I can barely walk some days and it becomes some sort of magical experience once my entrance theme hits. Madonna's perfect voice belting out throughout the arena. The chills I get when I step out onto that entrance ramp and realize I am at the dance. A true battle of wits and survival.
The XWF technically doesn't need a hero but I sure as hell do. Every bad mistake that I have made has caused me to face bankruptcy not once but twice in my career. Right now, I got enough money to survive probably another month or two if I am lucky.
I am truly grateful for the fans that come out to see me perform my craft. I am not the most gifted wrestler in the world. Getting by on sheer insanity in the ring. I am not that fancy technical wrestler or that flashy highflier flying off the ropes. I am just the average brawler who happened to draw a connection to the fans.
A connection that can never be severed no matter what I do. They power me through everything. I am the common man in a world of bodybuilders and highfliers. I am living the dream. The one person that each fan can relate to in some way. I got enough charisma to get by. For the longest time, I was one of the few openly bisexual wrestlers in this industry. Don't mistake what goes on in the bedroom for weakness. Just ask any opponent I have faced in the last 11 years of my XWF Career.
Look into the darkness like I have. Confront the demons that give you the issues and you can slowly overcome them. There are times I have dreams of seeing my old friends and wishing I wouldn't wake up because I go back into the living world and realize they are gone. People like Foley Anderson and Jeff Night. Hell, I would give everything I got to see my Uncle Norm one last time.
The only member of the Green Family that actually gave a damn about me and was more of a father-figure to me than my own father was! When he died, I remember finding out while I was at the movies when he died. He had his demons as I do. He loved the liquor to a degree that I could never match.
The days of spending my youth at his house and just drinking with him at 13 years old because he didn't give a shit. Just shooting the shit for hours on end and playing cards with his friends. He passed on at 45 because of Cirrhosis of the liver and other complications. I was 18 at the time and was one of the few members of the family that actually attended his funeral. He was considered the black sheep of the family.
That was the day I fell into some money. He left everything he had left in the bank to me. He may have loved the liquor but he was smart when it came to making investments. I wish I had the skill and charm he had. I was given 45k which I spent about 4k of it on his funeral. He was the only one that gave a damn about me and deserved to have a decent burial. There were times when it was just him and I talking and he gave me such good advice. The last words he said to me were, "You are like a son to me and I will do everything I can to make sure you are taken care of."
Leaving me with about 41k left, I started my dream of becoming a film producer with very little equipment. Wound up filming my first movie, "The Bus Ride" which turned into a success. Who knew people would want to watch people getting off and on a bus for 86 minutes and a look into the life of the average bus driver. The Bus Drivers of America called it a national treasure and made me an honorary member of their club.
That drove me to become a millionaire without the help of my parents. Suddenly, I got them wanting something to do with me. The guy that was frequently ignored for his brother, Robert. The big football star that never was. I was a fool just looking for acceptance in this world and moved out to Las Vegas and had a nice production studio to film in.
Had all kinds of momentum that brought me to the dance as a future player in that field. The next guy to take the reins from Steven Spielberg or Quentin Tarantino. Unfortunately, I was more like Uwe Boll. I watched my own company slowly fall to pieces because nobody wanted to see any more of my films. You had "The Airplane Ride" which did okay but wasn't a huge success. You also had "The Car Ride" which lost money because nobody wanted to just to see two people chatting in a car for over 2 hours. Before you know it, I was resorting to making adult films and nobody wanted to see me naked getting my ass pounded by tgirls.
During that time, I was training under Foley Anderson and became a pro wrestler at 24. Once the money was gone, so was my parents. They ditched me and cut off all contact because I went into pro wrestling.
I have had far more success as a wrestler and am grateful for every opportunity I have been given. Otherwise, I would probably be working on the docks of Boston because there was nothing special or unique about me.
I owe everything to every fan that buys my merchandise and chants my name. Know that when I step between those ropes, I am one of you and my hand is reaching out to everybody. We are a united front and that I will find a way to get back up each time you knock me down. You give me the motivation to keep fighting.
Come Warfare, I am stepping into the ring against a Hall Of Famer like Centurion. A guy that was the cornerstone of XWF for many years and has always stayed true to the XWF. Somebody that I respect for his work ethic and will give him everything I got left in the tank even though I know I am at a disadvantage. Even being blind in one eye, I will never stop dropping the bombs. Got that trademark liver shot "Irish" Micky Ward made famous.
Scully is another name that I gotta worry about. He is a lot smarter than people realize and plays upon people thinking he is . You can't fool me with that act. I know what you are capable of when I challenged for the Universal Title while you held it. You put me through hell back then and its been a long time coming for me to get my revenge on you.
Mark Brooks. You wanna talk about the majority of us belonging in a retirement village. I hate to break it to you but this guy still has some fight left in him. I went through a scaffold in Japan with Ryou Bakari Itemri a couple of years back. Chasm took my right eye in a match. What makes you think that you are gonna stop me if that didn't stop me back then. I finished the match with blood pouring down my face.
