Booking Glory-Chapter 111: Robin’s Strategic Escape
"I heard Robin is going on a leave..." Irvin enquired curiously.
The commentry trio was resting backstage after the show at the moment. Rob was smoking a cigarette with a cup of coffee in his hands.
"Just for a week. He will be back for next week’s show. Apparently, there was an emergency in his hometown," Rob shrugged, not bothering to hide his disinterest.
"Well, that’s bad," Dallas swore from the side, causing Rob to look up. "That bastard must know something."
"What do you mean?" Rob asked in surprise.
"His timing is really troublesome," Irvin tutted.
"Well, he is an old fox. He knows when to evade the limelight," Dallas muttered irritably.
Rob looked at both of them in confusion and waited for them to elaborate. Irvin and Dallas exchanged glances as if discussing something. Finally, Irvin gave a small nod, causing Dallas to sigh.
"Rob, I want you to be honest with us here," Dallas spoke softly looking around to make sure no one was in hearing distance, "Did Steven ask you to join his company?"
"Dallas, haven’t I already told you..."
"Listen kid, I am being serious here," Dallas cut Rob off impatiently and spoke in a serious tone. "We, I mean both Irvin and I, need to know if you are going to Steven’s company."
"Look, we will not blame you if you choose to do that, but we need to know. Our futures might very well be dependent on it," Irvin interjected and spoke seriously as well.
"What do you mean?"
"Look," Irvin looked around once more to ensure privacy, "we got an offer as well. We love LWC. But, this is a lot of money we are talking here. So, we are hesitating."
"Rob, I am an old man. My prime years are behind me," Dallas whispered softly. "My passion for this business is not what it used to be. To me, commentary is just a gig I do for money. And as Irvin said, what Steven is offering us is quite substantial."
"But, we are not sure yet," Irvin interjected. "We aren’t sure whether to take it or not. If it was a few months ago, we wouldn’t have hesitated. But now, we need to know where you stand."
"Steven said that he has also extended an offer to you and that you are thinking about it," Dallas said gravely. "So, we need to know if you are going to switch before we make a decision."
Rob cursed Steven in his mind. That old fox was really beginning to irk him. By revealing this to Dallas, he was beginning to put pressure on Rob.
"Look Dallas, I am being frank when I say that unless LWC kicks me out, I am not leaving this place anytime soon. However, if you both want to take up Steven’s offer, I won’t begrudge you either. Refusing Steven’s offer is my personal decision. Likewise, accepting or refusing it should be your personal decision as well," Rob spoke softly, but clearly.
"So, you did receive an offer from Steven," Dallas pointed out sharply.
"Yes, I did," Rob admitted. He saw no use in hiding it. "However, I am not taking it."
"Do you know what Steven is creating?" Irvin asked in surprise. "Do you even understand the scope of Steven’s ambition? Trust me, kid. This is an once in a lifetime opportunity. You shouldn’t be hasty."
"Rob, listen to Irvin. This isn’t like anything you have seen before," Dallas also stressed softly. "This time Steven’s ambitions are too big. If you think he is creating a normal top-tier promotion, then you are wrong."
"What do you mean?" Rob asked, unable to help himself.
"Most people think Steven is creating another top-tier promotion. But, I know better. I hounded the old bastard till he spilled the beans. He and Willy Wagner aren’t satisfied with being one of the top promotions. Their vision is even higher than that," Dallas said looking sideways.
"They want to create a promotion that is one level above the top tier promotions. One that is absolutely at the top of the hierarchy. And the amount of money being shelled into this is something that will blow your mind," Dallas continued.
"Their aim is to make it like the biggest sports competitions that are out there. They plan to take the industry to the next stage and completely commercialize this business. That means sponsors, TV deals, international PPVs, bringing in celebrities and all that stuff," Dallas stressed.
"That’s why, you can’t miss out on this opportunity. If there is anyone who can take this business to the next stage it will be Steven. I know he appreciates you a lot. It is evident from his desire to bring you on board into this big thing, even if you have only entered this industry for just a year," Irvin spoke from the side.
"So, don’t be hasty in your decision. Think hard before you do something you might regret," Dallas advised sincerely.
"Rob, not everyone will get life-changing opportunities like this. Even you might not get another such opportunity like this. So, don’t rush," Irvin advised as well.
