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***
Preparing for the EMLL Time Wars show was a special experience for me. I was literally in the gym, and I was living solely off my last paycheck, the crumbs from indie bookings, and my savings. All to get to the Campeonato del Mundo EMLL in the best shape of my life.
And frankly, I have a lot to be proud of. There doesn't seem to be a trace of extra weight on my body. Every muscle, whether it's on my stomach or my arms, is clearly defined. I guess visually I've never looked as good as I do now in my life. When I look at myself in the mirror, I see a champion.
Of course, everything in life can't work out in your favour, no matter how hard you try...
- *Mate in Spanish*!
- More Spanish back at you!
Captain Lucha really doesn't like the idea of me not only being his last opponent in the promotion, beating him for the title, but also doing it honestly.
The latter is something new. Because at first Captain Lucha was against the match against me. So much so that when he heard that it was going to take place, he stormed into the locker room and punched me in the face. I don't know how, but I managed not to break him in half in the same spot.
After a while, he did agree to both the match itself and his defeat. However, on the condition that it happen dirty. Which led to...
- *math of which only the mention of mum can be discerned*!
A disagreement, so to speak. For El Bandito wants me to be a Technico, and therefore a good bloke, for they are in short supply in the company. So I can't win dirty against the main Technico and fan favourite.
So it's a mess. One good thing is that in addition to the acts of heckling on my part by Captain Lucha, I'm not being dragged into this mess....
.....
- Close the door, El Barto.
After the day was over, when the other guys had dispersed, El Bandito called me over to his place for a chat. Honestly, I have a bad feeling about this 'talk'.
- Is there a problem, boss?
I hope he doesn't tell me now that I'm going to be replaced in the title match by Guerrero Muerto, like Captain Lucha originally wanted.
- Hmm... - Surprisingly my question made El Bandito think. However, instead of answering it:- El Barto I have one interesting idea....
He changed the subject. Which raised my tension level.
- I plan to announce Captain Luchi's departure at the beginning of the show.
- Whoa.
I probably shouldn't say this, but wrestling fans in general, and wrestling fans in Mexico, are pretty hotheaded. And they get pretty ticked off when their favourite performer goes somewhere.... Especially hurt when it goes to a rival promotion in the country.
- It adds to your points against him, fan support. As for the match itself... Engle said you're a wrestler? A good one?
- Olympic candidate, boss. But what's that got to do with it?
- If need be, can you hold the Captain for real?
- Yes? - considering he's shorter than me and in worse physical shape, it shouldn't be a problem.
- Then if he refuses to lie down. Do it. If he refuses to lie down, I'll talk to the referee about it, just make sure the fans don't realise.
Shaking El Bandito's outstretched hand, I left his office in somewhat complicated feelings. This arrangement made me feel like I was doing something wrong, like I was back in the past.
.....
However, my fears were in vain. And a few days before the show, Captain Lucha agreed to be retained by me honestly. Agreed to announce his departure. And even promised to play the role of Rudo, the bad guy, in the ring.
The Captain's agreement reassured me and made El Bandito happy. Who promised to give him a grand send-off for all the years they'd worked together. Thoth thanked Bandito for the opportunity to reboot the career he gave him years ago.
Thus, the day of the show approached. Surprisingly, this time it managed to draw an audience of just over two thousand people. The auditorium, though darkened, looked great and packed.
Naturally, as a contender, I go first. My character as a recent debutante allows me to hide my excitement.
- GO EL BARTO!
- SHOW HIM!
- TAKE OUR TITLE!
And the fan support makes it easy to pull myself together. Everywhere I go, everyone's giving me kicks or shouting encouragement.
- BOO!
Captain Lucha, a luchador in a Mexican flag mask, was greeted negatively as soon as his tune played. Flirting with the audience, the Captain appeared only when they began to calm down, causing a new round of negativity.
The once major favourite took off his belt and started walking to the ring, raising it above his head, pointing his finger at himself and shouting back at the fans that he built EMLL and that everyone should be grateful to him.
