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 19
Jacoby (LW) versus Chen (LW)
Three days into his suspension, Jacoby entered the busy martial arts studio quietly. He had searched long and hard for Chen. Like Jacoby himself, Chen did not wrestle at college with many of the other guys. Chen had his own life and was considered reclusive. Jacoby had no doubt that Chen was ignorant of his troubles in TCCW. The young man would have no idea about Jacoby's suspension.
Jacoby had to get back to wrestling and make everyone forget the other stuff. Already there were rumors that Daryl, Stephen and Bryan, the ones who had overheard Lucien spouting off, were gunning for him, getting ready to challenge him. Jacoby knew that this might not be true and that even if it was he could always decline, it was bad news for him ever getting a decent match again.
Across the room, he saw Chen, who was sparring with one of the trainers. Chen was shirtless in black pants, which gave Jacoby a good chance to check out the competition.
Jacoby focused hard on Chen. The dude was only an inch shorter than Jacoby and only five pounds lighter than he was. Despite their closeness in size, Jacoby and Chen could not have been built more differently.
Chen was probably not far off the size he would always be. His shoulders were narrow, his chest was lean and he carried himself like an older man, not a clumsy 19-year old. Chen had a trim, tightly muscled physique that was cut and as hard as a rock. He moved with deceptive quickness. And his power was a surprise, as Jacoby had learned in their first match.
Jacoby, on the other hand, was reasonably broad shouldered, with a strong chest and narrow waist. Jacoby might still grow another few inches and he would definitely get bigger in the next few years. He knew his days as a lightweight were numbered. That's why he wanted the title now - before he moved up weight classes and had to start from scratch. And before he was forced to accept challenges from meatheads like Daryl, Stephen and Bryan.
Across the studio, Jacoby was shocked as Chen was being manhandled in his sparring effort. It made Jacoby happy to see someone beating Chen. When they finished, Jacoby crossed the room. Chen saw Jacoby in the mirror. Chen grabbed his shirt and walked over to meet Jacoby.
"Jacoby, what are you doing here?" Chen asked. Jacoby could not tell if he was happy to see him or not.
Jacoby said, "I wanted to talk to you. It took me forever to track you down here. Nice moves, by the way. Your partner is good, huh?"
"Yes, Raymond is two levels ahead of me. I enjoy sparring with him often. He knows me very well so it challenges me. What did you want to talk about?"
"Ironically, Chen, I want to use you the way you use Raymond. I want to see if I can challenge you to a rematch. I've been training hard and I want to test myself against you. Chen, you are the class of the lightweights. You beat me pretty easily last time and you crushed Kevin. I'm hoping I've improved. But to know whether I have, I want to face the best. That's you."
Chen smiled, "Jacoby, thank you for your praise. I would be honored to accept your challenge. I think we can do our match next week. Is that all right with you?"
Jacoby said, "I'd like to but I'm ... on vacation. How about in ten days on the Saturday after next?" Chen nodded his assent. Jacoby responded, "That's cool. Thanks, Chen. Do you want to grab a soda or something? You never hang out. I don't know anything about you."
"Thank you but some other time. I have to continue my training and you should as well. I look forward to our next match."
The two young men shook hands. Jacoby called the promoter and they were reluctantly added to the card.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FOR OUR NEXT BOUT, WE HAVE A LIGHTWEIGHT REMATCH! THIS MATCH IS ONE FALL WITH A THIRTY-MINUTE TIME LIMIT. INTRODUCING FIRST, THE CHALLENGER, WEIGHING IN AT 155 LBS, HERE IS JACOBY!
Jacoby raced up the aisle, eager to get it on. He was in great shape, having trained non-stop for two weeks. He was tanned a bronze color from hours spent running an sparring in his parents backyard.
Jacoby wore small white trunks, which were actually a speedo since he couldn't afford another pair of trunks. But he had no interest in wearing anything black again. The clean white spandex bathing suit stood out like a beacon against his dark tanned skin.
Jacoby also had his old gear on, which was all white - white wrestling boots, white knee pads and white wrist bands. Jacoby made sure everything was regulation. He knew the ref would be extra careful and was on the look out for any tricks. Together he made an impressive walk down the aisle.
