Get Lost!!!

Rob had to take a deep breath to calm himself down after that idiotic question from the man on the left. But, damn wasn't he startled by the question. They didn't even know what heel or face meant. And these were wrestling promoters of this world. No wonder, pro-wrestling was in a shitty state.

Just to make sure that the man on the left was not pulling his leg, he sneaked a glance at the other two men. Confusion was etched across their faces too. Rob had to stop himself from swearing out loud. These guys truly didn't have any idea about what a heel or face meant. It looked like he had to change the way he spoke. The only way to get his point across was to explain things as he would do to a newbie.

"Well, by heel and face, I meant good guys and bad guys. The good guys are the faces and the bad guys are the heels," Rob explained with an awkward shrug of his shoulders.

"Good guys? Bad guys? We aren't a damn movie company. This just shows that you have no idea what pro-wrestling is. I am telling you, this guy is just here to waste our time," the one on the left grumbled irritably towards the other two.

Rob was once again flabbergasted by the reply he received.

'Wait a minute, was this guy telling me that they don't have good guys and bad guys while booking a match. Then, that means they are treating all the wrestlers like competitors. Then it would mean that there is no storytelling at all in pro-wrestling.'

Rob felt his world spin at the mere thought of pro-wrestling existing without any kind of storytelling. It was like a burger without meat; food without salt; no matter how pretty it looked, it would taste just bland and be unpalatable. He now knew the root cause for pro-wrestling being in such a slump. This was fucking unacceptable. His determination to change pro-wrestling only became stronger after hearing this.

But, before that, he should get past this interview. With how things were currently, he knew that he had to do something drastic to even have a chance. So, he decided to press forth with his speech ignoring the interruptions of the man on the left. If his gamble paid off, he would at least enter the world of pro-wrestling. Antagonizing the man on the left was a small price to pay compared to that reward.

"That's what I meant," Rob said raising his voice to cut off the whining of the man on the left. "I mean, we don't have any clear-cut villains or heroes. We book everyone in the same manner. But, if we could tweak it a little and book them in such a way that the public knew who the good and bad guys are, we could create more connection with them and draw in a bigger audience."

Silence greeted his statement. Rob observed his audience to gauge their reaction to what he said. What he was proposing was something new and unheard of in this world. This wouldn't be received with enthusiastic applause regardless of how much sense it made. So, he had to ease these people into the idea slowly.

The one in the middle had a blank face, making it difficult to ascertain how he viewed this new approach. The one on the left was visibly fuming. Whether it was from being embarrassed when Rob cut him off or he didn't like the idea that was proposed, Rob didn't know. However, there was a gleam of interest in the eye of the man on the right. Until now, the man hadn't reacted much other than ask his sharp question when Rob was bullshitting.

But now, there was some interest in his eyes.

It emboldened Rob. He knew that what he was doing was a gamble. But, if he could convince someone and let them see the merit of his idea, then he knew that he would be in an unassailable position henceforth.

"Think about it," Rob started once more excitedly. "Don't you feel bored booking program after program in the same way? There is no change. It is hard to keep public attention and if we change the way we book these things, we are sure to grab their attention. New things always attract people's attention. Just changing the way we normally book and creating clear-cut good and bad guys will pique people's interest in…"

"Enough!!!"

A loud shout interrupted Rob's excited rambling.

Rob closed his mouth in surprise. It wasn't the one on the left who had shouted. It was the one in the middle who had always maintained a professional air around him that shouted at Rob. The man was visibly angry and on the verge of cursing Rob outright. Rob opened and closed his mouth a few times without making any sound. He was too stunned by the outburst to coherently form any thoughts.

"I have listened to enough of your drivel," the man in the middle spoke with gritted teeth. "Do you think you are so great that you could talk anything? You haven't even stepped into this world, but you are already making assumptions and talking about discarding long-standing traditions on which this entire business has been built upon. I don't know where you get such ridiculous ideas or the courage to even speak them out loud. You have no respect for pro-wrestling at all."

"Damn right, we have wasted enough time with this idiot. Let's send him off already. I feel angry just looking at his face," the one on the left added oil to the fire smoothly.

"Here's your resume. Vacate this place now," the one in the middle threw Rob's resume back angrily. "I don't ever want to see your face around this place. Get lost!"

