2
After a long week of incessant traveling and putting their bodies through hell, the professional wrestlers of World Wrestling Entertainment were unwinding in Buffalo Wild Wings. One of the members of the production staff, Angela Dragonetti was having a drink with legendary wrestler, the Undertaker.
"Angie, what's the matter?" 'Taker asked.
"What makes you think something's wrong?" Angela asked.
"Well, you've been quiet all night," Taker said, "and you haven't touched your food or Long Island Iced Tea."
"I'm fine, Mark," Angela said, although her tone said other wise. "No need to worry about me."
'Taker saw right through the facade.
"Angela Alexis Dragonetti," Taker started. "I have known you for fifteen years. I know when something's bothering you. You can't hide anything from me."
"Fine, Mark you win," Angela said, sighing. "I got a call from my mom this afternoon."
"What happened?" Taker asked.
"My sister," Angela started, "She was walking home from work when three thugs pulled her into an alleyway and attacked and raped her."
"Shit," Taker said. "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope someone saw who they were."
"According to my mother, a witness said he saw three Latino males in their 20s, dragging my sister into the alleyway."
"Fucking scumbags," Taker said harshly, "takes a lot of fucking balls to attack a defenseless woman."
"Yeah," Angela said miserably. "Anyways, she's in critical condition."
"If there's someone you need to talk to, I'm here," Taker said.
"Thanks, Deadman," Angela said. "You're a great friend."
"It's nothing, kid," Taker said.
"Mark, I'm 38," Angela said. "Not a kid anymore,"
"You're the youngest of our crew," Taker said. "You'll always be "kid" in my eyes."
"If you say so," Angela said, laughing.
Angela finally started eating the hot wings, which were now cold. She took a sip of her Long Island Iced Tea, contemplating. She hoped the police found those three assholes before she and her men did.
The ice in her Long Island Iced Tea has long melted. She ordered another and was satisfied with it.
"Look who just walked in," Taker said.
Angela looked in the direction Taker was looking. She let out a noise of annoyance.
A man was strutting in the place. He was of Latino heritage and in his early 20s. He was good looking about 5'9 with light skin, a nice physique and hazel green eyes. He was wearing an Armani suit with a black fedora and alligator shoes.
Angela did not know his real name, but she knew him by his wrestling pseudonym, Speedy. Speedy was a rookie who had wrestled in indy circuits in Japan, Puerto Rico, and Ring of Honor, before going into WWE's training grounds FCW, and eventually WWE. He was gaining popularity at a fast rate with his wide array of wrestling moves, charisma, and unorthodox in ring style. He was very popular with the fans and as his name suggested, quicker than a New York minute.
While the fans loved him, the feeling was quite the opposite back stage. Speedy was arrogant, swollen headed and annoyed the veteran wrestlers by telling how to put on a good match. His macho bravado and blatant disrespect of other wrestlers made him impossible to like. He was more annoying than the Miz ever was.
"This clown," Angela muttered as Speedy sat next to her.
"Just ignore him, Angie," Taker muttered. "That little fuck ain't worth it."
"YO!" Speedy said loudly. "Bartender! Mother fucker I'm talking to you! Bring your ass over here!"
The bartender gave Speedy and dirty look and said, "I'm busy with customers, pal, you're going to have to wait."
"Don't fucking call me pal, I'm not your pal!" Speedy exclaimed. "Do you know who the fuck I am? I'm an international wrestling god, you better show me some respect before I buy this place and make you my bitch! Take my fucking order or I'll ruin you."
"Alright, alright calm down," said the bartender. "Be there in a minute."
"Thank you, was that so hard?" Speedy said as he sat down, oblivious to the numerous stares of hatred he was getting from the other Superstars.
"Something needs to be done about him." Angela said sotto voce to Taker. "He needs to be humbled."
"Don't worry," Taker said, taking a swig of Jack. "I'm gathering up Wrestler's Court soon. I'll tell the boys about him."
"Good," Angela said. "So sick of his ego. He makes the rest of the Superstars look bad."
Speedy finally got his beer and food. Angela watched in disgust as he mixed sauces with his wings. He was watching a Yankees game and was very noisy about it.
Then the unthinkable happened. Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano hit a grand slam, causing Speedy to jump out his seat with his beer mug in hand. He spilled his beer all over Angela's head. Superstars gasped as Angela slowly got to her feet and looked at Speedy menacingly.
"Hey, my bad," Speedy said, though it looked like he was about to laugh, which infuriated Angela even more.
"Listen," Angela said in a voice as soft as the first snow fall and just as cold, "you'd better leave right now before you leave this place in a body bag."
"Fuck you mean?" Speedy said. "You threatening me?"
"Not at all," Angela said. "I don't make threats. When I say I'm going to do something, I do it, so you best stay clear of me from now on."
