Deciding whether to sign a long-term contract with the World Wrestling Alliance or return to the Euro-Asian Wrestling Conference was all that had occupied Jon's mind since things settled down following his Primetime debut. Despite being back in his hometown of Sacramento for the first time in four years, he could not stop weighing the pros and cons of his ultimate occupational decision. He was happy to spend some time with his parents. And they were happy to have him at home for this very rare occasion. He realized, however, that regardless of what company he chose for his full-time status, this visit with his folks would still be a fleeting moment. And the moment was growing more elusive with each passing second as Jon realized he needed to make a decision soon so as not to jeopardize his standing within the fickle minds of fans and employers.

Jon had the average suburban house to himself as he said goodbye to his mother who was on her way to open up the gift shop she owned in Downtown Sacramento. His father, a career military man, had left for McClellan Air Force Base hours before daybreak. Now, Jon was alone with his thoughts as he sat in his father's favorite chair, a blue reclining Lay-Z-Boy, placed ideally in front of the big screen television in the family room. Jon is wearing black Nike flip-flop after-workout shoes, brightly patterned royal blue and gold Mui Tai boxing shorts, and an EAWC T-shirt. His shoulder-length black hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail as he plans to go into the garage shortly to use his father's weights for a light workout. Before he can focus on his workout, though, he realizes he must spend some portion of the morning working out his internal situation.

On one hand, Jon had spent the recent years of his career developing quite a following in Japan. On the other hand, America -- in particular the WWA -- was the ultimate test of a professional wrestler's ability to shine. In Japan, he could focus on what he believed to be the important aspects of the business -- workrate, in-ring ability, etc. In the WWA, he would be given the chance to prove that he could rise to the top against different styles from different regions -- North America, Europe, etc. In Japan, he was always sure he would be working. In the WWA, he would have tremendous freedom without relinquishing the guaranteed work. The EAWC schedule keeps him in top physical condition. The WWA schedule allows time for those nagging injuries to gradually heal. Each had positives. Perhaps the negatives would be the deciding factor.

With EAWC or RSW, Jon would spend two weeks of constant travel; eight-hour bus rides; eating in shitholes. The payoff would come in the form of a supercard like the one scheduled for tomorrow, Friday and Saturday at the Tokyo Dome. But even that could be torturous... especially if he found himself booked on all three nights. The ultimate payoff would be a shot at either the EAWC Heavyweight title or the RSW Nihon title, but neither seemed to be on the immediate horizon. With the WWA in his few short days of per-appearance work, Jon had earned three times what he was paid for one month of work in Japan. However, the "payoff" seemed even further away as WWA relied heavily on it affiliates for their previously developed fan base -- a demographic primarily made up of North American fans who were not too familiar with him.

As Jon stands up, with intent to make his way to the garage, his mind flashes back to the previous night's house show in which he faced Tah Murdah in the opening match of the evening...

Tah Murdah attempts a clothesline, but Johnny Nitro counters with a Japanese armdrag takedown.
Tah Murdah attempts a clothesline, but Johnny Nitro counters with a Mexican armdrag takedown.
Tah Murdah attempts a clothesline, but Johnny Nitro counters with a Mexican hiptoss.
Johnny Nitro whips Tah Murdah into the turnbuckle.
Johnny Nitro uses a flip.
Johnny Nitro uses a dropkick to the face on Tah Murdah.
Johnny Nitro hits a Tah Murdah with a European uppercut.
Johnny Nitro hits a Tah Murdah with a European uppercut.
Johnny Nitro hits a Tah Murdah with a European uppercut.
Johnny Nitro whips Tah Murdah into the ropes.
Johnny Nitro uses a Nitro Press on Tah Murdah.
Johnny Nitro executes a somersault legdrop on Tah Murdah.
Johnny Nitro signals for the Nitroclasm.
Johnny Nitro is getting a decent response from the crowd.
Johnny Nitro executes the Nitroclasm on Tah Murdah.
There are a few cheers for Johnny Nitro.
Johnny Nitro is going for the pin.
Barry Alexander counts: One, two, three.
There are a few cheers for Johnny Nitro.

The winner is Johnny Nitro. Time of match: 0:09:12.

"That was decent," Jon thought to himself as he made his way through the curtain following his match. "Nothing too great from the crowd, but they aren't used to me. Smiling to himself: "I know they have to be impressed with my offense."

Jon grabbed a towel from a nearby stack as he made his way toward the locker room area, replaying the match in his mind. He is wearing his black wrestling boots, covered by black kick pads with white lettering down the outside reading "NITRO"; black neoprene knee pads; a black low-cut, thigh-length singlet, showing off his defined and thick upper legs and athletic upper body; and black athletic wrap extending from his lower forearms to his knuckles. His pony tail is a bit tattered after the match. A few steps into the hallway, he is met by WWA booking agent Jimmy West.

(Jimmy West): Hey, good match out there.

