Blog: Una serie de eventos desafortunado the 27th: Causa y efecto IX: La retrospección es 50/50/A Series of Unfortunate Events the 27th: Cause & Effect IX: Hindsight is 50/50
semana del 11 al 18 de septiembre de 2 0 1 6
Two weeks, two wins.
This one, though, I'm probably going to cherish a little more. Why? Because for the first time in almost four months, I can claim a victory over Samantha Marlowe without wondering “what if'?, without second guessing myself, without a single doubt in my mind that there was a winner. You have no idea how relieved I am that our match finally had a definite conclusion. I can now sleep peacefully at night, counting sheep, and finally put to bed and put to rest this long, drawn out melodrama behind me. I can move on to more important things.
Like my upcoming match at Violent Conduct III in less than two weeks. Given that I didn't know whether I would be on the card until the 11th hour, I'm a little surprised to learn I'm also going to be in a title match. Surprise, surprise.
That I'm facing Melody Grace and Samantha Marlowe? I'm over the moon. I mean, Melody Grace...this is the girl who was chasing my singles unpinned/unsubmitted streak. Delia, Mikah, Lucy and Natalie all tried to break my 434-day run, and only Mikah came really close, falling short by eight days. Melody returned in March and was like a woman possessed, going almost six months without tasting defeat. Unfortunately, though, the streak had to end eventually. I wish I was the one to do it, but fate had other plans. So, now, Melody is coming off her first loss ever, but if I know her like I think I do, she's going to come back better and stronger and hope to bounce back by retaining at the supercard. Oh, if it were so easy. I'll go as far as to say I was the only legitimate threat to her title reign, but now that she's got twice the pressure? She's going to need to bring more than her A-game to Ottawa because I'm going to avenge my title loss to her three weeks ago and Samantha isn't somone to take lightly.
With Samantha, though, it's like someone pulled a Freaky Friday on us. Just three months ago, I was on a downward spiral, stuck in this winless streak with no end in sight. Now, I'm on a roll and Sam hasn't been too hot lately after she lost her third match in a row and now she's stuck in a five-match singles winless streak. I've beaten her twice, Crystal beat her for the title and Roxi defeated her not too long ago. What's going on? Like myself, she didn't know whether she would be on the card, but cautioned that whoever she faced is going to have to be ready for this cowgirl. After the outcome of our match, the fans are wondering whether she's ready to get back on the horse.
I know two wins in the row isn’t enough to pull me out of the hole I've dug but it’s a start. CC 159 may have been the hardest match I've ever won, but my hardest match is yet to come. I've suffered some setbacks along the way, but I'm a better person for it.
Hindsight is knowing where you've been, foresight is knowing where you're going, and insight when you've gone too far.
Thing is, I didn't come this far just to come this far.
When people see an obstacle, I see possibilities. And possibilities are endless.
~ ~ ~
Momento de claridad XXII: No es cómo empiezas.../Moment of Clarity XXVIII: It's Not How You Start...
13 de septiembre 2 0 1 6 ♦ TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
[Mercedes Vargas has a lot to smile about.]
“Lionel Messi came to his senses and ended his brief retirement, my New York Giants finally beat Dallas on opening weekend, and, well, I've been on a roll lately. All good things.”
[It helps that Messi, who announced his retirement following Argentina's loss in the Copa America final to Chile on June 26 for the second year in a row only to change his mind after heavy convincing by fans and the country alike one week later and announcing his return to the nation team on August 12, scored the game-winning goal in Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Uruguay on September 1, and that those same New York Giants were fortunate that Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams was lost in the moment that he forgot to run out of bounds and time ran out on the Cowboys. Trailing 16-13 in a back-and-forth contest with their division rivals, Eli Manning thew the game winning touchdown for the Giants, finding Victor Cruz over the middle for the 3-yard score. Vargas was doing the wide receiver's salsa dance before holding her breath in the game's final moments. The third, part, though, was all Vargas. Late Sunday, she went on to topple Samantha Marlowe at Climax Control 159, the final show before the Violent Conduct III supercard, in Toronto, Ontario, for her second win in a row. It's her first time winning back-to-back matches since last September.]