Sure enough, the ref did an extra thorough check on Jacoby, inspecting every inch of him. Jacoby stood stock-still as though this was normal. He smiled to the crowd. When it was over, the ref was relieved that he had found nothing. Jacoby hopped up on the corner and sat on the top turnbuckle. He didn't want to show off, in case it was misinterpreted by anyone. Still, when he heard his name called by a girl in the crowd, he turned around and gave a sly grin. He leaned back and rested his hands behind him on the ring post. It was a deliberate model-style pose but it looked completely casual.
INTRODUCING NEXT, THE CHALLENGEE, WEIGHING IN AT 149 LBS, THE UNDEFEATED LIGHTWEIGHT, CHEN!
Jacoby bristled at the "undefeated" part of the introduction. It basically reminded everyone that this "rematch" was between a winner, Chen, and a loser, Jacoby. He got bitter but refused to show it. He knew the Chairman had done it to punish him just a little more.
Chen walked slowly down the aisle. He wore his black martial arts pants, elbow pads and a black belt. On his feet, he had slippers with a pocket for the big toe to allow his toes to grip the ropes. Chen climbed the steps, rather than coming in under the ropes as most of the kids did. Chen bowed at Jacoby who resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Jacoby hopped off the turnbuckle and bowed back.
Chen slipped off the sash and his pants. He turned and faced Jacoby. Chen wore red square cut trunks, knee pads and the toed slippers.
The ref brought both wrestlers into the center of the ring and gave them the rules. Before they parted, Jacoby extended his hand. Chen shook his opponent's hand. Jacoby knew his every move was being scrutinized. No matter what, he would not cheat. But thanks to his planning, he doubted he would need to.
Jacoby smiled broadly so everyone could see his sportsmanship. He said to Chen, "Wow, you are getting big time. You even have a ring outfit to change out of. You will make a great lightweight champion."
Chen smiled and laughed, saying only, "Thank you."
Jacoby backed into the corner and waited for the bell.
When the bell sounded, Jacoby charged out. He expected Chen to avoid the lock up and kick with his left foot instead. He was rewarded immediately. Chen swung his left leg out. Jacoby, expecting this, dropped down and swept Chen's right foot from the mat. As Chen fell back, Jacoby jumped to his feet and came back down, driving an elbow into Chen's rock hard chest.
Chen grunted with surprise and pain. Jacoby quickly leapt up and came crashing down with another elbow to Chen's chest. He rolled Chen onto his stomach and forced Chen's arms up into the air. Jacoby pushed the straight arms forward, wrenching the shoulders of his opponent.
Chen was impassive under Jacoby but Jacoby knew he had to be feeling this. Jacoby held on tight and put a foot on Chen's back. He stood up and pulled harder, as if trying to separate limb from joint.
Chen managed to slide his knees under his body. With explosive quickness, he was back to his feet. Jacoby kept his arms pinned behind him, but Chen showed incredible flexibility by twisting and maneuvering out of the hold.Chen turned and faced Jacoby with growing respect. Chen focused and approached Jacoby again. The two wrestlers locked up in a traditional wrestling lock-up and struggled for dominance. Chen and Jacoby held their ground, neither able to force the other very far back.
Jacoby turned to the right, throwing Chen off balance and drove his knee upwards. Chen grunted again as the knee drove the air from his lungs. Jacoby hammered his back with a double axe handle.
Chen collapsed, sprawled out on the mat. From the corner of his eye, he saw Jacoby stalking. Chen pushed up on his hands and, demonstrating the agility of a gymnast, locked his legs and Jacoby's.
The move sent Jacoby to the mat hard. Chen rolled over and drove three quick chops into Jacoby's left side. Jacoby winced in pain. Before he could even move, Chen was bringing him to his feet. Chen clutched his left wrist in a light arm bar. Under the arm, Chen shot out his foot and kicked Jacoby in the left kidney, in the same spot as the chops.
Jacoby broke the grip on his wrist and stumbled away. He knew Chen was most likely planning another kick. He turned in time to see Chen launching the kick. Jacoby ducked under it and backed into the corner.
