Post by "Cholo" Giovanni Santana on Nov 18, 2022 15:04:24 GMT -5
Are you ready to start the fiesta?
Cholo asks as he stands by a big gate, which is currently closed and not letting us see what is behind. It is nighttime, a clear one, the moon shining brightly. The road that runs in front of the gate appears deserted but the parking lot across from it is full. Cholo is dressed all in white: guayabera, trousers, loafers, looking as good as ever. He doesn’t have a drink with him as usual, and if he’s here for a party, he’s clearly lost. Cholo smirks.
It’s not that kind of fiesta…
He turns and pushes the gate open, it swings slowly away with a creaking sound, revealing the most colorful… cemetery you have ever seen. All the tombstones and graves near and far have been re-painted to bring back their vibrant colors and fresh flowers have been planted or put in vases all around. There are candles lit as far back as the eye can see and paper party decorations hang from the trees and from whatever else possible. There are hundreds of people, some dressed all in white like Cholo, or in authentic garments from their country of origin. Others dressed in casual clothes, and you have the youth doing their own thing as expected. Mariachis can be heard playing in different spots, some brought by families and friends, others freelancing it, hoping to play three songs for 10 dollars… At least that was the last going rate Cholo remembers. There is food everywhere, all homemade, no one will disrespect the dead with restaurant or worst, fast food. No one in going hungry tonight, especially the dead. It’s a funny thing to say, but this celebration is all for them, it is their day after all.
Feliz Dia de los Muertos my friends…
It’s November 2nd, day of the dead for the Latin Community. Cholo throws his arms wide open, welcoming us, as he then turns and leads the way in. We walk past family and friends, standing or sitting around the graves they are there to visit and rarely do you see someone who is sad or just serious or quiet. Everyone seems to be having a good time, reminiscing on their loved ones and what good times they had.
You ever wonder why Cholo is almost always so happy? So positive? Look around you, it’s in mi gente’s nature to be like that. Even in death, we’ll find the positive, and we don’t focus on what we lost, but what we were fortunate enough to have while it lasted.
After making a turn here and there, he gets off the gravel road and must excuse himself as he walks through some gatherings. He’s recognized a few times and he pauses to shake hands, give hugs and take a picture or two. Eventually he makes it to the gravesite of his parents. The marble tomb is quite nice, like a mini chapel that you can walk into and up to four people can sit and reflect. It has small stained glass windows that shine nicely thanks to all the candles. unlike the others, it hasn't been repainted and retouched, despite it being twenty-one years old it is in amazing shape. As he arrives, he is greeted by a group of people the WGWF audience has never met before: three women, one looking to be old enough to be his mom while the other two could be younger sisters. There are two men wearing identical masks and matching Adidas tracksuits.
Now let me introduce you to my familia here in El Paso, Texas. The “younger” of the three lovely ladies you see here, is my tia Estela, she’s been like a mom to me and is my tio’s wife, whom you know as Paco “The Drinking Time Bomb” Perez. Wait, where is he anyway?
Tia answers him.
He said he had to make a call but was going to catch up.
My Tio always making moves… Anyway, the other two, the brunette is my prima Leslie, daughter of my tios of course and the lovely peli-roja is Vanessa, the manager and translator of the two cabezones you see right there wearing masks, Los Hermanos Malvado!
Who you calling cabezon? Peludo!
Gringos like Malvado Brothers better.
And I’m sure they would rather be called Americanos.
Whatever, they lucky I don’t say cra-.
Tia quickly smacks him upside the head, shushing him. They all share a laugh; Victor has always been the hardheaded one of the twins, of the whole familia really. Paco finally joins them, and apologizes for being held back… But he has the drinks and that’s really what’s going to get the celebration started. Hector, the other masked twin begins to pass the beers around and Cholo gets three Pacifico handed to him. He excuses himself quickly as he goes inside the tomb. He doesn’t light a candle; he just opens both beers and sits one on top of each of the tombs of his parents. He then opens his and raises the bottle.
Got your favorite beer, salud mi viejos, thanks for watching over me.
He takes a sip and then is joined by Paco who throws an arm over his shoulder. He taps Cholo’s beer with his, and then they share a drink.
You good sobrino?
Always.
Good.
No Xavier huh?
Nope, guy is wreck.
Thought spending time with our familia like this would do him good.
Nah, he doesn’t want ‘this’ mi’jo, he’s in a different place, dark, angry. Anyway, the mariachis are here. You ready to fiesta?
Hey, that’s my line!
No jodas, I invented that line!
They laugh, Cholo half hugs his uncle back and then they finish their beer before heading back out to reunite with the rest of the family. A few seconds later the Mariachi’s begin to play their rendition of “Amor Eterno” by Juan Gabriel.
