Wrestling One Shots/Short Stories

Anthony Ogogo Part 1

"Hey you wanted to talk to me" I grinned stepping into Cody's office to see him staring down at his desk. "Yeah, we need to talk" he sighed scrubbing his hand down his face before he looked up at me. "You're scaring me" I laughed crossing my arms over my chest "I have a match in 10 minutes Code, can it wait until after?" I added really getting scared as he remained silent "If I don't do it now I won't do it." He admitted making me even more nervous if that was possible "I'm pulling you from the shows going forward, tonight will be your last match for a while" he spit out the words taking a second to register "What? Cody you can't do that" I shouted running a hand through my hair as I paced back and forth "Cody, I'm ranked 2nd. A few more wins and I'll be in the title picture" I was rambling, my thoughts racing as I tried to understand what was happening "Tonight is your last match, win it or lose it. It's your choice." He cut in, the coldness of his voice drawing my eyes to him to see him staring at his computer "Why? Can I ask that?" I whispered hugging my Nightmare Family jacket closer to my body "Your match is up. You should go" he replied, the tone final and with one last confused look I left his office heading for the ring, my head in the clouds and my mind not on my match at all. Going down the ramp I knew this match was going to be a disaster and it truly was as I lost in an embarrassing fashion. After wallowing in my self-pity in the ring for a few seconds I grabbed my Nightmare Family jacket, dragging myself to the back I dropped my head avoiding the disappointed gaze of Arn as he walked over with Dustin and QT. "What the hell was that Crystal?" Arn questioned the disappointment in his voice making my heart hurt even more "I lost" I mumbled crossing my arms over my chest and avoiding eye contact "No shit Crys. Why? You haven't lost a match in seven months and all the sudden" Dustin left the statement open ended my eyes going up the hall to see Cody talking to the Jackson Brothers, our eyes locking making me turn away. "Ask him." I snarled the rage coming back full force after seeing him, all three men turning to face Cody as he walked by and returned to his spot behind the monitor. Taking the distraction I walked away from the three men and back to the locker room shoving all my things into my bag and rushing from the stadium just wanting to close myself into my apartment and forget about everything for as long as I could. I knew I would have to do some soul searching in the next few weeks and eventually I'd have to go back but for now, I'd live in solitude.

This came way too fast, having to go out and break the news that I was leaving, done with AEW and wrestling for now. I had to do it though, hopefully, I wouldn't fuck it up though. I took a deep breath as I headed down to the ring microphone in hand. "I owe a lot of people an explanation" I sighed into the microphone looking around the packed arena to the confused faces. "There's nothing quite like being at the top thinking nothing could go wrong and suddenly having everything pulled from underneath you." I continued knowing if I stopped I wouldn't be able to keep going "It feels a whole lot like rock bottom. A little bit like the worst hangover in the world. And a lot like heartbreak" I shrugged pacing back and forth "These last few weeks I've thought a lot. I've thought about what's happened, about what I've accomplished, and about what's to come." I took a deep breath "I've realized that I need to step away from the Nightmare Family" I was cut off by an echoing symphony of screams and boos "Unfortunately with that means stepping away from AEW for a while" I added the boos and screams even louder. "Unlike the last person who left the family" I paused sending a meaningful look at the static camera in front of me "I am leaving with grace and dignity. And a sincere thank you to every single member of the family who helped me get where I am today. Without the Nightmare Family I'd be back in Brooklyn wrestling in the shitty high school gym in front of 10 people" I sighed fighting back the tears at giving up my dream "With that, I'll take my leave with a huge thank you to every single one of you who has cheered me on week in and week out even though I'm just a kid from Brooklyn who talks with my fists instead of my words" I smirked sadly setting down the microphone before pulling off my Nightmare Family jacket and laying it in the center of the ring my name and the symbol of the family staring up into the sky as I exited the ring for the last time. I didn't dare stop walking once I reached the back knowing if I did someone would try to stop me. "Crystal, don't leave" Dustin sounded making me pause in my escape to see him standing off to the side with a frown on his face. "I gotta go Dustin, he said it himself I don't belong here." I sighed rolling my eyes towards the ceiling as the man himself walked nearer with the young bucks "Honestly" I paused taking my time looking the younger Rhodes brother up and down "I don't want to be part of something that doesn't believe in me. I'm sorry I wasn't what you imagined Cody. I hope Velvet makes you proud" I whispered before I pushed past Dustin and left the arena.