Chen was shocked at Jacoby's agility in avoiding that kick. Chen pursued Jacoby into the corner. Jacoby charged out, hoping to surprise Chen. Chen was ready though and dropped to one knee. He thrust out his right hand and hammered it into Jacoby's midsection! Jacoby backed into the corner, coughing as Chen charged ahead. He chopped across Jacoby's chest three times then launched a spinning kick into Jacoby's abs.
Jacoby sank in the ropes and Chen did a leaping spin kick, connecting with Jacoby's jaw. Jacoby fell forward, only to fall into Chen's rising knee which drove upwards into his chest. Jacoby bounced back up into the corner.
Chen pulled Jacoby from the corner and sent him across the ring. He made sure Jacoby's left side hit the turnbuckle! The pain was excruciating for young Jacoby.
Chen marched forward, ready to continue the beating.
Chen came towards Jacoby fast. Jacoby lifted his right foot and planted it into Chen's face! Chen was staggered. Jacoby ignored the pain and charged forward, sending Chen down to the mat with a killer clothesline.
Jacoby stomped his boots down on Chen's tight abs. He kicked Chen in the side, forcing Chen to roll over. Jacoby then started stomping into Chen's back. Jacoby dropped an elbow right into the center of Chen's exposed back. He knelt beside his opponent and positioned one hand on his neck and the other on his butt.
Jacoby delivered four hard knee drops in quick succession. He stood up quickly and lifted Chen up. Jacoby had Chen bent at the waist. Jacoby reached around Chen's waist and heaved him up. Chen was hanging in an over-the-shoulder backbreaker, his back on Jacoby's right shoulder, his legs hanging behind and his head hanging in front. Jacoby hung onto the backbreaker as the ref asked Chen if he wanted to submit.
Chen refused so Jacoby bounced a few times, increasing the pressure even more. Chen struggled in the hold, kicking his feet, trying to free himself but Jacoby held tight. Finally, Chen managed to flip his feet forward and get out of the hold.
Chen landed firmly on the mat. Before he could even move, Jacoby simply extended his arm and drove forward, putting all his weight and strength behind the clothesline. Chen was driven down into the mat.
Jacoby rolled Chen onto his stomach. He placed his knee into Chen's back, grabbed Chen's ankles and neck and leaned back. Chen was stretched over Jacoby's knees, his already damaged back strained even more. He refused to submit but Jacoby poured on even more pressure.
Chen groaned in agony as he felt close to losing for the first time in TCCW. Chen lifted his hands to his throat. He had to end the terrible hold immediately, He clutched Jacoby's hand, finding one finger. He bent back hard and fast. Jacoby, feeling like his finger might break, had to release the hold.
Jacoby backed into the corner and shook his hand out. He couldn't believe Chen's finger move. Chen was struggling his feet in the middle of the ring. Jacoby charged and drove a boot into Chen's midsection.
Chen flopped across the ring landing in the corner. Jacoby came forward, ready to do more damage to Chen's back. But Chen slipped around Jacoby with lightning like speed. He leapt to his feet and drive a foot into Jacoby's back. Jacoby flew forward, crashing head first into the turnbuckle. He turned and saw Chen waiting for him.
Chen was obviously injured, Jacoby realized, since he didn't follow up the kick. It gave Jacoby a lot of confidence as he moved to lock up yet again with his nemesis.
When the two wrestlers met in the middle of the ring, Chen feinted a chop with his right. He liked to trick his opponent into reacting to his strong side while he slipped in a blow with his weaker left hand. Chen darted and threw his left out towards Jacoby's abs.
To Chen surprise, Jacoby anticipated his move, just as he had all through the match. Jacoby's reflexes were amazing, Chen thought. Jacoby's anticipation had kept him from suffering too much from Chen moves, even the ones he landed.
Jacoby moved his right hand down, parried Chen's thrust and simultaneously moved forward, tackling Chen to the mat. Chen arched his back up as it ached from yet another attack.
Jacoby stood up and dragged Chen to his feet. He threw Chen into the opposite corner. Chen splattered into the corner, sagging on the ropes. Jacoby ran fast across the ring, leaping into the air to splash Chen!
