April 8th

“This is starting to become concerning…”

Dr. Montgomery’s words spook me a bit as I find myself in his office again.

“You had been holding up quite well for a good while but you’ve been seeing me for therapy sessions more times during your world championship reign than the 12 months leading up to that put together…”

I sigh, feeling a bit ashamed of the fact.

“There’s nothing wrong with that, but it makes me worried about you.”

“I admit, I’ve had a difficult time getting that incident out of my head… when I was blindsided by that nobody who shouldn’t even have the briefcase she does. It’s been difficult to move past the fact that someone like HER outsmarted me, even for a moment.”

Dr. Montgomery shakes his head upon hearing this from me.

“Ever since you’ve won your title, I’ve observed, through your promotional work and through face to face interactions like now, that you have experienced increased agitation, a decrease in patience, constantly worrying about others opinions of you and a relapse back to the tendency to flip a switch whenever the slightest thing doesn’t go your way. You’ve always had these traits and you had them under control, but since winning the title…”

The shame was filling my stomach at this point.

“In my professional opinion, Julianna, maybe it’s best that you don’t have that title anymore…”

My jaw dropped in shock upon hearing this.

“So you’re saying I should just hand Kayla the title and leave?”

“No. I think you would be much happier and healthier without the title than you’ve ever been with it. I feel like having the title is what is causing these triggers in you that ultimately create these concerning behaviors and being rushed into the title picture as you were doesn’t help at all.”

“Doctor, you’re not a wrestler. You’ve never been involved with the sport. It’s not me holding the championship that’s the problem. It’s everyone else trying to drag me down to their level… Kayla with her potshots, Seleana with her gross obsession over me, Courtney and her shit…”

“You understand that with the title that you have, you have a target on your back. With all of the mini-episodes you’ve told me about behind the scenes, I’m shocked that you haven’t flipped out on camera by now in front of that worldwide audience. During your time as champion, you haven’t handled the pressure well.”

“BULLSHIT!” I yelled, unwittingly proving his point. “Like you mentioned, I was thrown into the fire when I won this championship and ever since then, I’ve had to adapt on the fly and learn what it means to be a world champion in this company with minimal preparation and only six matches under my belt at the time and I challenge you, doctor, to find ANYONE in that locker room that would’ve done BETTER than me under the circumstances of which I won this championship! Name someone! Anyone! Oh wait, you CAN’T! And you know what the fucking sad part is? If my father was alive to see all of this, he STILL wouldn’t be proud of me because that perfectionist PRICK would’ve said just about the same thing all those dumbass bitches I work with have said about me and my title reign….”

“I understand where…”

“Wait…”

I cut him off, realizing some sort of epiphany about my father the moment that I mentioned him. I remembered when I first won my title and how I read that letter that he wrote before he died where he accepted me and admitted that he was wrong about me.

“That’s my problem… ALWAYS…”

“What are you referring to, Julianna?”

“My father. That’s the root of my problem. I’m a perfectionist because he drilled that into me and ever since I read that letter of his…”

I was suddenly starting to feel a sense of relief knowing that I had pinned the root of my issues, with my title reign and my time in the business, but also anger in knowing that when I won my title, I made a pretty grave error…

“I’m afraid time is up, doctor…”

Dr. Montgomery tried to get me to stay, but he looked at the time and realized that the session was over. There was only one place that I had to go…

And the root of my imperfections to confront…

April 8th

I was back in San Diego and I was at my father’s grave. My anger was increasing and I held the letter that he wrote me. I was regretting that I ever read it at all and I broke the ice with my father in the grave when I glanced back at the letter and remembered what he said to me.

It was clear to me now that all of the flowery, positive things he said about me in the letter suddenly became my biggest burden.

“Oh dad… even from the grave, you’re a prick…”

I paused before continuing to let out my anger.

“In hindsight? I was better off never reading your letter at all. I’ll tell you why. Because when I read that letter, I felt like I finally gained your acceptance and that I had nothing left to prove to you anymore. But the more I thought about your words and the more I thought about your motives and the fact that I wasn’t allowed to know about your words until after you passed and after I “was ready”, I realize now that your acceptance of me was both shallow and a damn mental trap…

If you REALLY felt the way you did about me as you expressed in what you wrote, why didn’t you have the balls to tell me to my face when you were alive?”

I gripped the letter tightly with my fist.

“All of this is YOUR fault, Dad! When you trained me, you mentally poisoned me. The way you brought me up in this business destroyed any chance I had to learn how to go with the flow and just breathe from the grind every once in a while. Your perfectionist BULLSHIT is why I grew to be the way I am… for the fact that I don’t even know how to have fun anymore and that my work-life balance is absolute shit! Your words, Dad? You know what they’ve done to me? To my reign?”

Reflecting on the ups and downs of my title reign over the last few months definitely left me seething.

“Those words trapped me. They made me let my guard down and think that I had it all figured out. They gave me this ‘satisfaction’ of feeling like I had proven what I needed to prove because I was lulled into a false sense of security that I finally made you proud and as a result, any little thing that has gone wrong with my title reign feels like I’ve let YOU and THESE EMPTY FUCKING LIES you wrote to me completely down. Every little thing that has gone wrong has made me feel like I’m not worthy of that praise you showered on me and in essence?”

I felt sick to my stomach admitting what I was about to confess.

“I subconsciously gave you control over my career and my psyche all over again from the fucking grave. Well… NO MORE! It’s DONE! I will NOT ABIDE YOUR BULLSHIT EVER AGAIN!”

I shredded that letter that he wrote to me and let the pieces fall on his grave.

“From now on, I am going to do whatever it takes to expunge your poison from my heart and mind even if it means leaving wrestling entirely!”

Suddenly, my anger froze and gave way to shock. I felt myself going cold for a minute and a quick glance at my hands revealed that for a second or two, they turned whiter. A doubtful question creeped into my thought…

“Is that what it is really going to take?”

I realized, stunningly, that venting toward my father wasn’t making me feel better after all.

Later…

I wasn’t feeling better when I went to his former wrestling school. Sitting down at the spot where the training ring once stood, depression was flooding my thoughts. I was questioning so much that the numbness I was feeling was unreal. All I could remember were moments where my father would call me names and psychologically abuse me in front of my entire class.

It wasn’t just being called “stupid”, “horrible”, and “disgraceful”...

It was being told that I wasn’t worth my mother giving birth to… that I would never be a success in wrestling… that I was the worst thing that ever happened to him…

All because I wasn’t progressing in my training the way HE wanted me to.

