~With Carlo~

My knee was starting to get slightly better than it usually was, so I decided to walk around with my crutches and try to get my knee back into movement.

After a healthy breakfast, I put on some ice to reduce the swelling before working the exercises on my knee.

~10 Minutes Later~

After some of that, I had to stop for the day. It was a bit painful, but I'm getting there.

I heard my phone ringing from a text and I had to answer it.

Hello?

Carlo, how you doing?

Knee's a pain in the ass, but I can handle it.

Wait, you kneed yourself in the ass?

😂😂😂😂😂😂

At least I made you laugh, tho.

Thanks for that. I really needed it.

It's no problem. Anyway, the reason I'm texting you is because NXT is having a trip to the Military base in San Antonio. Thought you might be interested.

Regardless of my knee, I'd love to go with you guys.

Really? You can't do anything physical since your surgery.

I know, but I want to connect with them. Hunter, my great-grandfather was in the military and I would want to honor him by hanging out with these guys. They're putting their lives on the line to protect our country and if I were a serviceman, I would die to keep my country safe. I want to thank them for all that they do and sacrificing their lives and time to protect our country.

I got a bit emotional about it, but I'm sure this would convince Hunter to let me go with some members of the NXT roster to visit the military base.

I see. I'll have a cab pick you up and drive you to the airport.

Sounds good Hunter.

See you then, son.

Bye.

Bye.

I hung up and packed some bags for San Antonio, well, it was mostly Masami packing my bags. She offered to come with me since my knee was in bad shape and I would need some help putting ice to reduce the swelling.

~2 Hours Later~

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

We were at the base and when I arrived, I started tearing up a bit because we're here to thank some of the soldiers who sacrificed their time to protect our country. I couldn't wait to meet them, but I can't ride on my bike to surprise them, which was very disappointing to me.

At the front entrance, we saw Hunter, Leon Ruff, Santana, Ortiz, Aliyah smh, and Hunter. I loved that Hunter was here in case something happened between Alayah and I. I had to ask Hunter why she's here before we got started.

Hey, Carlo!

Hey Hunter!

He hugged me slightly while happy that I'm here.

How's the knee?

Getting there. Just need the ice to reduce swelling before I work on rehab.

That's good. Anyway, I'm glad you're here because you're so dedicated to take part in these charities while injured.

Thanks. Can I ask a question?

Yeah.

Why is she here?

Hunter knew what I was talking about and he had to clear it up as quick as he could.

She wanted to come and show respect to the troops here, but I got your back if Alayah tries to degrade you in front of them.

Thanks Hunter. I appreciate it.

Of course. Alright, everyone, let's go!

We went in as some of the soldiers were greeting us with handshakes and hugs. There were some guys and girls who were happy to see us and I can tell, the horrors of war were getting to them and they needed people to vent, and to be honest I don't blame them and if I have to be the one they want to vent to, I'm willing to volunteer as tribute.

We were walking around and taking pictures, signing autographs and there was this young lady who had her leg amputated in the infirmary and it made my eyes water.

Masami came with me as I wanted to talk with her.

Hey, how you doing, miss?

Carlo! Hey!

She shook Masami and I's hand as we sat down and talked, but I had to ask about her leg.

What's the story with the leg?

I was patrolling over in Afghanistan and before I could take another step, a mine went off and blew off my leg under the knee. If I wanted to eliminate one weapon from conflict, it would be these mines because not only are they killing us, they're killing innocent children as well.

I felt so horrible for her and I could tell she needed to vent.

I appreciate you coming by and visiting me.

The pleasure is ours. Masami, can you take a picture for us.

Sure!

She took the young lady's phone, I carefully put my arm around her, and Masami took the picture.

Thank you for being here.

No. It should be me thanking you for your service. You put your life on the line and this should be us thanking you for your sacrifice.

Oh, thank you so much!

I lightly hugged her and we went to the next room where there was a meet and greet and I couldn't wait to spend time with the soldiers.

Masami was looking forward to it as well as she took pictures with her and she signed autographs for them. One soldier, who was a woman, broke down when she saw her.

