setting they started High Noon off with a bang. Maybe our best match ever.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Jesse Coulter defeated Nate Casino in 4:44 by submission. E+)

Had to give the LSW originals a chance to shine, especially as they work so well together. Sadly after the previous match this one fell a bit flat. It might have something to do with my terrible booking of these loyal soldiers. Who knows?

 

ANGLE

Preacher Travis Century is out to a weirdly mixed reaction. He says that his Gospel is becoming so powerful that even sinners from other areas are coming to pray for their souls at the altar of Century. His Seraphim will destroy the apparent Ring Generals. (C+)

 

TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH

(The Seraphim © def The Ring Generals in 8:19 when Seraphim Abaddon pinned Dean Waldorf. D)

As promised, our ever-rising tag team champions finish off NYCW’s finest without breaking a sweat. Match suffered a bit from a lack of buildup and the fact that both teams are technically heels, but still good enough. A quick search online later highlights to me that our tag team titles are considered one of the most prestigious on the independent scene (C+).

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy Joffy Laine heads down to the ring in a brand new sequined robe and with Andrew Harper by his side. He let’s the Fort Worth crowd know that they’re going to witness history tonight when he puts down Kip Keenan permanently and goes on to fulfil his destiny by becoming the Texas Heavyweight champion. (D+)

 

CONTENDERS MATCH

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine def Kip Keenan in 4:44 by pinfall while using the ropes for leverage. D)

It was a short match, so as not to burn out the crowd on either competitor and the results were pretty good. Both of these guys have established themselves as the backbone of the company since its inception. They rarely put a foot wrong and were certainly never drunk.

 

ANGLE

Gregory McGraw and Hoodoo Tatum bump into one another backstage and have a staredown. (D)

 

CONTENDERS MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum def Gregory McGraw in 8:07 by count out. D+)

I told them to steal the show and by Gods they did. That one might have been better than the opening tag match and the crowd were lapping up the near falls at the end. I may not get on with the stuck up punk, but Gregory can certainly go in the ring. That would serve him well in the future.

 

TEXAS SIX MAN TAG MATCH

(Andrew Harper, Wild Bill Jetterson and Wes Revell def Animal Harker, Bradley Blaze and Roger Monteiro in 5:42 when Wild Bill Jetterson submitted Animal Harker. E+)

I told them to go out there and try and calm the crowd a bit. They were so rowdy I feared for their emotional state by the time of the main event. I fear however, that the boys took my meaning a bit too literally. It wasn’t a terrible match by any means, but it certainly deflated the crowd. Hopefully we’d be able to pick them back up.

 

ANGLE

Bulldozer Brandon Smith comes out and says that Bryan Holmes might have been a big star in the past, but in Texas we’re all about the future, and he’s about to prove it. (D+)

CONTENDERS MATCH

(Bryan Holmes def Bulldozer Brandon Smith in 10:27 by pinfall. D+)

The crowd seemed genuinely shocked by this one, but months of losing out to Pete had damaged Bulldozer as a potential challenger. It was time for a change and Holmes was a big enough name to get the win. What a good match too, the third of the evening. We were on course for a personal best. I was so proud of everyone.

 

ANGLE

David Wayne III lets us know he’s the king of the ladder match and as this is first one in LSW history, he wants to write his name into the history books. (E+)

 

FOURWAY LADDER MATCH:

(El Mítico Jr def David Wayne III, Frankie Perez and Logan Wolfsbaine in 7:57. D-)

Well that was a little on the disappointing side I have to say. Frankie Perez, who I only brought in for a one-shot deal carried the rest of the apparent dead-weight to a passable match, which really helped no one. Still I finally convinced Whistler to bring in one of those ‘Mexican Jumping Beans’ after he started to tone down the high-flying and transitioned into a more regular wrestling style. On the plus side, the crowd have been left wanting a little more.

 

So with everything setup and the main event next it really felt like everything was coming together beautifully. If Pete could just hold it together (or be carried) by the other three in the match, we could be on course to deliver a knock-out final match and maybe, just maybe not finish dead-last in our every-raging regional battle.

 

Here we go…

 

VIDEO

A music video is shown to promote the group of Hoodoo Tatum, Bryan Holmes, Nature Boy Joffy Laine and Pete Houston. We really were spending all the money this month and the video looked pretty slick, even if the other footage we cut into from old shows looked like it had been filmed on a camera phone. (D-)

 

TEXAS FOURWAY FOR THE TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE

With Bryan Holmes, Nature Boy Joffy Laine and Hoodoo Tatum in the ring already, Freebird by The Eagles blared out over the speaker system and LSW Texas Heavyweight champion Pete Houston head to the ring accompanied by Preacher Travis Century.

Once there he sent the Preacher to the back, showing that for a match this big he wanted to do it on his own. Never one to be outdone, the Nature Boy made a big show of sending Andrew Harper to the back too.

With all four men in the ring, the bell chimes and Holmes dive tackles Laine straight through the ropes leaving Pete and Hoodoo to battle it out. The crowd are going mad as the two mainstays of the promotion deliver blow after blow, booing and cheering with each shot.

The battle is intense with neither man getting the upper hand. Outside the ring Holmes has Laine locked in an armbar and is twisting for all he’s worth.

The two individual battles rage for over five minutes and the tempo is fast. Finally Joffy escapes the clutches of Holmes and runs between Hoodoo and Pete, causing the other three to start fighting each other. Pete tries a clothesline from Hell on Holmes, who ducks and Hoodoo takes the full brunt of the attack. Holmes rolls up Pete and Xander Summers counts with both hands, 1… 2… 3.

