Wrestling Horror Stories -- Shadows of the Ring

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[Music] Shadows in the squared circle.

Shadows in the squared circle.

Shadows in the squared circle. In the neon lit underbelly of

In the neon lit underbelly of

In the neon lit underbelly of professional wrestling, where sweat

professional wrestling, where sweat

professional wrestling, where sweat soaked canvases bore the scars of a

soaked canvases bore the scars of a

soaked canvases bore the scars of a thousand battles, mean Mark Ash reigned

thousand battles, mean Mark Ash reigned

thousand battles, mean Mark Ash reigned supreme.

supreme.

supreme. It was 1995,

It was 1995,

It was 1995, the height of his prime, a time when the

the height of his prime, a time when the

the height of his prime, a time when the wrestling world pulsed with raw energy

wrestling world pulsed with raw energy

wrestling world pulsed with raw energy and larger than-l life personas. Mark

and larger than-l life personas. Mark

and larger than-l life personas. Mark was a hulking figure at 61 and 220 lb of

was a hulking figure at 61 and 220 lb of

was a hulking figure at 61 and 220 lb of chiseled muscle. His tights depicting

chiseled muscle. His tights depicting

chiseled muscle. His tights depicting flames and shattered chains. His ring

flames and shattered chains. His ring

flames and shattered chains. His ring name mean Mark Ash wasn't just a

name mean Mark Ash wasn't just a

name mean Mark Ash wasn't just a gimmick. It was his essence. With a

gimmick. It was his essence. With a

gimmick. It was his essence. With a shaved head gleaming under the

shaved head gleaming under the

shaved head gleaming under the spotlights, a perpetual scowl etched on

spotlights, a perpetual scowl etched on

spotlights, a perpetual scowl etched on his face, and a signature move called

his face, and a signature move called

his face, and a signature move called the ash kicker. a devastating top rope

the ash kicker. a devastating top rope

the ash kicker. a devastating top rope splash that left opponents gasping. He

splash that left opponents gasping. He

splash that left opponents gasping. He embodied the villain everyone loved to

embodied the villain everyone loved to

embodied the villain everyone loved to hate. Mark had clawed his way up from

hate. Mark had clawed his way up from

hate. Mark had clawed his way up from the dingy independent circuits of the

the dingy independent circuits of the

the dingy independent circuits of the Midwest, where he'd honed his craft in

Midwest, where he'd honed his craft in

Midwest, where he'd honed his craft in smoke fil armories and high school gyms.

smoke fil armories and high school gyms.

smoke fil armories and high school gyms. Now at 32, he was the main event draw

Now at 32, he was the main event draw

Now at 32, he was the main event draw for the Global Wrestling Federation,

for the Global Wrestling Federation,

for the Global Wrestling Federation, GWF, headlining pay-per-views and

GWF, headlining pay-per-views and

GWF, headlining pay-per-views and drawing crowds that chanted his name

drawing crowds that chanted his name

drawing crowds that chanted his name with a mix of booze and reluctant

with a mix of booze and reluctant

with a mix of booze and reluctant admiration. But beneath the bravado,

admiration. But beneath the bravado,

admiration. But beneath the bravado, Mark carried a secret reverence for the

Mark carried a secret reverence for the

Mark carried a secret reverence for the legends who came before him. None loomed

legends who came before him. None loomed

legends who came before him. None loomed larger in his mind than the Vortex

larger in his mind than the Vortex

larger in his mind than the Vortex Victor Vance, a wrestler from the 1970s

Victor Vance, a wrestler from the 1970s

Victor Vance, a wrestler from the 1970s whose career had ended in tragedy.

whose career had ended in tragedy.

