Nate Colton
“I told Lindsay Troy that I was ready for whatever she wanted me to do at Great American Nightmare.”
“That’ll teach me to open my big mouth.”
“GREAT SCOTT and Balaam, a couple of guys who’ve done nothing but tear people apart since they got here. Either one of them would be the biggest challenge of my career…but lucky me, I get them both.”
“As if that’s not enough, the rewards are higher, to match the risk. For the first time since coming to PRIME, I’ve got a chance to earn a title shot.”
“Also for the first time since coming to PRIME, I won’t have anyone in my corner.”
“I don’t mind saying, these are the highest stakes I’ve ever faced. I’m amped as hell for the opportunity, but nervous too. Suddenly there’s questions in my brain that I haven’t asked in a while.”
“Do I belong here?”
“Can I do this alone?”
# # #
Saturday, June 18; 3:45 pm.
Garvin Park; Evansville, Indiana.
It seemed like the whole city had come out for the 2nd annual Pride in the Park event. The park was filled with music, food trucks, local organizations giving out free stuff, and of course, Pride flags of every stripe.
Somewhere in this morass of celebration was a tent for the local Pride Sports Association, a group dedicated to creating a supportive space while also encouraging physical activity. There were representatives for a variety of leagues–softball, bowling, volleyball, roller derby…and of course, wrestling.
Jake Colton, retired professional wrestler and pillar of the community, always made a point of attending these events. He stood front and center in his “Free Dad Hugs” shirt, ready to welcome anyone who stopped by.
By his own admission, he hadn’t always been a great ally, but he had two character traits that worked in his favor. First, he could admit when he was wrong; all it took was a convincing argument. Sometimes that involved hours of debate, but others it was as simple as “Dad, I like boys too.”
Second, he understood the importance of inclusion. When Jake broke into the sport, it was filled with gatekeepers, grifters, and bullies. It still was, but Jake was determined not to be one of them. He wanted wrestling to be something everyone could enjoy, and reaching out to the LGBTQ+ community was a way of building toward that future, both in fanbase and talent.
Sure, some people got upset about it. But Jake had a long-standing policy towards bigots–i.e., “fuck ‘em”–and it rarely steered him wrong.
Jake was joined by his eldest son, Nate–dressed in a similar shirt that said “Free Uncle High Fives”–as well as Olivia Drake and Diane Weir, two recent graduates of the Colton Academy, who gave practical demonstrations of basic holds for visitors.
Benjamin was also around somewhere, probably with his bisexual flag tied around his neck like a cape.
“I feel like he should be helping,” Nate grumbled, as he grabbed a fresh bottle of water out of a nearby cooler.
Jake shook his head. “Let him have his fun. I figured out a long time ago, your brother is gonna go where his heart leads him, and there’s only so much I can do about it.”
Nate gave a resigned sigh, then smiled at an approaching group of visitors. “Hello! Thanks for stopping by!”
As with most who stopped by, this group mainly filtered toward the other sports, shying away from both the inherent violence and the Coltons’ lack of non-profit status. But there were always a few who stuck around.
For several hours, while Olivia and Diane gave demonstrations of armbars, wrist locks, and some simple reversals, Jake and Nate would answer questions.
“Yes, we offer classes for any skill level, though you have to be at least eighteen to sign up.”
“It’s very dangerous, which is why it’s important that you never try to replicate what you see on TV. They should only be attempted by trained professionals, observed by a licensed official.”
“Ria Nightshade? I’ve seen her a few times, but we’ve never really talked. She seems pretty cool, though.”
“That’s right, wrestling used to be openly hostile towards anyone who wasn’t a straight white man–and in many places, it still is. We’re doing our best to change that.”
“No, and please stop asking. Check with my brother; I’m sure he’ll show you his if you want.”
“I believe we have two trans students, one of whom just started this month. We’ve also had a lot of gay, lesbian, and bisexual graduates, including–”
“Including us!” Olivia shouted, waving at people with her free arm; the other was pinned behind her with a hammerlock.
“That’s right,” Jake continued. “Olivia and Diane will be part of our next show in town, and you’ll start seeing them working for other promotions soon. We want all of our students to be proud of themselves, inside the ring and out.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Jake spotted some of the other liaisons packing up their spots at the booth. “Looks like we’re out of time for today. Make sure to grab a brochure for the Colton Academy, and follow Rust Belt Wrestling for future shows!”