“I think things are starting to turn around. You win two matches in a row and you think you can beat anybody.”
[With wins over Amy Marshall and Samantha Marlowe in back-to-back weeks, Vargas has convinced SCW officials enough to place her on the card for Violent Conduct, which would be her second appearance since her debut at this event two years ago and keep her supercard streak intact, now at 22 straight supercards since her first appearance at Into the Void II on June 23, 2013. She trails only Roxi Johnson, who will be making her 25th straight. The pair have appeared on more consecutive supercards than any Bombshell in SCW history. Johnson will look to make history by becoming the third Bombshell to complete the Grand Slam next weekend. Amy Marshall was the first to do so on July 26, 2015. Vargas was the most recent to complete the accomplishment on May 15, 2016. In her 38th career title, she'll try to become the third two-time Bombshell Internet Champion and win her overall 9th championship, but it won't be easy against two of the future stars in the division in co-challenger Samantha Marlowe and the champion Melody Grace.]
“It's another one of those 'youth versus experience' matches and the fans are going to see who's the best. For me, I know I'm going to have my hands full keeping up with two of the brightest stars in the division, but you know what? I'm looking forward to the challenge as I'm sure they are. I've gone back-and-forth with Sam close to four months now and Melody and I had a hard fought match three weeks ago that came pretty close. Ahead of our match, though, I'm the one with the most momentum right now and I'm looking to continue that and walk out a six-time singles champion.”
[While confident, Vargas hasn't forgotten how badly this year has been for her. That realization has kept her grounded and it will take another weekend of heroics to play spoiler in her fourth match in six weeks. Vargas got her groove back, but she always keeps an old saying at hand.]
“I stumbled out of the gate this year and I've never recovered, but sometimes it's not about how you start, it's how you finish. I'm going to make the best of the last ten shows of the year and it starts in Ottawa, Ontario.”
~ ~ ~
Blog: Una serie de eventos desafortunado the 28th: Causa y efecto X/A Series of Unfortunate Events the 28th: Cause & Effect X
semana del 11 al 18 de septiembre de 2 0 1 6
When I came into this industry, I was simply looked at as arm candy or, worse, just another one of those wrestlers good enough to roll around in the ring and bad enough to botch a cat fight. And maybe where I came from led them to think that. I'll admit that wrestling wasn't my first choice of a career, I didn't live, eat and sleep wrestling at the start, I wasn't the typical die-hard fan who camped out in front of their living room TV every Monday night. I just fell into it, took a three-year hiatus into modelling and acting, then circled around to take it seriously and never looked back. Still, when it comes to wrestling, especially women's wrestling, you fall into two distinct groups: diva or wrestler.
A few years ago, it was a hot debate in wrestling circles, but it still continues even today. Some of us are here for different reasons. Some girls are here for the sex appeal and to entertain the all-important 18-34 male demographic; others want to collect a paycheck and use wrestling as a stepping stone to success and just didn't care at all. Hey, not all of us can stomach busing tables at Hooters or leaving our self esteem at the door to work at the strip club or have an adult entertainment career, which, if you think about it, are pretty lucrative in themselves, but you get my point. And there are those who are doing it for their family or see this profession as a way to lash out against their perceived slight in their lives. Such is the quilt of wrestling.
I've been in this business for 7 years. And, no, it hasn't beem 7 years of bad luck, or good luck. It's been 7 years of hard work, determination, and proving my mettle in a man's world. I didn't want to be just another diva on some guy's arm valeting them down to the ring. I wanted to jump in a ring and mix it up with some of the best in the world. While looks can take you far and talent can make up for it, I wish I could tell you my path was easy. It wasn't. My success in this business is a testament that I have the drive, the desire and the determination to be the best.
~ ~ ~
Momento de claridad XXIX: Caminos difíciles a menudo conducen a destinos hermosos /Moment of Clarity XXIX: Difficult Roads Often Lead to Beautiful Destinations
17 de septiembre de 2016 ♦ NEW YORK, NEW YORK
[REC•]
“SCW Violent Conduct returns to pay-per-view for the first time in two years. And we don't have very long to wait now, do we?”
