It was a blur... the match itself had to have went Twenty Five minutes at the very least. Harry was dealing with a young man with such tenacity, so much hunger, and a whole lot to prove. Dominick Strife. That was his name... no... IS his name. He's a guy that anyone doubting his potential for longevity in Carnage would receive a personal slap from Harry.
The man had essentially tried to permanently blind Harry with the fierceness of his eye poke. His valet had feigned an injury and due to Harry's good nature he of course stopped his assault to ensure she was okay and Strife took advantage.
Can't blame the guy, Harry would have probably done the same thing. This wasn't a case of who wanted it more despite what Harry had said moments before the match. This wasn't about who the better wrestler was. It was actually a little more simple than that. It was about who NEEDED the Chaos Title.
Strife needed it to secure his place in Carnage... to make sure he had a job in the morning. And any other time Harry would sympathize, probably would have even thrown the match. But unfortunately for Strife, Harry didn't know his situation. And honestly that was for the best. Because Harry would have been the son of a bitch to make sure Dom didn't win.
Why? When it was very much just admitted Harry would have potentially threw the match? It's because of the timing in all honesty. Harry came back to Carnage for one thing and that was to shape Carnage in his image slowly but surely. A place where talent spoke volumes over popularity. A place where hard work would not go unnoticed. In Harry's Carnage Dominick wouldn't have had so much on the line. But that was just it. It wasn't Harry's Carnage yet. It wouldn't be until he was world champion. And for that simple fact Harry could not just give away opportunities for himself to appease others.
Maybe Harry had matured. Maybe he had become even more of an asshole watching everyone around him rise up the ranks and have high profile matches while he sat and ate nuggets all day. Maybe it was the fact he was getting married soon and had to prove himself to be a man worth marrying. And none of those narratives included fucking himself over again.
This was the internal dialog Harry dealt with after his back and forth twitter battler with Dominick. Realizing that management point blank told Dominick if he lost he'd be out of a job. Harry didn't have the pull to stop that. He didn't have any authority whatsoever. But this Chaos Championship was the first step. Even if Harry lost in his first defense the bar had been set. He was the first ever and that was enough to land a future Hall of Fame spot. But it wasn't enough for Harry.
Harry sat in front of his laptop leaning back in his chair. Terra Skye walked over planting a sweet kiss on Harry's lips as she prepared for bed. Harry remained in the living room as he stared at his Chaos Championship Title. After a few moments Harry shot up and dropped to the floor hitting some push ups. He had a long road ahead of him now. A target on his back and a locker room full of enemies who wanted a shot at his title. He would have to defend it every show, which was something he would have done even without the stipulation.
Harry hadn't lost sight of his goal, to become world champion, to become the Face of Carnage. Because otherwise he felt he'd be stuck in a constant loop of asking... Where am I at Now?
The First day is always the hardest
December 24th, 2016 Carnage Arena Chaos 29 Terminal Snowball 2016
Harry Hampton stepped forth through the doors of Carnage for the first time. Nerves had taken over since the phone call he received the night before that Carnage wanted to sign him to a one year deal. He had just finished with his Championship run in Japan and his name was finally on the Company's radar.
Harry looked around a bit self-conscious as most around him were wearing suits or their wrestling gear and he had a light green track suit on. He hadn't gotten the time to change into something respectable and looked like a fool. On top of that he was bringing so much attention to himself with his choice of attire.
A woman stepped put from behind a door with some files in her hand, stared at Harry for a moment, then proceeded to hurry along stifling a giggle. Okay... reminder... stay away from her today.... he said to himself as he watched who would one day become his Fiancee go about her business.
Harry quickened his pace as well as he desperately looked for the office of the boss. After a few minutes of bumbling about he came across it. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door as he heard a female voice says "Come in!" Opening the door Harry gave a sheepish smile to Kyra Johnson who returned the expression with an eyebrow raise before pointing to the chair across from her desk. "Have a seat."
Harry sat and the two shook hands. "Harry Hampton right? You've been making splashes here and there glad to finally meet you." She said sitting down in her chair.
"Th' pleasure is a' mines. Forgive th' accent, ah seldom come tae th' states. In japan ah ne'er really hud tae speak sae ah kin be an adjustment..." Harry gulped as he spoke, he probably sounded like an alien to her and others.
"No worries... it's your wrestling itself that I'm excited to see. You may be a good fit here but we'll have to see firsthand. You debut tonight."
