351-355

Chapter 351: Definitely a New Record

In its second week of release, Spy Shadow 2 grossed another $87.15 million, bringing its total box office to over $230 million, surpassing The Day After Tomorrow and placing it firmly in the top five films of the year.

After the movie’s promotional events concluded, Richard returned to New York to resume training while also preparing for his upcoming WWE appearance.

"Richard, the marketing department thinks your idea is great," Michelle said at the estate. "Showcasing new clothing on the WWE stage could serve as a warm-up for the launch, and having you involved should make it even more effective."

Richard nodded. "How are the negotiations with WWE going?"

"Very smoothly. As long as you agree to participate, they’re willing to help promote our products and have even offered us a naming sponsorship for a year."

After Richard accepted Shaquille O'Neal’s invitation, WWE executives quickly reached out, initially offering $20 million for a five-minute appearance. Michelle turned down that offer and proposed a different partnership: showcasing Richard’s new line of athletic wear during WWE events, including tank tops, shorts, and headbands. Participants, including guest Shaq, would wear his brand, and WWE would provide plenty of camera time during broadcasts and give the brand naming rights.

WWE agreed without hesitation because Richard's popularity was off the charts—he was a household name, as famous as the president. Especially after becoming a billionaire, his fame had skyrocketed. Many people viewed him as a real-life superhero, comparing him to Batman, who was also born in Gotham City and lost his parents as a child. Some likened him to Spider-Man, whose father, like Richard's, died on a mission, or Iron Man, being both incredibly wealthy and owning a massive tech company.

He had even fought crime and saved countless lives, fitting the superhero mold better than any fictional character. People worldwide idolized him, seeing him as a role model.

Having him appear at WWE would be a huge boost for their promotion—his presence was more valuable than even the president’s. As a result, WWE CEO Vince McMahon had already approved a $50 million promotional budget, and when Michelle said they only wanted advertising, McMahon was even more eager to proceed.

"Richard, here’s the event schedule. What do you think?" Michelle handed him a document.

WWE events include a variety of shows like the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, WrestleMania, Extreme Rules, Hell in a Cell, Survivor Series, and more, one type every month. Because Richard was participating, WWE rebranded this event as "The Battle of Kings," featuring violent fights and comedic segments.

Richard glanced at it. "They want me to fight The Rock. Is it real or staged?"

"The Rock prefers a real match, but McMahon said it's up to you," Michelle smiled.

Richard raised an eyebrow. "The Rock is a WWE legend. If I beat him, wouldn’t that damage WWE’s image?"

"It’s fine. The Rock left WWE in May to pursue his Hollywood career. WWE brought him back after learning you’d be participating, and he agreed once he heard you were involved."

"Alright, let’s have some fun," Richard chuckled. Even if it was a "real" fight, it wasn’t going to be truly brutal—injuries were a concern, and with his strength, one punch could be deadly. This would be more of a legitimate match without scripted outcomes, where whoever won would be the real champion.

In addition to facing The Rock, WWE lined up several other wrestling superstars, including The Undertaker, Big Show, Batista, Triple H, and rising star John Cena.

By December, Richard paused his work to focus entirely on training for an upcoming boxing match. After he agreed to participate, WWE launched an extensive promotional campaign, advertising the event through every possible outlet.

The promotion teased two heavyweight guests: Shaquille O'Neal and a "super-secret guest." In the promotional posters and TV spots, only a muscular back was shown, hinting at Richard’s identity. Fans quickly speculated it was him, recognizing his physique from past boxing matches. Others doubted, citing his boxing match on the 17th and questioning how he could wrestle on the 19th, not to mention his status as a billionaire.

"Richard, is that you in the promo?" Paul called and asked.

"Guess," Richard laughed.

"It’s definitely you. You have a scar on your lower back, and even though the photo was edited, I can tell."

"Okay, it’s me."

"You’re going to wrestle in WWE? Careful not to get beaten to a pulp."

"Don’t worry, I’ve fought in the arena before. I can handle wrestling just fine," Richard laughed.

After half a month of training at home, Richard prepared for the 38th fight of his career, facing heavyweight puncher Hasim Rahman. Rahman, 32, stood 6’2” and weighed 247 pounds, with a 10-year career boasting 46 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw. He famously knocked out Lennox Lewis to win the WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles, only to lose them in a rematch. He had fought Paul before and lost, with some media speculating that Richard used "magic" to help Paul win.

Rahman had powerful punches and solid technique, but like Paul, he lacked speed, losing most of his fights against top opponents like John Ruiz, Evander Holyfield, and David Tua.

The match took place at the Las Vegas Arena, where all 55,000 seats were sold out, as this was Richard’s first fight since becoming a billionaire. The average ticket price was $86, with ringside seats selling for up to $100,000, with fans eager to be close to the action.

"Richard, I regret this," Andy said, looking at the packed crowd. "If we had delayed a year and arranged a fight against Tyson or Lewis, we could have made over $200 million from just one match."

"That’s hard to do. Tyson and Lewis are aging, and waiting a year might mean no fight at all," Richard replied.

After his fight with Lewis last year, Lewis retired, and Tyson, after losing to Richard, had also declined in health and was nearing retirement. With the exit of these champions, the number of strong contenders was shrinking, and Richard cherished the remaining few.

As the match was about to start, Richard walked out shirtless.

Boom!

"Richard!" The crowd erupted in applause and cheers, tens of thousands of people standing and screaming his name. Richard waved his fist and climbed into the ring, nodding politely to Rahman, who lacked his usual pre-fight bravado. Rahman, known for trash-talking and even spitting at opponents, was oddly subdued in Richard’s presence.

Richard sighed. In the early days of his boxing career, he had relied on his handsome face and muscular physique to win the support of countless fans and gain home-court advantage in many matches. Now, as a Hollywood superstar and boxing champion, his fan base had grown even larger.

Now, with his billionaire status, his influence had skyrocketed. Wherever he fought, he could count on home-court advantage, making his fights easier.

