Post by logan on Mar 6, 2009 20:41:30 GMT -5
1982
I was 12 years old, looking up at the sky watching an airplane run above me through the clouds. It was then, that night, the dream was born. Mom called me in for dinner, and I took my eyes off the airplane.
Mom: Come eat, sweetheart.
She went back inside, as my friends made fun of it.
Jack: You better go eat, sweetheart.
Greg: Yeah honey bear, you sure don't want to go without an empty stomach.
Logan: Shut up guys. I'll eat when I SAY, and what I SAY.
Just then, my Mom came outside.
Mom: Hurry up Logan, sloppy joes are getting cold.
Logan: Yes ma'am.
My friends laughed over it, as I grunted a bit.
Logan: Whatever, I'll be back out in a few minutes. Still up for playing some B ball?
Jack: Yeah, that sounds cool. That's good for me. I wouldn't know about you though.
Greg: You suck at basketball, Loogie!
Logan: It's Logan! Not Loogie.
Jack hawked a loogie down on my sidewalk.
Jack: Call me when your ready to get beat.
Logan: Later.
I turned back to my house, thinking about that airplane. Well it wasn't really about the airplane, it was just what I was day dreaming about while watching the airplane. I had seen them on T.V., and I've always wanted to be one. I even got the chance to clean up around arenas whenever they came. Not a pilot, but a wrestler. Walking into my house I watched a frown overcome my Mom's face as she opened up a letter from school.
Mom: It says you haven't been to school since October, 16th!
Logan: Yeah..
Mom: Yeah? It's March now, Logan!
Logan: Sorry.
Mom: How many times is this going to go on?
Logan: I don't know.
Mom: What have you been doing? Where the hell have you been going?
I reached into my pocket, forking around the thick wad of cash, but I couldn't tell her I had been working.
Mom: What's that in your pocket?
Logan: Uh, nothing..
She held her hand out, I busted myself, damnit I shouldn't have reached into my pocket. But every time I get nervous I get this sudden urge to shove my hands back inside my pockets. She knew I'd give in, and I pulled the money out of my back placing it in her hand.
Mom: Where'd you get this from?
Logan: I've been working.
Mom: Working where?
Logan: Well, sometimes I work with a concrete business in the neighbor hood when they need help, clean sometimes when "PWA" comes into town they actually let me hang around backstage to clean up.
Mom: You've been pouring concrete?
Logan: Yeah..
I looked down.
Mom: That's a man's job, okay? Your only 12, you should be in school.
Logan: I HATE SCHOOL!
Mom: What'd you say?
Logan: Nothing, sorry.
Mom: If you don't go to school you'll never have a future in life.
Logan: That's bullshit, people just say that so you'll go.
Mom: Bullshit? Where did you learn to talk like that?
Logan: You.
The expression in her face brought fear to my heart, she looked like she was ready to fight an army, ready to go to war, ready to fight hell itself. I couldn't look at her in the eye.
Mom: From now on, your going to school? Understood? No questions. I'm going to drive you there, and pick you up. No more skipping school to go be a janitor at some stupid wrestling promotion, and no more pouring concrete. It's school from now on. If I hear you talk like that one more time..
She sighed, putting her head down.
Logan: But I hate school, I want to make money using my hands.. not my head.
I never got an answer back, and I'll never know what she thought about that. I didn't want to carry on the conversation any longer, not that it'd do any good anyway. Instead, I just went upstairs to my bedroom. As I laid down I promised myself that no matter what anyone said that I'd do what I wanted with my own life, and if it met cleaning up locker rooms for wrestlers, or pouring concrete then that's what I'd do. I drifted off to sleep with that promise in mind. But she kept her promise too, and everyday for the next six years or so she drove me to school, and picked me up. Even in high school, but I kept my promise also..
1987
I was 17, and continued to the dream I promised myself I'd keep back when I was 12. I was almost late for school, not late getting there.. but late showing up so I could get picked up. That was what I had been doing for the last six years, getting dropped off at school by my Mom, and leaving the school to go work. But I'd always come back to school on time for her to come pick me up. I intercepted all the phone calls, and any mail the school would send. I didn't have but another year left before I'd be done with it all, what a relief. But today was a bit different than usual, I had to stay at the arena a little bit extra longer. Things got pretty rowdy that day, and there was junk everywhere. I ran from pile to pile, garbage bag to garbage bag, dumpster to dumpster. Rushing just to keep the job, and show up to the school in time so I could get picked up. Closing in to finish up I ran into one of the top stars of PWA. They called him "Frankie The Yankie". He was already consider a legend in the business, and he was the best technical wrestler in PWA.
Frankie: What's the rush, kid?
Logan: I've got to be somewhere in like three minutes.
Frankie: Just come back later, we'll still be around. We got a show tomorrow.
