Home. // Chapter I

When you’re young, you never really grasp just how fast things can change.

As a child, you have a plan in mind on how your life is going to go, and even as you grow into adolescence and then adulthood, that idea changes. It’s not until you begin to live that plan that you finally see how easily your plan can crumble. Each moment is made of something new, and at every turn you find yourself with new pathways you never saw coming. Before long, that plan you had in your mind of how your life would go is but a faded memory, and you’re only left with the actual experiences you’ve had. Life is an ever-changing force, and having a rough outline is nice but trying to control the flow will only lead you down a path of disappointment. You can’t start over and be dealt new cards, you must play the cards you’re dealt, even if it is much easier to sit and wallow ever said cards.

For as long as he could remember, Issak Otto never really had a home. That was certainly something that had changed, the idea of what a home was. Even as a boy, Issak was often traveling around for different tournaments, going on country-wide meets, and missing school in order to making professional wrestling conventions. He may have been born in Stockholm, but he had never felt connected to it the way others seem to feel prideful in their hometown. Once he became of age, all he did was travel. As an international amateur wrestler, you find yourself all over the place. The only country he didn’t travel to was the United States, but anywhere else and he’s probably wrestled there. His homes were the same one-bedroom hotel rooms that he found himself in each and every night. If he was lucky, he had a friend to share a room with and it was something of a sleepover, but it didn’t change the fact that those hotels were the only idea of a home he’d ever known.

Then came Kaia, and Glasgow.

Contrary to popular belief, Issak and Kaia didn’t meet in Glasgow. They at a birthday party of a friend that shall remain nameless, but you definitely know who you are. Regardless, the two hit it off instantly, drawing a little jealousy from the nameless other but we’ll keep that under wraps. Issak was able to use his pull in Evolution Wrestling to get Kaia a tryout, and within two weeks she was working alongside Issak. The two traveled the country together, and she’d even accompany him to bouts that were across the world, considering he never stopped accepting offers from other companies for competition. Issak absolutely loved the idea of the guest wrestler, and more than appreciated the spotlight he gained from the circuit giving him the nod. Kaia had even convinced him to get a place together in Scotland, something of a small castle out in the middle of nowhere with the funds he’d gained touring the world. He had some championship titles under his belt, he had a wonderful girlfriend, and it felt right.

Naturally, too much of a good thing will turn your tastebuds stale. Kaia wanted more out of their relationship. She wanted to settle down, wanted to have a family and build a legacy separate from wrestling. Issak thought he loved her, so of course he thought he wanted that too, and one day, he does. The only problem was that Issak threw away his career to have a life with her. The pandemic hit shortly after the two walked away from the ring, and that was something crazy to navigate altogether. But it only strengthened their decision to pull away from the business. At the time, it felt like he was moving towards his ultimate goal in life, it felt like he was building his own home. When it came down to it, the two were in different points of their lives.

She left him, alone in that house, alone with his broken idea of a home.

Nowadays, they say he’s been living his life as a hermit. He still lives out in that small castle, and although small, it still manages to be mighty empty with just Issak there. Every now and then you’ll catch him running out to the grocery store, but anyone who sees him knows him simply as one of the villagers from out of the town. They don’t know his name, who he used to be, they don’t know all that he’s lost. Of course, he prefers it that way.

Today was one of those days that he was forced to leave his dark cave, and travel into town. He’d bundle up tightly in his burliest coat and his largest cap, not only because Scotland is usually cold and rainy, but also to keep anyone from staring at him. Once upon a time he’d love for fans to come up to him, loved to speak to anyone who knew wrestling, and always had a smile on his face. If you saw him today, you’d probably guess he hadn’t smiled in quite some time. It had been about a year since Kaia left him, hadn’t even heard from her since. She was just gone, vanished, probably living her life somewhere with some other guy while he remained stuck here in this state of mind.

