Post by Deleted on Mar 15, 2013 0:30:46 GMT -6
The more thing changed, the more they stayed the same, it would seem. Kronin had been in this business a good long while and yet there was always no shortage of rookies waltzing in the door thinking they were the next big thing and demanding respect...
Kronin walked out onto the ice at the local skating rink, his old hockey skates on. After a few steps, he broke into an easy glide, moving along the ice as though he had only stopped playing yesterday. It brought back memories...
FLASHBACK: Munich, West Germany
It was the game all of Germany waited for. East Germany vs. West Germany. Kronin was on the ice for his shift. His job description was simple, if a bit harder to carry out than most people thought. Kronin’s role was that of enforcer. Intimidate and wear down the other team. Hit, Fight, take a physical penalty if need be. Just wear the other team down. Kronin saw his chance and took it... BAM! The star sniper for West Germany was crushed between Kronin and the boards and the glass shattered sending the hapless West German tumbling into the first row of seats. Kronin smirked and turned around just in time to sidestep a West German coming after him and, as the man turned, Kronin dropped his gloves and nailed him with a punch..
As Kronin came back to the present skating, he smirked. Hockey had been such a fun sport to play.. Once more, Kronin was entering the role of Enforcer. It had started when he decided that Jesse Styles was wrong to hit his wife, and wronger still to mess around with the livelihoods of the wrestlers in his employ and put him through a door for it. It was now continuing against Mason Stockholm. One of the new breed of wrestlers that was much better at running his mouth than he was at actual wrestling. This kid had run a bit of the Veteran gauntlet and had yet to learn his lesson. Now, it was Kronin’s time to teach the kid a lesson in respect. But before he could get much further, Lilly came out and waved him over. Kronin raised an eyebrow and skated his way over. Lilly smiled. “Hey babe.. I got a bit of exposure for you. Calling into a NEW Radio Show. Ryan Pugh and Al Envy are on as well. This is a good way to raise your visibility.”
Kronin thought for a moment but took the phone and called in. It actually didn’t go that bad, though, Kronin was sure he had gotten on the bad side of Valora and Jesse Styles by the end of the show. It was confirmed as he handed the phone to Lilly, who sighed and showed Kronin the twitter messages from Jesse. “Way to go. The boss hates one of my clients.” Kronin shrugged. “Sorry... Lil. This is my life. This isn’t a damn hobby. I get paid to do this. And Scarlet being a wrestler doesn’t give that ass carte blanche to hit her.” Lilly smiled a bit and nodded. “Well... bright side is NEW fans are talking about you. That should help you. Now we got to get you past Mason Stockholm and lined up for that TV Title shot.”
TV title. Just a few weeks ago, Kronin was competing for the hopes of getting a Trans Atlantic Title shot. Most wrestlers would be upset at the demotion, but Kronin saw the opportunity and did what he did best... rolled with the punches and as he looked at the lower tiers, Youngblood and TV, he saw divisions in desperate need of a veteran like him. Let Jesse pull his bitch move and ‘demote’ Kronin.. Kronin would thrive and he’d make the rookies better while he did it...
Looking back to the ice, Kronin was hit with an unpleasant memory. The day his hockey career ended and he was set on the path that would lead him, inexorably, to where he was now...
FLASHBACK: Berlin, East Germany:
Few places were more beautiful than Germany in the winter. Kronin walked down the snowy and slightly icy streets towards the little neighborhood he lived. Glancing behind him, he smirked seeing the black car in which his ‘babysitters’ were sitting. Kronin was pretty sure they were Soviet KGB. Officially they were there ‘For his protection’ to ensure nothing happened to the star hockey player. But Kronin knew their true purpose was to make sure he didn’t defect. He had gotten used to it. Athletes in Communist countries were athletes... it was all you did 10-12+ hours a day. His thoughts were interrupted by a woman’s scream piercing the air and shattering the quiet little winter paradise. Kronin recognized the voice and broke into a dead sprint.