"I understand," Rob smiled wanly, "I understand this opportunity is a big one. And I am grateful for your concern as well. However, my decision does not change."
Dallas and Irvin stood stunned for a few moments. They didn’t expect Rob to be this decisive.
"Rob..." Dallas began only to be cut off by Rob.
"Dallas, you know this is very big, right? Even veterans like you are eager. I mean, how can something that changes the face of this industry be small?" Rob chuckled.
"And that’s exactly why I don’t want to mix in," Rob said resolutely. "Just like Irvin said, I am a newbie with not even a year under my belt in this industry. If I go over there, I won’t have much voice. Moreover, Steven only wants me to be a commentator. But, I am a booker at heart."
Understanding dawned in Dallas and Irvin’s eyes after Rob spoke. They understood Rob’s actions clearly now.
Rob already had the status of a booker and had complete control over the women’s division here in LWC. To a newbie like him, he wouldn’t get much better treatment anywhere else.
Don’t look at the papers praising Rob for his booking talent and think he would be treated with open arms anywhere he went. That was just media hype. The reality was far more crueler.
No promotion would give away the power of a booker to a newbie like him. There are many veterans standing in queue to get an opportunity to be a booker. It wouldn’t be his turn to get that position.
The only reason Rob became a booker in LWC was Andrew Gibson’s desperation. Andrew Gibson had always wanted to promote talented rookies. Combined with the desperate situation LWC was facing, he decided to gamble. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
But, there aren’t many Andrew Gibsons out there.
Even in another low-tier promotion, it would be hard for Rob to get an opportunity to be a booker, not to mention the super promotion that Steven was creating.
Since Rob already had a very advantageous position in LWC, it would be foolish of him to abandon it and start over in the promotion that Steven was creating. Everything was relative. To others, Steven’s offer was irresistible. But to Rob, who was already a booker, it would be a downgrade in status.
"Still," Dallas spoke with complex emotions in his eyes. "Sometimes taking a loss is not all bad. It might open your eyes to a brand new world."
Rob merely smiled and didn’t reply.
"Whatever, you have made your decision. At least with you here, LWC might not completely go under," Dallas sighed.
"What?" Rob asked in surprise.
"Kid, you don’t think only we three got offers from Steven, right? Any wrestler who has a bit of fan following will be in their radar. I am sure a few of the popular wrestlers in LWC are already in discussion with Steven’s team," Dallas said looking around furtively.
"You need to understand that popular wrestlers in top tier promotions will not be easily swayed. They already have a good platform. Steven might bring a few over from AWF, but rest of the roster will be filled by popular wrestlers from mid-tier and low-tier promotions."
"Right now, there are four top-tier promotions including AWF. Even if Steven manages to poach a few popular wrestlers from the other three promotions, that will only fill the main event scene," Dallas cut in and explained in details
"And they will put out two shows per week at the minimum just like other top tier promotions," Irvin added from the side. "Splitting those wrestlers across the main event scene in two shows, the roster might not be enough."
"So, some of the most popular wrestlers from mid tier promotions have a chance to enter the main event or semi main event scenes if they jump to Steven’s promotion," Dallas analyzed further.
"That kind of status jump is not easy to accomplish. So many wrestlers will be considering whether to switch or not," Irvin spoke calmly. "Unless the promotion they are in gives the assurance that they will be featured heavily, most wrestlers will make the jump."
"That is why Robin’s absence this week is intriguing. If a wrestler wants assurance, they can only approach the booker and discuss it with the booker. No one else has the power to make these promises," Dallas said smirking a bit.
"And no booker worth their salt will give such blanket assurances. Because once given, then their hands will be tied. If they don’t follow through and the wrestlers make a stink, things will get ugly. But, refusing to give those assurances will not be possible in the current situation either," Irvin said helplessly.
"Hah, if assurances are not given, the wrestlers will immediately jump ship," Dallas snorted, causing Irvin
"So, basically Robin made himself unavailable to avoid these discussions, eh?" Rob asked as understanding dawned on him.
"Smart of him, this way he would remove himself from the situation, and let the decision rest entirely on the wrestler’s shoulders," Dallas commented.
"Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to bite Robin in the ass," Rob said, causing both Dallas and Irvin to chuckle.