Remembering that made me feel so sad knowing that most of my self-esteem was based on my success in the ring… seemingly…

“Your mother told me you’d be here…” I heard Liam say as he walked up behind me. I was too stunned to really object to his appearance. “You haven’t returned my texts, my calls…”

“I know Liam, I’m sorry. It’s just…”

“Your big match? The embarrassment you went through in the triple threat? Save it. I felt like you were starting to come around only for a bad break or two to go against you making you regress back to what I’ve been trying to get you away from. What you said to me at the baseball game: is that even true at all?”

“Of course.”

“Blowing me off lately doesn’t show that, Julianna.”

“I feel TERRIBLE about blowing you off, I really do. I got in my own head after that triple threat and it’s such a struggle to separate myself from the way my dad brought me up.”

“I get that, but do you truly care more about your career than the people that support you? Especially your mother? She was the one you won that championship for to begin with. When you won that title, that’s what motivated me to seek you out again and reconnect because it’s the first time I’ve seen you do something in professional wrestling for anyone other than yourself. That’s what made me ‘crazy’ about you because I saw someone that is far deeper than what she portrays on screen. I saw it back when we were training too…”

I sighed, wondering what to say, as I remembered how I won at High Stakes and my motivations being so selfless.

“I wanted to live my life without my dad interfering, but…”

I sighed again, definitely feeling a heavy heart.

“Now I realize that I can’t live the life that I want and have my career at the same time…”

Liam’s eyes widen with surprise.

“I’m done, Liam… no matter what happens on Sunday, I’m done.”

“Julianna… you’re not serious…”

I shook my head.

“Dead serious. I feel like everyone around me wants me to be done and I am not talking about my stupid peers. I’m talking about the people that care about me… you, Ally, Christy, my mother…”

“Julianna, that’s not the case at all. Not once has any of us told you to hang it up. If this sport is what you really want to do in your heart, then keep going. We’re just looking out for you and trying to save you from yourself and from getting too deeply obsessed with your career.”

“Leave me alone…” I said with a sullen tone. “...I’ll call you tomorrow, I promise.”

Liam sighs and concedes and once I feel alone, I start to talk to myself.

“To my younger self, I am so sorry that you never got to go to that prom and everything that you went through because of my dad. Would I have grown up to be a happier person if I was never a wrestler at all? God, I REALLY wish I went to that prom that night. I should’ve… even if my father would’ve cut me off. I just think back to my career and what I’ve accomplished and the one TRUE moment of happiness I’ve had was when I won my title for my mom… and other than that, it’s always been about achieving my dad’s impossible standard and I should’ve known better than to think that I’d ever meet that standard with the title that I have…”

“With the title that WE have…” I heard my mother say to me from behind. She approached me and wrapped an arm around me.

“I’m walking away from wrestling, mother…”

“That’s not the solution, honey.”

“How can you say that? It seems like all this sport has done is made me mostly miserable…”

The tears were flowing down my face at this point as I lamented the happiness I likely sacrificed for this business.

“Julianna, if your career was truly all about your father and if wrestling is something that truly brings you no joy at all, you wouldn’t have thought of winning that title at High Stakes for me. But you did… because you ARE passionate about your craft and you showed that you could rise above your father. You proved that wrestling is what you truly want to do with your life because you wrestled with a purpose beyond yourself. Yes, you should’ve chosen the prom. I would’ve trained you myself even if it was in secret because I SAW how bad you wanted it, even then.”

“Knowing what I know now, I would’ve gone to that prom and forged my own path…” I admitted as I was feeling better. “I’ve ALWAYS had a right to carve my own path in life without my dad and the last few years, that’s all I’ve done… despite him at that…”

“You’ve always had passion for wrestling honey. Your father merely skewered it.”

“You mean I don’t have to give up wrestling to be happy?” I asked with a shrill in my voice. My mother shook her head as I had the epiphany I needed and I couldn’t help but slightly squeal with happiness.

“You can have the best of both worlds. You just need to learn how to not base your entire happiness on your career and you are smart and bright enough to do so. YOU determine your own destiny, Julianna: not your father, not your peers, not any of your challengers… nobody but you.”

I couldn’t hold back my happiness anymore as I suddenly embraced my mother, who had no hesitation at all at returning the brief embrace.

“I can take that moment from High Stakes… OUR moment… I can build on it, mother. I WILL build on it. That happiness and joy from that night? That’s the blueprint for what I need to apply to all walks of my life. I’m going to live my life and have my career MY way without either thing being defined by anyone else and I am going to tear down ANYONE or ANYTHING that gets in my way. I’m NOT retiring. I’m NOT giving in. I’m NOT giving up my title without a fight. I’m NOT going to be under my father’s thumb from the grave ANYMORE!”

“You bet your ass you won’t! I’ve been waiting to hear you say that for so long, honey!”

“I’m done soaking in the misery… and I’m sure as hell never coming back here again…”

With that 11th hour epiphany in mind, my mother and I walked out of my father’s old wrestling school… never to return again…

April 12th

Back in Flagstaff, I was really feeling that renewed vigor that was going through me. On top of the epiphany that I was having, I was also feeling some anger from Kayla Richards’s shallow words toward me. With the camera on me, now I knew it was truly time to rise my game to a higher level as the SCW Bombshells World Champion and I knew that now more than ever, I had to show this company exactly what a pure of heart Julianna DiMaria truly looked like and sounded like.

“From day one that I won this championship, hell, even before that, there have been a bunch of shallow bitches that think that they can define me and that they can define my destiny. I’ll get to the shallowest of shallow in Kayla Richards in a moment but that’s nothing new to me. It’s been happening to me my whole career and I realize that as far as the business goes, I’m not the only one that has had to persevere against that but this is also on top of the fact that when I first broke into this business, my father was controlling me in every sense. He thought he could run my life. He thought that he could define what my path in this business should be and yet, all I have ever done since I broke away from the bastard is go on a completely different path than what he approved of. It mirrors my journey here because everyone in SCW wanted me to start from the bottom and work my way up and all of that and I wouldn’t have minded doing that. I didn’t ask to be thrown into the fire as I’ve said many times before.

You know why that wouldn’t have bothered me? Because I knew in my heart from the moment I stepped into this ring against Dawn Warren that I was going to reign as the Bombshells World Champion at some point.

