Soubriquet Rouge

From The Great Outdoor Fight

The Soubriquet Rouge, also referred to archaically as the "Name Writ in Blood", is simply an assumed name a contestant may use when registering for the Great Outdoor Fight. Many contestants over the years have taken assumed names to protect themselves, family, friends, reputations and important associations; thus it has been a great tradition since the Fight's inception never to question a contestant's name except when determining lineage. The soubriquet is generally used only for the Fight and is never changed, though there is nothing explicitly forbidding it. An infamous exception is the Second Judas incident of 1976.

This usage originated in 1966, when Fight announcer Bob Raffles used it in his description of Fight legend "Fresh" Freddy Fiero. Initial confusion kept contestants declaring their "name writ in blood" until 1972, when Phillip Brannigan, despite using his real name, proudly declared himself as "fighting under the soubriquet rouge of Lord Brannigan". Brannigan's natural charisma and gentlemanly demeanor gave the term the nobility Raffles had originally intended. By the very next year, the relatively vulgar "name writ in blood" all but disappeared from popular use except when referring to the earliest Fights.

Unfortunately, as with "name writ in blood" before it, the meaning of this term has been diminished by the confusion between a mere pseudonym and the true Soubriquet Rouge. Most contestants' soubriquets serve no more purpose but to hide his/her identity or intimidate opponents. These should be identified as such and not confused with the real thing.

The true Soubriquets Rouges are given to contestants and then assumed by them. They do not choose them. Almost always, they start as nicknames but ultimately become part of that contestant's identity as an Outdoor Fighter. Some are earned badges of honour, like Pine Box Pyrell, while others are brands of shame (again, Paul Holmes). Many describe physical characteristics, such as "Young" Jude Surrency's age, or accomplishments, but anything of note about a contestant's self or actions may cause him to be given a soubriquet. A contestant's true Soubriquet Rouge may thereafter be used to register in combination with or in place of his/her real name or normal pseudonym.

Some contestants are so renowned (or infamous), that their names stand apart. These Soubriquets Rouges Légendaires are traditionally retired. All contestants are warned, even if they are B.O.C., not to register under these names. There may be another man with a vice-like grip, but there is only one Grip Brown. Another man from Detroit may become a Champion, but there is only one Motor City Massacre. There will only ever be one Man With The Blood On His Hands. Ironically enough, rumour has it that even he originally fought under a "mere" pseudonym. Obviously, the greatest soubriquet any contestant can earn is that of "Last Man Standing", given only to the Champion of that years fight.

Though the records and rules say nothing about it, the few people who have tried to falsely register under a Soubriquet Rouge Légendaire have all mysteriously disappeared or dropped out prior to the first day. Stories and legends surround this phenomenon, ranging from the plausible (the Jeeps got to 'em) to the mythological (the names of the Fight's gods shall not be taken in vain). No one claims to know the truth.