The Standard...

What's the perfect makeup of a true champion?

Is it a look? Is it ones ability? Ones personality? Or just the perfect combination of the three?

To be a champion takes discipline, focus, dedication, and a will to just keep fighting towards the ultimate goal. Chris Madison epitomizes the definition of a champion in the wrestling world.

Chris has the look of a champion. His physique has been chiseled over years of competition. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the sport. Thirteen years of professional competition, traveling from one end of the world to the other would supply that. He always has the will to fight. In fact it's his will that keeps him going. Madison has nothing left to prove for his career. His drive and dedication to competition keeps his motor going. And when you're good at something, it's hard to walk away.

Chris was almost everything Angelo Valour could ask for to represent his company as their inaugural Heavyweight Champion...Almost. The only thing that ever held Chris back from being the apple of every promoters eye was his attitude. Chris Madison hates authority. His constant rebellious demeanor was and will always be his one flaw for the men and women running companies.

Chris had already made threats of winning the Canadian-X Heavyweight Championship and walking back to his full time gig at Action Packed Wrestling and never bringing the title back. Seemingly an empty threat, but with Chris Madison you never could truly tell.

Was he serious? Or is he just bluffing?



A black limousine sat with the engine idling. The driver stood patiently next to the rear passenger side door. He held it open waiting for his client to come out of the arena. His freshly pressed suit was crisp and screamed professionalism.

A voice from inside the limousine shouted out catching the attention of the driver. "He just texted me. He should be out any second now."

As if the timing was practiced, the rear security exit door of the arena swung open. Chris Madison stormed out in a hurry dodging the hands of the few remaining fans searching for autographs. His black dethrone royalty started to saturate thanks to the remnants of moisture from his shower. Draped over his shoulder was the strap to his gym bag which bounced around unpredictably as he ran. The driver nodded as Chris took a seat in the limo and shut the door behind him, preventing the fans to get a glimpse of the "Madman".

Chris gazed out through the black tinted windows as security brushed back the small mob of wrestling junkies away from the limousine. "That was some match you had out there with Pat."

Chris turned his head and looked over at his business manager, Frankie Morrison. Chris didn't say a word, in fact he didn't even make a sound. He went back to starring out the window an the scene fades...



Chris Madison sat on a steel folding chair in his locker room at The Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium 2nd Arena. His eyes were fixed towards the ground right in front of his feet. His eyes were open wide and the grin on his face showcased his bliss. Covered in sweat, Chris brushed the palm of his right hand across his forehead before wiping it onto his fight shorts. The moment of silence allowed for a memory that will never be forgotten.

The door to the locker room swung open and Kiyomi came charging in. "Is that it?" she asked before coming to a sudden stop about an arms length from Chris. "Wow...it's..."

Chris cut off her search for the perfect word. "Beautiful!" He turned his head and watched as his girlfriend stared at him in amazement. She fell forward, wrapping her arms around his sweaty body. Although the embrace was only for a few seconds it felt like an eternity. "Kiy, I'm all sweaty. Come on." Chris reached up prying her arms off of him and brought them down by her side.

Both of their eyes shifted back down to the ground, "I'm just so proud of you. Your first championship here in Japan", she squealed with a voice filled of exuberance.

On the floor laid a black leather strap with gold plates. The gold plates glistened from Chris's perspiration which had been dripping from his body. Chris reached down to the floor and lifted the championship belt. He folded the leather straps behind it and held it about a foot away from his face. "It's been about two years of hard work here. You almost forget what it feels like. But oh is it worth it!"

"Well what do you want to do tonight? Where are we celebrating? It's your night!" She rubbed her body against his and put her right hand on the back of his head, playfully scratching his short shaved hair.

"I don't know", he said while smiling from ear to ear. "I think I'd rather just go home. It's a lot to take in. I mean I've been over her for what two years now. It's been about two years since I called myself a champion. I kind of want to just soak it all in."

Kiyomi nodded her head along with every word that escaped Chris's mouth. "If that's what you want babe, then that's what we'll do!" She continued to look on at her man with admiration.

"Wanna hold it?" Chris extended his arms out placing the championship right in front of Kiyomi

She froze for a moment starring, mesmerized by the championships allure. "I couldn't, I can't, I won't..." Her cultural humility failed to change Chris's offer. He inched it slightly closer. "I guess if you insist."

"Of course I'm going to insist! You've been my only support here in Japan!" Chris stepped behind Kiyomi placing the championship around her slender waist. He snaps the title as top as possible and the belt still sags down forcing her to grab ahold of the bottom of the belt to hold it up. Chris stepped back and looked over Kiyomi, chuckling over how ridiculous the belt looked wrapped around her petite body.

