Ricky James vs. Konrad Raab

[Ricky James]

While many in SCW probably enjoyed the international tours of the last few weeks, the trip to Germany proved to be a rough one for Ricky James. Two weeks ago marked another low point in the rollercoaster that has been Ricky James’ short time in SCW thus far, when Ricky failed to capture his coveted TV Title, or “Championship of Television”, from Asher Hayes. Ricky has enjoyed some success, but when facing moderate competition, he has failed time and time again.



Ricky has some explanations for this lack of success, of course. The matches are “rigged”. There is a conspiracy against him and Lucy Huckabee Sanders. “Shady Sasha” is out to get The Silent Majority. The truth can be stretched and twisted up like a pretzel to fit Ricky’s narrative. 


A narrative is exactly what it is, but Ricky chooses to believe it. A person can be in denial for a very long time, despite overwhelming contradictory evidence. Furthering this denial is the “support” of others, particularly those in Ricky’s inner circle. Lucy Huckabee Sanders, as people in SCW know her, is Ricky’s biggest “support system”. She keeps Ricky focused and driven, but with the good comes the bad. A supportive friend, or perhaps more than a friend (at least in Ricky’s eyes), can be extremely beneficial. Lucy certainly has done a lot of good for Ricky since the two have met. However, Lucy also continues to push this narrative on Ricky, continuing to remind him that he is not at fault for his losses. In fact, they are not even losses. They are “no contests” and “conspiracies”. 


Ricky truly believes in these conspiracies. Lucy is not planting these ideas in Ricky’s head per se, but she is definitely pouring gasoline on the fire. Ricky’s neighbor Joe also adds fuel to the fire with his outspoken views on political issues. It is easy for Ricky to take these views and apply them to SCW. He sees parallels, and the “encouragement” from those with whom he is close only makes the parallels seem that much more clear.


The fact of the matter is, Lucy and Joe have been in Ricky’s life since he moved to the United States. He trusts them more than anyone. He values what they say to him. From Ricky’s standpoint, Lucy completely changed his life for the better by bringing him into the United States. Joe, Ricky’s neighbor, was incredibly welcoming and supportive of Ricky, though Joe is clearly unaware of Ricky’s actual background. Ricky sees people like Lucy and Joe as saviors for him, so he will value what they say over anyone else.


When you take Lucy and Joe, add in some biased news sources, and Ricky’s preconceived notions about the United States political landscape, you can create the picture of society that Ricky James sees in his head. Ricky can and will relate anything he sees in SCW to his viewpoint of society. Is it biased? Yes. Factual? Sometimes, but often not. That is what Ricky sees, however. 


Now, even if Ricky has some strong and controversial viewpoints that have been influenced by unreliable sources - even if he were the biggest conspiracy theorist ever (and he may be the biggest conspiracy theorist in SCW) - that alone might not explain his lack of success in important matches thus far. As we have seen over the past few weeks, Ricky is dealing with an internal struggle. He is pretending to be someone he is not and has struggled to keep his composure because of it. Ricky hates who he used to be. The influencers in his life further contribute to that hate, assuring Ricky that his life is better now. And as we now know, Ricky had long wondered what he could make of his life if he left behind the life he knew in Mexico. Ricky’s desire to change his situation perhaps left him a bit vulnerable to be taken advantage of. It allowed him to be manipulated a bit.


Ricky was certainly willing. He was sick of being a masked nobody in Mexico. He wanted out. He wanted an opportunity to be himself and not just a character. This desire eventually consumed Ricky, and he sought out help while touring in the United States. Ricky managed to find Lucy, who would go on to help him achieve this goal….sort of (more on that in the future). 


Ironically enough, Ricky has become a new character. Sure, he is now wrestling under a name closer to his real name, though still a stage name. He feels as if he is able to speak freely. He does not abide by a set of written and unwritten wrestling rules. Ricky will say and do things in SCW he never would have done in Mexico. 


Yes, Ricky finally feels liberated. He feels like he is finally allowed to be himself. We can all see Ricky is still manipulated, though. We know, or at least want to believe, that Ricky doesn’t actually believe everything he says. At the very least, we know Ricky has several influences in his life that shape how he speaks publicly about SCW. 