“Almond milk, bread, salami…”

He whispered his grocery list to himself, always a master of memorization, as the doors to the grocery store automatically opened. He waltzed in, walking at a pace that was faster than your usual pedestrian. His eyes met no one, didn’t stop to look around at all. Otto just continued to whisper the items that he had come to the store for.

With his hands full of items, he reached the bread aisle and grabbed the nearest loaf he saw. As he walked down the other end, a boy nearly ran right into him. Any other person would have dropped the entirety of their shopping list, but Issak was quick and caught himself before stumbling.

“S-Sorry, mister!”

The little boy turned back around, just in time to see a second boy running straight at him. The first child moved out of the way and out into the open, stopping the second boy by putting him foot up. The second kid pretended to be kicked in the stomach, doubling over. This caused the first one to grab him by the head, hitting a fake version of an ace cutter. The two were pretending to have themselves a wrestling match, right here in the bred aisle. Little fans acting out what they see.

Issak stood there for a few moments, watching them. It had been about two and a half years now since he had stepped inside a wrestling ring. He still remembered the feel of the ropes on his hands, the roar of the crowd saying his name, the jolt of excitement when those first few chords of your theme song started to play out of the PA system. He remembered it all and looked back on it fondly. But it had been so long, now it felt like another lifetime ago, one that had been lived by someone else entirely. His goals had changed, albeit not for the better, but in turn it had changed his life. He sighed, walking down the aisle in the opposite direction. He didn’t happen to see as the second kid nudged the first, pointing to Issak. He did the Otto salute to towards Issak’s back, recognizing him. The other one gasped, but they were to shocked to follow the man known as Issak Otto, as he disappeared to one of the registers.

Issak remained in a somber mood the rest of the way home, not even bothering to turn on the radio during his drive. Even if he had, he wouldn’t have been able to tell you what was playing. After a drive, he took his bags from the car and walked down the small path to his front door. Just as he had always done every week for the last year, Otto walked in and placed the bags in the exact spot in front of the fridge. It only took a few short minutes to put away the items that he had bought. The only good thing he had managed to learn during this time was some gardening, so he only ever really went to the store for the essentials. Even so, he was about to sit down in his brown chair, in front of the television the way he always did, when he heard a beep.

Issak, too, didn’t know what it was at first. As he heard another, he followed the sound.

Turning the corner, he remembered what the sound was, though in truth he hadn’t ever really heard it. Since he lived so far out of town and the signal was spotty, he was urged to get a LAN line telephone when first moving into this place, which also came with a built-in answering machine like old days. Not that old but Issak is in his early twenties, so he didn’t even know what an answering machine was. He walked closer and saw the flashing red light clear as day. He reached forward, pressing play.

“You have one new message. From today at 2:52pm.”

“Issak, haven’t heard from you in a while so I wanted to check in. But also, Evolution Wrestling. Word is it’s a relaunch, and I can’t think of anyone I’d go back with than you. Give me a ring, buddy.”

The voice of his longtime friend, Carson Campbell, echoed throughout the hallway. He felt a sense of comfort hearing his friends voice, but also a sense of anxiety at the thought of going back to the business. The answering machine began asking if he’d like to delete, but Issak slowly walked away from the machine and the electronic voice faded from his hearing. It’s like his mind was on autopilot, as he scuffled down the hallway to a double wooden door. He turned the doorknob, walking inside to a room that was filled with anything he ever did in wrestling. Numerous newspaper clippings, medals, trophies, championship replicas of belts he’s held, and the like. Would he be able to live up to the hype that followed his name for so many years? For the last year he’d convinced himself against trying.

Maybe it was time.

TJ’s fist came hurling towards his face, connecting across his chin and more than likely causing an ache in Issak’s jaw tomorrow. Issak couldn’t help but smile.