There was one last round of Free Hugs and High Fives, at which point the final group left and the Coltons started packing up their station.
“Do you need a hand with that?” Diane asked.
“Nah, we got it,” Jake told her. “You two can go. Thanks so much for running the demonstration today.”
“We’re always glad to help!” Olivia shouted, and gave Jake a massive hug. “See you later, Wrestling Dad!” Moments later, she and Diane walked away, hand in hand.
“I think that went well,” Nate said as he started folding up one of the tables.
“Yeah, hopefully we’ll see some of them at our next local show. Can’t wait to see how Olivia and Diane do in front of a hometown crowd.”
“Nice to see them being honest about their relationship, too.”
Jake scowled. “Dating inside the workplace leads to trouble. And the fact that they’re a tag team, as well as a couple…that could get real messy in a hurry.”
“I know, you’ve said as much,” Nate answered while his father rounded up the Colton Academy brochures. “But sometimes people need to follow their hearts. Oh hey, speaking of real messy…”
“Damn, it is HOT out here today!” Benjamin exclaimed as he returned to their booth, conveniently mere moments after all the work was done. “I am thiirrrsssttyyyyyyyy!”
“Let me grab you a water,” Nate said, turning toward the cooler.
“Not what I meeeeaaaaaaan!” Benny shouted with a grin. “Really hoping some of those hotties make it to the club tonight.”
“For now, make yourself useful and grab the cooler. We gotta clear out.”
“Sure sure,” Benny said, and opened it in order to dump out the water and ice. “Not a single White Claw in here? Boo.”
While Jake gathered the folding chairs, Nate started disinfecting the wrestling mats that Drake and Weir had used. “So…” Nate started. He had a question on his mind, but there hadn’t been time to ask it until now.
“So?” Jake replied, setting another chair aside.
“So…I’ve got that big match in a couple of weeks for PRIME. Any chance you’ll be able to make it?”
Jake shook his head. “Wish I could, son, but we’ve got a thing in Monroe that weekend, and I need Blake’s help backstage.”
“Breaking into Michigan, finally?”
“Yeah. I want to start tapping into the Detroit market. Lotta money to be made up there, with their history.”
“That’s awesome. You know I’ll get the word out.”
“Of course. And you know you can use the Academy for whatever you need while you’re home.
“Of course.” Nate knew he always had his dad’s support, but still couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“Have you asked anyone else?” Jake asked, finally gathering all the chairs together.
“Yeah, strangely enough. Frank Mazur…Maze…that scout you know? He gave me a call last night, to see how I was feeling after the match was announced. I asked if he wanted to check out the show.”
“And?”
“He told me he won’t even set foot in Vegas. He’s got a problem with the cards, apparently.”
The old man chuckled. “Sounds about right. Frank always did have a gambling problem. Well, I’m sorry I can’t make it. But I’m pretty sure Blake will get it on his phone, so we’ll still be watching you.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
That made Nate feel a little better, but not much. He knew it was possible, even likely, that his father couldn’t attend. The man already had a lot on his plate, and couldn’t just drop everything to fly halfway across the country.
He knew all that in his head. It’s just that his heart wasn’t quite ready to accept it.
# # #
“Do I belong here?”
“That’s the easiest question to answer, because I can tell when the doubt is talking.”
“Look at the roster in PRIME; it’s the best of the best that wrestling has to offer. If I didn’t have the chops, I never would have gotten a contract. So when the people in charge put the cards together, they know they can get a great match out of any combination. They can take a rookie hotshot like FLAMBERGE and put him in the main event against Cancer Jiles. They can take a title match that would headline anywhere in the world, and put it in the middle of the show.”
“They can take an untested kid with name recognition, and put him up against an undefeated sensation and an invincible monster, knowing full well he could steal the show.”
“Now, I know that GREAT SCOTT has been kickin’ ass ever since he got here. Not just undefeated, but dominating. He’s got size, power, agility, and a goddamn bear with some sweet headphones. Six-year-old me would have thought he was the coolest wrestler in the world, and current me might think that way too. If I was going to pick a guy for a number one contender’s match, he’d be on my list for sure.”
“I also know that Balaam hasn’t been pinned or submitted since joining PRIME. Hell, I don’t think anyone’s done more than annoy him.. He’s a giant wall of muscle and destruction and insanity, with a couple of certified legends calling the shots for him. He can’t be hurt, or stopped, or reasoned with. Again, that’s a guy I’d want competing for a title.”