El Closing Shoot
Well it’s finally happening mi gente, ‘Jaime’ Raven finally made the announcement that everyone has been waiting for, the tournament to crown the brand-new television champion is here and the first half of the bracket has been revealed containing the name of not only Cholo, but also of Ace Sky, Ultimate Atara and Cholo’s opponent, Zara Ivory.
You can't help by notice the excitement in his voice.
Speaking of, Cholo knows you like to go by “The Chaotic Nightmare” or “The Train Wreck” but Cholo is going to call you Zarita, okay? Cool, we’re all friendly here after all Zarita… Well, not all, we do have some some pendejos… but as long as you do like Cholo and let the amargados deal with each other, you’ll be fine… Anyway Zarita, let Cholo be the first to welcome you to the WGWF! You’ve been here for a few weeks but you’ve yet to make yourself known, but Cholo knows there must be a good reason… Probably wanted to make your big splash debut in this tournament, right? In case you don’t know this, Cholo is considered “the fiestero amigable”, the friendly party animal of the WGWF but don’t worry, he’s not just another borracho idiota looking to get you drunk… He wants to party with ya, sure, but Cholo wants to party with almost everyone here, and whether the party is inside or outside of the ring, it doesn’t matter to Cholo. He is here to have a good time and he wishes nothing but the same for you. That is why he is very excited to have you as his first opponent in the tournament, because while you may be practically an unknown here… and while you have yet to have a match, Cholo knows Jaimito wouldn’t just hand you this golden opportunity. He promised everyone on the first Brawl that people would need to show him they deserve a shot… so Cholo can only imagine what you must have shown him or done to earn this opportunity….
He pauses to think on this for a moment, snickers a bit, then remembers he's on camera and refocuses.
You must have a great wrestling pedigree, you must come from a great promotion, a great familia, or have a great portfolio... *cough* or he owes you money... *cough*
He just couldn't help himself.
Cholo kids of course, Jaimito wouldn’t do that, and sure, he handed one to his wifey… and that’s a little weird but Atarita did beat Terry, so Cholo guesses that’s enough to earn a spot.
Plus it’s his wifey, he’s gotta take care of his mamacita right?
He smirks.
Right… But let's focus on you, Zarita! Cholo sees your family immigrated to the US a few generations ago, so your parents and likely you were born here in the US and have lived a good life since... We got that somewhat in common... Cholo's parents were the ones that migrated here before bringing Cholo over a couple of years later when he was eight years old... Cholo is the only one however, no siblings... Must be nice to be one in a party of five... Cholo thinks his parents probably wanted to have more kids at some point, once things settled down and got better for them, but Cholo guesses the big man upstairs had other plans and left Cholo all by himself. No siblings... No parents... Nada.
He loses focus again, and you can see the pain in his eyes... Pain he tries to hide with his outgoing personality and 'party all the time' attitude. Once again, he remembers he's on camera and quickly puts on the biggest smile he can.
Nah, Cholo is not alone, he's got his uncle’s fam plus all his fans and little cholitas and cholitos that look up to him, that support him every time he goes out there to perform for them. That cheer him whether he's up or down and that genuinely want him to do well in the WGWF... Plus Cholo got all his foster children, foster brothers, and sisters in his shelters around the world... So Cholo is happy that you still have the family you were born with, Cholo is blessed with the family he’s found...
His smile remains, but now is genuine and not forced.
Let’s shift focus, from what Cholo has seen, you are currently a double champion, holding both the Zion Gateway Championship and the Prime Canadian Wrestling Trainwreck Championship... Hombre, talk about a mouthful... So, you got a championship over each shoulder, and you come to WGWF looking to get a third one to go around your waist. We'll aren't you greedy? Kidding again! If Cholo was you he would keep trying to add to his collection too... But Cholo has never held any gold. Si, nunca! You see Cholo has been a luchador for only a year and five months and prior to WGWF, he wasn't tied down to any feds, he was just wrestling in big events of different types where the goal wasn't to win a championship, but just to win a cup or a trophy or straight up cash. He made a cool five million in one event, and he didn’t even win. Also, a lot of the events were just showcases or for charity like the recent TFCE. But now that Cholo has found a home here in WGWF, he can win his first championship and he is not about to let it slip through his fingers.
So Zarita, you may be the more experienced champion, but you are not the more experienced wrestler... I have been doing this for over twelve years, ten and a half of those as a trainer and coach and now wrestler... Having championships elsewhere will not do you any good here because here, you are starting at zero, and sadly for you, you are starting against Cholo, el hombre destinado a ser el campeon de la Television. The man, destined to be the Television Champion.
He raises a drink.