When the fight began, Rahman was cautious, launching a punch and immediately going into defense mode, terrified of being knocked out. Richard, not wanting to bore the crowd, lowered his guard, daring Rahman to attack.

Rahman took the bait, launching a series of heavy punches aimed at Richard’s head. But Richard, still not defending, dodged each one with precision. The TV’s slow-motion replay showed Rahman’s punches missing Richard’s head by mere millimeters each time, as Richard dodged effortlessly.

"Sigh, the gap is too big," Evander Holyfield said, watching from home.

"Yeah, that guy’s a billionaire, but his skills and physique haven’t declined at all," John Ruiz replied, frowning.

"Why would having money make him worse?" Tyson asked, confused.

"Come on, if you had a billion dollars, what would you do?"

"I..."

"You’d buy luxury cars, mansions, party with women, drink, and do drugs. The more you indulge, the more your body deteriorates, and you’d lose your edge. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t," Ruiz laughed.

Tyson smirked but didn’t argue. That’s exactly what he had done during the late ’80s and ’90s when his fortune exceeded $400 million. He had splurged on luxury cars, mansions, and women, which eventually took a toll on his health and performance. If he hadn’t lived that way, the Tyson era might have lasted a few more years.

Thinking back on those reckless years, Tyson felt a pang of regret. "The papers say Richard’s had flings with ten women in one night and has 388 lovers. How come his performance hasn’t dropped?"

Holyfield laughed. "That’s definitely fake news. If he lived like that, his body would’ve broken down long ago."

"Yeah, I’ve spoken to Paul, and he says Richard is extremely disciplined. Since he was 11 or 12, he’s trained at least two hours every day, even while filming. Now that he’s a billionaire, he still trains daily.

"Richard also doesn’t smoke, rarely stays up late, and only drinks a few glasses at a time. His lifestyle is very healthy. After becoming rich, he invested in a medical research center and has regular checkups to keep his training and diet even more scientific.

"A freak like him will likely dominate for a long time, and maybe for the next 10 or 20 years, no one will be able to challenge him."

Ruiz shook his head with a bitter

John Ruiz laughed.

“Oh, do I really have that much influence?”

Tyson smirked even more.

“Yes, nowadays when boxers are training, coaches tell them one thing: ‘Women are a boxer’s biggest enemy.’ For example, former champion Tyson used to dominate the boxing world, but just because…”

“Fuck, shut up!”

Tyson said with a scowl.

“Hahaha~”

“Look, Rahman got knocked down by Richard again. Do you think he’ll get up this time?”

Holyfield said, eyes fixed on the TV.

On the screen, Hasim Rahman was lying on the canvas while the referee was counting down from 10. Rahman struggled a few times but couldn’t stand up.

Richard won the match again, defending his WBA, WBC, and IBO belts, successfully defending the WBA title for the sixth time.

Richard’s record now stood at 38 fights, 38 wins, with 33 KOs, closing in on legendary champion Rocky Marciano’s record of 49 wins with 43 KOs.

“Any guesses on how much Richard made from this fight?” John Ruiz asked.

“He made $78 million in his last fight against David Tua, so this time it’s gotta be around 70 or 80 million,” Tyson said, clearly envious.

Two years ago, Tyson earned $68 million in his fight against Lennox Lewis, setting a record for boxing earnings at the time.

But just a few months later, Richard shattered that record, earning $100 million in 10 minutes, and $112 million in 8 minutes—truly insane.

“70 or 80 million? You’re underestimating him. Don’t forget who Richard is—he’s a billionaire! He’s as famous as the President. Just think, how many people do you think were watching this match?” John Ruiz laughed.

Holyfield shook his head. “This has to be a new record.”

“Hey, Richard, that was an amazing fight!” Elon Musk shouted from the ringside, pumping his fist.

“Thanks,” Richard bumped fists with him.

“Richard, make sure you fight like that in the WWE ring in two days,” Shaquille O'Neal called out.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you,” Richard joked, bumping fists with Shaq too.

“Pfft, I don’t need your protection,” Shaq rolled his eyes dramatically.

Richard chuckled and chatted a bit more with Elon, inviting him to the after-party that evening.

“Hey, Richard, you’re getting stronger and stronger!” Eva waved her fist, smiling. She had her blonde hair tied in a ponytail and was wearing a silver-gray dress and high heels, showing off her curves that rivaled Monica Bellucci’s.

“Eva, join the party tonight,” Richard said.

“Sure!” Eva blushed slightly, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Richard!!”

Suddenly, a girl leapt from the stands, but the security and staff quickly held her back.

“Richard, I love you! I want to have your babies!” the woman shouted.

Richard smirked. Since his wealth was made public, at least a hundred women had said that exact same thing to him.

He couldn’t tell if they were attracted to his body… or his money.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Richard wrapped up an interview with reporters and left the stadium.

The next day, every major news outlet covered the fight.

38 wins, undefeated—that record alone puts him in the top 10 in boxing history, and in the heavyweight division, he ranks in the top three.

The all-time undefeated record is held by British flyweight boxer Jimmy Wilde, who in the early 20th century went 93-0-1, a record still unbroken.

In the heavyweight division, only two fighters have more wins than Richard.

Number one is the legendary Rocky Marciano, who retired in 1955 with a perfect 49-0 record.

Second is Larry Holmes, who started his career 48-0 before losing to Michael Spinks and Mike Tyson.

And now, third is Richard with his 38-0 record.

Fourth is Tyson, who held a 37-0 record before 1990.

“Richard, why not try breaking Jimmy Wilde’s record?” Andy asked, flipping through the newspaper.

“93 wins?” Richard shook his head. “Three fights a year, that’s 30 fights in 10 years. I’d need 20 more years to catch up—it’s not worth it just for a record.”

“You wouldn’t need 20 years. We could do a world tour, like in ‘01. One fight a week. You’d break the record in two years.”

“No way. Even if I had the time, I wouldn’t do it. I make over a hundred million per fight. If I fought every week, fans couldn’t afford it, and my earnings would drop. Ten fights wouldn’t equal one of my regular ones. Why would I lower my value like that?”