Yet, these same shallow bitches are pissed off at me because I took the unconventional path to success, not the path that any Bombshell would’ve approved of. So Kayla Richards, for weeks and for months you’ve thought that you can define me in any way you can. Your promo that you cut proves this. You think, therefore you say, you say, therefore it is. That’s your logic, right? Unfortunately, based on what you said to me, not only am I disappointed in you personally because I expected so much better from you than to go for low hanging fruit and to say basically the same exact shit I’ve heard for months, but what you said to me is really no different than anything my own father was saying to me during the early part of my career when he had the influence that he did.

Hell, maybe he should’ve been YOUR father based on what you were saying…

I guess in a sense, facing the bitches that I’ve beaten is like facing my own father repeatedly… especially when that bitch is someone as shallow as Courtney. Yet, all I’ve done is win. You want to keep beating the horse of me thanking you, then so be it. You really have never learned that what you say is a reflection of you, not who you are saying it to. What you say is merely an opinion and how you see things, as skewed as it may be. It doesn’t define the other person and it sure as hell doesn’t define me but you literally had the nerve to stand in front of that camera and DEMAND that not only I surrender the championship to you, but that I leave this company for a little bit and then return and start from the bottom?”

I took a pause and I tried so hard to contain my laughter. Unfortunately for Kayla, I just couldn’t. In fact, for a moment there, I was in disbelief that I even heard those words at all and that I was rephrasing them.

“I heard that correctly?”

I scoffed, still being in disbelief of this.

“The BIG BAD herself stoops to THAT level of BULLSHIT? Are you KIDDING ME? Just that by itself, the fact that you even SUGGESTED that I do such a thing, proves to me how pathetic of a person that you really are AND how hypocritical you’ve become. You’ve been going on and on for months about how much of a fighter you are and how much of a champion you want to be and you spew THAT? I’m not even pissed that I heard that. I find it that fucking hilarious that you would stoop that low, that you think THAT low of me but that doesn’t surprise me, Kayla. You always HAVE thought that low of me going back to New Generation Wrestling…

Hey, YOU brought it up first…

The fact that you mentioned that sorry excuse of a company, and I KNOW we both agree on that by the way, tells me WHY I am going to win this match…

Because you’re stuck in the past, Kayla…
‘
You STILL think of me as the same person that I was back then. YES, back in that day, I wasn’t doing so great. I was a joke in this business. I’ve admitted that countless times. That’s not exactly breaking news. You were the world champion of that company for a time, yes and for the roller coaster ride that my career has been, through good times and bad, I’ve ALWAYS been able to adapt, change, evolve and grow better and better with each passing year. You THINK that I am still exactly the same wrestler that I was back then, don’t you?

You THINK I am that same damn “nobody” I was back then. NOW all of your chirping toward me coming into this before I said ‘put up or shut up’ to you makes sense. You never gained any respect for me and it’s pretty fucking obvious that you never will and that’s whatever by the way, so seeing ME with the title makes YOU sick and gets YOU up in your feelings to the point where all you did for months before I called you out and made this match happen was talk a bunch of shit like a little annoying troll, basically BEGGING ME to pay attention to you until I finally gave you the time of day. I wanted to take the high road on this. I wanted to be beyond the past and whatever grudge you have carried toward me for years that you made plainly obvious with your chirping toward me week after week.

I wanted to see if you were either going to REALLY do something to back up your words or do whatever you had to do to earn your way to a match like this…

AND YOU… DID… NEITHER!

Your problems with me are a YOU problem, Kayla…

NGW was six years ago honey, it’s time for you to get over it!”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed, clearly taking humor in the fact that she brought up the past.

“I am a FAR BETTER WRESTLER than I was six years ago, even THROUGH the bumpy ride that I’ve had. I’m not going to mention every single company I’ve been in by name like you did because I don’t need to flex that even if in ONE company I wrestled for, I got that “HOF status” going on and YES, Kayla, I will admit that you’ve probably had less losses than me throughout our careers and that you’ve probably had better stretches of dominance everywhere you’ve been… but even then?

That gives ME the advantage because I have FAR more experience of dealing with adversity and setbacks than YOU do and THAT, Kayla, just MIGHT be one of the factors that pushes me to victory. It’s my ability to OVERCOME, to go through HELL… and you KNOW that in NGW, I went through a LOT of hell as they did EVERYTHING they could to make me a fucking joke in this business… to push through the shit that I’ve been through… that has made me strong enough to persevere as champion even when it looks like I’m about to lose it all…

Ever have a father tell you repeatedly that you weren’t worth your mother giving birth to, Kayla?

Your complete IGNORANCE and your total DESPERATION to paint me as something that I know in my heart I no longer am and have grown far too strong to ever be again shows me how weak inside you really are…

You want to lecture me about whether the words I say will mean anything in the long run? Shove it, Kayla! Because I’m walking into this match KNOWING that YOUR words in the long run toward me about about me WON’T mean SHIT in the long run, even if you do win on Sunday because for all the bullshit you want to preach about how you’re going to take this and that from me, in reality the only two things that you can take away from me are my title and the victory and you want to act like you can control my destiny and that my world is going to crumble over ONE loss and that should you win, everything that I accomplished so far means nothing.

You can take the title from me, Kayla.

But you’re not taking my fucking destiny from me. You’re not going to put me on a downward spiral. Maybe the Julianna of six years ago would’ve downward spiraled over losing a championship, which she did, I admit that. But you don’t define my path other than what can happen in that ring for three fucking seconds. The worst case scenario? I lose on Sunday and I win it back two weeks later… or at Into the Void.. or WHENEVER. I get it, Kayla. Six years ago, I’d treat one loss like the end of the world. But again, that was six years ago. I am not that person anymore. If you want to stay stuck in 2018, then be stuck there. I THOUGHT you were going to come at me BETTER than that for all the shit you were chirping at me for months…

Only for you to go through a ‘what’s what’ of what previous challengers have said about me before…

Calling my win over Courtney an upset? Not much different from the idiot herself calling it a fluke.

Basically insinuating that I won because she didn’t care anymore? Been there. Done that. Next.

Oh, going through the names of the challengers I’ve beaten during my reign? I’m pretty sure Krystal Wolfe did that, or came close to doing so? I mean it’s true that Courtney never had the heart of a champion and her recent walkout proves that, but that’s not MY problem, Kayla. Really, it’s low hanging fruit from you.

Especially coming from someone who’s kicked Ariana’s ass X amount of times and indirectly groups that in with the dominance she loves to boast about all the damn time. But hey, what do I know right?

