The Journey of Slam Jackson - Part I

The NRWL has been following Slam Jackson while he is on leave from the company. Jackson left the NRWL before the start of the fifth season because he felt he had let down the Slam Nation, his loyal fans. This series, "The Journey of Slam Jackson", documents one man on his path to return to the NRWL and make an impact like never before.

*Slam Jackson is in a wrestling ring inside of a small gym. The ceiling isn't very high, there is no padding outside the ring, and the other wrestlers are standing outside. Slam looks tired. He is sweating profusely and breathing heavy. Leaning against a corner turnbuckle, he looks ready to take a break.*

Slam Jackson: That was eight guys. Are we done?

*A man on the outside, clearly the trainer of this wrestling school, climbs into the ring. He is wearing a T-Shirt, sweatpants, and a baseball cap. He shakes his head, takes his cap off his head and runs his hand through his hair. He puts the cap back on and walks up to Slam Jackson. The man is wrestling legend and NRWL Hall of Famer, Mike Blood.*

Mike Blood: If you have to ask that question, then it's obvious we still have a lot of work to do. No. We're not done.

SJ: I've been running the drills everyday. I've gone through all the wrestling holds. I've fought off everyone you threw at me. What is it you want from me?

MB: Slam, when I agreed to take you on as a student, I knew I didn't need to teach you the basics. I knew I didn't need to teach you the advanced holds, submissions, or anything else like that. I knew from the first time I saw you in the NRWL that you had all those tools. What you didn't have, and you still don't have, is the attitude. You can have your fun but not at the expense of the hard work. That's why Johnny walked away with your championship. Quite easily, I might add. We aren't done. Tom, get in the ring and show Slam what a hungry wrestler is like in the ring.

*Tom Shire, long time student of Mike Blood and a former NRWL Minor League wrestler, steps into the ring. Both men grapple. Slam tries to fight him off but Shire gets the upper hand and pins Slam after a few minutes.*

Tom Shire: I never take this lightly, Jackson. I was so close to making it to the NRWL main roster. SO CLOSE! I'm not there yet and you know what? I haven't given up. I'm going to be there. I am going to earn my spot. At the rate you are going, you'll never see those bright lights again.

*Slam, sitting on the mat with his head in his hands pants heavily. He slams a fist down on the mat. Mike Blood and Tom Shire walk out of the ring.*

It was a tough day for Slam Jackson but he kept coming back. One month later, Slam Jackson found himself face to face with Tom Shire once again. It was a hard fought battle and everyone in the gym was on their feet, anxious to see who would win.

*Slam Jackson irish whips Tom Shire into the ropes and delivers a hard clothesline. Slam immediately capitalizes with an STF. Shire, in desperate need to escape, manages to reach the ropes. Slam breaks the hold. As Shire begins to stand up, Slam drops him with the Street Sweeper. Slam goes for the pin and Mike Blood, acting as referee, counts to three.*

Later that day after everyone has cleaned up the gym, packed their bags, and began to leave, Mike Blood pulled Slam Jackson aside and took him to his office.

MB: Slam, I have to say, I am very impressed with you over the last few weeks. I've been pretty hard on you and there was a time when I thought you wouldn't come back. I am sorry for doubting you but I'm happy that you stuck with it. I think you've come a long, long way.

SJ: Thank you, Mike. I was serious about this from the start. I want to get back to the NRWL and I want the NRWL Championship again. Working with you was the right thing to do. I'm glad I am here.

MB: I'm happy to hear that and I hope you got what you were expecting from my school. For now, I think we've come to the end. My door is always open to you and you are welcome to train with my group anytime you'd like. You have business elsewhere now. I know you haven't been watching but the NRWL has moved quickly in your absence. It has become a rougher, meaner environment. You need to be prepared.

SJ: What should I do?

MB: There are friends of mine down south that you should spend some time with. I think if you hang out with them for a little while, you'll thicken your skin enough to take those extreme matches that await you.

SJ: Ok. Where do I find these guys?

*Mike hands Slam a piece of paper.*

MB: Call this number and ask for Terry or Bobby. Tell them I sent you.

