Post by Mike Phoenix on Aug 24, 2016 7:43:15 GMT
Drowning in the Underground: Chapter I
02-11-2016
Miami, Florida
11:34 p.m.
There I was. Smack dab with a drinking problem. New York City Championship Wrestling (NYCCW) was my last chance to relive my glory days... But it was all over and done with. After the doors were closed, I started drinking. I guess I just wanted to escape the fact that I had nowhere else to go. Would I ever be able to find a new wrestling company to bring my career back to its previous heights? At the time I thought it was an impossibility.
I had money. I spent money. No one knew where I was. I was in the slums of Miami, homeless because of my habit, and scared to face my own fears. I never wanted to admit I had a problem, but I sat there in the alley with my back against a wall, chugging Jack Daniels like it was water. I downed the bottle and threw it against the adjacent wall.
I buried my head in my knees and wept for my sorrows. 2004 and the New Era Wrestling Ultimate Championship, Valerie Cole, and everything in between then and now was gone. I was a bum. A loser. I had nothing more to offer the business. I made the wrong moves over the years, and here I was, drinking my life away because I couldn't deal with the fact that my career was coming to an abrupt end.
I stood up and began staggering in the alley way until I saw light. I walked out into the street without looking and I heard the screech of tires. Then I felt a heavy blow to my body... Then nothing. I didn't know if I was dead or alive. I remember seeing faces above me, thinking they were angels, but in my mind, I only deserved the bowels of hell. As I passed out, I thought I had died... Maybe I wanted it that way. My family didn't care about me. My friends... Who did I have left? Nobody.
As I woke up, a lady in white, a nurse, was checking my vitals when I tried to focus my vision. I then locked eyes with her and she smiled at me. She was a beautiful woman. Long, black hair. A pretty face... Nice rack and a fat ass. I guess I was still the same old pervert that I always was... I guess I'll never change...
"Oh, so you're finally awake?"
As I cleared my throat, I nodded my head.
"I guess so."
"You're lucky to be alive."
"Lucky to be alive? I wish I was already dead..."
The nurse walked over to my bed and smiled down at me. She was exotic, a real catch, but I couldn't see it through my alcohol fueled depression.
"You're Mike Phoenix, aren't you? I recognize the face..."
I turned my head in shame.
"You've got the wrong guy."
She smiled and leaned down towards me, making me look into her eyes. I was mesmerized for a moment as she stared at me.
"You're definitely Mike Phoenix. I never thought I'd have a chance to meet you in person. You've been my favorite wrestler since I was like 14 years old."
Mike laughed some.
"What's your name, kiddo?"
"Amber..."
Amber had a curious look on her face now that she had revealed her name to him.
"It's been a pleasure taking care of you, Mr. Phoenix."
Mike shook his head no.
"Just call me Mike."
Amber smirked and seemed happy with the inclusion to the private life Phoenix lived.
"Sure... I like that name. Mike. Michael..."
Mike smiled the first time in a long time.
"Amber, right? Well... I know I don't know you very well, but..."
Amber giggled some and walked away from Mike.
"You asking me out?"
Mike shook his head no.
"I would, but right now I'm in a very dark place... I was wondering... Well, I want to ask you... For help."
Amber stood there a bit taken back by his statement.
"You need help?"
"I have a really bad drinking problem... I want to stop... Please help me... I'm begging you. I don't have anyone... I do, but I don't... I need help."
Amber walked over, taking Mike's hand into her own.
"I'll get you the help you need... Don't worry. You're in good hands."
As Amber let go of his hand, she headed for the door and Mike sat up in his bed.
"Maybe after I kick this habit we can go out?"
Amber looked at him and smirked.
"Maybe. I'll make you a deal. You get sober... I'll let you take me out.."
Mike layed back down on the bed and thought about it for a minute.
"If there's a good reason to get sober, it's definitely you, Miss Amber."
Amber smiles and gives him a thumbs up before she leaves the ring to take care of other patients. Would Mike get sober to go out with this new girl in his life? Was she enough for him to stop drinking? Could he get his life back... His career? He had been slowly killing himself, but maybe he can fight through this adversity and be a better person because of it. Either that or he'll continue down this path and end up another casualty.
