The screen opens to a blacked out room. The only contrast is “Classic Wrestling” written in a large silver glistening font on a pure black backdrop. A light fog is being produced to cover roughly an inch of the floor with a single spotlight shining straight down giving a perfectly created circle and glowing effect. Slowly crossing the backdrop we catch a figure, he’s hard to make out but we know he’s standing with his arms crossed.
“Legacy-”
That’s when we catch a unique audio sound, the starting of 🎶Alan Parsons Project- Sirius🎶.
🎶brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR🎶
“It’s a phrase men dread because it’s something you have either made and must maintain or something to live up to and build upon. It’s a patrimony that you cannot drop the ball on- the fear of being lost in the shadows of one’s own family legacy, the potential to fail and be known as nothing more than “less than”. I know all of you at some point have felt that. I know… because I feel that.”
The figure begins to slowly walk towards the spotlight that is blaring smack dab in the center of the room.
“A family legacy has been placed upon me by great wrestlers- my father carried my grandfather’s legacy to the highest level he could. He brought great success to our name- …the Starling name.”
🎶DUN. DUN. DUN. DUN. DUN.🎶
“He not once turned his back to a challenge and not once gave up on whatever he was pursuing. Persistence, dedication, the willingness to give every ounce of sweat and blood to be considered a great athlete, a tremendous wrestler, but most important- a respected man.”
Starling walks forward more. Just enough for his white boots to glimmer at the edge of the spotlight. We can catch the outlines of his face, his dark and long brown hair but it’s the energy and intensity in his voice that pull the audience in. His command of words and passion in every sentence spoken.
“Fear of living up to that expectation, fear of not being as great as they were. That’s what I am truly battling when I enter this match with Freddy Chedda during our bout in the Classic Wrestling Studio. In one defeat legacy could be stopped dead in its tracks. The Rush Starling rise to glory ceases to exist because “The Man Without Flaw” ends it just as fast as it began.”
Starling takes the final step forward. The light blaring down on him as we get a good look at the family protégé.
“I wouldn’t put it past you, Fred. To be here, you have to be great. I had the honor of watching the inaugural episode of Classic TV live in the studio. It gave me goosebumps, the hairs on my arm stood straight- pure wrestling. Pure sport- it makes the tournament mean something. Something more than any one of us can be right now, Fred. Right now, we have to earn THEIR trust- the fans trust. We have to earn their respect- our fellow athletes respect. And I, well- I need to continue to build upon my family’s legacy, Freddy. Unfortunately to do that, I have to defeat you. A man without flaw, a man that was a great and accomplished high school athlete. I remember when I too competed in high school, never was I focused on my studies but always focused on my future. This future, Freddy.”
🎶Doo Doo Doo Doo🎶
“Little did I know I would be hired and competing with the best athletes around the world here in Classic Wrestling. To top it off? My first match is a path to become this company’s first champion. No amount of training has or could prepare me for this moment and that makes me wonder how you feel, Fred. To be so outstanding at an amateur level and to have never made it to that next step, that collegiate step- yet you are here, Freddy. That my friend, that in itself is something you should be proud of, something you can stand tall for. I am amazed by it. I have no doubt that you will succeed here in Classic, Fred, but it won’t be against me. I’m going to overcome the fear of carrying the Starling legacy, I’m going to succeed, I will move forward in this tournament, and sadly, for you…”
The guitar riff finally hits from Sirius.
“I’m going to put that first flaw on your spotless 0-0 record.”