whose career had ended in tragedy. Victor Vance was the epitome of old

Victor Vance was the epitome of old

Victor Vance was the epitome of old school wrestling royalty. Known as the

school wrestling royalty. Known as the

school wrestling royalty. Known as the vortex for his whirlwind suplexes that

vortex for his whirlwind suplexes that

vortex for his whirlwind suplexes that spun opponents like leaves in a storm,

spun opponents like leaves in a storm,

spun opponents like leaves in a storm, he had dominated the territorial era

he had dominated the territorial era

he had dominated the territorial era with a blend of technical prowess and

with a blend of technical prowess and

with a blend of technical prowess and charismatic flare. Mark, as a wideeyed

charismatic flare. Mark, as a wideeyed

charismatic flare. Mark, as a wideeyed kid in the 1980s, had idolized Vance

kid in the 1980s, had idolized Vance

kid in the 1980s, had idolized Vance from afar. He'd sneak into arenas,

from afar. He'd sneak into arenas,

from afar. He'd sneak into arenas, pressing his face against the chainlink

pressing his face against the chainlink

pressing his face against the chainlink fences to watch Vance dismantle foes

fences to watch Vance dismantle foes

fences to watch Vance dismantle foes with precision and power. Vance's promos

with precision and power. Vance's promos

with precision and power. Vance's promos were poetry, fiery saliloquis that hyped

were poetry, fiery saliloquis that hyped

were poetry, fiery saliloquis that hyped matches into epic sagas. But in 1982, at

matches into epic sagas. But in 1982, at

matches into epic sagas. But in 1982, at the peak of his fame, Vance died in a

the peak of his fame, Vance died in a

the peak of his fame, Vance died in a freak accident during a match. A botched

freak accident during a match. A botched

freak accident during a match. A botched pile driver snapped his neck and the

pile driver snapped his neck and the

pile driver snapped his neck and the wrestling world mourned a hero cut down

wrestling world mourned a hero cut down

wrestling world mourned a hero cut down too soon. Rumors swirled. Some said it

too soon. Rumors swirled. Some said it

too soon. Rumors swirled. Some said it was foul play. Others blamed the rigors

was foul play. Others blamed the rigors

was foul play. Others blamed the rigors of the road. Mark, then just a teenager,

of the road. Mark, then just a teenager,

of the road. Mark, then just a teenager, had wept in his bedroom, clutching a

had wept in his bedroom, clutching a

had wept in his bedroom, clutching a faded poster of Vance midvortex.

faded poster of Vance midvortex.

faded poster of Vance midvortex. Now in his prime, Mark's goal was clear.

Now in his prime, Mark's goal was clear.

Now in his prime, Mark's goal was clear. to surpass Vance's legacy by capturing

to surpass Vance's legacy by capturing

to surpass Vance's legacy by capturing the GWF World Heavyweight Championship,

the GWF World Heavyweight Championship,

the GWF World Heavyweight Championship, a title Vance had never held due to the

a title Vance had never held due to the

a title Vance had never held due to the fragmented nature of wrestling back

fragmented nature of wrestling back

fragmented nature of wrestling back then. The current champion, ironclad

then. The current champion, ironclad

then. The current champion, ironclad Ivan Thorp, was an undefeated behemoth

Ivan Thorp, was an undefeated behemoth

Ivan Thorp, was an undefeated behemoth who'd held the belt for 2 years. His

who'd held the belt for 2 years. His

who'd held the belt for 2 years. His reign a fortress of brutality. Thorp was

reign a fortress of brutality. Thorp was

reign a fortress of brutality. Thorp was everything Mark despised. arrogant,

everything Mark despised. arrogant,

everything Mark despised. arrogant, corporatebacked, and rumor had it he'd

corporatebacked, and rumor had it he'd

corporatebacked, and rumor had it he'd patterned his style after Vance, but

patterned his style after Vance, but

patterned his style after Vance, but twisted it into something soulless.

twisted it into something soulless.

twisted it into something soulless. Defeating Thorp wasn't just about gold.

Defeating Thorp wasn't just about gold.

