NLCW Bloodbath Undisputed World championship match - Dazz(c) vs Paul York (February 1st 2009)
Unanswered questions or unquestionable answers?

Questions.

They could be used to determine an event or used rhetorically with the person asking knowing the answer already, normally reserved for sarcasm or to clarify a life event. It was a question asked of himself by others and even his own soul. That simple question that aroused emotions, either anger or sadness, both of which enveloped him at this present time. That ever present question which seemed to haunt him like the spirit of his earlier, younger self. Something yelled at him in airports or running constantly throughout his head whether he was looking to comfort himself with an answer or not.

"Why?"

That simple three letter word, one syllable in length, it instilled something within him that brought everything into question, made everything he stood for become fuzzy and unclear, fogging his mind and clouding his judgments. Not a day went by the last few weeks where that question was brought up either through the occasional sign at a wrestling event or asked by a journalist when talking about his historic achievements inside the ring or even when he sat in silence alone thinking about the matters of late. The shock of the moment, the thing that turned the wrestling world on its head not too long ago was the very cause of that question and also brought up new questions, new requests for the truth, new doubts. It seemed like he didn't want to broach the subject at all, rather see it disappear into the abyss of forgotten memories but that chasm of emptiness helped something else grow, a feeling of intense anger and frustration. It seemed as if the whole world was still bearing down on his shoulders, helping to carry NLCW - as well as professional wrestling as a whole - upon himself whether anybody else realised that fact or not, whether they chose to ignore that and continue with their idolisation of others or embrace the abilities, the talents that he brought to the fore each and every time he stepped through the ropes to compete in front of a paying audience of diehard fans.

It had started way back in early October of 2007, Dazz sitting full of frustration and anger that once again something screwy seemed to have happened in his second American championship meeting with Isaac Reynolds. The first time they met for that belt he could've sworn that both the referee hit the fast count alongside the fact his foot was under the bottom rope yet still he lost the match, declared the athlete who came up short despite the fact he clearly had the match even if he was against a much larger wrestler with biceps as big as his own quadraceps muscles. Even pumping a lot of his own personal money into a huge parade along The Strip in Las Vegas, hiring AC/DC to play his then-theme song on a parade float of their own, every effort he put in and still he didn't win. Then to make matters worse, he had their rematch won several times but still felt cheated, the referee distracting his attention for a split second to allow Isaac to nail his finisher for victory, both men beaten and bloodied. The whole experience disillusioned him to the point that he was about to call it quits over what he deemed as the usual management screwups and favouritism, ready to dial his cell phone and tender his resignation when he suddenly had a brainwave. An idea that was big, big enough for him to pull off but also to allow him the opportunity to start over, see exactly where that perceived favouritism was and try to help eradicate it because when he began in NLCW it was a smallish place with legends and newcomers and just seemed like one of the friendliest places where everybody no matter where in the rankings helped each other out or complimented each other on their matches, giving advice to rookies or old time veterans alike.

He wanted it to be like that again, everybody with a chance. Mark Steele as President of the company allowed him to defend the World title he first won against Rob Thorn every single week of his reign near enough, even having his idea to defend against a rookie named Y2K at an Avulsion nixed just in case this person would somehow win even though he'd been allowed to defend against an entire team of opponents at the previous ppv when Chaos A.D. met Rebellion in a War Games match, anyone from Rebellion including Justice being given the chance that should one of them pin Dazz to win the match they'd become new NLCW World Heavyweight champion. The whole company just seemed to be full of joviality and best wishes for everybody until Percy Pringle III's reign of terror when things started to go downhill fast to a lot of people's eyes. It also coincidentally began the downward spiral of his happiness in the company, enjoying seeing new talents coming into the fold but seeing the blatant mistreatment of some of them to the point that even wrestlers he figured would be main eventing like Shane Perry suddenly took a leave of absence even if they were on top form night after night, making some of those still there come to the drastic conclusion that maybe it was the fact that someone - in this case Pringle - was to blame.