Tears were leaking out of her eyes as Masami came over and pulled her into a tight hug.

You're my favorite wrestler and my role model.

Hey, it's okay. You're far away from that place, it's okay.

She held onto her as the soldier started telling her story.

I was helping with our artillery, and while we were loading up, a sniper killed my best friend and shot me in my shoulder. One of ours got the sniper, but my friend was killed.

She then showed a tattoo of a cross on her trigger finger and I think I knew what it meant.

It means whenever I'm in battle, I always know she's with me.

Masami kept hugging her as the soldier stopped crying and smiled.

Thank you for listening.

There's nothing I won't do for American military. I don't see people differently from race or military. You have my respect and support.

As Masami was interacting with her, I signed autographs and took selfies and pictures with the troops. I was honored to be a part of this trip because my great grandfather was a soldier in the military and that's what made me want to come with Hunter and the others to this base.

At lunch, I decided to get into a conversation with some of them as I had a chef salad and some water with the soldiers.

It's funny because the thing is, I've never participated in the military because I heard what you guys go through, but growing up in a military family, I always showed my support for you guys.

Wow.

I was wearing a military jacket at one point and someone walked up to me if I was one of you. He said, "Were you in the military?" I declined because I wanted to show that I'm wearing that jacket to show my support for the guys and girls in the armed forces like all of you.

I saw some of them tearing up and I had to joke around as quickly as possible.

Imagine my great grandfather showing up at D-Day with a white wifebeater, suspenders, black pants and shoes with a cigar in mouth with a Tommy-Gun. Picture it, when he gets shot, he'll say something like, "You're fuckin' dead man!", and he fires on all the Germans in a pray and spray method!

They all laughed as I was getting good at telling these kinds of jokes.

Forgive me if I sound like a mobster guys, but I grew up around that. My grandfather is the legendary Joe Pesci and I think you all know him very well.

They all were shocked and I had to continue.

Ever since I learned about him, I knew what gimmick I wanted to create at first, but it wouldn't work so my biker gimmick was inspired by the Hell's Angels and the American Badass version of Eerie Eric or The Undertaker.

They laughed again as I thought I could make them laugh by telling them jokes, trying to help them forget about the horrors is what they went through Iraq and around the world.

As you can tell, I can't ride a motorcycle due to my knee injury, but that doesn't mean I can't spend time with you guys. When I heard about this visit, I had to come because my great grandfather was a soldier and I wanted to share that story.

They agreed as I felt sadness talking about it and Masami noticed and rubbed my back to show some love.

I'm not gonna keep going on about that, but I will say this, you all deserve our thanks for keeping our country safe and we thank you for your service. As of this moment...

I pulled out a check with the amount of $25,000 and signed it.

...I'm donating $25,000 of my own money to the VFW organization to help veterans, like I met inside this base, get adjusted to citizen life because I know their struggles and I want them to know that you and them have my full support and thanks for protecting our country!

They applauded as I gave the check to the Commander of this base and we had a picture with a handshake as Masami was tearing up at my actions.

This is the least I can do because they've done a lot for my country and to me, this is a way to show pride and respect towards the armed forces.

Once the visit was over, Hunter came up to me with his eyes watering.

You donated your own money to a charity that had to do with military veterans and their families?

I wanted to. Seeing them in the shape of those guys made want to burst into tears because they kept our country safe and I want to show that appreciation by making a donation.

That's so honorable of you. Now I know about this, I might have to raise your salary because of that.

Hunter, I don't care about the money, I wrestle because I love this sport and the perks it comes with. Keep my salary the same as it was.

If you're sure about that, I won't stop you.

Thank you Hunter.

No problem, son. You and Masami go on home, we'll handle the rest here.

Thanks so much Hunter.

It's awesome, son. Get out of here.

See you Hunter.

See you later.

Masami and I hugged Hunter as we flew on the way back to Orlando.

What are you thinking when you made that donation?

I have love for the military and I'll be damned if someone disrespected the guys and girls who served our country.

You're so sweet and generous.

She kissed my cheek as we flew back and watched some military movies.