Logan: Thank you sir.
I was speechless, I never really talked to an icon as big as him. He was the man. He was a kids dream of what they wanted to be, hell I even watched him on T.V. when I was growing up.. I still do. It was the first time me, and Frankie shared words. I stood there stunned, shocked, as he looked back. I was standing in front of the PWA heavy weight champion.
Frankie: You better hurry.
Snapping back to reality, I rushed out of the arena leaving the trash bag on the floor. I ran as fast as I my two feet could carry me, jumping fences, dodging traffic, and racing away from dogs. Soon as I made it to the front of the school I almost fell out. I leaned against the brick wall catching my breath as I watched my Mom pull up. I had JUST made it in time. When I got into the car she noticed the sweat running down my forehead.
Mom: What have you been doing?
Logan: Oh, gym class got switched to last bell.
Mom: Oh.
We never really talked, as soon as we made it home I hopped into the shower knowing that the show would start within the next four hours. But in a hurry with my life, as usual, I made it there a bit early. When I showed up in the empty arena it was clean, and there was a man in the ring. It was Frankie, he must've been practicing a promo because his personality, and kindness I had seen from early had disappeared. I stood there, listening to the words come out of the PWA champions mouth.
Frankie: Tonight I'm going to show everyone in this arena exactly why I'm the PWA champion, and I'm going to prove to West Law why I'm the best technical wrestler.. EVER!
I guess I showed up near the end of his promo, because he put the microphone down by his side as a official jumped into the ring going over something with him. He looked up locking eyes with me, as he grinned motioning for me to come here. I couldn't believe it, and I almost couldn't move as I walked down the ramp. As I drew closer to the ring I imaged myself in front of hundreds of people, walking down the to the ring with my cocky gimmick I developed in the bathroom mirror over the last six years. I made it to ringside, looking up at him as he dismissed the official from the ring.
Logan: Yes, sir?
Frankie: Come in, son.
Logan: Me?
He looked around the empty arena, as did I.
Frankie: Yup.
Excitement grew into my blood, as I slide under the bottom rope standing to my feet. It was the first time I had been inside the ring, and I was standing right in front of a legend of the business.. Frankie The Yankie.
Frankie: I got someone to take care of your job for you.
Logan: Oh, you didn't have to..
I hardly knew what to say, really.
Frankie: How old are you, kid?
Logan: 17.
Frankie: I know your not here just to clean up after people. Right?
Logan: I've got a dream. I want to be a wrestler, like you.
Frankie: You can do anything you want with your life.
He took the words out of my mouth, that's what I've always wanted to tell my Mom but she'd just never accept it.
Frankie: I see something special in you.
The compliment almost took me off my feet, I couldn't believe a legend like himself would even say that to me, or why he'd even bother talking to me.
Logan: Thank you sir.
Frankie: Do you know any moves?
Logan: I use to suplex, and DDT my friends a lot.
Frankie: Haha, well, were you professional about?
He grinned.
Logan: Uh, I did it onto a bed.
That made him laugh.
Frankie: How would you feel if I showed you the ropes? Taught you a few moves.
I almost fainted. Frankie just offered to train me, well, show me a few moves.. but I was so stunned I could barely reply. I just stared at him in disbelief.
Frankie: Well..
Logan: It'd be an honor, sir.
And from then on, he trained me right there in the ring. He showed me irish whips, headlocks, quick take downs, various technical moves, and a lot of submission. It was my dream come true. And on in went, for thirty minutes before each show Frankie would show me a few more moves. He trained me for the longest time, and I never had a clue why he even took the time to show a kid like me how to wrestle. But he did, and not a year later that was when he offered me the deal of my life...
1988
But this time I was 18, and was finished with school. Well, not like I actually went there anyway. My Mom never knew anything of it, and I even faked my graduation by stealing a outfit, and tell her she was too late when she showed up that it was already over. Eh, I went as went as far as saying that I lost my develop. It was that day though, that my life took it's sudden turn. It was a usually show, usually day, and I just got done training with Frankie. He still had the title belt, even after a year, and everybody thought he was heading for retirement. But that day after our training, he asked me the question of my life time.
Frankie: Logan, I've taught you just about everything I know about wrestling technical. But there is one more thing I must teach you.. the spotlight.
Logan: The spotlight? Being on T.V.?!
Frankie: Yes, I have to show you the evil side, and good side of being in the spotlight. From now on, I want you to be my apprentice. What do you say?
He extended his hand, and without hesitation I shook it. This is the turning point of my life, as now I was by the side of Frankie The Yankie. The PWA heavy weight champion, and legend. He took me under his wing, I never knew why, but he did. I don't know what he saw in me, but he was making my dreams come true. From that day forward, I quit my janitor job from PWA, and became a wrestler. I went under the name of "Three Piece Logan". I went along with my move, that me, and Frankie developed. I was scheduled the next night in a dark match.
