Chapter 1: Indigenous Wrestling

(Jay)

“Witness Ravina Hawk and Niko the Legit Bad Apple in action tonight!” Jay shouted, passing out flyers outside the arena.

It grew quiet as most of the fans moved inside. Jay followed them, heading backstage. He poked his head through the curtains to see the live crowd and the ring. A sign hanging from the ceiling above the red and black ring read Indigenous Wrestling. A giant poster nearby advertised the rivalry between Niko the Legit Bad Apple and Rez Kid Derrick.

Indigenous Wrestling was a company owned by a man in the southwest, featuring talent from different tribes and non-Natives alike. It had been around for twenty years, known in Native communities for homegrown wrestlers like Dakota Maize, Serrato, Niko the Legit Bad Apple, and many more.

Jay watched the matches from backstage as Indigenous Wrestling hosted the event. The arena was filled with fans cheering and shouting in excitement for their favorite wrestlers.

“IW! IW! IW!” the audience chanted, the sound echoing throughout the arena. The building was alive with fans, their energy filling the air. Uriah was a newcomer who had recently debuted, and she was facing Ravina Hawk in what was expected to be a squash match.

“Can you hear this crowd? They are on fire!” said Teddy. Teddy was well known in the wrestling community. He had worked in sports analysis before becoming a commentator for Indigenous Wrestling.

“Uriah Rez with the leg drops! Is she going for the big splash?” Marvin said over the speakers connected to his headset and microphone.

Marvin Crow, Jay thought. Marvin was well known for his extreme matches until one final bout landed him on the retirement list.

“She missed! Ravina Hawk was playing possum!” shouted Teddy. He hyped up the match as he and Marvin sat at the commentators’ table. The table was decorated with Native designs and symbols, while the ring had a plain black apron with red turnbuckles.

Jay watched through the curtains, listening to Teddy and Marvin on the speakers as they called the match.

“No! Uriah Rez is hurt!” Marvin said, shocked. He jumped to his feet, accidentally spilling his beverage and a bottle of water onto the floor.

“Ravina Hawk is back on her feet?” Teddy squinted at his monitor as if struggling to see the picture.

“Let’s go, Uriah!” shouted Marvin into his headset.

Ravina Hawk slammed Uriah down to the mat like she was slamming a tortilla on a stove.

“Ravina Hawk has Uriah in the figure-four!” Marvin said.

“This is the end for Uriah Rez!” Teddy called out.

“One! Two! Three! Winner, Ravina Hawk!” shouted Marvin Crow. Some fans had to cover their ears; Marvin was just that invested in the match.

“You alright there? That match was intense,” Teddy said, glancing at Marvin, who had accidentally knocked his mug off the table. Marvin sat back down and straightened up, calming himself before he could speak again.

Jay watched as Ravina Hawk celebrated her victory in the ring, climbing all four turnbuckles as fans took photos. Ravina raised her arms as she posed for the audience, and the crowd grew louder. Meanwhile, Uriah rolled out of the ring and slowly headed backstage, clutching her stomach.

“We’ve had great matches tonight from Uncle Bepsi, Joe Singing Bird, and of course, the living legend Ravina Hawk,” Marvin said, his voice calmer now.

“My favorites so far are Ravina Hawk and Uriah Rez,” Teddy said, looking down at his clipboard of notes.

“The rookie versus the future legend… but then again, Ravina is already somebody,” Marvin said, looking at Teddy and waiting for him to respond.

“Ravina Hawk will always be my favorite,” said Teddy. He coughed to clear his throat before continuing. “Every time we see her in action, it feels like it’s her retirement match.”

“Next up, we have Mika Raccoon in action after we take a break,” said Marvin, heading backstage.

There was a long table set up with snacks and drinks for the talent and staff. Jay picked up a cookie; some were shaped like wrestling rings, others like championship belts.

“Jay, I’ve been looking for you all over the place,” Marvin said. Holding a list in his hand, he looked at the paper and then back at Jay. Marvin was wearing a grey suit and a red tie with a black T-shirt underneath. His shoes were so shiny you could see your reflection in them.

“How did the meeting go? Did they like the idea?” Jay asked, eager to hear if the Indigenous Wrestling board members liked his pitch.

Jay had a vision to take Indigenous Wrestling to the next level, Something that could rival the top four wrestling companies in the world. He wanted to start an all-female promotion to push the women’s division forward. Only a few women’s promotions were well known, such as Star Gold Promotions in Japan and Meow Wrestling in the U.S. There were others, but none ranked among the top competitors.

“They didn’t approve of your idea. They are worried about negative feedback after the last owner of Indigenous Wrestling,” Marvin said as he poured himself a cup of punch.

Jay watched as Marvin’s hands trembled, struggling to pour the drink. He looked pale and nervously twirled his tie with his fingers, bumping his elbow into the fruit platter.

“Anything else?” Jay asked, watching Marvin tremble as beads of sweat started to drip from his hairline.

“They’re sending out a third round of releases. And… you’re on the list,” Marvin said. He squinted, expecting a harsh reaction.

“I knew they’d let me go. A street crew isn’t that important in a promotion with social media these days,” Jay said, grabbing the list from Marvin and scanning the names.

“I’m sure they’ll rehire you. You’re more invested in this business than anyone,” Marvin said, adjusting his tie as he walked back toward the commentator’s table.

Later that night, Jay packed up his small office. He placed his things into a milk crate, including a journal that held all his ideas for a women’s promotion. Jay looked down at his Indigenous Wrestling badge, then laid it on the table. He walked past the snack area, took one last sip of punch, and packed some snacks in his bag.

Without saying goodbye, he quietly left the arena. Jay stood there for a moment, clutching the keys to his old truck. He looked back one last time.

“There are many promotions in the world, and a few Indigenous promotions, but nothing like Joshi,” Jay whispered before getting into his truck.