Indeed Pringle, followed closely by James L Rockingwell and more recently Dade Midvalley all seemed to favour one set of people over the rest and while it was good that some got their chances, it wasn't fair that others were kept under a glass ceiling unable to break through. It seemed like he himself had to suffer that fate despite being a 2 time World champion, a former Tag Team champion, a former Cruiserweight champion and a former - and 3rd ever behind Greg Hetrick and Eddie September - Hardcore champion in NLCW at that time. always calling up Pringle and Rockingwell with ideas or hopes to be in the main event where he and others felt he belonged yet being repeatedly told that no he couldn't do that, they had plans for other people or that he couldn't be added to a main event match because he hadn't held the title in almost 4 months so he had to start from the bottom and work his way up to the top, all the while others who had been away longer being able to waltz right in and take a new World title reign in their return match.

He'd done as asked but still was denied, the fact that he'd proposed to work with Isaac Reynolds until Slamfest 2007 as far as the American title goes and at first having it agreed by all parties and then by the start of October being told it couldn't happen now as Isaac was now choosing Sean Galen instead angered him. Of course the champion has always had the right to turn down challenges and choose his own unless agreed upon but it still affected him that he didn't feel he lost cleanly in both their meetings for that championship and yet he was being told they had nothing for him and to sit at home until a match came up, the possibility that he'd have to work Slamfest against somebody causing him to curse and become irritated and disillusioned again. He'd looked across at his then-girlfriend Karla Kotero, feeling perhaps she was to blame because her need to party excessively and be the top female in professional wrestling affected him. He could see in her eyes that his losses upset her partly because he'd been cheated out of victories he should've had but also because he wasn't the champion, he wasn't achieving the glory he was used to earning. He began to miss the one person who meant the world to him and who returned that feeling but he had to do something more, something that would help him see the world through a different pair of eyes, to figure out if all his misgivings about what might be happening were all in his head or were right, either fully or partially.

Of course in protest to the losses he'd taken to Isaac which he felt he should've won he'd created his own version of the NLCW American championship but that wasn't much of a protest, in fact as was the norm he was generally ignored and made to feel like despite his crowning achievements and his dedication to the company, as long as he wasn't a part of management's personal favourites however they were decided he wouldn't even be noticed, plus the fact that Ethan Andrews had done something similar with the FXN championship years before. He needed something fresh and exciting not only for fans but for himself, wanting to create a new world to live in rather than the one he had occupied full of bitterness and anger at the mistreatment he received. The idea popped into his head just as suddenly as a bullet being fired from a gun, split seconds between wondering what to do about his situation and the idea forming. The brilliance of it was too much to bear but he daren't tell Karla of it because she didn't need to know, at least not yet anyway.

Hours later there he was, separated for the first time in ages from Karla's side while she slept in their hotel room after another night of living it up on the local party scene after an NLCW event, Dazz wearing his dark Gucci sunglasses not just to keep up his look of a rock star with fashion sense but to hide the dark circles under his eyes due to lack of sleep. His hair was free and flowing down his shoulders and cascading down between his shoulder blades while a black t-shirt covered his phenomenal torso. A pair of Abercrombie & Fitch jeans completed the look alongside his trademark black boots, sitting alone in an office. The chair was quite comfortable and similar to the one in front of him behind a wooden desk, littered with stacks of paper, with stationary, a black telephone and small brass lamp in one corner. Behind it stood a large oak cabinet full of glasses, decanters, trophies all on shelving behind the glass and wood doors while the greenish coloured wallpaper contained certificates in frames, dedicated to this person's achievements and those of others that contained this unknown person's name just able to be made out as a scrawled signature underneath wording stating that this person had helped whoever earned the accolades that were now framed on these walls. A sudden noise behind him caused his head to turn followed by his upper body as he tried to look behind him at the source of the interruption to the silence he enjoyed until that moment. He looked and saw a man in the doorway with wiry brown hair, sunglasses covering his eyes and carefully trimmed and shaped sideburns, in fact if it wasn't for the hair and the man's small and diminuituve frame in comparison they could've been alike. Covering that frame that seemed to be the usual of the everyman was a dark black suit, the buttons of the jacket left open while a thin black tie hung from the base of his throat and over the front of a pristine white shirt.

