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“ BAD GUY ”
Diary Entry #14
December 9th, 2024
Am I the Bad Guy?
It’s something I’ve had to ask myself a lot in the last twenty four hours or so. Especially when that’s all I’ve heard. Social media is always a toxic cesspool to begin with. I try to take most of the things people say on there like a grain of salt, but it hasn’t been so easy this time out. Every comment. Every @ at me. Every DM. I am seeing the same thing over and over again from the fans. They’re saying I’m the bad guy in this situation with Bella and I.
They’re saying that I was out of pocket for some of the things I said. They are saying I lied about having respect for her. They said I discredited Bella and everything she has done to hold the Internet Championship. They’re saying that I have completely changed who I was a year ago. And I don’t think that’s a fair assessment, not even in the least bit. First and foremost, if you’re even remotely the same person you were a year ago. You've got some serious issues.
You should always be looking to grow as a person. You should always be looking for a way to advance yourself to being a better person. So yeah. They’re right in the sense that I am not the same person. I’ve done a lot of growing up. I’ve done some soul searching. I’ve done some things to advance myself as an individual. It’s just the right thing to do. It shouldn’t make me the bad guy in this story at all. And as far as the other stuff goes?
I think it’s fair to assume that the fans have misunderstood quite a few things. Starting off with this idea that I don’t really respect Bella. I get that they have seen a lot of people over the years. Lie about something just to gain someone’s trust. So they could screw them over. Hell, I know that are just used to seeing people lie for the sake of lying. The reality of the world is that most people are shitbags. Anyone else said they respected Bella. Sure, I’d say question them but me?
No, there’s no need. I’m not the type to lie. I’m not the type to need to sucker people in for personal gain later. I meant what I said. I respect Bella. I respect all the hard work she’s put in. I respect every speck of blood, sweat, and tears she has left on a wrestling mat. I respect that as a second generation superstar. She craved her own path rather than had her parents carve it for her. I respect how damn good she is in the ring. I said all of these things and meant them.
I just don’t respect that she calls herself champion. That’s the only thing that I can see you guys twisting and making me out to be the bad guy in. Yes, she fought hard to earn the Internet Championship, but the championship didn’t belong to her or anyone else for that matter. Not when it was mine. I was never pinned. I was never forced to tap out. I was never defeated for that championship. I was forced to vacate it due to an injury someone caused me. And I get that they had to move on when I was hurt.
But in hindsight, it still wasn’t anyone else’s to have other than my own. If we are being even more realistic here. I should have never even had to compete inside that Bombshell Rumble to earn a shot at the championship anyway. The second I was cleared and made the call to come back. A championship match should have been waiting for me. It would have been the right thing to do. That didn’t happen though. I didn’t complain. I didn’t cry about it. I didn’t make demands.
I did the exact opposite of what everyone else would have done. I just went and earned the shot to make sure it couldn’t be denied. But as much flack as I am getting for not letting her have the label of champion and telling her the championship is still technically mine. How come she’s not receiving the same amount of flack for the things she said to me hmm? The way she spoke to me about my injury and just saying what happened happened. Little on the rude side. Little bit on the disrespectful side.
I guess it’s alright for her to say those types of things about something that was rather serious and almost cost me my entire career in the eyes of you fans. Clearly, it’s alright in her eyes to say the things she did. Otherwise she wouldn’t have said them. But I get it. I hurt her feelings and she is right. It did happen, nothing can change it. Injuries are a part of this business. I’m not holding it against her. I’m not saying the things people are saying about me.
In reality as much as it kind of bothers me to hear people paint me to be this bad guy. As much as it bothers me for people to take things out of context and try to spin a certain narrative. As much as it bothers me that the people I thought had my back with my fanbase seemingly turning on me. At the end of the day, I cannot be that upset. It’s something I’ll have to learn to get over. For no other reason than what I said earlier. People grow. They advance. Their opinions change. Hell, even their values change.
That’s just how it works. Not to mention something I have learned in this business. A lot of people tend to turn their backs on you. The moment that you start to stand up for yourself and the moment you stop allowing yourself to be a doormat for others. I got knocked down a year ago, but I got back up and I fought to come back here. Seemingly the fact that I didn’t just stay down or that I didn’t just roll over and die. That’s a problem for people, but its a problem they’ll have to deal with. You see...