[Mercedes walks up to the camera, wearing a New York Giants hat and Mercedes t-shirt. It's late afternoon and we see her walking across the Brooklyn Bridge in NYC. She walks down the white line in the pedestrian walkway.]
“We're a little less than a week away, eight days or so, and already people are getting their tickets, booking their trip for that night in Ottawa, Ontario. It's going to be a great night, for sure. I can't believe the Canadian tour is almost over. I mean, we've been to some of the hottest spots in and around Canada. From Vancouver to Calgary to Toronto, and it's not even hockey season yet. But, alas, all good things, right?”
[From behind two bikers yell something inaudible at her and she casually steps aside as they ride by.]
“Anyway, I didn't even know I was going to have to book my third trip on this tour until I found out that, yes, I will be on the supercard, so, I'm happy about that. Especially my upcoming match against Melody Grace and Samantha Marlowe with the Bombshell Internet Title up for grabs. Do I think I deserve to compete in another title match? Given my record, not this soon and especially not after Summer XXXtreme.”
[She furrows a brow as she quickly realized something.]
“Come to think of it, I've competed in nothing but title matches at every pay-per-view this year. Isn't that crazy? As far as Violent Conduct goes, I heard somewhere that this title match was supposed to be one-on-one between Samantha and Melody, but after beating Sam at the go-home show, this is now a triple threat. It's funny because there was a time when Sam was supposed to face Crystal one-on-one, but whoops, I beat Sam and our match at Into the Void was a triple threat for the World Bombshell Title and we all know what happened in Tokyo. Does that mean Sammi is going walk out of Ottawa with a new title? That remains to be seen, but I'm sure the champion would have something to say about that, right, Melody?”
[Of course she would, otherwise she wouldn't be the champion. Mercedes stops, crossing her arms and now giving the camera her full attention.]
“Since you came back you've been on fire, you've cut through the division like a hot knife through butter and you've had a nice little run with the belt, no question about that. How long have you held the title, three-plus months now? You tied Alexis' record for most title defenses, you surpassed your first 100 days three days ago and if you retain, you're well on your way to becoming the longest reigning champion, too. You said you wanted to be the best Bombshell ever. What better way to own the longest reign ever? You reached one of your goals. It's just too bad that your reign hasn't gotten off the ground, and that's a shame. Maybe these title open challenges will change all that. Now, I'm not sure if this triple threat is part of that, but imagine what I had to go through if I wanted a rematch with you.”
[Walking around Central Park at lunchtime, Mercedes is deeply engaged into her cellphone, following GPS coordinates like one would be doing playing Pokemon Go. She barely pays attention to what's going around her, bumping into passerby who step out her way, brushes her aside or give her nastly looks.]
“OK, a few more feet and I'll finally capture this water-type Pokemon, and we're golden.”
QUACK!
[Snapping to her senses, Mercedes trains her eyes to...]
“Dexter?”
[Or so she thought. California was a long way from New York and while most ducks can fly, few can't. No way this could be Melody's pet duck running around Central Park. Mercedes decides to investigate.tried to scare the bird off using a stick but whatever she did, the duck would counter. Mercedes tried to hit the crane on the head, but the duck moved its head out of the way and blocked the stick with its wings. She tried to hit the duck's wings, but the he stepped to the side and blocked the stick with its claws. Mercedes tried to poke the his body, but the duck dodged backwards and struck the stick with its beak. From then on, Mercedes knew it was not Melody's duck.]
“Alright, you win.”
“Afflack!”
[Nope, not Dexter at all.]
[Mercedes is in the middle of a game of online chess and she's getting beat badly. It wasn't long before her queen was captured, ending the match. Shaking her head in dismay, Mercedes reaches for the mouse to exit the game before a message popped up on the screen. She noticed the handle had a picture of J2H's right hand man, Simpson.]
LOL I PWN THIS NOOB! PATHETIC!