Somehow, he’d found the courage to step inside the ring again, and with a familiar company, no doubt. Evolution Wrestling may have been the place that saw is relationship with Kaia, but he was there before he’d ever met her. EW would always hold special place in his heart. So when Carson called, explaining that Evolution was returning and that they wanted HIM – well, he couldn’t say no. Naturally, it took several pep talks in the mirror, and weeks up training in attempts to get himself back to the shape he was in prior. Issak had always been a healthy boy, but he still had some work to do if he wanted to reach the peak he was at. Now, he found himself against TJ Techniques, a man he’d seen up and coming around the time he’d left the business, in the first round to crown a new Evolution World Champion.

So needless to say, the punch hurt, but Issak just had a smile. It felt like he was back. Everything he’d ever known, and everything he’d ever worked for was suddenly at his fingertips again. Issak would even turn it up a notch, and surprise even himself by clocking TJ with the Class Axe right before the three count. TJ didn’t miss a beat, so Issak didn’t expect to win his return match but others didn’t seem to shocked. After all, Issak had been impressive years before so why wouldn’t he be now. The applause came after the bout, although Otto didn’t feel like he had earned them.

Given that Evolution was having a one-night tournament, Issak still had multiple matches he’d have to compete in if he planned on winning the entire thing. The next round would put him against his good friend, Carson Campbell, which was really what reminded Issak of what wrestling is all about. A great bout between two amazing competitors. Carson was able to get the win in the end, and Issak couldn’t have asked for a better man to lose to. Even though Carson couldn’t walk away with the championship at the end of it all, the two boys both had a great night overall. Backstage, now with a dark shiner, Issak was still smiling brightly.

“Wow! You did such a good job tonight, Carson! I’m so proud of how far you’ve come in the time I’ve been away. You were so close to winning the title!”

“Aren’t you glad you called me back?”

Issak met Carson in South Africa, in a little company that saw him build some of his first wrestling relationships. Issak had been in the business for a bit before that, and even had himself a manager at one point. But in South Africa, he was forced onto a team with three other individuals, and they had to compete against other teams for weeks. Carson Campbell was one of the members on the team with him, and the two had become great friends. It was Carson that checked up on him out in the wilderness, and it was Carson who reminded him of his love for wrestling. The two were such opposites: Issak was on the shorter side with a technical background and a happy demeanor, while Carson was a large powerhouse who could have a mean streak. All the same, the two clicked. Now they were backstage, winding down from the exciting night. Issak slapped Carson on the back.

“Not so bad yourself out there, buddy. I really didn’t think we’d end up against each other but I’m glad we were able to have that match here.”

They walked down the hall side by side, Carson whipping himself down as he walked before slinging it onto his shoulder. Issak jumped slightly in front of him, bursting with energy. By this point Issak was basically jogging around Carson as they jaunted along.

“Carson – it was great! I can’t wait for more!”

Carson was taken aback by the sudden outburst but was glad to see Issak so excited about wrestling again. What’s more, maybe it meant he’d be sticking around and the two could have a real chance in the tag division together.

“Does that mean you’re going to be sticking around?”

“Not only that, but I want to do something for myself. I want to go to America.”

He stopped walking, looking off in the distance as if he was dreaming of some far-off land. There was even a twinkle in his eye when he spoke of it. Campbell couldn’t help but laugh.

“Wait, what? Why are you talking like it’s the 1800s…”

“Carson, I’ve never wrestled in the US.”

“Really? With all the places you’ve been, how did you manage that?!”

He pushed the door into the locker room, the two walking over to their stuff inside open lockers. Otto began ruffling around his gym bag, continuing to speak.

“I’ve always been an international wrestler. We met in South Africa, I met Kaia in Germany, Evolution is in Scotland. From there I’ve been with companies based in Canada, South America, England, Mexico, and everywhere I’ve been a guest has been outside of the United States. It’s time I come back and finish what I started, Carson. I used to say I was a WORLD traveled wrestler, but that was never quite true. It’s time I conquer the WORLD.”

