"The Pretty Boy" Johnny Page

The Quintessential Teen Idol

JOHNNY PAGE'S STATS

Birthplace: Oxford, England

Weight: 227 lbs

Height: 6'1"

Titles: TSW European title, TSW Tag titles, (x2) AW North American title

Key Wins: Renaud Tanaka (TSW)

Key Losses: El Nino (AW)

Finishing Maneuver: Superkick

Next Opponent: Loki Nevarro

Match Analysis

Now this will be an interesting one. Page was anticipating a pretty straightforward debut match. Unfortunately, owner Bryce Stevens has booked him for a match that appears to be anything but straightforward. Virtually nothing is known of Loki Nevarro so there is little Page can do to prepare for this match-up. Page has to forget about the fans and concentrate solely on the task in hand: winning his first match. Page does have the height advantage but Nevarro more than makes up for it in the weight and strength department. He has an arsenal of powerful moves that could end the match in a matter of seconds. Page has to work on Nevarro's vertical base and keep him off his feet. He can't stand toe-to-toe with this guy, he's just too strong. If Johnny can keep Nevarro off his feet then he's in with a fighting chance. From what we know of Nevarro Page seems to be the much quicker and agile of the two and he should use this to his advantage. Nobody has the ability to change gears like Johnny Page. It's going to be a tough debut, much more tricky than he expected but if he employs the right amount of aerial moves and uses his head Page should win this one; after all who's ever heard of Loki Nevarro?  

Preparation? What Preparation!?

Johnny Page is about to participate in one of the most important matches of his life. It is vital that Page gets his SCWF career off to a good start. Losing the match is not an option. This easier said then done however. Johnny Page is not only an incredible wrestler but also a great tactician. It's been said many times that Page is a wrestler that runs on adrenaline, and instinct. Now, this is true to a certain extent. When he's in the ring I don't think even Johnny knows what his next move is going to be. Nevertheless, what people don't understand is that in-ring strategies may not be Page's forte, but the use of ring psychology and research into his opponents’ strengths and weaknesses are all a part of his game plan. This has benefited Page more times than not, guiding him to many a victory, even under the most intense of circumstances. As a result being pitted against Loki Nevarro was probably the worst thing Bryce Stevens could have done from Johnny Page's perspective. Nevarro is a mysterious character and reveals very little about himself. Like Page he is a new addition to the roster, and yet to make his in-ring debut. Page has absolutely nothing to go on here. He has been unsuccessful in his attempts to find any tapes of Nevarro in action, he isn't sure of what kind of wrestler Nevarro is and he doesn't know what kind of style to adopt in order to get the job done. This is definitely going to be a tricky one for the self-proclaimed "Sexiest man alive!" Page has fought little guys, big guys, tough guys, technical guys, but it didn't matter what kind of wrestler his opponent was, Page was always safe in the knowledge that he could do some research and study the wrestler in question and go into the match feeling confident. Any professional wrestler will tell you that your first match in a new federation is the most important kind of match you will ever compete in. Sure, title matches are up there on the scale of importance, but if you don't impress the boss how do you expect to earn yourself a title shot? And isn't that why wrestlers put their bodies on the line each and every week? To win the gold and earn the respect of they’re peers and the thousands watching worldwide? That's what this business is about, it's survival of the fittest and Page understands this. He knows that beating Nevarro would probably bury his career and if he could avoid this he would, but after spending several years in the business he knows that a man has to do what a man has to do, so to speak. It's been a long time since Page was apprehensive about a wrestling match; it's probably the first time he's felt like this since he first broke into the business all those years ago. However, his mysterious opponent isn't the only thing playing on his mind. Page hasn't stepped foot in a ring for nearly over a year. When Page left Anarchy Wrestling he knew that he would have to wait a while before being offered a suitable contract, so his intention was to wrestle on the independent scene to keep active and prevent him from becoming, "rusty". Unfortunately a serious back injury forced him to re-think his decision. So for the past year Page has been recuperating and only started his training regime a few months ago. The critics have slated Page, speculating that he may have to consider early retirement. Despite this, Pages loyal following stay positive. An impressive following turned up as Page and his lovely valet Marissa made their first public appearance outside of an SCWF arena as they chatted with the Japanese fans and signed autographs. One thing that isn't in question is Page's popularity. Despite receiving a lukewarm reception on last weeks edition of Sunday Night Shocker, hardcore AW fans and wrestling promoters have made it clear that Page returning to the ring is definitely good news for the world of professional wrestling.

"Oh shit!" Page pushes his long, golden blond hair behind his ears and cranes his neck, stretching to see an endless line of over-enthusiastic Japanese fans, waving autograph books and shouting excitedly. The event has been very poorly organised and is being held at a local bookstore. The shop itself isn't a particularly desirable looking venue and the seedy looking owner does little to compliment it in any way.

"I can't see where the queue finishes. We'll be here all day!" Page splutters desperately.

"The more publicity you get the better." Marissa calmly replies.

"I shouldn't be here, I should be in the gym."

"You haven't left the gym since we arrived. Relax, there's plenty of time to work on your game." Marissa rubs his back in an attempt to comfort him.

"Just sign a few autographs, chat with the fans and then we'll go back to the hotel. Simple as that."

"A few autographs!? Take a look at the friggin' queue!"

"What's the matter? You've never minded doing this kind of stuff before."