Pete looks up at the ref and starts motioning that his shoulder was up and Summers nods and agrees and points to the other corner of the ring where Joffy is laying on a still knocked out Hoodoo. Pete grins and goes after Joffy and destroys him quickly. A powerbomb later and Joffy is gone two.

With only Pete and Holmes left in the ring, the crowd don’t really know who to cheer for as the two titans charge in to attack.

(Pete Houston defeated Bryan Holmes, Nature Boy Joffy Laine and Hoodoo Tatum in an Elimination match in 18:10. D)

 

SHOW RATING: D

 

So I booked the match badly and it showed. What a shame. It’s a damn shame that such a good show could be marred by myself. It’s especially galling when I realise Pete was sober, for the whole match.

 

On the plus side, the show was one of our better ones and we successfully beat NYCW Stormy Weather (D-) who went with flabby Rick Sanders over Steve Flash in a D+ match.

 

I sat in the empty stands of the Lon Goldstein stadium after the show and looked out on the baseball field and the empty ring. In one hand was the financial report from Whistler and in the other a bottle of whiskey.

 

The month had cost us $64,656 when all was said and done. In the six months we’d been in operation we’d burnt through over two-thirds of our money reserves. We’d be in debt and probably out of business by Christmas if something didn’t change. I took a swig and looked out to the Fort Worth skyline.

 

“Unlucky kid,” said the gruff, familiar voice of Whistler.

 

“Yeah,” I replied.

 

“Pete was sober,” said Whistler.

 

“That’s true.”

 

“Seriously, we gave it a shot and the show wasn’t bad.”

 

“Not good enough to beat QAW or CZCW though,” I replied.

 

Whistler didn’t respond to that straight away.

 

“Maybe it’s time to consider moving,” he said.

 

“What?” I exclaimed. Was he mad? “What happened to Texas FOREVER. Should it have been Texas Until it’s TOO HARD?”

 

“Think it over kid,” he said. “You want to be successful, or you want to keep smashing your face into a brick wall? We can’t compete with the other two. Not with the workers we’ve got. We can barely keep up with the scum up North.”

 

Just then Joffy joined us in the stands.

 

“You alright boss?” he asked.

 

“Been better,” I slurred in response.

 

“I wanted to talk to you about Jesse Coulter, I reckon he’s awesome. Maybe you should be building the company around him?”

 

“F**k off Joffy,” said Whistler.

 

“OK boss.”

 

I knew what they both meant though. Changes needed to be made, and big ones too. I didn’t have the time, patience or money to keep in the same holding pattern for much longer.

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER… We make wholesale changes to the roster to stop the financial bleeding. We reconsider the future of promotion and we look enviously beyond our own borders.

[TCP1]

Do a bad job, you’re fired. Do a good job, you’re fired. Drink two bottles a day and you’re champion… TEXAS FOREVER.

 

The High Noon hangover was a bad one and I didn’t really want to have the meetings I had to have. But I DID have to have them. Firstly I told Whistler to cut all our production costs to the bare minimum.

 

Then I called each of the roster into my office for a chat. And like an human resources angel of death I fired: The McWade Brothers, Roger Monteiro, Gregory McGraw and Bulldozer Brandon Smith. They took the news differently. The McWade’s barely flinched, Monteiro cried and Bulldozer flipped me the bird. McGraw laughed. He didn’t say a word, but just laughed.

 

That one worried me the most. I took a swig of whiskey and got on with planning.

 

Tuesday Week 2, July 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Rodeo 2

 

Before we’d even started Whistler told me that Andrew Harper had turned up late to the show. I was angry, so I fined him and nothing happened. At least Animal was in good form, telling stories about Japan to the rest of the boys. I listened and laughed along with the rest, a twinge of guilt filling my mind.

 

OPENING MATCH

(El Mítico Jr def Andrew Harper in 6:45 by pinfall. E+)

Screw around with me and I’ll bury you.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Logan Wolfsbaine def Animal Harker in 7:29 by submission. E+)

Be a good locker room guy and I’ll bury you too.

 

ANGLE

Preacher brings out the Seraphim Abaddon and tells the Dean Waldorf to prepare for a righteous beating. (C-)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Dean Waldorf def Seraphim Abaddon in 7:59 by pinfall. D-)

Decent little brawl here as I question whether the Ring Generals are worth their value. Is anyone really worth their value?

 

ANGLE

Preacher brings Samael and tells Marv Statler that he’ll have to pay the price instead. (C-)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Marv Statler def Seraphim Samael in 7:10 by count out. D)

Wanted to keep at least one of the Seraphim strong. It was here I realised my heart wasn’t in the show. How were we ever going to make money?

 

TEXAS TWISTER TAG TITLE MATCH

(The Seraphim © def The Ring Generals in 8:09 when Seraphim Abaddon pinned Dean Waldorf. D)

Another good match from the tag champs. If nothing else, I’d developed and maintained a good tag team division. But could you build a promotion around a tag team?

 

ANGLE

Kip Keenan comes out and says that he wants to teach Pete Houston a lesson and he fancies his chances at winning the title. (D)

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(Pete Houston def Kip Keenan in 10:13 by pinfall after Preacher-ference. D-)

The match was fine, but these two looked so natural together, so fluid. Even with Pete clearly back on the booze their match was fine for what it was.