To quote from one of my favorite songs and people...
I’m the bad guy.
Duh.
By none other than Billie Eilish.
If people are going to have a problem with me because I didn’t just give up. If people are going to have a problem with me because I fought to come back. If this is how people are going to see me when I went as far as EARNING a shot against what was mine. If that’s how Bella is going to see me after giving her all the respect in the world - aside from calling her the rightful champion. If this is the label that’s going to follow me as I go on to take back my championship... then so be it.
-- Aleesha
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The sound of metal hit the concrete floor just as Fable found herself opening up the basement door. Poking her head inside to see her girlfriend wiping the sweat off her forehead. Aleesha then found herself reaching for the weight belt that was around her waist and tugging on it to undo it.
FABLE: Is it safe to come in with all the muscle Mommy-ness going on?
The sweet voice of Fable caught her by surprise. Aleesha tossed the weight belt down across the weights she had just dropped and offered a smile. Waving her in.
ALEESHA: Of course, babe. Come on in.
Pushing the door open a little more. Fable walked in carrying a plate of freshly baked cookies. The smell of those chocolate chips instantly filled the room. Aleesha instantly looked at that plate with Fable approaching her.
ALEESHA: Chocolate chips?! You know it’s my weakness!
FABLE: I know you’re on a strict diet this week but...
ALEESHA: But it’s a diet I have to keep. Big championship match and all.
FABLE: Oh come on now. It’s just one cookie. One cookie isn’t going to hurt. Not like you’re going to lose those abs over it.
ALEESHA: Ugh... I know I shouldn’t. Those just look so damn good though.
No longer could she resist the temptation of wanting one of those cookies. Reaching for one off the plate. It was so warm. So soft. The chocolate chips were gooey as she broke the cookie in half and placed the first half in her mouth giving it a chew. Fable looking on for some type of validation that it was good, which she got with the response.
ALEESHA: Mmmm!
Taking the other half of the cookie and practically shoveling it in her mouth. Fable found herself smiling a little more. Clearly the cookies were a hit.
FABLE: Well, I'm glad that you’re fond of them!
ALEESHA: Are you kidding me? They’re amazing. But that’s the only one I can allow myself to have. I gotta finish this work out and keep myself focused.
FABLE: I get that. It’s just...
There was a little bit of hesitation on her end. To the point that Fable didn’t finish the statement. Instead opted to shake her head a little bit and start to take a couple steps back towards the door she had just came in a few moments ago.
FABLE: Nevermind, it’s nothing.
ALEESHA: Clearly, it’s not. What’s on your mind?
FABLE: Honestly, it’s nothing. I shouldn’t have even bothered to say anything.
ALEESHA: Fable!
Based on the raise in her voice and the way she put a statement on her name. It was very clear that Aleesha wasn’t going to let it go. Not that Fable should have been surprised by any means. She had started to bring something up and then stopped. That would get under anyone’s skin. Taking a few steps back towards her. She just looked at Aleesha.
FABLE: It’s just that you’ve become quite obsessed with this ... comeback of yours.
ALEESHA: Well what did yo-
FABLE: No, please let me finish. You wanted to hear it. Let me get it all off my chest.
ALEESHA: Fine.
At that moment Aleesha crossed her arms across her chest and just kept a steady gaze on her girlfriend. Fable taking that plate of cookies and just sitting them down on a bench. Turning right back to Aleesha.
FABLE: Listen, I knew what to expect when you told me you were cleared. I knew what to expect when you said you were going to start training again. I knew what to expect when you said you were going to enter that Rumble. I did this wrestling thing for a short bit myself. It becomes an obsession. It becomes an addiction. It becomes everything that you are. And I was supportive of that.
ALEESHA: Then what’s the issue? Because it is sounding a little like you’re becoming less and less supportive.
FABLE: Not at all, but as someone that loves you and is your biggest fan. I’m going to call you out on things when they aren’t right. I don’t think you are aiming to be this way. It’s not like it’s some master plan or grand scheme of things for you. But you’re starting to change as a person.