Azrael Erebus. You think your act is gonna intimidate me. It's not. I have fought tougher people in my career. You may have been a former Universal Champion and the longest-reigning Television champion in this era but that doesn't deter me. I always got one card left in the deck of life that I can always play.
What are any of you gonna say about me that hasn't been said before? That I am one of the most useless wrestlers in the history of the XWF. That I am fat. That I am an embarrassment. All that does is make you look foolish if I do win this which is what I plan on doing. I'm all in and ready to die if that's what it takes. Lord knows, I got plenty of people ready to take my spot should anything happen.
The scene opens up backstage of Anarchy where we see Barney Green packing up his stuff and getting ready to leave. He is dressed in a black t-shirt with the XWF logo on it in Green lettering on the front and wearing a pair of black jogging pants with a lime-green stripe going down the sides and black sneakers. Standing next to him is Ryou Bakari Itemri, who is dressed in a black t-shirt with a grey stripe going down the sides and black jogging pants with black sneakers. Ryou goes to speak first.
Ryou: It was a good effort against Fuzz. Not many people can say they went toe to toe with that caliber of a person. You did your best. Now, We gotta hop into the car and drive to the airport.
Barney: Thanks. I appreciate that. Haven't been to Toronto in forever.
Barney grabs his bags and starts to head out with Ryou following him holding his bag. Ryou goes to speak.
Ryou: I remember the last time I was in Toronto was as a guest at a Toronto Maple Leafs game. Got paid decently to sign autographs and drop the puck.
Barney: That's awesome. Last time I was in town was doing a wrestling event. Don't even remember what happened but it was fun. They also have a nice party scene. Pound back some booze and dance the night away.
Barney and Ryou head towards the exit of the arena. They exit the arena and head towards a white Chevrolet Malibu. Barney unlocks the car and throws his bags into the trunk while Ryou follows suit. Ryou shuts the trunk while Barney heads towards the driver's side and hops in. Ryou climbs in on the passenger's side. Barney starts up the vehicle and they start to drive out the arena. Barney goes to speak.
Barney: Let's grab a bite at McDonald's since our flight doesn't take off until 5 am and it's now 1 am. No point in staying in a hotel since the flight is only about 4 hours away. Can sleep a bit on the plane.
Ryou: Good idea. I'm starving over here. I know you are too.
Barney: Oh yes I am! Nothing like some greasy food and then have to get to the airport at 4 am to make sure we make this flight.
Barney stops at a red light and sees a McDonalds on the left of him. He looks really quick and makes the left turn on the road. He pulls into the McDonalds as Ryou starts to lecture him.
Ryou: What kind of driving is that? Are you trying to get us a ticket?
Barney: Relax. It's 1 am. Not many people are out unless you are drunk at the bar or were at the event.
Barney pulls into the drive-thru and goes to speak.
Barney: Give me a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal. Large fry and large orange soda.
Barney pauses as Ryou goes to speak.
Ryou: Just give me a small Filet-o-fish meal with a sprite. Also, want the 4-piece chicken nuggets with honey mustard dipping sauce.
Ryou pauses as the cashier goes to speak.
Cashier: That will $45.65. Drive up to the next window to pay and get your food.
Barney: Sounds good.
Barney drives up to the next window and pays for his food. The cashier goes and hands them two bags of food and drinks. Barney places the drinks in the cup holder and quickly jams a straw in his drink. Ryou does the same and takes a sip of his sprite. Barney gets out the drive-thru and back onto the road heading towards the airport. Barney reaches into the bag and pulls out his sandwich and takes a bite of it while driving. Ryou starts with his chicken nuggets. Ryou goes to speak.
Ryou: Once we get to the airport, we just gotta drop this car off at Hertz and then off to our next destination but first, we feast.
Barney: Amen to that, my friend. I will pull over once we get closer to the airport so we can finish our food in peace and not have to worry about things flying where they shouldn't.
Ryou: Sounds like a good plan. How are you holding up on this journey?
Barney: Pretty good all things considered.
Barney continues driving down the road and pauses as Ryou goes to speak.
Ryou: Just remember that it's only gonna get harder as you get older. Trust me, I know that from experience. You are gonna watch people come and go while they get younger, you get older.
Barney: But the energy in the locker room makes me feel young at times even though I know I am getting up there. My hair is thinning in places and I am starting to grey in parts of my beard.
Barney pauses as Ryou goes to speak.
Ryou: Welcome to the club. I have been balding for years and people take notice in this industry. They always look for the most unflattering pic they can of you to upload. Just ignore it.
Barney: Even if I did go bald, it doesn't matter. Hair doesn't define the person. I just look on the bright side of things. No more shampoo at least.
The scene fades to black as they continue talking and eating.
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