 

SHOW RATING: E+

 

Bryan Holmes came to see me after to let me know how unhappy he was at being left off the show. That’s it veteran, keep pushing me. Look back at our employment history to see how that works out for you.

 

Mid-month financial reports made for ugly reading. I needed to make more cuts. If I could just get to August I’d do what needed to be done.

 

Tuesday Week 4, July 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 6

 

Backstage Kip Keenan and Ace Youngblood were acting like damn fools together, but the other boys were lapping it up. They had no idea that their livelihoods were on the line. I swigged from the bottle of rum in my hand and staggered to my office to write the show. At least booze numbed the pain.

 

OPENING MATCH

(Ace Youngblood def David Wayne III in 8:30 by pinfall. E+)

I had so many expensive workers and no way to break through the barriers inflicted by a Goddam women’s fed and a bunch of jumping idiots in California.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Cowboy Buck Winchester drew with Wes Revell in 8:23 following a double DQ. D-)

Here I was trying to bring traditional wrasslin to the masses and I couldn’t even get our own niche market to care.

 

TEXAS TRIPLE THREAT MATCH

(Bradley Blaze def Nate Casino and Wild Bill Jetterson in 7:16 when Bradley Blaze pinned Nate Casino. D-)

My bad mood was rubbing off on the boys clearly as all of these clowns looked distracted. Well GOOD! It’s about time that they started to take some responsibility.

 

TEXAS TWISTER TAG TEAM MATCH

(Native Gunslingers def David Wayne III and Wes Revell in 8:11 when Cowboy Buck Winchester pinned David Wayne III. D)

Not a bad match that one. Not good of course, our matches were never really good.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Travis Century says that Pete Houston is an unstoppable force of Texan justice. ©

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(Pete Houston def Jesse Coulter in 6:48 by pinfall after Preacher-ference. D-)

Pete was obviously drunk again. But I couldn’t complain, I was too.

 

ANGLE

Joffy says that Hoodoo and he both came up short, but it’s time to properly settle their differences. (D)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum drew with Nature Boy Joffy Laine in 8:48 following a double count out. D+)

Well that’s a Hell of a match. I loved both these guys. So reliable, so talented. I wonder how they’ll cope when we’re out of business and living on the streets.

 

ANGLE

Kip Keenan needs a win and calls out Bryan Holmes to feel the wrath of a Vegas beatdown. (D)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Kip Keenan def Bryan Holmes in 12:56 by pinfall. E)

Terrible match, but I successfully buried Holmes.

 

SHOW RATING: E

 

Whistler came to find me.

 

“Bad news,” he said.

 

“Imagine my surprise,” I slurred.

 

“Are you drunk?”

 

“YOU’RE DRUNK!”

 

“That’s it, I’m cutting you off. We need to talk about Pete.”

 

“He’s our only star,” I said. “Pete’s fine.”

 

“Pete’s high.”

 

“Wait, WHAT!?!?”

 

“We found weed in his bag and his eyes are bloodshot. He’s drunk and high.”

 

For the first time since High Noon I had clarity in my mind. I always vouched for Pete. I tried to build a promotion around him and he repays me by getting drunk and stoned before a match? No! I wasn’t having it. I was sick to the back teeth of it all.

 

I marched into the locker room until I was face-to-face with him. Face-to-chest might have been more accurate.

 

“Hey boss,” said Animal Harker. “Did you hear NYCW put me in the main event against Sanders for a shot at the gold. How cool is that?”

 

“You’re fired,” I said.

 

The chatter on the room died with my words.

 

“What?” said Animal quietly.

 

“You’re fired, get out of my locker room,” I snapped. “You can take The Ring Generals, Holmes and David Wayne with you. You had your shot and failed. Get out.”

 

“Come on now boss,” said Holmes in a calming tone.

 

“GET OUT!”

 

They did as they were told and didn’t say a word. Instead they angrily stuffed their bags with their clothes and made a show of marching out. Whatever.

 

“Do you want to be fired?” I yelled at Pete.

 

H looked terrified, but still managed to giggle in response.

 

“I need you to do better,” I said and then addressed the locker room. “I need you all to be better. There’s an East wind blowing through here. Changes are coming and you better step it up or you’ll be gone.”

 

I marched out of the Sportatorium. I needed space. I needed air. I jumped on a Greyhound bus. I didn’t care about the destination. I just wanted to be gone. I wanted to be alone. Alone with my thoughts.

 

And my bottle of whiskey.

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER… What happens next? Anyone? Anyone?

[TCP1]

The night is always darkest before the dawn… TEXAS FOREVER

 

Times Square was a bustling hive of activity. I wasn’t entirely sure how I’d ended up in New York City. But I did know I was drunk. Wonderfully drunk. I staggered through the packed streets. You know what’s worse than getting bad looks from people? Getting no looks. That meant they thought you were homeless. Or a drunk. Or both.

 

I staggered for hours through the streets until I reached downtown and then I saw it. A little town hall called The Ministry and the banner covered in familiar faces.

 

‘TONIGHT – FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY – RICK SANDERS DEFENDS HIS EMPIRE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAINST ANIMAL HARKER.”

 

What the Hell? I thought and bought a ticket.

 

The show was very familiar and full of faces I recognised. I bood the Ring Generals and Andrew Harper and then watched the main event. I stopped booing and my mind cleared. This wasn’t better. It was more expensive to get in and had a bigger arena, but the quality was every bit as poor as LSW.

 

I bought an expensive coffee and tried to sober myself up before talking my way backstage.

 

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” shouted Animal Harker

 

“Just looking around,” I replied.

