Post by Deleted on May 17, 2021 8:38:18 GMT
Scene opens to the inside of what appears to be a house on the outskirts of Cape Town, South Africa. A man can be seen, seated on a sofa and sipping water from a glass.
Hello there, and welcome to my humble abode. For those who don't know me, I am Solomon Dlamini. Born and raised in South Africa and a wrestling veteran of twenty-three years, all around the globe. From Japan, to the United States, to England, to even back home in Africa. You name the place and I have wrestled there. Won championships in each of those places too. I'm not here to talk about the past though or regale you with stories from those journeys. I'm not even here to talk about myself, because I've done all that I can in this industry. I'm content with how my career has panned out and have nothing more to prove. My time in the ring is done and now, it's time for me to give back to the industry that has given me so much throughout the course of my career.
Just then, two people make their way into the room. One male and one female. The male appears to be in his late teens or early twenties and is wearing a black shirt and jeans. The female is of a similar age and has her hair tied into a ponytail, as well as wearing a white singlet and jeans.
I would like to introduce you to my newest projects. My two trainees, who I have been and will be mentoring. Helping them to find their way in this industry, just as the likes of Nakazawa and TONECHI did for me in Japan. This man right here.
He points to the man.
Is Anthony Tulia. 19 years of age and already has two years of experience in the ring, back in his homeland of The Democratic Republic of Congo. He is one of the fiercest competitors you will ever meet in the ring and refuses to settle for anything but first place. In every definition of the word you can think of, he is a fighter. A warrior who will not rest until the job is done. As for her?
He points to the woman.
She is Tamara Katlego. The daughter of South African legend Tobias Katlego and someone who understands this business better than anyone. She is only 18 years of age and already has a skillset that defies her lack of experience in the ring. Refined and harnessed within her family's dojo under the guidance of Tobias as well as myself. All she wants to do is show the world why she is the best. In the ring or on the microphone. Nobody can measure up to her, even if that means she has to kill herself in the ring to prove it.
Solomon takes a sip of water, as he looks at both Anthony and Tamara.
The floor is yours.
The two look at one another, Tamara giving Anthony a nod.
It doesn't matter to me where I compete. Whether that be here in Africa, In Europe or even in the United States. Nor does it matter to me who I have to step into the ring against in order to prove that I am the best. That nobody in any company around the world measures up to me, because I will do exactly that. Whether or not people wish to accept the facts I will lay out before them. There is nobody on any roster who is willing to work as hard as me. There is nobody in the world who is capable of standing up to me and denying me the acclaim I deserve. The riches and glory that will come when I set foot between those ropes. Just ask anybody who has had the honor of sharing a ring with me in the past. They'll all tell you the same thing I am.
He taps his heart.
Nobody in this industry has the heart. The passion. The work ethic that I do. I don't just do this because I can. Or because I want to. I do this because I know I am the best, and that there is not a single soul on this planet who can stop me. You'll see what I am truly capable of when I step between those ropes.
Anthony then steps back as Tamara steps behind Solomon.
I was born into this industry. My lineage. My name is royalty and soon, the whole world will know that. This is all I've ever wanted to be. Not a princess. Not an accountant or a businesswoman. Not even a model. A wrestler. Ever since I came out of the womb. There is not a single soul on this planet who can say that about themselves. If they believe they can, they are lying to you. They know it as well. I'm not. Ever since I could walk, I was studying this business. Watching the greats step between those ropes and leave their blood. Their sweat. Their tears in the ring, all so that they could prove they were worthy. That they were the best to ever do it. I plan on leaving all of them in the dust by the time my career is said and done, and that won't be for a long time. I'm only getting started and already, people know my name. They know who I am and why I made the simple decision to step foot into the ring. Soon, they will see why I'm simply foretelling what will happen each and every time I step between them. Why each opponent who has the honor of sharing the ring with me, will ultimately be a stepping stone.
She arrogantly smiles.
A means to an end. Nothing more than another nameless, faceless victim. Fallen at the feet of wrestling's greatest product since sliced bread. Me.
Tamara returns to her previous position, as Solomon finishes his water and gently places the glass on the floor in front of him.
As you can see, these two are ready to leave their imprint on this industry. Make sure that everybody knows their name and they don't care where it is they end up landing. All I can say to those who may wish to stand in their way is this. Don't. Otherwise all you will end up being, is a name. A victim who is solely remembered as the person who fell to allow them to rise. You don't want that for yourselves, do you? If you're smart, you wouldn't. So, I suggest you be smart, otherwise, I'm sure Anthony and Tamara have no qualms in making you learn the hard way why you should never have crossed them. Though you'll likely not even have that choice. We'll see you again, very soon.
