10-30-2020, 01:13 PM
11-02-2020, 03:40 PM
A capacity crowd of 16,500 enthusiastic fans inside Arena Mexico cheers loudly as two competitors, clearly exhausted after a grueling battle, slowly make it to their feet. In one corner is a competitor wearing a blue lucha mask and matching long blue wrestling tights with blue boots. In the other corner is a similar sized wrestler wearing a red mask and matching red tights and boots. As both men stagger to their feet, the luchador in red makes a quick move, running toward his opponent and hitting a fast dropkick, sending him down to the mat. The crowd roars.
“CO-HE-TE! CO-HE-TE!” chant the fans, who are now all on their feet. The luchador in red steps through the ropes onto the ring apron and looks around, feeding off of the energy of the crowd. He then turns back to his opponent, still down from the dropkick, struggling to make his way to his feet. The red luchador motions for his opponent to get up, drawing more cheers from the crowd. As the blue luchador staggers to his feet and turns around, the red luchador leaps up onto the top rope, jumps toward his opponent, and connects with a springboard hurricanrana, hooking the leg on the landing. The crowd explodes as the referee counts. “UNO! DOS! TRES!”
The roof nearly blows off the arena as the referee calls for the bell. The red luchador drops to his knees and puts his arms up in the air as the ring announcer calls the victory, “Aquí está tu ganador y nuevo campeón….EL COHETEEEEEEE ROOOOOOJJJJOOOOOOOO!!!”
The referee hands the luchador, now identified as The Red Rocket, a championship belt. The Red Rocket holds the belt close to him for a moment, still on his knees. He then springs back up and climbs up one of the turnbuckles, holding the belt up to the crowd, which continues to give him a standing ovation. After a few moments, The Red Rocket hops down and turns back to his opponent, who is up on one knee, still trying to recover. The Red Rocket extends his arm, which his opponent accepts. The Red Rocket pulls his opponent up, the two shake hands, and then embrace, drawing more cheers from the crowd. The Red Rocket then walks over to the ropes, slides out of the ring, and heads back up the entrance ramp. He stops at the top of the ramp and turns back to the fans, again holding up his newly won championship to the crowd one last time before making his way to the backstage area.
Backstage, other superstars and staff applaud as The Red Rocket makes his way to the locker room with his championship belt. He gets a few pats on the back and shakes some hands as he walks down the hallway. He eventually makes his way into the locker room, earlier occupied by other luchadores but now vacated. The Red Rocket lays the title down across the floor and then pulls up a chair in front of it. He takes a seat and smiles as he stares at the title. He begins to unlace his boots, keeping his eyes focused on his championship. After taking off his boots, he remains seated and staring at the belt for a few moments, still overcome with the joy of becoming a champion. He then grabs the belt and drapes it over his shoulder. He stands up and walks toward the door of the locker room. He opens up the door and peaks out into the hallway, looking both ways. Many of the other superstars and staff have left, as it appears his match was the main event. After making sure nobody is around, The Red Rocket closes the locker room door.
He leans back against the door, title still over his shoulder, and lets out a sigh before slowly removing his mask. The Red Rocket is revealed to be none other than a young Ricardo Jimenez, better known now as Ricky James. Ricky walks into the bathroom, flips on the lights, and stares at himself, unmasked, in the mirror, holding his championship belt. At first, Ricky does not know exactly how to feel. He looks a bit perplexed at himself. This is certainly new to him for a few reasons. The young Ricky is not used to seeing himself holding a professional wrestling championship. This may have been something the young luchador had dreamed about, but actually realizing that dream appears to be a surreal moment for Ricky.
Aside from the belt, though, Ricky appears to be fascinated with the fact that he is maskless. As much as Ricky stayed focused on the belt, he now begins to spend even more time staring at himself. Of course Ricky knows what he looks like. And yes Ricky had probably visualized himself as a champion. But Ricky does not seem prepared for this exact moment. This was not a visualization that he’d had in the past. Prior to this moment, Ricky lived two lives - one as Ricardo Jimenez, a young man from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico - and another as “El Cohete Rojo”, billed from Mexico City, the “hometown hero” of the night. It had not occurred to young Ricky until this moment that the two could be intertwined.
Ricky continues to look at himself with the title over his shoulder. He briefly closes his eyes as the sound of the crowd chanting “CO-HE-TE! CO-HE-TE!” plays back in his head. Yes, The Red Rocket was champion. The fans in Mexico City have their hometown hero. And no matter what happens, everyone will remember this night. Everyone will remember El Cohete Rojo as a champion.
But what about Ricardo? What about Ricky? Of course the other competitors know who he is. Staff know. Perhaps a handful of others know. The public, however? The fans, whose energy Ricky used to will himself to victory? They don’t know, and they may never know. The fans have their hero in The Red Rocket. Unfortunately though, as Ricky begins to realize, their hero has to stay masked. Not only is it customary in Mexican wrestling for the luchadores to stay masked at all times in the public eye - the fans also only know El Cohete Rojo. Without the mask, The Red Rocket does not exist, and the fans do not have their hero.
But what about Ricky’s family? Surely they would be proud of him. Except it isn’t that easy. He does not exactly have family in the picture. Ricky had never spoken about his family to anyone because it was a sore subject, and quite frankly, there was not much family to talk about. Ricky was an only child whose father left the family when he was too young to remember. That is all Ricky had ever really confided in anyone about the family situation. Not much else was or is known about his true past, even at this point, with Ricky still being a young Mexican wrestler. One would think those close to Ricky in his Mexican wrestling days had a better understanding of his past than those who know the mysterious “American” Ricky James, but the reality is Ricky has always been a bit mysterious.
Ricky opens his eyes and smiles. For the first time in his life, he sees the image of HIMSELF as a champion. He pictures a scene where the crowd is chanting HIS name as he holds up the championship. “RICK-Y! RICK-Y!” the crowd would chant. Ah yes, it would be so sweet, and so personal. He wouldn’t be just another masked wrestler. Yes, many Mexican luchadores have made names for themselves wrestling under a mask. There is fame to be had, even under a mask. Ricky does not seem himself as one of those wrestlers, however. The Red Rocket was a name suggested to him. Ricardo Jiminez was too generic. That would not set him aside from the others, and it was not an appealing “heroic” name.