 

“I’m surprised they allowed a drunk like you through the doors,” said Marv.

 

“That right there is why you never got to speak in Texas,” I quipped.

 

Marv sneered, but a couple of the young guys laughed. I wrote my number on a card and handed it to them.

 

“If you want to work for a real company, give me a call.”

 

“GET OUT OF MY LOCKER ROOM!” yelled the man who had been part of the start of this whole journey, Larry Vessey.

 

“You think you’re so much better than us don’t you?” I yelled.

 

“Yes,” he replied.

 

“Well let me tell you buster, I’ve seen your best offering and I think, it SUCKS!”

 

***

 

“Where am I?” I said as I peeled my eyes open.

 

“You’re home,” replied Whistler.

 

The bright lights of hospital room almost blinded me, but once I was used to them I saw the whole of the locker room filled into the small space. If you weren’t used to the world of wrestling, the sight of such enormous muscular men might have been strange.

 

It just made my heart swell.

 

“You’ve been a busy boy,” said Whistler. “I hear you walked straight into the locker room of NYCW and picked a fight with Larry Vessey himself.”

 

“Yeah,” I replied.

 

Whistler laughed, “What did I tell you boys; great big massive balls this kid.”

 

The boys all cheered. I had to admit, it was great to see them all.

 

“How long have I been out?”

 

“Couple of weeks all-in-all,” replied Whistler. “If you’re up to it, we’ve got a show tonight.”

 

“He can go,” said the doctor as he entered the room and squeezed between the boys. “GET OUT OF MY WAY!”

 

“Sorry doc,” said Pete and he shuffled to the back of the room nearly knocking over several wrestlers.

 

“How much do you drink Mr. Patrick,” said the doc.

 

“One or two,” a day I replied.

 

“Hmm, well one or two drinks a day wouldn’t cause the liver problems I see here…”

 

“One or two bottles,” corrected Whistler.

 

“Oh,” said the Doc. “Fair enough. Stop drinking, you massive, idiotic… idiot!”

 

“Told ya,” added Whistler.

 

“Alright, alright,” I said.

 

The man was quite a strong presence. Was I going mad, or was I seeing potential talent everywhere now. Being sober really did help. His name tag read Dr. O’Haire.

 

“Want a job?” I asked.

 

“I have a job,” he replied. “Now get out of my hospital.”

 

***

 

We raced back to the Sportatorium in Whistler’s Chevy Impala, with the show start time looming.

 

“What do I need to know?” I said. “What have I missed?”

 

“Not a lot,” said Whistler. “We lost $15k last month, there’s a new promotion in Europe called the European League of Professional Fighters...”

 

He paused.

 

“What else Whistler?”

 

“Pete’s still taking drugs. I’m… I’m worried about him.”

 

“He’ll be fine, we’ll sort him out.”

 

I meant it too. It was time to save our boy, and I had a plan on how to do that.

 

Tuesday Week 4, August 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 7

 

OPENING TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(Pete Houston def Kip Keenan in 8:15 by pinfall. D+)

A really good match, thanks in the most part to Kip because Pete was so drunk and stoned he could barely keep his eyes open. Weirdly the giggle fits he had throughout made him look like a psychotic killer. Which worked nicely.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Travis Century says Pete Houston is as Texas as Texas can get and he’s as honest and sober as anyone there. ©

 

TAG TEAM MATCH

(Logan Wolfsbaine and Wild Bill Jetterson def Seth Whitehead and Robin DaLay in 7:10 when Logan Wolfsbaine pinned Seth Whitehead. E+)

Turns out a couple of the kids in NYCW took my card, called the office and Whistler hired them. So I chucked them into a tag match. They’re green as Pete’s grass, but Robin tells me he’s the son of a wrestling legend. After asking around the locker room it turns out he’s telling the truth. But this was part of a new era for LSW. It was time to push some new people to the top and shake-up the roster.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Wes Revell def El Mítico Jr in 8:12 by submission after blatantly cheating. D)

Can’t have El Mitico Jr undefeated all the time and this gives a nice rub to Revell without tanking the new kid’s momentum. I was thinking so clearly without the booze. Ideas were flying through my head. I loved it.

 

ANGLE

Hoodoo Tatum dances to the ring and says that the winner of the next match is apparently going to get ‘fed’ to Pete. Well he’s Fed… up with Pete dominating. It’s time for a change. (D+)

 

TEXAS TRIPLE THREAT MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum def Jesse Coulter and Nate Casino in 8:02 when Hoodoo Tatum defeated Nate Casino by pinfall. D)

Like there was any doubt in this result. It turns out that I have precious few top-level faces, so it’s time to start getting some momentum behind people to level the playing field.

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy Joffy Laine reminds Hoodoo that he never beat him, and just saying you’re number one contender doesn’t really work. But he agrees it’s time for Pete to go. (D+)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine defeated Bradley Blaze in 11:46 by pinfall. D-)

Two decent workers have a disappointing match. Their timing was all over the place and I worried I might have already known about their lack of chemistry. If I did, I chose to ignore it here and have Joffy the win.

 

TAG TEAM TITLE DOG COLLAR MATCH

(Native Gunslingers def The Seraphim in a Dog Collar match in 11:50 when Ace Youngblood pinned Samael. D)

I’d decided to move the tag titles into a position of dominance on the show and they delivered an ok match. It’s more to establish the new champs as dominant than anything else. Although it might be time to find a new team for them to feud with and move the Seraphim onto something new themselves.