08-22-2016
Miami, Florida
12:58 p.m.
As the scene opens up, Mike Phoenix is seen using his Samsung tablet and suddenly his cell phone rings. He answers it quickly, knowing exactly who was calling. He sighed and began the conversation.
"Hello, Katie."
Katie Phoenix, his step-daughter, is heard on the other end, crying and sobbing.
"Dad, I need you right now."
Mike sighed. He knew that her relationship to Jack Steele (no relation to Katie Steele), his mortal enemy, was the reason she was crying.
"What's wrong, Katie? Are you okay?"
Katie cried even harder as she pressed the phone against her ear and her blood red dyed hair was shown. As tears came down her face, they went over her freckles and down to her chin before hitting the floor.
"It's that asshole, Jack! He just used me, Dad! He wants a divorce!"
"Katie, calm down. Now I told you before not to get involved with that asshole. Why did you go against me?"
Katie sobs some and clears her throat.
"I don't know... I guess I just wanted to make you jealous."
Mike didn't know what she meant by that.
"Me? Jealous?"
Katie tried her hardest not to cry, but Jack really hurt her emotionally. She did everything he wanted her to do.
"Well, that's the reason I've slept with so many guys. None of them measure up to you, Dad."
Mike was quiet for a moment before he replied to her.
"Let me get this straight... You've been running around sleeping with all of these guys to make ME jealous?"
Katie stopped crying and continued.
"Yes... I know I'm your step-daughter and all, but I've seen the way you look at me."
Mike sighed.
"Katie, you're my step-daughter. I... Can't get into that with you."
Katie started to speak louder.
"Why the hell not? Don't you find me attractive?"
Mike leaned back in his couch, running his left hand through his hair.
"I do. I think you're a beautiful young woman."
"Then why don't you want to be with me?"
Mike shook his head in disbelief.
"Katie.... Katie..."
Katie went quiet, but then spoke up.
"I need a place to stay, Michael."
Mike was surprised that she didn't call him Dad.
"Well, I guess you can stay here in the condo with Amber and I."
Katie rolls her eyes in response to that.
"Who is Amber? Your latest bitch?"
Mike went on the defensive.
"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. I bet that makes you jealous, huh?"
Katie went quiet. Then she began again.
"Actually... Yeah, I am jealous."
Mike sighs again and is obviously frustrated with Katie.
"We can't just hook up, Katie. It's not right. What would people think?"
Katie lowered her voice and began to cry again.
"But you're the only man I've ever loved..."
Mike let that soak in, but changed the subject quickly.
"I'll tell you what. Get your stuff packed, get on a plane and fly out here. You can stay in the guest room."
Katie had a wicked smile on her face now.
"Don't worry... I'll be there soon... Dad..."
Mike smiled a bit.
"Call me if you have any trouble getting here. I'll come and get you if I have to, okay?"
Katie responded softly.
"Oh, I'll be okay. I can't wait to see you again, Dad. It'll be the best thing ever..."
Mike laughed some and saw his girlfriend, Amber Rain, coming through the front door with a couple of bags of groceries to cook for dinner. Mike quickly goes to get off the phone with Katie.
"I love you, sweetheart. Have a nice trip. Bye."
"Bye, Dad..."
As he ended the call, he turned to Amber, who was staring at him.
"Who was that?"
Mike shrugged some.
"It's Katie. That asshole Jack broke things off with her. She's devastated. I told her to get her stuff and come home."
Amber smiled brightly.
"You're an outstanding father. Taking her in at her time of need. I'm impressed."
Mike sighs heavily.
"Don't thank me just yet..."
As Mike looks over at Amber, the two lock eyes and stare at one another for a moment that seemed to last forever as the scene started to fade to black and then nothing was shown but black and white static. Will Mike and Katie keep things the way they are or will he give into his beautiful, young step-daughter? If he does, Amber is surely going to find out. Will Mike sleep with his own step-daughter or will he remain loyal to his girlfriend of 6 months? Only time will tell.
08-24-2016
IWF Press Conference: Boston, Massachusetts
10:30 a.m.
