Post by Edward Grado on Oct 17, 2023 7:35:45 GMT -5
Okay, I’ll admit it. Grado hasn’t been himself over the last few months. I was put in the Cannabis Cup and it was taken away. I had a shot in a Battle Royale that I squandered all by myself. There comes a time in everyone’s life where you must admit when you dropped the ball. I’ve done just that. I’m not going to beat myself up over it because I know that I’m not looked at as a threat by many of you on the WGWF Roster because in your eyes I’m the comical cuzzo of Austin Ramsey, but the truth is there is so much more to Edward Grado and why I try to find humor in everything. The WGWF Draft is looming on the horizon and this could be my last chance to make a strong impression on the General Managers of Brawl and Smash. I can’t think of a better opponent than Clyde Newton. Since showing up in the WGWF you have started carving a reputation as “one to watch”, and of the newest signings to the company you are the one that’s been thrown straight into the lion's den to do battle with some of the absolute best. You might not have left with your arm raised in victory but what you have done is shown the entire world in a very short period of time that you are the future of the wrestling industry while I’ve shown the world how quick I can throw down a lager.
The Cannabis Cup is on deck.
I know that I have an uphill battle.
… but I have something that you do not.
The power of Madonna will compel me.
**********
“Come on Cuzzo!”
The voice of Austin Ramsey brings our scene in. Austin, Sam Chatman, and Daniel Ramsey are at the foot of the stairs at the Ramsey estate in Manhattan, New York. All three are dressed in matching tracksuits as they are prepared for a morning run.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: EDWARD!
Daniel chimes in.
DANIEL RAMSEY: I’ll go see what’s taking him so long.
Sam Chatman states.
SAM CHATMAN: With Toddy watching the kids I don’t know how much training we’re going to get in before she calls you back for Dad Duty.
Daniel takes off up the stairs as Austin and Sam continue conversations. Daniel makes his way down the hallway where he comes to the closed door to Edward’s room. Daniel knocks on the door but there isn’t an answer.
DANIEL RAMSEY: Um, Cousin Edward?
Daniel calls out as he slowly opens Edward’s door revealing Edward’s room is in complete disarray; minus the unusual amount of Madonna posters that cover every inch of wall and ceiling space.
DANIEL RAMSEY: Obsessed much?
Daniel softly states to himself before calling out for Edward. Daniel’s eyes drift toward an open window. He walks over and on a table by the window is a note. Daniel picks up the note and reads it out loud.
DANIEL RAMSEY: Catch me if you can.
Daniel rolls his eyes, folds up the note and hollers out.
DANIEL RAMSEY: DAD!!
**********
When I think about what this particular match means to me it’s more important than any strap of gold. I am winless. Let that sink in for a second. Winless. Sure, Daddy and I scored a tag team victory but what is there to be scared of or intimidated by when it comes to getting in the ring with me? To most that might be looked at as a sign of weakness but to me it’s a sign of “what if”. They say in professional wrestling that all it takes is one key victory to change the trajectory of anyone's career. I understand that I might be a little unusual for most, and while I might fall short I tend to surprise those that I’m in the ring with. What if this is the moment that my career shifts? What if Clyde is the guy that I score the biggest win over? They say anything can happen to which I’m a firm believer.
My unorthodox style is something that nobody can fully prepare for.
Clyde is a great wrestler, but he also doesn’t mind taking cheap shots if it means he will get ahead. What I want you to understand Mr. Newton is that you can cut as many corners as you want to cut if you think that it’s going to get you further up that pecking order. Win, lose, or draw I don’t have to be a rule breaker. I give it my best shot possible. Nobody controls my destiny but me.
**********
“How does a grown-ass man run away?”
Sheer sarcasm exudes from Sam Chatman’s voice bringing the scene in to find Sam, Austin, and Daniel combing the streets of Manhattan.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: I don’t even know where he’d go.
Suddenly loud screaming can be heard coming from Central Park as a herd of people comes running out the Main Entrance. Sam and Austin make eye contact while Daniel states.
DANIEL RAMSEY: This doesn’t look good.
The three men let out an audible deep sigh in unison as they head towards the entrance of the Central Park Zoo through all the commotion and visitors running away. They enter and immediately hear an elephant before seeing it charging in their direction!
SAM CHATMAN: LOOK OUT!
Sam, Austin, and Daniel get out of harm's way as the elephant charges past them with zoo keepers giving chase with tranquilizer guns in hand.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: Is Vaughn here?
Sam cuts his attention toward Austin and lets out a simple.
SAM CHATMAN: Bro.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: It’s just a question.
Daniel stops a running patron and asks.
DANIEL RAMSEY: What’s going on?
“SOME CRAZY MAN LET OUT ALL THE ANIMALS AT THE ZOO!”
Daniel glances over at Austin and Sam.
DANIEL RAMSEY: He wouldn’t have…
Sam, Austin, and Daniel continue on the path toward the zoo as they see off in the distance several giraffes grazing and eating greenage from the trees.
“HALT!”
They hear someone scream out off in the distance before an NYPD helicopter enters the screen overhead.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: I don’t think we’re going to get him out of this one.
Several motorcycle cops blow past the trio with sirens blaring as the third takes off just over a hill in the park.
SAM CHATMAN: We must be getting close.