[Mercedes gives off a “what the hell” look as the scene cuts.
[Mercedes at home...]
“I'm so bored. I wish I could move so far away, I can brag about it. I would rather play hopscotch, through traffic on the 405, than living where I do know.”
[]Mercedes flips on the television as an infomercial comes on.]
Announcer: (on TV) Do you wish you can move so far away you can brag about it? Would you rather play hopscotch through traffic on the 101...
Mercedes:...405
Announcer: (on TV) 405 than living where you do now?
[A basketball court. We see a group of men, twentysomethings, playing a pickup game. As if on cue, they stop playing once they noticed the camera and one of the players, wearing a baseball cap backwards, walks up to deliver a message.]
Man I was just a total loser living in my parent's basement, eating ramen and getting fat chicks. Now thanks to J2Hism, I'm WINNING!
[He whistles and a basketball is thrown to him. He looks behind him than faces away from the basket and tosses the ball without looking. The shot clearly misses everything, a classic airball. Everyone else, though, could be heard hollering and whooping it up behind him as if he made the trick shot. In jubilation he turns around and gets daps and fistpounds before two models ease up next to him.]
Man Thanks, J2H!
[The man gives a thumbs up before the scene cuts.]
Mercedes: Hmm...
[And we're back.]
“You and Mikah don't like each other, and it's clear to see even after the great match you had at the go-home show. But when it come to you and I, that remains to be seen. Let's reset f0r a moment. So, you're a couple of months into your title reign and here you are wondering why people haven't been coming your way for challenges, and I'm with you, it's a crying shame you're not getting the recognition you deserve. Amy comes along, challenges you to a match and you beat her twice to retain your title. And then came Summer XXXtreme and the interview heard 'round the world.”
[Mercedes makes a circle motion over her head.]
“The night you told the world how you really felt about the Bombshells Division. The next week, I took it upon myself to respond to your comments and even though I was part of the main event match at the supercard, I accepted your challenge. And when PW asked you about a response, you didn't even let her finish. You laughed off my challenge, like I was nothing. Like I was a scrub or some broad off the street. But you know who had the last laugh? It wasn't you. It was me. Because I think we both know, Melody, that if my knee didn't give out, you wouldn't still be walking around Bombshell Internet Champion, Mikah would have been your second loss this year, and maybe, just maybe, those Hollywood dreams would have been calling you a lot sooner.”
[Who would want to pass up on a lucrative acting career? To star opposite of a three-time World Heavyweight Champion like Drake Green in his next blockbuster film was an opportunity that came once in a lifetime. To stay because of her loyal fanbase or leave her blossoming wrestling career must have been a difficult choice for Melody to make. But there was one other issue that didn't sit right with Mercedes.]
“For someone who likes to tell people to stay in their lane, it's difficult to do that when you're the one weaving into traffic. That night, in your little rant, you took everything that this division stood for, everything that we've had to overcome in the last five years and trampled all over it. You took a historic match, the first-ever Bombshells main event at Summer XXXtreme, and made it sound like a match that should been held at some bingo hall. Their matches at the supercard showed that they’re working just as hard, if not harder than anyone in the SCW right now. Maybe it hasn't dawned on you yet what you done. You disrespected a division, the heart and soul of this company and not only did you paint yourself in a corner, you put the division in a box. Does that make you feel good, Melody? You want us to believe that you changed who you are...”
[Mercedes slowly shakes her head side-to-side, still disillusioned and disgusted by Melody's scathing remarks.]
“Yeah, you didn't just changed who you are. You revealed who you are. If it wasn't for this division, you wouldn't even BE here. If it wasn't for Mark Ward doing what he did, you probably wouldn't be holding a title right now, let alone finding the success you've had lately.”
[Those were the most important facts, anyway. She wasn't done yet grilling the current champion, though.]