(Johnny Nitro): [looking around] Thanks?

(Jimmy West): No, really. What do you have planned for Sunday?

(Johnny Nitro): [shrugging his shoulders] Not sure yet.

(Jimmy West): It'll be your chance to work in front of your hometown.

(Johnny Nitro): Yeah, but they don't really know me. They'll probably all be there to see the Delinquentz.

(Jimmy West): [holding out an envelope] Well, I hope you stick around... you're a lot of fun to watch.

(Johnny Nitro): [taking the envelope] Thanks, dude.

(Jimmy West): No problem. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll see you around.

(Johnny Nitro): Okay.

As Jon watches West walk away, he glances in the envelope at the check for his appearance at tonight's house show. He can't help but smile because he had never been paid so much for less than 10 minutes of work in his life. A few more steps down the hall, and Jon is met by an unfamiliar person. Having been in the business for nearly ten years, Jon has learned to not trust too many people backstage on your first meeting. Therefore, he is particularly leery of this man's approach.

(Tommy Mullholland): [smiling and holding out a business card] Tommy Mullholland... I enjoyed your match.

(Johnny Nitro): ...

(Tommy Mullholland): [still extending his hand with the business card] Go ahead... no harm in taking a card.

Jon takes the card, but does not stop looking the man in the eyes.

(Tommy Mullholland): Look, I'm in a bit of hurry right now, but I hope to see you around... maybe sit down and have a talk?

(Johnny Nitro): ...

(Tommy Mullholland): Well, okay... I'll talk to you later?

Mullholland extends his hand, but immediately retracts it as Jon is apparently not going to reciprocate. Mullholland offers a pleasant smile and continues on his way. Jon continues toward the locker room area, dropping the card in a garbage can along the way. The pay was great, but the politics were too prevalent. He had experienced those politics on Sunday when Chas Robertson no-showed for their tag match. Championship Committee Chairman Dave Michaelson was prepared to give the match to another team when Commissioner Jack Lynch deemed that the two members of those respective teams who were present would compete against Johnny Storm and Ripper Longshanks. That didn't work out at all. Jon performed well, particularly against Storm. But, as a team, he and his "partner" did not fare too well. Christopher Rommell was on a different page.

Jon finally arrives in the locker room after avoiding an encounter with Jack Straube. Straube is the equivalent of a used car salesman, and he was one of the first people Jon had talked to when he arrived backstage for Sunday's show. Straube... West... Michaelson... Jamie Middleton... all politicians. "Is this Parliament, or a wrestling company?" Jon thought as he settled into a chair in front of monitor playing previously recorded segments for Coast to Coast. Bobby Starr had always treated him favorably, but he realized he would be held behind Troy Dallas if he had to depend on the Texas Legend. Lynch... Starr... Henri Chartier... Rick Monroe... all great wrestlers in their day, no more than politicians now. Akira Yoshi and Kenta Choshu never shunned Jon during his time in Japan, nor did he treat him too favorably. They simply treated him fairly.

"Fairness... that's all I'm looking for," Jon thought as he watched a promotional segment for the upcoming edition of Primetime. "All I need is a fair shake... I'll create my own opportunity..." Jon's thoughts are interrupted by Rommell's recent promotional segment which includes a challenge and some graphic footage which will more than likely be edited for television...

(Christopher Rommell): ...in the words of Tom Araya, I promise not to keep you long... I'll keep you forever. Why, you ask...

Grabbing his belongings and standing up, disregarding the remainder of the segment, "as a matter of fact, dude, I didn't ask." Not one week into his time in the WWA and the "politics" were already kicking into high gear. Guys handing him business cards... Championship Committee members and Commissioners re-booking his matches right before he is scheduled to wrestle... Booking agents "encouraging" him to appear at every house show... And now, this Rommell guy wanted to turn on the heat...

The telephone rings, snapping Jon out of his day dream. He picks the cordless telephone up off of its base, pushes a button and places it to his ear.

(Johnny Nitro): What's up?

(Kenta Choshu): Nitro-san.

(Johnny Nitro): Choshu, dude, what's up?

(Kenta Choshu): I receive word from Yoshi that you should sign contract for month.

(Johnny Nitro): Hold up, broham... I'm still not sure about this whole thing.

(Kenta Choshu): Yoshi say you must sign for month because you will miss big show in Japan and you have situation with Rommell.

(Johnny Nitro): Wait a sec... I didn't ask for this 'situation.' Dude is trippin'. I just wanted him to tag me 'cuz he was gettin' his ass kicked. I don't know where all this heat is comin' from.

(Kenta Choshu): The 'heat,' as you call it, will be coming from Choshu and Yoshi if you do not sign contract for month.

(Johnny Nitro): So whatcha sayin'?

(Kenta Choshu): I am saying that your time in Japan will not be promising if you do not do us this favor.

Politics and politicians... they're everywhere these days. "Looks like I'll be with the WWA for a while."