Harry blinked and was silent for a moment. "Ah debut... Th' nicht?"
"Yeah against Charity Jones. Make good use of your time out there. Get a feel for the crowd... I have a feeling you'll be good. Charity is a good worker you'll take care of each other out there. Show us why you're the hottest name in Japan right now." Kyra leaned back in her chair twirling a pen as Harry stood up giving a nod.
"A wullnae let ye doon!" He said full of energy suddenly as he shook her hand again and proceeded to leave the office.
"Interesting Character... ugh that accent though..." Kyra mumbled to herself.
Harry found himself in the Locker Room finally and began to get his gear on. He rummaged through his bag and began to panic. He had forgotten his boots! Of all things a wrestler could forget... elbow pads sure... wrist tape... definitely... but boots?! That's worse than forgetting someone's birthday or an anniversary.
Harry palmed his face as he debated what to do. It was too soon to showtime to go buy new boots, and he didn't know anyone well enough to borrow any... except he did...
A loud thud was heard beside him as he looked to the floor and saw a pair of black wrestling boots. He looked up and practically jumped out of his seat when he saw a masked man donning a red and black body suit. His mask that of a warped skull. Harry knew exactly who this guy was.
Ragnarok.
The two were in the same company before this one, a company called Legion of Warriors. Ragnarok had been their champion until Harry came on the scene and dethroned him. There was an eerie awkward silence as Harry slowly offered his hand out to shake. "Cheers... Raggy... Uh... Didnae know ye worked 'ere too..."
Ragnarok stared blankly as he casually walked away saying nothing in return or bothering to shake his hand. Harry retracted his hand as he watched the disturbing Ragnarok saunder off. "...Maybe ah kin still catch a flight back tae Japan..."
Harry shook the bad feelings he had as he laced up the boots. He wasn't necessarily a fan of Ragnarok but he was very thankful for him in this instance. Harry finished gearing up as it was time to get ready. Harry cracked his neck as he walked out of the locker room heading to the curtain.
He shared quick conversations with the sound techs and producers as they cued up his music. Harry began bouncing on the balls of his feet as "Final Countdown" began to play. As soon he stepped out the energy was electric. Harry was amazed by how many there knew who he was and had signs already made for him. His vignette aired the show before and all of these fans were there in anticipation for his appearance.
Harry was electric when fans threw miniature Scottish Flags into the ring making the ring crew visibly annoyed as they rushed to clean up the ring before the match began.
The match had been going well bsck and forth control between the two. Harry had shown his funny side by slappimg Charity on the butt and moonwalking around the ring.
Jones spins around and gets hit with an inverted atomic drop by Hampton! Hampton begins to celebrate, seeing how stunned Charity is by his last maneuver. Perhaps a bit too late, Hampton bounces off of the ropes and charging in hard looking for a flying Big Boot, but Jones pops right out of her feigned stun and catches Hampton, turning him in mid air and drilling him with a spinebuster down onto a kendo stick!
Terra Skye: And that'll teach him to celebrate too early!
Johnny Vegas: You really shouldn't talk about your boyfriend like that.
Terra Skye: He is NOT anything of the sort! So why don't you stop that bullshit NOW!
Jones jumps right back up to a vertical base, and she seems fired up and rejuvenated by the electricity coming from the Baltimore crowd. She quickly grabs a candy-striped kendo stick and drapes it over the middle rope in the northeast corner.
With the Kendo stick hanging in mid air, she pulls Hampton back to his feet and hoists him up into the air on her shoulders. Jones carries Hampton over to where the stick is hanging, and drills him with a Death Valley Driver through the kendo stick!!! The crowd goes nuts as they had never seen a Fantasy Slam quite this spectacular! Jones drags Harry Hampton away from the corner and hooks the leg. Hawkersby counts as the crowd chants along emphatically.
One!
Two!!
Three!!!
DING DING DING!!!
And just like that it was over. A twenty minute match where Hampton had bruises in places no one should have. He leaned against the ropes holding his ribs when Charity came over and kissed him on the cheek and slapped his ass in return. He perked up and began moonwalking again getting a big laugh from the crowd.
Harry headed to the back getting a towel handed to him as Kyra was standing there waiting for him as she clapped with a slight smile on her face.