“At first glance, you might not think I fit into this picture. But take another look, and you’ll see someone who has done everything asked of him, and put his whole heart into it. No matter what the situation is, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves, spit on my hands, and get to work.”
“I’ve got the skills to take on anyone; I’ve made damn sure of that, and so has my old man. This is all I’ve ever wanted, since I was a little kid, and every step since then has brought me closer to this moment. No man is unbeatable, and if there’s a way to win, I’ll find it…and if there isn’t, I’ll make it.”
“So really, ‘do I belong here?’ ain’t the right question.”
“The right question is ‘can I get the job done?’”
“You bet your ass I can.”
# # #
Sunday, June 19. 12:30 pm.
The Colton residence; Evansville, Indiana.
Presents were never a part of Father’s Day for the Coltons. Jake didn’t see the point of cards, and hated wearing ties. Instead, he gave his kids a choice: you could come to church and brunch with the folks, or you could clean the garage.
Nate always chose to attend the service, though he also pitched in on the garage afterwards because he was a good Christian boy. The middle kids took the garage: Jennifer because she hated sitting still for that long, and Benjamin because no loving God could possibly expect him to wake up that early on a weekend. And since Benjamin usually cleaned the garage, Blake usually went to church.
After a morning filled with sermons, hymns, and waffles, the Colton family returned home to an expected sight: the job half done, with Benjamin lying shirtless on the concrete, sweating out a hangover.
A few feet away was Jennifer, dressed in shorts and a sports bra, sneaking up on him with the garden hose.
She made a “shh” gesture as they approached. Blake–who loved a good spectacle almost as much as he loved watching Benny suffer–slowed the minivan to a crawl. As they neared the driveway, Jenny made another gesture. “Honk the horn.”
“Please don’t,” Mallory said, but mere words cannot circumvent fate.
HONK!
“Ahh!” Benny shouted, bolting upright…at which point, Jenny sprayed the garden hose in his face.
“AAAgggbbbbbbAAAAppfgbbbHHHH!” he screamed, going full WHARRGARBL for about two seconds before he got his hands up. Blake laughed so hard he nearly took out the mailbox.
“That’s enough,” Jake grumbled–trying very hard not to bust a gut himself–and left the vehicle before it fully stopped. “The hell is the matter with you two?” he shouted. “And why are my kids running around without shirts?” Jake asked.
“Because it’s a thousand degrees out here,” Jenny replied.
Benjamin sat up, slightly recovered from his recent high-pressure assault. “I haven’t had a shirt on since Thursday.”
“Well, make yourselves decent,” Mallory told them without much hope. “I’ll get you some lemonade.”
“Can you put vodka in it?” Benny asked.
“Absolutely not!”
“Worth a shot,” Benny mumbled, and stood up.
Jenny tossed the hose aside and grabbed her shirt from inside the garage. Moments later, her torso was covered by a naked evil woman and the phrase “BONG WIZARD.” “Is this better, Dad?”
“…somehow, no.” It was almost impressive how his daughter could become less appropriate by putting clothes on. “I’m going inside. Try and actually get something accomplished, you two.” Jake put his hand around his wife as they headed for the house, with a still laughing Blake a few steps behind. Nate, on the other hand, waited in the driveway.
“This is going about as well as it always does,” he said.
“We’re very good at this,” Jenny replied. “Years of practice.”
“Listen, I wanted to ask you guys…are you free in a couple of weeks? I’ve got that big match at Nightmare, and it’d be cool to have you out there for it.”
“Everyone else already said no, eh?” Benny asked with a smile.
“I mean, I’ve only asked Dad so far. But he’s got that show up in Michigan. Oh, and Melissa, but her people don’t fuck with bears.”
“I’m on that show with…” Jenny started, then trailed off. “Sorry, did you just say ‘bears?’”
“Yeah, one of the guys I’m facing comes down to the ring with a bear.”
“How come everyone you work with is so goddamn weird?”
“You have no idea, Jen.”
“I’m hyped for that Michigan show, though,” Jenny said, peeling off her shirt again. “Riding up with the girls from my class; it’s gonna be a blast.”
“Awesome. Those road trips are so much–jeez, do you have to do that, Jen?”
“I absolutely do,” she replied, tossing the shirt back into the garage. “I might actually melt if I keep that on. Besides, a cute guy might walk down the street, and I want to be prepared.”