Frankie: It's time for you to prove yourself, Logan. Or should I say.. Three Piece Logan. Haha.
I was the youngest wrestler in PWA, being only 18 at the time. The night of my first match, butter flies swam around my stomach. I tried to get rid of them by doing push ups in the hall way, I hadn't got a locker room yet.. so I just hung out in the hall way till my match. As I paced back and, fourth in the locker room, Frankie walked up to me.
Frankie: You ready?
Logan: Yes, sir.
As I went to leave down the hallway, Frankie stopped me.
Frankie: I only got you this far because I thought I saw something in you, and I still do. But tonight you have to show me that I'm right, you have to prove to me that the last year, and a half of training wasn't a waste of time. This is your big night Logan, show everyone you have what it takes. Good luck.
I shook the legends hand, and made my way down to the black curtain. They played some funky music for me that I had never even heard before. As I stepped out from behind the black curtain to the top of the ramp, all I heard was boos, and the announcers voice.
Announcer: Coming straight out of Chesapeake, Virginia. Weighing in at 210 pounds, Three Piece Logan!
A few cheered at first, but the boos really over shadowed it. I felt ready for this, but in the peoples eyes I wasn't. They even started throwing trash at me as I walked down the ramp.. this wasn't how I pictured it.
Crowd Member: Hey janitor! Clean this up!
Someone threw a bag of pop corn at my face.
Crowd Member: Shouldn't you bad in school little boy?!
I ignored the crowd, and tried to just crack a smile for just being here. I slide into the ring, and paced around feeling the most nervous feeling of my life. My stomach felt like it was going to explode with butter flies. I paced back, and fourth in the ring like a caged animal. I couldn't wait. Some other new guy came out to regular 80's music, he got a few more cheers than I did.
Announcer: Coming to the ring, from Norfolk, Virginia. Weighing in at 248 pounds, Johnny Star!
He rushed to the ring, and as soon as he slide in the caged animal I was broke free. I kicked him down before he could even get to his feet. I grabbed him up by his hair, and slung him into the turnbuckle where I sprang away with rights, and lefts. The crowd exploded with my new style of aggressiveness. They hadn't seen nothing like it before. I kicked him in his midsection, and then would stop to talk trash to him, or spit in his face before I'd land another right. I turned into another person while I was in the ring. I backed up, and motioned to the ground as he stumbled out of the ropes. I landed a welly executed belly to belly. I knew Frankie was watching backstage, and I knew he knew this wasn't the technical wrestler he raised. But I didn't care, the crowd was loving my total disregard for my opponent. I showed no respect for this Johnny Star. My anger took over me, I lost control.. and the crowd loved it. I landed a few suplexs, a few top rope moves, and made the big pin fall which I thought would've ended the match right then, and there. He kicked out after two, and I thought it was actually a three.
Logan: That was a three count!
Referee: He got the shoulder up after two.
Logan: It was three!
Referee: Don't argue with me, son.
It sent me off, my anger got the best of me. I hit my finisher on the referee, giving him a Three Piece to The Face combo. I could see Frankie shaking his head backstage. I wanted more violence, more power. I got out of the ring, and stole a chair out under from the ring announcer. Johnny Star stumbled to get back to his feet in the ring as I slide inside the ring with that steel chair in my hands. The crowd chanted.
Crowd: HIT HIM! HIT HIM! HIT HIM!
Logan: Is this what you people want?!
As Johnny Star turned around, I laid him down with the steel chair. The match already has been over soon as I knocked out the referee, they didn't appreciate that too much. I climbed the ropes putting the steel chair up over my head, as the crowd cheered. I dropped the chair, loving every second of the reaction that I got from the crowd. This was my big dream all my life, and it had came true tonight. I left the ring, running backstage. I couldn't wait to tell Frankie how good it felt, but as soon as I got backstage I met Frankie with a smile, he on the other hand, wasn't smiling.
Logan: Did you see that? The crowd LOVED me! After the first night, too.
Frankie: You just made a fool of yourself.
Logan: Huh?
Frankie: You had no respect for Johnny, you could've really hurt him.
Logan: Ah, he'll be alright.
Frankie: I trained you to be a wrestler, not some damn brawling street fighter.
I realized then that Frankie was disappointed in me, and I finally understood why. I got caught up in the excitement too much, that I had forgotten all about what Frankie taught me. He showed me the moves, but he couldn't show me the spotlight.
Frankie: This is what I was afraid of when I trained you.
Logan: Afraid of the crowd actually liking me? I was just trying to prove myself to everyone.
