It Only Goes Up

[Shianne Lovelace]

Chris Greene is seen sitting alone on a couch in a relatively small, one-bedroom apartment. In front of him is a TV with a DVD player. On the screen, one of Chris' matches from years ago is playing.

 

On the screen, Chris walks straight into a devastating rolling elbow. Chris had already been cut open from a botched table spot earlier in the bout, but the elbow hit him hard and made the wound even worse.

 

Unknown Voice #1: "Mah gawd! Chris Greene laid out in a pool of his own blood after that rolling elbow from Roddy Benson!"

 

Unknown Voice #2: "They don't call him the 'Head-Splitter' for nothing, Johnny!"

 

Johnny: "Certainly, Brian - but I guess Chris Greene won't be talking so big from now on, will he? Not after such a dreadful encounter with the 'Head-Splitter' Roddy Benson!"

 

Brian: "I dunno, I mean - it's Chris Greene after all, he's well known for his mouth - not for his in-ring prowess! What a loser!"

 

Johnny: "Hahaha! Hang on, wasn't the stipulation of this match a Loser-Leaves-Town? Get those paramedics out of the ring - Chris Greene don't work here no more! Hahaha!"

 

Brian: "Guess that's the last we'll see of Chris Greene here in Red Star Combat! Get 'im outta here!"

 

Chris turns off the TV, and sighs. He stands up and stretches. He walked over to a small desk, where a notebook lay. It was a comprehensive notebook he kept of every single match he's ever had. He kept it so that he'd always remember what's happened and where he's been... or something sentimental like that. In fact, it was just a big tally of how many losses he's racked up in his twelve years of in-ring action. W/L Record? Doesn't matter. He's lost over six-hundred times. People have always criticized him, for being too small for his style, for being too slow and methodical, hell, he's even garnered the nickname 'Commercial Break Chris Greene' on the regional scene for some of his offense and lack of defense.

 

But unlike all of those losses and matches and the countless years spent toiling away staring at the lights, he now had a spot. A spot of his own, within Wrestling Club - here in OCW, here in the tag division, a place where he could possibly shine. A whole new territory, with much better and much more credible opponents.

 

He thought back to a few years ago, when he first met John Carter. He was backstage at a local show with a few of his at-the-time friends when Carter won that promotion's top belt - aged only 20, after laying out the promotion's co-owner in the ring. Some way or another, Chris ended up hanging out with Carter, and they had hit it off. Many names and faces have passed him by throughout his career, but Carter has been a constant presence. Some out there say Carter is the only reason Chris stays relevant in any discussion. It doesn't bother Chris, though. As long as he's in the discussion, he's content.

 

He walks away from the desk, and turns the TV back on. It's playing the aftermath of the Benson match - Benson began shooting on Chris for no apparent reason on the outside, busting him up. It was an attack that would leave Chris out of commission for several months back in 2017.

 

Chris: "Hmph," A smirk adorns his face. "Starting this season, things are going to change. After all, it only goes up from here." He turns the TV back off.