I expected you to stand out with your words and to say something that made me REALLY think… REALLY question… REALLY challenge me and reflect on my journey and wonder if there was anything that I could’ve done better…

But all I got from you was a whole bunch of NOTHING…

When you take that into account…

When you take into account that you have gone out of your way for months to try to run me down and define me when prior to all of this, I really hadn’t done anything to you nor did I ever mention you in ANY negative way whatsoever DESPITE the history we share from six years ago mind you…

When you take into account that you stooped as low as to suggest I surrender the belt from you and walk away from this company…

When you consider that all you threw at me was low hanging fruit…

What I see in you, Kayla? From my perspective? Someone that is still a damn good, hell perhaps even great wrestler. That opinion from me about you is never going to change. But what I see is someone that has a louder bark than a stronger bite at the end of the day. What I initially saw as someone who wanted this title just as bad as I do… I now see as someone who wants the title to validate her own ego, who doesn’t have the heart for this business as I do, and who lacks the perspective and the knowledge that it takes to be a world champion… compared to me at least.

What I was HOPING would be at least a hard hitting battle between the two most passionate wrestlers on the roster in the first Bombshells Supercard main event in over the year… instead, what you have reduced it to… is this bullshit, mudslinging contest all because what? You want to hang onto the past? Because you dislike me that damn much?

The BIG BAD that should be SO FEARED and that many previous challengers to her Internet title reigns BENT THE KNEE to has really reduced herself to suggesting I forfeit the belt to her? I KNEW you were desperate when you wouldn’t keep my name out of your mouth for months, but that?

It’s a WHOLE new level of PATHETIC coming from someone like you. Don’t tell me that you truly believe you can beat me on Sunday… not when you even THOUGHT of something putridly STUPID like that…

I’ve already handed you this opportunity, Kayla…

And after I’m done with you on Sunday?

You’re not getting any more fucking handouts from me…

With that anger going through me, I shut off the camera at this point. Deep down I know I have every right to break the camera for that ‘surrender to me and leave’ suggestion…

But I also knew that I had to rise above it…

And on Sunday when I beat Kayla and shove her words down her throat?

That’s exactly what I am going to do as I continue to define my destiny… MY way!

Cambridge, Massachusetts. Wednesday 10th April. (Off-Camera)

Rodrigo had been home a lot since the losses he's been getting in Sin City Wrestling and it was because he was losing focus a bit and most assumed Rodrigo's skateboarding career, but little do people know since Rodrigo doesn't talk about his personal life to any professional wrestler or to anyone not in his or his girlfriend's family and friends that it was because Rodrigo was going to be a father.

With that in mind, he did invite his skateboarding friends over, mostly for them to meet Ella who they hadn't met since they went to Switzerland that day. They were currently over and already approved Ella as they've been at Rodrigo's house for the last few days, going out shopping for baby stuff since Ella was now seven months pregnant. Although there was one question in mind Ella had for Rodrigo's skateboarding buddies as they were all in the living room having a drink, well Ella had some orange juice.

Ella: “How did you all become friends with Rodrigo:”

Jerald: “Honestly, I hated Rodrigo at first because the bastard kept getting high scores at Skateboarding with his tricks, but when I apologised with my jealous behaviour and got to know Rodrigo a bit more, he ended up being a decent guy.”

Darius: “Apart from when he threw a massive fit about losing to that thirteen year old skateboarder in the X-Games a few years ago.”

Ella: “No, Rodrigo would never do that. I've never seen him throw a fit when things aren't going his way.”

Rodrigo was silent as it was mostly for the skateboarders to interact with Ella than the other way around, but at the same time, Rodrigo put his finger up as he put the can of coke down on the table as he didn't want to drink beer due to being a father responsibilities being a thing.

Rodrigo Afonso: “It's true, I did throw a fit when a thirteen year old kid beat me twice in X-Games the pandemic years, but I learned a lot on why I don't throw fits ever again. That's why I don't bitch or complain about anything. It's not going to get anyone anywhere in life.”

Ella: “Well, that's the good thing you learned from your mistakes, although your father said you hate arguments.”

Jerald: “Yeah, he does, trust me. I'm sure it wasn't easy for Rodrigo to lose his rag like he did, but he hasn't done it since and takes losses like a man.”

Ella: “His attitude is making him a real man. Besides, he's doing everything for me, cleaning the house, going food shopping. He does a lot more than you think.”

Rodrigo nods at his skateboarding friends and Ella of them telling the truth of Rodrigo's past life that Ella knew nothing about. Of course, they only started dating for a few months and their relationship has only grown stronger each day. Rodrigo thought about something else that was out of the blue for him, something he wasn't expecting.

Darius: “You saw a ghost again?”

Rodrigo Afonso: “I'm in a Roulette title match against Eddie Lyons. What have I done to deserve that match against him, honestly?”

Jerald: “I know you've lost matches, but you put in hard work, you don't moan or complain and you don't trash wrestlers unless you have to. You get in the ring and wrestle.”

Rodrigo Afonso: “SCW staff tell me I should speak on the microphone when I've not got wrestling matches a lot more to promote matches, but the videos I do are more than enough. I don't need to say more than what I've already said. Heck, I hate being interviewed for skateboarding at times, but I do it because I have to. I don't luckily in SCW.”

Ella: “You've fought him before, haven't you?”

Rodrigo Afonso: “Things are very different this time, he's beaten Peter Vaughn for the Roulette title, I haven't. I haven't come close on beating Peter.”

Jerald was the kind of guy that makes slight comments about people at times, even was a bit mean to the thirteen year old kid who beat Rodrigo in the X-Games competition for skateboarding. Anyway as he was a tiniest bit drunk, he says this.

Jerald: “Eddie Lyons is one boring fucker. All he talks about is wrestling. Like does the dude have a life besides wrestling?”

Rodrigo Afonso: “Hey dude, that's not cool. Eddie and I have respect. Even if he talks only about wrestling, nobody should judge him for that. Besides, he's a Roulette champion. I respect the dude and consider him as my friend. Truthfully, I wish I was facing the other champion who's from the UK.”

Ella: “I know, but that's the situation you got in front of you.”

Darius: “She's right, you know. Even I thought Jerald's comment was out of line, but he didn't know like I didn't you two legit respect each other. I can see his point that having friendly matches isn't thrilling to watch.”