As he rounded the corner, he saw a sight that he’d never forget. His sister, lying on the cold ground, naked, bloodied and beaten. Two Soviet soldiers, standing over her laughing and joking, in German, about what a whore she was. Making it plain they raped her. Kronin charged, nailing one with a shoulder charge, picking up the rifle he dropped. He promptly cracked the second soldier in the head with the rifle before turning and shooting the first soldier as he recovered. Throwing the rifle down, Kronin walked to his sister and knelt down, wrapping her in his jacket and carrying her inside, whispering that he’d take care of her...
Kronin let out a sigh as the unpleasant memory left him. In addition to being a ‘good guy’ with standards, that event had made Kronin protective, at times overly so, and given him zero tolerance for women being mistreated.
He had to focus. He’d have more than enough time to deal with Jesse later. Right now.. it was time to focus on Mason Stockholm. Lilly was looking at him. He smiled and nodded. “Yes?” Lilly rolled her eyes. “Stockholm. You were kinda harsh on him in that radio interview..”
Kronin took a deep breath and sighed. He knew what Lilly was concerned with. Pugh and Kronin had been a bit hard on the younger talent in the radio show but at the end of the day...
“Lil... think about it. Almost every rookie comes in expecting to be the next big thing. Expecting to main event. They think throwing a nickname they haven’t earned onto their name like some freakin’ big shot. I miss the time when people had respect for themselves and, more importantly, respect for the business. When everyone knew you had to pay your dues... but these young punks today... It pisses me off, Lil.”
Kronin sighs again and walks off, shaking his head. It was so had to find respect these days. Sure there were rookies and younger talents like Lilly, who had stepped into the ring a few times and Dixie... but they were few and far in between. Now, it was punks calling themselves the War Machine or Rockstar or some other nickname that firstly hadn’t been earned and secondly, was an advertisement on how to pick them apart to an experienced wrestler. If they weren’t throwing on the nicknames like a cheap cloak, they were punks like Mason Stockholm. Kronin had done his research. As a member of the KSK, he had trained with the American Military at times. The KSK trained to fight in any and all environments earth can throw at you. Arctic combat training in Norway. Jungle Combat Training in Belize. Amphibious Assault operations training in San Diego and Desert and Brush Training in Israel and Texas. Having grown up in a divided Germany, Kronin was also well aware of the role the U.S. played in freeing East Germany and aiding in the Unification of Germany. So Kronin had a great respect for American military personnel. Needless to say when Kronin’s buddies in the U.S. military confirmed that Mason Stockholm had been dishonorably discharged... Kronin was not terribly surprised.
The U.S. and German militaries shared one very important trait. Discipline, Honor and personal integrity were of paramount importance. If Mason held the same lack of respect for his superiors in the military that he held for his superiors here... well.. Kronin could guess why he was dishonorably discharged. It was a common move. Washouts and those dishonorably discharged from the military often tried to make their way into pro wrestling. They had combat skills, and less honorable feds pushed them as ‘Military veterans’ to bring in the added crowds that turned out to see such.
Kronin slipped out of his skates absorbed by his thoughts as Lilly walked over to him. “Babe... you okay? You’re really taking this personally. I can meet with Jesse and try to work something-”
Kronin looked up and met Lilly’s eyes, cutting her off. “Lil. I put his ass through his office door. Everyone in the corporate office watched the boss get his ass handed to him by one of his wrestlers. I just called him and his group of lackeys out on the radio. We’re way past talkin’ darlin’. This is a war. Mason Stockholm? He’s just an annoyance. See... Jesse thinks he’s punishing me by putting me in the TV Division? I’m gonna beat some respect into Mason Stockholm. Then, I’m gonna earn a TV title shot, and win the belt, and start building this division right. Then..”
Kronin is cut off as Lilly’s phone beeps and she checks the text. “.... Jesse. He ‘forgot’ to book rental car, and hotel for us....”
Kronin sighed and shook his head. “Keep fuckin’with my livelihood, Jesse... Just keep on going. Well... we better get going then. We got a long drive to Cincinnati. God help Mason when we get it on because I am definitely not going to be in the mood to deal with disrespectful rookies like him. Birth of a new TV Title Division starts at Ignite 148.”