 

SHOW RATING: D-

 

It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t bad. Considering I booked it on the fly from the hospital I was actually reasonably happy. The plan to blow up the promotion from the ground up continued unabated and new storylines flickered in my mind as I went.

 

I checked my phone because I knew NYCW had their Coronation of Champions card. Rick Sanders had beaten Greg Gauge in a barn-storming title match (C-) to give them the edge over us. In an even more shocking twist, the man who had held the title there for most of the year grabbed the microphone and retired as champion. Well that’s one way to go.

 

Whistler told me that we’d lost $4k that month. That was fine. I’d worry about further cost-cutting measures down the road. For now, I head into September with renewed confidence and clear focus.

 

I would make Texas great.

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER… Hoodoo has a chance at Pete, we address his problems head on and is anyone else’s heads on the chopping block?

[TCP1]

New is old, old is new and round and round on the carousel we go… TEXAS FOREVER!

 

September was one of those quiet, reflective months. The leaves were changing colour and falling… just like our finances and the added drive I had since my meltdown was tempered by a general calmness in Texas.

 

In an attempt to show Pete the error of his ways without shouting at him, he and I went to Whistler’s lodge on Lake Whistler (that is some ego). I convinced him to leave the cooler of beers on the shore and we rowed out into the middle of the lake.

 

It was peaceful and serene.

 

TSST.

 

“What was that Pete?”

 

“Just a little livener boss,” he replied.

 

“Have you ever tried not having a livener?” I asked calmly.

 

“What would be the point?” he asked dumbly and drank from the can of beer.

 

“We need to talk about this month’s show,” I said.

 

“Sure thing boss,” he replied.

 

“Things have got to change. I’ve booked you like a monster for months now.”

 

“I appreciate that.”

 

“Well in return you’ve pi**ed off a lot of the boys with your drunkenness.”

 

He stared at me and I could see the hurt in his eyes.

 

“The… the boys don’t like me?” he asked. “Are you going to take my title?”

 

“No, no, no, no,” I said quickly. “It’s not like that. They’re just annoyed with the situation.”

 

I could tell he wasn’t listening anymore. I grabbed his shoulder.

 

“I know you think you’ve done wrong, but I just need you to try a bit harder. OK? It’s my fault really. I gave you everything you wanted and you never stopped. So I’m sorry.”

 

“Fine,” he said and wiped his eyes.

 

He didn’t respond to me for the rest of the day and we drove back to Sanctuary in silence too.

 

I may have misplayed the situation, but I was absolutely determined to help Pete. I liked Pete and only wanted the best for him and the company. He’d understand.

 

Surely…

 

Tuesday Week 4, September 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 8

 

OPENING MATCH

(El Mítico Jr, Wild Bill Jetterson and Logan Wolfsbaine def Robin DaLay, Seth Whitehead and Nate Casino in 6:30 when Logan Wolfsbaine pinned Robin DaLay. D-)

A solid start to the event, which gave good first-hand experience to our new boys. I liked the DaLay kid. There was something about him. I resolved to try and find him a permanent tag partner. Maybe a veteran who could teach him the ropes.

 

ANGLE

Nate Casino, Robin DaLay and Seth Whitehead are arguing in the ring. Logan Wolfsbaine watches with interest, then climbs back in and attacks. The assault is quick and brutal, and leaves all three workers completely destroyed. (E-)

 

TEXAS TRIPLE THREAT MATCH

(Kip Keenan def Bradley Blaze and Wes Revell in 7:02 when Kip Keenan pinned Wes Revell. D-)

Kip had been through the ringer a bit and used as a stepping stone. It was time to let him get a couple of wins under his belt and re-establish himself again. Speaking of which…

 

ANGLE

Keenan challenges winner of tonight’s Texas Heavyweight Title main event. (D+)

 

TAG TEAM TITLE CAGE MATCH

(Native Gunslingers def The Seraphim in a Cage match in 11:46 when Cowboy Buck Winchester pinned Abaddon. D-)

Totally forgot the number of times these boys had fought and even though it was a blow-out match in a cage, the crowd seemed bored. I was struggling with the Seraphim concept. Two masked brutes fighting for the Preacher. Perhaps I needed to change them up and then start them at the bottom. But who would step into the tag division?

 

ANGLE

The match is over and Cowboy Buck Winchester and Ace Youngblood celebrate together in the ring for the fans. (D-)

They deserve it after establishing themselves as THE team to beat.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine def Jesse Coulter in 6:29 by pinfall. D-)

Joffy Laine has one of the best momentum’s in the company. He’s also one of the best talkers. And he’s from Texas. And his gimmick is beloved as a heel. Joffy Laine truly is our Nature Boy. WOOO!

 

ANGLE

Preacher Travis Century says that Hoodoo is basically Voodoo, the practise of devil-worshippers, drug-takers, law-breakers and bottom-bashing fornicators. His most trusted angel Pete Houston will smite the sinner Hoodoo tonight. ©

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum def Pete Houston in 12:17 by pinfall. D)

That’s right, the streak is over. Pete was drunk, but not high tonight, like he knew I was really watching him properly for the first time. But we pulled the trigger to get the belt off the lug while we dealt with his problems. His eyes were red after the pinfall and while the crowd watched Hoodoo dancing away, I watched the former champ as his shoulders slumped and his eyes welled up. I felt bad.

 

But the show must go on and all that.