Ricky would have preferred to be known for who he actually was, but it didn’t work that way. Getting to the top, becoming a champion of professional wrestling, was more important to him. He did respect Mexican wrestling culture as well. He took the advice of older competitors and his agent/mentor, Juan, who had been the closest thing to a father figure Ricky had ever had. A maskless Ricardo, or “Ricky”, was not going to cut it in this environment. Ricky had to follow a set of rules and accept the reward for what it would be - tremendous, but at the same time a bit unfulfilling.
“COHETE!” a voice yells. Ricky, having been lost in his own thoughts, shakes his head and turns around to see his agent, Juan, standing in the doorway. Juan is dressed in a three piece suit, wearing a hat and sunglasses and holding a briefcase.
Juan: ¿Qué estás haciendo? ¡Tenemos que irnos! ¿Y dónde está tu máscara?
Ricky frantically grabs his mask and holds it up to Juan, dropping his belt in the process.
Juan: No nos avergüences así. Vuelva a ponerse eso, cámbiese y reúnase en cinco minutos. Tenemos que irnos.
Juan slams the door violently as Ricky stands in the bathroom, still holding his mask. The confidence and joy that had overcome him is now gone. Ricky looks dejected as he sighs and stares at the mask. It is clear he is still El Cohete Rojo. The crowd would not see Ricky as champion, at least not today. As good as it seemed in Ricky’s head, Juan was right. Ricky would be embarrassing himself and insulting those he followed to get to this point if he were to lose the mask. Juan didn’t necessarily know Ricky had imagined that scenario, but his words were enough of a reminder to let Ricky know that it was not a possibility in the near future.
Ricky appears to have accepted his fate as he quickly resumes a quick washing up, changes out of the remainder of his wrestling attire, and into street clothes. He goes to grab a clean mask, the exact same type as the one in which he wrestled, but pauses. He steps back into the bathroom and picks up his championship. He again drapes it over his shoulder and looks at himself in the mirror - maskless, in street clothes, a champion. He closes his eyes and smiles, again imagining the crowd chanting “RICK-Y! RICK-Y! RICK-Y!”
A loud banging is heard on the door of the locker room.
Ricky: Just a sec, Juan…
“JUAN?!”
The door to the locker room opens. Lucy Huckabee Sanders storms into the room and sees Ricky James asleep on the couch with a goofy smile on his face as he quietly chants “RICK-Y! RICK-Y”. Lucy, visibly irritated, looks around the room before seeing a glass of water on the table next to Ricky. She grins, grabs the glass of water, and then tosses the water in Ricky’s face, completely startling him as he wakes up.
Ricky: What the hell was that?
Lucy stands over Ricky with her arms folded, looking like a disappointed mother or significant other.
LHS: Ric, you’ve been asleep basically the entire time we’ve been here.
Ricky, still a bit flustered, looks around the room in confusion.
Ricky: Where are we?
LHS: Germany, Ric.
Ricky sighs and drops his head into his hands.
LHS: Yeah, I’m not thrilled about it either. We fought two wars against these assholes and Sasha still wants to work with them for some reason? Wait, what am I saying? Of course she does! She’s probably got them work -
Ricky puts one of his hands up to Lucy as he runs the other hand through his hair, clearly annoyed.
Ricky: Not now, Luce. I just need a minute.
Lucy turns right red and looks at Ricky furiously.
LHS: Well you got a few, but you better get your act together. I figured you would snap out of….whatever “THIS” is after last week. We took care of Adonis. He won’t be terrorizing any more women. Remember? WE did that and YOU picked up another victory. You’re on a roll, Ric. Three wins now. Even Sasha can’t deny your momentum. You have a TITLE match this week…
Ricky’s ears perk up and he begins drowning out everything else Lucy is saying. At the sound of the word title, Ricky thinks back to his dream, where he reminisced about winning his first championship in Mexico. He smiles as Lucy continues to ramble on. Ricky closes his eyes and begins to envision himself as champion again, but this time with the SCW TV Title draped over his shoulder. He begins to drift off into another trance. Lucy quickly notices this, becomes even more enraged, and slaps Ricky across the face.
LHS: HELLO?! I’M TALKING TO YOU!
Ricky, holding his face, smiles back at Lucy.
Ricky: I got you, sorry. And I know, I know. I’ve been thinking about this match since she booked it. This is my….this is our chance….
LHS: The champion of TELEVISION, Ric. Think about that. Think about how far we can spread our message with you as SCW Champion of Television. Think about it - The Silent Majority, Official Press Secretary of SCW, Lucy Huckabee Sanders, and SCW Champion of Television, Ricky James!
Lucy smiles as she drifts off into a brief trance of her own, imagining The Silent Majority with Ricky as TV Champion. She quickly brings herself back to reality, though - something Ricky has struggled to do himself - as she looks back at Ricky more seriously.
LHS: But I need you to stay focused, Ric.
Lucy grabs a stack of papers that had been sitting on a table and tosses them in front of Ricky.
LHS: Have you read over these yet? Notes on Asher.
Ricky grabs the stack of papers, which is quite extensive.
LHS: And that’s just his drug history.
Ricky shakes his head as he skims through before setting the papers back down.
Ricky: So when’s the EPC?
LHS: Well if you had spent any time awake in the past day, you’d know we aren’t having one this week.
Ricky’s eyes go wide as he looks completely shocked.
Ricky: What?!
LHS: Yeah, thanks to your little outburst last week, they wouldn’t send us any reporters, and they won’t let you anywhere near an SCW cameraman without supervision.
Ricky: Well can’t you just grab some phony report…
Lucy glares at Ricky and holds up her hand, threatening to slap him again. Ricky puts his hands up.
Ricky: Whoa whoa, no need for that.
