Mindsweeper Monday: TCCW 9-12

TCCW are wrestling stories from two different Yahoo! groups from the early 2000's. These entries were part of a much larger universe led by other writers. There are references to characters, events and matches that will not be posted here. Titles change hands, friendships and alliances form and dissolve, all without you ever seeing it. Imagine you are watching an Indy fed sporadically.

Note: You can find ALL (?) the stories by all authors in order in their original versions HERE - thanks for the link, Mangler!

Texas College Championship Wrestling 9

Jacoby Damage Control

Jacoby was suspended for two weeks. Everyone was talking about him being a liar and a cheat. Jacoby doubted anyone would want to fight him fairly now. The last thing Jacoby wanted was a bunch of matches where the rules went out the window. Already there were rumors of challenges coming from Roby, Daryl, Stephen and Bryan. Jacoby could refuse them but he knew they could just get some lightweight to take up their cause. It was a complete mess. At least he had not been stupid enough to admit anything to the commissioner. That meant damage control was still a possibility. He had to fix this before it went any further.

*****

The blond heavyweight's jaw dropped as he saw Jacoby standing at the front door of his apartment. Gerritt scowled at the young lightweight and spat out, "What the hell do you want?"

Jacoby said, "Gerritt, I came over because I want to apologize for what I did."

Gerritt laughed and said, "I should pound the snot out of you! I don't see Lucien here to save your sorry ass so what are you gonna do?"

Jacoby quickly said, "I'm sorry. Please, Lucien used me. I didn't know the gear was rigged. I swear it. Lucien gave them to me. Yes, I did challenge you at Lucien's urging. And yes, I did train with him but why is that so wrong? Don't you train to fight big matches?" Gerritt reluctantly nodded. Jacoby kept talking, "I don't want an answer now. But here. Take this. It's the least I can do."

Gerritt took the box and looked inside. Jacoby said, "Wrestling tapes. I stayed up all night copying matches from my collection. There's a lot of earlier stuff, too. Maybe you'll see some stuff that you can use against me. You know, see lots of ways to really torture me for what I did."

Gerritt couldn't help but smile. But he immediately turned serious. "Look, I don't forgive you. I can't right now and probably not ever. I don't even know if I believe you. You could be playing me just like before. After all, if not for Lucien's big mouth, I'd be out of the TCCW and you'd be the giant killer." Jacoby let a tear well up in his eye. 

Gerritt sighed and continued, "But look, Lucien is the bigger problem. Other guys have made mistakes and come back from it. Know this - I could wipe you out but I don't plan to. Not now, at least. But if you ever betray anyone in the TCCW again, I'll get you. And stay away from Lucien. For your own good. He's a doublecrossing bastard. After all, he turned you in pretty quickly."

Jacoby nodded and said, "Trust me, Lucien and I are through. I was an idiot to trust him. Look, I'm a lightweight; you're a heavyweight. We won't run into each other in the ring anyway. And I know it's not your style to ambush guys on campus or in the gym. I promise I will stay out of your way. I swear it on a stack of Bibles."

Gerritt and Jacoby just stared for another minute. Finally Jacoby broke the uncomfortable silence, "Well, thanks for listening. And thanks for not taking your anger out on my hide. I'll see you around but you won't see me unless you want to."

Jacoby walked down the front walk and got in his car. He drove away. Gerritt had confirmed his suspicion. It was Lucien who had turned him in. Jacoby smiled and thought, "Lucien, you shouldn't have shown me how much fun it is to be bad. I'm no one to mess with. Not any longer, thanks to you. I hope Gerritt is crushes you. And I hope he asks me to help him."

Up the street, Gerritt looked at the tapes. They had a very common theme. They featured all the "big men" of wrestling losing.

Gerritt had to laugh. Jacoby was a smart boy. Too smart, actually. He had been a little too slick in making this collection. Gerritt knew Jacoby was just trying to use him to get at Lucien. Still, Gerritt would watch the tapes and maybe be inspired. But he would also watch young Jacoby ... if he pulled any shit on any wrestler in the TCCW, Gerritt would find a way to destroy him.

THE END

*****

Texas College Championship Wrestling 10

Jordan After The Matches

Elton and Patrick left the arena together with Jordan's escorts. From across the parking lot, Jordan saw them. He was furious at Elton for his latest humiliation. After his defeat to the lightweight Toby, Jordan had focused all his energy into becoming a serious threat but still lost.

Jordan walked into the arena. He saw the promoter down the hall. Jordan said, "I want to issue a challenge."

The promoter said, "Jordan, why tell me? You've been doing your own challenging lately."

Jordan replied, "I want it to be official and I don't want him to be able to turn it down." The promoter nodded. He brought out his book and waited. Jordan said, "I want Elton back in that ring next week!"

The promoter said, "Sorry but Elton already has a full slate coming up this week. You can try him in two weeks?""

Jordan was furious but then had an idea. "Fine. Who is the blond kid that hangs out with Elton? Has he issued a challenge to anyone."

The promoter said, "His name is Patrick. Let's see. No, he hasn't at all. Elton told me he was going to but he didn't for some reason."

Jordan said, "Fine, then I want Patrick in the ring next week. I want him in the first match of the night. I want to open the card. And put Elton later on ... maybe fourth."

The promoter said, "Don't tell me how to organize my card, kid. But you are in luck. Elton has challenged Noel. Noel against Elton will be a featured match. People will be buzzing about it ... two of the top middleweights. You, with your losing record, against a newbie like Patrick won't be."

Jordan sneered as his record was thrown in his face. Jordan was now two and three officially, but the lightweight loss was on everyone's mind, making him two and four.

He would get back at Toby and Wesley but first he would get back at Elton. And the best way to get at Elton was through his little friend.