As the scene cuts out, it opens back up with Mike Phoenix at a press conference for the upcoming IWF Special that takes place right before Legacy IV, Heir to the Throne. As he is sitting there, the crowd seems ready to ask question after question. Mike points out the first guy that raises his hand and the man speaks.
"You have a match this Saturday at the IWF Special, Heir to the Throne. Can you tell us what you plan on doing against T.K. Smiles and Wallace?"
Mike smirks and laughs a bit under his breath.
"What I plan on doing, huh? Well, first of all, Wallace isn't shit. He's a glorified jobber in IWF, and I don't really need to worry about him. T.K. Smiles, though... That guy seems tough. He's a hard one to read, but he is just another man hiding his true self. He wears that clown make-up as some quasi-way of dealing with his tortured past, but that doesn't worry me. He's just a screwed up individual, and yeah, he hates guys like me who grew up with a father and a mother that loved me and treated me like I was something special. His parents didn't give a shit about him, and if you see what he's become because of the neglect, then I think you can begin to dechipher the man behind the face paint."
Mike then points out a woman near the front and she continues with her own question.
"Mike Phoenix, don't you think you had an easy debut match? Some people are saying you were put in that match just so you'd win in your IWF debut. Is there truth behind that? I mean, you didn't exactly work that hard to get the win against your opponents, Dominic Creed and Freakke."
Mike becomes agitated and stares down the woman as she stands there with a camera guy right behind her.
"You really think I was handed that win? You must be the dumbest blonde I've ever met in my whole life. I busted my ass out there, and no, Creed and Freakke brought the pain, but I was the one to have his hand raised. People like you, the doubters, all you seem to do is piss me the hell off."
Mike stands up and gets ready to walk off, but then decides to sit back down. He picks one final person in the crowd, a man in his 40s. He points his finger directly at Mike Phoenix and gets ready to write down what he is going to say.
"Mike Phoenix, can you elaborate on your match this Saturday in Boston? I think everyone would like to hear more about your strategy against T.K. Smiles and Wallace."
Mike nods his head yes and speaks into the microphone.
"Well, Wallace isn't the best guy on the roster, but he's trying his ass off to become great. I'll give him credit, he does seem like he wants to get better, but right now he isn't shit. I won't take him likely, but I will keep an eye on him. Anyone can win in a Triple Threat. Smiles or Wallace could pin one another and I could lose the match without even being pinned. It's pure hell to fight in a match like this. Hell, this is my second Triple Threat two weeks in a row! As for T.K. Smiles, I really do respect the guy, but he needs to stop throwing a pity party because he grew up without the love most kids receive. He's screwed up in the head, and honestly, a guy like him just wants to create chaos. He wants total anarchy, but I'm going to keep him grounded and I will NOT lose to him."
Mike coughs a bit and drinks some water and continues on.
"T.K. Smiles, you might think the hype surrounding me is a farce, but I'll tell you right now. I'm not just any wrestler. I'm Mike Phoenix. The best wrestler that ever lived. They called me the Alpha Omega for a reason. I am the end and I am the beginning. Nobody can stand in my way. Soon I will climb the ranks in IWF and I will get my hands wrapped around some championship gold. You, on the other hand, will fall at my feet. You will NEVER beat a man like me. You're a crazy clown, and I am a living legend. The name Mike Phoenix is synonymous with great things. I'm a multiple time World Heavweight Champion. I've held more gold than I know what to do with. You... You're not interested in being a champion. You're just content with being a total fuck up. I'm sorry, but you're going down this Saturday at the TD Garden in Boston. Why? Because I am the Ultimate. I am the Alpha Omega. I am the best that's ever done it, and I am... Just. That. Much. Better."
With that, Mike smacks the mic out of his face and stands up, walking off stage, leaving everyone with a full news story on what the Triple Threat at Heir to the Throne on Saturday will look like. It's Mike Phoenix vs. T.K. Smiles vs. Wallace. Who's going to come out on top? Will it be the best ever? Will it be the man behind the clown face paint, T.K. Smiles, or will Wallace shock the world and win the big one that nobody expects him to win ? Find out this Saturday night at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on the IWF Special, Heir to the Throne, airing right before the Legacy IV PPV.