LHS: Ric, I know you keep forgetting, but we are in GERMANY now. They wouldn’t let Kellyanne come on the trip, so my resources are a little….lacking at the moment.
Ricky: Well, they gotta give us camera time. And these German morons probably have no clue who I am, who we are….wait a minute. A Socialist still runs this country, right? They probably have the government monitoring everything, they’re probably just going to censor everything we say. They’ll manipulate the footage worse than the Fake News Media in America!
Lucy smiles.
LHS: Yes, you’re right. And that’s the energy we need out of you! You will get camera time though. As I said….supervised. They’re going to give you a few minutes on camera. No reporters. No questions. One cameraman, four guards. Get the message out and try to hold yourself together this time, okay?
Ricky: But how can we stop them from doctoring the footage? You know Sasha is going to make me out to look like a crazy person.
Lucy rolls her eyes.
LHS: You did enough of that yourself, Ric. I’m not one of these idiots we talk to on a weekly basis, so don’t treat me like one. But to answer your question, they are allowing me to be present there. I will make SURE your message...OUR message….gets out.
Lucy grabs the stack of papers and holds them up to Ricky’s face again.
LHS: You just have to do your part.
Lucy holds the papers up for a few extra seconds before dropping them back down in front of Ricky.
LHS: I’ll set it up for an hour from now. Read up.
Lucy walks out of the locker room, again leaving Ricky alone with his thoughts. That is perhaps a dangerous move, given the fact that Ricky cannot seem to stay focused right now. It is clear at this point that Ricky is greatly affected by his past. Over the past few weeks, Ricky’s past has haunted him. Against Jay Gold, Ricky’s fixation with the lucha mask actually cost him the match. He has also lost “Emergency Press Conference” privileges, at least for this week, because of his inability to stay focused and to control his rage. While having mixed results in the ring, even Ricky’s opponents have admitted that the Emergency Press Conferences have been effective in getting into other people’s heads.
Ricky will have to move on this week without the “comfort” of an Emergency Press Conference, but perhaps that is a good thing. Though he should know full well what to expect by now, each week the reporters’ questions still send Ricky into a rage. This time, with no reporters to “antagonize” him, Ricky may be able to stay focused.
And what sets this week apart from past weeks are the details of Ricky’s fixation. For once, Ricky is not haunted by the memories of being masked. He is not reminded of what he considered to be something that held him back, or something that “silenced” him. Ricky is actually encouraged by memories this week. He is encouraged by the memories of once becoming champion. He now has an opportunity to realize his dream. Ricky has the opportunity to become a champion, and for everyone to know RICKY - albeit under the name “Ricky James” - as a champion.
---------------------------------------------------
One hour later
Ricky James has a seat in front of a camera in a closed room. Two security guards stand off camera behind Ricky, and two stand next to Lucy Huckabee Sanders near the door. The camera operator appears a bit apprehensive, though Ricky seems much more cool, calm, and collected than the last time he was behind a camera. The camera operator looks at Ricky, who flashes him a grin and nods. The camera operator nods back and then turns on the camera. He puts his hand up and begins to count down with his fingers.
5…..4….3…..2… the camera operator points to Ricky as he hits “1”
Ricky: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, SCW fans around the world, but, most importantly, America. While everyone in America knows who I am, I realize we may have a different group of viewers this evening. Let me first start off by apologizing. I am sorry to all of you who do not have the privilege of living in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America. You may be living here in Germany, or perhaps somewhere else in Europe, or maybe you are stuck living in…
Ricky shakes his head in disgust.
Ricky: Canada. Whatever the case may be, your life is not as good as it would be if you were living in America. Chances are you are living under a socialist regime. You enjoy very little freedom, you are censored, and you are required to do whatever the government tells you to do. I really feel for you people.
Ricky puts his hand on his chest and shakes his head, trying to show “sympathy” towards non-Americans.
Ricky: While America is the greatest country in the world, we are being challenged right now. Our way of life is being challenged by foreign invaders who have gone as far as MANIPULATING actual American citizens to try and push their agenda. This is happening all over the country, and unfortunately happening in SCW right now. The SCW is currently being run by a socialist woman named Shady Sasha, who has been filling in for her even lazier father, Do Nothing D. It has become abundantly clear over the past few months that Shady Sasha wants a wrestling promotion full of socialists and Canadian sympathizers. She unfairly treats honest, hard-working, and beautiful Americans and gives preferential treatment to Canadians, her sympathizers, and her hired henchmen.
Ricky shakes his head, this time in disgust.
Ricky: Fortunately, however, we are leading a movement to stop Shady Sasha. You see, my name is Ricky James. Myself and my associate, the Official Press Secretary of SCW, Lucy Huckabee Sanders, have come to SCW to put an end to this “movement”. We are the Silent Majority. We are true, proud Americans through and through. We chose to not just sit back and watch Shady Sasha destroy this beautiful country of ours. We chose to fight back, and we continue to do so every week.
Ricky closes his fist and briefly raises it up in the air.
Ricky: Now I’m sure you Germans especially are familiar with a situation like this. Look at what happened when you let a socialist run your country. That man, whose name I will not mention for obvious reasons, took advantage of your country in an extremely vulnerable time. He spewed socialist nonsense and manipulated others into believing in his way of thinking. He thought he could make the entire world turn to socialism. But when push came to shove and he took on some real patriots, like always, the socialist scum lost to the freedom fighters.
Ricky fist pumps again.
Ricky: It is just too bad Germany did not have a leader like Ricky James back then. It is too bad they did not have a leader who championed national pride. It is too bad they did not have a leader who called out the fake news media. It is too bad they did not have a leader who called out a particular group of people who were trying to take over the world.
Ricky sighs.