Frankie: I showed you how to wrestle technically, and you were using everything I taught you for bad. I taught you them things for good, to carry on a good wrestling match, not to destroy people.
Logan: Are you jealous?
Frankie: Jealous of what?
Logan: Jealous that I might take your spotlight.
Frankie sighed, looking down. He took me under his wing, taught me everything he knew, and I was using it against him. The raise for fame took over me, and transformed me into a different person. This is what Frankie was afraid of, and it was happening. Frankie left me there, on my own.. I guess he knew that I was taking my own path. That was the last time that me, and Frankie exchanged words between each other. I looked on after him as he left, I knew he had to have been jealous of how fast my stardom in PWA was raising.. I just knew he was jealous.
1991
Frankie The Yankie was on verge of retirement, and he still held on to the title.. he was already in his early forties. By now I was 21 years old, had about forty wins under my name, and a few losses.. but not too many. I had already moved out of my Mom's, found a sweet girl, and rented out a apartment with her. I had just started cutting promos about a year ago when they finally decided to get my name out, I guess they thought I was too young at the time.. but I proved them all wrong. The tension between me, and Frankie grew over the last three years. We never spoke backstage, and nobody ever booked us in any matches together. But it was everyone’s dream match in PWA, the old school versus the new school. Frankie The Yankie versus The Three Piece Logan. But the bookies never let it happen. I knew it got to them though, the crowd chanted it during matches that even had nothing to do with us, signs started appearing "Frankie vs Logan! Let it happen!" It was everywhere. My style of aggressive technical grew on to the fans, and they really loved it. I was the new deal in PWA, and everyone loved my new style. When the tension grew stronger, was about the time my name started getting thrown around in the heavy weight title scene. A match scheduled, between me, and Frankie's old time rival West Law. Whoever won the match was going to fight Frankie The Yankie for the heavy weight championship. Now West Law just wasn't anybody, he was a tough one. He had the nickname "career ender" for injuring people with his ruthless wrestling style. He and I we're almost alike, we had no respect for others, and all we cared about was the title. We both would've done anything to get our hands on belt, even if it met ending the career of another. Minutes before the match, I was backstage in my locker room when the camera man suddenly came in with an interviewer wanting me to do a promo for my match. I guess they wanted more ratings.
Logan: What do you want?
Interviewer: I'm here with, The Three Piece Logan himself. Everybody wants to know how you feel about Frankie The Yankie. If you win this match against West Law, you WILL fight Frankie.
Logan: That's true, tell me something I don't know.
Interviewer: West Law is as tough as they come, do you think you have what it takes to beat him.
Logan: Look here, you pathetic basted. He may be as tough as they come, but I'm just that tougher. I'm going to lay him out with a three piece to the face combo, and that's all there is to it. So listen up West Law, this is a warning. I hate Frankie more than anything, he trained me, and then abandoned me after my first match. What kind of man does that to his apprentice? Nobody in the right mind should. Do you know why he left me? He was jealous, he knew that overtime I'd become more popular than him.. he knew his legend would die, and that my legend would grow. He knew that, and that's why he didn't want nothing left to do with me. But you look here West, your just in my way. You may be an icon of this business, but to me your just a brick wall in my path that I'm going to tear down. There is nothing you, Frankie, or anyone else can do about. And tonight, "I'm going do whatcha gotta do to get to the top!"
My first real quote sprung to life, and before long everyone was expecting me to say it after I finished up a promo. The tension was so strong between me, and Frankie that it even grew onto the match between me, and West. The match between me, and West Law went down as planned. It was the hardest battle of my life, West was crazy basterd.. he'd do anything if he knew it'd gain him advantage. He even tried to break my arm during the match, but pulling a few tricks out of my sleeve, I was victorious. I didn't walk away 100 percent, I had a few cuts on my face. PWA stood for Professional Wrestling Association, but the thing about it was.. it wasn't that professional. You could get away with a lot of things in PWA, and mostly just do what you want. But after I defeated West Law, the talk grew larger than ever about Frankie, and me having a match. The title was scheduled to be on the line, but they made it a non title match anyway. The bookies were scared that if I might win the title, me being only 21.. they didn't want PWA representing the public with a rookie world champion. I was better than Frankie, he knew it, and I knew it. He was already ten years past his prime, and he knew it too. When he'd retire was anyone's guess, but everyone wanted to see Logan versus Frankie, before he retired. It was a destiny for the fans, it was every kids dream to see two forces like that collide. It was PWA's number one voted dream match. It had to happen, and if it didn't the fans would riot. I was disappointed that it was a non title match, because I really wanted the PWA championship. But it was fine, just as long as I got to finally wrestle Frankie. It was the teacher versus the student, and it was going to happen.. finally.
1992
It was next year when me, and Frankie finally met in the ring. It was the most anticipated match in PWA history, and everyone tuned in to see it. Even my Mom...