02-11-2016
Miami, Florida
11:34 p.m.
There I was. Smack dab with a drinking problem. New York City Championship Wrestling (NYCCW) was my last chance to relive my glory days... But it was all over and done with. After the doors were closed, I started drinking. I guess I just wanted to escape the fact that I had nowhere else to go. Would I ever be able to find a new wrestling company to bring my career back to its previous heights? At the time I thought it was an impossibility.
I had money. I spent money. No one knew where I was. I was in the slums of Miami, homeless because of my habit, and scared to face my own fears. I never wanted to admit I had a problem, but I sat there in the alley with my back against a wall, chugging Jack Daniels like it was water. I downed the bottle and threw it against the adjacent wall.
I buried my head in my knees and wept for my sorrows. 2004 and the New Era Wrestling Ultimate Championship, Valerie Cole, and everything in between then and now was gone. I was a bum. A loser. I had nothing more to offer the business. I made the wrong moves over the years, and here I was, drinking my life away because I couldn't deal with the fact that my career was coming to an abrupt end.
I stood up and began staggering in the alley way until I saw light. I walked out into the street without looking and I heard the screech of tires. Then I felt a heavy blow to my body... Then nothing. I didn't know if I was dead or alive. I remember seeing faces above me, thinking they were angels, but in my mind, I only deserved the bowels of hell. As I passed out, I thought I had died... Maybe I wanted it that way. My family didn't care about me. My friends... Who did I have left? Nobody.
As I woke up, a lady in white, a nurse, was checking my vitals when I tried to focus my vision. I then locked eyes with her and she smiled at me. She was a beautiful woman. Long, black hair. A pretty face... Nice rack and a fat ass. I guess I was still the same old pervert that I always was... I guess I'll never change...
"Oh, so you're finally awake?"
As I cleared my throat, I nodded my head.
"I guess so."
"You're lucky to be alive."
"Lucky to be alive? I wish I was already dead..."
The nurse walked over to my bed and smiled down at me. She was exotic, a real catch, but I couldn't see it through my alcohol fueled depression.
"You're Mike Phoenix, aren't you? I recognize the face..."
I turned my head in shame.
"You've got the wrong guy."
She smiled and leaned down towards me, making me look into her eyes. I was mesmerized for a moment as she stared at me.
"You're definitely Mike Phoenix. I never thought I'd have a chance to meet you in person. You've been my favorite wrestler since I was like 14 years old."
Mike laughed some.
"What's your name, kiddo?"
"Amber..."
Amber had a curious look on her face now that she had revealed her name to him.
"It's been a pleasure taking care of you, Mr. Phoenix."
Mike shook his head no.
"Just call me Mike."
Amber smirked and seemed happy with the inclusion to the private life Phoenix lived.
"Sure... I like that name. Mike. Michael..."
Mike smiled the first time in a long time.
"Amber, right? Well... I know I don't know you very well, but..."
Amber giggled some and walked away from Mike.
"You asking me out?"
Mike shook his head no.
"I would, but right now I'm in a very dark place... I was wondering... Well, I want to ask you... For help."
Amber stood there a bit taken back by his statement.
"You need help?"
"I have a really bad drinking problem... I want to stop... Please help me... I'm begging you. I don't have anyone... I do, but I don't... I need help."
Amber walked over, taking Mike's hand into her own.
"I'll get you the help you need... Don't worry. You're in good hands."
As Amber let go of his hand, she headed for the door and Mike sat up in his bed.
"Maybe after I kick this habit we can go out?"
Amber looked at him and smirked.
"Maybe. I'll make you a deal. You get sober... I'll let you take me out.."
Mike layed back down on the bed and thought about it for a minute.
"If there's a good reason to get sober, it's definitely you, Miss Amber."
Amber smiles and gives him a thumbs up before she leaves the ring to take care of other patients. Would Mike get sober to go out with this new girl in his life? Was she enough for him to stop drinking? Could he get his life back... His career? He had been slowly killing himself, but maybe he can fight through this adversity and be a better person because of it. Either that or he'll continue down this path and end up another casualty.