Dazz: Hey, Rikki, what's up?

He watched as Rikki Lee grinned and closed the oak door behind himself, stepping into his office and striding deeper into the room, past Dazz and behind his own desk, removing his jacket and hanging it on the back of his leather chair before removing a pair of glasses and a decanter full of an amber liquid, pouring it into the containers then replacing the decanter and pushing one glass towards Dazz.. Taking his seat in front of Dazz, Rikki removed his sunglasses and placed them upon the desk before leaning forwards, clasping his hands together.

Rikki Lee: So........what brings you here? Thought you was busy with your career lately?

Dazz: Yeah have been pretty much since around June or July but now it doesn't look like I will be for a while.

Rikki Lee: Odd, I figured you'd be really busy, especially with that event coming up in a few months, Slamfest is it?

A simple nod from Dazz confirmed that Rikki was right with the name of the event in December, NLCW's biggest of the calendar year.

Dazz: I would be but my plans for that event were cancelled when my opponent decided to have someone else challenge him in case I actually beat him fairly without him needing to resort to cheating me out of wins for much longer.

Rikki Lee: I'm sorry to hear that but where do I fit into all this?

Dazz: Well basically I figured you could help me pull something off that I wanna try out.

Rikki only nodded gently and raised his glass to his lips, sipping from the liquid inside and replacing it as he looked on sagely.

Rikki Lee: Ok. What's the plan then because I'm sure you already have an agent so where do I fit into this supposed plan?

Dazz took his first sip of that liquid, feeling the warmth inside his mouth and travel down his throat as he swallowed with a big gulp, his chest and stomach especially gaining the most heat from what he knew to be whiskey, settling in his gut but leaving that warmth behind along with the aftertaste as he looked at Rikki's blue eyes.

Dazz: My contract with my current agent ends in a few weeks just before the All Hallow's Eve event so what I'm hoping is you can sign to represent me behind the scenes and even use your fast talking and art of negotiation to aid me on camera too.

Rikki Lee: On camera?

He watched as Dazz nodded in the affirmative, wondering what on earth this idea entailed.

Dazz: Basically I haven't felt appreciated by NLCW at all for a few years now and figured what I'd do is go back to a gimmick I used in the early days of my career back in Japan, use a style I haven't really used for a long time and that sort of thing.

Rikki Lee: So where do I come in? How does that help you?

Dazz: Well it helps me by going incognito under the same mask and ring attire I used to and because I didn't talk back then as part of this gimmick and I won't talk again unless I'm at home then you'd do all the talking for me, maybe we could use our own kind of sign language or written notes to communicate anything I want to say to you then you can say it for me?

He watched as Rikki leant back in the chair, releasing a long sigh from his lungs as he seemed to be lost deep in thought considering the idea and weighing up the positives and negatives of such an idea. Of course Dazz knew that Rikki was becoming a highly sought after agent with athletes so to gain him on his team would benefit greatly, especially for the idea he had but it all depended entirely on the answer that this Brooklyn native could give him. It seemed almost like an eternity before that distinctive twang was heard again but there it was, emerging from Rikki's mouth as he seemed a little distracted by something, perhaps his mind still circulating the possibilities even as he were about to speak?

Rikki Lee: So you're asking me to go in front of a camera and talk while somehow you try to do what, wrestle as yourself in a mask? Don't people sort of expect you to speak since you're so good at that?

Dazz: Yeah they do expect it which is why I won't give that aspect to them. In fact I may even take a hiatus if I have to so that I can compete under the mask.

Rikki Lee: And what exactly did you call yourself back then? El Diablo? Dark Samurai?