I was 12 years old, looking up at the sky watching an airplane run above me through the clouds. It was then, that night, the dream was born. Mom called me in for dinner, and I took my eyes off the airplane.
Mom: Come eat, sweetheart.
She went back inside, as my friends made fun of it.
Jack: You better go eat, sweetheart.
Greg: Yeah honey bear, you sure don't want to go without an empty stomach.
Logan: Shut up guys. I'll eat when I SAY, and what I SAY.
Just then, my Mom came outside.
Mom: Hurry up Logan, sloppy joes are getting cold.
Logan: Yes ma'am.
My friends laughed over it, as I grunted a bit.
Logan: Whatever, I'll be back out in a few minutes. Still up for playing some B ball?
Jack: Yeah, that sounds cool. That's good for me. I wouldn't know about you though.
Greg: You suck at basketball, Loogie!
Logan: It's Logan! Not Loogie.
Jack hawked a loogie down on my sidewalk.
Jack: Call me when your ready to get beat.
Logan: Later.
I turned back to my house, thinking about that airplane. Well it wasn't really about the airplane, it was just what I was day dreaming about while watching the airplane. I had seen them on T.V., and I've always wanted to be one. I even got the chance to clean up around arenas whenever they came. Not a pilot, but a wrestler. Walking into my house I watched a frown overcome my Mom's face as she opened up a letter from school.
Mom: It says you haven't been to school since October, 16th!
Logan: Yeah..
Mom: Yeah? It's March now, Logan!
Logan: Sorry.
Mom: How many times is this going to go on?
Logan: I don't know.
Mom: What have you been doing? Where the hell have you been going?
I reached into my pocket, forking around the thick wad of cash, but I couldn't tell her I had been working.
Mom: What's that in your pocket?
Logan: Uh, nothing..
She held her hand out, I busted myself, damnit I shouldn't have reached into my pocket. But every time I get nervous I get this sudden urge to shove my hands back inside my pockets. She knew I'd give in, and I pulled the money out of my back placing it in her hand.
Mom: Where'd you get this from?
Logan: I've been working.
Mom: Working where?
Logan: Well, sometimes I work with a concrete business in the neighbor hood when they need help, clean sometimes when "PWA" comes into town they actually let me hang around backstage to clean up.
Mom: You've been pouring concrete?
Logan: Yeah..
I looked down.
Mom: That's a man's job, okay? Your only 12, you should be in school.
Logan: I HATE SCHOOL!
Mom: What'd you say?
Logan: Nothing, sorry.
Mom: If you don't go to school you'll never have a future in life.
Logan: That's bullshit, people just say that so you'll go.
Mom: Bullshit? Where did you learn to talk like that?
Logan: You.
The expression in her face brought fear to my heart, she looked like she was ready to fight an army, ready to go to war, ready to fight hell itself. I couldn't look at her in the eye.
Mom: From now on, your going to school? Understood? No questions. I'm going to drive you there, and pick you up. No more skipping school to go be a janitor at some stupid wrestling promotion, and no more pouring concrete. It's school from now on. If I hear you talk like that one more time..
She sighed, putting her head down.
Logan: But I hate school, I want to make money using my hands.. not my head.
I never got an answer back, and I'll never know what she thought about that. I didn't want to carry on the conversation any longer, not that it'd do any good anyway. Instead, I just went upstairs to my bedroom. As I laid down I promised myself that no matter what anyone said that I'd do what I wanted with my own life, and if it met cleaning up locker rooms for wrestlers, or pouring concrete then that's what I'd do. I drifted off to sleep with that promise in mind. But she kept her promise too, and everyday for the next six years or so she drove me to school, and picked me up. Even in high school, but I kept my promise also..
1987
I was 17, and continued to the dream I promised myself I'd keep back when I was 12. I was almost late for school, not late getting there.. but late showing up so I could get picked up. That was what I had been doing for the last six years, getting dropped off at school by my Mom, and leaving the school to go work. But I'd always come back to school on time for her to come pick me up. I intercepted all the phone calls, and any mail the school would send. I didn't have but another year left before I'd be done with it all, what a relief. But today was a bit different than usual, I had to stay at the arena a little bit extra longer. Things got pretty rowdy that day, and there was junk everywhere. I ran from pile to pile, garbage bag to garbage bag, dumpster to dumpster. Rushing just to keep the job, and show up to the school in time so I could get picked up. Closing in to finish up I ran into one of the top stars of PWA. They called him "Frankie The Yankie". He was already consider a legend in the business, and he was the best technical wrestler in PWA.
Frankie: What's the rush, kid?
Logan: I've got to be somewhere in like three minutes.
Frankie: Just come back later, we'll still be around. We got a show tomorrow.