Salud Zarita, on Monday, we rumba!
Dale!
Cholo asks as he stands by a big gate, which is currently closed and not letting us see what is behind. It is nighttime, a clear one, the moon shining brightly. The road that runs in front of the gate appears deserted but the parking lot across from it is full. Cholo is dressed all in white: guayabera, trousers, loafers, looking as good as ever. He doesn’t have a drink with him as usual, and if he’s here for a party, he’s clearly lost. Cholo smirks.
It’s not that kind of fiesta…
He turns and pushes the gate open, it swings slowly away with a creaking sound, revealing the most colorful… cemetery you have ever seen. All the tombstones and graves near and far have been re-painted to bring back their vibrant colors and fresh flowers have been planted or put in vases all around. There are candles lit as far back as the eye can see and paper party decorations hang from the trees and from whatever else possible. There are hundreds of people, some dressed all in white like Cholo, or in authentic garments from their country of origin. Others dressed in casual clothes, and you have the youth doing their own thing as expected. Mariachis can be heard playing in different spots, some brought by families and friends, others freelancing it, hoping to play three songs for 10 dollars… At least that was the last going rate Cholo remembers. There is food everywhere, all homemade, no one will disrespect the dead with restaurant or worst, fast food. No one in going hungry tonight, especially the dead. It’s a funny thing to say, but this celebration is all for them, it is their day after all.
Feliz Dia de los Muertos my friends…
It’s November 2nd, day of the dead for the Latin Community. Cholo throws his arms wide open, welcoming us, as he then turns and leads the way in. We walk past family and friends, standing or sitting around the graves they are there to visit and rarely do you see someone who is sad or just serious or quiet. Everyone seems to be having a good time, reminiscing on their loved ones and what good times they had.
You ever wonder why Cholo is almost always so happy? So positive? Look around you, it’s in mi gente’s nature to be like that. Even in death, we’ll find the positive, and we don’t focus on what we lost, but what we were fortunate enough to have while it lasted.
After making a turn here and there, he gets off the gravel road and must excuse himself as he walks through some gatherings. He’s recognized a few times and he pauses to shake hands, give hugs and take a picture or two. Eventually he makes it to the gravesite of his parents. The marble tomb is quite nice, like a mini chapel that you can walk into and up to four people can sit and reflect. It has small stained glass windows that shine nicely thanks to all the candles. unlike the others, it hasn't been repainted and retouched, despite it being twenty-one years old it is in amazing shape. As he arrives, he is greeted by a group of people the WGWF audience has never met before: three women, one looking to be old enough to be his mom while the other two could be younger sisters. There are two men wearing identical masks and matching Adidas tracksuits.
Now let me introduce you to my familia here in El Paso, Texas. The “younger” of the three lovely ladies you see here, is my tia Estela, she’s been like a mom to me and is my tio’s wife, whom you know as Paco “The Drinking Time Bomb” Perez. Wait, where is he anyway?
Tia answers him.
He said he had to make a call but was going to catch up.
My Tio always making moves… Anyway, the other two, the brunette is my prima Leslie, daughter of my tios of course and the lovely peli-roja is Vanessa, the manager and translator of the two cabezones you see right there wearing masks, Los Hermanos Malvado!
Who you calling cabezon? Peludo!
Gringos like Malvado Brothers better.
And I’m sure they would rather be called Americanos.
Whatever, they lucky I don’t say cra-.
Tia quickly smacks him upside the head, shushing him. They all share a laugh; Victor has always been the hardheaded one of the twins, of the whole familia really. Paco finally joins them, and apologizes for being held back… But he has the drinks and that’s really what’s going to get the celebration started. Hector, the other masked twin begins to pass the beers around and Cholo gets three Pacifico handed to him. He excuses himself quickly as he goes inside the tomb. He doesn’t light a candle; he just opens both beers and sits one on top of each of the tombs of his parents. He then opens his and raises the bottle.
Got your favorite beer, salud mi viejos, thanks for watching over me.
He takes a sip and then is joined by Paco who throws an arm over his shoulder. He taps Cholo’s beer with his, and then they share a drink.
You good sobrino?
Always.
Good.
No Xavier huh?
Nope, guy is wreck.
Thought spending time with our familia like this would do him good.
Nah, he doesn’t want ‘this’ mi’jo, he’s in a different place, dark, angry. Anyway, the mariachis are here. You ready to fiesta?
Hey, that’s my line!
No jodas, I invented that line!
They laugh, Cholo half hugs his uncle back and then they finish their beer before heading back out to reunite with the rest of the family. A few seconds later the Mariachi’s begin to play their rendition of “Amor Eterno” by Juan Gabriel.