Ricky: But the past is the past. What’s done is done. And now we look ahead to the future. The future is this week on a very special Breakdown from Germany. Ricky James, American Hero, takes on Asher Hayes, American Burnout. On the line is the SCW Television Championship. Now, am I surprised that this match, for the Championship of Television, is taking place in a country where television is still highly regulated and censored? I am a bit. But when I sit back and think about it, I’m not really surprised at all. Week after week Shady Sasha has tried to silence me or tried to make me look foolish with different conspiracies. She has used crooked referees, she has put Lucy Huckabee Sanders in a ring despite her not being a trained wrestler, and she has hired henchmen like Antifa’s own Fool’s Gold or the woman beater, Adonis the Adulterer. While a handful of times Sasha has gotten one over on The Silent Majority - and those matches have been stripped from the record - the vast MAJORITY of the time, we have overcome the odds and thwarted her attempts. Shady Sasha thinks she can outsmart us…
Ricky puts up one finger and waves it.
Ricky: No, no, no. You see, Shady Sasha - I am not falling into your trap this time. I see that you are trying to lure me in. You are giving me a title shot, a title shot I definitely deserve, for one of the most prestigious titles in the world, the Champion of Television. OF COURSE a group like The Silent Majority should be ecstatic about this opportunity. The circumstances of this match, however….
Ricky again shakes his head and waves his finger.
Ricky: I’m not really a fan. We’ve seen all the conspiracies thus far, but this is taking it to another level. Soliciting the help of a FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, Sasha? Really? You could have had this match in America, where it belongs. Having a match for the Championship of Television in Germany makes no sense, as I pointed out earlier, except, unless, there was an ulterior motive. And of course there is with you. I have a difficult enough time trusting your Canadian staff, but GERMANS?!
Ricky pauses and then looks directly into the camera.
Ricky: No offense to you German people out there who are looking for a different way of life, but we can all agree your government is corrupt and has been corrupt since you became a country. I am sure there is no difference when it comes to the staff at the arena here. I am sure this is yet another Shady Sasha CONSPIRACY. I didn’t think it could get much worse than last week, but yet again, Shady Sasha has stooped down to an even lower level.
Ricky takes a breath.
Ricky: We all know SCW management is against me. We know the referee will likely be against me. Hell, the crowd will probably be full of plants from the German government, and perhaps some of Sasha’s Canadian plants too. The deck is certainly stacked against The American Hero. But let’s talk about my opponent for a bit, shall we? Let’s talk about the current Champion of Television, who is anything but a hero. Let’s talk about Ashtray Hayes.
Ricky pauses, accustomed to getting a reaction, but quickly realizes it’s a closed interview and continues.
Ricky: Somehow, someway, a guy like Hayes is Champion of Television. What an absolute disgrace. I guess it is a bit symbolic of what television has become, though. Criminals, and let me be clear - drug addicts are criminals - like Hayes are glorified in today’s media. This guy is a career lowlife. He’s a lazy, scumbag drug addict who has probably relied on the government his entire life. I am not impressed with his resume at all, considering how long he has been in SCW. Oftentimes he latches on to someone else - just as he is doing with Cid Turner right now. Unlike Ashtray, I do not need any help fighting my battles. I am undefeated thus far as a single’s competitor in SCW at 3-0, and I really should be 5-0 had it not been for crooked referees and Fool’s Gold using a foreign object against me. I have proven time and time again that true patriots like myself are superior athletes.
Ricky pauses as he basks in his own glory.
Ricky: I am not quite sure how Ashtray became SCW United States Champion at one point, but I assume he stole the title from a hard-working American. I am sure he convinced Do Nothing D to assist him in some way. Perhaps he traded drugs for the title. I am not sure. Other than that title “reign”, if you want to call it that, Ashtray’s most impressive achievement in my opinion is becoming the Champion of Television. Again, I am not sure how he managed to win this prestigious title. I am assuming the man was so drugged up he could not feel any pain during the match. Perhaps he lulled Syren to sleep with an acoustic rendition of a terrible song. I am not sure what happened because I don’t pay attention to losers like Ashtray Hayes.
Ricky takes another deep breath.
Ricky: Unfortunately, I have no choice but to pay attention to him now. This man is the Champion of Television, and in today’s world, that is incredibly dangerous. In a world where Fake News is running rampant across the internet and television, we cannot have a drug addict be the symbol of television. You know, when Lucy Huckabee Sanders and I came to SCW, we knew we would be fighting for Americans everywhere. We knew we would have a large group of people depending on us. Each week, however, it seems as though we have a new group we have to fight for. Last week, I took it upon myself to take out Adonis the Adulterer on behalf of women all over the world, particularly in the United States. This week, it appears I have to fight for every single person who watches television. We CANNOT have someone like Ashtray Hayes be representing television. Shady Sasha may prefer to have her Champion of Television be some drug addicted, government-dependent loser, but we will NOT stand for that.
Ricky, a bit fired up, stands, causing the camera man, who almost fell asleep, to quickly adjust and tilt the camera up.
Ricky: Shady Sasha wants her Champion of Television to be passive. The fact that Ashtray Hayes likely has no idea what is going on works perfect for her. She can continue to regulate television, just like they do here in Germany, to fit HER agenda. Hayes isn’t going to stop her. He’s going to do what he always does - sit back on the couch, pass out, and hope someone revives him in time for his match.
Ricky looks directly into the camera.
Ricky: America…..and hell, Germany….you deserve better from your Champion of Television. You deserve a true HERO who will represent FREEDOM. I will foil yet another one of Shady Sasha’s plots. I will overcome the odds. I will become YOUR CHAMPION OF TELEVISION and restore greatness to a championship that Hayes couldn’t care less about. And once The SIlent Majority has captured the Championship of Television, there will be nothing Shady Sasha, Do Nothing D, or the German government can do to prevent us from spreading our message!
Ricky stops and closes his eyes, again visualizing himself with the TV Title over his shoulder. This time, he is able to stay focused, as he opens his eyes and looks back into the camera.
Ricky: Representing The Silent Majority, I’m El Coh…
Ricky stops himself as Lucy drops her head in disbelief. Ricky steps off camera and begins to plead with the camera man.
Ricky: Can we cut that?
