Clan Roll
In the world of professional wrestling, the name “Ayano” carried a certain reputation. Many people simply saw them as bumbling, loudmouth drunkards. Those peoples’ perceptions were somewhat justified; it was no secret that the family enjoyed to, “indulge.” The Ayanos were also known to be a bit, boisterous. Whiskey was a character (based on her drunken, sex-based innuendos), Nightrain was a character (based on her nonsensical phrases), and Beer Beer―she was a straight lunatic.
However, not everything about their reputation was negative. Members of the clan who managed to make it into the ring had a tendency of putting on one hell of a show. The fact of the matter is, they could wrestle. And, due to their temperament, most of them had decent charisma as well.
Merlot Ayano was a bit than the rest of her cousins. She wasn’t loud. In fact, most people would have considered her “shy.” On most occasions, she would hold her tongue and not cause conflict, unless it was something she truly felt passionate about. Merlot didn’t drink too much, maybe once a week, if that. She definitely wasn’t a fan of hard liquor or strong spirits; if she did drink, it was just a bit of wine.
She liked to attribute those difference to her age. Merlot was nearly twenty-nine years old, most of her cousins in her in the lower-twenty range. She thought her “maturity” is what made her unique, at least a little bit.
Business Matters
When you think for the average wrestler, what comes to mind? Someone who is passionate about the Business? A person who is willing to make serious sacrifices in order to go out and chase their dreams? A person who chases that “high” of being in the ring?
Similar to her standing with her family members, Merlot was not the prototypical wrestler. However, she had been at one time.
As one could imagine, she jumped into the wide world of professional wrestling due to her family ties. After she trained for a bit, she developed a love for being in the ring. It was that very love that propelled her to the top of the industry. Style wise, she was a regular Strong Style practice; however, most analysts agreed that she had that something “extra.” Perhaps it was the fact that she was fact that she was able to perform at breakneck speed, without sacrificing technique. Maybe it was the quiet intensity that she exhibited in each match that she wrestled. She might have been quiet and shy, but when that bell rang, she was ready to beat ass.
Regardless, due the quality of her matches, Merlot was on the path to success―and that’s when it happened. She was working a small show in front of a crowd of maybe one hundred and twenty. She spent the better part of fifteen minutes tussling and scraping with her opponent, until she had finally laid her out prone. Merlot climbed to the top and came off with a splash.
While she was airborne, that opponent moved. Merlot came down hard on her left knee. It was a debilitating injury. Her estimated time for recovery was about fifteen months or so.
Unlike most people, Merlot did not return to the ring in lightening speed. It did in fact take her fifteen or so months of intense rehab to fully recover. And, even then, she did not rush back to the ring.
That injury didn’t just hurt Merlot’s leg, but it also hurt her confidence. She had been described as a showman in the ring, However, she was always careful and safe. She never thought she’d have to face an injury like that. The pain and trauma messed with her mind.
She remembered the intense, burning feeling that often pulsated through her kneecap.
She remembered the agony she was in while attempting to do menial tasks, such as taking out the trash and going to the bathroom.
For a while, Melot ran away from wrestling. But, like an addiction, eventually the ring called out, and she couldn’t run anymore.
Her first “hit” of wrestling was Glory For Puro. Merlot had searched around for a good place in Japan, but there weren’t many at the time; Or, the ones she did find weren’t willing to take the risk of picking up “damaged goods.”
Glory was the perfect place, at least that’s what she thought. It had been a thriving company in the 1990’s, until financial trouble hit. It’s operators closed up shop, only to reopen in late 2013. The company was starving for talent; and so, Merlot joined.
She had a couple matches there. Nothing great, but nothing terrible. For the most part, she was still trying to shake off the ring rust.
Then she was shelved.
She was omitted from card after card after card; and, she was always given the run around when she inquired about the matter. Eventually, Glory shipped Merlot and her cousins off to Europe in a “talent exchange” sort of deal. It didn’t matter though, her fortunes didn’t seem to improve while she was over there.