El Closing Shoot
Well it’s finally happening mi gente, ‘Jaime’ Raven finally made the announcement that everyone has been waiting for, the tournament to crown the brand-new television champion is here and the first half of the bracket has been revealed containing the name of not only Cholo, but also of Ace Sky, Ultimate Atara and Cholo’s opponent, Zara Ivory.
You can't help by notice the excitement in his voice.
Speaking of, Cholo knows you like to go by “The Chaotic Nightmare” or “The Train Wreck” but Cholo is going to call you Zarita, okay? Cool, we’re all friendly here after all Zarita… Well, not all, we do have some some pendejos… but as long as you do like Cholo and let the amargados deal with each other, you’ll be fine… Anyway Zarita, let Cholo be the first to welcome you to the WGWF! You’ve been here for a few weeks but you’ve yet to make yourself known, but Cholo knows there must be a good reason… Probably wanted to make your big splash debut in this tournament, right? In case you don’t know this, Cholo is considered “the fiestero amigable”, the friendly party animal of the WGWF but don’t worry, he’s not just another borracho idiota looking to get you drunk… He wants to party with ya, sure, but Cholo wants to party with almost everyone here, and whether the party is inside or outside of the ring, it doesn’t matter to Cholo. He is here to have a good time and he wishes nothing but the same for you. That is why he is very excited to have you as his first opponent in the tournament, because while you may be practically an unknown here… and while you have yet to have a match, Cholo knows Jaimito wouldn’t just hand you this golden opportunity. He promised everyone on the first Brawl that people would need to show him they deserve a shot… so Cholo can only imagine what you must have shown him or done to earn this opportunity….
He pauses to think on this for a moment, snickers a bit, then remembers he's on camera and refocuses.
You must have a great wrestling pedigree, you must come from a great promotion, a great familia, or have a great portfolio... *cough* or he owes you money... *cough*
He just couldn't help himself.
Cholo kids of course, Jaimito wouldn’t do that, and sure, he handed one to his wifey… and that’s a little weird but Atarita did beat Terry, so Cholo guesses that’s enough to earn a spot.
Plus it’s his wifey, he’s gotta take care of his mamacita right?
He smirks.
Right… But let's focus on you, Zarita! Cholo sees your family immigrated to the US a few generations ago, so your parents and likely you were born here in the US and have lived a good life since... We got that somewhat in common... Cholo's parents were the ones that migrated here before bringing Cholo over a couple of years later when he was eight years old... Cholo is the only one however, no siblings... Must be nice to be one in a party of five... Cholo thinks his parents probably wanted to have more kids at some point, once things settled down and got better for them, but Cholo guesses the big man upstairs had other plans and left Cholo all by himself. No siblings... No parents... Nada.
He loses focus again, and you can see the pain in his eyes... Pain he tries to hide with his outgoing personality and 'party all the time' attitude. Once again, he remembers he's on camera and quickly puts on the biggest smile he can.
Nah, Cholo is not alone, he's got his uncle’s fam plus all his fans and little cholitas and cholitos that look up to him, that support him every time he goes out there to perform for them. That cheer him whether he's up or down and that genuinely want him to do well in the WGWF... Plus Cholo got all his foster children, foster brothers, and sisters in his shelters around the world... So Cholo is happy that you still have the family you were born with, Cholo is blessed with the family he’s found...
His smile remains, but now is genuine and not forced.
Let’s shift focus, from what Cholo has seen, you are currently a double champion, holding both the Zion Gateway Championship and the Prime Canadian Wrestling Trainwreck Championship... Hombre, talk about a mouthful... So, you got a championship over each shoulder, and you come to WGWF looking to get a third one to go around your waist. We'll aren't you greedy? Kidding again! If Cholo was you he would keep trying to add to his collection too... But Cholo has never held any gold. Si, nunca! You see Cholo has been a luchador for only a year and five months and prior to WGWF, he wasn't tied down to any feds, he was just wrestling in big events of different types where the goal wasn't to win a championship, but just to win a cup or a trophy or straight up cash. He made a cool five million in one event, and he didn’t even win. Also, a lot of the events were just showcases or for charity like the recent TFCE. But now that Cholo has found a home here in WGWF, he can win his first championship and he is not about to let it slip through his fingers.
So Zarita, you may be the more experienced champion, but you are not the more experienced wrestler... I have been doing this for over twelve years, ten and a half of those as a trainer and coach and now wrestler... Having championships elsewhere will not do you any good here because here, you are starting at zero, and sadly for you, you are starting against Cholo, el hombre destinado a ser el campeon de la Television. The man, destined to be the Television Champion.
He raises a drink.
Salud Zarita, on Monday, we rumba!
Dale!
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