Chen did a dive and roll, leaving Jacoby to connect with nothing but corner. Jacoby clutched his chest and turned around. Chen was on fire now. He chopped and kicked Jacoby into the corner again.Chen had Jacoby set up. He launched a kick at Jacoby's head. Jacoby moved his hands up and blocked the kick.
Chen was shocked as Jacoby not only anticipated his move again, he pushed back, causing Chen to spin and stumble to the center of the ring. Jacoby grabbed Chen across the waist and threw him back in a belly-to-back suplex, driving his shoulders and head into the mat.
Chen clutched his head, stunned. Jacoby rolled him onto his stomach. He stomped his boots into Chen's back. Jacoby picked Chen up and easily slung the Asian wrestler over his left shoulder. Jacoby moved back into the corner. He ran forward and leapt into the air. Chen flipped over and was powerslammed flat onto the mat. Jacoby reached down and hooked his leg.
The ref counted, "One ... two ..." Jacoby had run too far and Chen was able to sling his free leg over the bottom rope.
Jacoby dropped the leg he had hooked. He dragged Chen to the center of the ring. He sat on Chen's back and reached forward, pulling him up into his camel clutch/sleeper move.
Jacoby smiled for the first time since the match had begun. He felt confident of victory!
Chen tried to get out of the combination sleeper-camel clutch but he could not. Jacoby concentrated on holding it firmly. He had beaten Gerritt with the move but he was never confident he could put Chen out.
Jacoby was getting no response from Chen. The ref lifted Chen's arm three times and rang the bell. Jacoby released the hold and stood up. He rolled Chen onto his back and straddled him.
Jacoby had never felt more dominant, not even we he had humiliated Gerritt. Jacoby's body rippled with power. He puffed out his chest and his abs rippled. As he looked down at his unconscious nemesis, Jacoby wanted to do so much more.
Jacoby desperately wanted to continue beating on Chen. After just watching Jordan destroy Elton and Patrick, Jacoby wished he could do the same. Jacoby would have given anything to be able to stomp and pulverize Chen. He wanted to lay the boots to him to wake him up. Jacoby wanted to drag Chen to the ropes and tie his arms up. He wanted to kick and beat Chen's tight body until the wrestler screamed for mercy. Jacoby wanted to hear Chen admit that he was the better guy. He wanted to hear Chen beg him to stop. He wanted to humiliate Chen. He wanted to strip Chen's trunks and shove them into his mouth and down his scrawny throat. He wanted to take Chen's little karate sash, wrap it around his neck and drag him up the aisle, past the throngs of picture takers. He wanted to show off his conquered enemy. Then he wanted to take Chen to the locker room for another beating.
But Jacoby knew he couldn't do any of it. Instead, he just stood over Chen, watching his chest rising and falling with each hard breath. The referee reluctantly raised Jacoby's arm in victory. Jacoby had fought a clean fight and beaten the class of the lightweight division.
Jacoby moved onto the ropes. He stood on the middle rope and pumped his fist to the adoring crowd. He saw Chen struggling up but pretended he didn't. In the crowd, Jacoby saw an Asian man waving at him. Jacoby averted his eyes. He jumped off the ropes and started down the aisle. The man followed and said, "Congratulations, Jacoby. My training proved useful, did it not?"
Jacoby looked back and saw Chen still sitting in the ring. He ran over quickly and said, "Yes, it did. Thanks, Raymond. Now get lost. I'll call you later and we can grab a pizza or something."
Jacoby moved away but was happy to see the man retreating. The man had been Chen's sparring partner Raymond - the one that Jacoby had seen defeating Chen. Jacoby had schmoozed him into teaching him how to counter certain moves of Chen's. He had spent the ten days since the challenge learning the counters. Chen, of course, had tried several of the moves not knowing Jacoby would recognize them.
Jacoby smiled as he thought about how smart he was. Planning was everything. Jacoby raced back to the ring and held out a hand to Chen who accepted it. Jacoby helped Chen to his feet and gave him a big hug. He helped Chen out of the ring. Jacoby thanked Chen for the rematch as they went down the aisle.