 

ANGLE

Hoodoo Tatum is dancing in the ring when Pete and the Seraphim launch an attack, three-on-one. Preacher is instructing his angels on specific body parts to target, when the curtain ripples and like a flash, Nature Boy Joffy Laine comes running in and fights all three of them off, saving Hoodoo from a serious beating. (E+)

 

Hoodoo gets to his feet, the crowd cheer and the two men shake hands. BAM! Nature Boy then clobbers the new Texas Heavyweight champeen with some brass knuckles and holds the title in the air. (D-)

 

SHOW RATING: D-

 

So we finally pulled the trigger. As much as we liked Pete, we were sure that making him the mainstay of our company was as bad for him as it was for us. Hoodoo had proven himself to be super-popular, entertaining, reliable and talented. Plus with Naitch on the rise, we had a ready-made feud. Plus it gave us room to incorporate other fresh angles and matchups and meant that other heel talents could contend properly rather than being in Pete’s shadow.

 

As had become the tradition I was reading the reports coming out of New York for the NYCW show Everything is Broken. They crowned a new champion themselves with veteran Steve Flash defeating The Masked Mauler for the Empire Title. Their fan’s response was about the same as ours, which I considered a win.

 

Financially we’d only lost $3,447. It was still pretty tight and we really needed a popularity boost to be able to start earning a bit more money and get out of the Sportatorium.

 

Normally when people booted my door open it made me jump, when Pete did it the door flew off the hinges.

 

“WHAT WAS THAT BS?” he yelled.

 

“We evolve or we die,” I replied.

 

He looked at me strangely and then punched the table.

 

“I WAS THE STAR, NOT HOODOO!”

 

“I know Pete and I’m sure you’ll get the title back someday,” I lied. “But you had to lose eventually, and you like Hoodoo right?”

 

“Yeah,” he said. “He’s nice. He tells me stories about cowboys and Indians.”

 

“Native Americans,” I corrected.

 

“INDIANS!” he yelled.

 

“Listen buddy, the real reason I gave him the title is that he felt really sad, cos he’s never won a title before. So I thought to myself, Pete likes Hoodoo, but I’m sure he wouldn’t mind lending the title to him.”

 

Pete’s face screwed up like he was trying to solve the grand unifying theory. He then nodded.

 

“Listen buddy, I think you’re awesome, you know that,” I said. “Why don’t you take a couple of weeks off, paid and go up to Whistler Lake for a few brews with Hoodoo and talk to him about it.”

 

Hey, if he wants the title let him start dealing with everything that comes with it. Like the former champion/man-baby.

 

Still, the title was in safe hands and Pete had calmed down just enough to keep him on-side. For now. I did worry about how to deal with the upcoming rematch though. Maybe he’d no-show and just stay at the lake for a while.

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER… Pete gets a rematch, Hoodoo is on babysitting duty and we look for a new tag team.

[TCP1]

This is America, we’re entitled to our opinions. Wrong, this is Texas and my opinion is the only one that counts… TEXAS FOREVER!

 

October in Texas. A pleasant month to be sure. The boys all gathered together and Pete brought them a couple of fish he’d caught on the lake. Hoodoo looked exhausted bless him, but the two were on speaking terms for now. So I took it as a win.

 

Their rematch was coming up and I told them it’d be LSW’s first ever First Blood match. Pete seemed excited, Hoodoo looked terrified. Then the inevitable happened.

 

“I’m gonna get my title back boys,” said Pete and opened a celebratory beer.

 

I wasn’t sure which way to go with the match. I wondered how angry he’d be if I didn’t change it back to him? He promptly smashed the empty beer can onto his forehead and caused it to bleed. He grinned.

 

“Have a good show boys. TEXAS FOREVER!”

 

They cheered along and I called Preacher Century over for a chat.

 

Tuesday Week 4, October 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Forever 9

 

OPENING TAG TITLE MATCH

(Native Gunslingers def The Seraphim in 7:41 when Ace Youngblood defeated Seraphim Samael by pinfall. E+)

With no moves made on the tag team division, I opted to go around again with these two. It really sucked. But it was my fault and I’ll take the blame. Anyway it was the least of my problems tonight.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Wild Bill Jetterson def Bradley Blaze in 5:34 by submission. D-)

Jetterson was a popular guy backstage and had given us everything in the ring for months. I felt it was time to reward him with a little victory here and there.

 

ANGLE

Nate Casino is looking for a tag team partner and he asks Logan Wolfsbaine if, after last week’s destruction whether their efforts might be better put to use working together. (E)

 

TAG TEAM MATCH

(Logan Wolfsbaine and Nate Casino def El Mítico Jr and Robin DaLay in 5:48 when Logan Wolfsbaine submitted Robin DaLay. E+)

I watched the young kid screaming in agony in the submission hold and I had an idea. It may have been a stupid idea, but it was something new. Well as much as something can be new in the wrestling world.

 

TEXAS TRIPLE THREAT MATCH

(Jesse Coulter defeated Seth Whitehead and Wes Revell in 7:06 when Jesse Coulter defeated Seth Whitehead by submission. D-)

Sometimes you just gotta squeeze people in. Jesse’ morale had been in the toilet for months following his series of squashes at the hand’s of Pete. This was my way of saying sorry and I’d publically tell him he was awesome to in order to repair the damage of the big lug.