Dazz: No not at all, something more original.

Rikki Lee: Well? What is it?

Dazz: Delfino. It's Italian for dolphin since someone I competed with in Mexico was fluent in that language and told me my high flying was graceful like an airbourne dolphin so I put on a mask and used that name in Japan when I eventually went back.

Rikki's bow furrowed and he seemed genuinely surprised. Surely being named after such a graceful yet intelligent animal - much like himself - couldn't be that big a shock.

Rikki Lee: Delfino? I saw a few of his matches years ago, thought he was amazing.

Dazz: Yep, that was me. And thanks.

Rikki Lee: Wow, I never knew. Sure, yeah I was considering it anyway but Delfino......you......being the first wrestler I truly admired for athletic ability and determination to win, you're on.

Dazz: Keep saying things like that and it'll go down a storm.

The two shared a laugh, raising their glasses and lightly tapping them together in a toast before sipping their alcoholic drinks and smiling, allowing the effects of the drink to take its toll on their stomachs.

Rikki Lee: Why are you doing this then anyway?

Dazz: Well basically I wanna compete as Delfino again, see how far it can take me and test out a theory that I'm ignored and forgotten about when it comes to recognising NLCW's greatest of all time and whether or not Delfino will be respected from day one or not.

Rikki Lee: And you're thinking if you can win a few championships it may change things?

Dazz: Not really, I'm not interested in those, sure I won't turn down a chance or an opportunity when it arises but yeah, title belts mean nothing to me, it's all about what I do in the ring that I care about most and wether it gets me respect from the fans, the locker room and management.

Rikki Lee: I see. Got any ideas how this will start?

Dazz: Yeah, idea is I'll have a match against someone I know I'll beat for this fake American title as a sort of protest that I should be the real NLCW American champ by now, after the match the lights go out in the building, I'll knock Karla down or something then lay down next to her then pillars of flame from all four turnbuckles will explode and reveal us down and out cold as the lights come back on.

Rikki Lee: And it's supposed to be me as the cause?

Dazz: No it's supposed to be Delfino, your debut will be at Road 2 Slamfest talking about a debuting new star, hint as much as possible about it but make it sound like you're the one debuting, hopefully Dade Midvalley, you know, the owner right now, will allow the debut match to be the Slamfest battle royal at Slamfest itself.

Rikki Lee: And what's that match?

Dazz: It's just basically an over the top rope elimination battle royal, last person standing gets a shot that night at the previous year's winner for the slamfest championship, it's a once a year thing. Again, not bothered if I win or lose it but be kinda cool to do two years in a row competing in the battle royal.

Rikki Lee: Ok, so you want me to draw up a contract for you to work for me once your current deal is over with the agent you have?

Dazz: Yeah that'd be awesome and Rikki? Thanks. Really appreciate you doing this for me.

Rikki Lee: Don't mention it, anything to help a friend.You said back home though, it's weird but you've mentioning living in American for years and being Canadian so Japan is what to you?

That day had gone well, the meeting with Rikki Lee that became the start of a close friendship and professional partnership between an agent and his contracted athlete. He hadn't cared about championships then and still didn't despite the fact he currently held three active singles titles and one that's usually defended once a year at NLCW's biggest event, including two Plexies for Rookie of the Year and Rising Star 2008. He had been disappointed that he didn't win Hardest Working and especially when he saw Wrestler of the Year slip from his grasp despite the fact that in the 12 months that counted towards that award he'd defeated some of the biggest and best names in the company, went on a record setting Hardcore championship reign, won a major tournament in Road 2 Slamfest, won several championships a few times in one case and even defeated Dillon Durst at the end of his debut year as Delfino to become Undisputed World champion. Nobody else had ever accomplished that so far, he was the first yet the winner of that Wrestler of the Year award was held in a higher regard and with more reverence despite not having very memorable championship reigns and grasping onto the titles he had only because either he had no challengers for most of the year or because for some reason management picked him to win despite his much better opponent easily defeating him, allowing the title to stay around his waist ready for when Durst could step into the ring upon his return to claim it.