Jordan smirked as he walked out of the arena and headed to the gym. He would do nothing but workout and get even harder. Jordan could not wait for next week!

THE END

*****

Texas College Championship Wrestling 11

Vinny Wants to Wrestle

In the gym, Vinny approaches Noel. "Noel, man, I have to talk to you. Me and Martin are going to the Chair to complain about how matches are done. A bunch of middleweights are upset. Some of us never get to wrestle. But that new Elton guy is on every card. He's wrestled more in five weeks than I have in months. We're trying to round up other guys to go with. Come on."

Noel said, "Sorry buddy but I can't. I have no problem with Elton wrestling a lot. He issues challenges and guys accept. Nothing you can do."

"Yeah, well, I'm going to challenge him and knock him out of the league then. I'll challenge him this week."

"Sorry, Vin, but I'm wrestling him this week."

"What? Another match for this guy? How come? That's crap. I deserve more matches too but no one will wrestle me."

Noel was silent but Vinny recognized the look on his friend's face. He asked Noel to explain.

"Vin, look, you and I are buds. But you have to accept it, most guys here are here for fun. We just like to wrestle. No one wants to wrestle you because they know even if they win, they're gonna get mauled. Even I got mugged by Martin, and you and me are supposed to be friends. Guys notice that shit."

"You know I wasn't responsible for that."

Noel shrugged his broad shoulders, "That's my point, Vin. You guys do what you want no matter what. Nobody wants to be a part of your shit with Kevin and the so-calle Posse. I know when I fight Elton that at the end, win or lose, that's it. We can shake hands and go on. If I see him on campus or out at night, it's going to be cool. As it stands, every time I see Martin in Chem class, I want to punch his face in."

Vinny was fuming. This was not what he wanted to hear. Over the next day, Vinny tested Noel's theory and talked to as many wrestlers as he could. The story was the same although some guys talked around it. Vinny got the message. No one wanted to wrestle him because of the interference from his gang.

The next day, Vinny was back in front of Noel. "You were right. I asked around. Guys all had excuses but it's because of Kevin and them. I even offered to have them barred from ringside but no one wanted to wrestle still."

"That's because no one believes you. Kevin and all you guys have a reputation. Nothing you can do."

"So I can't wrestle any more?"

"Well, you can but you need to fight a couple of completely fair matches. Guys have to be able to wrestle you and not end up being ambushed in the ring. Or the locker room. Or the parking lot. After a couple of matches, maybe things will change."

Vinny nodded. "Thanks Noel. I just have to find one guy who will wrestle me. And I will wrestle fair and square." Vinny left Noel and searched the roster. He found the perfect guy. Vinny waited until 9pm at the gym. Luis walked in and Vinny approached him. 

"Luis, right?"

The boy nodded his head. Vinny struck up a conversation. He knew Luis from around town but only barely. Luis had a hard body and looked strong. He had not wrestled yet. He didn't get a chance to see many of the guys because he was busy during the day working construction for his father and taking night classes. He always worked out late after class. Most of the other middleweights didn't even know he existed.

Vinny chatted him up and challenged him to a match. Luis was eager to accept. He was really bummed that he never got to wrestle. Vinny agreed to make the arrangements. They shook hands and Luis looked forward to finally seeing the inside of the ring.

THE END

*****

Texas College Championship Wrestling 12

Middleweight Thursday

The Chairman had heard the grumblings. Guys wanted more matches. But with matches only on Saturdays, how many wrestlers could he accomodate?

Most of the griping had come from middleweights. The Chairman looked at his calendar and had an idea. He had three middleweight matches for Saturday - Jordan/Patrick, Elton/Noel and now, Vinny/Luis. He called the wrestlers and moved them up. 

It would be a special Thursday card. Middleweights only.

He called his wrestlers and let them know that this Thursday would be Middleweight Thursday and told them to invite family, friends, whoever. Any middleweights who wanted a match and could be there could issue challenges and get into the ring.

The Chairman let it be known that lightweights and heavyweights would get the same consideration in the weeks to come if the arena was free.

A couple of guys were interested already. The Chairman couldn't wait to see how many middleweights would show. 

*****

In the back, many of the middleweights had gathered. The Chairman explained that only three matches were on the schedule but the card would be open for challenges.

He had a stack of contracts that could be filled in for any number of guys, any rules.

In the back, Robert was talking to his friend Grant. Neither had wrestled since they signed up but both wanted to badly. They didn't want to wrestle each other but would if they had to. Grant went off to find an opponent while Robert considered leaving.

He saw a tall boy walking towards him. Robert recognized him as he got closer. It was Jamie, who was on the varsity track team with him. As he approached, Robert extended his hand. He said, "I didn't know you were a part of TCCW. Long way from track, dude."

Jamie shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well, I haven't wrestled yet. I'm a little intimidated to start with some of these guys. I wanted to try it and learn. I thought there'd be more guys like us. I do track, not wrestling. I'm thinking about bailing."

Robert nodded, "I know what you mean. You and me are probably the only track guys crazy enough to try this. I want to wrestle for fun but some of these guys are so far out of my league I doubt I could learn anything but how the mat tastes."

The boys laughed and Robert said, "Hey, what about you and me? We're kind of the same size, neither of us have wrestled and I have a grudge with you. I want to get you for beating me out for the 4x200 relay!" Robert laughed and gave Jamie a light punch on the chest.

Jamie smiled and punched him back in the abs, "Hey, It's not my fault that you sprinters can't finish. Seriously, I would totally wrestle you."

The boys walked over to the Chairman and were added as the third match of the night. He now had four matches scheduled and saw a lot of the boys talking. He knew that more would be coming. 

THE END