Defeating Thorp wasn't just about gold. It was about honoring his idol by

It was about honoring his idol by

It was about honoring his idol by achieving what Vance couldn't. Mark

achieving what Vance couldn't. Mark

achieving what Vance couldn't. Mark trained relentlessly, his days a blur of

trained relentlessly, his days a blur of

trained relentlessly, his days a blur of weights, cardio, and tape study. He'd

weights, cardio, and tape study. He'd

weights, cardio, and tape study. He'd watch old VHS footage of Vance,

watch old VHS footage of Vance,

watch old VHS footage of Vance, mimicking the vortex suplex until his

mimicking the vortex suplex until his

mimicking the vortex suplex until his back screamed in protest. It started

back screamed in protest. It started

back screamed in protest. It started subtly on a humid night in Atlanta after

subtly on a humid night in Atlanta after

subtly on a humid night in Atlanta after a grueling house show. Mark had just

a grueling house show. Mark had just

a grueling house show. Mark had just pinned a midcarter with his avalanche,

pinned a midcarter with his avalanche,

pinned a midcarter with his avalanche, the crowd's jeers raining down like

the crowd's jeers raining down like

the crowd's jeers raining down like confetti. Backstage in the dimly lit

confetti. Backstage in the dimly lit

confetti. Backstage in the dimly lit locker room, he slumped on a bench,

locker room, he slumped on a bench,

locker room, he slumped on a bench, unwrapping his taped wrists. The air

unwrapping his taped wrists. The air

unwrapping his taped wrists. The air grew cold, unnaturally so, and a whisper

grew cold, unnaturally so, and a whisper

grew cold, unnaturally so, and a whisper cut through the hum of fluorescent

cut through the hum of fluorescent

cut through the hum of fluorescent lights. Not good enough, kid. Mark

lights. Not good enough, kid. Mark

lights. Not good enough, kid. Mark froze, his heart pounding. He spun

froze, his heart pounding. He spun

froze, his heart pounding. He spun around, but the room was empty. Shaking

around, but the room was empty. Shaking

around, but the room was empty. Shaking it off as exhaustion. He headed to his

it off as exhaustion. He headed to his

it off as exhaustion. He headed to his hotel. That night, in his suite, the

hotel. That night, in his suite, the

hotel. That night, in his suite, the whispers returned. In the mirror, as he

whispers returned. In the mirror, as he

whispers returned. In the mirror, as he shaved, a shadowy figure flickered

shaved, a shadowy figure flickered

shaved, a shadowy figure flickered behind him. a man with Vance's signature

behind him. a man with Vance's signature

behind him. a man with Vance's signature mustache and piercing blue eyes. Mark

mustache and piercing blue eyes. Mark

mustache and piercing blue eyes. Mark dropped his razor, blood trickling from

dropped his razor, blood trickling from

dropped his razor, blood trickling from a nick on his chin. "What the hell?" he

a nick on his chin. "What the hell?" he

a nick on his chin. "What the hell?" he muttered. The apparitions escalated.

muttered. The apparitions escalated.

muttered. The apparitions escalated. During workouts, weights would lift on

During workouts, weights would lift on

During workouts, weights would lift on their own, clanging to the floor with a

their own, clanging to the floor with a

their own, clanging to the floor with a force that echoed Vance's old entrance

force that echoed Vance's old entrance

force that echoed Vance's old entrance music. In the ring during practice, Mark

music. In the ring during practice, Mark

music. In the ring during practice, Mark felt invisible hands guiding his moves,

felt invisible hands guiding his moves,

felt invisible hands guiding his moves, correcting his form on the suplex. But

correcting his form on the suplex. But

correcting his form on the suplex. But it wasn't helpful. It was haunting. The

it wasn't helpful. It was haunting. The

it wasn't helpful. It was haunting. The ghost, for that's what Mark now believed

ghost, for that's what Mark now believed

ghost, for that's what Mark now believed it was, appeared fully one evening in

it was, appeared fully one evening in

it was, appeared fully one evening in the empty arena after dark. Vance's form

the empty arena after dark. Vance's form

the empty arena after dark. Vance's form materialized in the center of the ring,

materialized in the center of the ring,

materialized in the center of the ring, translucent but unmistakable,

translucent but unmistakable,

translucent but unmistakable, dressed in his classic black tights with

dressed in his classic black tights with

dressed in his classic black tights with the swirling vortex emblem.

