Привратник | Privratnik (SERGEI IVANOV)

A room made of stone, lit by a single torch. In the middle of the space there is a large burgundy stained wooden throne. A large oak creeks open and in steps the imposing figure known as “The Mystic Tsar” Sergei Ivanov. He is cloaked in black and he takes his seat on the throne and it stresses under his weight.

The camera closes in and Sergei removes his hood. He produces a stack of eight by ten photos. Sergei takes a moment to consider the first photo before he shows it to the camera. It is a photo of Hope Freya.

Dreamweaver. Sergei should have seen you for what you are. You are a talent. You are a deadly whisper and when you meet Sergei again he will meet you in a better state of readiness. It is written in the stars, it is told in the stones. We will meet again.

Sergei lets the photo fall to the ground and then he shows a second photo which features Zilpah Okelo smashing a steel chair over Sergei’s head.

Sweet Talker. Sergei admires you. You gave Sergei the glory of a real battle. The contest that you had with Sergei was not one that Sergei cared about winning. You were a vessel for an awakening. You gave Sergei exactly what he needed and for that he gives you gratitude.

The photo falls from Sergei’s hands to the ground. The next photo is of Murder Ninja repelling from the rafters of Bobby Shitake Arena.

Murder Ninja. You are an anomaly. Sergei thought very little of you. A victory over you meant nothing to Sergei because he felt that you were beneath him. How wrong Sergei was. You were victorious and there is no disputing that. Sergei will watch your career with great interest.

The third photo falls to the ground and Sergei has one more in his hand. He takes a moment to review this one and delicately runs his left index finger over it. Sergei snarls and shows it to the camera. It is a press photo of Mark Storm.

The Hero. Privet geroy. You must be feeling very confident. Sergei has yet to claim victory in RAZOR Wrestling. Sergei is viewed by the fans as the Privratnik, the gatekeeper. Competitors beat Sergei and go on to better things. Is that what you think awaits you, Hero? Sergei – merely the first step on your ascension to the zenith of RAZOR Wrestling? An understandable viewpoint. But misguided.

Sergei brings the photo close to his chest and he sighs.

Sergei has come to RAZOR Wrestling for combat. Money, victories, championships – they are secondary. Sergei entered the world of professional wrestling because it is the only true realm of combat left on this planet. Combat is the most human thing that a person can do. How human are you?

With ferocity Sergei tears the photo to shreds and lets the confetti fall to the ground like snow.

Heroes. Sergei says death to heroes. Selfish and self-aggrandizing. A pitiful status to want, let alone to bestow upon oneself. It sickens Sergei. Heroes exist to be torn down, to be sent into the fires of hell and forgotten. That is what Sergei has for you, Hero. RAZOR Wrestling is not for you. RAZOR Wrestling is for the awful. RAZOR Wrestling is for the malicious. RAZOR Wrestling is for The Mystic Tsar.

Sergei leans forward and the torch’s flame is snuffed out.