Homecoming.

[Deleted]

Homecoming.

Airline Stewardess: We are now entering the bright sunny skies of California and should be touching down in San Francisco within the hour. We hope that you have enjoyed your flight and thank you for choosing Japan Airlines.

This loss isn't easy. So many mistakes were made, things that I wish I could take back. I thought I was ready for Narumi. Everything was in place. Hell, the entire world assumed that I would dump her ass on her back and walk away with the Indy Championship! You don’t prepare for defeats though. In the weeks leading up to my last match in Tokyo, I spoke about how I would learn from Narumi if she beat me in the main event at World Wide IV. I made good on that too. First lesson, know your opponent’s history. Xplode used to tell me that to the point that I wanted to strangle him. He was right. I approached Narumi Tsutsumi as if she wasn’t hungry anymore, like a former Undisputed Champion. I was wrong. She had never won that belt. She was chasing the same big dream that I was and her hunger exceeded my own.

Lesson two, I tried to be something that I wasn’t. I thought I had put that shit behind me but apparently when everything was on the line… I did it again. I listened to the fans, the people in the locker room, the officials, and got caught up with showing respect and playing backroom “politics”. I forgot what got me to this level in the EWC. The Beast within me carried me to that match and it was that same beast that put me in position to finally achieve my maximum potential. Then I stopped listening to it. Narumi saw that and she used it against me. I deserved that ass kicking.

Raising a hand to his forehead, Bosa begins to rub the large bandages that run from each side of head. His left eye, swollen and bruised, twitches as he looks out the window of the airplane. Below, the California coast smiles back at him. He was home. Rest was needed. He needed to regroup and remember how to be the beast again. The bruises ran deeper than his flesh.

Before I left, I received an application to appear on Rampage. Apparently Prime and Rampage are going to do business together. I am honored that I have been considered as a Prime lead man but honestly, I don’t feel that I deserve that honor. The logical choice is to decline the offer. I am in no shape to compete. Turning the match down would give me a bit of a break. I have been putting in work consistently for some time now. I would be lying if I didn’t say that I wanted to compete though. I was still the reining Showtime Broadcast Champion! How would this look? Probably worse than losing to Narumi...

Taking a deep breath, Bosa turns his head towards the walkway of the plane to his right. Approaching him is his manager and girlfriend, Alexis Jones. With her red hair bouncing upon her shoulders, she finds a seat next to him and offers a kiss before speaking. “Miss me?”

“Always.”

Smiling again, Alexis continues. “You look sexy with all of those bandages on. Wanna join the mile high club?”

“Best offer I have had all day.” Responds Bosa.

“We are almost ready to land. I am so happy to be home. You know, there is something that I wanted to discuss with you. Can you pull your head out of self-pity for a second to hear an idea of mine?”

“Self-Pity?” Repeats Bosa with a smirk. “Your bed side manner is on point as always.”

“I got it from my father.” Laughs Alexis. “I am thinking of branching out. With everything going on in the EWC, it wouldn’t hurt to have a few friends to work with. Plus, as a manager I would like to have a few clients to work with.”

“Tossing me aside already?” Glares Bosa now.

“I can’t. Those eyes of yours draw me in every time. No, there is a talent that I have been paying attention to on Prime, someone that I believe would be a huge asset for us to have in the family. You know, those tag team titles have a lot of prestige too.”

“I am a solo act.” Snaps Bosa. “I don’t play well with others. Besides, the last time that I trusted anyone in the EWC locker room they ended up trash talking me behind my back.”

“Aiya Belrose. Her talent is off the charts. Heard of her?”

“Of course, I have!” Snaps Bosa once more, causing others in the plane to look in his direction. “The Headhuntress. I am pretty sure that she doesn’t care for me. Not going to work out.”

“Brett, there are strength in numbers. You can’t be the lone rogue of the EWC forever. Aiya would be a huge talent to sign for me as a manager. The two of you together, allied under one roof, would be devastating for the entire company. Imagine that… you having her back or she having yours? No more people coming out to the ring to get in the way. You two could elevate one another to the next level. At least think about it?”

“Have you spoken to her yet?” Asks Bosa as he winces in pain.

“Not yet. Leave that to me. You just heal up and sign that contract to appear on Rampage. Prime is your home now, and it’s your responsibility to defend that home. Wrestling isn’t just about what goes on in that ring, Brett. My dad used to say that 50% of moving up the ranks towards becoming a legend was what took place out of it. You must define the sport, live it, and give back everything that it has given you.”

“Oh, it’s given me plenty.” Laughs Bosa now. “This black eye for starters. Okay, let’s do it your way. I will look into that match. You talk to Aiya. Good luck with that. I hear she isn’t too friendly.”

Alexis giggles. “Neither are you, Mister Beast guy.”

Airline Stewardess: We are now preparing to land at San Francisco International Airport. Please fasten your seat belts and remain in place until the light above you is no longer red. Thank you.

“You know, Brett.” Continues Alexis with a soft tone. “You will be the EWC Undisputed Champion one day. I know it. I believe it. It doesn’t matter what I believe in though. It’s about what you do. The entire industry sees you as the next big thing, the second coming of the sport. You are going to lose some along the way, but never lose focus on what really matters… the goal. Losing is learning. I love you.”

Bosa nods. Alexis was right. The wounds would heal. The bruises would fade. His drive, motivation, and heart would remain. The time for self-pity was over. His grandfather used to say that you could tell a lot about a man by how he handled defeat more than when he experienced a victory. He would remember that.