As Chen and Jacoby walked down the aisle, Jacoby said to Chen, "We are even now, Chen. After you beat Kevin, I'd love a rematch to settle the score. Non-title, of course. Unless I earn a title shot between now and then." Jacoby wasn't finished yet with his magnanimous gestures. He offered to help Chen train for Kevin and be his backup.
Chen accepted. He said to Jacoby, "You have improved greatly, my friend. You blocked many of my moves."
Jacoby wanted to slap Chen and yell out, "Of course I did because I knew what you would try! Raymond taught me! I am THAT brilliant!"
But he didn't. He acted humbly and said, "Just a lucky guesser. I could have been wrong and then you would have really clobbered me."
They talked a little more. Chen walked off to the showers none the wiser while Jacoby went to his locker.
Jacoby felt no guilt about lying to Chen. He would take Chen to the lightweight title. And he did not squash Chen as he wanted to while Chen was helpless. In fact, Jacoby felt like he was being more than fair with Chen.
As Chen headed to the showers, Jacoby took off his gear and got ready too. He wanted to go slowly because he wasn't sure he could stand to be near Chen any longer. The next few weeks of training together would be hard enough. Before he could reach the showers, he was stopped by Daryl. Behind Daryl were Stephen and Bryan.
"So that was pretty slick what you pulled on Gerritt," Daryl said. "Have to say, two weeks wasn't enough of a suspension."
Jacoby had expected this. He put on his best scared-face and said with a slight quiver, "Look, I have no beef with you guys. What happened is between me and Gerritt. I've talked to him. If he wants to beat me up, he knows how to find me. Now please, let me go shower."
"Or what?" Stephen chimed in. The chiseled middleweight bounced his big pecs to intimidate Jacoby.
Jacoby took a big gulp of air. He responded, "Or nothing. Obviously the three of you can do whatever you want. I'm one lightweight and you are three big middleweights. I guess if Gerritt sent you then I have to take my medicine. I thought he and I had an understanding but I guess not." Jacoby flung his arms to the side and closed his eyes. He said, "Okay, pound the shit out of me if it makes you feel good. Just please, don't break anything."
SLAM! Daryl pushed Jacoby into the lockers. "Listen, you aren't fooling anyone but Chen with your act. You know Gerritt wouldn't send us. But we're warning you, try anything and we'll end you. And be careful about what you eat. If you put on a pound or two, you'll have no choice but to face us. Got it?" The three muscle guys flexed to emphasize their point.
Jacoby had seen enough. He was tired and had no more patience. Jacoby dropped the pretense of fear. He calmly said, "Oh, I got it, sport. But I think you are wrong about what people think. I'd be willing to bet my clean victory over Chen has cleared up a lot of doubts."
Jacoby patted Daryl on his large pec, "Look, I've learned from my mistakes. I plan to stay loyal when Chen goes after the title. I plan to fight fair in every match from here on out. I think everyone will have no choice but to respect me again. After all, Daryl, you're a respected wrestler and you've done far worse things than I, haven't you?"
Daryl turned red as Jacoby threw that in his face. He had spent time in the Posse and had indeed engaged in some dirty deals in TCCW.
Jacoby looked at the three with a smug look. He said, "Of course you can say what you want about me but the guys here know you are all just holding an unfair grudge. Guys, I suggest you get with the program. Oh, and don't bother telling Gerritt to challenge me. I'm way too busy as a top lightweight to face any heavyweights these days."
The three muscular middleweights were shocked. Jacoby was blowing them off as though they were nothing. Jacoby moved Daryl's hand from his shoulder. "Now, can I shower in peace? Or do you all want to do another little flex and pose show for me?" Jacoby smirked and sauntered to the showers.
He heard Daryl's fist land into a locker in frustration and laughed to himself. He was really falling in love with himself. He couldn't believe what a loser he had been. After he helped Chen win the belt from Kevin, he would simply take it from Chen. He could wrestle fairly and squarely and still win the title. At least until the heat was off.
But Daryl was right. Jacoby knew he could not stay a lightweight forever. Jacoby would never just lie down for the three macho middleweights. They weren't without enemies themselves. Jacoby knew he would just have to take some time to figure out how, when and where to end the threat from Daryl, Bryan and Stephen.
THE END
No comments:
Post a Comment