ALEESHA: Change?!
FABLE: I didn’t stutter. Yes, you’ve started to change.
There was a little narrow in Aleesha’s eyes. Something that was a little bit of a natural thing. People most of the time didn’t like to hear about themselves when there was a chance it had some type of negativity to it.
FABLE: Like I said I don’t think you’re doing it to be malicious or anything like that. However, this change. You’re showing that you have a chip on your shoulder. You’re showing that you’ve got an attitude. You’re sounding bitter. It’s kind of like you’re taking out the injury on anyone and everyone.
ALEESHA: No! I don’t think that’s the case at all. I would take it out on the person that caused it, if she hadn’t been such a coward and decided to run away into the shadows after what she did. And as far as being bitter goes? A chip on my shoulder? A little bit of attitude? Yeah, I am experiencing those things, but look at everything that injury cost me!
FABLE: It cost you a year of your career and it cost you your championship. I get all of that but...
ALEESHA: But nothing. I’m very much justified in being upset. In being bitter, in having an attitude, and having a chip on my shoulder. It’ll stay that way until the championship is back around my waist. Because like I already told Bella. It’s always been mine to begin with.
FABLE: And at the same time you say that. I don’t think you realize that you are discrediting that woman. Discrediting all her hard work and that’s not fair to her.
For the moment there was silence amongst the two of them. Almost to the point it was a little unsettling. Fable has always been the voice of reason amongst their relationship. She was a little more level-headed of the two. Most of the time it was something that Aleesha heard out and something she took into consideration. But this time? It was different. She reached down and grabbed that weight belt again.
ALEESHA: I need to get back to this workout.
FABLE: Oh don’t be like that. I’m not trying to hurt your feelings or make you feel bad.
ALEESHA: Like I said I have to get back to this workout.
FABLE: Aleesha. You’re being a little bit of a...
ALEESHA: A little bit of a what Fable?! Huh?! How else are you going to try and make me feel bad about myself today?
She snapped a little bit. Her eyes really narrowed in Fable’s direction.
ALEESHA: Every time I get online. I see the same comments. How I’m disrespecting her. How I’m discrediting her. How I’m selling her short. How I’m treating her so horribly. Despite telling her to her face that I respect the hell out of her. And now I have to hear it from you? The one person that was supposed to be on my side in all of this!
FABLE: Woah. Let’s pump the brakes a little bit. I am on your side. I am just trying to get you to see that you’re taking things a little too far. It’s become an unhealthy obsession!
ALEESHA: Because I just want to be every bit as good as I was a year ago? Maybe its a little unhealthy, but I can’t help it. Not when this was all ripped away from me!
She began to secure that weight belt back around her waist. Every bit of her securing it and tightening it up was done so in a frustrated and angry manner. Just peering at Fable with a little bit of fire in her eyes.
ALEESHA: What’s crazy about all of this is... if it was Bella doing it to me. Had she been in a situation where she had something taken from her that I had. Had she carried herself the same exact way. Hell, it doesn’t even have to be Bella. It could have been anyone. Doing the same thing to me, no one would bat an eye. No one would say anything about it. No one would come to my defense!
She was letting out all that frustration. Being made out to ve some bad guy that she didn’t believe she was was more than frustrating. She turned her back to Fable and reached down grabbing the metal bar with those heavy weights on each end. Clearly, there was nothing more to say on her end. Fable looking a little on the defeated side. She sighed to herself and grabbed those cookies back off the bench to start heading out of the basement. Leaving Aleesha to her own devices for the time being.
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Twenty four hours from now there was going to be a lot on the line. A lot on the line for SCW’s reigning and defending Bombshell Internet Champion: Bella Madison. As well as a lot on the line for the returning Aleesha Jones. What was on the line variety but either way it would be a lot for the both of them to lose. About that time the scene was starting to roll in.
Right away Aleesha was in the camera view. She sat there at what appeared to be a bar. Sipping on a dark colored beverage. Looking up over her glass to see she was at the mercy of that little red light. Taking that last little bit of her sip. She pulled the glass away from her lips and proceeded to sit it down on the bar in front of her. Addressing the people for the first time.
“ I have thought about our little chat we had a few weeks ago, Bella. ”
Nodding her head just a little bit.