Richard shook his head, laughing.

“Alright, I was just kidding. Three fights a year sounds about right. But if we get the chance, we should do another world tour. It’d promote boxing and increase your global fame.”

“We’ll see. Has the PPV data come out yet?” Richard asked, putting down the paper.

“Almost,” Andy replied.

A bit later, Bob Reut, Richard’s manager, walked into the hotel café.

“So, how did it go?” Andy asked.

“Take a guess—how many people tuned in?” Bob smiled, which was rare for him, so the numbers must have been good.

“Three million households?” Last time Richard fought Lewis, 3 million households in North America paid to watch.

“Haha, guess higher,” Bob said, waving his hand.

“Four million?” Richard rubbed his chin.

Bob smiled. “In 24 hours, 5.6 million households paid to watch the fight.”

“Wow! That’s incredible!” Andy gasped.

“Yeah, it’s crazy. Based on those numbers, at least 30 million people watched Richard’s fight within 24 hours. It even beat the highest-rated show, Sex and the City. Just amazing,” Bob marveled.

“With numbers like that, how much did we make?” Andy asked, excited.

“Preliminary estimates put it at around $160 million,” Bob said, clenching his fist in excitement.

After moving from Top Rank to the newly founded Star Sports, many had said Bob was crazy. But now, how many boxing managers made more than him? None.

He was set to make at least $2 million from this one fight.

Two million per fight—that’s close to what top boxers earn.

“$160 million—$16 million per minute! Hahaha, that’s another new record,” Andy laughed.

Richard shrugged, standing up. “You guys talk, I’m heading to the gym for some training.”

WWE was starting soon, and he needed to get ready.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 352: WWE*

On December 19, the WWE World Wrestling Championship was held in Las Vegas.

WWE, originally named the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), was founded by the legendary American sports figure Vince McMahon.

After acquiring two other major wrestling organizations, WCW and ECW, in 2002, WWE became a massive and well-established entertainment entity known as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

The first wrestling event took place in 1985. Back then, WWE wasn’t very well-known, and only had some recognition in the Northeastern U.S.

After more than 20 years of promotion, WWE has become a highly recognized sports entertainment program, with millions of viewers worldwide.

In terms of viewership, more people watch WWE than boxing matches.

To boost WWE’s popularity, Vince McMahon invited Muhammad Ali to appear as a special guest. In 1998, for the 14th WWE Championship, Mike Tyson was also invited as a special guest.

This time, WWE has invited basketball star Shaquille O'Neal and a mysterious guest.

Although the organizers did not reveal the identity of the mystery guest, from the teaser photo, many people guessed that it might be the legendary boxing champion, Richard.

Once word got out that Richard might participate in the wrestling event, many people tuned in to watch, while others bought tickets to see the action live.

“Tom, our seats are over here.”

In the bustling casino arena, Jack squeezed through the crowd to the front row. He’s a loyal fan of Richard. After watching Richard’s boxing match two days ago, he came to the WWE event with his friend.

“Here we are,” Tom said as he surveyed the scene. The arena wasn’t very big, with just over 6,000 seats, all of which were packed. Even the aisles were crowded.

Tom, sweating from the effort, finally squeezed into his seat in the second row.

“There are so many people here today,” Tom remarked.

“Yeah, last time it wasn’t this packed. Most of these people are here for Richard,” Jack replied as they settled into their seats at the edge of the second row.

Next to them sat a tall, athletic man in his twenties, wearing a baseball cap and a gray tracksuit. His face was sharp and emotionless as he flipped through an official WWE magazine, looking quite cool.

Jack glanced at the man’s face, finding it somewhat familiar, but shook his head. Suddenly, his gaze landed on the man’s tracksuit.

On the sleeve was a strange design, resembling a miniature championship belt outlined in gold, with a capital “R” in the center. The whole design was quite intricate.

“What’s that?” Jack thought, but he couldn’t place it.

Could it be some off-brand? No, that didn’t seem right.

As someone who’s into fashion, Jack knew a bit about clothing brands. The design looked trendy, resembling a new NICK sportswear collection released recently. It didn’t look like something cheap.

“Jack, what’s up?” Tom asked.

“Do you recognize that brand?” Jack pointed at the man’s tracksuit.

Tom glanced at it and was stunned. The man looked awfully familiar.

“That’s Richard! He’s Richard!” Tom exclaimed excitedly.

“Richard?” Jack blinked, now recognizing the man’s side profile. He also felt that the man looked familiar but hadn’t considered that someone as famous as Richard would sit here. His attention had been drawn to the man’s clothing.

With his friend’s reminder, Jack started to believe it. The handsome side profile, the strong physique—it all made sense.

Even in casual sportswear, the man’s muscular arms were hard to miss. There was also an undeniable aura about him—calm, strong, and confident, making him stand out from the crowd.

“Good evening, gentlemen,” the man turned and smiled. It was none other than the superstar, Richard Brad.

“Wow, it really is you!”

“Shh!” Richard smiled and motioned for them to keep quiet. “Can you keep this a secret for me?”

“Of course,” the two nodded excitedly.

“Mr. Brad, why are you sitting here?” Jack asked quietly.

“I’ll be in the ring soon,” Richard said with a light laugh.

“Really?! That’s awesome! You’re going to dominate!” Tom said, his face flushed with excitement.

Everyone knew how skilled Richard was. His boxing talent was unmatched, and on top of that, he was proficient in firearms, martial arts, and wrestling.

Richard’s real-life fighting skills were as impressive as those of any comic book superhero.

Him joining a WWE event was sure to be a highlight.

“Mr. Brad, could you sign something for me?” Jack asked, pulling out a pen.

“Sure!” Richard smiled and signed autographs for both of them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening…” The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena, signaling the start of the event.

Wrestling superstar Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson took the mic and entered the ring. He was the reigning champion of the night’s event.

“Wow!” The crowd erupted in cheers. Johnson, who started competing in WWE in 1998, had won the championship three times and became one of WWE’s biggest stars.

