Post by High Octane™ Dane F'n Preston on Oct 7, 2022 13:09:22 GMT -5
My shop’s office looked like a small film set, people were running around setting up lighting, a boom microphone and a camera, business as usual. I walked over to the bar cart in the corner of my office, careful to avoid the equipment cables, where I poured myself a glass of Bourbon before walking to my desk and kicking my feet up. I just sipped my drink when the producer pointed at me and began the countdown.
“For those living under a rock, my name is Dane Preston. Some say I’m controversial and loud, some of those closest to me say I’m bland and boring. Truth be told, I didn’t choose to become a professional wrestler, as cliche as it sounds, the business chose me. My origins aren’t anything special, mom walked out on us and started a new family. Dad found solace in the bottom of any bottle he could get his hands on, before drinking himself into an early grave. My big brother was forced to grow up and take care of both of us.”
“From an early age, there were a few things I was good at, fighting, fixing shit, and flapping my gums. Needless to say I spent a lot of my youth fighting, so much so that my high school principal brought me to an MMA gym in San Jose, California. A little place called AKA. If you know, you know. I took to combat sports like a fish takes to water. My love for fighting was rivaled only by my aptitude for turning a wrench and building fast cars. Which led to racing fast cars. If I wasn’t in the gym or the garage, I was racing and making quick cash.”
“My MMA coach told me I had a promising fighting career ahead of me. My fiancee was in Med school and the future was looking brighter than ever. Until it wasn’t. One minute I’m flying high with my head in the clouds, the next minute I’m watching a fully loaded Mustang fly over my car, flipping and rolling to a grinding halt. How fitting that my life would soon do the same. I was sentenced to ten years in San Quentin State Prison for Involuntary Vehicular Manslaughter, released for good behavior.”
“My fiancee and I broke up and my brother abandoned me, apparently it was frowned upon for cops to be related to felons. After my release, companies weren’t exactly throwing employment opportunities my way. So I moved to Las Vegas, where I fell into bouncing at nightclubs and fighting in underground circuits for the seedier folks of the upper echelon. Like I said, I love to fight and I’m pretty good at it. But of course, if you’re familiar with me or my family, this isn't exactly news to you.”
“One particular night, after getting royally worked over by a near seven foot behemoth, where I narrowly escaped with a win by blowing the dude’s knee out and breaking his nose, I had an unexpected guest in my trailer. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was standing face to face with Damon ‘HavoK’ Riggs, the professional wrestling Legend, Sports Marketing mogul, and father of my future bride.”
Reaching for my glass, I knocked back the rest of my drink before I looked back to the camera.
“I guess you can add long winded to the long list of useless traits that I was gifted with. Long story short, Damon convinced me to try my hand at professional wrestling and gave me a home, a place to train, and a family to call my own. It wasn’t always sunshine and rainbows between me and Damon. There were many broken tables, black eyes and bloody noses over the years. My career has been rewarding in ways I cannot express, thanks to Damon, but I’d be lying to you if I said that I chose to be a wrestler.”
“After a much needed mental health hiatus, I’m back to see how far I can go before this business finally chews me up and spits me back out for good. While I’ve won a few titles in my time, the World Championship has always eluded me. I’d like to remedy that before I decide to hang my boots up. But before I go chasing after gold, the World Series of Wrestling is my first stop back in the saddle. In case you forgot, my name is Dane Fuckin Preston...Fuck around and find out.”