Camera Man: Hey, you guys made a big stink about not editing any of this…
Ricky starts to turn red and clenches his fists. All four security guards ready themselves, with one of them stepping in front of the camera man. Lucy glares at Ricky, who manages to calm himself down. He takes a breath and goes back in front of the camera.
Ricky: Representing The Silent Majority, I am Ricky James. For a better SCW.
“CO-HE-TE! CO-HE-TE!” chant the fans, who are now all on their feet. The luchador in red steps through the ropes onto the ring apron and looks around, feeding off of the energy of the crowd. He then turns back to his opponent, still down from the dropkick, struggling to make his way to his feet. The red luchador motions for his opponent to get up, drawing more cheers from the crowd. As the blue luchador staggers to his feet and turns around, the red luchador leaps up onto the top rope, jumps toward his opponent, and connects with a springboard hurricanrana, hooking the leg on the landing. The crowd explodes as the referee counts. “UNO! DOS! TRES!”
The roof nearly blows off the arena as the referee calls for the bell. The red luchador drops to his knees and puts his arms up in the air as the ring announcer calls the victory, “Aquí está tu ganador y nuevo campeón….EL COHETEEEEEEE ROOOOOOJJJJOOOOOOOO!!!”
The referee hands the luchador, now identified as The Red Rocket, a championship belt. The Red Rocket holds the belt close to him for a moment, still on his knees. He then springs back up and climbs up one of the turnbuckles, holding the belt up to the crowd, which continues to give him a standing ovation. After a few moments, The Red Rocket hops down and turns back to his opponent, who is up on one knee, still trying to recover. The Red Rocket extends his arm, which his opponent accepts. The Red Rocket pulls his opponent up, the two shake hands, and then embrace, drawing more cheers from the crowd. The Red Rocket then walks over to the ropes, slides out of the ring, and heads back up the entrance ramp. He stops at the top of the ramp and turns back to the fans, again holding up his newly won championship to the crowd one last time before making his way to the backstage area.
Backstage, other superstars and staff applaud as The Red Rocket makes his way to the locker room with his championship belt. He gets a few pats on the back and shakes some hands as he walks down the hallway. He eventually makes his way into the locker room, earlier occupied by other luchadores but now vacated. The Red Rocket lays the title down across the floor and then pulls up a chair in front of it. He takes a seat and smiles as he stares at the title. He begins to unlace his boots, keeping his eyes focused on his championship. After taking off his boots, he remains seated and staring at the belt for a few moments, still overcome with the joy of becoming a champion. He then grabs the belt and drapes it over his shoulder. He stands up and walks toward the door of the locker room. He opens up the door and peaks out into the hallway, looking both ways. Many of the other superstars and staff have left, as it appears his match was the main event. After making sure nobody is around, The Red Rocket closes the locker room door.
He leans back against the door, title still over his shoulder, and lets out a sigh before slowly removing his mask. The Red Rocket is revealed to be none other than a young Ricardo Jimenez, better known now as Ricky James. Ricky walks into the bathroom, flips on the lights, and stares at himself, unmasked, in the mirror, holding his championship belt. At first, Ricky does not know exactly how to feel. He looks a bit perplexed at himself. This is certainly new to him for a few reasons. The young Ricky is not used to seeing himself holding a professional wrestling championship. This may have been something the young luchador had dreamed about, but actually realizing that dream appears to be a surreal moment for Ricky.
Aside from the belt, though, Ricky appears to be fascinated with the fact that he is maskless. As much as Ricky stayed focused on the belt, he now begins to spend even more time staring at himself. Of course Ricky knows what he looks like. And yes Ricky had probably visualized himself as a champion. But Ricky does not seem prepared for this exact moment. This was not a visualization that he’d had in the past. Prior to this moment, Ricky lived two lives - one as Ricardo Jimenez, a young man from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico - and another as “El Cohete Rojo”, billed from Mexico City, the “hometown hero” of the night. It had not occurred to young Ricky until this moment that the two could be intertwined.
Ricky continues to look at himself with the title over his shoulder. He briefly closes his eyes as the sound of the crowd chanting “CO-HE-TE! CO-HE-TE!” plays back in his head. Yes, The Red Rocket was champion. The fans in Mexico City have their hometown hero. And no matter what happens, everyone will remember this night. Everyone will remember El Cohete Rojo as a champion.
But what about Ricardo? What about Ricky? Of course the other competitors know who he is. Staff know. Perhaps a handful of others know. The public, however? The fans, whose energy Ricky used to will himself to victory? They don’t know, and they may never know. The fans have their hero in The Red Rocket. Unfortunately though, as Ricky begins to realize, their hero has to stay masked. Not only is it customary in Mexican wrestling for the luchadores to stay masked at all times in the public eye - the fans also only know El Cohete Rojo. Without the mask, The Red Rocket does not exist, and the fans do not have their hero.
But what about Ricky’s family? Surely they would be proud of him. Except it isn’t that easy. He does not exactly have family in the picture. Ricky had never spoken about his family to anyone because it was a sore subject, and quite frankly, there was not much family to talk about. Ricky was an only child whose father left the family when he was too young to remember. That is all Ricky had ever really confided in anyone about the family situation. Not much else was or is known about his true past, even at this point, with Ricky still being a young Mexican wrestler. One would think those close to Ricky in his Mexican wrestling days had a better understanding of his past than those who know the mysterious “American” Ricky James, but the reality is Ricky has always been a bit mysterious.
Ricky opens his eyes and smiles. For the first time in his life, he sees the image of HIMSELF as a champion. He pictures a scene where the crowd is chanting HIS name as he holds up the championship. “RICK-Y! RICK-Y!” the crowd would chant. Ah yes, it would be so sweet, and so personal. He wouldn’t be just another masked wrestler. Yes, many Mexican luchadores have made names for themselves wrestling under a mask. There is fame to be had, even under a mask. Ricky does not seem himself as one of those wrestlers, however. The Red Rocket was a name suggested to him. Ricardo Jiminez was too generic. That would not set him aside from the others, and it was not an appealing “heroic” name.