08-22-2016
Miami, Florida
12:58 p.m.
As the scene opens up, Mike Phoenix is seen using his Samsung tablet and suddenly his cell phone rings. He answers it quickly, knowing exactly who was calling. He sighed and began the conversation.
"Hello, Katie."
Katie Phoenix, his step-daughter, is heard on the other end, crying and sobbing.
"Dad, I need you right now."
Mike sighed. He knew that her relationship to Jack Steele (no relation to Katie Steele), his mortal enemy, was the reason she was crying.
"What's wrong, Katie? Are you okay?"
Katie cried even harder as she pressed the phone against her ear and her blood red dyed hair was shown. As tears came down her face, they went over her freckles and down to her chin before hitting the floor.
"It's that asshole, Jack! He just used me, Dad! He wants a divorce!"
"Katie, calm down. Now I told you before not to get involved with that asshole. Why did you go against me?"
Katie sobs some and clears her throat.
"I don't know... I guess I just wanted to make you jealous."
Mike didn't know what she meant by that.
"Me? Jealous?"
Katie tried her hardest not to cry, but Jack really hurt her emotionally. She did everything he wanted her to do.
"Well, that's the reason I've slept with so many guys. None of them measure up to you, Dad."
Mike was quiet for a moment before he replied to her.
"Let me get this straight... You've been running around sleeping with all of these guys to make ME jealous?"
Katie stopped crying and continued.
"Yes... I know I'm your step-daughter and all, but I've seen the way you look at me."
Mike sighed.
"Katie, you're my step-daughter. I... Can't get into that with you."
Katie started to speak louder.
"Why the hell not? Don't you find me attractive?"
Mike leaned back in his couch, running his left hand through his hair.
"I do. I think you're a beautiful young woman."
"Then why don't you want to be with me?"
Mike shook his head in disbelief.
"Katie.... Katie..."
Katie went quiet, but then spoke up.
"I need a place to stay, Michael."
Mike was surprised that she didn't call him Dad.
"Well, I guess you can stay here in the condo with Amber and I."
Katie rolls her eyes in response to that.
"Who is Amber? Your latest bitch?"
Mike went on the defensive.
"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. I bet that makes you jealous, huh?"
Katie went quiet. Then she began again.
"Actually... Yeah, I am jealous."
Mike sighs again and is obviously frustrated with Katie.
"We can't just hook up, Katie. It's not right. What would people think?"
Katie lowered her voice and began to cry again.
"But you're the only man I've ever loved..."
Mike let that soak in, but changed the subject quickly.
"I'll tell you what. Get your stuff packed, get on a plane and fly out here. You can stay in the guest room."
Katie had a wicked smile on her face now.
"Don't worry... I'll be there soon... Dad..."
Mike smiled a bit.
"Call me if you have any trouble getting here. I'll come and get you if I have to, okay?"
Katie responded softly.
"Oh, I'll be okay. I can't wait to see you again, Dad. It'll be the best thing ever..."
Mike laughed some and saw his girlfriend, Amber Rain, coming through the front door with a couple of bags of groceries to cook for dinner. Mike quickly goes to get off the phone with Katie.
"I love you, sweetheart. Have a nice trip. Bye."
"Bye, Dad..."
As he ended the call, he turned to Amber, who was staring at him.
"Who was that?"
Mike shrugged some.
"It's Katie. That asshole Jack broke things off with her. She's devastated. I told her to get her stuff and come home."
Amber smiled brightly.
"You're an outstanding father. Taking her in at her time of need. I'm impressed."
Mike sighs heavily.
"Don't thank me just yet..."
As Mike looks over at Amber, the two lock eyes and stare at one another for a moment that seemed to last forever as the scene started to fade to black and then nothing was shown but black and white static. Will Mike and Katie keep things the way they are or will he give into his beautiful, young step-daughter? If he does, Amber is surely going to find out. Will Mike sleep with his own step-daughter or will he remain loyal to his girlfriend of 6 months? Only time will tell.
08-24-2016
IWF Press Conference: Boston, Massachusetts
10:30 a.m.