Ricky is often angry when he speaks. We know some of that anger comes from his influencers. We can assume more of the anger comes from the frustration of losing. We have also seen Ricky express the frustration of his own personal struggles with his identities, past and present. Ricky hates who he used to be and can barely control his anger whenever he is reminded of his past.


This struggle has proven to be costly on several occasions, both in and out of the ring. Ricky has let his anger get the best of him, resulting in a suspension. He also could not keep himself from being fixated on his old lucha mask, costing him a match against Jay Gold, and causing The Silent Majority to lose their “Emergency Press Conference privileges”. Yes, Ricky has certainly been haunted by his past, or at least his internal struggle with his past, since joining SCW.


It appeared two weeks ago that Ricky had finally come to terms with his past. Through a flashback in a dream, Ricky was able to focus his energy on a positive aspect of his past. He went back to his first championship win and his dreams of one day being known as his true self, not a wrestling character. While he was masked as a champion, Ricky focused on the visual from his locker room: Ricky the Champion. Rather than dwelling on the masked persona that “held him back”, Ricky used that visual in the locker room as motivation to win his first championship as Ricky James, an unmasked American wrestler, not a “character”. 


It seemed as though Ricky finally found a way to use these flashbacks for good, as motivation rather than a deterrent. That clearly was not the case in Germany, however. Ricky James once again was defeated by another SCW veteran, Asher Hayes. Losing to a decorated veteran like Asher Hayes would be perfectly understandable for most SCW newcomers, but not for Ricky. For Ricky it is yet another demoralizing loss. It adds more fuel to The Silent Majority conspiracy fire. Ricky and Lucy will certainly be up in arms about the loss, blaming anything and anyone - the referee, Sasha, the fans, the arena - just as Ricky did prior to the match. Certainly Ricky, with the “assurance” of Lucy, will have a very far fetched excuse for the match being “stolen” from him.


While Ricky does believe in these conspiracies, the loss likely planted another seed of doubt as well. Ricky has internal struggles which have cost him before, whether he will admit it or not. Eventually he will have to come to terms with the fact that his head is not in the matches. Eventually Ricky will have to admit that he did lose, fair and square. There is only so much denial one can be in before reality sets in. Eventually Ricky will make his way through the remaining stages of grief and find his way to acceptance….


But not today.


---------------------


Ricky James and Lucy Huckabee Sanders sit in the back seat of an Uber traveling south down I-95 towards the American Airlines Center in Miami, a mere 45 minutes from Ricky’s hometown. Ricky and Lucy appear to be in great spirits despite what happened two weeks ago in Germany. Lucy is wearing an extravagant red dress with matching red lipstick and a gold necklace. Ricky is wearing a white suit with matching white shoes and a white dress shirt unbuttoned at the top. He sits back looking out the window at the Florida highway through his Cartier aviator sunglasses with a huge smile on his face.


Ricky: You know, it’s great to be back home, Luce.


Lucy, hardly ever one to express genuine positive emotions, looks over to Ricky and smiles.


LHS: You’re telling me - I couldn’t stand to be over there for another second. The people over there are just…


Ricky: Not like they are around here?


LHS: ….exactly. Things are just so much better here. The weather, the beaches, the people. It just...puts me at ease.


Ricky: It really is paradise, Luce. It’s a shame the rest of the country can’t be like Florida. I love everything about it. Hell, I even like the government! They really know how to run a state.


LHS: That’s because they want people to succeed here, Ric. They encourage beautiful, successful people and they fight for freedom. It’s the greatest state in the country by far.


Ricky: I can’t thank you enough for bringing me here…


Ricky looks over to Lucy, who is looking out her window with a smile. He puts his hand on hers and she initially accepts it before quickly pulling away and glaring at Ricky.


LHS: Easy, Ric.


Ricky briefly drops his head in shame and the two have an awkward moment of silence as they look out of their windows. Ricky eventually breaks the silence.


Ricky: Sorry, I know. I’m just in such a good mood being here. I guess I got a little...excited…


LHS: Well chill out with your “excitement”. I know it’s wonderful here and all, but you have to stay focused. We have everything on our side for once. We can’t blow it again this week. 


Ricky shakes his head in disgust.


Ricky: I had him, Luce....I was so close…


LHS: Yeah well you didn’t get the job done. But don’t worry, I’m working on it per usual.