He also had a successful career in Hollywood, starring in The Scorpion King in 2002, which grossed over $70 million, though he remained a B-list actor for now.

After stepping into the ring, Johnson scanned the audience with a fierce look, grabbing the mic and saying,

“Hey, I’m The Rock. I heard someone thinks they can take my spot as the ruler here. Who is it? Step up and let me see you.”

The Undertaker stood up, his long hair and dark eye makeup giving him a sinister look as he stared at Johnson.

“You can’t beat me. Sit down,” Johnson said.

“Take him down! Take him down!” the crowd shouted.

“Fight him! Get in there!” Jack and Tom yelled as well.

The Undertaker circled the ring, glaring at Johnson. Just when everyone thought he was going to fight, he returned to his seat.

“Thanks for cooperating!” Johnson grinned and shouted, “Anyone else? Vince, are there no tough guys left in WWE after I leave?”

WWE’s Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, sitting at the judge’s table, smiled knowingly.

Hisss~~ White smoke billowed from the entrance as a strong figure appeared.

“Who is it?”

“Shaquille O'Neal?”

All eyes turned toward the entrance.

It wasn’t Shaq—it was WWE rising star John Cena.

Cena began training in 2000 and joined the WWE roster in 2001. Last year, he won the WWE United States Championship. With his strong build and good looks, Cena quickly made a name for himself in the wrestling world.

As Johnson transitioned to Hollywood, many saw Cena as WWE’s next big star.

In the ring, Johnson smiled, “John Cena, you’re good, but you’re not in my league. You can sit down.”

“Take him down! Take him down!” the crowd roared.

John Cena was also staring at The Rock on stage. Just when everyone thought he was about to sit down, he suddenly charged into the wrestling ring.

The Rock's expression changed as he threw down his microphone.

John Cena initiated the attack first. His usual moves included hard kicks, elbow strikes, punches, suplexes, and body slams.

The Rock, staying calm, took two steps back. When John Cena reached out, The Rock quickly grabbed his arm and countered with a spinning slam.

Bam!

John Cena was slammed hard onto the mat.

"Whoa!"

"Rock! Rock!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Richard clapped his hands. Compared to boxing, which has a lot of rules, wrestling was definitely more entertaining.

The Rock spread his hands and looked over at Vince McMahon with a slightly disappointed expression, as if to say, "Is that all you've got?"

"Roar!"

Back in the ring, John Cena got back up. He jumped and grabbed The Rock by the neck, letting out a roar before slamming him down.

"Whoa!"

Once again, the crowd erupted into cheers.

After being slammed, The Rock quickly counterattacked. He grabbed John Cena's arm and flipped him over with a suplex.

The two wrestlers exchanged moves back and forth.

Bam!

John Cena was once again slammed to the ground.

The Rock delivered a few hard kicks. John Cena took one of the blows, rolled to the side, and slipped out of the ring, clutching his ribs as he retreated down the aisle.

"Go on, run home and drink some milk,"

The Rock waved dismissively.

From this exchange, it was clear that John Cena was no match for The Rock and still had a lot of training to do.

"Is there anyone else?"

The Rock grabbed the microphone, pointed to the audience, and arrogantly lifted his chin.

"So this is wrestling? I could be a champion too."

In the audience, a big, burly Black man took off his hat and stood up with a microphone in hand. He was huge, a towering figure.

"Whoa, Shaquille O'Neal!"

The crowd burst into loud applause.

The Rock smiled from the ring, "Shaq, sit down. I don’t want to bully you."

"Don't underestimate me. I've trained too."

Shaq strode confidently toward the ring.

"Alright then!"

The Rock stepped back a few paces, tearing off his T-shirt with a sharp rip, shredding it into pieces and revealing his massive, muscular body, his chest flexing.

"Pfft!"

Shaq smirked, tugging at the collar of his own T-shirt. He tried to rip it, but it didn’t tear.

Hahaha!

The audience erupted in laughter.

"Huh?"

The camera zoomed in on the logo on Shaq’s shirt. Jack glanced at it, noticing it was the same as the one on Richard’s shirt—a golden belt with a single letter "R" in the center.

"Mr. Blade, what brand of sportswear is that?" Jack asked curiously.

Richard smiled, "It's my personal brand."

In the ring, Shaq gave up on ripping the shirt, wiggled his hips, and charged at The Rock, wrapping his arms around him.

The Rock embraced Shaq in return.

Shaq, at 7’1”, was nearly 8 inches taller than The Rock and much bulkier.

However, The Rock had more defined muscle mass and superior technique.

But seeing the two giants grappling together was an adrenaline-pumping sight for everyone.

"Go Shaq!"

"Shaq, take him down!"

Seeing Shaq getting pinned, the crowd began shouting.

The two men wrestled for several rounds, and The Rock managed to pin Shaq to the mat. Shaq struggled, but he couldn't escape the hold.

"Hey, Shaq, need a hand?"

From the audience, Richard stood up, holding a microphone.

"Whoa! It's Richard!"

"Richard! Richard! Richard!"

Many in the crowd stood up, chanting loudly.

"Richard, get in here and help me!"

Shaq called out.

Richard stepped out of the audience and approached the ring. The Rock immediately let go of Shaq, raising his fists in readiness.

"Richard, help me take him down,"

Shaq panted.

Richard smiled and stepped into the ring.

"Look! Richard’s getting into the ring!"

In a mansion, Scarlett sat up from the couch, excited.

"Haha, Richard’s finally stepping in,"

Her brother Henry Johnson put on his glasses and focused on the TV.

"Don’t sit so close, you’ll hurt your eyes,"

Mr. Johnson warned.

"It's fine, I’m only watching for a minute,"

Henry replied.

"The Rock looks really strong. Can Richard handle him?"

Scarlett asked nervously.

"Haha, are you kidding? Is there anyone in this world Richard can’t beat? No one. With his speed and punching power, no one stands a chance."

Henry said confidently. He had been a fan of Richard’s for five or six years, practically growing up watching Richard’s fights, and he had complete faith in his skills.

"But this isn’t boxing. He can’t actually punch him."