“ To the point that it has something that has crossed my mind at least once a day for the last two weeks. Lots of things were said. Tensions ran a little high. Very good chance some things were taken out of context. We both got a little hot at each other with the way things were worded. However, mutual respect still remained. As it should have. Because that’s the one thing I did really put emphasis on. I respect the hell out of you and I respect the hell out of everything you’ve done. I respect the roads you’ve traveled down. The time, the effort, and energy you’ve put into your career. I respect that you are a woman that will no doubt go down in history as someone that gives it her all. Win, lose, or draw. Very admirable. ”
She put her hands against the bar and pushed the chair back that she had been sitting in. Motioning for the camera crew to follow along. As she took those first few steps away from the bar that led her to the front door. Pushing it open and outside she walked. With the cameras following along.
“ And by no means am I trying to toot my own horn here. Because that’s not what this is about. However, I will say that giving you respect, showing you respect, and saying that I respect you is a hell of a lot more than most of the women in the locker room would do. We both know how that locker room is. Ninety five percent of them have over inflated egos that they don’t even deserve to have in the first place. And then the ones that do have an ego that’s slightly deserved. The moment you pose any kind of threat to them they go off the deep end.
I on the other hand have always been a stand up kind of woman. What you see is what you get with me. You treat me well. You treat me with respect. You’re going to get the same in return. Not to mention, I’m not too into myself where I can’t see when someone else is talented. You got a lot of talent Bella and it has recently paid off. You get all the credit in the world for that, but the one thing that keeps crossing my mind. The one thing I have thought about over and over again. The one thing I keep coming back to when it comes to our conversation is what you said about being a ... transitional champion. ”
Aleesha paused for a moment. Lifting her eyebrow up just a little bit. Almost as if she was confused, but at the same time with the amount of focus that was put on them. It made one have to assume there was a lot more to say on her end about the manner. They would be right.
“ Your exact words to me were: you were not about to be a transitional champion. And for those that might be a little behind on the curb with that terminology. It just means someone that holds the championship for a very temporary amount of time. Someone who usually has the championship long enough until someone far more deserving and talented comes along to take it. Now with that being said, Bella. That statement was odd to me. Very odd. Because at no point did I ever say anything to make you feel that way. I never even said that to you. The only thing that I said that maybe could be taken as negative is when I said I don’t consider you a champion right this second. Not when it comes to the championship sitting on your shoulder. Something that I had every right to tell you to your face. But that’s all I said. Nothing about being a transitional champion, However since you went there. That tells me only one thing... ”
That pause had Aleesha’s eyes narrowing just a little bit.
“ It tells me that you think that about yourself. It tells me you believe that about yourself. It tells me that you’re not that confident in yourself or your abilities despite what you’re willing to say. However we both know that actions always speak louder than words. If you are so quick to jump to that conclusion. If you’re so quick to bring that up and to think that’s where this is headed. Then it seems pretty obvious to me that it’s going to be very hard for you to actually prove yourself. But that does beg the question as to why that thought has creeped into your mind, doesn’t it?
Why did you suddenly lose all confidence in yourself that you’ve had all this time? Why did you suddenly start to feel less than what you are deep down? Why is there a sudden shift in your mentality, Bella? Let me take a stab at things shall I? Is it because right out the gate you have yourself a worthy challenger? You see it seems to be a trend around here with most champions. They like to defend their championships in win-win situations. They like to get a couple of those easy title defenses under their best to add to their over inflated ego.
Now don’t get it twisted for a second here, Bella. By no means am I saying that’s the type of person or the type of champion you wanted to be. It might be who most are, but I don’t get that vibe out of you. You do seem very much like the type to want to meet a challenge head on. No matter how soon it does or doesn’t come. But the fact that I am such a viable challenger maybe that’s what is making you second guess yourself. Maybe that’s what is making you second guess your first ever title reign here. Maybe that’s what is making that thought of being a transitional champion creep into your head. ”
With the way the street lamp just outside that bar shined down on Aleesha’s face. The cameras could get a really good glimpse of it. She was a woman that very much had her head in the game and she didn’t seem like it would be slowing down anytime soon.