NRWL Spotlight - The Fall of Rex Anarchy

Last week, the NRWL parted ways with Rex Anarchy, a wrestler who burst onto the scene earlier this year by winning the NRWL Championship on his first night. Since that night, Rex started on a downward spiral that came to an end at the recent Team Colors Tournament. Most fans didn't know it but that was the last time they would see Rex Anarchy in the NRWL ring. What happened to Rex Anarchy? How could such a talented wrestler burn out so quickly?

Rex Anarchy joined the NRWL as a last minute addition to the roster for the fourth season. Like most of the other wrestlers, Rex was a newcomer to the scene. The NRWL decided that they would reboot their product by bringing in new faces and creating all new stars. Shortly before the tournament to crown the new NRWL Champion was to take place, Rex found himself a spot on the card. According to Jay Phillips, Mr. Sunderland was very high on Rex Anarchy.

When we were just about ready to start season four, Rex Anarchy stepped into the NRWL and it just took a lot of us by surprise. The roster was basically all filled up at that point and then out of nowhere he steps into the arena. The truth is that Mr. Sunderland was a bit shaky about one of the other wrestlers on the roster but it was so close to launch that he didn't think he had much of a choice but leave things the way they were. As luck would have it, Rex Anarchy came to him and inquired about coming in. Mr. Sunderland gave him a tryout and was impressed by his skills in the ring. He liked Rex personally as well. It seemed like a great fit and a solution for Mr. Sunderland's roster concerns. He signed Rex immediately.

Rex would go on to win the NRWL Championship in that tournament and secure his place as the top star of the company. At least, that's how it was supposed to be. Over the next few months, other wrestlers on the roster started to make a name for themselves with intense matches and personalities that attracted fans. Wrestlers like Ash, Slam Jackson, Scotty Paris, the Sons of Darkness, and Marty Anderson quickly became top draws for the NRWL. While Rex Anarchy was standing on top of the mountain, everyone was paying attention to what was going on in the valley below him. Storm Harrison recalls Rex's early days as champion.

We were all finding our footing in those first two or three months. Some guys found their niche rather quickly and some of us didn't. Rex was one of the guys who didn't. I remember he was frustrated. He had some real concerns with society and corporate structure and felt that the NRWL would be a great place to vent. It definitely can be. Mr. Charles and Mr. Sunderland let us do whatever we want but it is up to us to make a name for ourselves and get over with the fans. Some guys came right out the gate with a purpose. Rex had an idea of what he wanted to do but I don't think he knew how to handle it given his situation as champion. In my opinion, Rex Anarchy would've been one of the most popular guys here if he didn't win the NRWL Championship. His success was his downfall.

Rex's frustrations didn't stop there. As champion, he found himself on a losing streak in the ring. Because the roster was so young and unproven, the people who stepped up to face him were put in non-title matches, prolonging his reign as NRWL Champion despite losing matches. The losing streak continued until he was finally put in a title match against Slam Jackson. By this point, Rex had grown so frustrated with his position that he threatened to take the title hostage and refuse to defend it again if he won. Luckily for the NRWL, Slam Jackson defeated him and became the new NRWL Champion.

Rex Anarchy was finally free of the championship that was holding him down but after so many loses and falling flat with the audience, it was obvious that it would take a strong showing to keep him on the roster. Shortly after losing the title, Rex was chosen as a member of Johnny Young's team for the Team Color Tournament. It was a good opportunity to make the comeback he so badly needed. Unfortunately for Rex, he was unable to make the kind of appearance that he needed to show he was still a major player. His one victory for the night against Meinrad von Brakkus in a double elimination match came after a loss earlier in the evening. In the second round, he was defeated again.

A week later, the NRWL decided to cut its ties with Rex Anarchy, a decision that was not easy for either side. There would be no comeback, not even a demotion to the NRWL's minor league system. Rex probably wouldn't want that anyway. He is free now and can start over with a clean slate.

Being NRWL Champion is undoubtably an honor and a high point for any wrestler's career. Rex Anarchy can be proud of being a champion. Unfortunately, his early achievement was also his only high point. Rex's days in a wrestling ring are far from over but it is likely you won't see him in the NRWL again any time soon. Sometimes being successful has fatal consequences.