Ricky: What do you mean?


LHS: I have my lawyers on it, Ric. We’re getting the match thrown out. It was never a fair match and we all know it. But you let me take care of that and you focus on this week. Sasha is throwing another foreigner at you. 


Ricky’s face starts to turn red, a familiar sight when he begins to get angry.


Ricky: What is with that woman? Could she be any more blatantly obvious?


LHS: It’s sickening, Ric. I’ve been telling you that. But we have to keep going. We have to keep fighting. We can’t let her win. I need you to stay focused, though. I can’t keep cleaning up your messes. We have everything going for us this time. Kellyanne has everything set up on the media side. No bad reporters, no rude fans..


Ricky: Well of course. We’re talking about Floridians here. The best people in the world.


LHS: And she picked the best of the best, Ric. This is Miami. All these SCW fans will finally see the best America has to offer and we won’t let Sasha’s little crew control the narrative. Once they see what they could be, if they just got off their lazy asses and put in some work, I think these people will get behind us.


Ricky nods, now much more calm.


Ricky: And the match itself?


LHS: The lawyers are making sure we get an impartial referee. All you have to worry about is that filthy German.


Ricky: I thought he was Russian. Isn’t his name Comrade?


LHS: I think it’s...you know what let’s just go with that. He’s German but that doesn’t matter. They’re all part of the same movement. He’s another one of Sasha’s Comrades.


Ricky: Shouldn’t be too hard to deal with then…


LHS: Yeah…


Lucy turns away and Ricky, feeling less reassured, starts to get anxious.


Ricky: What?


LHS: I just….


Lucy turns back to Ricky and looks him in the eye.


LHS: Ricky, I need you to stay focused. After seeing you the last few weeks….are you going to be able to deal with this….mask business?


Ricky starts to turn away but Lucy grabs his face and makes sure Ricky keeps eye contact with her.


LHS: Ric….I need...you...to stay...focused. Forget about the damn mask. Forget about Mexico. It doesn’t mean anything. It just means Comrade is trying to hide is ugly German face from the rest of the world. I mean, can you blame him? If I looked like that I would probably never leave the house.


Ricky slowly starts to lose eye contact with Lucy as his mind wanders. He begins to enter a trance before Lucy abruptly slaps him across the face.


LHS: Are you kidding me?!


Ricky shakes off the slap and looks back at Lucy.


Ricky: I’m here, Luce. I’m here. 


LHS: You know, you keep telling me that, and I don’t believe you anymore.


Lucy pulls out her phone and begins to text someone. Ricky tries to look over but Lucy turns away and keeps the phone hidden.


Ricky: What...who are you texting?


Lucy aggressively finishes her message, puts the phone away, then turns back to Ricky and gives him a stern look.


LHS: I’m getting you help, Ricky. I don’t know why you keep having these “visions” but I’m going to make sure you stop having them. If you were able to just stay focused,  you could be a champion right now. Enough is enough with this crap. We have come too far for you to mess it up with your little trances.


Ricky: Lucy, I’m good. I don’t need a therapist or any drugs or…


LHS: Ric, you don’t know what you need. Remember who brought you here. Remember how miserable your life was before you got here and remember how good it feels to win. We’ve made it this far, and I need you to keep trusting me if you want to succeed.


Ricky sighs and reluctantly nods his head.


Ricky: You’re right.


LHS: Of course I’m right.


Lucy pulls out a small mirror to check her makeup as Ricky turns back to the window. The car pulls off the highway, and after a few turns, pulls up to Maurice A. Ferré Park, right next to the American Airlines Center. Lucy finishes touching up as the drive opens her door to let her up.


LHS: Alright Ric, let’s do this.



Ricky opens his door and steps out of the vehicle. He hears a roar from a crowd of people standing behind some bike rack. Ricky smiles as he sees an area of the park that has been setup with a very patriotic stage, similar to the setup for the Emergency Press Conference prior to Under Attack. As Ricky and Lucy take a few steps forward, Kellyanne runs over to two crew workers and pats them on the back. The two men run and grab a red carpet and quickly roll it out from the corner of the stage toward Ricky and Lucy like ice crew workers rolling out the carpet for the national anthem at a hockey game. Ricky turns to Lucy and smiles.


Ricky: Ah, nice touch.


Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American) by Toby Keith begins playing through the speakers on the sides of the stage and the crowd again cheers loudly as Ricky and Lucy walk down the red carpet towards the stage. The crowd is full of people who look like Barbie and Ken dolls, all waving small American flags. A mixed chant of “T-S-M! T-S-M!” and “U-S-A! “U-S-A” can be heard throughout the crowd of people as Ricky James and Lucy Huckabee Sanders make their way up the steps on the side of the stage and walk to the podium. Ricky and Lucy begin to wave at the crowd like politicians.


LHS: Thank you, thank you all!


The music slowly fades out as Lucy Huckabee Sanders stands at the podium with a large grin on her face. Ricky stands just behind her, fist pumping with the crowd as they continue to chant. Eventually the chant dies down as Lucy clears her throat and begins.


LHS: Thank you all again! Hello to all my fellow BEAUTIFUL FLORIDIANS!


The crowd erupts in cheers as Lucy nods her head and smiles. 


LHS: Ladies and gentlemen, I know you are used to hearing me lead Emergency Press Conferences. Today, however, will be a little bit different.


Lucy pauses and the crowd goes silent, unsure of what to expect.


LHS: No, my friends. Today will not be an Emergency Press Conference….today will be a RALLY for THE SILENT MAJORITY!


The crowd again erupts in cheers with Kellyanne egging them on.


LHS: That’s right - no phony reporters, no fake news media here. Just The Silent Majority and all you beautiful, successful, freedom-loving AMERICANS!


Another “U-S-A! U-S-A!” chant starts from the crowd. Lucy continues as it dies down after a few moments.


LHS: I would like to start with a few announcements before handing it over to Ricky. I would like to start by addressing what happened two weeks ago in Germany. Ricky James, being undefeated in SCW thus far, was well on his way to becoming YOUR Champion of Television. Unfortunately, we saw one of the greatest injustices in human history happen that night when Shady Sasha, Asher Hayes, and an even SHADIER referee STOLE that match from Ricky James.


The crowd begins to boo loudly as Lucy nods her head in agreement.


LHS: We had a feeling from the beginning this match would be unfair. All we ask for in this country is a fair match. But of course those rules don’t apply in other countries. Why do you think Shady Sasha had the match in Germany with her socialist buddies? It was easy for her to get them all on board with the conspiracy. Now we have seen crooked referees before, but nothing like this. 


Lucy nods at Kellyanne, who then signals over to a few crew members. A projection screen lowers behind The Silent Majority. Lucy steps aside and points to the screen. A highlight of the end of the TV Title Match between Ricky James and Asher Hayes begins to play. We see Asher Hayes reversing Ricky’s inside cradle into his own inside cradle in real time. The video then very obviously speeds up, showing an extremely fast three count from the referee. It then slows back to normal speed showing Ricky and Lucy complaining to the referee. The crowd watching boos loudly as the video fades out and the projection screen is raised back up. Lucy shakes her head in disgust as she steps back up to the podium.


LHS: You’ve all seen it for yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. Now, I don’t know how to speak German, but I am pretty sure any idiot, even a socialist, knows how to properly count to three. As you can see, not only did Asher Hayes ILLEGALLY grab Ricky James’ tights, but the referee counted to 3 in less than two seconds! This was the most blatant conspiracy yet. But if Shady Sasha thinks she can get away with this, she has another thing coming. You see, we have sent our lawyers this footage. We will be filing lawsuits, many lawsuits, perhaps in different states and different countries. Anyone who watched the referee “count” like that would demand a RECOUNT!


The crowd cheers loudly and then breaks out into a “RE-COUNT! RE-COUNT! RE-COUNT!” chant.


LHS: Yes, we demand a recount! We demand this match take place under fair rules with an impartial referee! Now this could be tied up in litigation for a few months, but in the meantime, we have had that match thrown out and stricken from the record books. But enough on that. It is time to focus on Breakdown this week, live from MIAMI, FLORIDA!


The crowd cheers loudly again.


LHS: So ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the STILL undefeated….RICKY JAMES!


The crowd roars and breaks out into a “RICK-Y! RICK-Y!” chant, once again being egged on by Kellyanne. Ricky has a massive smile on his face as he steps up to the podium. He points to a few people in the audience as if he knows them, lowers his sunglasses, and winks. He then laughs as he puts his glasses back up and addresses the crowd.