"Well well well... good job out there man. Definitely think the company will get its money worth... word of advice... the crowd Definitely enjoyed you out there... but you gotta get a little more serious here. There's nothing but sharks here that react to weakness the way an actual shark reacts to fresh blood. And desperately will use whatever that weakness is to climb the ladder of success... you either rise up and become a bigger shark than your enemies... or remain a guppy and go bottom up... anyways good job out there tonight. Check will be deposited in your account by the weekend."
Kyra patted Harry on the back as she went off to go talk to the wrestlers up next named Marisol Hawkes and Lucas Roberts. Harry watched them for a moment and they just screamed confidence. Harry rubbed his neck and tilted his head feeling a slight bit of soreness. But that was to be expected, the first day is always the hardest.
Seriously... Where am I now?
Wrezzle Buzz Interview September 5th, 2020 8am
Harry sat in front of his laptop all smiles as Chuck Peterson was smiling back on his end in the video call. Peterson was head honcho for Wrezzle Buzz, an online site that covered everything wrestling related and often had interviews. Harry had been on this show before early in his career but a lot had changed since then.
Peterson: Harry! What's up brotha?! It's been a long time! How ya living?
Harry: "Aye man. All is weel. A've bin keeping up wi' th' site, guid stuff mah dude."
Peterson: "You even sound clearer these days dude. Our first time talking back in like 2008 your accent was thicker than a bowl of mashed potatoes."
Harry: "I mean I can totally pull off this cool accent."
Harry mimicked a stereotypical country accent.
Harry: "Or even this one."
He said as a cliche surfer dude.
Harry: "Bit ah dunno that's nae me ye know? Ah cuid force masell tae talk lik' that but tis nae authentically Harry. Granted mah accent has gotten better but a'd prefer nae tae hae tae think aboot how ah Talk. Th' fans 'n' mah fiancée understand enough 'n' mah wrestling speaks wey louder than anythin' ah cuid say anyway."
Peterson: "Totally understandable man. Gotta be you. Haters gonna hate anyway. But people have even more reason to hate you these days man. For those of you at home who don't know Harry Hampton has become Carnage's first ever Chaos Champion! Congratulations bro! How's that feel?"
Harry: "Surreal man. Ah aye cannae believe it happened honestly. 'n' every day ah wake up to it juist sittin` in mah chair 'n' ah cannae help but smile man."
Peterson: "Definitely something to smile about man!"
Harry: "Ye'r damn richt. Th' first 'n' last time a've ever had gold in carnage wis whin ah won th' tag titles wi' Isaiah Luck... August tenth two thousand 'n' nineteen!
Then we lost them after oor first ever defense against th' Monstiminals... Granted Luck 'n' ah hadn't bin a team long so mibbie we lacked th' chemistry. But a'd be lying if ah said that didnae eat away at me, especially because after that match ah was out for nearly a year after mah injury. 'n' minimal chemistry isnae an excuse ah can accept because ah pride masellf on bein' able to adapt! Bin doin' this for fifteen years!"
Harry had a tone of frustration in his voice, as it was clear the memory of the event was still a touchy one. Who could blame the Scotsman? Imagine being forced to miss out on doing the one thing you absolutely loved most in the world while everyone else doing the same thing is thriving in it.
Peterson: "Definitely a long time. So what does this mean for you now that you're a champion again?"
Harry: "Th' answer is simple bit th' task itself isnae. As long as ah hae this title every battle for it will be unlike anythin' ye'v seen fro. me. A'm on a mission tae climb tae th' top 'n' plan oan holdin' this bad boy for as long as God is willing tae let me hae it. Sae whoever steals it from me... Weel ye'r aff tae definitely deserve it. Na excuses wull be heard from me. For no matter th' tricks... Deceit... Bullshit ye pull a'm determined tae hae mah arm be th' one raised in victory. Ah made that clear against Dominick Strife wo against anybody else likelie wid be oan this show interview instead o' me."
Peterson: "Dude I'm loving this energy from you I definitely can't wait to see these battles you're talking about."
Harry: "Aye ah'ament th' same Harry Hampton ye talked tae a' those years ago. 'n' ah think tis honestly because ah got tired o' asking masell... Seriously whaur am ah noo?"
Peterson nodded in agreement as he gave a big smile.
Peterson: "Well said my friend! Unfortunately that's all the time we have folks! Thank you for tuning in and another big thanks to Chaos Champion Harry Hampton!"
Harry: "Thanks man! Hope tae be oan again! Peace oot everybody!"