Scarlett pointed out.

"It doesn’t matter. Don’t forget Richard’s background. He was a martial arts expert before anything else, and he even participated in brutal cage fights with an undefeated record. Rumor has it, he once knocked out WWE champion Mark Henry in just 30 seconds."

Henry explained.

He had read this in the newspaper. Ever since Richard became famous, reporters had dug up plenty of juicy stories from the Bronx.

"Look, it’s starting!"

Scarlett said.

In the ring, Richard and The Rock faced off for a moment before the action started.

The Rock went on the offensive first, grabbing Richard by the waist with a roar, aiming to suplex him over his back.

This move was one of The Rock’s signature finishers. His immense strength and suplex ability had taken down many opponents.

"Go Richard!"

The crowd shouted.

"Up!"

The Rock yelled, trying to lift Richard. But after struggling for a moment, he realized he couldn’t budge him.

Richard smirked, taking two quick steps backward. As The Rock lost his balance, Richard grabbed him by the belt and, with a mighty roar, lifted The Rock completely upside down.

"Whoa! A Batista Bomb!"

The audience and viewers at home gasped in shock.

In WWE, Batista’s finishing move was the Batista Bomb, where he lifted his opponent by the waist, placed them on his shoulders, and slammed them down with force.

But Richard’s version was even more brutal, as he lifted The Rock—who weighed over 250 pounds—straight into the air.

"That’s insane!"

Henry Johnson exclaimed.

"Wow, he’s like a human dinosaur,"

David Ellison stared in disbelief.

"Richard, finish him!"

Shaq shouted from ringside.

Richard hoisted The Rock and slammed him onto the mat.

The Rock scrambled to his feet, now looking at Richard with fear. He had previously thought Richard was just a great boxer, not much in wrestling.

Now, he realized he had been dead wrong. Richard’s physical abilities were freakishly strong, his muscles hard as steel, and his power overwhelming. Just standing there, he exuded a powerful presence.

The Rock composed himself and circled the ring for half a lap.

"Hit him! Finish him!"

"Richard, finish him!"

The crowd shouted.

The Rock leaned against the ropes, yelling out as he used the momentum to launch himself at Richard.

Richard smirked and charged toward The Rock as well.

Both men extended their arms as they collided, and The Rock grabbed Richard by the neck, trying to set up a running sit-out powerbomb.

But as The Rock made the move, Richard hooked his legs around The Rock’s neck, using the momentum to flip The Rock into the air.

Bam!

The Rock was slammed onto the mat again.

"Whoa!"

The crowd’s eyes widened.

"That was a beautiful move!"

The audience marveled.

"What a shame,"

WWE President Vince McMahon sighed. If only Richard were a wrestler, with his skills, he could easily become a super-superstar.

"Richard’s a monster, doing things better than us,"

The Undertaker commented.

"Good thing he didn’t join the wrestling league. If he had, we’d all be at his mercy,"

Goldberg said.

"Rock, do you still want to keep playing?"

Richard asked with a grin.

The Rock lay on the mat, grimacing. This guy was just too much.

"Can you give me a hand?" The Rock asked.

"Sure."

Richard extended his hand.

Suddenly, The Rock kicked him hard in the chest.

Richard stumbled back, crashing into the ropes.

"Haha, Richard, this move is called ‘All’s Fair in War,’"

The Rock grinned.

Richard smiled slightly, patting his chest. "You’ve successfully pissed me off."

Johnson suddenly had a bad feeling. "How about we call it a truce?"

"Too late!"

Richard charged at Johnson, then suddenly performed a stunning backflip. His legs locked around Johnson's neck, and using the momentum from the spin, he once again slammed Johnson to the ground.

"Whoa!"

The crowd erupted in screams.

"That move was incredible!"

"I need to learn it!"

"I want to be his student."

The wrestling stars in the audience were thrilled. That move could easily make the top three on the WWE's list of best moves.

"Look, quick!"

"Wow!"

On the wrestling ring, Richard lifted Johnson up and forcefully threw him into the crowd of wrestlers. They were startled and quickly reached out to catch him.

"Hey, any of you want to come up next?"

Richard beckoned with a finger.

The group of wrestlers shook their heads. This guy was a beast—no one could take him on alone, unless…

Six wrestling champions exchanged glances, dropped the dazed Johnson, and charged into the ring together.

"Whoa!"

"Richard, I'm here to back you up!"

O'Neal came to help.

(End of chapter)

*Chapter 353: I've Put Up With You for a Long Time*

"Richard Dominates the Wrestling Federation"

"Richard Battles Seven Wrestling Giants Alone"

The next day, an interesting piece of news appeared in major U.S. newspapers.

Yesterday in Las Vegas, boxing champion Richard participated in a WWE wrestling event. At the start, The Rock took down WWE rookie John Cena, then easily subdued Shaquille O'Neal.

At that moment, Richard stepped forward, using a few finishing moves to defeat The Rock.

Then, six WWE wrestling champions took turns trying to take down Richard and restore the wrestlers' honor.

But against Richard, who had wrestling skills on par with theirs but surpassed them in strength and speed, the six wrestling champions were helpless. They used all their signature moves but couldn't force Richard off the stage.

In the end, the wrestling federation arranged an arm-wrestling match, pitting their strongest men, Mark Henry and Big Show, against each other.

It was rumored that Mark Henry had privately fought Richard before and was lightly injured by him.

Mark Henry lost that time, but he didn’t believe his strength was less than Richard's. So this time, he skipped the wrestling and went straight for a clean strength contest.

Mark Henry is a world weightlifting champion, capable of a 430kg raw squat and a 175-pound overhead dumbbell press in 2002. He's known as the world's second-strongest man.

The strongest man is Richard.

A strength showdown between the first and second strongest men was bound to be thrilling.

The organizers set up an arm-wrestling table in the ring, and as they were about to begin, Richard announced that he would challenge both men at the same time, not just Mark Henry but also Big Show.

Big Show stands 7 feet tall and weighs 400 pounds. He can push a truck with both hands and is no weaker than Mark Henry in WWE arm-wrestling matches.