the swirling vortex emblem.

the swirling vortex emblem. You think you're ready for Thorp? The

You think you're ready for Thorp? The

You think you're ready for Thorp? The ghost sneered, his voice a grally echo

ghost sneered, his voice a grally echo

ghost sneered, his voice a grally echo from beyond. I've been watching you,

from beyond. I've been watching you,

from beyond. I've been watching you, Ash. You're strong, mean as they come,

Ash. You're strong, mean as they come,

Ash. You're strong, mean as they come, but you're missing it. The fire, the

but you're missing it. The fire, the

but you're missing it. The fire, the soul.

soul.

soul. Mark, sweat drenched from shadow boxing,

Mark, sweat drenched from shadow boxing,

Mark, sweat drenched from shadow boxing, backed against the turnbuckle. "Vance,

backed against the turnbuckle. "Vance,

backed against the turnbuckle. "Vance, this can't be real. You're You're dead."

this can't be real. You're You're dead."

this can't be real. You're You're dead." "Dad, but not gone," the ghost replied,

"Dad, but not gone," the ghost replied,

"Dad, but not gone," the ghost replied, circling him like a predator. "You

circling him like a predator. "You

circling him like a predator. "You idolized me, boy." Flattering, "But

idolized me, boy." Flattering, "But

idolized me, boy." Flattering, "But idols are meant to be shattered. My goal

idols are meant to be shattered. My goal

idols are meant to be shattered. My goal was always to defeat the unbeatable, to

was always to defeat the unbeatable, to

was always to defeat the unbeatable, to push wrestling into immortality. I never

push wrestling into immortality. I never

push wrestling into immortality. I never got there. That pile driver. It wasn't

got there. That pile driver. It wasn't

got there. That pile driver. It wasn't an accident. Thorp's old man, his

an accident. Thorp's old man, his

an accident. Thorp's old man, his trainer, sabotaged the ring. Jealousy.

trainer, sabotaged the ring. Jealousy.

trainer, sabotaged the ring. Jealousy. Now you're my vessel. Defeat Ivan or

Now you're my vessel. Defeat Ivan or

Now you're my vessel. Defeat Ivan or I'll drag you down with me. Due

I'll drag you down with me. Due

I'll drag you down with me. Due revelation hit Mark like a chair shot.

revelation hit Mark like a chair shot.

revelation hit Mark like a chair shot. Thorp's father had been a rival promoter

Thorp's father had been a rival promoter

Thorp's father had been a rival promoter in the territories, bitter over Vance

in the territories, bitter over Vance

in the territories, bitter over Vance stealing the spotlight. The ghost's

stealing the spotlight. The ghost's

stealing the spotlight. The ghost's presence wasn't benevolent. It was

presence wasn't benevolent. It was

presence wasn't benevolent. It was obsessive. a restless spirit demanding

obsessive. a restless spirit demanding

obsessive. a restless spirit demanding closure. From then on, the haunting

closure. From then on, the haunting

closure. From then on, the haunting intensified. In matches, Mark would hear

intensified. In matches, Mark would hear

intensified. In matches, Mark would hear Vance's critiques midmove. Sloppy

Vance's critiques midmove. Sloppy

Vance's critiques midmove. Sloppy footwork or hit harder. Opponents swore

footwork or hit harder. Opponents swore

footwork or hit harder. Opponents swore they saw Mark arguing with thin air, his

they saw Mark arguing with thin air, his

they saw Mark arguing with thin air, his mean persona cracking under the strain.

mean persona cracking under the strain.

