Fraust parked his Dodge Charger in front of the old WFW arena. It had been nearly twenty years since he had last stepped through its doors. The building was still standing but any luster it had washed away long ago. Fraust pushed the doors open and walked down an old, familiar hallway decorated with pictures of himself and many of WFW’s alumni. He opened one more door and there, illuminated by overhead lights, was the WFW ring. Cole Arcane stood in the middle of the ring.
“Thanks for coming,” Arcane said as he approached the ropes. They sagged from years of neglect and Fraust was sure that they would snap under the strain of a strong Irish Whip. Fraust pulled off his leather jacket and tossed it onto the bleachers.
“Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.” Fraust stepped up to the ring apron and looked up at Arcane. “You know this time I’ll finish the job, right?”
Arcane smiled as he stepped back into a turnbuckle. “One of us will.”
Fraust reached up for the ropes and pulled himself up. He stepped through and planted his boots on an old familiar canvas. Fraust studied Arcane and then gestured tapping a ring bell. “Ding Ding.”
Fraust and Arcane locked up in the center of the ring. Fraust overpowered Arcane early on but Arcane was persistent. Arcane nailed Fraust with hard right hands before throwing him into a corner. To both men’s surprise, the top turnbuckle snapped and Fraust tumbled over the ropes to the floor. Arcane followed and continued to attack Fraust. Fraust threw a shoulder into Arcane’s injured ribs and firmly regain control of the fight. Arcane was thrown into the stands where two decades before fans would have been thrilled to see a fight like this in their laps. Fraust threw chairs on Arcane, slammed him on steps, and kicked his ribcage. Arcane struggled to get to his feet but continued to get up.
“You’ve got heart,” Fraust said as he stalked behind Arcane. Arcane stumbled against a railing on the steps between seating sections before turning to face Fraust. “But I heard you were one of the toughest wrestlers out there today and I’m just not seeing it.” Arcane took a swing at Fraust but missed his target. “I wouldn’t have cared. Honest. I would have left you alone. But people say you remind them of me… and I just can’t have that. Not if it isn’t true.”
Fraust blasted Arcane with a kick to the sternum. Arcane screamed out in pain as he fell over the railing before gasping for breath. Fraust dragged Arcane to the top of the steps, looked down, and attempted to throw Arcane back down the steps. Arcane dropped to his knees, spun around, and double kicked Fraust in the groin. Fraust stumbled backward and before he could regain some composure Arcane speared Fraust through a curtain and into the refreshment area of the arena. Arcane started a slow but brutal assault on Fraust. An old poster showing several WFW wrestlers, including Fraust, hung loosely from a wall. Arcane pulled it, aimed, and smashed it over Fraust’s head, sending shattered glass all over the floor. Fraust was still standing until Arcane bulldogged him to the floor. Fraust cried out as he rolled on his back. Glass has sliced up his chest and arms and he was bleeding in several places.
“I’d better get you cleaned up,” Arcane said while pulling Fraust up by his hair. “I’m pretty sure I saw a bathroom here somewhere.” Arcane threw Fraust into a men’s room door that broke off the hinges. Arcane followed Fraust inside. Arcane turned on a sink. “No water.” He glanced toward the stalls. “Maybe there is still some water in the toilets.”
Arcane threw Fraust into a toilet stall and slammed him against the toilet several times. Fraust, bloodied and dazed, muttered something and then started to kick at Arcane. Arcane caught Fraust’s boot and dragged him back out. Fraust kicked Arcane in the knee with his other foot, causing Arcane to fall and release Fraust’s other leg. Fraust got up and whipped Arcane into a mirror, shattering it. Arcane fell to the floor and Fraust took the opportunity to escape the men’s room. Arcane followed but Fraust was nowhere to be found. Arcane looked in all directions and then noticed a blood trail going through a nearby door. Arcane followed and found Fraust tripping up a narrow stairwell.
“Fraust,” Arcane called out. “I thought you were the tough one! Why are you running?” He followed behind Fraust, but the damage done to his body preventing him from catching up. Fraust burst through a door at the top of the stairwell. Arcane followed through the door and found only a darkened storage room. Arcane looked around before being blasted from behind by Fraust with a metal pipe.
“Never running, kid.” Fraust circled around Arcane who was struggling to get up from the floor. “I’m just smarter than you. I figured you’d be foolish enough to follow.” Fraust hit Arcane a second time with the pipe. “Here. Let me show you the best seat in the house.” Fraust picked up Arcane and pulled him through another door.
Arcane found himself standing on a suspended walkway with Fraust. Below them, the WFW ring. Fraust dropped Arcane to his knees with a knee to the midsection.
“I used to sit up here and watch the other matches.” Fraust looked at Arcane with a look of sorrow on his face. “I always wanted to throw someone off this down to the ring. Seemed like a great way to finish someone off.” Fraust sighed. “That is going to happen and, you know, I find myself feeling terrible that you’re going to have to be the person I send down there.” Fraust looked down at the ring and then back at Arcane. “I grew to like you after all.” Fraust slugged Arcane with fists and then threw him on his shoulder. “I’m sorry. I really am.” Fraust attempted to throw Arcane over the edge but Arcane slipped free and stayed on the walkway.
Both men traded blows. Arcane took a shot that knocked him backward. Fraust stepped forward just as Arcane bounced back and caught a forearm shot. Fraust now stumbled backward. Arcane did not waste time. He picked up Fraust in a fireman’s carry.
“Maybe,” Arcane panted. “You were sorry nobody did it to you first. Let us go for a ride.” Arcane tossed himself and Fraust over the edge in a Samoan Drop. Both men fell through the air until the impact dead center in the ring. The ring took its final slam and completely collapsed underneath. Billows of dust, whips of ring ropes, and metal fragments went everywhere.
Arcane yelled out in agony as he held his chest tight. He moaned as he tried to stand up. On shaky legs, Arcane stood and surveyed the devastation. Tossed in one of the ruined corners of the ring was the body of Fraust. Arcane slowly made his way to Fraust and looked down at him. Fraust was face up and motionless. Arcane stared down at him for what felt like an eternity before Fraust’s eyes slowly opened. Arcane watched as Fraust attempted to speak.
“Do this right,” Fraust choked. “End it the right way.”
Arcane’s eyes welled with tears as he nodded. Arcane covered Fraust for a pin and slapped his own hand down on the mat three times.
“Ding ding,” Fraust whispered. A smile formed on Fraust’s face as he closed his eyes again.
Arcane stood up and watched Fraust a moment longer before walking away. He stopped, looked back at Fraust one more time. “Thank you,” he said, and then walked out of the WFW arena.
Rapid Fire Wrestling 