"Bitch, please, I ain't scared of you!" Speedy said. "You better go head with that shit. I'm staying right the fuck here."
"You're not very smart are you?" Angela said.
"What?" said Speedy, getting in her face. You trying to call me dumb?"
"Not at all," Angela said. "I think you're doing a good job of making yourself look dumb."
"Bitch you don't know me, I'll smack the shit out of you real talk!" Speedy said. "Keep running your mouth, you'll find that out.
Angela got a glint in her eye and her face turned red. Speedy had only a second's warning. She decked him so hard, he fell and slid across the other side of the room.
Speedy got up and charged at Angela, but was quickly held back by Superstar Sin Cara. It took Taker and a few other wrestlers to hold back Angela, who was swearing in Italian, always a danger sign.
"You wait you fucking bitch!" Speedy shouted, his Bronx/Latino accent thickening in his anger. "I'mma fuck your dago ass up! You dumb wop cunt!"
Speedy was escorted out of the place. After Taker and the Big Show released her, Angela reached in her pocket for her cell phone. Taker grabbed her arm.
"Angie, stop," he said.
"Fuck that!" Angela shouted. "That beans and rice sucking fuck's going down."
"No, Angela," Taker said. "I know what you're about to do and you don't need to do it. Let me take care of him. It's time I pay back the debt I owe you."
Years ago, a wrestling reporter was telling slanderous lies about Taker, trying to ruin his reputation. Angela permanently silenced her and Taker was so thankful that he promised he would return the favor anytime.
"Alright, Mark," Angela said. "I'll let you handle this."
An evil smile crept upon Taker's face.
"I'm going to leave him scarred," Taker said. "See you later, Angie, I'm going to catch up with him."
***
Speedy put ice on his jaw to reduce the swelling. He was livid. He was going to hurt Angela.
Many, if not, all of the Superstars hated him. Some of the WWE workers hated him. Especially Angela. They were all jealous of him in actuality. Jealous of his status, jealous of how quickly he shot up to the top without strings being pulled for him. Angela was extremely jealous because she was a failed wrestler. She was a never was who was bitter at the success that he achieved. He became everything that she wanted to be, but wasn't.
But he wasn't going to let that bitch get away with hitting him. She was going to pay dearly. He knew some girls back in the Bronx who would be down for a fight.
There was a knock at the door. Speedy answered. It was the Undertaker.
"Hey Taker," Speedy said, slightly surprised. "What brings you here?
"Hello, Speedy," Taker said. "I came up here to apologize for Angela's behavior. She was totally in the wrong."
"Finally," Speedy said. "Someone who sees it my way."
"Yes, Angela is a hot head," Taker said. "But she needs to learn her place. She needs to be more respectful of you. You're the future face of our company."
Speedy let a smirk creep across his face.
"I guess greatness recognizes greatness, huh Deadman?" he said. "She just mad because I'm everything she wants to be."
"That's right," said Taker. "I set her ass straight, though. She won't be bothering you anymore."
"Damn straight," Speedy said.
"I've been meaning to talk to you," Taker said, sitting down.
"Really?" Speedy said, "about what?"
"I've been watching you and your matches," Taker said. "I don't impress easy, but you have impressed me beyond anything. I like what I see. There will be nothing but great things for you in the near future. Damn everybody else."
"That's what I'm saying," Speedy said.
"Y'see, when I was coming up, guys were jelaous of me," Taker said. "Six foot eight, over 300 pounds, not only strong, but athletic and agile like a lightweight. I was the total package. And the veteran wrestlers didn't like it. So you gotta be able to gather an entourage. Keep yourself surrounded with people who like you and just keep doing what you're doing to make haters hate you more. Remember, jealous ones envy.
"Damn, Taker, you really understand me," Speedy said. "I tell you what, how would you like to have a drink with me?"
"You think you can hang with me?" Taker asked.
"We'll see shall we?" Speedy said, going to the mini bar and getting out liquor.
"I know you like Jack Daniels," Speedy said. "Start with that."
He poured Jack into a shot glass.
"Here goes," Speedy said. "To the good life."
"To the good life indeed," Taker muttered.
They sank shot glass after shot glass. Speedy then made Long Island Iced Teas and they had glasses of those.
Pretty soon, Speedy was hammered while Taker was managing pretty well.
"Damn, man, I'm fucked up," Speedy said, slurring his words.
"That you are, kid," Taker said laughing. Things were getting fuzzy. Speedy felt like he was losing control of his limbs. He felt too relaxed.
"Taker," he said. When he said it, he sounded far away. "What's happening?"
"Oh nothing," Taker said casually. "Just slipped a roofie in your drink."
"Huh?" Speedy said. "Why would you...?
He didn't finish his sentence. His eyelids became too heavy to keep open and he passed out.