As the scene cuts out, it opens back up with Mike Phoenix at a press conference for the upcoming IWF Special that takes place right before Legacy IV, Heir to the Throne. As he is sitting there, the crowd seems ready to ask question after question. Mike points out the first guy that raises his hand and the man speaks.
"You have a match this Saturday at the IWF Special, Heir to the Throne. Can you tell us what you plan on doing against T.K. Smiles and Wallace?"
Mike smirks and laughs a bit under his breath.
"What I plan on doing, huh? Well, first of all, Wallace isn't shit. He's a glorified jobber in IWF, and I don't really need to worry about him. T.K. Smiles, though... That guy seems tough. He's a hard one to read, but he is just another man hiding his true self. He wears that clown make-up as some quasi-way of dealing with his tortured past, but that doesn't worry me. He's just a screwed up individual, and yeah, he hates guys like me who grew up with a father and a mother that loved me and treated me like I was something special. His parents didn't give a shit about him, and if you see what he's become because of the neglect, then I think you can begin to dechipher the man behind the face paint."
Mike then points out a woman near the front and she continues with her own question.
"Mike Phoenix, don't you think you had an easy debut match? Some people are saying you were put in that match just so you'd win in your IWF debut. Is there truth behind that? I mean, you didn't exactly work that hard to get the win against your opponents, Dominic Creed and Freakke."
Mike becomes agitated and stares down the woman as she stands there with a camera guy right behind her.
"You really think I was handed that win? You must be the dumbest blonde I've ever met in my whole life. I busted my ass out there, and no, Creed and Freakke brought the pain, but I was the one to have his hand raised. People like you, the doubters, all you seem to do is piss me the hell off."
Mike stands up and gets ready to walk off, but then decides to sit back down. He picks one final person in the crowd, a man in his 40s. He points his finger directly at Mike Phoenix and gets ready to write down what he is going to say.
"Mike Phoenix, can you elaborate on your match this Saturday in Boston? I think everyone would like to hear more about your strategy against T.K. Smiles and Wallace."
Mike nods his head yes and speaks into the microphone.
"Well, Wallace isn't the best guy on the roster, but he's trying his ass off to become great. I'll give him credit, he does seem like he wants to get better, but right now he isn't shit. I won't take him likely, but I will keep an eye on him. Anyone can win in a Triple Threat. Smiles or Wallace could pin one another and I could lose the match without even being pinned. It's pure hell to fight in a match like this. Hell, this is my second Triple Threat two weeks in a row! As for T.K. Smiles, I really do respect the guy, but he needs to stop throwing a pity party because he grew up without the love most kids receive. He's screwed up in the head, and honestly, a guy like him just wants to create chaos. He wants total anarchy, but I'm going to keep him grounded and I will NOT lose to him."
Mike coughs a bit and drinks some water and continues on.
"T.K. Smiles, you might think the hype surrounding me is a farce, but I'll tell you right now. I'm not just any wrestler. I'm Mike Phoenix. The best wrestler that ever lived. They called me the Alpha Omega for a reason. I am the end and I am the beginning. Nobody can stand in my way. Soon I will climb the ranks in IWF and I will get my hands wrapped around some championship gold. You, on the other hand, will fall at my feet. You will NEVER beat a man like me. You're a crazy clown, and I am a living legend. The name Mike Phoenix is synonymous with great things. I'm a multiple time World Heavweight Champion. I've held more gold than I know what to do with. You... You're not interested in being a champion. You're just content with being a total fuck up. I'm sorry, but you're going down this Saturday at the TD Garden in Boston. Why? Because I am the Ultimate. I am the Alpha Omega. I am the best that's ever done it, and I am... Just. That. Much. Better."
With that, Mike smacks the mic out of his face and stands up, walking off stage, leaving everyone with a full news story on what the Triple Threat at Heir to the Throne on Saturday will look like. It's Mike Phoenix vs. T.K. Smiles vs. Wallace. Who's going to come out on top? Will it be the best ever? Will it be the man behind the clown face paint, T.K. Smiles, or will Wallace shock the world and win the big one that nobody expects him to win ? Find out this Saturday night at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on the IWF Special, Heir to the Throne, airing right before the Legacy IV PPV.
Well howdy there pardner.