SWF: Sam Strong and the Poetic Homecoming

[Poet Justice]

 

 

(Prologue)

 

 

The imagination of man has always been fascinated by the concept of home. The legendary Odysseus traveled for over two decades to return to his home in Ithica, faced with the challenges of giants, sirens and sea-serpents. The poetry of "The Wizard of Oz" presents itself into the ultimate coming home story, one which spans generations of American culture.

 

But, throughout the journey to home, a man like Frodo may return to his home, Shire, as a changed man, in a place he no longer recognizes as home. The archtype becomes an arch-nemesis as a man is left between a lost fragment in the past and a never-ending future.

 

This is a story about a man, a man above all other men before him, but a man none-the-less. A man, faced in a war between his creation and his home. I invite you to a journey, one not quite the Odyssey, but not quite the Illiad. One between modern champions, unstoppable city-states and power-hungry kings, and a legend amidst their struggles.

 

 

Sam Strong comes home in 2016...

[Poet Justice]

Reserved for Roster

[Poet Justice]

<p>Chapter 1: Childhood Dreams</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="The-Boy-in-the-Red-Vest-by-Paul-Cezanne.jpg" data-src="https://learnodo-newtonic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/The-Boy-in-the-Red-Vest-by-Paul-Cezanne.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;">

</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Chapter 1: Childhood Dreams</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;">

</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;">Brooklyn, New York: 1957</span></em></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;">

</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="font-size:8px;">"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"><span style="font-size:8px;">

the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world."-Harriet Tubman</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;">

</span><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">On the cracked sidewalk of a busy Brooklyn street, a young boy runs, no more than 10 years old walks, gardener's gloves on his hands and a dirty sheet tied to his back, weaving through Italian farmer markets and Irish boarding houses, his mouth spewing an imitation of airplane noises. As passer-goers turn to stare at the young tike, he takes notice, in his own world.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Young Sam Stragavelli, no more than 70 pounds and 4'8", believed in his imagination, that he could save the world, that he could be the world's most revered hero, the fictional Superman. But, not even half the size of Clark Kent, classmates, parents and strangers laughed alike, when the young Sam, asked about his impact on the world wide-eyedly.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

"Silly Sam, being a hero is for big boys," Sam's mom, Dinah Stragavelli would say.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Sam constantly looked up to his older brother, David. David Stragavelli was a wiry, but tall 14 year old, his face with the first signs of facial hair, his voice beginning to deepen. He wasn't a hero, but he was the closest thing to Sam to a hero, as a fantastic baseball player and a talented boxer.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

"I'm going to be the next Babe Ruth, or maybe Jack Dempsey," David would constantly say.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

As Sam met the end of his journey, he reached a brown stone building, tall, menacing and uninviting. As a bell rang, Sam was ushered into a classroom where Ms. Mays, an insufferable old lady grabbed him with a gnarled hand and chastised young Sam for being late. As Sam bowed his head in shame, the rest of the class laughed, as bully Gene Bailey laughed. Sam hated school, as he struggled to fit in. Most of the kids in the neighborhood had grown up together, while Sam and the Stragavellis moved from Upstate, Yonkers to be exact. Like almost every other day, Sam stared outside his window, day-dreaming of a place where he would be the hero to save a world not yet feasible.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

After class, Sam walked home, alone, Gene Bailey, the pudgy red-faced bully and his crew approached Sam.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

"Where do you think you're going Spagetti?" said Gene Bailey pugnaciously. </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Sam tried to push passed Gene, but at 5'4" and 110 pounds, Gene was not easily moved. Snickering, Gene punched Sam in the stomach, knocking the wind out of his stomach. Another two blows to Sam, this time on his head, left Sam coughing dangerously. Gene's friends hollered in laughter, watching the helpless Sam get up. A last kick to the ribs by Bailey caused Sam to cough out blood, as tears streamed down young Sam's face. Walking away smugly, Gene Bailey received pats in the back by the other, smaller boys who followed him, religiously, like he was some sort of hero.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

That night, as Dinah cleaned up Sam's scrapes and treated his black eye, Sam swore to himself he would one day, become a hero.</div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Garamond;"></span><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>-1-</strong></div></div></div><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Garamond;">

</span></p></div><p></p>

[Eisen-verse]

<p>Color me intrigued, Poet!</p><p> </p><p>

I loved the initial picture that you used. It's a more artistic take on wrestling, and creates a very strong tone from the very start. Strong comes from a different generation, and the visual ties in a more historic vibe (as it would be having Sam come back to the SWF).</p><p> </p><p>

It'll be interesting to see what you do here. Do you bring Rip Chord of out retirement for one last Strong/Chord war? Does Sam come in as a GM? Possible new owner, for some reason? A lot of creative room here.</p><p> </p><p>

