Post by Expert on Dec 14, 2016 0:32:46 GMT -5
Locker Room in the Silver Legacy
Reno, NV
June 21, 2016
The roar of a large crowd can be heard echoing through the locker rooms of the Silver Legacy casino followed by the sound of bare feet hitting the floor. Former Pro-wrestler Brandon Collins wearing tight MMA trunks and gloves as well as a towel covering his head walking down the hallway. His face is very badly beat. Black right eye, bloody lip as well as cuts and bruises all over the place. Brandon is being followed by two men. One his coach Donnie and the other his cutman for the evening. Donnie is lightly speaking to Brandon words of encouragement after a tough fight.
"It's ok Brandon. Sometimes you fall short in those types of fights. We've gotta think forward."
Brandon doesn't respond or give any indication that he is listening.
"That Jones kid was just really good. Years of Muay Thai and kickboxing training. He was already going to be a tough guy to beat for anyone."
Brandon just continues to walk until he enters an open door to an empty locker room. Once he enters quickly sits on a empty bench then the cut man runs over to Brandon and puts an ice pack on his face. Brandon holds the ice pack to his face while the cutman quickly applies Vaseline on some of the open cuts on his face. Donnie leans against the locker in front of Brandon and crosses his arms.
"Everything is going to be fine man. Firstly we get you all fixed, let you get some rest and tomorrow we need to watch over the fight again. We need to focus on what happened and where we can improve. My first thoughts are we need to spend more time on the wrestling mat. You couldn't take him down so you were at a complete disadvantage for the start and also....."
Brandon again doesn't seem to be listening to Donnie. He just has a blank facial expression as his mind is just going through what just happened. He is visioning every single punch and kick that landed to his head and body, every takedown he tried was blocked and how many times he was knocked down. He is remembering how hopeless he felt a few minutes into the second round after everything he tried up to that point failed and the fear he had for what was to come. Meanwhile the announcer's voice just echoing in his head.
"All three judges scored the fight 30-27 for you're winner by UNANIMOUS DECISION!!!! ADRIAN "THUNDERCLAP" JOOOOOOOOOOOONES!!!!!"
Brandon also hearing the fans laughing at him and making jokes about the fight and his MMA career. Shouting things about how he sucks and how bad Brandon is for being 1-3 inside the Octagon. Suddenly he is snapped out of his thoughts by the pain of the cutman pushing a cold iron eye hard on the massive swelling that has formed on Brandon's right cheek. Brandon then looks up at Donnie who has been speaking the entire time.
"....we should probably consider moving down to 170 where you're frame and wrestling will be better suited. Maybe. But that's a conversation for later. Now we gotta get you cleaned up and ready for the AXS TV press conference after the main event. So we can just sit back, relax and wait."
Donnie then turns on the TV in the locker room which shows the current fight going on. Brandon and Donnie both watch the fight as it looks to be closely contested. After a few seconds of silently watching the fight Donnie takes out his phone and goes through it. Suddenly he gets a weird look on his face before putting the phone to his ear and walking away. Brandon can't hear what Donnie is saying or just isn't listening as he just continues to watch the fight. A few seconds later the cutman stands up and announces he is finished. Brandon looks up at him and gives him a nod thanking him. The cutman nods back and walks away patting Donnie on the back before he walks out of the locker room. Donnie then walks back to Brandon with another weird look on his face.
"Listen. I just got a text from your agent Jill. She said to call her once I had the chance. She told me that the RFA wants to meet with you on Tuesday to discuss you're future in this promotion. Also they might have cancelled your press conference tonight. She doesn't know for sure, but she told me to go and find out. I'll be right back man."
Brandon just looks at him with the same blank facial expression he has had all this time. Donnie then rushes towards the door while Brandon watches him leave. Donnie then stops at the door and turns around.
"Sorry man"
Donnie then leaves. Brandon slowly turns his head back towards the TV. After a few second of watching the fight and seeing the crowd go crazy as both fighters are putting on a great show Brandon's head slowly starts dropping and his eyes close. He starts thinking about what Donnie just said. RFA wanting to discuss his future and canceling his press conference.
This is it. This is the end of his career in Resurrection Fighting Alliance. After his last two fights ended in a lost this was Brandon's chance to not only turn things around, but prove he has a chance for a career in mixed martial arts and that he can have a life after wrestling. And he blew it. The fans don't want to see him lose and the management realized that they invested in a loser. They're cutting him loose. They don't want to waste money on a guy who the fans have turned against and loses.
This is only the beginning. Once RFA lets him go then sponsors will start to pull away and soon enough Brandon's MMA career is over. After winning only the first of his 4 fights he's done.
What is next? Maybe there is another promotion who will pick Brandon up. Maybe the sponsors will stick around long enough for that to happen. Maybe this is only a hiccup in Brandon's career. Maybe in his next fight he can win convincingly and start a winning streak. Or maybe the worst will happen and his career is over. Then what?
All these thought's go through Brandon's head. He's scared for what is to come as for the second time in his life he doesn't know what will happen next. He ponders all of this as the bell sounds on the fight and the fans go crazy.
End