Kronin and Lilly head out of the ice rink, towards the car. Both preparing for the long drive ahead and the coming war with Jesse Styles..
Kronin walked out onto the ice at the local skating rink, his old hockey skates on. After a few steps, he broke into an easy glide, moving along the ice as though he had only stopped playing yesterday. It brought back memories...
FLASHBACK: Munich, West Germany
It was the game all of Germany waited for. East Germany vs. West Germany. Kronin was on the ice for his shift. His job description was simple, if a bit harder to carry out than most people thought. Kronin’s role was that of enforcer. Intimidate and wear down the other team. Hit, Fight, take a physical penalty if need be. Just wear the other team down. Kronin saw his chance and took it... BAM! The star sniper for West Germany was crushed between Kronin and the boards and the glass shattered sending the hapless West German tumbling into the first row of seats. Kronin smirked and turned around just in time to sidestep a West German coming after him and, as the man turned, Kronin dropped his gloves and nailed him with a punch..
As Kronin came back to the present skating, he smirked. Hockey had been such a fun sport to play.. Once more, Kronin was entering the role of Enforcer. It had started when he decided that Jesse Styles was wrong to hit his wife, and wronger still to mess around with the livelihoods of the wrestlers in his employ and put him through a door for it. It was now continuing against Mason Stockholm. One of the new breed of wrestlers that was much better at running his mouth than he was at actual wrestling. This kid had run a bit of the Veteran gauntlet and had yet to learn his lesson. Now, it was Kronin’s time to teach the kid a lesson in respect. But before he could get much further, Lilly came out and waved him over. Kronin raised an eyebrow and skated his way over. Lilly smiled. “Hey babe.. I got a bit of exposure for you. Calling into a NEW Radio Show. Ryan Pugh and Al Envy are on as well. This is a good way to raise your visibility.”
Kronin thought for a moment but took the phone and called in. It actually didn’t go that bad, though, Kronin was sure he had gotten on the bad side of Valora and Jesse Styles by the end of the show. It was confirmed as he handed the phone to Lilly, who sighed and showed Kronin the twitter messages from Jesse. “Way to go. The boss hates one of my clients.” Kronin shrugged. “Sorry... Lil. This is my life. This isn’t a damn hobby. I get paid to do this. And Scarlet being a wrestler doesn’t give that ass carte blanche to hit her.” Lilly smiled a bit and nodded. “Well... bright side is NEW fans are talking about you. That should help you. Now we got to get you past Mason Stockholm and lined up for that TV Title shot.”
TV title. Just a few weeks ago, Kronin was competing for the hopes of getting a Trans Atlantic Title shot. Most wrestlers would be upset at the demotion, but Kronin saw the opportunity and did what he did best... rolled with the punches and as he looked at the lower tiers, Youngblood and TV, he saw divisions in desperate need of a veteran like him. Let Jesse pull his bitch move and ‘demote’ Kronin.. Kronin would thrive and he’d make the rookies better while he did it...
Looking back to the ice, Kronin was hit with an unpleasant memory. The day his hockey career ended and he was set on the path that would lead him, inexorably, to where he was now...
FLASHBACK: Berlin, East Germany:
Few places were more beautiful than Germany in the winter. Kronin walked down the snowy and slightly icy streets towards the little neighborhood he lived. Glancing behind him, he smirked seeing the black car in which his ‘babysitters’ were sitting. Kronin was pretty sure they were Soviet KGB. Officially they were there ‘For his protection’ to ensure nothing happened to the star hockey player. But Kronin knew their true purpose was to make sure he didn’t defect. He had gotten used to it. Athletes in Communist countries were athletes... it was all you did 10-12+ hours a day. His thoughts were interrupted by a woman’s scream piercing the air and shattering the quiet little winter paradise. Kronin recognized the voice and broke into a dead sprint.
