It seems yours truly wasn't the first to jump into his first match before getting Coach Griff's seal of approval. Before "Yukon" the Arctic werebear was just Noah Leblanc; a big wrestling fan into his early twenties but hadn't followed it much recently. Griff had been one of his standout favorites even after the decline from champ to chump began; so meeting an idol in the flesh by pure chance left him a bit starstruck.

Around three months before my glorious return to Beast Battle, Griff saw a new face at the Flex Factory rec center with a visitor badge shining like a beacon on his hip. An innocent offer from a celebrated pro jobber to spot the aspiring fitness model would be the start to a fast friend/mentorship. Griff had never especially pushed the subject of Noah getting into wrestling, not even discussing his own career much unless it came up as they became closer friends. As Noah started packing on the muscle, clothes getting smaller as his measurements grew Griff teased, "You look ready for the ring!" with a passing clap on his shoulder. An offhand remark, but the seed was planted and Noah started idly picturing himself under arena lights.

Fast forward through the weeks of growing curiosity, dedicated training on technique and safety followed by playing ring gimmick dress up and Noah was headed to his first ring appearance with a gut full of butterflies. Unknown to many Yukon's true intro to professional ring action was a short stint as The Red Bearon's valet simply called Cub in a blue/white copy of Griff's mask and tiny trunks.

The match went fairly true to form for Griff's swan dive into the jobber tier and Noah started the tradition of running to his mentor's rescue from post match humiliation only to suffer the same thrashing for a double feature. Despite their lack of success as a unit, Noah was sure that he could be a viable contender in a match of his own instead of just serving extra fodder as Griff's second.

Noah registered for an open tourney hosted by a human fed under the name "Klondike Kid". Underestimating Griff's awareness of nearly all things wrestling, he had to come clean when Griff surprised him at home with some very deliberate questions. After the inevitable confession, Griff admitted he wasn't thrilled that Noah didn't come to him first but promised he wouldn't be "Papa Bear" and let him start his own career path as a rookie wildcard.

As one of the guest entrants with the most pro experience, Noah got a headliner spot facing Prince Lazuli in a chain link match; essentially a strap match but with a length of chain in place of the rope, one fall by pin, submission or knockout with a bonus prize for Noah if he managed to touch the four corners as well. The small crowd gave a decent cheer for the unknown musclebound acrobat in furry boots as he showed off his vertical clearing the ropes and landing in a seamless roll to the center of the ring. The Prince just gave an amused smirk as he looped the chain over his wrist.

Noah's game plan was thrown when Lazuli took a step back and swept his arm inviting the Klondike Kid to touch the four corner pads putting him halfway to the bonus money. Naturally Noah faltered not expecting this opening at all. Watching Lazuli the whole time Noah cautiously backpedaled to the first corner, waiting for a sneak attack but none ever came. As soon as Noah tapped the fourth turnbuckle with a triumphant grin, the chain snapped taut and Noah was dragged at a run into a big knee drill to his waistline and a follow up to the sternum that lifted his feet off the mat.

Winded and doubled over Noah didn't have much resistance to give as Lazuli swiftly looped the chain over Noah's neck into a choke collar turning this into a dog leash match. Too preoccupied with his throat Noah left his core wide open to a big kick that launched him into the ropes, bouncing off only to run into an elbow waiting to spike him right between the eyes. Noah's head whipped back but before he could sink to his knees Lazuli kept him upright staring at spotlights with a sharp tug on the hair. Adding insult to injury Lazuli led him on another four corners tour smacking Noah's head into each top turnbuckle before finally shoving him face first to the mat.

Still seeing stars Yukon attempted to crawl for the ropes, or just away from Lazuli, but didn't get far before a boot planted him to the spot and the chain pulled tight again. The Klondike Kid scrambled helplessly as his air supply cut off, finally going limp after a fit of full body spasms humping the mat at Lazuli's feet. Lazuli rolled Noah over for an embarrassing pin, proving he was indeed Griff's protege, the longer Lazuli perched on the hirsute jobber's face, the higher his trunks began to tent.

images by: https://twitter.com/PrinceLazuli_