mean persona cracking under the strain. Mark's life became a nightmare. Sleep

Mark's life became a nightmare. Sleep

Mark's life became a nightmare. Sleep evaded him as Vance's ghost recounted

evaded him as Vance's ghost recounted

evaded him as Vance's ghost recounted tales of glory and regret. Nights on the

tales of glory and regret. Nights on the

tales of glory and regret. Nights on the road, sold out Madison Square Garden,

road, sold out Madison Square Garden,

road, sold out Madison Square Garden, the pain of a body breaking down. I was

the pain of a body breaking down. I was

the pain of a body breaking down. I was you once, Vance whispered. Hungry, mean.

you once, Vance whispered. Hungry, mean.

you once, Vance whispered. Hungry, mean. But I let envy consume me. Don't repeat

But I let envy consume me. Don't repeat

But I let envy consume me. Don't repeat my mistakes.

my mistakes.

my mistakes. Desperate, Mark sought answers. He

Desperate, Mark sought answers. He

Desperate, Mark sought answers. He visited old wrestling haunts, talking to

visited old wrestling haunts, talking to

visited old wrestling haunts, talking to veterans who'd known Vance. One grizzled

veterans who'd known Vance. One grizzled

veterans who'd known Vance. One grizzled referee sipping whiskey in a Chicago bar

referee sipping whiskey in a Chicago bar

referee sipping whiskey in a Chicago bar confirmed the sabotage rumor.

confirmed the sabotage rumor.

confirmed the sabotage rumor. Thorp senior hated Victor. Loosened the

Thorp senior hated Victor. Loosened the

Thorp senior hated Victor. Loosened the ropes. That night, Victor went down

ropes. That night, Victor went down

ropes. That night, Victor went down wrong. Cover up followed. Mark's rage

wrong. Cover up followed. Mark's rage

wrong. Cover up followed. Mark's rage boiled. His goal sharpened. Not just win

boiled. His goal sharpened. Not just win

boiled. His goal sharpened. Not just win the title, but expose the Thorp legacy

the title, but expose the Thorp legacy

the title, but expose the Thorp legacy as tainted. As the pay-per-view vortex

as tainted. As the pay-per-view vortex

as tainted. As the pay-per-view vortex vengeance approached, ironically named

vengeance approached, ironically named

vengeance approached, ironically named after Vance's move, Mark trained with a

after Vance's move, Mark trained with a

after Vance's move, Mark trained with a fury possessed. The ghost pushed him,

fury possessed. The ghost pushed him,

fury possessed. The ghost pushed him, manifesting during sessions to spar

manifesting during sessions to spar

manifesting during sessions to spar invisibly. His ethereal grapples leaving

invisibly. His ethereal grapples leaving

invisibly. His ethereal grapples leaving real bruises.

real bruises.

real bruises. Feel that? That's what defeat tastes

Feel that? That's what defeat tastes

Feel that? That's what defeat tastes like. Vance taunted after pinning Mark's

like. Vance taunted after pinning Mark's

like. Vance taunted after pinning Mark's shadow. Backstage politics swirled.

shadow. Backstage politics swirled.

shadow. Backstage politics swirled. Thorp, a 300-lb monster with a shaved

Thorp, a 300-lb monster with a shaved

Thorp, a 300-lb monster with a shaved head and ironplated shoulder pads, cut

head and ironplated shoulder pads, cut

head and ironplated shoulder pads, cut promos mocking Mark's mean streak as

promos mocking Mark's mean streak as

promos mocking Mark's mean streak as outdated.

outdated.

outdated. Ash is Ash. burned out. He'd bellow into

Ash is Ash. burned out. He'd bellow into

Ash is Ash. burned out. He'd bellow into cameras. Mark responded with venom, his

cameras. Mark responded with venom, his

cameras. Mark responded with venom, his eyes haunted. I'm coming for you, Ivan.

eyes haunted. I'm coming for you, Ivan.