“ Without the sake of sounding too full of myself. Because that’s not who I am. Facts are still facts. In all six of my matches here in Sin City Wrestling. I have remained undefeated in them. Sure six matches isn’t a lot. But go back and look at those victories. The first four matches I had here were all against known former Champions. Regardless of how I might personally feel about some of them. They were still champions at one point. They etched their name into the history books of this place. I was always in a situation where I was outmatched on paper. Yet all of them were defeated by me. Knowing those facts, I could see why you’re doubting yourself just a little bit.
My fifth match was against a woman you know very-very well. Your mother. The woman that brought you into this world and the woman that had a very big hand in helping shape who you are as a wrestler. She’s been a champion just about everywhere she’s been. She’s viewed as a veteran of our sport. To some she would even be considered a legend. It was an honor to have my first and only Internet Championship defense be against her. Yet despite her veteran status. Despite being called a legend. Despite her having far more experience than me. She also fell at the hand of defeat to me. I could see why your confidence might not be as high ast it once was. If I can beat mama, what’s stopping me from beating her spawn?
And then of course there is the sixth match. We’re talking about the first ever Bombshell Rumble. Not a single person knew I was medically cleared. There’s no one in that locker room that had any inkling that I was going to be in the building. Let alone be in that match. I took everyone by surprise, which was the point. I was in that ring with all types of women. I was in there with former champions. I was in there with certified legends. I was in there with the rookies and I was in there with women that are so easily forgettable it’ll be a surprise if they have a job here in a month. No doubt about it, I was in a situation that was going to truly test who I was as a wrestler.
It was. There’s no way for me to deny that. But I get why you might think that you’re a transitional champion after you watched what I did. I was gone for over a year. With a serious concussion that took me so long to get cleared from. My wrestling career was essentially over and there wasn’t anything I could do about it. Then I got that clearance, I got back on the grind, I walked right back into Sin City Wrestling, and picked up where I left off. Yeah, that’s something that most couldn’t do, that’s a little bit intimidating, and a good way to make you doubt yourself. However at the same time Bella. You need to remember who the hell you are and put all of that behind you! ”
That last sentence seemed to serve no other purpose than to be motivating to her opponent. In this day and age, it was rare that anyone would offer proper advice and want the best out of their opponent. Far too many wanted to take the shortcut, but Aleesha was different and proved herself to be that way. Keeping her eyes locked with the red light of the camera.
“ Because I can tell you right now. My goals and my dreams have not changed. Nor will they change just because you seemingly have started to doubt yourself. I’m not like most so I can say with confidence that I want a true competitive match with you, Bella. Not just a competitive match, but I want the very best version of you. I’m talking about the version of you that we saw at High Stakes. Not very many people thought you had it in you to win that match.
Not very many thought you could dethrone the champion. You didn’t listen to them. You didn’t let any negativity in. At no point did you show any kind of doubt. As a matter of fact, Bella. You listened to yourself. You believed in yourself. You stayed focused. You showed who you were and you came out on top. That’s the version you, I want. It’s the version of you that I need. I need to know that when it comes to getting back MY championship. I beat you at your absolute best. Both mentally and physically!
But if you don’t want to listen to me. If you want to have zero confidence. If you want to have this self doubt. If you want to question everything about you and if you want to sit there and think there’s a chance that every for a second you might end up being a transitional champion. Then so be it. It is your right to do so, but then I’m for sure going to make you a transitional champion. I’m going to snatch the hair out of your head. Drop you on your face. Pin you with no remorse and take back the championship that’s always been mine! ”
Her words almost sounded angry towards the end. Very much as if she was saying that’s not how she wanted things to do, but if that’s how it had to be. Then so be it.
“ One way or another Bella. That Internet Championship is coming home with me. Fight with everything you have to keep it or get dog walked to lose it. ”
From there Aleesha just looked at the cameras for a couple of seconds longer. Making sure that those final words were truly driven home. Something for Bella to understand when it came to what she was getting herself into in the next twenty four hours. That’s when she found herself turning around and walking right back inside the bar. With the door closing, the cameras just peered through the glass as they watched her sit back down in her seat and pick up her glass. Only for the shot to start fading to black.