***********
At some point, things will turn around for me. It would be easy for me to just give up and walk away from the WGWF but if I do that then what have I accomplished? I hear the response from the crowd when the greatest artist of all time hits the speakers. I feed off their energy to party and have fun because we often find ourselves in a world that is killing itself. This is not only my escape from the real world but it’s a way for me to put smiles on the faces of every person who throws down their hard-earned money to see us do what we do.
When I think about what it could mean for me to do what nobody thinks is possible I’m brought back to anything that can happen on any given night in our sport.
Three seconds.
That’s all it takes.
I’m refocused and I’m ready.
**********
We pick back up with Sam Chatman, Austin Ramsey, and Daniel Ramsey giving chase after the NYPD Officers who they hear off in the distance over the hillside.
“GET DOWN ON THE GROUND NOW!”
Another voice is heard screaming out.
“DOWN NOW!”
Austin, Sam, and Daniel Ramsey top the hill and get their eyes set on three officers surrounding someone, yet it’s not known if it’s Edward. They start to walk down the hill toward the police officer.
DANIEL RAMSEY: Dad, this is serious.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: Don’t worry Daniel, we’re going to do what we can to help him.
They see one of the officers putting handcuffs on a kneeling man. They pick him up and wait for a squad car that pulls in almost immediately. When they start to put the man in the back of the squad car they see the face of an older white guy with a dingy and dirty face and a gleeful smirk on his face. Walking up from behind in a pair of daisy dukes on top of his wrestling singlet, a makeshift bib around his neck that has some sauce on it, yellow Crocs, and a cowboy hat, with a black fanny pack secured around his waist while polishing off a chicken wing is Edward Grado.
EDWARD GRADO: You caught me!
Daniel, Austin, and Sam all jump as they’re taken off guard and by surprise as they spin around to see Edward wiping his mouth with the bib.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: WHAT THE HELL EDWARD!
EDWARD GRADO: Grado was hungry.
Edward then states.
EDWARD GRADO: Grado was training.
And Edward continues on with his attention on Austin.
EDWARD GRADO: Grado has big match.
DANIEL RAMSEY: How exactly were you training?
Before Edward can answer a middle-aged gentleman who is well out of breath approaches the four men.
“Edward!”
Grado spins around clutching his pearls.
EDWARD GRADO: A gentleman caller…
The gentleman reaches out with a check.
“You forgot your prize money.”
Austin, Sam, and Daniel collectively question.
AUSTIN, SAM, and DANIEL: Prize money?
EDWARD takes the check from the gentleman.
EDWARD GRADO: Ah, thanks.
The gentleman glances toward Austin, Sam, and Daniel.
“He can put away some chicken wings.”
They nod as the gentleman departs the scene. Edward takes notice of the matching tracksuits being worn by Austin, Daniel, and Sam. Edward starts to laugh at them while shaking his head.
SAM CHATMAN: What’s so funny?
EDWARD GRADO: You’ll see.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: I don’t like the sound of that.
**********
Okay, so I didn’t release wild animals upon New York City but I did stomp some chumps in a chicken wing eating contest. Training is critical if I am going to be successful come the Cup of Cannabis Munchies Contest. I’m looking forward to that the most; well, that or seeing Daddy win the Cup and the Show Stealerz reclaiming their titles. Of course it would be amazing to be able to say that I picked up the win over you, Clyde. You’re going to look past me, you’re going to underestimate me, you’re going to assume that I have no place in a wrestling ring but you actually couldn’t be further from the truth. I’ve adopted some of the greatest wrestling moves from some of the goats of the business that will catapult me when it matters.
This isn’t the first time that I’ve been looked at as the underdog nor will it be the last.
While I can’t guarantee a victory, what I can guarantee you is that you will get the very best that I can bring to the table. You can run and talk to Justin York, he skated by me. He underestimated me, and while he left with the win you can bet your bottom dollar that he will remember my name. The same can be said for just about anyone I’ve gotten in the ring with, and the same will happen with you Clyde. You’ve had a great run but I’m that brick wall that you weren't expecting.
**********
“Come forth.”
Edward brings us back into the scene where we find our favorite foursome standing outside of a chicken coup. Sam, Austin, and Daniel look on unimpressed.
DANIEL RAMSEY: Who told you this is the best cardio?
EDWARD GRADO: Trainer Mikey.
SAM CHATMAN: Who?
Edward immediately responds.
EDWARD GRADO: Trainer Mikey.
Austin leans in.
AUSTIN RAMSEY: You don’t have a Trainer Mikey
EDWARD GRADO: Yes I do.
SAM CHATMAN: Since when?
Edward ignores the question as he opens the door to the chicken coup and steps inside. We see just a rooster eyeing up Edward Grado.
DANIEL RAMSEY: Are we seriously going to let him wrestle a cock?
AUSTIN RAMSEY: Wouldn’t be the first time.
Edward takes off after the Rooster but he slips and face plants into the ground. Sam, Austin, and Daniel start laughing as we see Edward pop up to his feet. He unzips his fanny pack pulling out a rubber chicken.
EDWARD GRADO: I GOT IT!
Edward s
pins around looking at Sam, Daniel, and Austin.
EDWARD GRADO: Record time.
Edward struts out of the chicken coup.
EDWARD GRADO: Trainer Mikey would be proud.
SAM CHATMAN: Mikey? Who is Mikey?
Edward reaches back into his unzipped funny pack pulling out a copy of the Rocky DVD. Edward shoves it into the chest of Sam.
EDWARD GRADO: Greatest trainer of all time.
Sam simply shakes his head as the scene fades to black,