The open palm slaps the mat, echoing throughout the arena. The crowd sung with the slaps in perfect harmony, "ONE! TWO! THREE!" The last thing I am able to hear, as my eyes are fixated to the ceiling, is the bell ringing. I lay on the mat, my opponent stands over me with his hands raised in victory. Boasting about, arguably, the most important win of his career. He has every right to celebrate, it was damn right impressive. I close my eyes and just take in the moment. It is serene, almost perfectly beautiful.
I struggle to sit up, almost embarrassed to look at the crowd. I look at my feet, my work boots. Is this the last time I will ever lace them up? My hands tremble. My eyes and bottom lip twitch, but I fight the urge to cry. On one knee now, I finally look at the thousands in attendance on their feet; for me. The soundwaves hit me hard, as they chant my name and clap as one. "THANK YOU, BOBBY! CLAP, CLAP, CLAPCLAPCLAP!" The redundancy of the standing people caroling my name, thanking me makes my heart warm. I stand on both of my feet and stumble against the ropes, the only thing holding me up. I look around, even the commentators ringside are simultaneously going with the crowd.
A heavy sigh resonates from my lips and cheeks as I push up off the ropes and stand on my wobbly legs. I fall down to a knee, yet the crowd continues on. Out of breath, I wipe the sweat and blood off my forehead. As I straighten out my spine, I throw my chin high gritting my teeth. I finally face those in the arena. I chuckle as the tears fall, my hands grip my hips as I nod in gratefulness. Should my dumbass take a bow? I laugh as the moment takes me away, peaceful in the contrary.
I gulp as I know now I have to leave the ring. I limp towards the ropes, and push the middle rope down as I lift one leg over. Music hits, and the crowd halts as a friend of mine claps making it down the ramp. I throw my leg back in the ring and step back, I watch him use the steps and stands on the apron staring at me. Smiling at each-other, we both hug and the audience claps in retrospect. I lean back with my hands on the shoulders and thank him, keeping my thoughts to myself. Why he out here ruining my moment? It is my moment. Yet, I smile at him as he does the same.
I gesture down at the ramp as I slowly make my way out of the ring. As I make my way through the ropes, I feel him pull me back into the ring. I stumble into his chest, my eyes widen in shock. "What are you doing?" My voice yells at him raspy and tiredly. The crowd boos intensely as my supposed friend knocks me down with a headbutt. The announcers go crazy as does the crowd. In shock, everyone's reaction is not only worried but confused. I look up at my "friend" who is mean mugging the crowd, then me. My vision is blurry as he grabs my be the ears and pulls me up forcefully. He is all in my face, growling at me like a rabid dog trapped. He connects with another headbutt, and he repeats it till my arms drop from gripping on his shirt from desperation.
My head is shoved down to the mat as I lie there helplessly. My consciousness goes in and out, I look up as he is rambling on the mic. The boo's get louder and louder, as he continues to scream at the audience patronizing him. I force myself in the crawling position, I look up at him intensely. I realize he doesn't notice me, so I crawl behind him. He drops the mic, and I hit him with a low blow. He drops to his knees in agony as I fall down on my back from exhaustion. The crowd erupts with a "HOLY SHIT!" chant. I close my eyes as I can no longer keep them open.