When the arm-wrestling started, Richard faced a strongman on each side. At first, he was at a disadvantage, with both men nearly pinning his wrists.

Just as he was about to lose, Richard let out a roar and straightened his wrists. With one final push, he slammed both their arms onto the table, defeating WWE's two biggest strongmen and winning the crowd's applause.

“Richard, we’re friends, right?”

In the hotel restaurant, Shaq was munching on some bread, his eyes occasionally glancing at Richard.

Richard was reading a newspaper and looked up at him. “Just say what you want.”

Shaq chuckled and leaned in. “Richard, honesty is key between friends, right? I want to ask you something, and I hope you’ll be truthful.”

Richard took a sip of his milk. “Ask away. If it’s a serious question, I’ll give you a serious answer.”

“Richard, are you human?”

Shaq stared intently at him.

Richard glanced at him, too lazy to respond.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Honestly, I don’t even want to be human anymore. It’s too exhausting. Can you take me to your planet and make me as strong as you?”

Shaq said seriously.

Richard’s mouth twitched. This big guy looked simple, but he was quite the schemer.

“Train harder and stop thinking about nonsense.”

Richard turned another page of the newspaper.

“Richard, are you really human? Can you prove it?” Shaq asked earnestly.

Richard clenched his fist. “Shut up and eat your breakfast, or I’ll make you quiet myself.”

“Alright, alright!”

Shaq shrugged, taking another bite of his bread.

“Richard, didn’t you want me to join your team? If you can make me as strong as you, I’ll agree to join your team.”

“I don’t need you. If I could make others strong, why would I need you?”

Richard chuckled.

“I’m a super center.”

Shaq said proudly.

“Yao from the Rockets isn’t bad either.”

Richard smiled.

Shaq curled his lips. “Richard, the newspapers say you’re an alien, maybe Superman’s cousin. Some even think you’re a genetically modified human, like Captain America or Black Widow, altered in a lab.”

“I’m more inclined to believe the latter. Richard, I want to be genetically enhanced too. Do you know any channels for that?”

Shaq wiped his eyes with his fingers, his eyes suddenly turning red.

“Richard, I’m 32 years old now. My physical condition isn’t what it used to be. I want to return to my peak. Can you help me?”

Seeing the onions on the table, Richard was speechless. This guy would make a great actor.

“Stop fantasizing. If I had that kind of technology, would I still be sitting here eating breakfast? If there were really genetic serums, superheroes would be flying around, and the world would be in chaos. My strength comes from over 20 years of training. Understand?”

“I trained too,” Shaq retorted.

Richard shook his head. “You don’t train enough. Last time we trained together, I was going to teach you some techniques, but you couldn’t even last half an hour. And you still think you can get stronger?”

Shaq blinked, feeling a bit wronged.

The last time he trained with Richard, he saw the guy doing squats with over 300 pounds, jumping rope and doing frog jumps with 200-pound weights strapped on. It was insane, not human.

What was worse, the guy expected him to train the same way.

Shaq tried for a bit, but after just five minutes, he was panting, his bones nearly breaking. In the end, he had to crawl away, or he might not have made it out alive.

“Richard, do you think eating your flesh would work?”

“Fatty, I’ve put up with you long enough.”

Richard grabbed Shaq by the collar. “You better shut up, or I’ll knock you out.”

“Okay, okay! Don’t get mad. I was just kidding.”

Shaq grinned.

Richard gave him a glare and let go.

At the same time, he made a mental note to keep a lower profile in the future. If he wasn’t careful, people might start treating him like a prized piece of meat.

“Richard…”

“Eat your food!”

When the steak arrived, Richard dug in, devouring his breakfast in no time.

After WWE, besides the buzz around his domination of the wrestling federation, Richard’s personal sports brand “Richard Sports” also garnered significant attention.

On one hand, his influence was huge, drawing attention to his brand. On the other, the brand’s marketing team and Nike’s marketing department launched an overwhelming promotional campaign.

Richard and Shaq wore “R” branded sportswear on stage, showcasing the design and style of the clothing.

Later, Richard wore the gear during intense wrestling matches, highlighting the quality and athletic functionality of the apparel.

After the promotional campaign began, Richard Sports products quickly gained popularity, with many people online expressing interest in buying them and asking where they could get them.

The brand announced that the new products would be available on January 1, 2005, at Nike stores in the “Richard Sports” section, as well as on eBay and Amazon. Items included T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more, priced similarly to Nike’s sportswear range.

After the brand’s heavy promotion, Richard did a few more events but didn’t involve himself much further.

Christmas arrived, and he returned to New York to celebrate.

---

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 354: Christmas*

At the Blythe Manor, the living room was brightly lit.

Logs crackled in the fireplace, and an animated show was playing on the TV.

Mrs. Bündchen sat cross-legged on the sofa, flipping through a magazine, and said, "You're a father now. Don't get into fights on stage anymore, or Louis might pick up your bad habits."

"I got it. From now on, unless it's a boxing match, I won't raise my hands."

Richard was sitting on the carpet, playing with blocks alongside Louis.

Mrs. Bündchen glanced up, "Why are you suddenly so obedient?"

Richard smiled, "When have I ever not been obedient?"

"You’ve always been disobedient."

Mrs. Bündchen chuckled.

"Mom, I—I’m obedient," Louis piped up, lifting his head.

"I know, my little Louis is the best," Mrs. Bündchen said, bending down to ruffle his hair.

"That’s something he gets from me," Richard joked.

Mrs. Bündchen gave him a side-eye. "So, how are we spending Christmas?"

"You tell me, I’m all ears."

Richard grinned.

"We could invite Susan and Alvin over."

"Sure. How about we rent a plane to bring Caroline and Conrad here? By the way, wasn’t Patrícia supposed to visit sometime soon? Where is she?"

"My parents can skip this year; my sister’s whole family is around, and it’s just too much trouble. As for Patrícia, forget about her. Ever since she got a boyfriend, she’s practically forgotten she has family. All that love I gave her, wasted."