Rob stared at the two men dumbly. There was both anger and mortification warring within him. He was mortified by how wrong this interview had turned out. But, that was only a small part. What he felt the most was anger. Anger at how they were dismissing such a great idea. Anger at their ignorance and entitled behavior. Anger at their assumption that he knew nothing about pro-wrestling.

But, he could only swallow his thoughts without speaking them out loud. It was very clear that these men had no interest in changing how things were in pro-wrestling. They were satisfied with how things were. And arguing with them currently would be both unsightly and a waste of his time. So, he slowly stood up and took back his resume. He didn't say a word and walked out of the room with a steady gait.

"I say, we shouldn't let idiots like him inside the building at all. These people have no respect for business…" the voice of the man on the left echoed in Rob's ears as he stepped out of the room. He didn't pause outside but walked out of the building slowly.

At last, when he was at the gates, Rob slowly turned and looked at the huge building that had the words AWF hanging boldly in front and let out a deep breath.

"You say my idea is ridiculous, that I don't have the respect for the business, that I am an idiot to even suggest such changes. Well, fine then. One day, I will use my ideas to cause you countless headaches. That day you will know that I was right all along and I wasn't a mad man to suggest these things. You will have no choice but to change your views that day. One day, you will change your tune and follow me or will become obsolete in this world. I promise you this…"

"I WILL CHANGE PRO-WRESTLING. And there isn't a damn thing you would be able to do about that!!!"

*****

Andrew Gibson, Andy to his friends and colleagues, was a busy man. Being the sole owner and proprietor of Longham Wrestling Center, there wasn't a lot of spare time for him on any given day. Overseeing training of wrestlers, creating booking plans to provide the best stage for them to showcase their ability, drafting marketing and advertising plans, and making sure that everything was fine with LWC made him one busy man.

He used to work with AWF until three years ago. While he learned a lot of things there, the atmosphere there didn't suit him well. AWF was a well-oiled machine. Even if someone was absent, there wouldn't be a huge impact as there was always someone else there to fill those shoes. While he had some clout backstage in AWF, he was ultimately a spoke in the wheel there.

But, LWC was different. Here, he was the most important man. When he left AWF and started his own wrestling promotion, he knew that he would have a heavy workload. But, he rejoiced in it. He felt that he was living his life to the fullest after he began LWC. Being busy as a bee suited him well. He enjoyed unearthing talented wrestlers and helping them transition into pro-wrestlers a lot. He hadn't felt that joy in AWF.

After all, AWF was a huge behemoth and they didn't lack talented pro-wrestlers. There were tons of pro-wrestlers out there who wanted to join AWF. So, almost everyone who came there had some experience under their belt. They already knew how the business worked and what their roles were. That made it kind of boring for him.

LWC, on the other hand, was a newly established promotion and it wasn't a huge attraction to established veterans in the industry. It was a downside for him, but it also provided him with an advantage. Wrestlers who signed with LWC were the ones who wanted to make a mark in the industry. They were hungry and eager to learn. He enjoyed the process of teaching them the ropes more than anything else. If it was left to him, he would gladly hand over the reins of the company to someone else and focus on grooming talents.

Alas, it was not to be. He had a broader scope of work than he would have preferred. Training wrestlers were all well and good, but if he couldn't provide a stage to them, then it would be a colossal waste of their talents. When he began this company, his initial aim was to train up talented newbies and watching them blossom under his tutelage. But, when those gems he polished lost their shine when he wasn't able to provide them a stage, he had to reluctantly expand the scope of the company.

This was where his experience with AWF came to play. He used the tricks he learned there to slowly and surely build the company to its current stage in just three years. While they weren't a competition to AWF, not that any other promotion out there was able to claim that title, LWC has branded its own mark in the land of pro-wrestling.

As most of his roster consisted of younger stars, the matches they put on were a little bit of a faster pace than what AWF put out. He also cleverly made his shows occur right between the two weekly shows put out by AWF. That made sure that he didn't clash with AWF and also helped him to piggyback on the void left by them between the two shows.

Longham City was known for its pro-wrestling scene. Hence, there was always a demand for wrestling shows in the city. Both locals and tourists wanted to watch a wrestling show in Longham City. And when there were no shows scheduled by AWF, LWC would swoop in to satisfy their cravings. His clever administration and his rosters talented performance had at last borne fruit last weekend.

