Picture it: a warm November morning, which seemed rare enough. I sit at the breakfast nook with my coffee, black... okay, two sugars. I opened the local paper to check the sports page. Just like that, I saw it. An advertisement for the XWF Hall of Fame. It must have been a slow season, they offered a $10 off admission coupon right next to a Big-O Tires spot. I was off that day, had already trained, and let my curiosity get the best of me. I like to know my sorroundings when somewhere new. It was perfect. After a lengthy drive I finally arrived. A large industrial building... so unique in design. Sprawling beautiful well manicured landscapes, clean sidewalks, and perfect weather on a perfect day. On the side of the building, I couldn't help but notice the large sign as I entered...

☆☆ XWF HALL OF FAME ☆☆

Honored and... famous... as first on my HOF plaque.



☆☆ FAMOUS ☆☆

Empty halls shown next to pictures of bloody faces, gold belts, and momentos from the last decade plus of XWF history. A smiling depiction of a young Vinnie Lane. Down further, in the "Modern Era" section, a painting display of Doc and Soldier holding their Tag Titles high. Around the next corner, "Next Generation" with Chris Chaos, Michael McBride, and a duplicate Hart Championship with a photo of Dolly Waters jumping into the air in celebration. A shadow steps in over the photo. Perfectly focused eyes squint, wanting the future, realizing that the past is only a bridge to what is coming.

The XWF Hall of Fame. Violence bounces off the walls. You can almost hear the grunting... sounds of bodies hitting the canvas... the cannister track lights remind me of the inner arena. Kid Kool, do you think our names will ever be engraved on these hallowed walls? Will they have an exhibit years from now about Wild Card? What will it say? "This was the night two newcomers came in hot to trot, and made a fucking mess of the place"? Maybe, "The beginning of Kid Kool's long reign as Champion began here..."? Now that I have finished the jokes... how about, "Joshua came down to the ring, entered, did exactly what he should have, won, and calmly walked to the back... uneventful... unmatched... perfect." Ah, there it is. Yes, accomplishments of a long career in-cased for generations of pupils to gaze upon. A marvelling feat, to be one of the few chosen to represent XWF for... eternity.

☆☆

The director notices Joshua in a trance, and walks over to shed some light.

The man smiles, finally causing a smirk on Joshua's face. He pats him on the back and heads on his way. Joshua makes his way back toward the exit, then turns and sighs with deep conviction.

☆☆

He goes off into a daze of an acceptance speech at his own Hall of Fame induction... years in the future... standing at a podium in a black and blue XWF jacket.



"Thank you. Thank you. I'm going to ask Vinnie Lane if I can still wrestle tomorrow night."

Crowd Chuckles.

"All this excitement has me wanting to call XWF and demand more money... no, seriously. Thank you so much. Thank you. I'm not surprised one bit at the XWF fans here. This is incredible, incredible... thank you. Believe me, I'm very lucky. I'm an extremely lucky man. I look at my family, what a lucky man. To wrestle a special craft that I love so much for many years, to have all the wonderful things happen, what a blessing. Forged in the gym, in talent, perfection... to share in that joy with you guys here tonight, what an incredible night, what an incredible week. And having Kid Kool, my first opponent that I completely thrashed... to have him suck it up... after all these years and introduce me was wonderful, considering he was there long before my first Universal Championship... we didn't know then that one amazing beating set a tone I can never repay him for taking."

He points out toward where Kid Kool sits.

"As I sat in my seat prior to this, the crowd stood and they pointed in the direction of the statue of Maverick out there, it was him. Standing there. I stood, looking at this long-gray-haired man as he turned and walked toward my ceremony. I knew then and there as goosebumps ran up my arm and the hair on the back of my neck stood up... what had inspired me. I wanted to be like him. Better than him. Perfect. And I was."

Joshua winks toward Maverick.

"Thanks Mav, who I hear... just recently had a hip replaced, and by no means was he going to be put on the shelf for this, he was going to be here. He is here. Taught me a lot... and like Kid Kool, who taught me that being there for those who humiliated you is important... and having never been humiliated, I took his word for it... I appreciate Mav as well. That fateful Wild Card night... I never, not one time, took it for granted."

A loud applause follows.

"Last but certainly not least... I wanted to thank myself. And I'll tell you of course it's been talked about a lot, and... I'll tell you a story. My father would have introduced me here tonight. But I thought Kid Kool would really enjoy it more, and his fans convinced me today. My dad flew out late last night and was there throughout the years, and I had chartered a plane back for him if he would introduce me. We left the hotel to come here today... and Kid Kool fans, both of them were there... and we all know they can be down right nasty. I've seen it. I've witnessed it. But I'll say this... today, the tremendous respect and honor that was shown to me and my family from them was spectacularly disgusting. Stick with your guy, get off my band wagon. Kid Kool maybe a failure and a joke to everyone here. But to me he is the reason I am here. Thank you, Kid."

The scene comes back to him walking to his car before looking up at the building one last time. He smiles. Knowing he will be a tennant soon enough.

☆☆



Every time I look at the broshure for Wild Card; Night One. I get goosebumps. Right now... goosebumps. It's a funny thing. Confidence can never overcome nerves. Nerves aren't just a sign of something coming. They are a tell all, a signal from your brain. To me, they say "Kid Kool is in trouble". I wonder what yours say to you? I imagine playing cheap games at casino's is a way to distract yourself from listening. Maybe you refuse to hear it? You know, Kid, when I am down and out... up against all odds and trying to navigate my way through... I win. So I don't have any solid advice for you. Sorry. But if it's any consilation, you'll be first one on my "defeated" plaque... that's kinda famous... pretty good, right? How many guys will be able to say that? Hmmm? Just you, pal. Just you. See, you aren't a total failure, at least this once you were in the right place at the right time. Sort of...

Kid Kool Sucks.