The scene fades with all three standing there. Anthony and Tamara glaring into the camera and Solomon with a proud smile on his face.
The scene re-opens to Solomon sitting across an oaken kitchen table from Tamara and Anthony. A piece of paper positioned between the trio, which appears to have been signed by the latter two.
The IIW... They are the company who approached me, asking if the two of you were willing to make the trip out to England for your professional debuts. See how you measure up to the best they have to offer.
Anthony confidently smiles, as Tamara simply raises her left eyebrow.
Yes. I know you both are already the best in the game, but see this as an opportunity. A new avenue to showcase to the world why it isn't just arrogance. Why it's not simply hubris, but the fact of the matter. If you do it here, then nobody will be able to doubt you, or claim that you were simply big fishes in small ponds. They will have to acknowledge that you are both sharks swimming in their ocean, making them all your prey.
Anthony then interjects.
Just look at us. If they don't already know that, then I doubt they'll ever want to acknowledge that.
That's why you leave them with no choice but to. Prove it and they will, whether or not they like it.
Solomon places his hands on the table.
You're not just doing this for me or yourselves. You're doing this for this continent. For the young children who wish to follow in your footsteps and show that our wrestling scene is just as good as anywhere else on the planet. Show them that they've been ignoring us for too long and now, it's time they understand just what they have been missing out on.
You already know we're more than happy to give them that lesson. They better be coming to play, otherwise we'll leave them on the mat. Crying like bitches.
Anthony laughs.
We'll do that anyway, Tamara. Didn't your dad tell you that?
Tamara rolls her eyes, looking across at Anthony.
You get what I mean. It doesn't matter to us, even if they do come to play.
Solomon interjects himself back into the conversation.
Yes. Anyway, your flight is booked for Wednesday morning and you'll be expected in Manchester that afternoon. I've also managed to get you both an apartment thanks to one of my contacts, so there'll be a chauffeur waiting for you when you land.
Anthony and Tamara nod, before Anthony looks at Solomon with a curious look.
Are you coming with us?
Solomon shakes his head.
No. I have things to deal with here and the dojo. This is your chance to show what you can do, on your own. Prove to the doubters that you are who you say you are. Don't worry, I'll be watching here and you both know you can call at any time if you want.
Yes
Solomon chuckles at the two stating it together. As if they were children finishing each other's sentence.
Good. I'll let you two get to packing then.
Solomon pushes his chair back, standing up and walking off as the scene fades.
Hello there, and welcome to my humble abode. For those who don't know me, I am Solomon Dlamini. Born and raised in South Africa and a wrestling veteran of twenty-three years, all around the globe. From Japan, to the United States, to England, to even back home in Africa. You name the place and I have wrestled there. Won championships in each of those places too. I'm not here to talk about the past though or regale you with stories from those journeys. I'm not even here to talk about myself, because I've done all that I can in this industry. I'm content with how my career has panned out and have nothing more to prove. My time in the ring is done and now, it's time for me to give back to the industry that has given me so much throughout the course of my career.
Just then, two people make their way into the room. One male and one female. The male appears to be in his late teens or early twenties and is wearing a black shirt and jeans. The female is of a similar age and has her hair tied into a ponytail, as well as wearing a white singlet and jeans.
I would like to introduce you to my newest projects. My two trainees, who I have been and will be mentoring. Helping them to find their way in this industry, just as the likes of Nakazawa and TONECHI did for me in Japan. This man right here.
He points to the man.
Is Anthony Tulia. 19 years of age and already has two years of experience in the ring, back in his homeland of The Democratic Republic of Congo. He is one of the fiercest competitors you will ever meet in the ring and refuses to settle for anything but first place. In every definition of the word you can think of, he is a fighter. A warrior who will not rest until the job is done. As for her?
He points to the woman.
She is Tamara Katlego. The daughter of South African legend Tobias Katlego and someone who understands this business better than anyone. She is only 18 years of age and already has a skillset that defies her lack of experience in the ring. Refined and harnessed within her family's dojo under the guidance of Tobias as well as myself. All she wants to do is show the world why she is the best. In the ring or on the microphone. Nobody can measure up to her, even if that means she has to kill herself in the ring to prove it.
Solomon takes a sip of water, as he looks at both Anthony and Tamara.
The floor is yours.
The two look at one another, Tamara giving Anthony a nod.
It doesn't matter to me where I compete. Whether that be here in Africa, In Europe or even in the United States. Nor does it matter to me who I have to step into the ring against in order to prove that I am the best. That nobody in any company around the world measures up to me, because I will do exactly that. Whether or not people wish to accept the facts I will lay out before them. There is nobody on any roster who is willing to work as hard as me. There is nobody in the world who is capable of standing up to me and denying me the acclaim I deserve. The riches and glory that will come when I set foot between those ropes. Just ask anybody who has had the honor of sharing a ring with me in the past. They'll all tell you the same thing I am.