Ricky would have preferred to be known for who he actually was, but it didn’t work that way. Getting to the top, becoming a champion of professional wrestling, was more important to him. He did respect Mexican wrestling culture as well. He took the advice of older competitors and his agent/mentor, Juan, who had been the closest thing to a father figure Ricky had ever had. A maskless Ricardo, or “Ricky”, was not going to cut it in this environment. Ricky had to follow a set of rules and accept the reward for what it would be - tremendous, but at the same time a bit unfulfilling.
“COHETE!” a voice yells. Ricky, having been lost in his own thoughts, shakes his head and turns around to see his agent, Juan, standing in the doorway. Juan is dressed in a three piece suit, wearing a hat and sunglasses and holding a briefcase.
Juan: ¿Qué estás haciendo? ¡Tenemos que irnos! ¿Y dónde está tu máscara?
Ricky frantically grabs his mask and holds it up to Juan, dropping his belt in the process.
Juan: No nos avergüences así. Vuelva a ponerse eso, cámbiese y reúnase en cinco minutos. Tenemos que irnos.
Juan slams the door violently as Ricky stands in the bathroom, still holding his mask. The confidence and joy that had overcome him is now gone. Ricky looks dejected as he sighs and stares at the mask. It is clear he is still El Cohete Rojo. The crowd would not see Ricky as champion, at least not today. As good as it seemed in Ricky’s head, Juan was right. Ricky would be embarrassing himself and insulting those he followed to get to this point if he were to lose the mask. Juan didn’t necessarily know Ricky had imagined that scenario, but his words were enough of a reminder to let Ricky know that it was not a possibility in the near future.
Ricky appears to have accepted his fate as he quickly resumes a quick washing up, changes out of the remainder of his wrestling attire, and into street clothes. He goes to grab a clean mask, the exact same type as the one in which he wrestled, but pauses. He steps back into the bathroom and picks up his championship. He again drapes it over his shoulder and looks at himself in the mirror - maskless, in street clothes, a champion. He closes his eyes and smiles, again imagining the crowd chanting “RICK-Y! RICK-Y! RICK-Y!”
A loud banging is heard on the door of the locker room.
Ricky: Just a sec, Juan…
“JUAN?!”
The door to the locker room opens. Lucy Huckabee Sanders storms into the room and sees Ricky James asleep on the couch with a goofy smile on his face as he quietly chants “RICK-Y! RICK-Y”. Lucy, visibly irritated, looks around the room before seeing a glass of water on the table next to Ricky. She grins, grabs the glass of water, and then tosses the water in Ricky’s face, completely startling him as he wakes up.
Ricky: What the hell was that?
Lucy stands over Ricky with her arms folded, looking like a disappointed mother or significant other.
LHS: Ric, you’ve been asleep basically the entire time we’ve been here.
Ricky, still a bit flustered, looks around the room in confusion.
Ricky: Where are we?
LHS: Germany, Ric.
Ricky sighs and drops his head into his hands.
LHS: Yeah, I’m not thrilled about it either. We fought two wars against these assholes and Sasha still wants to work with them for some reason? Wait, what am I saying? Of course she does! She’s probably got them work -
Ricky puts one of his hands up to Lucy as he runs the other hand through his hair, clearly annoyed.
Ricky: Not now, Luce. I just need a minute.
Lucy turns right red and looks at Ricky furiously.
LHS: Well you got a few, but you better get your act together. I figured you would snap out of….whatever “THIS” is after last week. We took care of Adonis. He won’t be terrorizing any more women. Remember? WE did that and YOU picked up another victory. You’re on a roll, Ric. Three wins now. Even Sasha can’t deny your momentum. You have a TITLE match this week…
Ricky’s ears perk up and he begins drowning out everything else Lucy is saying. At the sound of the word title, Ricky thinks back to his dream, where he reminisced about winning his first championship in Mexico. He smiles as Lucy continues to ramble on. Ricky closes his eyes and begins to envision himself as champion again, but this time with the SCW TV Title draped over his shoulder. He begins to drift off into another trance. Lucy quickly notices this, becomes even more enraged, and slaps Ricky across the face.
LHS: HELLO?! I’M TALKING TO YOU!
Ricky, holding his face, smiles back at Lucy.
Ricky: I got you, sorry. And I know, I know. I’ve been thinking about this match since she booked it. This is my….this is our chance….
LHS: The champion of TELEVISION, Ric. Think about that. Think about how far we can spread our message with you as SCW Champion of Television. Think about it - The Silent Majority, Official Press Secretary of SCW, Lucy Huckabee Sanders, and SCW Champion of Television, Ricky James!
Lucy smiles as she drifts off into a brief trance of her own, imagining The Silent Majority with Ricky as TV Champion. She quickly brings herself back to reality, though - something Ricky has struggled to do himself - as she looks back at Ricky more seriously.
LHS: But I need you to stay focused, Ric.
Lucy grabs a stack of papers that had been sitting on a table and tosses them in front of Ricky.
LHS: Have you read over these yet? Notes on Asher.
Ricky grabs the stack of papers, which is quite extensive.
LHS: And that’s just his drug history.
Ricky shakes his head as he skims through before setting the papers back down.
Ricky: So when’s the EPC?
LHS: Well if you had spent any time awake in the past day, you’d know we aren’t having one this week.
Ricky’s eyes go wide as he looks completely shocked.
Ricky: What?!
LHS: Yeah, thanks to your little outburst last week, they wouldn’t send us any reporters, and they won’t let you anywhere near an SCW cameraman without supervision.
Ricky: Well can’t you just grab some phony report…
Lucy glares at Ricky and holds up her hand, threatening to slap him again. Ricky puts his hands up.
Ricky: Whoa whoa, no need for that.
LHS: Ric, I know you keep forgetting, but we are in GERMANY now. They wouldn’t let Kellyanne come on the trip, so my resources are a little….lacking at the moment.
Ricky: Well, they gotta give us camera time. And these German morons probably have no clue who I am, who we are….wait a minute. A Socialist still runs this country, right? They probably have the government monitoring everything, they’re probably just going to censor everything we say. They’ll manipulate the footage worse than the Fake News Media in America!