Now, Carson was the one that couldn’t help by smile. He was glad to have his friend back. Issak was looking at his life as something to be excited for again, and that was a true gift. Issak was happy to be back in the ring, but he knew he couldn’t simply prop himself up with familiar safe spaces. He needed to take this opportunity to broaden his horizons more than he ever had. Evolution had been good to him for years, and he’d never fail to support it, but deep down he knew he couldn’t call it home.

Orlando was a culture shock for Issak.

He had flown in a couple weeks prior, wanting to have his meetings with the PWE staff and get his surroundings of the area. Never had he even been to the United States, let alone a place like Florida. He had been to a many a tourist town, but Orlando took that to a brand-new level. The city offered far more than what he had time to explore, but he knew that signing with PWE would give him all the time he needed. Despite all the extravagant extracurriculars that Orlando had to offer, Issak was most excited for PWE to get under way. Strategic Assault was a teaser of how he wanted it to go in this new company, but you’ll never get a good grasp on the atmosphere until the first competitive card.

He knew his first bout with the company would be hard-fought. However, he didn’t expect it to be some hard-fought that he’d be in a gauntlet for the vacant Excellence Championship.

His eyes nearly popped out of his skull, but a calm excitement rushed over him. There’d simply be no better way to see what the company has to offer, and how the crowd reacts. Although the most preferred way would be to ease your way in, feel out the situation, there’s nothing like jumping right into the deep end and seeing if you sink or swim.

The championship gauntlet reveal made his Festival of Friendship all the more interesting. Meaning, it made it so there was nobody who wanted to come to Issak's event. He assumed it was due to the match, and everyone wanting their favorite to win. He knew he'd be fighting an uphill battle, but had no idea it would be so uphill that not a single person would show up. Still, he did his best to keep a smile on, sitting there at his foldable table, in front of literally no one.

"At first, I was mighty sad that nobody came to my Festival of Friendship. I realize that there’s probably not a lot of PWE fans that know who I am and what I’m about, so I didn’t expect a huge turnout for my very first FOF in PWE. Nobody coming is disappointing, but I’m not going to hang my head about it. It’s my job to show everyone why they SHOULD come, and why they should be a fan of The Class Act. Honestly, I’m just super happy to be here in Orlando, Florida and I’m beyond excited to get the very first Victory of the season underway! My career beyond this point is in the category of what shouldn’t be…

PWE and myself are a lot alike in that way. We’re both working against what shouldn’t be. I’ve done my homework on the company before I signed, so I’ve familiar with season one last year. PWE unexpectedly closed its doors, the same way my career ended two and a half years ago. But you know what, look at us now! Starting a new, and showing everyone that we’re here to stay!

I miss the feeling of opportunity, and that’s exactly what I’ve been given here in PWE. I miss the feeling of knowing that absolutely anything can happen, and I miss the feeling of the world being on my fingertips. PWE has already given me some of that back by entering me into the Excellence Championship gauntlet! At first, I felt a little guilty. As I said, I’ve done my homework so I know that Allen Chaney was poised to have one hell of a match with Vodkha, but it wasn’t able to happen. Now we find ourselves with no champion and Allen’s one advantage for being number one contender is being able to come at last. There’s also Klayton Kross, who also had a small part in the first season and was rewarded as such by being given the third spot in the gauntlet. Still, even with the placements, I have a feeling the two of you will have it in your mind that you’re more deserving than myself or Kanna.

I say this with the utmost respect, but I don’t think anything you two may have done in season one holds any weight now. Apologies, but it’s true. Here in PWE it seems the best way to look at each day is to know that anything can happen. Allen, you were already trying to get that championship for months when Vodkha came onto the scene. She won the title with just a few matches in PWE. Even the first champion won the title on the first Victory! Those that have thrived in PWE have taken each chance they get and steered it by the horns. That’s what I plan on doing, making the most of this opportunity and walking out with the Excellence Championship!