Logan: Thank you sir.
I was speechless, I never really talked to an icon as big as him. He was the man. He was a kids dream of what they wanted to be, hell I even watched him on T.V. when I was growing up.. I still do. It was the first time me, and Frankie shared words. I stood there stunned, shocked, as he looked back. I was standing in front of the PWA heavy weight champion.
Frankie: You better hurry.
Snapping back to reality, I rushed out of the arena leaving the trash bag on the floor. I ran as fast as I my two feet could carry me, jumping fences, dodging traffic, and racing away from dogs. Soon as I made it to the front of the school I almost fell out. I leaned against the brick wall catching my breath as I watched my Mom pull up. I had JUST made it in time. When I got into the car she noticed the sweat running down my forehead.
Mom: What have you been doing?
Logan: Oh, gym class got switched to last bell.
Mom: Oh.
We never really talked, as soon as we made it home I hopped into the shower knowing that the show would start within the next four hours. But in a hurry with my life, as usual, I made it there a bit early. When I showed up in the empty arena it was clean, and there was a man in the ring. It was Frankie, he must've been practicing a promo because his personality, and kindness I had seen from early had disappeared. I stood there, listening to the words come out of the PWA champions mouth.
Frankie: Tonight I'm going to show everyone in this arena exactly why I'm the PWA champion, and I'm going to prove to West Law why I'm the best technical wrestler.. EVER!
I guess I showed up near the end of his promo, because he put the microphone down by his side as a official jumped into the ring going over something with him. He looked up locking eyes with me, as he grinned motioning for me to come here. I couldn't believe it, and I almost couldn't move as I walked down the ramp. As I drew closer to the ring I imaged myself in front of hundreds of people, walking down the to the ring with my cocky gimmick I developed in the bathroom mirror over the last six years. I made it to ringside, looking up at him as he dismissed the official from the ring.
Logan: Yes, sir?
Frankie: Come in, son.
Logan: Me?
He looked around the empty arena, as did I.
Frankie: Yup.
Excitement grew into my blood, as I slide under the bottom rope standing to my feet. It was the first time I had been inside the ring, and I was standing right in front of a legend of the business.. Frankie The Yankie.
Frankie: I got someone to take care of your job for you.
Logan: Oh, you didn't have to..
I hardly knew what to say, really.
Frankie: How old are you, kid?
Logan: 17.
Frankie: I know your not here just to clean up after people. Right?
Logan: I've got a dream. I want to be a wrestler, like you.
Frankie: You can do anything you want with your life.
He took the words out of my mouth, that's what I've always wanted to tell my Mom but she'd just never accept it.
Frankie: I see something special in you.
The compliment almost took me off my feet, I couldn't believe a legend like himself would even say that to me, or why he'd even bother talking to me.
Logan: Thank you sir.
Frankie: Do you know any moves?
Logan: I use to suplex, and DDT my friends a lot.
Frankie: Haha, well, were you professional about?
He grinned.
Logan: Uh, I did it onto a bed.
That made him laugh.
Frankie: How would you feel if I showed you the ropes? Taught you a few moves.
I almost fainted. Frankie just offered to train me, well, show me a few moves.. but I was so stunned I could barely reply. I just stared at him in disbelief.
Frankie: Well..
Logan: It'd be an honor, sir.
And from then on, he trained me right there in the ring. He showed me irish whips, headlocks, quick take downs, various technical moves, and a lot of submission. It was my dream come true. And on in went, for thirty minutes before each show Frankie would show me a few more moves. He trained me for the longest time, and I never had a clue why he even took the time to show a kid like me how to wrestle. But he did, and not a year later that was when he offered me the deal of my life...
1988
But this time I was 18, and was finished with school. Well, not like I actually went there anyway. My Mom never knew anything of it, and I even faked my graduation by stealing a outfit, and tell her she was too late when she showed up that it was already over. Eh, I went as went as far as saying that I lost my develop. It was that day though, that my life took it's sudden turn. It was a usually show, usually day, and I just got done training with Frankie. He still had the title belt, even after a year, and everybody thought he was heading for retirement. But that day after our training, he asked me the question of my life time.
Frankie: Logan, I've taught you just about everything I know about wrestling technical. But there is one more thing I must teach you.. the spotlight.
Logan: The spotlight? Being on T.V.?!
Frankie: Yes, I have to show you the evil side, and good side of being in the spotlight. From now on, I want you to be my apprentice. What do you say?
He extended his hand, and without hesitation I shook it. This is the turning point of my life, as now I was by the side of Frankie The Yankie. The PWA heavy weight champion, and legend. He took me under his wing, I never knew why, but he did. I don't know what he saw in me, but he was making my dreams come true. From that day forward, I quit my janitor job from PWA, and became a wrestler. I went under the name of "Three Piece Logan". I went along with my move, that me, and Frankie developed. I was scheduled the next night in a dark match.