Lucy smiles.
LHS: Yes, you’re right. And that’s the energy we need out of you! You will get camera time though. As I said….supervised. They’re going to give you a few minutes on camera. No reporters. No questions. One cameraman, four guards. Get the message out and try to hold yourself together this time, okay?
Ricky: But how can we stop them from doctoring the footage? You know Sasha is going to make me out to look like a crazy person.
Lucy rolls her eyes.
LHS: You did enough of that yourself, Ric. I’m not one of these idiots we talk to on a weekly basis, so don’t treat me like one. But to answer your question, they are allowing me to be present there. I will make SURE your message...OUR message….gets out.
Lucy grabs the stack of papers and holds them up to Ricky’s face again.
LHS: You just have to do your part.
Lucy holds the papers up for a few extra seconds before dropping them back down in front of Ricky.
LHS: I’ll set it up for an hour from now. Read up.
Lucy walks out of the locker room, again leaving Ricky alone with his thoughts. That is perhaps a dangerous move, given the fact that Ricky cannot seem to stay focused right now. It is clear at this point that Ricky is greatly affected by his past. Over the past few weeks, Ricky’s past has haunted him. Against Jay Gold, Ricky’s fixation with the lucha mask actually cost him the match. He has also lost “Emergency Press Conference” privileges, at least for this week, because of his inability to stay focused and to control his rage. While having mixed results in the ring, even Ricky’s opponents have admitted that the Emergency Press Conferences have been effective in getting into other people’s heads.
Ricky will have to move on this week without the “comfort” of an Emergency Press Conference, but perhaps that is a good thing. Though he should know full well what to expect by now, each week the reporters’ questions still send Ricky into a rage. This time, with no reporters to “antagonize” him, Ricky may be able to stay focused.
And what sets this week apart from past weeks are the details of Ricky’s fixation. For once, Ricky is not haunted by the memories of being masked. He is not reminded of what he considered to be something that held him back, or something that “silenced” him. Ricky is actually encouraged by memories this week. He is encouraged by the memories of once becoming champion. He now has an opportunity to realize his dream. Ricky has the opportunity to become a champion, and for everyone to know RICKY - albeit under the name “Ricky James” - as a champion.
---------------------------------------------------
One hour later
Ricky James has a seat in front of a camera in a closed room. Two security guards stand off camera behind Ricky, and two stand next to Lucy Huckabee Sanders near the door. The camera operator appears a bit apprehensive, though Ricky seems much more cool, calm, and collected than the last time he was behind a camera. The camera operator looks at Ricky, who flashes him a grin and nods. The camera operator nods back and then turns on the camera. He puts his hand up and begins to count down with his fingers.
5…..4….3…..2… the camera operator points to Ricky as he hits “1”
Ricky: Good evening ladies and gentlemen, SCW fans around the world, but, most importantly, America. While everyone in America knows who I am, I realize we may have a different group of viewers this evening. Let me first start off by apologizing. I am sorry to all of you who do not have the privilege of living in the greatest country in the world, the United States of America. You may be living here in Germany, or perhaps somewhere else in Europe, or maybe you are stuck living in…
Ricky shakes his head in disgust.
Ricky: Canada. Whatever the case may be, your life is not as good as it would be if you were living in America. Chances are you are living under a socialist regime. You enjoy very little freedom, you are censored, and you are required to do whatever the government tells you to do. I really feel for you people.
Ricky puts his hand on his chest and shakes his head, trying to show “sympathy” towards non-Americans.
Ricky: While America is the greatest country in the world, we are being challenged right now. Our way of life is being challenged by foreign invaders who have gone as far as MANIPULATING actual American citizens to try and push their agenda. This is happening all over the country, and unfortunately happening in SCW right now. The SCW is currently being run by a socialist woman named Shady Sasha, who has been filling in for her even lazier father, Do Nothing D. It has become abundantly clear over the past few months that Shady Sasha wants a wrestling promotion full of socialists and Canadian sympathizers. She unfairly treats honest, hard-working, and beautiful Americans and gives preferential treatment to Canadians, her sympathizers, and her hired henchmen.
Ricky shakes his head, this time in disgust.
Ricky: Fortunately, however, we are leading a movement to stop Shady Sasha. You see, my name is Ricky James. Myself and my associate, the Official Press Secretary of SCW, Lucy Huckabee Sanders, have come to SCW to put an end to this “movement”. We are the Silent Majority. We are true, proud Americans through and through. We chose to not just sit back and watch Shady Sasha destroy this beautiful country of ours. We chose to fight back, and we continue to do so every week.
Ricky closes his fist and briefly raises it up in the air.
Ricky: Now I’m sure you Germans especially are familiar with a situation like this. Look at what happened when you let a socialist run your country. That man, whose name I will not mention for obvious reasons, took advantage of your country in an extremely vulnerable time. He spewed socialist nonsense and manipulated others into believing in his way of thinking. He thought he could make the entire world turn to socialism. But when push came to shove and he took on some real patriots, like always, the socialist scum lost to the freedom fighters.
Ricky fist pumps again.
Ricky: It is just too bad Germany did not have a leader like Ricky James back then. It is too bad they did not have a leader who championed national pride. It is too bad they did not have a leader who called out the fake news media. It is too bad they did not have a leader who called out a particular group of people who were trying to take over the world.
Ricky sighs.
Ricky: But the past is the past. What’s done is done. And now we look ahead to the future. The future is this week on a very special Breakdown from Germany. Ricky James, American Hero, takes on Asher Hayes, American Burnout. On the line is the SCW Television Championship. Now, am I surprised that this match, for the Championship of Television, is taking place in a country where television is still highly regulated and censored? I am a bit. But when I sit back and think about it, I’m not really surprised at all. Week after week Shady Sasha has tried to silence me or tried to make me look foolish with different conspiracies. She has used crooked referees, she has put Lucy Huckabee Sanders in a ring despite her not being a trained wrestler, and she has hired henchmen like Antifa’s own Fool’s Gold or the woman beater, Adonis the Adulterer. While a handful of times Sasha has gotten one over on The Silent Majority - and those matches have been stripped from the record - the vast MAJORITY of the time, we have overcome the odds and thwarted her attempts. Shady Sasha thinks she can outsmart us…
Ricky puts up one finger and waves it.
