~With Carlo~

After the swelling went down, I was ready to do some rehab for my knee. I wasn't looking forward to it because I've seen the workouts like Steffanie and Seth Rollins have went through and their face says it all: "Fuck this". It seemed like they didn't want to do the exercises, butthey had no choice.

Steffanie uses a knee brace to make the knee work properly, but when I get back from injury, I plan on wearing this:

Simple, but it would keep my knee at a full level of functional mobility. And if I'm ever in a match with Santos, I'm gonna wear that and a knee brace, but it's actually going to be a weapon of last resort, if it ever comes to the point.

At the PC, the trainer Sara was the best: she was patient, kind, and easy to work with. In the rehab center, she was waiting as I was wearing a knee brace with crutches.

Hey, Carlo. How are you?

Can't complain. Just want to try and get my knee back into shape.

Can't blame you for that. Let's take a look at the knee.

I sat on a bench in the rehab room as I wanted to throw up at the sight.

Seems like you've been busy.

Been using ice a lot for this.

Good job.

Thank you.

Let's go with some an extension to see where it all goes. Give it a try.

Alright.

I slowly lifted my knee to see how far up it could be extended. It was about halfway up where I couldn't extend the knee anymore. It was painful to do it, but there's no way around it.

I can't just go to a voodoo witch and ask her to heal it because that would be pathetic, so I have to go with whatever God has in mind.

Alright, so the knee seems to be healing slightly because of the ice reducing the swelling. If you can practice this a couple times a day until a couple weeks, we might move on to other exercises.

Sounds great.

You go on ahead, get out of here, and I'll see you in a couple weeks.

We shook hands as I waited for Masami to finish training with Mayu. At the sight of Masami wearing workout pants and a tank top, I get hearts in my eyes because of how beautiful my girlfriend is.

While sitting down and watching her train with Mayu, Ortiz and Santana came over and sat down with me.

How the knee, bro?

Rehab's a bitch, but I'm going through it.

That's the spirit, man. You don't let this knee bring you down.

I appreciate it guys. I really do.

Hey, you're our brother, you think we wouldn't be there for you when you got hurt?

Still, I do appreciate it.

How are you and Masami?

Santana, she's been by my side since those stupid claims came out and when she traveled with me to go to my uncle's funeral, it showed how much she loves me.

That's awesome, man. Fuck those claims, dude, you're nothing like they say you are.

You're not wrong, but thanks.

Yeah.

They started acting concerned after a bit of silence from me.

You straight, bro?

You mind if I vent a little?

Sure.

They started listening as I started talking.

Ever since I got this, I've been questioning my career. What if I never wrestled again?

What do you mean?

A torn ACL in either knee is an injury that ends careers in sports, and what if this sets me back and Santos ended my career for real? I'm grateful for everything that pro wrestling has given me, but there's a time and place where all of that doesn't matter. Maybe I don't deserve to wrestle anymore after this. Guys, I don't know if I can ever do this again. Sure, I got Bret Hart rooting for me, but what if I end my career because of this stupid knee?

Ortiz seemed to understand where I was coming from, but he had to talk about that.

Man, don't say anything about that anymore. You will get back in the ring. Santana and I, we've suffered injuries everywhere we go and we're still in the game. Don't think for a second that this will end your career.

Santana had to speak and I had to listen.

Carlo, the two of us believe in you. If you can pull through rehab and get better, then we can too. This knee injury, bro? It ain't nothing but a fuckin' flesh wound. Don't let this set you back because this ain't nothin'.

I thought about it, and before I could answer, LDF walked towards us.

So if it isn't the great Carlo De Luca? Isn't that a shame?

Leave me alone Santos. You want to get YOUR ACL torn?

I would, but you got what you deserve.

I held back and calmed myself before I got pissed. I couldn't beat his ass because of my knee, so I had to wait until it's all better.

Why don't you get out of here before you get your ass kicked? Pick on someone your own size.

Santos smirked with evilness and said the most insulting thing I've heard in my life.

Nobody was talking to you, you worthless Newyorcian!

Oritz and Santana were enraged and they were trying to come at them, but I grabbed their arms and made them sit down beside me again before they lost it.

Escobar, I suggest you get out of here before these two canines rip your heart out, same with the boyfriends you invited for a gay threesome.