Climbing into the ring, grudgingly handing the title to the referee to show it to me and then to all the spectators seated on four sides of the ring, the Captain spat in my direction, causing another disapproving roar.
After the gong, we huddled together in the centre of the ring. I quickly pushed the Captain to the ropes, between which he slid his torso, demanding that the referee pull me back.
Another clash in the centre. Captain attempts a German suplex on me after going behind my back. But I interrupt it, and walk the German back to the bridge.
*♪ Clap ♪
*♪ Clap ♪
On two and nine, the Captain breaks free. And then he's flushed out of the ring through the bottom rope in a bewildered state. Shouting at me, at the fans, hitting the guardrail and...
According to the script, the match begins with me dominating with speed, strength, athleticism. For the first three to five minutes, I have to look like a different level of wrestler.
- Boo!
Then after a poke in the eye. Captain Lucha takes over. And starts hammering away at me, breaking my legs, hitting me against the ropes, and slamming me into the guardrails outside the ring.
- Bart, focus!
Bursting into one of which, drawing a whole square, I meet Becky, present in the audience, surprisingly in the company of Isabella and her sisters. How long have they been on holiday!
- Woahhhh!...
Anyway, on the fourth fence, I jumped and somersaulted into Captain Lucha running behind me, much to the delight of the people behind the barricade.
After a parade of real Rudo action, I roll the Captain into the ring like a good guy, where the traditional lucha libre style match begins.
Hurikenrana, arm flips, flying off the third ropes, high speed holds and high stakes no misses.
But the good thing is that I have in my opponent a performer with more than twenty years of experience. The finesse and skill with which the Captain performs his moves makes me jump up and down.
- Boo!
If not by the finesse of the moves. It's the energy invested in the selling of the moves. It doesn't matter if I have to spin in the air, smash my head into the mats, or scream and break free of the hold.
- Yeah!
The energy people give me back is worth it. Their chanting my name. The gasps of breath when I'm almost held down. The cheering when I make the tackle and take the lead.
- Boo!
At the end of twenty minutes, when our bodies need a little respite. Captain Lucha reverted back to Rudo's tactics, starting to remove my mask. Showing great disrespect to the traditions of lucha libre, to me personally. After all, a mask has sacred meaning to a wrestler in Mexico.
- Yeah!
Of course, I fight back, remaining in my half-unravelled mask to hype up the crowd. The match continues and gradually comes to its climax.....
- YEAH!
After a series of Hurikenrana exchanges, as the Captain attempts another one on my part, I toss him into the air from my shoulders and catch him for a signature powerbomb.
*♪ Clap ♪
The victory countdown begins. My heart pounds at the mere thought of the title, the anticipation of being the leading face of the company, of being the one...
*♪ Clap ♪
I have a lot of matches ahead of me. And facing Guerrero Muerto in the main show of the year. Yes, I'm scheduled to be in the main event, the main show of EMLL! Who knew that the life of a loser like me would take such a turn--
- BOOOOOOO!
Suddenly, Captain Lucha pulls out a 2.9, and turns me down. But no, not to hold me back. Instead, he...
- BOOOOOOOOO!
Rips my mask off. I try to cover my face, but the Captain delivers a real superkick to my hands and.....
- ...
To a suddenly silent crowd, I deliver a second dropkick bomb and...
*♪ Clap ♪
*♪ Clap ♪
*♪ Clap ♪
In total silence, I win the title.
With the title in my hands, I look out at the audience.
They look at me first with bewilderment and then with....
- BOOOOOOOOOOO!
- WHO ARE THESE YANKS?!
- GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE, YOU BLOODY PRETENDER!
With a roar of indignation, food and rubbish flew into the ring. They're coming at me.
- Get out of here!
While I was already bewildered, the referee pushed me by the arm, sending me backstage, while some people started to smash the barricades and others to leave the hall.
Slipping the weighty gold title over my shoulder, I ran outside the ring without celebrating my victory. Holding the mask in my hands, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to me now? To El Barto. With Bart Simpson.