Nate rolled his eyes, which of course Benny noticed. “I remember someone frequently mowing the lawn without a shirt when the girls’ cross-country team just happened to be running down our street. And don’t even think about saying ‘that’s different,’ ‘cause it ain’t.”
Nate blushed slightly, and dropped the subject. “How about you, Ben? Are you free?”
“No good, bro. Me and Denny got a gig up in Eau Claire. Mom’s coming with us, but we’re dropping her off for a party at the Dells with her college friends.”
Nate smiled. “Good to see she’s getting out more. After all these years, she deserves every break there is.”
“That’s for damn sure. Dad always says, anything she wants from now on, she gets. Good thing for Dad that she just wants to go to Wisconsin, and not Paris. Ya know…” A sly grin crept over Benjamin’s face. “Mom’s friend Rhonda will be there. You had such a thing for her back in the day.”
“And you,” Nate said, “can shut the fuck up at any time.”
“You’re worked up about this, aren’t you?” Jenny asked, grabbing the broom that rested against the side of the garage. “This is the first time you’ve asked any of us to come out to PRIME.”
“Maybe. It’s…” It had been a long time since his nerves acted up this much. He hadn’t even been this stressed for his first match in PRIME, probably because he was part of a team in a sea of other competitors. “I don’t know that I’ve ever faced anyone like either of these guys. It’d be nice to have someone in my corner.”
“Ain’t Filmix gonna be there?” Benny asked. “Figured he would be, with as tight as you guys have been.”
“No idea. Honestly, I expected to be in a tag match again, but suddenly I’ve got a chance at a title shot and he’s not on the show at all.”
“That’s his own damn fault,” Jenny said. “We told him not to pick Creedence.”
“I know!” Nathan Filmix’s choice of entrance theme had raised a lot of tension with Nate, though that was quickly replaced by the tension caused by their loss to the Winds of Change.
“Dad actually turned the TV off when the song started. We missed the first, like, three minutes.”
“Not surprised. I think the guy who trained Dad used that as his theme, and you know how the old man feels about him.”
The other Coltons nodded; Jake rarely mentioned his old trainer, and never said anything pleasant.
“Anyway. I wouldn’t stress too much about it, bro, Benny said. “Just handle business like you’ve always done.”
“If anyone can beat those two monsters, it’s my big brother,” Jenny added, causing Nate to grin widely.
“Thanks, you guys. I’d hug you, but you’re sweaty and gross.”
“This heat is brutal,” Benny complained. “Hand me that hose, so I can put it down my shorts.”
“Great plan, dummy,” Jenny snapped. “You’re gonna give mom’s garden the clap.”
Both boys laughed, though Benny was also trying to give her the finger.
“Let me go get changed,” Nate said, “and I’ll be right back.”
“You’re going to help?” Ben asked excitedly.
“Nah, I’m just gonna grab a lawn chair and a beer, and watch you two suffer.”
The younger brother and sister squeezed together and put on their most helpless, innocent faces. “Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaase,” they said in unison.
Nate shook his head, knowing full well that the trick worked every time. “Fine. Be back in a minute.”
Ben and Jenny shared a high five, knowing that they could keep slacking until the job was done. Nate might not be as much fun as they were, but he was never shy about putting the work in.
# # #
“Can I do this alone?”
“Like I said before, this is my first match in PRIME where I don’t have anyone backing me up. Nathan Filmix won’t be around, but I know that he believes in me and my abilities. If he didn’t, we never would have lasted so long in Survivor. Wherever Nathan is, he’s got my back.”
“My closest friends can’t make it, either. They’re basically family to me, and if you know anything about me, then you know what that means. But they’ve got their own stories to write.”
“You can still bet that they’ll be blowing up my phone, telling me to ‘take care of business like we know you can.’ And when I walk out to the ring, I know for a fact that they’ll be rooting for me, the same way I do for them.”
“My family won’t be at the show. Not gonna lie, that breaks my heart a little bit. But I understand. They’ve got their own careers, their own lives. It’s just not possible.”
“They might not be in Vegas…but they’re always in my corner. Any advice or support I could possibly need, they’ve already given. I’ll go out to that ring with my dad’s training, my mom’s love, and the others’ belief and encouragement. They’ll be with me, cheering me on, just the same as if they were actually sitting at ringside.”
“So, to answer the question. Can I do this alone?”
“No…but that doesn’t matter.”
“I’m never alone.”