It showed the blatant hypocrisy and favouritism he hoped was long gone but once Road 2 Slamfest arrived and he defeated a clearly out of it Sean Galen in the opening round - perhaps a first opponent that was supposedly guaranteed to win until he turned up a shell of his former self to shock everybody at how this former World champion was letting himself go so easily. To then win the tournament still befuddled at Galen's antics inside the ring and go on to defeat Durst when it mattered shocked him as much as it seemed to shock others yet the joy and the celebrations continued, hailed a hero until he decided to unmask, wondering whether the timing was right or to wait until the end of 2009 but choosing then while he was holding all those championships to unveil his plan to try and gain respect for his talents. The only trouble was that while a vast majority accepted him and finally welcomed him as the man to lead the company just as he did many times before, a small minority took it upon themselves to complain as if him earning something through a hard work ethic was somehow wrong or bad for business. He wasn't going to let that minority get to him since they always seemed to put a dampener on everything, ruining the good times had by the many who paid money to see an entertaining show, seemingly wasting their own money by purchasing a ticket just to boo everybody in sight to seem cool to those who didn't have any worth in life, people like wrestling "reporter" Dave Meltzer.

That was why, sitting here in the empty arena with the ring and stage already set up ready for the event, Dazz seemed a little distant, staring at what would be his battleground later that night, all championships placed next to him on the seats while he leant back with one foot rested on the back of the chair in front. His eyes seemed to flicker and encompass the entirety of his surroundings, breathing in every inch of the canvas that would see his and Paul York's bodies collide hard after every slam, bump and drop. What would make things worse would be the voices of the thousands in attendance watching him battle, seeing every leap from the top rope, every kick, every grapple and wondering what they were saying to each other and the in ring combatants, their voices muffled and blocked out by the rush of adrenaline and pure competitive nature, covering their ears with natural ear plugs caused by the nature of that ring, once inside no sound or noise was made clear until stepping through the ropes to reach the outside area by the protective barrier where front row would be.

Almost as if he were a phantom he'd fly around the ring and after becoming accustomed to it again over the past year or so he now decided to incorporate that into his usual repertoire but whether it would work with his usual style as himself like he'd shown in classic matches that showed him go into technical and submission wrestling he didn't know, indeed if he added it back to his usual in ring work perhaps he'd end up becoming more dangerous between those ropes than ever before with such a wide range of styles in which to inflict punishment upon an opponent? He almost felt sorry for Paul but then again, he didn't in the same way, knowing that this was Paul's chance at the big time and would stop at nothing to try and become Undisputed World champion at his expense. He wouldn't allow that, not just because he didn't want Paul to defeat him but because he wanted to go on and retain the championship, prove he could even if it were for just one match, give himself the peace of mind that he was able to. He glanced over to the Undisputed title sitting occupying a seat next to him, glinting in what lights there were from the rafters and the rigging shining above the ring to allow fans to see the battles inside it wherever their seats were.That championship meant something to him, meant that he was able to call himself the best NLCW had to offer even if nobody else in the company wanted to acknowledge that fact, meant that he had the responsibility of defending in the main event matches, the headliner, the man the fans paid to see. He'd been there before twice in NLCW as World Heavyweight champion but of course it was so long ago that it felt completely fresh and new to him despite the fact he knew what was in store with the constant media appearances and meet and greets with fans. It would be like if Jesus Christ himself were to return to the Earth and live his life again, bearing the cross upon his back and knowing what was about to come with his second crucifixion but still with the feeling that it was brand new and foreign to his senses even if his memories were very familiar with it all, knowing the situation well.

Like Jesus, he felt as if he was about to be flogged in front of a baying crowd at the hands of Paul York but also like the son of God, Dazz would indeed rise above it all and go down in legend as a saviour, as the man who changed the world for the better, as the one who survived and lived on through whatever means.

End roleplay