Post by woebegone jabroni on Oct 27, 2023 5:51:57 GMT 1
The year is 1992. The Soviet Union has fallen. Kleptocracy rules, state assets are sold off at fire-sale prices and party cadres become powerful oligarchs. American corporations enter the country like conquering heroes. There's a McDonalds in Red Square. Mikhail Gorbachev is in a commercial for Pizza Hut. The old world and its way of life have not just gone from this world; they have been smashed to pieces.[/p]
It is time to teach the Russians to love pro wrestling. Like Rikidozan for the Japanese public in the 50s, we will show a broken people to stand up again. We will lift their spirits and create new heroes and legends. We will make lots of money.
We are entering the breach that capitalism has made in the Iron Curtain. This is Championship Wrestling from Russia.
PROLOGUE
Your books and maps are of no use if there's no land of righteousness.
The Lower Depths, Maxim Gorky
'There are rumours of a new promotion opening in Russia,' writes the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 'Several talents have already received contract offers for a year-long tour with a view to build groundswell support for a TV series.' The economics make no sense. The Russian people have no money. They don't even know what pro wrestling is. They have no reason to come watch us. Never mind that, we'll give the tickets away for free. We are building something bigger than that here.
The Russians are the first to respond. Salman Hashimikov, Victor Zangiev, Volk Han -- these guys will be the backbone of the CWR roster. We have Grigory Verichev and Svetlana Goundarenko, the judo players from FMW. To fill out the roster, we have Andrei Kopylov and Igor Kolmykov from RINGS, with Vladimir Berkovich, Vakha Evloev and the Olympic wrestler Vladimir Popov rounding out the roster. Represenging RINGS Georgia, we have Tiger Levani and the Tkeshelashvili brothers Koba and Zaza. We have some American talent as well. You'll hear about them later. Every story needs a villain.
The first problem facing us is that a lot of our talent is lacking in star quality and charisma. We've asked them to take steroids to make up the difference. Some of them, like Salman and Volk Han don't want to do steroids. They are incorruptible. This only confirms my convictions that they should be the pillars of this company. Others accept the offer easily, and even agree to start building muscle immediately.
We need a product that can effectively convey the essence of pro wrestling to a public that have been deprived of it for almost a hundred years. Something that can encompass all the violence, the comedy, the romance, the struggle and ordeal inherent to the whole sport. For that, we have selected Three Ring Circus. After all, the Russians do know a thing or two about circuses.
But every wrestling federation needs an authority figure. We need someone who projects strength that can keep all these crazy wrestlers in line. For that purpose, we have chosen Valeri Vasiliev, the legendary enforcer of Dynamo Moscow and the Soviet national team. He can run this asylum. Once we secure a television deal, commentary will be provided by the legendary Georgy Sarkisyants.
There's just one thing more -- we need a star to be a draw for us, to help lift us off the ground until the whole Russian wrestling scene is able to sustain itself. To that end, Ivan Koloff will make his triumphant debut in the land of his ancestors...