That was the problem with wrestling, there wasn't really many enemies in the business these days and Rodrigo saw that. But he was too fragile and small to be an asshole wrestler. So he had to be a people's fan favourite.

Rodrigo Afonso: “Each time we've wrestled, we have torn the house down, for sure and I know what you mean. But my size and fragile structure on top of being a father to my kid soon prevents me from being an asshole. I don't think it would represent well for my kid. I can't afford that right now.”

Jerald: “Dude, I was just busting your balls, but I do think Eddie is boring as hell. The amount of stuff he talks about is purely wrestling, but at least the Roulette title makes up for the match you both will have.”

Rodrigo Afonso: “Wrestling Eddie is not dull, he was my first ever opponent and anything he'll say about me, I'm not going to disagree with him on.”

Rodrigo was already feeling uncomfortable and walks away from the living room as he didn't want to argue with Jerald about his feelings on Eddie anymore. He goes to his room and lets the lads get used to Ella and the pressure of being a Roulette champion and beating Eddie pretty much was on his mind a bit. Ella came into the room and relaxed Rodrigo with his thoughts and forgot about it as the skateboarding lads went to the hotel to get some sleep.

------------------------

I have no excuses to make Eddie youtube.com shoot (Online)

“I know, I've under performed a lot as of late and I literally have no excuse for slacking off, but the truth is, I don't deserve this title match against you, should be you and Entity for the Roulette title. I literally have zero excuses and you'd be right with everything you'll say to me and I'm not going to disagree with you.

But at the same time, it proves I don't really care what people think and I clearly don't like the thought of responding to everything you say. I mean look how badly I struggled to reply to Carter, I hate that and it's why I prefer to do one video to say everything I have to say. Eddie, you know I respect you and I know you'll tell me the truth on things may seem they are, but there is a reason I won't say as it has nothing to do with wrestling or skateboarding for that matter that my attention isn't with wrestling at the minute.

But I leave things there since I don't want to talk about it. I can't overlook the fact beating Peter Vaughn for the Roulette title was impressive. Everyone has tried and failed, but you succeeded and done it well. I'm sure it's going to motivate you to bring everything out of you to go out and win the match. But while I feel I'm undeserving for this title match, I will bring everything I have out of you.

Why? To prove people like you wrong every single time I step into the ring. A lot of people said I would never make it as a wrestler and I made it by holding a briefcase. I got plans for that and I'm not telling anyone, not even you what I'll do with it. You may have been successful with the Roulette title. I know it's cliché to say this, but I can break your title run in half even after underperforming.

Just because a wrestler underperforms, it doesn't mean you'll have this win in the bag, despite you being a threat because of the fantastic win you gotten over Peter. I couldn't find a way to beat him, but you did somehow. Maybe it's because you have the support of your wrestling school and family. I had to go all the way to the United Kingdom to do wrestling training because there's no wrestling schools in Portugal.

Many Americans, Canadians, Australian, British and a German wrestler have won this title, but there's not a single Portuguese wrestler that has won the Roulette title. I don't recall a Portuguese wrestler winning a wrestling title full stop because it's rare anyone from my country that breaks into the wrestling business. That's the big thing that we're different on.

But I got a chance to prove to my country and United States as a whole that I can become champion without wrestling school family supporting me. The only support I have when I go to wrestle in that ring is myself. I go into wrestling you on my own with dignity and do everything I can to upset you and win the belt because that's a big thing you've done and I haven't. I have a briefcase, but I do it when the time is right and when I'm ready.

Maybe beating you for that title will prove I'm ready to be a champion, maybe beating you will lead me to facing someone on the roster I've always wanted to face, but your in the way of that. Beating Peter is impressive and I can't speak that enough, but I've done way more Roulette matches than you and that will be the factor of me winning this match, bringing everything I have into the match to defeat you. That's all I say because I hate talking lengthy to someone I have respect for and being the only guy on the roster so far I can consider being friends with.”

John S. Park Elementary School

It was a day like most others for the parents of the students who attended John S. Park Elementary. The weather had grown blessedly warmer, the chilly winds of winter having given wayside to those warmer currents of spring. And while mornings and nights were still relatively chilly by comparison, the afternoons such as now had temperatures more befitting to spring, rising today to the mid-eighties with a clear blue sky and not a cloud to be seen. And here many of the hands on parents were,parked in the guest parking lot, ready to pick up their respective children while the yellow school buses lined the road in front of the school building, ready to bring the children home for parents who were unable to do as the others.

Resident SCW Bombshell and reigning Internet Champion Tempest was one of those lucky few whose schedule allowed her to personally pick up her stepdaughter Anela.Even were she unable, she would have found someone else - someone she trusted from the GO Gym, to do so for her as she preferred Anela not to ride the bus. Having gotten custody of her dear Malulani’s daughter so recently, she just wanted to handle everything herself. At least until the day arrived when Anela might tell her she wanted to ride the bus.

And even then.

Nevertheless, Tempest was waiting outside, leaning against the side of her Transverse while many other parents remained in their cars in the comforts of the air conditioning provided. Tempest’s reason for not doing the same was almost comical to anyone that knew her – or could see her. She didn’t want Anela to miss her, but considering that she stood taller than the vast majority of the rest of the adults present, even the men, the chances of that happening were slim. She scrolled idly on her phone, while stealing glances toward the school and waiting for the bell that would begin the weekend and send the children out. That was when she almost started when her phone started to vibrate.

Tempest frowned, as few ever called her save for her family in Hawaii. She checked the caller ID and as it turned out, it was none other than Gabriel Stevens on the other end. With a swipe of the thumb, she accepted the call and held it to her ear.

Tempest: Gabriel, what can I do for you?

Gabriel: Alleyne, I have a question for you, and maybe a favor if I may be so bold?

Tempest: A favor, hug? Boy you are bold! But go ahead, shoot.

Gabriel: You’re leaving for Flagstaff with us tomorrow afternoon, right?

Tempest: Yeah, last time I checked. Why?

Gabriel: Well, that’s where the favor comes in. Odette and I have to make a quick trip out of Vegas to Reno and we’ll be back first thing in the morning. Considering the kids will be with us for the flight tomorrow, we were hoping to keep them in Vegas for the night. Is there any chance you could watch Lucas and Hazel tonight?

Babysit? Her? Tempest pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it briefly to make certain that not only did she hear correctly, but she was talking to the person that she thought she was. Soon enough, she returned to the call and answered.

Tempest: Yes, of course. God knows you’ve watched Anela enough so it’s the least I can do. Synn and Despy not available I take it?