Tired and frustrated, Merlot sought work elsewhere. After talking to her good friend, Kendra Parker, and some promoters, Merlot decided it might be time to move to the U.S. to find work. FFP, a touring regional promotion, sent Merlot a contract. So, on a leap of faith, Merlot packed up all her things and moved to Las Vegas.
Nonetheless, her faith was misplaced, once again.
Her experience in FFP wasn’t too much different than her experience in Glory. She had a couple of matches, and was doing well. Then, she got shelved. When she inquired, she was given bullshit excuses, and often ignored altogether.
. . .
Pro Wrestling Project called her and let her know that the company was beginning operations again; the promoter also offered her a spot on the first card.
“Should I do this?” she asked herself.
It was safe to say that Merlot was a bit, apprehensive, about stepping back into the ring. The Business hadn’t been kind to her. And, in all honesty, she likely would have declined, if not for her girlfriend, Raven.
“I mean, I can’t tell you what to do babe. But, I think it would be good for you. At least in this case, the promotion reached out to you, right? That means something. So, give it a go. If it doesn’t work out, you’ll find something else.”
“Merlot hopes you’re right.”
Angles like Kurt...Wait What?
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Professional Wrestling is an industry that is based upon “angles,” similar to journalism or law. Promoters and fans are always looking for the appropriate angle, because the right angle is often accompanied with money―it is simply good business.
Every match has some kind of angle, that includes my upcoming encounter at Pro Wrestling Project Sixteen. That match takes place on October Thirty-First; that night, I’ll be facing a man by the name of Donovan DeJesus.
Merlot wonders how people are viewing, shaping, and angling this match. Surely, some people will see this match up as a modern day “David versus Goliath.” That comparison is not unreasonable, not at all. I do not even need to know that specifics of Donovan’s vitals. He is taller than me, he weighs more than me, and can lift more than I can. The Goliath comparison is not dissimilar.
Or, perhaps they will bill this match as “a frisky old veteran versus a young, determined upstart.” Now, I would not consider myself a veteran. Merlot did wrestle a number of years before injury. She certainly would not be a rookie. Donovan is younger, and it appears that he has not worked very long. I can see the headlines on the news websites, “will Merlot Ayano’s seasoned ring phycology be able to halt Donovan’s desire to make an impact in this Business?”
Ha, or maybe this will simply be viewed as a “man versus woman” type of match up. Even if he doesn’t want to admit it, I bet that’s what Donovan is thinking. You know, I can already hear the rant forming in his head as I type this. “Merlot aint nothing but a bitch, one that shouldn’t been in the ring with me. She can’t match up with my skill, cause I am strong gang man from the streets―bang bang!”
So, what’s Merlot’s angle for this match? To be honest, I don’t know. I don’t know what to think about this match, or this match up. I have not heard a lot about Donovan. I have seen a match or two, and I’ve seen a couple of pictures. I can’t say that I know everything about Donovan; however, I have ran across people like him in my career. That’s where my “bang bang” conjecture comes from. When Merlot faces men, they also say the same type of stuff―it’s like they all share one brain or something.
However, Merlot doesn’t really care what Donovan thinks about her. I say that because, in all reality, it doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is what happens inside that ring. Regardless of Donovan’s feelings about me, regardless of all the shit I’ve gone through lately, I know that I’m a good wrestler. That is why I came back to wrestling, and, that is why I took this PWP match.
If I were to let others push me out of wrestling, what would that make me?
Merlot will answer―it would make me weak!
Merlot is not weak!
Merlot is a warrior! My warrior side will be in full effect on on October Thirty-First, you best believe that. Donovan, your size and strength doesn't matter to me, because you can still be chopped down and picked apart. Therefore, Merlot will play the part of a surgeon in this match.
Donovan, I want you to remember the name “The Sorrow Bringer.” That is the name of the move that is going to put you away in a few days.
Meditate on that. And, be ready.
―XOXO Merlot Ayano