“If we want to talk about lazy, Roxi Johnson ranks right up there, right? I mean, she's wrestled the most matches of all the girls here and she's on the cusp of being a Grand Slam Champion. Yeah, she's lazy, alright. When it comes to pathetic, it doesn't get any better than Amy Marshall. The first-ever Grand Slam Champion, 2015 Woman of the Year and had the best match and feud of the year, too. Oh, and did I mention she's a Hall of Famer? How about second-rate excuses, huh? Does Natalie McKinley or Kate Steele count?”
[She rolls her eyes and sighs dramatically]
“Because breaking the longest reigning Bombshell Roulette Title reign in history must mean she's not very good, right?”
[With her eyes much wider now, her voice had a sharp edge and there was a lot of passion and intensity behind it.]
“If you're looking for lazy, pathetic, second-rate excuses for Bombshells, brace yourself for a shock. You won't find any at Violent Conduct and you sure as hell won't find any in this triple threat. In eight days, you don't just have the youngest two-time World Bombshell Champion, but the most decorated wrestler in SCW history coming for your title. And if you thought I gave you a scare the last time we met, boy, oh, boy are you going to be in for the fight of your life next weekend. You want to be challenged, you're getting that and a whole lot more. Like Samantha, this is your first match at Violent Conduct and you've got a lot to lose. Double the pleasure, double the fun, double the pressure. They burst pipes or make diamonds, you know. Will you be shining bright or lose steam next weekend? We're going to find out.”
[While Melody had a lot to lose, the same could be said for her other opponent, who haven't been doing too hot lately. Mercedes turns her attention to Samantha Marlowe.]
“Samantha, like I said at the start of this, I didn't know either of us were going to make the card. As it turns out, we both made it, but now we're facing each other again....”
[She pauses, trying to find the right words to say. A long sigh escaped her lips before she elects to continuing.]
“You've beat me twice, I beat you twice, and then there was CC 151 and Summer XXXtreme. We respect one another as rivals and I hate being in this situation but one of us could possibly become the new Bombshell Internet Champion at Melody's expense or if either of us pins the other. Triple threats is more than beating your opponent down, but you have to be one step ahead of them. I have a better record in these kind of matches. Melody is in her first triple threat of her career and while you may have won the last triple threat between us, this is your third. And I know what you're thinking. I've won enough titles, so what's one more win? I haven't won a supercard since I beat Alexis for the Bombshell Internet Title at My Bloody Valentine, I get that, but this is another opportunity to cement my legacy in SCW. It's up to you, and Melody, to stop me.”
[Something had to give. Only one could walk away with the title at Violent Conduct. History sometimes repeats itself, but her opponents could very well alter it.]
“I wasn't favored to beat Amy Marshall, but I did. I wasn't favored in either of my singles matches against Sam Marlowe; I now hold two pinfall victories over her. At December 2 Dismember, I wasn't even favored in the Queen for a Day battle royal; I walked out with the crown and the contract. I wasn't favored to beat Alexis, but not only did I beat her, in my hometown, I might add, I beat her again and ended her Internet Title reign. At Violent Conduct II, I wasn't favored to wallk out of the four-way match, I was with the Mean Girls and the critics thought I had no chance of winning, but I waked out a record-tying three-time Bombshell Roulette Champion, and I beat the former champion two weeks after that. And you know something, I know I won't be favored to win this year either. I don't care, still don't. Because people won't believe what I say, but they will believe what I do.”
[If actions speaks louder than words, a victory in Ottawa would speak volumes.]
““Melody, I hope you're ready because when it comes to big time matches, nobody does it better. You said it yourself. Big Match Mercedes...”
[Upon saying that, she uses both hands and motions at herself.]
“...will be coming into your lane and then leave you into the dust. So if I were you, I wouldn't plan on holding that title for very long.”
[Smiling while saying that, her arrogance was at an all-time high and that is saying something because we never thought that Mercedes could get any more arrogant than what she already was.]
“Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. I'm booking my trip to Ottawa, Ontario again this year. I may be walking in as an underdog, but I'm walking out champion again at Violent Conduct.”
“See you in eight days.”
[With that said, the camera slowly fades out of the shot of Mercedes standing there with renewed confidence before she walks away. The camera stays on to view the East River.]
