Paying Dues-
August 2nd 2003- Chicago high school gymnasium.
VS
Chuckle came out , an old school veteran 33 year old wrestler with an evil clown gimmick
About 5’10 and 240 lbs. He came out to Sinatra’s Send In the clowns and got a fair amount of jeers and booing. Next come out Ace Sky to the newer Jimmy Eat World hit song “ Sweetness”, neon green tights, white wrist tape and black boots, at 5’8 and 140 lbs his svelte frame was quite the contrast from his portly adversary. Ace got a great reaction and high-fived fans all the way around ringside then hopped upon the apron flinging himself in with a front flip.
He bounced around energetically as the ref checked on Chuckle’s for the standard weapons check and then he did the same to Ace and called for the bell. They locked up and Chuckles grabbed a side headlock quickly with a noogie, frustrating Ace with his antics, Ace fought back punching in the gut repeatedly able to knock him against the ropes however as he went for the Irish whip he was reversed by Chuckle’s own Irish whip . . Ace bounced off the ropes returning with a terrific tilt a whirl headscissors takedown! It gets a big pop from the crowd as Chuckle retreated to the turnbuckle corner.
Ace beckoned him, playing to the crowd with his arms spread and his boyish smirk
Ace: Come on.
Ace walked towards him but Chuckles held the rope cowardly for a rope break as the ref had to hold Ace back, Ace ignored the official and was poked in the eye by Chuckles! As fans booed as Ace stumbled back turned , covering his eyes, Chuckles climbed up the turnbuckle, with a bit of trepidation obviously not much of a flier, Ace turned around as he dove off and caught the clown with a flying spinning heel kick to the ribs!
Another pop from the fans, Ace crawled his vision still a bit blurry from the eye poke and covered him, however he only hooked one leg by the hamstring giving Chuckles the chance to kick out at 2!
He rose before Ace taking control with a gut kick and a traditional body slam!
Fans booed as he stepped on Ace’s sternum as he lay supine on the canvas for a cocky pin
1 - 2
Ace kicks out!
Fans booed as he next booted Ace in the midsection to double him over and attempted the Air-Plane spin with Ace on his shoulders that Ace was able to slip out of attaching the rear facelock with the Dragon Slipper Clutch tight
Ace: SUPER NOVA SLICE!!!
Ace adds the leg drop combination to the throat with the seated pin-leg pulled back style
For a close 2 count.
Ace smacked the canvas in frustration as he rose first , as he bent down to bring Chuckles up, Chuckles stunned him with a jawbreaker and followed up with a codebreaker!!!
Chuckles went for the pin with his feet on the ropes though which the ref caught after the one count.
Chuckles began to argue with the ref as Ace retreated to the corner turnbuckle, seated trying to catch his breath and stunned, Chuckles went for finisher the Bronco Buster but Ace moved out of the way at the last moment causing Chuckles to crotch himself! As he falls back, holding his crotch, Ace was able to jump on his belly as a launching pad to the middle turnbuckle rope and boost himself up to the third/ top ropes.
Ace executed his shooting star press complete with the tuck in mid-air! Hitting it adroitly and getting the pin this time hooking both legs for the 1-2-3!
Fans go wild, Sweetness plays again, as Ace exits the ring high-fiving fans on his way back to the locker room.
After cleaning himself up in the locker room bathroom, he walked out to the main area and saw Chuckles seated on the with most of the makeup and wig off, with an ice bag on his crotch.
Ace: That match was nuts huh?
Ace joked, he glared at Ace and shook his head.
Chuckles: That’s not funny , I almost had you.
Ace nodded in agreement actually.
Ace: You could look at it like that, I will admit.
Chuckles: he pulls out a cigarette, you got a lighter k
Ace: Actually I do, do you smoke bud?
Chuckles: You’re a stoner? Aren’t you like 12?
Ace: I’m 20. .
The promoter knocked on the door and came in, Roger Miller, the same age as Chuckles
Ralph: Great job guys, that was something else.
Chuckles: You got our money?
Ralph handed him a wad of cash wrapped up neatly that is 400 dollars. However he gives Ace 200..
Ace thanked him and he leaves.
Chuckles: He jipped you like 200 bucks, doesn’t that bother you?
Ace shrugged
Ace: I take what I can get, I can make this last.
Ace goes out to his winnebago with
Chuckles,
Ace: What’s your name?
Chuckles: Rodney.
Ace: Oh cool like Rodney Dangerfield.
Chuckles: Yep.
Chuckles/Rodney checks out his winnebago RV
Rodney: Wait, do you just live in this RV?
Ace nodded
Ace: Yea I moved out of my parents’ house about 2 years ago.
Rodney: You know what, you’re alright kid.
Ace: Thanks.
—---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ace looks back on that time 20 years ago, in Pura Vita restaurant, a vegan restaurant in West Hollywood. He sees Rodney and they wave at each other.