Frankie: It's time for you to prove yourself, Logan. Or should I say.. Three Piece Logan. Haha.
I was the youngest wrestler in PWA, being only 18 at the time. The night of my first match, butter flies swam around my stomach. I tried to get rid of them by doing push ups in the hall way, I hadn't got a locker room yet.. so I just hung out in the hall way till my match. As I paced back and, fourth in the locker room, Frankie walked up to me.
Frankie: You ready?
Logan: Yes, sir.
As I went to leave down the hallway, Frankie stopped me.
Frankie: I only got you this far because I thought I saw something in you, and I still do. But tonight you have to show me that I'm right, you have to prove to me that the last year, and a half of training wasn't a waste of time. This is your big night Logan, show everyone you have what it takes. Good luck.
I shook the legends hand, and made my way down to the black curtain. They played some funky music for me that I had never even heard before. As I stepped out from behind the black curtain to the top of the ramp, all I heard was boos, and the announcers voice.
Announcer: Coming straight out of Chesapeake, Virginia. Weighing in at 210 pounds, Three Piece Logan!
A few cheered at first, but the boos really over shadowed it. I felt ready for this, but in the peoples eyes I wasn't. They even started throwing trash at me as I walked down the ramp.. this wasn't how I pictured it.
Crowd Member: Hey janitor! Clean this up!
Someone threw a bag of pop corn at my face.
Crowd Member: Shouldn't you bad in school little boy?!
I ignored the crowd, and tried to just crack a smile for just being here. I slide into the ring, and paced around feeling the most nervous feeling of my life. My stomach felt like it was going to explode with butter flies. I paced back, and fourth in the ring like a caged animal. I couldn't wait. Some other new guy came out to regular 80's music, he got a few more cheers than I did.
Announcer: Coming to the ring, from Norfolk, Virginia. Weighing in at 248 pounds, Johnny Star!
He rushed to the ring, and as soon as he slide in the caged animal I was broke free. I kicked him down before he could even get to his feet. I grabbed him up by his hair, and slung him into the turnbuckle where I sprang away with rights, and lefts. The crowd exploded with my new style of aggressiveness. They hadn't seen nothing like it before. I kicked him in his midsection, and then would stop to talk trash to him, or spit in his face before I'd land another right. I turned into another person while I was in the ring. I backed up, and motioned to the ground as he stumbled out of the ropes. I landed a welly executed belly to belly. I knew Frankie was watching backstage, and I knew he knew this wasn't the technical wrestler he raised. But I didn't care, the crowd was loving my total disregard for my opponent. I showed no respect for this Johnny Star. My anger took over me, I lost control.. and the crowd loved it. I landed a few suplexs, a few top rope moves, and made the big pin fall which I thought would've ended the match right then, and there. He kicked out after two, and I thought it was actually a three.
Logan: That was a three count!
Referee: He got the shoulder up after two.
Logan: It was three!
Referee: Don't argue with me, son.
It sent me off, my anger got the best of me. I hit my finisher on the referee, giving him a Three Piece to The Face combo. I could see Frankie shaking his head backstage. I wanted more violence, more power. I got out of the ring, and stole a chair out under from the ring announcer. Johnny Star stumbled to get back to his feet in the ring as I slide inside the ring with that steel chair in my hands. The crowd chanted.
Crowd: HIT HIM! HIT HIM! HIT HIM!
Logan: Is this what you people want?!
As Johnny Star turned around, I laid him down with the steel chair. The match already has been over soon as I knocked out the referee, they didn't appreciate that too much. I climbed the ropes putting the steel chair up over my head, as the crowd cheered. I dropped the chair, loving every second of the reaction that I got from the crowd. This was my big dream all my life, and it had came true tonight. I left the ring, running backstage. I couldn't wait to tell Frankie how good it felt, but as soon as I got backstage I met Frankie with a smile, he on the other hand, wasn't smiling.
Logan: Did you see that? The crowd LOVED me! After the first night, too.
Frankie: You just made a fool of yourself.
Logan: Huh?
Frankie: You had no respect for Johnny, you could've really hurt him.
Logan: Ah, he'll be alright.
Frankie: I trained you to be a wrestler, not some damn brawling street fighter.
I realized then that Frankie was disappointed in me, and I finally understood why. I got caught up in the excitement too much, that I had forgotten all about what Frankie taught me. He showed me the moves, but he couldn't show me the spotlight.
Frankie: This is what I was afraid of when I trained you.
Logan: Afraid of the crowd actually liking me? I was just trying to prove myself to everyone.
Frankie: I showed you how to wrestle technically, and you were using everything I taught you for bad. I taught you them things for good, to carry on a good wrestling match, not to destroy people.
