Locker Room Just Hanging (o2a)

[Romeo Davis]

The bell had rung and Romeo had successfully defended the XWA Pure championship. The referee hands the title to Romeo and he raises it high over his head. The fans begin to cheer for Romeo after his first title defense over Osiris. It was a good match but Romeo was able to get the upper hand and win the match after hitting his spear which was starting to become his favorite move to end matches. He exits the ring and places the title over his right shoulder. The fans continue to cheer as he makes his way up the ramp. Before he makes his way backstage he taunts for the fans. Following this he pushes the black curtain aside and enters the backstage area. From here he places the title on a nearby bench and begins removing the tape from his left wrist. He begins rotating the wrist hoping that the pain will subside. It wasn’t that easy to make pain go away. He picked up the title and continued on his way back to his locker room.

"Damn I wish this pain would just go away. It’s good that the season is almost over. Just one more match. Just one more defense and I will be able to take some time off to let this bad boy heal."

He reached his locker room and placed the title on the shelf over his belongings. He sat down on the bench and pulled his dreads back with a rubber band. He pulled out his Blackberry and began scrolling through his contact list. As this was being done there was a knock on the door. He knew the door was open so he didn’t turn his body but simply answered.

"Come on in."

[Sushi-X]

Sushi-X, still recovering from the beating he took in the ladder match, walked in. He was hurting, but more disappointed than anything. He had just lost the match of his career. He was seeking advice from basically anyone that would listen.

Hey man, just wanna congratulate you on your match. Good stuff out there, man. How you do it?

X, still favoring his back, struggled to bend over to unlace his boots.

You know, how do you focus for a match? I feel like... I'm lost, you know? I had it won. Couldn't close the deal.

[Romeo Davis]

Romeo watches as Sushi-X enters his locker room. He turns over and listens to what he had to say to him. After listening to what he had to say, he responded back to the pretty depressed looking Sushi-X.

"Thanks bro. When you are the champ you gotta work that match harder. Title shots are just given to you, you have to earn them. Now man I see that you are lookin’ pretty down after your match earlier. You can’t beat yourself up over a loss man. You just have to go out there the next time and perform that much better. Use the losses that you get as a tool to learn from your mistakes and pick up the victory the next time. How do I focus for a match you ask? Well man I learn about my opponent. You have to know how their wrestlin’ style is so that you can capitalize. Once I feel like I have that set I sit in my locker room and imagine myself winnin’ the match. I continue to sit on my bench and get mentally prepared for the match. Let me tell ya, it works wonders man. Then once you get in the ring you just work hard and from the end result you will know whether or not you got the job done. That’s it really man. So if ya don’t mind me askin’, why was this match so important to ya?"

[Sushi-X]

Sushi-X, now looked towards Romeo gave a concise answer.

It was my contract, man. See, when I joined TNN, I did it without knowing until much later I pretty much signed my life away. I was basically fighting for my freedom, man. I mean, not like those guys in Iraq and Afghanistan and them. Just to get out of my contract. If I won, I was a free man. Free to take my career anywhere it wanted to go. Now...

Sushi-X slammed his bag to the ground, frustration still clearly setting in.

I ain't nothin' more than MG's lackey. I'm a nobody. Just like he is.

[Romeo Davis]

"Hold on man. Just calm down for a second."

Romeo thought how he was going to respond back to Sushi-X. He then replied to him.

"Well man I don’t know what was on that contract but I’m sure you can get another shot at winning that contract next year. You have to always read the fine lines before goin’ ahead and signin’ something. I don’t know what to say. MG shouldn’t control ya but you did sign that contract. You have to get another match with MG man. It can’t be this year but right at the start of next season. Just call him out. If he bring others to the ring well I’m sure you know that there are people that have your back over MG’s. So when ya call him out make the challenge. When you do that make him put something on the line also. It will makes things more interesting and you will find out how much of a man he really is."

[defleppardvanhalen]

As he arrived in the locker room, "Wild Thing" James Bowen was feeling disrespected by the lack of respect for the old school traditions that he set. After overhearing some extremely disrespectful comments by many of the newer talent, James went over to his locker by himself, wondering why they're so angry.

[Sushi-X]

Coming from sort of an old school attitude himself, Sushi-X responded to James.

Look, I feel ya man. I'm not sure where all the disrespect comes from. I mean, me it's frustration. Maybe times have changed. I mean, I remember coming up you always respected those that came before you. I mean, why you think I took on Dru Nedermayer in my first match? I knew I had to earn some respect around here. Guess I just got caught up in the politics and mess. I mean, I'm sucked into a contract I had no business getting into. It's not you James. It's the surroundings, man. Never...ever... forget who you are. Cause if you do, you'll lose yourself real fast around here. And ain't no easy task finding yourself again either.

Sushi-X grabbed his bag and headed towards the locker room door.

And Romeo... thanks for the advice, man. Good stuff. Think about what I said, James.