The truth of the matter is that during his absence Page became used to his quiet life. It seemed at one point that the fans had forgotten him and in a way, Page found this kind of lifestyle quite appealing. It had it's benefits. Then, all of a sudden he's thrown back into the limelight and expected to adjust, just like that. It seems ironic that a man that was voted AW's 'personality of the year' should become such a social recluse. This is a man that has been dubbed 'Mr. Charisma', 'King of the mic', 'The sexiest damn man alive'. A man who is known for his confidence, and at times arrogance as much as he is known for his wrestling ability. During his break period he became very dependent on Marissa, who for the past few months has tried desperately to transform Page back to his former self: An arrogant, yet talented little shit. Several months of this has had as huge an effect on Marissa as it has on Page. She now feels that her spirits are all but broken and the whole process has left her emotionally and physically drained. Her efforts haven't been in vein though. Page is definitely on the road to recovery and Marissa believes that her man will be back to his normal ways once his first victory is out of the way.

"I'm just not used to these in-your-face fans. They're so...umm," Page struggles to find the appropriate term, "... in your face."

"There's not a lot we can do about it I'm afraid. If you want to mark your return then you need the publicity."

"I know. I'll just have to deal with it I suppose." Johnny submits, a depleted man.

Marissa smiles.

"Good. You will get used to it you know. You won't always feel this uncomfortable."

"I hope not. I'll be fine once my first match is out of the way. I'm just a bit worried that..."

Page leans towards Marissa and whispers.

"I'm just worried that I might of lost it."

Marissa takes Johnny's head in her hands and turns it so his eyes focus on hers.

"Believe me babe, you have not lost it."

A cheeky grin spreads across Page's face. There were only two people in the world that could make him feel like he could take on the world. His trainer and mentor Huin Montez was one of them and Marissa was the other. Page knew at that moment that if he needed anyone to help him get through his first few weeks in the SCWF it was Marissa. There was something about her that inspired him. Page thought back to his TSW days. He was actually thinking of leaving the business he loved, the business that he'd given so much to and received so little in return. He'd been on the roster for exactly two years and had proved himself a worthy contender time after time after time. But after Marissa took him under her wing his whole perspective changed. If he was going to give up, he would put up one hell of a fight beforehand. Marissa gave him a kind of focus. It was almost as if he felt he had someone to fight for. It was during this change of events that he captured his first singles title, the European belt. From then on he regarded Marissa with the greatest of respect. He turned to look at her conversing with one of the fans. He glances at her crystal blue eyes and realises just how much he has to thank her for. He grins before greeting the next fan, signing their autograph book, posing for a picture with them and trying his best to hold a short conversation with them using a few broken words of Japanese. Marissa giggles at his poor attempt.

"What are you laughing at?" Page enquires half in jest.

"Who, me? Oh, nothing. Marissa replies before trying her best not to break into a fit of giggles.

After a few more hours the crowd have finally gone and the venue is now virtually empty, save for a few teenage boys leering at Marissa from the distance.

"You just about ready to go now?" Asks a weary Marissa.

"Hmm. I guess so." Page replies in a slightly disappointed tone. During the course of the event Page seemed to gain in confidence and by the end he was slightly sorry it had finished, he was getting back to his normal self.

Johnny gestures to the shop owner to phone for a taxi and a few minutes later he and Marissa are saying their goodbyes and climbing into the back of the taxi. Johnny leaves the job of directing the driver to Marissa who does so in a fluent manor. Johnny laughs.

"Why have I been making a total arse of myself trying to speak Japanese when you can speak it damn near perfectly?"

"Because," Marissa smirks, "it's so much fun to watch."

"You little toerag." Page tickles Marissa playfully.

"Let's talk strategies." Marissa says suddenly adopting a serious tone.

"OK, what were you thinking?"

"Well, I know you feel a little apprehensive going into this match, not knowing anything about this guy, but I don't think there's anything to worry about."

"You don't?"

"No. If this guy had any kind of reputation then it wouldn't be hard to find some information on him. But, we've looked everywhere and haven't been able to find a thing."

"Right." Page listens carefully, taking in everything Marissa says.

"All you have to do is stick to your game plan and take your time to work out his way of wrestling. Study him carefully and look at his strengths and weaknesses. Then, once you think you've worked him out, go for the win. I don't want to see any showboating, this is too important. OK?"

"Hmm." Johnny mumbles his reply.

"OK!?"

"Yeah whatever."

"I'm serious. Focus on the wrestling. You play up to the fans and you lose focus."

"It's not going to happen."

"Just make sure it doesn't."

"Trust me, I've got the feeling that everything will work out fine."

Johnny Page seems to be getting his confidence back a little bit more each day. Although concerned at first he is going into this match with a positive attitude. There may be one concern, however. It's been well documented that Page is a little 'ring-rusty'. I don't think Johnny or Marissa expect a faultless performance, but how much will this affect the match. Page is an entertainer. Each and every time he steps into the squared circle he wants to give the fans something to talk about. Page doesn't care whether you love him or hate him; as long as you talk about him he's happy. He'll be going into this match and trying to start where he left off. He's got a reputation to keep in tact. He'll be going into that ring to impress Marissa, the fans, but most importantly Bryce Stevens. He fully intends to make Bryce Stevens sit up and take notice. The only slightly ominous question is how does he propose to do this?