"What's so funny", she questioned while fighting back some laughter of her own. "Maybe I'll start training! I can get used to covering my waist with one of these."

Madison shook his head from side to side while he placed his palm against his forehead. "Yeah that will be the day! I don't think I know anyone who hates sweating more than you! And now you want me to believe that you're going to train to be a pro wrestler?"

Kiyomi pouted, unamused by Chris's instant lack of confidence in her. "I wasn't being serious. But thanks for the vote of confidence."

"I'll support you no matter what. I just don't see your family being to enthusiastic, especially your brother..." Madison stepped back over to the chair and retook his seat. He peered at Kiyomi who was still fumbling with the championship. "I will admit, there is something incredibly cute about you holding that belt."

She playfully batted her eyes as their intimate moment alone is interrupted by the banging on the locker room door. The scene cuts out.



"Hello...earth to Chris" Frankie looked towards the front of the limo. The partition was down and the driver watched cautiously, awaiting a destination for drop off. Suddenly one of the fans breaks passed security and makes it to the window which Chris has spaced out into. The fans bangs repeatedly on the glass before security can get a hold of him. The loud banging snaps Chris out of his funk. "Ah, thanks for joining us..."

Chris had broken out into a cold sweat and his eyes scanned back as forth between Frankie and the driver. He placed his hand on his chest over his heart and felt the thumping nearly breaking through his chest cavity. His breathing was labored and his skin was a pale white.

"You don't look too good. Medical cleared you right?" Frankie's concern continued to grow as the naturally boisterous Madison remained perfectly silent.

The driver of the limo offered up a couple of places to go, "Do you want me to take him back to the hotel? Or straight to the hospital?"

"Hotel..." The color in his face seemed to return to normal as he broke his awkward silence. The driver and Frankie locked eyes with Frankie nodding his head, approving Chris's request. Frankie turned back to his dear friend and client, concerned about his well being. "It was unbelievable Frankie. Almost as if I was reliving the past. She seemed so real. Her smell, her touch, it was is if she was really there."

"You're creeping me out Chris. You were just in a trance for the last ten minutes. Here I am worrying about concussions and thinking about your upcoming championship match and your off in la la land. What the hell is wrong with you?" Frankie turned toward Chris as the tone in his voice progressively grew with worry.

Reassuringly, Chris placed one of his hands on the shoulder of Frankie. "I'm fine Frankie. Look at me, I've never been better!" Frankie let out a sigh of relief as Chris removed his hand from his friends shoulder. "I must have been daydreaming. It was just so vivid."

Ex-girlfriend or current you're gonna grieve. A large part of your life is gone. But you can't lose sight of what's ahead of you. Shockwave, and then the Can-X Heavyweight Championship. You have a chance to permanently etch your name into the history books!" Just as Frankie finished speaking the limousine jerked forward into drive.

"That's just it Frankie, I'm zoned in on the Heavyweight Championship. After pinning Pat Gordon Jr it all became clear. There's only one man left in my way, that sleaze ball, Dick Fury!"

Frankie grinned, pleased that his clients mind was in the right place. The weight of the world was lifted from his shoulders. "You don't understand how happy I am to hear that. But that sleaze ball is undefeated just like you..."

Chris laughed off the notion that he and Dick Fury were even in the same class. "But not one of those wins were all that impressive! He had to grab Sylar Drakes tights to win opening night. It took an exposed turnbuckle to subdue Pat Gordon Junior. Then he needed a low blow to beat Moxie. All three of my wins have be decisive victories. I know the old adage, all that matters is that you win...not how you do it. But you'd be a fool to think this guy stands a chance!"

Frankie admired the fire that burned in Chris's eyes. It was a look that he hasn't seen in quite some time. "I can't remember the last time I saw you this passionate. What the hell were you daydreaming about?"

Chris was glowing at just the thought of it. "I was remembering my first championship in Japan. It's a moment that will stick with me forever. And I was remembering just how happy and proud Kiyomi was of me. It was something new and exciting for her. One of many good memories", Chris explained with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning.

"Well, hold on to those memories. Unfortunately it's all you have left of her. I just want to make sure that it won't cloud your judgement in that ring. Regardless of his antics, Dick Fury is undefeated in Can-X Pro."