Gabriel: Well Synn and Despy are already in Flagstaff. Apparently Angel wanted to scope out the arena early to get a good spot for his and Mackenzie’s betting table.

Tempest frowned and just as she was about to ask…

Gabriel: And don’t ask. I’ve learned not to. And Aron has the flu and probably won’t be making it to Flagstaff so I didn’t want the kids staying with him and K and risk getting sick.

Tempest: Aww! And after them, you thought of me!

Gabriel: Well… you know.

Tempest: Sure, bring the kids over soon as you can. But you should know I’m going to have company tonight and I’m not sure if you want the kids around him or not.

There was a brief pause following this nugget of a revelation, until Gabriel finally broke the stiff silence while from her end, she heard the tell-tale sound of the school bell finally sound.

Gabriel: Mercer?

Tempest: Yes, Austin is bringing his kids over. Haven’t seen the big lug for awhile so thought we’d take the kids out. We can include Lucas and Hazel but if you…

But before she could finish her sentence, Gabriel had the foresight to interrupt her train of thought. Gabriel was above all else, a consummate businessman where the sport of professional wrestling was concerned. He knew most of the men and women of SCW inside and out, Austin included. While he did not understand the close bond that had formed between his student and a man that had made life a relative hell for two of his other students, but that was not for him to judge. He knew that Austin was probably Tempest’s closest friend in the business where she had so few and for that, he was more than grateful.

Gabriel: Look, I’ll be honest. I don’t like the man for everything that happened between him and Carter and Kristjan. But I also know that it’s in the past and if Carter and Kristjan can move past it, so can I. Besides, one thing I know about Mercer is he’s as full of bullshit as he is bravado. He’s a good dad and likes kids so I have no real objections.

Tempest: Alright, drop them off as soon as you can. I’m picking Anela up now.

Gabriel: Will do, and Alleyne? Thanks.

Tempest: Pleasure.

And that being said, she ended the call just as her nine year old stepdaughter approached the car, carrying her book bag with a smile on her face. The fact that it was Friday and the start of the weekend, no doubt. Tempest pushed herself away from the vehicle as Anela approached.

Tempest: Well, looks like we’re going to have two more guests this evening?

Opening the SUV door and shoving her bag into the back, Anela looked up to her ‘mom’ with a wide eyed wonder.

Anela: Who?

Tempest: That was Gabriel on the phone. Seems Lucas and Hazel will be spending the night tonight.

Anela: Really??

Her smile was bright enough to light a room were they not out of doors and standing in the Vegas sunshine. Tempest strongly suspected that Anela was sporting something of a crush on Lucas but that was neither here nor there. So she just nodded to which Anela then frowned.

Anela: Was Synn or Fenris busy?

Tempest just made a face and nudged a giggling Anela to the open door of the car as she rounded about to climb into the driver’s side. Once inside, Tempest looked to the young girl to her right and gave her a little nudge to the arm.

Tempest: Maybe you'd like to invite another friend or two to go out with us tonight?

But to that suggestion, all Anela could do was shyly shake her head in the negative.

Tempest: Are you sure?

Anela just nodded that she was, in fact, quite certain. Hanging out with Lucas and Hazel would be quite enough and add Austin’s own kids to the equation and all would be just fine for her. Tempest just turned away, somewhat deflated, and she turned the key to the ignition to begin the journey home.


Maile: Alleyne?

The face of her sister-in-law, sister to her deceased husband, filled the screen of her phone as Face-timed her.This would be a surprise to anyone that knew either woman as it was evident for years that they did not get along from the moment Malulani had brought her home. His family considered it a betrayal to his late wife who had died three years ago, as if they believed the widower should have remained alone - perhaps forever. Maile was one of Tempest’s primary antagonists even to this day in how she now cared for and raised her niece.

But right now, there was nobody else that Tempest believed she could turn to for the advice that she had sought after.

Tempest: Listen, I’m sorry for calling you. I know I’m probably the last person right now you were expecting a call from.

To which Maile just raised her brows and shrugged one shoulder in slight acknowledgement to the truth behind the assumption.

Tempest: But I wasn’t sure who else I could talk to.It’s about Anela.

Maile: Anela? Is she alright??

Tempest: Yes, she’s fine. At least, I think she is.

Maile: You think? You mean you don’t know?

Tempest: Give me a br- look. It’s not like that. I’m still new to this whole other thing, okay? It’s just… I have a question I need to ask you.

Maile: … Okay…?

Tempest took one last glance into her apartment living room and saw as the three children, her own Anela and Gabriel and Odette’s children, Lucas and Hazel, were busying themselves watching Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on the television.The kids were thoroughly engrossed in the film so she took that opportunity to step into her bedroom and close the door behind her.Only then did she find it =within herself to ask her sister-in-law…

Tempest: You helped take care of Anela when she was living with your mom,right?

Maile: Yes, Keanu and I were living with her at the time. So?

Tempest: When she was in school there… Did Anela have many friends?

Maile: What do you mean?

Tempest: I mean, did she have a lot of friends?

Maile: She had a few I guess. Two or three kids she would visit at their house or bring them home to stay over. Why?

Tempest: It’s just … I was concerned. She has a couple friends here but hasn’t really gone to any great lengths to make any more. Her dad was always so outgoing, he could make friends anywhere so I was hoping…

Maile: That this trait would be passed down from father to daughter?

This time it was Tempest who did not answer vocally but with a slight shrug and a nod of admission.

Maile: Alleyne, listen to me. And I know you’re not going to like hearing this but all things considered, you should. Yeah it’s a fact that my brother was what you might call a social butterfly. … But Kaia wasn’t.

Kaia. Anela's mother and Malulani’s first wife. It was something of a sore subject when her name was brought up because it was normally used as a weapon against her by Malulani’s family but this time?Not so much. At the stiffening of her shoulders, Maile held up a hand.

Maile: Relax, would you? You asked me for advice, so here I am giving it to you. Anela is exactly like her mother was. An introvert. She had a couple of close friends and for her, that was enough. Just like Anela. Not every kid has this huge circle of friends surrounding them at every given moment. I didn’t.

The temptation to say something scathing and witty was overwhelming but for the betterment of their shared love for Anela, Tempest managed to resist it.

Maile: Anela may or may not ever grow out of that introverted shell. Either way, so long as she’s happy and healthy, that’s all that should matter, yes?