Ricky: Ladies and gentlemen….it’s GREAT to be back HOME! I won’t talk much about what happened in Germany as Lucy Huckabee Sanders filled you in on most of the details. I will just say that, despite Asher Hayes claiming victory and despite Shady Sasha moving on as if Asher is still champion, I….will….NOT….concede!


The crowd again sheepishly cheers.


Ricky: As far as I’m concerned, I am the Champion of Television. When that will officially be recognized is for the courts to decide. But for now, I will focus on my next opponent. I want to briefly talk, and I say briefly because, quite frankly, there isn’t much to talk about, my opponent this week, Mr. Comrade Rabb.


Kellyanne puts two thumbs down towards the crowd and they begin to boo on cue.


Ricky: You know...Shada Sasha isn’t even trying to hide it anymore. Two weeks ago it was the German charade. Before that, she put me in a match against a fat slob felon. And now she is putting me in a match with a homeless person she met in Germany. 


Ricky shakes his head.


Ricky: Okay, okay. In all seriousness, Comrade Rabb is the laughing stock of SCW. To put me in a match with him is an insult, but I expect nothing less from Shady Sasha at this point. I mean, you have to be an idiot to believe this is an actual match. This is yet another attempt to silence myself and Lucy Huckabee Sanders. This is yet another attempt to undermine our movement. Comrade Rabb has no business being in the ring with a world class athlete like myself. I know Sasha doesn’t intend on this being a regular match. She is hoping to play mind games with me. 


Ricky pauses, taking a few moments to collect his thoughts and keep his composure.


Ricky: I know there is an elephant in the room here, and not the elephant we all love. No, I will admit it. We all know I have had a few issues with masks lately. Sasha knows this, so she put me in a match with a masked coward. She thinks the mask will get to me. She thinks it will make me lose focus, and somehow a man with a list of accomplishments that ends faster than a German three count will beat me. Shady Sasha, your little games won’t work. Let’s remember why Comrade wears a mask in the first place - he is ashamed. He is ashamed of how ugly he is, and he is ashamed of how terrible he is in the ring. He wants to be known as “The Iced Rainbow” because he is ashamed of his own name. HA! Imagine being ashamed of your own name!


Lucy rolls her eyes behind Ricky as the rest of the crowd seems completely unfazed and unaware of the hypocrisy.


Ricky: To be fair, if my name were Comrade, I would want to be known as something else too. I can’t think of a worse name than Comrade. Perhaps Sasha. After all, Comrade is just another soldier for Sasha. Another soldier in the army of Communist Cowards. Sasha is the one actually leading it, because we sure as hell know her father isn’t doing anything. But let me tell you something…


Ricky takes off his glasses and leans closer to the crowd.


Ricky: America has defeated communism before, and we will do it again!


The crowd erupts in the loudest cheer of the day, followed by a long “U-S-A! “U-S-A!” chant. Ricky grits his teeth and pumps his fist at the crowd.


Ricky: This is MY hometown…...this is OUR hometown! This is OUR country! And we will fight back! This week on Breakdown, I will DEFEND our home, DEFEND our country, and DEFEND our freedom when I DEFEAT Comrade Rabb. 


The crowd continues to cheer.


Ricky: Last week, we saw Great Americans Giovanni Aries and Sienna Swann take a stand against this corrupt radical left wing regime. This week, The Silent Majority joins the fight. This week will be the beginning of the END for Shady Sasha and Do Nothing D!


Ricky steps back from the podium and Lucy Huckabee Sanders steps forward as the crowd continues to cheer. The cheering is so loud, Lucy is barely audible as she speaks.


LHS: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming out and thank you for your continued support. This week, your voices will finally be heard! And that is a promise from Lucy Huckabee Sanders, Official Press Secretary of SCW, and Ricky James -


Ricky leans forward to speak in unison with Lucy.


Ricky and LHS: THE SILENT MAJORITY. FOR A BETTER SCW!


The crowd applauds as “Courtesy of the Red White and Blue” again plays through the speakers and The Silent Majority step back from the podium. Ricky and Lucy flash smiles as they wave to the crowd, which starts one last “T-S-M! T-S-M! T-S-M!” chant.