Logan: Are you jealous?
Frankie: Jealous of what?
Logan: Jealous that I might take your spotlight.
Frankie sighed, looking down. He took me under his wing, taught me everything he knew, and I was using it against him. The raise for fame took over me, and transformed me into a different person. This is what Frankie was afraid of, and it was happening. Frankie left me there, on my own.. I guess he knew that I was taking my own path. That was the last time that me, and Frankie exchanged words between each other. I looked on after him as he left, I knew he had to have been jealous of how fast my stardom in PWA was raising.. I just knew he was jealous.
1991
Frankie The Yankie was on verge of retirement, and he still held on to the title.. he was already in his early forties. By now I was 21 years old, had about forty wins under my name, and a few losses.. but not too many. I had already moved out of my Mom's, found a sweet girl, and rented out a apartment with her. I had just started cutting promos about a year ago when they finally decided to get my name out, I guess they thought I was too young at the time.. but I proved them all wrong. The tension between me, and Frankie grew over the last three years. We never spoke backstage, and nobody ever booked us in any matches together. But it was everyone’s dream match in PWA, the old school versus the new school. Frankie The Yankie versus The Three Piece Logan. But the bookies never let it happen. I knew it got to them though, the crowd chanted it during matches that even had nothing to do with us, signs started appearing "Frankie vs Logan! Let it happen!" It was everywhere. My style of aggressive technical grew on to the fans, and they really loved it. I was the new deal in PWA, and everyone loved my new style. When the tension grew stronger, was about the time my name started getting thrown around in the heavy weight title scene. A match scheduled, between me, and Frankie's old time rival West Law. Whoever won the match was going to fight Frankie The Yankie for the heavy weight championship. Now West Law just wasn't anybody, he was a tough one. He had the nickname "career ender" for injuring people with his ruthless wrestling style. He and I we're almost alike, we had no respect for others, and all we cared about was the title. We both would've done anything to get our hands on belt, even if it met ending the career of another. Minutes before the match, I was backstage in my locker room when the camera man suddenly came in with an interviewer wanting me to do a promo for my match. I guess they wanted more ratings.
Logan: What do you want?
Interviewer: I'm here with, The Three Piece Logan himself. Everybody wants to know how you feel about Frankie The Yankie. If you win this match against West Law, you WILL fight Frankie.
Logan: That's true, tell me something I don't know.
Interviewer: West Law is as tough as they come, do you think you have what it takes to beat him.
Logan: Look here, you pathetic basted. He may be as tough as they come, but I'm just that tougher. I'm going to lay him out with a three piece to the face combo, and that's all there is to it. So listen up West Law, this is a warning. I hate Frankie more than anything, he trained me, and then abandoned me after my first match. What kind of man does that to his apprentice? Nobody in the right mind should. Do you know why he left me? He was jealous, he knew that overtime I'd become more popular than him.. he knew his legend would die, and that my legend would grow. He knew that, and that's why he didn't want nothing left to do with me. But you look here West, your just in my way. You may be an icon of this business, but to me your just a brick wall in my path that I'm going to tear down. There is nothing you, Frankie, or anyone else can do about. And tonight, "I'm going do whatcha gotta do to get to the top!"
My first real quote sprung to life, and before long everyone was expecting me to say it after I finished up a promo. The tension was so strong between me, and Frankie that it even grew onto the match between me, and West. The match between me, and West Law went down as planned. It was the hardest battle of my life, West was crazy basterd.. he'd do anything if he knew it'd gain him advantage. He even tried to break my arm during the match, but pulling a few tricks out of my sleeve, I was victorious. I didn't walk away 100 percent, I had a few cuts on my face. PWA stood for Professional Wrestling Association, but the thing about it was.. it wasn't that professional. You could get away with a lot of things in PWA, and mostly just do what you want. But after I defeated West Law, the talk grew larger than ever about Frankie, and me having a match. The title was scheduled to be on the line, but they made it a non title match anyway. The bookies were scared that if I might win the title, me being only 21.. they didn't want PWA representing the public with a rookie world champion. I was better than Frankie, he knew it, and I knew it. He was already ten years past his prime, and he knew it too. When he'd retire was anyone's guess, but everyone wanted to see Logan versus Frankie, before he retired. It was a destiny for the fans, it was every kids dream to see two forces like that collide. It was PWA's number one voted dream match. It had to happen, and if it didn't the fans would riot. I was disappointed that it was a non title match, because I really wanted the PWA championship. But it was fine, just as long as I got to finally wrestle Frankie. It was the teacher versus the student, and it was going to happen.. finally.
1992
It was next year when me, and Frankie finally met in the ring. It was the most anticipated match in PWA history, and everyone tuned in to see it. Even my Mom...