Mrs. Bündchen huffed in dissatisfaction.

Richard chuckled, "Have you met Patrícia’s boyfriend? I’m curious what kind of guy she’d pick."

"No, I haven’t. Patrícia won’t tell me anything. Every time I ask, she dodges the question. Next time she shows up, I’m getting answers, one way or another."

Mrs. Bündchen cracked her knuckles menacingly.

"Louis! Louis! Auntie’s back!" A voice suddenly called from outside, followed by the sound of quick footsteps.

Richard and Mrs. Bündchen turned to see Patrícia rushing in, bundled in a long down coat, her long, wavy hair cascading over her shoulders. She looked a bit more mature than before, with a city-girl vibe.

"Louis, Auntie missed you so much!"

Patrícia swooped down and hugged little Louis.

Louis, with wide eyes, looked bewildered at the whirlwind of a woman in front of him.

"Don’t be ridiculous. It’s been three months since you last came around; Louis probably doesn’t even recognize you anymore," Mrs. Bündchen said, tugging her away.

"Louis, do you remember Auntie? Three months ago, I taught you to walk, and you bumped your head!"

"Can you stop? Have you eaten?" Mrs. Bündchen asked, brushing snowflakes off Patrícia's coat.

"Nope! I knew you’d have something delicious here, so I made sure to come hungry," Patrícia said, clinging to Mrs. Bündchen’s arm playfully.

"You glutton!" Mrs. Bündchen called the chef to start preparing dinner.

"Patrícia, where’s your boyfriend? Why didn’t you bring him to meet us?"

Richard handed her a cup of hot coffee.

"Do you want to meet him?" Patrícia smiled, cradling the cup.

"When will you bring him over?"

"He’s right outside."

Patrícia pointed toward the door.

Richard and Mrs. Bündchen exchanged a glance. "You left him outside while you came in?"

"Yep. He’s carrying the presents I brought for Louis, and he’s walking slowly. I wasn’t going to wait in the cold."

Patrícia kicked off her coat and plopped down on the sofa.

Richard shook his head and walked outside.

It had been snowing heavily in New York all day, leaving a thick blanket of white over the gardens and driveway. The entire estate looked like a winter wonderland, covered in snow.

On a path through the landscaping, a man in a wool suit was slowly making his way through the snow, carrying several gift bags.

"That girl Patrícia, always so willful," Mrs. Bündchen muttered.

Richard chuckled, "Maybe that’s love."

"Hey, Richard! Gisele! Merry Christmas!" the man on the path called out, waving.

Richard was momentarily stunned.

"Orlando?"

Mrs. Bündchen’s brow furrowed tightly—it was indeed Orlando Bloom.

"Yep, it’s me," Orlando grinned.

"Are you... Patrícia’s boyfriend?" Richard asked, confused.

"Yes, surprised? We’ve been dating for six months. Sorry for keeping it a secret; Patrícia wanted to keep it private," Orlando said as he reached the steps.

Mrs. Bündchen clenched her fists, looking upset. Patrícia was going to get an earful.

"Orlando, come in!"

——

"So, how did you two end up together?" Richard asked as they sat by the fireplace, offering Orlando a cup of coffee.

"You have yourself to thank for that," Orlando laughed. "Remember that beach party last time? Patrícia and I exchanged numbers, and we kept in touch. She’s a wonderful girl—lively, beautiful, and full of energy. Just my type."

"After chatting for a couple of months, I went to Columbia University to confess my feelings to her.

But she turned me down, saying she didn’t want to date anyone in the entertainment industry."

"And then?" Richard asked.

In the next room, Mrs. Bündchen was glaring at Patrícia, arms crossed.

"You better come clean," she said sternly.

"Come on, sis, don’t be so serious," Patrícia pleaded, hugging her sister. "At first, I didn’t think much of him. Sure, he’s good-looking, but he didn’t seem to have much else going for him. But he kept calling and visiting me every weekend. After six months, I thought, ‘He’s not so bad,’ so I gave him a chance."

"You’ve interned at a newspaper and TV station; you know how things are in the entertainment world. Actors always have scandals, blurred lines between on-set romances and real life. It’s messy. Dating someone in that world won’t be easy for you," Mrs. Bündchen warned.

"I know all that. I’m prepared for heartbreak. You can’t get strong without going through a few bad relationships first. Don’t worry about me, sis. I’ll take care of myself."

Patrícia laughed lightly.

"So you see relationships as a learning experience?" Mrs. Bündchen asked, pinching her sister’s cheek.

"No, no! If he’s serious, I’ll be serious. If he’s playing around, I’ll play along too. I’m not as naive as you think," Patrícia puffed out her cheeks.

"Playing around? Only fools talk like that," Mrs. Bündchen flicked her forehead and walked out.

"Orlando, are you serious about Patrícia?" Richard asked, back by the fireplace.

"Yes. I’ve dated a couple of actresses before, and it wasn’t a good experience," Orlando admitted. "But with Patrícia, I feel happy and relaxed. I really like being with her, so I’m serious."

"Patrícia isn’t in the entertainment industry. If your relationship goes public, it could have a huge impact on her life, maybe even hurt her," Richard cautioned.

"I’ll protect her," Orlando promised.

"Alright then," Richard said, though he still felt protective of Patrícia like she was his own sister. He wanted her to have a stable life. Even though he wasn’t thrilled about her dating someone from Hollywood, he could only wish them well.

"Brother-in-law, dinner’s ready!" Patrícia called from the other room.

"Why didn’t you call for Orlando too?" Richard asked with a smile.

"No need. He’ll come on his own," Patrícia replied.

Richard chuckled. "Orlando, Patrícia’s a bit mischievous. You might have your hands full in the future."

"I know. I love that about her," Orlando said with a happy smile.

Richard raised an eyebrow, surprised to see such devotion.

——

(End of chapter)

Chapter 355: Golden Globe Awards Ceremony

Around Christmas, New York experienced three days of snowfall, transforming Central Park into a winter wonderland.

During these snowy days, Richard and Bündchen invited several friends in New York to celebrate Christmas together.