Those words truly resonate with Chris. In the few short weeks of history with Canadian X Pro, Chris and Dick have risen to the top of the talent pool. It meant a lot to Chris to be the top guy, more so than holding a championship. It was about pride. "Frankie, when it's all said and done, I will be the king of the mountain here in CXP! It's not just about the championship. It's about being able to walk that locker room knowing that everyone wants a shot at you. That's what I crave! The constant competition! I live for having that target on my back. I beg for these guys to bring it! Bring everything they have because its not enough, it will never be enough. Chris Madison will be the standard in CXP!"

"Now that's the Chris Madison we all know and love!" Frankie reached over and slapped Chris in the chest. Finally Frankie had felt comfortable with the mindset of his client who had been struggling since the unforeseen suicide of his ex-girlfriend.

--------------------------------------------------

The picture changes to Madison's self filmed video. He seemed to be sitting on the outside balcony of his hotel room. The midnight black sky plays as the background. He sits on a metal chair and puts his feet up on the small table.

"A few short weeks ago many of us blindly signed contracts for a new wrestling organization in Canada. An organization that promised to be the new standard in the Canadian wrestling world. Fast forward a few weeks and where are we? The finals of the Canadian Tour Tournament. A match between myself and "Superb" Dick Fury for the CXP Heavyweight Championship."

"It's been nearly six years since I've held a championship on this landmass. I wouldn't expect you to know what kind of fire that creates. If you think for one second that this title means dick to me then you are sadly mistaken. I'm hungry, no...I'm starving for a championship! There's no way I'm about to allow some two-bit hack who's more concerned with making you uncomfortable than winning a match beat me in that ring. I'm too focused, and far too talented to slip up now!"

"That's the stark difference between us Dick. I'm here to wrestle! I'm here to compete. Love me or hate me, there is no denying that I command respect in that ring. When Angelo is booking talent or scheduling events, Chris Madison is a name people will flock to CXP for. No one cares about you Dick. There's nothing awe-inspiring about you. If you pack your bags and leave tomorrow you'd be nothing but a name in the record books! A distant memory of a bad gimmick that never belonged in a wrestling ring."

"I'm no angel. You'll never hear me claim to be. The fact of the matter is that this is a business. A business that the Valour's have invested money and time into. They're dying for CXP to take off and stake a claim as one of the top wrestling promotions out there. That's not possible with you as champion. No one wants to come and spend their hard earned money to see some seventies porn star wannabe gyrate his hips in the middle of that ring. No one will bring their families to the events. No fans equals no money. No money means no company. As much he'll refuse to admit it, Angelo knows that me as champion is what's good for business!"

"My résumé alone proves it. Since I've walked into this company I've dominated everyone put in front of me. All three of my wins have been done in decisive fashion. What makes you think this week will be any different. It's routine for me. It comes as natural to me as a baby taking its first breath. I just know how to win. And while you may also be undefeated, you are not quite as dominate as me! Chris Madison is professional wrestling. I am a machine. When I'm not fighting, I'm training for a fight. There is no off time in my life. I'm always searching for new ways to sharpen my tools. If you spent as much time taking this serious as you do with your dick jokes and perverted innuendos, you might actually show a bit of promise."

"But promise can only get you so far Dick. Eventually a hard work ethic, long training regiments, and raw ability will win out! All of those soft wins don't mean dick. Any of those flaccid moves in your repertoire won't to dick to me! At the end of the night when that bell rings for the final time, I promise you be left laying on your back, limp, feeling emasculated, as this dick is being crowned the first CXP Heavyweight Champion."

"I'm the measuring stick around here. The new gold standard in CXP. Everyone on this roster should take notice. If you want to be the best you need to go through me, and only me. Anything else you do here is insignificant. All other accomplishments are hereby rendered meaningless. Dick will fall in line with everyone else like a good little boy. He's going to have no other options. After that you all will fall in line one by one. Truth be told, there's no one on this current roster who even poses a slight threat. That's what Monday will prove. Not just that I'm the deserving champion, but that I'm a god damn juggernaut in CXP!"

"I hope you're all ready for one hell of a roller coaster ride! My reign is going to monumental. Not just because its the first. My reign is going to force the Valour's to search the world far and wide looking for talent to challenge me. After a genocide of the CXP roster you'll have no other choice. I promise you Angelo, there's no one out there that you'll be able to coax into believing that it's a fair fight!"

"After I'm through with Dick the CXP Heavyweight Championship is mine, and it's leaving with me!"

"I'm taking that belt on a world tour as I travel for the APW. Angelo, I'll be sure to send you postcards so you can get a first hand look at all the places that I was able to take the CXP that you'll never be able to! It's a bitter pill to swallow, but I'm your biggest asset and your worst nightmare all rolled up into one large headache!"

Fade out to static and snow...