Tempest finally exhaled as she heard the doorbell ring from outside of the room. She nodded and found herself saying what she believed formerly to be impossible.

Tempest: Thanks … Maile.

Maile blinked and leaned back at the waist.

Maile: Could you say that again? I want to set this to record or else nobody will believe it!

Tempest: Bitch…

Maile: Do you want to be the pot or the kettle?

There was something left unspoken between the two women, but the slight smirk on Maile's face was enough to speak volumes at a possible burnt bridge being on the mend. Tempest nodded and ended the call before she turned to open the door to find Anela racing for the front door to answer it. She swiftly pulled it open without first asking who it was, a big no-no where tempest was concerned and it would be addressed later.

But that was the first time Anela was meeting Austin James Mercer and her head tilted all the way back to look up at him with wide eyes.

Anela: Wow…

Tempest smiled at her stepdaughter’s initial reaction to Austin, his mere presence on par with her own to draw such an overwhelming reaction. But that was where his intimidation factor seemed to end when in a personal setting as the 6’6” Superstar took the initiative to kneel down on one knee, bringing himself (almost) to eye level with the little girl before him.

Austin: And you must be Anela.

Indeed she reverted to being a shy little girl once more, merely nodding. Austin was intimidating but quite handsome in his own right. And more than anything else, he was a stranger to her. But he was her mom’s best friend from what she understood and that was enough to trust him and (slowly) warm up to him. Anela nodded as Austin extended a hand and wrapped his fingers around her own in a gentle greeting as Tempest arrived at their side. Austin stood up to his full height and turned at the waist to look down at the two children who had arrived alongside him. His five year old son Marcus and three year old daughter, Ellie.

Austin: You two remember Alleyne?

It might be a little more difficult for the three year old to recall when her dad took her brother and her to Hawaii to recover emotionally from their mom’s sudden and unexpected death. Tempest asked no questions when she opened her home to them and worked tirelessly to help the children and their dad recover from the loss. The two kids stepped further inside and spotting what was playing on the TV across the apartment, Marcus pointed excitedly.

Marcus: Harry Potter!

And before his dad could stop either of them, not that he would have, Marcus and Ellie raced inside to join Anela, Lucas and Hazel in watching the movie! That was when Austin saw who else was present and he cast a questioning look to his friend and she just beckoned him to follow her to the kitchen.

Austin: Those Gabriel’s kids?

He asked as they entered the kitchen and Austin turned to lean at the waist against the bar counter so he could both speak privately with Tempest whole keeping an eye on his own kids. Tempest backed against the bar at his side and nodded.

Tempest: Yeah, they’re staying with me for the night as a favor to Gabriel and Odette so they’ll be joining us.

Austin: Hunh. Five kids and two adults. I guess a regular restaurant is out. We’ll have to find some place more kid friendly.

Tempest: if you think I’m going anywhere near the inside of a Chuck E. Cheese…

Austin snorted back a laugh, knowing the very idea of this amazon being inside of any place with an animatronic rat was as foreign as mustard on French fries.

Austin: I was actually thinking more along the lines of Adventuredome.

Tempest frowned but Lucas, who must have perfect hearing to overhear the adults' conversation from across the apartment and while the movie was playing, sat upright with wide, hopeful eyes.

Lucas: Adventuredome!? We’re going to Adventuredome!?

Tempest looked back and forth between the excited Lucas who had practically ran up to them for confirmation and back to Austin.

Tempest: What exactly is Adventuredome?

Austin: Basically it’s an indoor amusement park. Has everything; rides, games … food?

Lucas: It’s the greatest thing EVER!

By now the excitement had grown contagious toward the other children even if they didn’t know exactly what they were being excited about. Austin’s son Marcus looked up at his dad.

Marcus: Can we go, dad?

Austin: Well you know, it's not up to me?

And one by one, everyones’ heads turned to Tempest.

Marcus: Can we go Auntie Tempy?

Which caused Tempest to do a comical double take at what she had just been called. And she wasn’t alone as then three year old Ellie joined in with the childlike pleas.

Ellie: Pleeease Auntie Tempy???

Before she knew what she was doing or saying, Tempest looked heavenward and exhaled sharply in an admittance of defeat.

Tempest: Fine! We’ll go to …Adventuredome!

A collective “hooray”erupted from all of the children before they turned and rushed to (hopefully) finish the movie before going on their grand adventure. Austin smirked quite brazenly as Tempest S-L-O-W-L-Y turned her head to look at him.

Tempest: Auntie Tempy? That was your doing,wasn’t it??

To which Austin only answered by raising a hand and pinching a thumb and forefinger closely together…

CLANG!!!

Marcus looked up from the film.

Marcus: What was that!?

Austin: Nothing!

He answered, rubbing the back of his head with a grimace of pain as Tempest dropped the skillet back onto the stove.

---

Sunset Crater Volcano -
Flagstaff, AZ

Friday was here, and with it - the weekend that the SCW Universe had been awaiting with much anticipation! Blaze of Glory XII was only two days away and with it, the Superstars and Bombshells of Sin City Wrestling would be putting on a fourteen match spectacular. Many fans had already made the trip to Flagstaff from as far away as Japan for this weekend in the Grand Canyon State. The majority of the SCW stars and staff alike had by now arrived in preparation for the coming event.Some to engage in last minute preparations, some to conduct interviews and meet n greets, while others took time to kill two birds with one stone by seeing one of the beautiful sights of this Golden State while speaking up on what was to come.

The Sunset Crater National Monument was a volcano landmark that last erupted in the year 1085. And while she was not exactly what you would calla science nerd, enough so to take much of an interest in volcanoes or when they last split the ground open to spew forth lava, Tempest was quietly an admirer of scenic beauty, and this one spot provided something that would forever be remembered.

She sat on a rock, one leg drawn up with her knee against her breast while overlooking the volcano itself, while the sky itself had slowly started its descent from day to dusk. The sky was not colored in many hues of reds, oranges,yellows and pinks while the scattered blues through the clouds overhead allowed for the twinkle of the coming stars this far from the city's lights. The calm was blissful, an apt ambience for what was to follow.

“I think we know by now how these things work. This is usually the part where the random person - in this case, myself - would speak up and talk about the match that I’m scheduled to compete in, and more importantly, the opponent. It’s the usual set up for people to put words to action and talk about all of the dreadful things you intend to do to the man or woman standing opposite of us while also usually throwing some shade and risking the ire of the censors and opposition both. You want to break down your opponent mentally with promos such as this before you set foot inside of the ring to destroy them physically. I should know.God knows I’ve done all of the above often enough but this time…”

She unwrapped her arms from around her bended leg and held up one hand, a single forefinger extended.