Harry disconnected from the call as he sighed happily then looked at his title slung over the couch. The easy part was done, and that was talking about what he was gonna do. Now the hard part... the dreaded first defense.
Here I Am
Harry stands alone in the locker room with the Chaos Championship on his shoulder. He is faced towards the camera but his gaze is averted as if deep in thought trying to find the words to say.
Harry: "A'm done givin' ye th' sob story o' mah leg blowin' oot... Months 'n' months o' physical therapy juist tae be able tae run properly 'n' lift weights.. A'm done wi' th' narrative o' bein' an underdog. Fur that isnae me anymair. Na... Noo a'm th' guy people ur gonna start rootin` against in favor o' th' underdog.
'n' a'm fine wi' that. Actually a'm relieved cuz noo a'm bein' judged fur bein' tough oan new comers... Dominick's valet did so as did new comer Axton Gunn... He said a'm th' bad guy.... Bit na... A'm th' guy who doesn't settle anymair. Th' guy who came back tae elevate 'n' improve th' place ah call home. So if that means callin' oot people who ah think ur weak links in this beautiful chain fence that is Carnage... Sae be it... Ah will git th' fence cutters.
Ah learned a long time ago ye dinnae git whit yi'll want here... Ye TAKE it. 'n' a'm sick and tired o' hings bein' taken from me. Na mair! A'm th' taker noo! A'm th' guy who, from noo oan, if yi'll waant tae know if ye measure up tae Carnage standards ye hae tae face. Dominick learned that th' solid wey. 'n' kid believe me a'm waantin' ye tae thrive in th' wrestling world! But nae at th' expense o' Harry Hampton. 'n' that goes tae all o' mah opponents. Hit me wi' yer best 'n' guarantee that's me oan mah worst. Whether tis by boot or submission ye wull look up tae me from th' canvas 'n' realize that ah indeed mean whit ah say."
Harry taps on his title before speaking again, pulling it off of his shoulder and holds it high.
Harry: "Sae that brings me tae whit ah really need tae address. Mah first defense against Sah'ta Thor... Geez.... 'n' ah git shit for mah wey o' talking. How does one even pronounce yer name? Ah think since ye'r facing th' man o' th' hoose... ah think th' richt thing tae do is address ye by yer actual name... Nathaniel. See that's wey easier.
Nathaniel yer a fifty something old man but ah'ament saying that is a bad thing... Look at Jack Michaels... Th' living legend... A man who has held th' world title probably longer than maist wi' a' their title reigns combined. Sae ah bring up yer age because yer likely wiser than most in this business especially us young guns.
Ye'r likelie someone ah cuid learn a great deal from but unfortunately we stand across each other as adversaries. We hae ne'er met in th' ring 'n' th' only thing ah hae gathered from mah digging is that yer a man that absolutely loves violence. Carnage is th' best fit for ye naturally. We hae some sadistic bastards among oor ranks for sure.
Bit a'm a firm believer that experience doesn't always equal success against opposing forces. Skateboarders hae experience wi' falling 'n' breaking bones... Na maiter how long they've bin doin' it th' risk for injury is always apparent 'n' many times unavoidable. That's me Nathaniel. Unavoidable. A'm goin' tae mak' ye hae tae reevaluate yer approaches against me at every twist 'n' turn. A'm sure ah will do th' same. That's th' problem wi' defending th' title against opponents ye'v ne'er hud an opportunity tae wrestle prior. But hey this business isnae for th' ones who always walk th' safe path.
If yi'll waant this title a'm sorry mah friend bit ye'll hae tae take oot mah leg again because as long as a'm conscious 'n' aye able tae move ah swear tae ye ye'r nae taking th' Chaos Championship away from me. This title means mair tae me than it possibly ever cuid tae ye. This is ma time fur redemption... Mah time tae make up for lost time. Tae show ah can still hang wi' th' best o' them 'n' be better.
Th' nicht wilnae be th' nicht ye become th' second ever Chaos Champion. That right is reserved for whoever in th' world has mair passion 'n' desire tae be regarded as one o' th' best tae ever dae it. Have a go again against that son o' a bitch. Cuz it will ne'er be against me.
Th' time for talk is over Nathaniel... Tis show time... 'n' a'm putting oan one hell o' a performance. Hae a guid dae!"
Harry straps the belt around his waist giving a thumbs up then turns it down as the camera fades to black.