Initially, he also invited Ms. Theron, hoping she'd bring little Annie, which was Bündchen’s suggestion. However, Ms. Theron declined, but Mrs. Martinez showed up with her family instead.

Richard didn’t press further and spent two days in Los Angeles after Christmas, playing with little Annie.

After Christmas, National Treasure was released during the New Year holiday season. This was Richard's fourth film of 2004. Originally scheduled for a holiday release, it was postponed because his movie The Bourne Supremacy was dominating the box office, so releasing National Treasure at that time didn’t make sense.

The film, with a $100 million budget, earned $88.2 million in its opening weekend and took the top spot at the box office, with projections pointing to a North American gross of over $200 million.

Richard earned $20 million plus 10% of North American box office revenue, likely totaling over $40 million for this film.

With National Treasure as his fourth film, adding to the $165 million from Fast and Furious 3, $275 million from Troy, and $310 million from The Bourne Supremacy, Richard’s 2004 films grossed $950 million in North America, surpassing last year's $910 million.

Unsurprisingly, he was again named 'Box Office King of 2004' and 'Most Commercially Valuable Actor' by The Hollywood Reporter.

In early January, the nominations for the 62nd Golden Globe Awards were announced, and films from New Century Pictures received five nominations.

Hotel Rwanda earned three nominations: Best Drama, Best Actor in a Drama, and Best Original Song. Monster received two: Best Actress and Best Screenplay.

Richard himself earned two nominations: Best Actor for The Bourne Supremacy and Best Supporting Actor for Troy.

"Why did I get a Best Actor nomination?" Richard asked while reading the newspaper.

"No idea. We focused on the Oscars and didn’t put much into the Golden Globes. But they nominated you because your performance was great and deserved recognition," Anthony said with a smile.

Richard nodded. "What are our chances with the Oscars?"

"Best Supporting Actor for Troy looks solid," Anthony replied.

Richard's performance in Troy had been widely praised, making the campaign easier.

"What about Sally’s chances for Best Actress?" Richard asked.

"We’re still working on it. She should get a nomination, but winning will be tough. Hilary Swank’s performance in Million Dollar Baby was outstanding, and Annette Bening and Kate Winslet are also strong competitors," Anthony analyzed.

"Keep pushing. I’ll give you an additional $2 million for the campaign. We’ll also attend some Wall Street gatherings in the next few days to gather more support."

"Got it!" Anthony nodded. Hollywood's connection with Wall Street runs deep, and major studios thrive with Wall Street's financial backing. Tapping into that network is often quicker and more effective.

On January 16th, the 62nd Golden Globe Awards ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, and Richard attended as a guest.

However, he left empty-handed.

Best Drama went to The Aviator, and Best Actor in a Drama was awarded to Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in The Aviator.

Best Actress in a Drama went to Hilary Swank for Million Dollar Baby.

Best Supporting Actor was awarded to Clive Owen for Closer, and Clint Eastwood won Best Director for Million Dollar Baby.

Richard and New Century Pictures left with no wins.

While a bit disappointed, Richard wasn’t overly upset—it was expected since they hadn’t done much campaigning.

"Let’s go home and put Annie to bed," Ms. Theron said, elegantly dressed, as she approached Richard at the after-party.

"Alright," Richard said, bidding farewell to Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and Brad Pitt before leaving the hotel with Ms. Theron.

"I hope we don’t walk away empty-handed at the Oscars. Otherwise, I’ll skip the next awards season altogether," Richard said while sitting in the car.

Ms. Theron chuckled. "Aren’t you satisfied with two nominations?"

"No, I’m not. We sat in the hotel for over an hour and didn’t win a single trophy. It feels like a waste of time."

"Why rush? We’re still young. With just a couple of nominations, we’re already doing well. After a few more, we’ll have our chances," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

Richard smiled, stroking her hair. "I don’t care much about trophies. I used to act for money and fame, but now that I have both, I don’t feel the need to chase awards. If you love acting, though, you should go after a few trophies."

"Alright, if I don’t win this time, I’ll definitely win next time," Ms. Theron said, playfully pumping her fists.

"You might not need to wait. The Oscars are still a possibility," Richard said.

When they got home, little Annie was already asleep. Richard watched over her for a while before Ms. Theron dragged him off to shower and sleep.

After two days in Los Angeles, Richard headed to Boston to prepare for filming The Departed with the crew.

This movie is an adaptation of a Hong Kong film, telling the story of undercover agents planted within both a gang and the police force.

Richard plays Colin, who was born in a rough New York neighborhood. In the '80s, his family was killed by drug dealers, and after joining the police, he was sent to infiltrate a drug kingpin’s operation to gather intelligence. He eventually helps the police catch the kingpin but sacrifices his own life in the process.

When Richard first got the script, he felt that his own life experiences closely mirrored the character’s: both grew up in violent, turbulent neighborhoods, both faced childhood hardships, and both had cooperated with law enforcement.

He didn’t find it difficult to step into the role.

"Richard, do you have any recommendations for the female lead?" Brad Pitt asked. Like Richard, Brad was an investor and co-star in the film, while Richard also served as a producer.

"No, if you have someone in mind, go for it."

The female lead is a psychologist who has relationships with both the main characters. The role required someone beautiful, poised, with a modern urban vibe, and good acting chops.

Among the people Richard knew, Ms. Theron, Gwyneth Paltrow, Naomi Watts, and Liv Tyler all fit the bill. But he was past the stage of giving roles to his significant others. He preferred simply paying them—it was more straightforward and effective.

"Alright," Brad said.

In the end, Brad didn’t choose anyone, leaving the role to the casting director.

Since the film starred two A-listers, the casting choices were limited—performances couldn’t be subpar, and the actress needed to be at least a B-list star.

After much deliberation, the director’s team chose Liv Tyler, whose performances in The Aviator and National Treasure were well-received. With The Lord of the Rings series under her belt, she had also become a leading actress, making her a fitting choice for the female lead.

With everything in place, the production began filming in Boston in late January.

(End of chapter)