“Except for this time. Oh don’t get me wrong, we will eventually get to the obligatory threats and promises but in the meantime, we’re going to do something a little unusual. We are going to start this one by first and foremost, my speaking to Crystal Zdunich the woman before I address Crystal Zdunich, the wrestler - and in two days, the challenger to my Internet Championship. So…!”

Tempest clapped her palms together in readiness.

“You're going to have to look past the fact I am neither a psychiatrist nor am I the sort who wears her heart on her sleeve. I don't usually speak up in regards to feelings, whether it be someone else’s or especially my own! But here we are and I suppose there's a first time for everything. Now, I don’t know you Crystal, aside from our encounters that we’ve had in previous years. I know you by reputation and your own actions and for many, that would be enough to go by.So pardon me if what I’m about to say is too rough but girl…? You’re trying too hard.”

“At least in regards to trying to develop budding friendship with any one of the many who post randomly on social media, but lately it seems a person can’t spend a day just browsing or posting something without you jumping in, trying to either get noticed or get involved. Whichever works better in your own favor. If you’re trying to get noticed well then, congratulations! You’ve succeeded admirably! Except in this case, it might not be such a positive thing because while you might be getting noticed, that's not always a good thing .Especially for a woman with your history. The people you have been trying to get to notice you already know you from your past actions, both the good and the bad –but it’s always the bad things that we remember most. Isn’t it? So drawing attention to yourself by just randomly showing up and acting like nothing bad has happened between yourself and them might be doing you more harm than good. You’re basically painting a giant target right on your back without even realizing it.”
 
“If you’re doing this to try and get involved well then…”

She closed her eyes and grimaced, shaking her head.

“Girl, it’s not working. If anything, you’re alienating people more than you’re working in convincing them to let you join their little circle of friends. You have stabbed so many people in the back so many times that nobody with any wits about them is going to trust you enough to welcome you with open arms because there's the perpetual fear you have a knife in the same hand that could be embracing them!”

“Then there’s this habit of yours where you are always calling some random woman in SCW your best friend. First you do it with Kayla Richards. Then you move on and start calling Kat Jones your best friend.Now if the rumors are true, Alexandra Calaway is next on your bosom buddies radar. Now granted you can have more than one close friend and call them your best friends, but it’s pretty suspect that until you started popping up and addressing them from out of nowhere, when before you had never interacted with them. You just pop on and say ‘Hi bestie!’ and give a goofy wave and smile of excitement and more often than not, the intended target of your friendship seems just as surprised as the rest of us are. Which leaves me wondering if any of these women are or were even aware that they were your…”

Air quotes.

“Close and dear friend.”

Tempest held her arms out, hands up in wonder.

“Who the hell knows? I guess my point is what I said at the very start. You try too damn hard to get people to like you or to be your friend or even both! You worry too much about what people think of you and whether or not they even like you. WHO CARES!? Worrying about shit like that can slow down decision-making and decrease risk-taking, creativity, innovation …whatever!

“Look at what happened that time when you wheeled that cake out to celebrate yourself! Crystal, that just screamed narcissism and look how that turned out! You ended up being tossed out of the ring like a goddamn lawn dart by…”

Tempest suddenly cleared her throat and fiddled with her hair before resuming her thought process.

“Well it's not important who did it. The thing that people remember the most was not that you were sharing cake as a means of self gratification! They just remember the night you went and took a header in that cake in front of the world!If you continue on with being the ‘Pick me’ girl of SCW, the only thing you’re going to accomplish is you’re going to live your life on the terms of those people you surround yourself with rather than your own!”

“And now…”

Tempest then stretched her legs out to their full, impressive length and gripped the edges of the rock she had been perched upon.

“Now we are going to address Crystal Zdunich … the actual wrestler and challenger. And Crystal? I have to say that after everything has been said and done and you won that social media poll to overtake Alexandra Calaway and become my challenger in Flagstaff? You have done nothing – nothing – to bring this match to everyone’s attention other than wear that expression like you just stepped off a street curb and saw a bus barreling down in your path! And I guess… you are, but I guess I just expected more, you know? I don’t know what exactly. Just more. Oh sure, you sat at ringside and watched me bury your wife through the mat but anyone can sit at a relatively safe distance and watch a catastrophe taking place. You didn’t even stand on the table and try to distract me or talk trash for what I did to Seleana, really. Smart girl – just disappointing.”

“The Crystal Zdunich I remember was this vain, gold hungry shrew that would step on the back of a nun if it meant getting any closer to a title shot. Now I get it.You say you’re not that woman anymore and you’re working overtime to prove to everyone else around you that you're a changed woman and not the woman who sold her own wife out for a world title shot. So tell me…”

Tempest clasped her hands together and leaned in closely.

“How’s that working out for you? Since you were named my challenger for Blaze of Glory XII, and by the way there is no chance in hell that you will ever convince me you didn't lead some kind of campaign to get all of your fans and friends to vote for you and stuff the ballot box! Anyway...  you’ve pretty much become the punching bag for the Bombshell division. You lost to Harper Mason for god's sake! That fact alone coupled with how little enthusiasm you’ve shown for this opportunity, well let’s just say that I was surprised when the lineup was announced officially and you and I weren’t the opening act! So here is what you and I are going to do.”

“You are going to forget all about this ‘nice girl Crystal act that you’ve been shoving down everyone’s throats. Nobody is buying it anyway. You have turned back and forth between Good Crystal and Bad Crystal so many times that even Mercedes Vargas would be unable to come up with the correct number of times! If you know what’s best for you, you will not come to the ring and be the same Crystal Zdunich that has been crashing and burning for the past five weeks! No, you are going to come inside of that ring and stand opposite of me and be the woman I know damn well that you are capable of being!”

“You are going to be the Crystal Zdunich that has won literally every championship save for the Mixed Tag Team titles! You are going to be the Crystal that earned her way into the Hall of Fame! The one thing I want more than anything is a challenger that can help me improve on being a champion. The old Crystal was capable of doing just that. Because if you are anything but the absolute best that you can be… Trust me chicky.”

She stood up and glared down into the camera.

“It will not end well for you!”

That being said, she adjusted her jacket and calmly walked off-camera, having had her say. The last thing seen was the camera trailing upward and focusing on the stars above.