Post by Matt Pulver on Dec 3, 2023 2:20:54 GMT
November 19th 2023
The sound of Orville tapping away at his computer keyboard ringing in my ears. All the possibilities of the future rushing through my mind.
A little less than a year ago, I was sitting in a fancy Pollo Bucket-owned locker room, preparing for my Pollo Road debut in The Hijo Invitational. Today I'm sitting on a futon in Orville Newton's basement apartment, preparing for my Pollo Road return in The Hijo Invitational.
My loss to AJ didn't just mean that I lost the mask and the Championship - I lost my actual home. Pollo Bucket owned and had provided me with the apartment I stayed at during my time under the mask, which meant that they were quite eager, and contractually within their right, to kick me out once I lost the mask. It didn't bother me too much at the time. I didn't think I could ever wrestle again if I lost, so I had already planned to go back to Chiflado's ranch in Bolivia if it happened.
Now that I'm back though, it means that I have to stay at Orville's - his mom's basement, that is - while I try to sort out something more long-term. Susan has been kind enough to buy me a very high quality inflatable mattress. I tried to decline, and buy one myself, but she insisted. And that woman might be even more stubborn than I am.
It's funny how much can change in a year. Hell, in just three months, I've gone from being a Champion of the World to sleeping on - quite frankly - one of the dirtiest basement floors I've ever seen. Most importantly though, I've gone from a faceless man, owned by a corporation, to being free.
I still have the misfortune to have to look at that mask every day though. Somehow, Orville got his hands mask - I'm not sure if he picked it up off the arena floor after I threw it away, or if he bought it online off of someone who caught it - and put it in one of the many display cases that fill up the basement. I don't know where he got all of this stuff. Ring gear, figures, replica belts. He even has an empty bento box container that Julian Cutlass ate during a press conference once. I can't say I understand why he collects all of this stuff. I still let him convince me to sign that damn mask though.
Nevertheless, seeing that mask staring back at me every morning when I wake up is a good reminder. It's a reminder of where I've been, and where I never want to return. It reminds me of who I am and who I need to be. I am Matt Pulver. No one else.
"It's starting," Orville says and clicks something on his computer that brings up an image on the old analog TV in front of us. It's a live stream of AJ's press conference.
As soon as AJ makes the announcement, I feel something inside of me. A fire. This will not just be an opportunity to once again prove myself against the top wrestlers in Pollo Road - it will be an opportunity to regain the World's Cruiserweight Championship.
I held that title for seven months - but it still didn't feel like it was mine. It was Pollo Dorado II's championship, not Matt Pulver's. And knowing that I have the chance to make that a reality in less than one month's time - it makes me feel that fire.
One year ago, I returned from Bolivia, ready to return to the ring, when AJ's words sparked a fire inside me. That fire would lead me to win the Hijo and eventually go on to win the championship.
It's funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I don't know all the people I have to face to get my title back - I certainly hope AJ is one of them - but I know I'm looking forward to facing Sangre in that ring. He's vicious and I know that he hates me. He will bring everything he has to put me down - but no Pollo can put out my fire this time.
The press conference on the TV turns awkward when AJ loses his temper at a reporter. Both Orville and I are quiet, before sharing a look. I don't know who broke first, but neither of us could stop laughing.
This is my life now. And I am home.
The sound of Orville tapping away at his computer keyboard ringing in my ears. All the possibilities of the future rushing through my mind.
A little less than a year ago, I was sitting in a fancy Pollo Bucket-owned locker room, preparing for my Pollo Road debut in The Hijo Invitational. Today I'm sitting on a futon in Orville Newton's basement apartment, preparing for my Pollo Road return in The Hijo Invitational.
My loss to AJ didn't just mean that I lost the mask and the Championship - I lost my actual home. Pollo Bucket owned and had provided me with the apartment I stayed at during my time under the mask, which meant that they were quite eager, and contractually within their right, to kick me out once I lost the mask. It didn't bother me too much at the time. I didn't think I could ever wrestle again if I lost, so I had already planned to go back to Chiflado's ranch in Bolivia if it happened.
Now that I'm back though, it means that I have to stay at Orville's - his mom's basement, that is - while I try to sort out something more long-term. Susan has been kind enough to buy me a very high quality inflatable mattress. I tried to decline, and buy one myself, but she insisted. And that woman might be even more stubborn than I am.
It's funny how much can change in a year. Hell, in just three months, I've gone from being a Champion of the World to sleeping on - quite frankly - one of the dirtiest basement floors I've ever seen. Most importantly though, I've gone from a faceless man, owned by a corporation, to being free.
I still have the misfortune to have to look at that mask every day though. Somehow, Orville got his hands mask - I'm not sure if he picked it up off the arena floor after I threw it away, or if he bought it online off of someone who caught it - and put it in one of the many display cases that fill up the basement. I don't know where he got all of this stuff. Ring gear, figures, replica belts. He even has an empty bento box container that Julian Cutlass ate during a press conference once. I can't say I understand why he collects all of this stuff. I still let him convince me to sign that damn mask though.
Nevertheless, seeing that mask staring back at me every morning when I wake up is a good reminder. It's a reminder of where I've been, and where I never want to return. It reminds me of who I am and who I need to be. I am Matt Pulver. No one else.
"It's starting," Orville says and clicks something on his computer that brings up an image on the old analog TV in front of us. It's a live stream of AJ's press conference.
As soon as AJ makes the announcement, I feel something inside of me. A fire. This will not just be an opportunity to once again prove myself against the top wrestlers in Pollo Road - it will be an opportunity to regain the World's Cruiserweight Championship.
I held that title for seven months - but it still didn't feel like it was mine. It was Pollo Dorado II's championship, not Matt Pulver's. And knowing that I have the chance to make that a reality in less than one month's time - it makes me feel that fire.
One year ago, I returned from Bolivia, ready to return to the ring, when AJ's words sparked a fire inside me. That fire would lead me to win the Hijo and eventually go on to win the championship.
It's funny how the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I don't know all the people I have to face to get my title back - I certainly hope AJ is one of them - but I know I'm looking forward to facing Sangre in that ring. He's vicious and I know that he hates me. He will bring everything he has to put me down - but no Pollo can put out my fire this time.
The press conference on the TV turns awkward when AJ loses his temper at a reporter. Both Orville and I are quiet, before sharing a look. I don't know who broke first, but neither of us could stop laughing.
This is my life now. And I am home.