Santana and Ortiz, burst out laughing, as Santos was getting pissed.

You really want to go there? Well, what would Masami say about it?

Tell me he did not just say that.

What did you just say?

You heard me.

You better get your ass outta here before these two rip your head off.

We're not going anywhere.

Say that to a block party, but right now, you need to.

I saw that Hunter and some security guards with him, ready to throw the bootleg version of Goodfellas out of the PC, and Santos knew he'd be in trouble if he doesn't leave.

Well, it seems like we're done here. Let's go Joaquin, Raul.

Yeah.

Yeah.

The three left as I had to be grateful for Hunter and my friends to stand up for me, but I feel like I should be the one standing up for them.

Thanks.

Least we can do.

Masami ran over to check on me as Mayu was burning a hole in Santos' head.

Come on, let's see if we can get a six man tag match with them.

Yeah, I'd like to get my hands on that fucker.

I agree.

Before you could say anything to me, you two got your match, but Carlo's still not cleared.

I know, but I know someone who's wanting to put his hands on him ever since he saw what happened weeks ago.

~Wednesday; Full Sail University~

I can't come to NXT because of my knee, so I asked someone who could come in and take my place until I come back. I had a recording of the announcement and I wanted to make sure that Masami and Mayu did have someone in their corner, and he happens to be a friend of mine from the Bullet Club.

Once Santos was out in the ring with Catalina, and Vanessa Borne, as Masami and Mayu were on the stage, ready for their six person tag match. It's like a repeat of Kana, Kaori, and I, except it's this guy, Mayu, and Masami.

Once the two beautiful ladies were on the stage, my recording came up.

So, after what happened a couple weeks ago, I got the results back from the doctors and it turns out I have a torn ACL in my left knee, which means I have to be out of action for months. They also said that if that Joe Pesci bootleg tried to do more damage, my career would've ended that night.

They crowd booed at Santos as he had a smug grin on his face.

Don't think for a second, Santos that it's funny or cute, because this is something that I've never had in the history of my life. If I were running this company, not only would I fire you, I'd have you blacklisted and ban you from future shows.

The crowd then cheered. If they're seeing us as the good guys even though we're now asshole heels, then we can adjust.

Now, enough about me because before I bring out their mystery partner, let me tell you something: when I come back, I'm gonna come after you and send you back to Mexico where you belong! And this man, who happens to be a friend of mine, he would feel the same way because he's so savage, he will slit your throat just so you can breathe again!

I smiled as I was getting close to their tag partner.

You better be careful with what you say or do Santos, because when my knee is healed and I'm cleared to do what I love again, I'll be coming after you. Now let me introduce you my very good friend who made a deal with NXT.

I was so close as I could tell from the fans, they want to hear the guy I chose to lead my girlfriend and Mayu until I come back from injury.

And Santos, that friend is none other than this man!

His theme played as my appearance was done.

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

When he came out of there, the crowd went insane to see my friend from NJPW to take my place until I'm back and better than ever (Eric Bischoff TM).

And their tag team Partner, from Auckland, New Zealand, "Switchblade" JAY WHITE!

Jay White! What a choice from Carlo De Luca!

Oh my God! The Switchblade is here!

This is uncalled for! "Switchblade" has no business of being here in NXT!

You're one to talk, Wade, that young man saw what Santos did: he almost ended Carlo's career and he had a right to be here in his place!

Oh, give me a break! You're delusional as all hell!

As Jay got in the ring, Santos knew he was in deep, deep trouble. Instead of going to the corner with Masami and Mayu, he put out his hand with a smile, and I think I know what he's about to do.

Santos shook Jay's hand and said...

You must be Santos Escobar! Mr. De Luca sends his regards!

He then pulled Santos into his arm and performed the Blade Runner! Masami and Mayu were impressed and when Jay covered him and won the match immediately for the three of them, Catalina and Borne were scared at Jay and his way of intimidating them.

Mayu and Masami raised his arms and pointed at him and went to the back to pack up for the hotel while Masami went home to me.

Before I slept, he sent a text to me and I had to see it.

New Japan and WWE made a deal: I take over as leader for Black Lotus Triad until you get better, mate! Looking forward to it!

I smiled and went to sleep before I had to go to rehab again for my fuckin' knee in the morning.