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy Joffy Laine comes out and says soon he’ll get a proper shot at the Texas Heavyweight Title. Kip Keenan thinks he needs to get through him first. (D)

 

SINGLES MATCH FOR NUMBER 1 CONTENDER’S SHOT

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine defeated Kip Keenan in 10:08 by pinfall. D+)

Great match from these two and a clean-as-a-whistle win for Naitch as he heads towards a one-on-one collision course with whoever the Texas Heavyweight Champion is after tonight. I’d have to tell them they were awesome too.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Travis Century says that first blood is a lot like original sin, and while Hoodoo might dance like a woman, Pete Houston is the epitome of Adam. Only he won’t make the same mistakes. ©

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT FIRST BLOOD MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum defeated Pete Houston in a First Blood match in 10:37 when Pete Houston was busted open following a mistimed chair shot by Preacher Century. C-)

WOAH! What a match. Comfortably the best we’ve ever had in the Sportatorium. Pete had held Hoodoo, unaware that I’d told Preacher to hit him as hard and rough as he could and open the cut from the beer can. It had worked. Hoodoo meanwhile reinforces the faith I have in him by carrying Pete to a game-changing match.

 

SHOW RATING: D-

 

Seemed like a harsh rating, but as always competing in Texas meant having to compete with QAW and CZCW. Plus our production was at an all-time low.

 

I summoned the boys and told Hoodoo, Pete and Jesse how awesome I thought they were.

 

“I was supposed to win,” said Pete in response.

 

He was shaking with rage.

 

“I know Pete, but you’ll get the title back eventually,” I said.

 

“Not good ENOUGH!”

 

“But Pete,” I said softly. “Accidents happen. And Joffy is the number one contender. You don’t want to steal from him do you?”

 

“No… but…”

 

Pete was confused. I had him on the ropes.

 

“We all think you’re awesome by the way,” I finished and patted him on the arm.

 

“I’m not awesome,” Pete said. “El Mitico is though. I want to see more of him!”

 

El Mitico looked up at Pete with a mixture of fear and surprise.

 

“Thanks heffe,” he said.

 

“O… K…” I replied. “Good work guys. See you next month.”

 

Whistler called me aside and showed me the finances. Down $3,610 and keeping on target with NYCW who had Empire champ Steve Flash beat Bulldozer in a cracking main event.

 

I sat in my office with a pad and pen and began planning something that had been formulating in my mind since the meltdown. It was crazy, but it just might work. I knew Whistler was already on side, after all he’d suggested it.

 

But how did we keep the essence of our company if we went through with it?

 

Whistler tapped me on the shoulder.

 

“We need to talk about Pete,” he said gravely.

 

“Oh he’ll get over it,” I said. “Once he’d sobered up he’ll come back happy as always.”

 

I believed it to, I had learnt over the year how to handle the enormous baby-like prima donna.

 

“That’s just it,” said Whistler. “He wasn’t drunk.”

 

The pen hit the floor along with my jaw.

 

Next time on TEXAS FOREVER… Is Pete finally sober? Or is he just MAD? Surely that’s enough of a cliff-hanger for anyone?

[TCP1]

Happiness is a private club that won’t let me enter… TEXAS FOREVER.

 

Dear boss,

 

I would like to be in the main event one last time. I don’t care if I win or lose,

 

Yours

 

Texas Pete Houston

 

This was the letter that greeted me in early November at the Sportatorium. It was written in the familiar scrawl of Pete and some of the pen was smudged with circular, moist patches. He’d been spending more and more time at Whistler’s Lake these days.

 

I knew we were his only employer and he’d taken the losses to Hoodoo Tatum harder than I thought. In retrospect it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

 

But these things always did.

 

The atmosphere in the arena was better than it had been in weeks. Everybody was laughing and joking, and despite showing up late, Pete was on fine form. He played Snakes and Chairs against Wild Bill, had a non-alcoholic beer with Hoodoo and sat in quiet reflection with Preacher Century.

 

Giving a pre-show speech was easy this time around. Maybe for the first time. Everyone was fired up.

 

Tuesday Week 3, November 2016

Live from the SOLD OUT Sanctuary Sportatorium, TEXAS, it’s…

Texas Rodeo 3

 

OPENING TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH

(Native Gunslingers def Robin DaLay and Nate Casino in 5:40 when Cowboy Buck Winchester pinned Robin DaLay. D-)

Both teams had a lot of fun and the young kid DaLay was on fine form, taking a series of bumps to impress the veteran Texan performers. I liked the kid, he was hard working and focused.

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Wes Revell def Wild Bill Jetterson in 6:52 by submission. E+)

I’d kept Revell on the sidelines for too long. He’d done everything asked of him and then some, so it was time for a push.

 

TEXAS TRIPLE THREAT MATCH

(Logan Wolfsbaine def Seth Whitehead and Jesse Coulter in 7:06 when Logan Wolfsbaine pinned Seth Whitehead. D-)

Speaking of pushes, Logan was going to be the future of this promotion. I just needed to keep him as strong as possible.

 

ANGLE

Logan Wolfsbaine cuts a post-match promo about how he’s more Texas than anyone else in this Godsforsaken place. (D)

 

TAG TEAM MATCH

(Bradley Blaze and El Mítico Jr def The Seraphim in 8:13 when Bradley Blaze pinned Seraphim Samael. D)

A new feud for the Seraphim as I hope to build towards their eventual turn and run back at the titles.

 

ANGLE

Nature Boy Joffy Laine cuts an incredible promo. He talks about how hard work and perseverance aren’t always enough. Sometimes your best efforts fall flat, but you have to keep going. No matter how tough, or how sad you are. Just. Keep. Pushing. (C-)

 

SINGLES MATCH

(Nature Boy Joffy Laine def Kip Keenan in 13:11 by pinfall with a handful of tights. D+)

Another great match. I told them to steal the show, because I felt bad for giving up Joffy’s main event slot to Pete. He’d understood, but I felt his pre-match promo was aimed at me. He’d get his due eventually.