I'll be reading, my friend.</p>

[Poet Justice]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Eisen-verse" data-cite="Eisen-verse" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42354" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Color me intrigued, Poet!<p> </p><p> I loved the initial picture that you used. It's a more artistic take on wrestling, and creates a very strong tone from the very start. Strong comes from a different generation, and the visual ties in a more historic vibe (as it would be having Sam come back to the SWF).</p><p> </p><p> It'll be interesting to see what you do here. Do you bring Rip Chord of out retirement for one last Strong/Chord war? Does Sam come in as a GM? Possible new owner, for some reason? A lot of creative room here.</p><p> </p><p> I'll be reading, my friend.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thanks for the support E-V! I've been super busy with school and work, but I've been doing everything within my power to keep up with Sins of the Father, definitely a fantastic followup to WMBL! </p><p> </p><p> I absolutely plan to continue to use art to convey Sam's nostalgic past. Visits to the National Gallery, the Met, De Young and the Getty this summer have gotten me inspired! The picture I used by Paul Gauguin has always inspired me in writing. </p><p> </p><p> There will be definitely be a few chapters before we reach modern times, so I hope I continue to pique your curiosities!</p><p> </p><p> <strong>And Chapter 1 is up! Let me know what you think about the dynasty!</strong></p>

[Poet Justice]

(Modern Day)

 

TSPN SPORTS

 

http://i.cubeupload.com/eiizh1.jpg

 

Jack Bruce Jumps Ship

SWF Legend Jumps Ship to Rival USPW

 

(Bridgeport, Connecticut)

As the three-way war between American wrestling companies SWF, USPW and TCW continues to escalate, USPW may have fired the most devastating, and important, shot thus far. As recently rumored, Jack Bruce, a 6-time SWF World Champion, has been fielding free agent offers from all three major U.S. companies as well as the U.K.'s 21CW.

 

Nearly synonymous with Supreme Wrestling Federation, Jack Bruce is no stranger to controversy when it comes to jumping ship. In 2003, Bruce shocked wrestling fans everywhere when he left his gig at TCW for SWF, who rewarded him with a record-breaking 6-World Titles. Both Bruce and SWF officials were unavailable to comment.

Tags: Jack Bruce-SWF-USPW-TCW-Wrestling-Entertainment

[Justin]

Shazam!

 

I'm immediately in for the long haul on this.

 

This is the best beginnig to a diary this side of Sins of the Father! I absolutely cannot wait to see more of this.

[Poet Justice]

http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/data/images/1009309-Auguste_Renoir_la_Balan%C3%A7oire.jpg

 

Chapter 2: Humble Beginnings

 

Manhattan, New York: 1974

 

 

 

“Afoot and lighthearted I take to the open road, healthy, free, the world before me.” -Walt Whitman

 

WOOOOOOSHHHHHHHHH

 

The 6-train sped off, as Sam Stragavelli got off on the 51st Street stop. As he surfaced above ground, he arrived upon a gym a few blocks down Lexington, as the usual busy Midtown day continued, uninterrupted. As he pushed the dusty gym door to enter, a chubby man, known infamously as Franco Lambert, oil tycoon, wrestling promoter and an overall shady human being rushed at young Sam, berating him on his lateness. The large youngster, seeing that this sort of opportunity did not come easily, profusely apologized to Lambert, who reluctantly led Sam to the locker room.

 

From there, Sam Stragavelli would spend months cleaning out the gym, helping the wrestlers with meticulous chores and logging results of the match outcomes for Lambert. In return, Sam was given a place to work out, and taught proper training within professional wrestling.

 

While most APWF veterans, including the overweight bully Farmer Fran and owner's son Terry Lambert did not care for the young Sam's growth, Dan Stone, one of the company's top stars, would consistently give Sam encouraging feedback for his ring-work. While still clumsy, Sam begane to run the ropes better, and his once tall, lanky frame began to drastically evolve into a more muscular, refined chassis.

 

In one fateful August evening, at the Turtle Bay Old World City Gym, Lambert had found out that his enhancement talent, a young kid from Queens, had decided to flake. Yelling for Stragavelli, Lambert ushered the large kid out, telling him it was his chance. 10 minutes later, the match was over, Gorgeous George DeColt getting approximately 100% of the offense within the match. Still, Sam's physique, as well his aptitude in the ring caught the attention of many.

 

At the end of the show, Lambert was talking to a large, muscular man, wearing a bright pink tank-top and large, dark sunglasses, with an iconic handle-bar mustache resting on his mouth.

 

Lambert, was telling his former figurehead, the SWF superstar Mick Starr, that his son Terry was the man the SWF needed in their main event. Starr seemed reluctant, but Lambert seemed insistent that Starr had a look at the young Terry. As Stragavelli walked by, Mick noticed the large youngster, dressed in street clothes with a duffle-bag slung over his shoulder.

 

Raising an eyebrow, Mick directed his attention to Sam.

 

"How about this kid, isn't he the one who jobbed to George tonight? Where'd you find him..."

 

-2-

[LigerLiger]

I'm intrigued.And I could never imagine myself reading Sam Strong's history.You convinced me with the fancy pictures and the small letters.