Post by Ragnarok on Feb 24, 2024 21:36:46 GMT -5
MEMORIES
Growing up in a broken home Ragnarök found himself having other hobbies just to leave the house. It would switch from time to time depending on his age but one memory that he will never forget would be his first baseball game. It was the easiest sport for him to watch outside of wrestling and it started with old footage of Cal Ripken, Boog Powell and Brookes Robinson. Three baseball legends playing for his hometown Orioles and making them one of the most successful franchises during the 60's,70's and 80's. When he arrived at the ballpark it was opening day and the placed was packed. The atmosphere was amazing and he could feel the love for the team. Being there gave him a comfort level he never felt before. Starting to walk around as the teams warm up the young Ragnarök starts to think to himself.
Young Rag: One day I will fill stadiums and the people will love me. They will want to see me and if they don't the world will riot. The world is a great place but one day I will be the one who conquers it. I will hold a company on my shoulders because I'm that great. Nothing will stop me from my destination of being the best. I want to be like the legendary names of Orioles baseball and be remembered forever as that guy.
He made his way back to the seats enjoying the game. Afterwards he had a pleasant surprise when he realized it was old-timers day and Brooke, Boog and Cal were present and he did his best to get an autograph and left the stadium a happy little kid.
Young Rag: Maybe one day they will acknowledge me.
Present day
Table of 4: Legendary Perspective
Baltimore, MD a city known for violence, poverty and being dirty. However, the charm city has a great downtown area and home to a lot of attractions. It wasn’t the most popular place to be early in the year, but baseball was almost back in Baltimore. Which is why Ragnarök, being a huge sports guy, had a special opportunity that most would dream about. He had dinner reservations at Boog’s BBQ located on Eutaw Street, He was the guest of three Baltimore Oriole legends. Cal Ripken Jr, Boog Powell and Brooke Robinson. He had no idea they were fans of his. However, soon enough he entered Eutaw Street on a beautiful night. He approached the restaurant where he saw them talking. Boog was working the grill finishing up some amazing brisket as the others looked at the Smash star. They welcomed him with hugs and a handshake. Ragnarök smiled as they walked to a table for four. After finding his spot they all waited for Boog to bring over all the food and place it on the table. Once all four men were seated Boog looked him in the eyes offering a firm handshake pulling him by the hand close as he spoke.
Boog Powell: Are you ready to be a legend Ragnarök.
Ragnarök: Yes!
Boog Powell: Do you have what it takes to become the new number 1 contender for the Smash championship.
Ragnarök: Yes!
Boog Powell: Good. That’s what I wanted to hear. You see we invited you here because not only are we avid WGWF fans but you’re our favorite guy to watch. We are all in agreement that you have what it takes to be a legend of your industry.
Ragnarök: Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm sure you know this is my last curtain call. I'm retiring at the end of the year, but I wouldn't trade any memories for another year of this.
Boog Powell: I do remember hearing you say that. I will admit I'm disappointed to hear that however, as you can tell by our career you know when the end is near, and you need to make that decision not to overstay the welcome.
Ragnarök: Yeah, I know what you mean. It was not an easy decision to make believe me but it's not my final chapter in the industry I promise you that.
Boog Powell: We look forward to it. However, getting back on track for a moment. Cal Ripken believes you're a legend in the industry already. Isn't that, right?
Ragnarök turned his attention listening to Cal Ripken Jr. speak.
Cal Ripken Jr: Ragnarök, it’s true. The three of us had to start at the bottom just like you. We’ve seen your struggles and can relate. You keep pushing forward just like we had too. The battle is always tough, but legends break down the walls and overcome all the odds. We understand that on Smash you have an opportunity to win and compete in a match at WrestleWars that could change your life. You know how to perform under pressure. You’ve competed in countless events over the years. Seeing it all and being in the middle of the madness.
The smash star processed everything being said and it made him smile being praised by men he looked up to growing up.
Ragnarok: You're right about that Mr. Ripken. The pressure I feel on a daily basis can be insane, but I don't think I could function without the pressure. The most annoying thing for me is putting in the hard work and always coming up short when it matters the most it seems.
He was interrupted by one of the greatest Third Baseman ever in Brooke Robinson.
Brooke Robinson: It’s not about winning Ragnarök. Wrestling and Baseball are alike for the following reason. It’s entertaining to the people. The four of us are sports entertainers and we LOVE what we do. We don’t let anyone change who we are and how we do it. Yes, you might lose but it's part of the business. However, you had a great time entertaining the fans. They cheered you and felt the pain when you lose. You have a connection that most would dream of. You need to remember that going into your match Monday night. Another thing the three of us have noticed is that you always find a way to bounce back and that is what makes you one of the greats.
Ragnarök was enjoying the conversation. He wasn’t saying much but respecting legends is more important than stealing the spotlight. He knew they were right in everything being said. He made himself a plate covered it in BBQ sauce and started to pig out before he took his turn and spoke on what was being said.
Ragnarök: You’re right Mr. Robinson. I've always done this for the people, and it gives me a warm feeling knowing they are enjoying themselves. That being said though I am battling my own inner demons knowing that Samuel Chatman will be my opponent and the last time we battled I lost to him, and it set me down a dark journey, but this time needs to be different. I need to be the guy who finishes the story and gets my redemption by screwing him out of the chance to compete at Wrestle Wars for the Smash championship. I’m the most experienced guy in that ring Monday night. That’s what makes this fun for me knowing I can rely on past events and give the fans whatever they desire. When you enjoy something like all four of us have it allows you to compete more relaxed. When you’re relaxed, you can do anything because you go with the flow and don’t overthink anything.