 

ANGLE

Preacher Travis Century introduces Pete Houston before the main event. Like Joffy, Preacher’s promo is different to normal. He doesn’t mention sinners, instead talking about how the true angels of the world are those who selflessly make the lives of others better, even if their lives are not happy in and of themselves. (D)

 

TEXAS HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE DEATH MATCH

(Hoodoo Tatum def Pete Houston in a Texas Death match in 12:57 when Pete Houston was pinned and could not beat a ten count. D+)

Pete was sober and he delivered in spades. Hoodoo more than upheld his end of the bargain, but it does take two to tango. He’d done all of us, and himself proud.

 

SHOW RATING: D-

 

In Whistler’s notes he mentioned that NYCW Army of One was headlined by Steve Flash beating Honest Frank by count out, in a match that stunk up the joint. Financially speaking we’d lost $3,838, but the old man had signed a couple of cheap rookies in Harvey Robbinfield and Jules Night. He also said that Robin DaLay had relocated to Sanctuary.

 

God bless the kid.

 

I watched the locker room after the show. The boys were high-fiving, laughing about little botches in their matches and everyone seemed happy. Pete was already packed up and was shaking hands with the others and thanking them for a great show. He hugged Preacher, Hoodoo and Whistler and then came over to me.

 

“I’m going to the lake boss,” he said.

 

“OK Pete, thanks for tonight, you’re were awesome,” I said.

 

“It felt good,” he replied. “Nice to experience it all with a clear head. Know what I mean? Like a perfect little moment all to myself.”

 

I’d never seen him so serene. He wasn’t happy necessarily. More like he was at peace. He pulled me into a deep hug.

 

“Thanks for everything boss, you’ve given me a shot when no one else did. I really feel like I’m home. At last.”

 

He patted me on the arm and his eyes were red and puffy.

 

With that he left.

 

If I’d known then what I know now, I would have stopped him. I’d have shouted, or cried or done something. I always did nothing when it came to it.

 

***

 

It was a Tuesday in late December. Christmas was around the corner and the weather had turned from cool to cold. Waves of snow came and settled, blanketing Sanctuary in white. It was beautiful. The locals were carol-singing around the Sportatorium and I was working on the next card.

 

Joffy was about to finally get his title shot. I had high hopes.

 

It was then that Whistler burst into my office through the still-broken door.

 

“Hello old man,” I said. “What’s… what’s wrong?”

 

His face was whiter than snow and his mouth opened and closed like a fish. No words came out. He placed a scewed-up piece of paper on the desk.

 

I unrumpled it and read.

 

Thanks for everything, I can’t keep letting people down. It’s too hard. It feels like happiness is a special club and they won’t let me enter,

 

I’m sorry,

 

Pete

 

“What is this Whistler?” I asked. But I knew. “Gerrard, seriously what is this? Where’s Pete?”

 

The old man shook his head.

 

***

 

The next week passed in a blur. We cancelled the show and Whistler told us all the pot was empty and we didn’t have the funds to continue. It didn’t really seem to matter anymore. The petty battles against other promotions, the endless struggle to make something of ourselves.

 

Instead we’d joined the long list of failed wrestling companies. A historical footnote in the history of Texas.

 

The funeral was a sombre affair as you might come to expect. Pete didn’t have any family, so it was just us. It was closed casket. No amount of makeup could cover a gunshot wound like that. So we stood over the grave, together for the last time. The sight of a dozen or so muscle-bound men all crying was somehow funny. I knew it was an inappropriate thought, but I couldn’t help but laugh.

 

I wondered what Pete might have thought about it all and the laughter stopped.

 

When Preacher had finished his sermon, we all raised a beer.

 

“Texas Pete Forever.”

[TCP1]

EPILOGUE

 

I didn’t keep in touch with the boys after that. Without a job or a purpose, I floated from place to place and I wrote. I drank and I wrote this story. I’d done so well to quit drinking, but that hardly seemed to matter anymore. Nothing mattered.

 

I suppose you could say I felt guilty. Like it was somehow my fault. I know now it was my fault. All of it. As a way to make amends I wrote.

 

The story of Lone Star Wrestling. Of Whistler and Hoodoo and Joffy, and of Pete. I was sure nobody would read it, but I felt it was a story that needed to be told and it was the least I could do to make up for my mistakes.

 

As I type this, it’s May of 2017. When I’ve finished the story, I’ve instructed a local printer in Sanctuary to produce eighteen copies and send it onto everyone involved. I’d do it myself, but I have other plans.

 

You see I never left the Sportatorium after Pete’s death. It has been my prison, the verdict for my crimes. With this story told, I finally feel like I’ve served that sentence.

 

I’ve got Pete’s gun here with me. So I suppose this story is more like my note. To explain why I’m about to do what I’m about to do.

 

Pete was right after all. I hadn’t been happy for years either. So I through myself into fights and work to mask the truth.

 

But there was no more hiding.

 

This was, as they say, it.

 

I’ve been wracking my brains for a suitable sign-off to this story, and there’s only one thing that comes to mind.

 

Something that kept us motivated as the company collapsed around us and everything stopped.

 

Texas FOREVER.

[TCP1]

Thanks for reading if you did. It gotta a little dark at the end there.

 

I should be back with a more positive diary soon.