eyes haunted. I'm coming for you, Ivan. For the belt and for the ghosts you

For the belt and for the ghosts you

For the belt and for the ghosts you can't escape. The night of the event

can't escape. The night of the event

can't escape. The night of the event arrived in Las Vegas, the arena electric

arrived in Las Vegas, the arena electric

arrived in Las Vegas, the arena electric with 20,000 fans. Mark's entrance was

with 20,000 fans. Mark's entrance was

with 20,000 fans. Mark's entrance was thunderous. Pyro exploding like ashes

thunderous. Pyro exploding like ashes

thunderous. Pyro exploding like ashes from a volcano. His theme a growling

from a volcano. His theme a growling

from a volcano. His theme a growling heavy metal riff. But as he slid under

heavy metal riff. But as he slid under

heavy metal riff. But as he slid under the ropes, Vance's ghost appeared in the

the ropes, Vance's ghost appeared in the

the ropes, Vance's ghost appeared in the corner, visible only to him. "This is

corner, visible only to him. "This is

corner, visible only to him. "This is it, kid. My unfinished business. Defeat

it, kid. My unfinished business. Defeat

it, kid. My unfinished business. Defeat him or join me." The bell rang. Thorp

him or join me." The bell rang. Thorp

him or join me." The bell rang. Thorp charged like a freight train, clubbing

charged like a freight train, clubbing

charged like a freight train, clubbing Mark with forearms that echoed through

Mark with forearms that echoed through

Mark with forearms that echoed through the building. Mark absorbed the

the building. Mark absorbed the

the building. Mark absorbed the punishment, his mind flashing to Vance's

punishment, his mind flashing to Vance's

punishment, his mind flashing to Vance's old matches. He countered with a spine

old matches. He countered with a spine

old matches. He countered with a spine buster, the impact shaking the ring. The

buster, the impact shaking the ring. The

buster, the impact shaking the ring. The crowd roared, sensing something primal.

crowd roared, sensing something primal.

crowd roared, sensing something primal. Midmatch, Thorp locked in his finisher,

Midmatch, Thorp locked in his finisher,

Midmatch, Thorp locked in his finisher, the iron lock, a submission hold that

the iron lock, a submission hold that

the iron lock, a submission hold that mimicked Vance's vortex, but with

mimicked Vance's vortex, but with

mimicked Vance's vortex, but with vicious torque. Pain shot through Mark's

vicious torque. Pain shot through Mark's

vicious torque. Pain shot through Mark's back, and he heard Vance scream, "Fight

back, and he heard Vance scream, "Fight

back, and he heard Vance scream, "Fight it! Remember my fall!" Visions flooded

it! Remember my fall!" Visions flooded

it! Remember my fall!" Visions flooded Mark. Vance's final match, the snap of

Mark. Vance's final match, the snap of

Mark. Vance's final match, the snap of his neck, the crowd's horrified silence.

his neck, the crowd's horrified silence.

his neck, the crowd's horrified silence. With a surge of adrenaline, Mark powered

With a surge of adrenaline, Mark powered

With a surge of adrenaline, Mark powered out, reversing into his own suplex. A

out, reversing into his own suplex. A

out, reversing into his own suplex. A perfect vortex spun with the fury of two

perfect vortex spun with the fury of two

perfect vortex spun with the fury of two wrestlers. Thorp crashed hard, the mat

wrestlers. Thorp crashed hard, the mat

wrestlers. Thorp crashed hard, the mat trembling. Mark climbed the ropes, the

trembling. Mark climbed the ropes, the

trembling. Mark climbed the ropes, the ghost nodding approval from the apron.

ghost nodding approval from the apron.

ghost nodding approval from the apron. Now, Ash, end it. The ashkicker

Now, Ash, end it. The ashkicker

Now, Ash, end it. The ashkicker connected. Thorp's body crumpling. 1 2

connected. Thorp's body crumpling. 1 2

connected. Thorp's body crumpling. 1 2 3. The bell told and the arena erupted.