He taps his heart.
Nobody in this industry has the heart. The passion. The work ethic that I do. I don't just do this because I can. Or because I want to. I do this because I know I am the best, and that there is not a single soul on this planet who can stop me. You'll see what I am truly capable of when I step between those ropes.
Anthony then steps back as Tamara steps behind Solomon.
I was born into this industry. My lineage. My name is royalty and soon, the whole world will know that. This is all I've ever wanted to be. Not a princess. Not an accountant or a businesswoman. Not even a model. A wrestler. Ever since I came out of the womb. There is not a single soul on this planet who can say that about themselves. If they believe they can, they are lying to you. They know it as well. I'm not. Ever since I could walk, I was studying this business. Watching the greats step between those ropes and leave their blood. Their sweat. Their tears in the ring, all so that they could prove they were worthy. That they were the best to ever do it. I plan on leaving all of them in the dust by the time my career is said and done, and that won't be for a long time. I'm only getting started and already, people know my name. They know who I am and why I made the simple decision to step foot into the ring. Soon, they will see why I'm simply foretelling what will happen each and every time I step between them. Why each opponent who has the honor of sharing the ring with me, will ultimately be a stepping stone.
She arrogantly smiles.
A means to an end. Nothing more than another nameless, faceless victim. Fallen at the feet of wrestling's greatest product since sliced bread. Me.
Tamara returns to her previous position, as Solomon finishes his water and gently places the glass on the floor in front of him.
As you can see, these two are ready to leave their imprint on this industry. Make sure that everybody knows their name and they don't care where it is they end up landing. All I can say to those who may wish to stand in their way is this. Don't. Otherwise all you will end up being, is a name. A victim who is solely remembered as the person who fell to allow them to rise. You don't want that for yourselves, do you? If you're smart, you wouldn't. So, I suggest you be smart, otherwise, I'm sure Anthony and Tamara have no qualms in making you learn the hard way why you should never have crossed them. Though you'll likely not even have that choice. We'll see you again, very soon.
The scene fades with all three standing there. Anthony and Tamara glaring into the camera and Solomon with a proud smile on his face.
The scene re-opens to Solomon sitting across an oaken kitchen table from Tamara and Anthony. A piece of paper positioned between the trio, which appears to have been signed by the latter two.
The IIW... They are the company who approached me, asking if the two of you were willing to make the trip out to England for your professional debuts. See how you measure up to the best they have to offer.
Anthony confidently smiles, as Tamara simply raises her left eyebrow.
Yes. I know you both are already the best in the game, but see this as an opportunity. A new avenue to showcase to the world why it isn't just arrogance. Why it's not simply hubris, but the fact of the matter. If you do it here, then nobody will be able to doubt you, or claim that you were simply big fishes in small ponds. They will have to acknowledge that you are both sharks swimming in their ocean, making them all your prey.
Anthony then interjects.
Just look at us. If they don't already know that, then I doubt they'll ever want to acknowledge that.
That's why you leave them with no choice but to. Prove it and they will, whether or not they like it.
Solomon places his hands on the table.
You're not just doing this for me or yourselves. You're doing this for this continent. For the young children who wish to follow in your footsteps and show that our wrestling scene is just as good as anywhere else on the planet. Show them that they've been ignoring us for too long and now, it's time they understand just what they have been missing out on.
You already know we're more than happy to give them that lesson. They better be coming to play, otherwise we'll leave them on the mat. Crying like bitches.
Anthony laughs.
We'll do that anyway, Tamara. Didn't your dad tell you that?
Tamara rolls her eyes, looking across at Anthony.
You get what I mean. It doesn't matter to us, even if they do come to play.
Solomon interjects himself back into the conversation.
Yes. Anyway, your flight is booked for Wednesday morning and you'll be expected in Manchester that afternoon. I've also managed to get you both an apartment thanks to one of my contacts, so there'll be a chauffeur waiting for you when you land.
Anthony and Tamara nod, before Anthony looks at Solomon with a curious look.
Are you coming with us?
Solomon shakes his head.
No. I have things to deal with here and the dojo. This is your chance to show what you can do, on your own. Prove to the doubters that you are who you say you are. Don't worry, I'll be watching here and you both know you can call at any time if you want.
Yes
Solomon chuckles at the two stating it together. As if they were children finishing each other's sentence.
Good. I'll let you two get to packing then.
Solomon pushes his chair back, standing up and walking off as the scene fades.