Ricky: No, no, no. You see, Shady Sasha - I am not falling into your trap this time. I see that you are trying to lure me in. You are giving me a title shot, a title shot I definitely deserve, for one of the most prestigious titles in the world, the Champion of Television. OF COURSE a group like The Silent Majority should be ecstatic about this opportunity. The circumstances of this match, however….
Ricky again shakes his head and waves his finger.
Ricky: I’m not really a fan. We’ve seen all the conspiracies thus far, but this is taking it to another level. Soliciting the help of a FOREIGN GOVERNMENT, Sasha? Really? You could have had this match in America, where it belongs. Having a match for the Championship of Television in Germany makes no sense, as I pointed out earlier, except, unless, there was an ulterior motive. And of course there is with you. I have a difficult enough time trusting your Canadian staff, but GERMANS?!
Ricky pauses and then looks directly into the camera.
Ricky: No offense to you German people out there who are looking for a different way of life, but we can all agree your government is corrupt and has been corrupt since you became a country. I am sure there is no difference when it comes to the staff at the arena here. I am sure this is yet another Shady Sasha CONSPIRACY. I didn’t think it could get much worse than last week, but yet again, Shady Sasha has stooped down to an even lower level.
Ricky takes a breath.
Ricky: We all know SCW management is against me. We know the referee will likely be against me. Hell, the crowd will probably be full of plants from the German government, and perhaps some of Sasha’s Canadian plants too. The deck is certainly stacked against The American Hero. But let’s talk about my opponent for a bit, shall we? Let’s talk about the current Champion of Television, who is anything but a hero. Let’s talk about Ashtray Hayes.
Ricky pauses, accustomed to getting a reaction, but quickly realizes it’s a closed interview and continues.
Ricky: Somehow, someway, a guy like Hayes is Champion of Television. What an absolute disgrace. I guess it is a bit symbolic of what television has become, though. Criminals, and let me be clear - drug addicts are criminals - like Hayes are glorified in today’s media. This guy is a career lowlife. He’s a lazy, scumbag drug addict who has probably relied on the government his entire life. I am not impressed with his resume at all, considering how long he has been in SCW. Oftentimes he latches on to someone else - just as he is doing with Cid Turner right now. Unlike Ashtray, I do not need any help fighting my battles. I am undefeated thus far as a single’s competitor in SCW at 3-0, and I really should be 5-0 had it not been for crooked referees and Fool’s Gold using a foreign object against me. I have proven time and time again that true patriots like myself are superior athletes.
Ricky pauses as he basks in his own glory.
Ricky: I am not quite sure how Ashtray became SCW United States Champion at one point, but I assume he stole the title from a hard-working American. I am sure he convinced Do Nothing D to assist him in some way. Perhaps he traded drugs for the title. I am not sure. Other than that title “reign”, if you want to call it that, Ashtray’s most impressive achievement in my opinion is becoming the Champion of Television. Again, I am not sure how he managed to win this prestigious title. I am assuming the man was so drugged up he could not feel any pain during the match. Perhaps he lulled Syren to sleep with an acoustic rendition of a terrible song. I am not sure what happened because I don’t pay attention to losers like Ashtray Hayes.
Ricky takes another deep breath.
Ricky: Unfortunately, I have no choice but to pay attention to him now. This man is the Champion of Television, and in today’s world, that is incredibly dangerous. In a world where Fake News is running rampant across the internet and television, we cannot have a drug addict be the symbol of television. You know, when Lucy Huckabee Sanders and I came to SCW, we knew we would be fighting for Americans everywhere. We knew we would have a large group of people depending on us. Each week, however, it seems as though we have a new group we have to fight for. Last week, I took it upon myself to take out Adonis the Adulterer on behalf of women all over the world, particularly in the United States. This week, it appears I have to fight for every single person who watches television. We CANNOT have someone like Ashtray Hayes be representing television. Shady Sasha may prefer to have her Champion of Television be some drug addicted, government-dependent loser, but we will NOT stand for that.
Ricky, a bit fired up, stands, causing the camera man, who almost fell asleep, to quickly adjust and tilt the camera up.
Ricky: Shady Sasha wants her Champion of Television to be passive. The fact that Ashtray Hayes likely has no idea what is going on works perfect for her. She can continue to regulate television, just like they do here in Germany, to fit HER agenda. Hayes isn’t going to stop her. He’s going to do what he always does - sit back on the couch, pass out, and hope someone revives him in time for his match.
Ricky looks directly into the camera.
Ricky: America…..and hell, Germany….you deserve better from your Champion of Television. You deserve a true HERO who will represent FREEDOM. I will foil yet another one of Shady Sasha’s plots. I will overcome the odds. I will become YOUR CHAMPION OF TELEVISION and restore greatness to a championship that Hayes couldn’t care less about. And once The SIlent Majority has captured the Championship of Television, there will be nothing Shady Sasha, Do Nothing D, or the German government can do to prevent us from spreading our message!
Ricky stops and closes his eyes, again visualizing himself with the TV Title over his shoulder. This time, he is able to stay focused, as he opens his eyes and looks back into the camera.
Ricky: Representing The Silent Majority, I’m El Coh…
Ricky stops himself as Lucy drops her head in disbelief. Ricky steps off camera and begins to plead with the camera man.
Ricky: Can we cut that?
Camera Man: Hey, you guys made a big stink about not editing any of this…
Ricky starts to turn red and clenches his fists. All four security guards ready themselves, with one of them stepping in front of the camera man. Lucy glares at Ricky, who manages to calm himself down. He takes a breath and goes back in front of the camera.
Ricky: Representing The Silent Majority, I am Ricky James. For a better SCW.
11-03-2020, 04:23 PM