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XXXVI · **06-16-2025, 05:42 PM**

I used to be someone. I used to have a name and a face; a place in this world. I endured so much, tried to end my existence. I just wanted it all to go away, the pain, the disappointment, all of it. I say I used to be someone. In reality, I was lost. I felt like no one and then I chose to become no one. I sold everything I had. I tried to live simple. I went on a pilgrimage to find meaning. I left the only place I had ever known because it had become unrecognizable.

I had become unrecognizable. I lost everyone I ever cared about and I was left with myself, someone that I realized I cared nothing about. I was not even the main character in my own story. I traveled. Here, there, seemingly everywhere. I asked, like I was taught in my childhood house of worship. I sought. I knocked on every door and I had many of them slammed in my face. I belonged nowhere, a nomad. I existed, but I felt I had never truly lived. Does any of this sound familiar, Frances?

This isn’t about you, but I can see the hurt. I can see that very familiar feeling. I took every substance known to man and then some. It numbed the pain, momentarily. Some of it made me forget who I used to be, the life I had…if only for a moment. I come not from a place of judgment or superiority. Everyone has his own path to walk; their own pace. I do wonder whether the alcohol and the loss of mental acuity from all those fights will be a detriment to you in the ring. It would certainly be advantageous for me in this, our first meeting.

I know there will be questions and I may or may not have the answers. Who is this guy? Why is he here? Can he even wrestle? Why Roman Numerals? Who even gives a fuck? Patience is a virtue. All will be revealed in time. Suffice to say it’s not my first rodeo as the western folk are wont to say. I have tasted defeat and struggle, earned victories, back when I had a name. Back when I was no one. In many ways, I am still no one. I don’t matter. None of it does, from a certain perspective.

From one perspective, I am spoiled rotten like that Summer Page. I speak from the privilege of relative anonymity, behind a mask, painted skin, in this, my manor, the sprawling estate in Western Australia. I didn’t earn this. I didn’t really want it either, but it’s all I have left…of my humanity, my family. Ah, what a sordid tale for another day. I am nothing if not fodder for derision, jokes and people’s hatred and I accept it all, just as I would any outcome in my upcoming match.

Behind the mask

“At the end of the day, I am but a man. I have many flaws which can be exploited, just like anyone else. Physically, I am weaker than most, not tall or imposing. Frances seems a born fighter and he is likely to have a field day with me inside the squared circle. He was not victorious in his debut and faces a tough task against the Tribe, but me, I’m just a lowly servant of the world; no one. That’s it, my big speech on in ring ability. I do not claim to be the strongest, or the fastest or even the most clever.”

“But I have been here before. Blink and you miss it. Even those legends who came before are barely a footnote now. Past glory does not guarantee current success. Not by a long shot. Even the best wrestlers of today have to evolve weekly, moment by moment to remain relevant. I am not here to shine brighter. I am here to remind everyone what it means to be human. Anger has its purpose. It motivates, but so does mercy and forgiveness. At times, my purpose will be to win and show others what it’s like to be humble. Other times, I will be the victim, letting those who need it take out their anger. I will be your punching bag, Frances Marigold, if that is what you require. I will come in here with all the knowledge I have, both in ring and in life and it may not be enough.”

“This is not to say that I won’t put in the effort. Don’t let my words be misconstrued. I am capable. If you make a mistake, I will capitalize on it. One false move, and I will make you pay. But ultimately, Frances, the outcome is up to you. Are you going to break stuff, after drinking your hot dog flavored water? Did you do every single thing you could, just for the nookie? These are your words, after all, right? Or perhaps, mister Marigold, this masked miscreant will skin your ass raw? After all, you have to do this alone. You won’t have a time-traveling, stuttering stud beside you. Maybe you don’t need him? To many, I am a gimmick, but you…you are the laughingstock. Can’t even wait until after you get a victory to hit the bottle. Anything you can do to numb the pain, right? It’s fine. We all deal with things in our own way. Have your vices. But if you let it negatively impact you in our match, I will use it against you. I will say it once more. The outcome is determined by you. Will you spoil my debut, or will you simply give everyone exactly what they expect out of you? Let’s run the scenario, sad boi shinobi versus drunk dolt. Who wins? I can’t wait to find out. I think, despite your perception and perhaps even because of your flaws, that I may even learn something from you. Circle with me, Frances.”

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