Boog Powell looked at him as the others ate and made Ragnarök look into his eyes.
Boog Powell: Ragnarök, it’s great to hear those words. I want to know what being the Smash champion would mean to you. I want to know what winning at WrestleWars would mean to you? The three of us can tell you exactly what winning the World Series felt like because it’s the biggest event of our season. It's our WrestleWars and the emotions always run high. I know for yours truly it was the greatest achievement of my life. It’s what I worked so hard for. Baseball was in my blood and as a kid I was successful, and I enjoyed being competitive. Knowing the entire country was watching you wanting you to either fail or succeed drove me to always deliver, it made the haters go away because I prove to them that they meant nothing to me.
He continued to enjoy the amazing food and they even had a bottle of Champagne as a way to celebrate the gathering of minds. Ragnarök enjoyed the engagement from Mr. Powell as he thought long and hard about his questions.
Ragnarök: I've been with WGWF from the relaunch as you know. If you look at my resume while I've been employed, you will see that I find a way to make my presence known. WrestleWars is not an exception to this rule. Last year in fact, I was trying hard to be on both nights somehow because I consider myself one of the best to do this. Knowing what I do about the event and piling on the fact that winning Monday night makes it a certainty what my match will be at the biggest event of the year makes me nervous but not in a bad way. I haven't revealed this to anyone outside my family but being the world champion would be an incredible feeling. I let my thoughts get the best of me as a kid and would imagine my name being called and given the title. The crowd would go crazy, and my achievements would be complete.
Hearing this made Cal Ripken remember his first year in the major league.
Cal Ripken Jr: Look it was my first full year in the big leagues you want to talk about pressure to perform. I had huge expectations as everyone knew who my family was, and the lineage associated with it. My dad was tough on me because he wanted me to never settle. When we made the World Series, I looked around and realized I need to make the most of this moment. We are never certain to make it back on the big stage. So, remain humble on Monday night. Understand that whatever happens doesn't mean that you don't belong at WrestleWars. Enough about Monday night though because we're confident you will move on and compete for the Smash championship. It's time for you to explain why you want this.
Ragnarök stood up and looked at the three legends before him.
I have always been a fun, crazy young man. My friends have always supported me in all my endeavors. This business has been a blessing to me. I’ve had more lows than highs but it’s part of the ride is it not? Having a chance to represent Smash at WrestleWars would be an honor. I wouldn’t take it for granted like others have. I have the utmost respect for each of them, but they are built different than me. They were trained differently. I don’t have an alter ego like others. I’m the perfect storm of professional wrestling fellas. I have endurance, a killer instinct, a passion deep in my soul. I know walking through those doors on Monday night I am the biggest entertainer the industry has ever seen. I’m the reason people show up. Ragnarök sells out the arena no matter where he goes. WrestleWars will not be the same unless the biggest money maker is in the main event. I am going to change the direction of this company. I know that Monday night is just another match for some but it’s my road to WrestleWars and a step toward cementing my status as one the best in the company. I thank you guys for your time and stories about success and competitive nature. Having fun is something I will always cherish and pleasing the fans is what I do best. Hope you guys attend this Monday night.
The four guys continue to walk around Oriole Park at Camden Yards only days away from the season starting. It was a moment he would always remember. Being the underdog is never a bad thing and that’s what he felt like as he made small chat with each guy before leaving a few hours later. He walked the short distance to the arena and put in a little workout at the facility. He took a small break as he looked into the camera.
Ragnarök: Mr. Chatman, we meet again. this time the consequences of losing are huge. I will say that I'm happy to see you as my opponent because the last time we battled I was the older version of myself. I can sit here and admit that I was unprepared for the battle that you would bring me that night. I was pissed off for the longest time wondering when I would get the chance to screw you out of something and yet here, we are about to battle on Monday night Smash and the winner gets a title opportunity at WrestleWars. I've worked hard on my image and being a better version oy what I used to be however, with you it's different. I feel an empty void inside my heart because you stole something from me last year and I need revenge. I need to take this opportunity from you so we can call it even. Life hasn't been fair to either of us along our journey and soon enough when our music hits, we will beat the hell out of each other letting go of the stress. However, the story will be written differently as I stand over your body and look into the camera and call out the Smash champion. You probably look at me and see the same guy you battled last year but that would be ignorant of you considering the big matches I've had and the recognition I continue to get. Ragnarök is more than a name in WGWF it's a brand and just understand that this is our last fight because when I go to WrestleWars and win the Smash championship I will make it my mission to keep you squashed.
He stood up for a moment.
Mr. Chatman it has been an honor watching you grow into an incredible talent but watching you self destruct in this match will be the ultimate joy for me. Some of us can't have nice things. Some of us dont deserve them however, some of us are born to have the whole world look at him as a leader.
He stopped the workout looking at his watch realizing he had a few hours before he was required to be there. So he left the arena and hung out by the Inner Harbor. Watching the birds fly above and families making memories it brought some raw emotions up as he started to tear up out of anger. With the new outlook on life he was realizing just how much of his childhood was screwed over by his family but he had to keep pushing forward as the scene fades to black.
OOC: This RP is all on me. I wrote this in about 5 hours losing track of time sucks. Sorry fellas personal life just kicked my ass.