As he rounded the corner, he saw a sight that he’d never forget. His sister, lying on the cold ground, naked, bloodied and beaten. Two Soviet soldiers, standing over her laughing and joking, in German, about what a whore she was. Making it plain they raped her. Kronin charged, nailing one with a shoulder charge, picking up the rifle he dropped. He promptly cracked the second soldier in the head with the rifle before turning and shooting the first soldier as he recovered. Throwing the rifle down, Kronin walked to his sister and knelt down, wrapping her in his jacket and carrying her inside, whispering that he’d take care of her...
Kronin let out a sigh as the unpleasant memory left him. In addition to being a ‘good guy’ with standards, that event had made Kronin protective, at times overly so, and given him zero tolerance for women being mistreated.
He had to focus. He’d have more than enough time to deal with Jesse later. Right now.. it was time to focus on Mason Stockholm. Lilly was looking at him. He smiled and nodded. “Yes?” Lilly rolled her eyes. “Stockholm. You were kinda harsh on him in that radio interview..”
Kronin took a deep breath and sighed. He knew what Lilly was concerned with. Pugh and Kronin had been a bit hard on the younger talent in the radio show but at the end of the day...
“Lil... think about it. Almost every rookie comes in expecting to be the next big thing. Expecting to main event. They think throwing a nickname they haven’t earned onto their name like some freakin’ big shot. I miss the time when people had respect for themselves and, more importantly, respect for the business. When everyone knew you had to pay your dues... but these young punks today... It pisses me off, Lil.”
Kronin sighs again and walks off, shaking his head. It was so had to find respect these days. Sure there were rookies and younger talents like Lilly, who had stepped into the ring a few times and Dixie... but they were few and far in between. Now, it was punks calling themselves the War Machine or Rockstar or some other nickname that firstly hadn’t been earned and secondly, was an advertisement on how to pick them apart to an experienced wrestler. If they weren’t throwing on the nicknames like a cheap cloak, they were punks like Mason Stockholm. Kronin had done his research. As a member of the KSK, he had trained with the American Military at times. The KSK trained to fight in any and all environments earth can throw at you. Arctic combat training in Norway. Jungle Combat Training in Belize. Amphibious Assault operations training in San Diego and Desert and Brush Training in Israel and Texas. Having grown up in a divided Germany, Kronin was also well aware of the role the U.S. played in freeing East Germany and aiding in the Unification of Germany. So Kronin had a great respect for American military personnel. Needless to say when Kronin’s buddies in the U.S. military confirmed that Mason Stockholm had been dishonorably discharged... Kronin was not terribly surprised.
The U.S. and German militaries shared one very important trait. Discipline, Honor and personal integrity were of paramount importance. If Mason held the same lack of respect for his superiors in the military that he held for his superiors here... well.. Kronin could guess why he was dishonorably discharged. It was a common move. Washouts and those dishonorably discharged from the military often tried to make their way into pro wrestling. They had combat skills, and less honorable feds pushed them as ‘Military veterans’ to bring in the added crowds that turned out to see such.
Kronin slipped out of his skates absorbed by his thoughts as Lilly walked over to him. “Babe... you okay? You’re really taking this personally. I can meet with Jesse and try to work something-”
Kronin looked up and met Lilly’s eyes, cutting her off. “Lil. I put his ass through his office door. Everyone in the corporate office watched the boss get his ass handed to him by one of his wrestlers. I just called him and his group of lackeys out on the radio. We’re way past talkin’ darlin’. This is a war. Mason Stockholm? He’s just an annoyance. See... Jesse thinks he’s punishing me by putting me in the TV Division? I’m gonna beat some respect into Mason Stockholm. Then, I’m gonna earn a TV title shot, and win the belt, and start building this division right. Then..”
Kronin is cut off as Lilly’s phone beeps and she checks the text. “.... Jesse. He ‘forgot’ to book rental car, and hotel for us....”
Kronin sighed and shook his head. “Keep fuckin’with my livelihood, Jesse... Just keep on going. Well... we better get going then. We got a long drive to Cincinnati. God help Mason when we get it on because I am definitely not going to be in the mood to deal with disrespectful rookies like him. Birth of a new TV Title Division starts at Ignite 148.”
Kronin and Lilly head out of the ice rink, towards the car. Both preparing for the long drive ahead and the coming war with Jesse Styles..