Last weekend, LWC signed a one-year contract with Breeze TV to telecast their weekly shows. They were given a timeslot of 90 mins every week. And if they pulled in enough ratings, Breeze TV would extend their contract for two more years. Getting a TV deal was a huge step for any wrestling promotion. As pro-wrestling didn't have widespread appeal, even small contracts like these would help a promotion grow in an accelerated manner within a short time.

However, this also brought in a huge number of additional tasks for Andrew to take care of. But, Andrew didn't mind the added workload that much. This was a huge step for his company and if he played it well, they would become second only to AWF. Just the thought alone excited him to no end.

Just then, his phone rang. Andrew put aside the report he was looking at to the side and answered the call.

"Hey Andy, how're things on your end?"

His friend Steven's voice came out of the phone causing Andrew to smile.

"Thanks to you, things are looking great," Andrew laughed jovially in return.

"So, I take it that you signed the deal,"

"Damn right I signed it. Pity, it was only for a year though,"

"Don't be too greedy Andy,"

"Yeah, you are right. Its been only three years since LWC began. We already have a TV deal. Thanks once again for putting me in touch with the TV producers,"

"I didn't do much. They had a need and I only sent you to their doorstep. It was your effort that got you the deal."

Andrew merely smiled at that and didn't reply. He knew full well how hard it is to get this deal. Steven's recommendation was half the reason he got the deal.

"Anyways, I have a favor to ask,"

"Just say what it is. I will do anything as long as it is within my power. After all, I owe you big time for the TV deal,"

"Well, I knew you must be short-staffed right now. So, I want to recommend someone to you."

"Ah, Steve, if it is a wrestler, I am sorry to say that our roster is more than full. If a vacancy pops up, I will definitely give you a call. I can't sign any more wrestlers currently."

"Then it is a good thing I am not recommending a wrestler, isn't it?"

"Oh!"

"The lad I am recommending to you isn't a wrestler. His interests lie with booking and management line,"

"Booking and management, huh? I don't remember any young ones being interested in that. Only old guys like us who were well past their primes take up such things,"

"Well, that's where he said he wanted to go,"

"Oh, how's his work?"

"Ah, that's the thing. The lad is still wet behind the ears. He is a complete newbie. I wouldn't have come across him if not for him attending an interview in AWF last week,"

"Oh!"

"Don't worry, I am not carting off a burden. He made some interesting points during the interview. It piqued me a lot. I know damn well how things are here in AWF. So, I don't see him working here. I just wanted to see if he can make something out of him by lending a small helping hand."

"That sounds like a promising lad. What did he say to make you this curious? I mean, you are recommending him to me just for those words of his,"

"Well, he proposed to change the way we book wrestlers. He had some interesting ideas and I want to see if they have any merits."

"Then, why don't you give him chance there in AWF? Or are you sabotaging me?"

"Like hell I am sabotaging you! I would have given him a shot. Unfortunately, luck wasn't with him."

"Oh, do tell,"

"He went on a rant about how he wanted to change the way we book things in front of Roger of all people. You know how damned stubborn that man is when it comes to upholding traditional values of pro-wrestling."

"I am not much different from Roger, Steve,"

"At least, you would have heard the lad out. Roger all but threw the guy out of the building."

Andrew chuckled imagining an irate Roger dragging a young man by his collar out of the building.

"That does sound like Roger alright,"

"Anyways, my sixth sense started tickling when the lad told what he wanted to do. I thought it would be interesting to see the results of his ideas."

"Fine, I will give the lad a chance. I am not promising anything. I don't want any confusion just as I have started this TV deal."

"That's good. The lad looks like he has a passion for the business. All I ask is that you give him a chance,"

"Ok, send him my way. I will see what I can do. What's his name?"

"His name is Rob Williams. I will ask him to meet you on Monday. What time will be suitable?"

"If it is Monday, then tell him to come in the afternoon at 3,"

"Sure, thanks for the consideration. Who knows, his ideas might even bear fruit and you would end up owing me more."

"Ya, right," Andrew snorted into the receiver. "Anyways, I have loads to do here. Ask that lad to be on time. I am hanging up."