3. The bell told and the arena erupted.

3. The bell told and the arena erupted. Mark held the belt aloft, tears mixing

Mark held the belt aloft, tears mixing

Mark held the belt aloft, tears mixing with sweat. As confetti fell, Vance's

with sweat. As confetti fell, Vance's

with sweat. As confetti fell, Vance's ghost approached, his form fading. You

ghost approached, his form fading. You

ghost approached, his form fading. You did it, kid. Surpassed me. My goal

did it, kid. Surpassed me. My goal

did it, kid. Surpassed me. My goal achieved through you. Rest now. The

achieved through you. Rest now. The

achieved through you. Rest now. The ghost dissolved into mist, leaving Mark

ghost dissolved into mist, leaving Mark

ghost dissolved into mist, leaving Mark alone in victory. But the haunting

alone in victory. But the haunting

alone in victory. But the haunting lingered in his soul, a reminder that

lingered in his soul, a reminder that

lingered in his soul, a reminder that legends never truly die. They evolve. In

legends never truly die. They evolve. In

legends never truly die. They evolve. In the years that followed, Mark defended

the years that followed, Mark defended

the years that followed, Mark defended the title with a renewed fire,

the title with a renewed fire,

the title with a renewed fire, incorporating Vance's moves into his

incorporating Vance's moves into his

incorporating Vance's moves into his arsenal. He exposed the sabotage in a

arsenal. He exposed the sabotage in a

arsenal. He exposed the sabotage in a tell- all interview, tarnishing the

tell- all interview, tarnishing the

tell- all interview, tarnishing the Thorp name and bringing closure to old

Thorp name and bringing closure to old

Thorp name and bringing closure to old wounds. Mean Mark Ash became more than a

wounds. Mean Mark Ash became more than a

wounds. Mean Mark Ash became more than a villain. He was a bridge between eras,

villain. He was a bridge between eras,

villain. He was a bridge between eras, haunted no longer but inspired. Yet on

haunted no longer but inspired. Yet on

haunted no longer but inspired. Yet on quiet nights when the adrenaline faded,

quiet nights when the adrenaline faded,

quiet nights when the adrenaline faded, Mark would glance in the mirror, half

Mark would glance in the mirror, half

Mark would glance in the mirror, half expecting those blue eyes. The wrestling

expecting those blue eyes. The wrestling

expecting those blue eyes. The wrestling world moved on. But for Mark, the

world moved on. But for Mark, the

world moved on. But for Mark, the squared circle was forever shadowed by

squared circle was forever shadowed by

squared circle was forever shadowed by the ghost he had idolized and ultimately

the ghost he had idolized and ultimately

the ghost he had idolized and ultimately defeated. Mark's reign lasted three

defeated. Mark's reign lasted three

defeated. Mark's reign lasted three years, a golden era for the GWF. He

years, a golden era for the GWF. He

years, a golden era for the GWF. He retired in 2000, his body battered, but

retired in 2000, his body battered, but

retired in 2000, his body battered, but his spirit unbroken. Today, in 2025, as

his spirit unbroken. Today, in 2025, as

his spirit unbroken. Today, in 2025, as wrestling evolves with high-flying

wrestling evolves with high-flying

wrestling evolves with high-flying acrobats and social media stars, Mark

acrobats and social media stars, Mark

acrobats and social media stars, Mark runs a training academy, teaching young

runs a training academy, teaching young

runs a training academy, teaching young hopefuls the vortex suplex. Whispers

hopefuls the vortex suplex. Whispers

hopefuls the vortex suplex. Whispers persist of strange occurrences, weights

persist of strange occurrences, weights

persist of strange occurrences, weights moving, echoes of old promos, but Mark

moving, echoes of old promos, but Mark

moving, echoes of old promos, but Mark smiles. Ghosts? No, just the fire

smiles. Ghosts? No, just the fire

smiles. Ghosts? No, just the fire inside.