Allen, I know you want this. I know you have history with PWE, and history with a lot of the competitors here. Them and the crowd want to see you win, they want to see you take that championship. It would hurt you the most to lose this match. But that’s exactly why I can’t just let you win, Allen. It would be an incredible disservice to the champions that came before, as well as to you. I don’t want anyone to say that Allen didn’t have to fight to win the title. If you do win, Allen, I want people to say that you TRULY won it. You’ve slipped up a couple times before, and in truth I’d like to see you overcome that. But I cannot allow you to do that on my watch. You may think you want this most, but your desire was born purely of your experience with this place.

Klayton has a different story, though one still holding his experiences high. His greatest urge was born from his failures here during the first season, and just like Allen, he wants to make amends on that. I want you to be able to make amends, Klayton, but know that it holds nothing on this gauntlet match. The only thing that’s going to be able to give you a leg up in this match, is focusing on your weaknesses and improving on them. But by now, it’s too late. Once we’ve finished with this match, take this and I hope you come back to fight me, or whoever ends up with the Excellence Championship.

Kana is in the same boat as me, coming into PWE as a new competitor, with a chip on your shoulder. You’re out to prove you belong, out to prove you’re the best. I see a lot of confidence from you, but you’re walking a line between confidence and arrogance. You may be born to be a wrestler, but I’ve been a wrestler since I’ve been born. I’m not out to put your out of commission, Kanna, but I am out to defeat you fair and square. It’s us that are the first two in this match, meaning it’s against you that PWE will see my first showcase. I plan on making it a spectacular one!"

He begins to take the table cloth off the table, folding it up and getting ready to head out. However long he had waited, he had given up on anyone showing up and showing him support. He knew he'd have to go this alone, and maybe he'd gain a small fanbase after his first show. All the same, he still had to go through with the gauntlet and winning the Excellence Championship.

I could sit here and tell you about how I’m actually the one that wants this more, and that my longing to win the Excellence Championship burns me every day. I wouldn’t be able to convince you with just words, so I’ll have to show you. I’ll have to show you how competing runs in my blood. I’ll have to show you that not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about being in this ring. I’ll have to show you how ever since I left this industry, I’ve been training and working towards this day for two and a half year. There’s always been a part of me that knew day like this would come again one day, I always held out that I’d make my way back. I want this, and just because I wasn’t here the first time around doesn’t mean that your desire beats mine.

I may have been out of competition for a bit now, but don’t count on that being a defining piece in this gauntlet. I did all that I could my first time around, and I made it pretty high. I checked off a lot of my bucket list, and in the end there’s only a few things that remain. One, that I compete for a company within the United States. That’s here and now, and the next is when I win a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. August first, in the House of Blues. Here in Orlando, Florida! First was international territory, and now…the world!”

It's here that Issak walks down the street towards a garbage can, looking to toss away the rest of his fliers. As they fall into the trash can, Otto realizes that he’s written the date wrong. Being in international waters, Issak had only ever written the date in one way. However, here in the US, they put the month first. As such, anyone who had seen the flier assumed the event had happened on January 8th, instead of August 1st. He smiles out of the side of his mouth, and made a note to remember that.

Issak was the happiest he'd been in a long time.

He was successfully signed to an American company and was days away from making a huge statement. Evolution was still having shows every other week as well, which meant after checking out Orlando for a time, he still had to fly back to Glasgow for a show on Wednesday. He didn't mind it though, seeing as how comfortable he was traveling. He'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be this happy.

He touched back in Orlando, his luggage now hitting the sides of the railing of some random hotel. He'd never remember the name of it anyway. Something Suites or something. As he slid his card and opened the door, it looked like all the other hotels he'd ever been in. A single bed, a nightstand, a mirror inside a bathroom and tiny shower, all inside a small cube of a room. He plopped down on the bed, and before he knew it, Issak had slipped into a soundless slumber with all his clothes on.

Finally, he was home.