[Mercedes Vargas]

 Just for a Thrill: The Thrill is Gone: 25 or 6 to 4
L A S V E G A S • N E V A D A[
♦ ♦ ♦
el domingo por la noche, 17 de septiembre de 2017
Pacific Daylight Time

[[I don't always stay up past 3AM. But when I do, I prefer to eat breakfast. Because there's nothing like going on weird road trips at overnight hours when you should be in bed and you’re hungry.]]

[[After my loss to Amy Marshall, I couldn’t bother heading to the airport so I searched for the nearest place that was open. Bad enough the vending machines at the venue I left wasn’t offering anything out of the ordinary. More often than not, as was the case here, they could also leave you showing nothing for it. There are a few lone fast food places sadly rolling around on an endless loop in the unforgiven street light. While it’s always good to have options and keep an open mind, I was too privileged for Panda Express and my pride wouldn’t stoop that low for anything 7-11, McDonald’s, KFC or Wendy’s. I was tired, but I wasn’t that desperate to stuff myself with failure, depression and regret, which, ironically, I already was feeling after my match. Especially regret.]]

[[After half a mile, I pulled the Chevy Equinox into the parking space. Normally, I would drive my Porsche, but I’m still getting used to the new wheels. Two months ago, I won a battle royal to win the SUV, a cool two grand and a memorial ring and trophy. Not bad for a night’s work. A quick walk brought me to the last place no one in their right mind wanted to be: IHOP. I shook my head and made my way inside. I gave a look around, trusting that I had made the right call. On cue, a waitress approached me. Right away, I didn’t like her face. When I read her badge reading Caitlin, I didn’t like her name either. Something tells me that this one was a problem child in a past life.]]

Caitlin: Rough night?

Mercedes: You can say that.

[[I could have just as easily brightened up and told her everything was fine, but I haven’t mastered the art of deception as good as others. Note to self: Remember to take method acting classes.]]

Caitlin: What brings you here at 4 in the morning?

Mercedes: Long night of work. Sometimes, I wonder why I keep putting my body through this. Eight years will do that to you. Anyway, I got this overseas trip this weekend and I got a flight to catch in the morning.

Caitlin: Where you’re going? Some place nice?

Mercedes: I should hope so. It’s not every day you get to go to New Zealand in late September, but here we are.

Caitlin: New Zealand, huh? You know that’s where they filmed Lord of th –

Mercedes: I know. I read the brochures.

[[[i Caitlin took my order and I was promptly seated. I looked around. The restaurant seems busy tonight, even at this hour. Last time I came here it took ages for the food to arrive and it wasn’t all that good anyway, but now it’s under new management hopefully things has improved because I’m starving. After what seemed like ten minutes, the waitress comes around with a short stack ordained with strawberries and whip cream.[/i]]]

Caitlin: I remember going to New Zealand one summer. I was hanging around Titahi Bay. Beautiful place.

[[ Caitlin sits across from me. She’s on break, or so she appears to be. I just wanted to enjoy my crepe pancakes. Is that so much to ask? I guess it was to her because she continued making small talk. ]]

Caitlin pauses, turns her head and then reminisces over her story.

Caitlin:  The ocean was serene and calm. And suddenly, like someone being shot out of cannon, a dolphin leaped up from the waves.  I tell you he was five stories if he was a foot. I never saw anything more magical in my life.

[[ I raised my head from my food and give a skeptical glance at her. ]]

Mercedes: Well, what was so great about it?

Caitlin:  When that dolphin made that leap, at that moment, I swear to God that dolphin, looked not at me, but into my soul, looked into my Goddamn soul.

[[ “I hold up my hands in reservation and push my plate away. I couldn’t stay up for another hour. The flesh was willing, but the spirit was weak. It didn’t help that our soliciting conversation made things any better.]]

Mercedes: Well, I guess I should get going. This has been so nice. You know, you’re real easy to talk to.

Caitlin:  Well, thanks. That’s the first I’ve ever heard that.

~ ~ ~

Just for a Thrill: The Thrill is Gone: Daydream Believer
L A S V E G A S • N E V A D A
♦ ♦ ♦
el domingo por la noche, 17 de septiembre de 2017
Pacific Daylight Time

Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today. I wonder who came up with that gem because they must have had a lot of enthusiasm. Most mornings, I can't even get out of bed.

As our scene opens, we find Mercedes just waking up as she slowly sits up, yawning, and then stretching her body. Turning to her nightstand, she glances at the alarm clock. It read 8:30. She falls back against the pillows, trying to get back to sleep and groans.

Even though she couldn't fall back to sleep, she didn't want to wake up either. Weekends were supposed to be relaxing, enjoyable, fun. Well, forget about that. Giving up hope, Mercedes pulls off the covers, forcing herself out of bed as she slips her feet into a pair of slippers and hea for the bathroom. She looks at herself in the mirror, the expressionless reflection stares back at her. With the upcoming overseas tour there won't be any sleep-ins anytime soon. Oh, but who was she to complain? Travelling came part of the territory and the life of a weekend warrior was never done.

She was already used to it.

Mercedes splashes the cold water on her face and blinks twice, trying to get the sleep from her eyes. Well, this weekend was either going to be successful or a total washout. Her last recent title match, she expects to walk out of Climax Control with a new accessory around her waist, but, alas, that did not happen. It didn’t happen at the beginning of the year either. Shame didn’t being to describe this year. She should have two , much less three title reigns already. She was ashamed that her title drought has stretched this long and she didn’t what she would do if she failed again.

Next stop: Wellington, New Zealand.
Next mission: Win her ninth championship.
Next name on the list: Polly Playtime.

Raking a hand through her dishelmed hair, Mercedes smiles to herself in the mirror, turning off the faucet.

It was time to make Mercedes champion again.

~ ~ ~

W E L L I N G T O N • N E W Z E A L A N D
♦ ♦ ♦
el martes por la noche, 19 de septiembre de 2017
New Zealand Time Zone

2017 has seen its share of memorable moments in Sin City Wrestling. From surprising retirements to upset title wins to standout performances from the newest faces to join the promotion over the last six months. Of course, no year would be complete without an overseas tour. Luckily for the fans and talent alike, SCW decided that one tour wasn’t enough. From early April to mid-May, SCW took their talents north as fans got to see their favorite Superstars and Bombshells up close and personal for the first time. Select cities in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Boston, and New York were treated to some of the non-stop action Nevada and the Pacific Northwest got to see on a regular basis.

Now four months later, SCW is at it again with its second tour this year. Only this time, SCW is going across the Pacific with their “Down Under Tour”, where the next seven weeks sees them tour New Zealand and the Australian continent. And no one is looking forward to that return trip more than Mercedes Vargas.

Mercedes Vargas: Are you kidding? This is the best news I’ve heard all week.

Mercedes will get her opportunity to be a part of the tour during the second week of the New Zealand when Climax Control returns to Wellington for the first time in more than two years this weekend. With the announcement released in the days after last weekend’s Climax Control in Christchurch, this weekend show holds a special meaning.

Mercedes Vargas: I could not be more excited. I’m heading to New Zealand for the first-time ever in my career, and I know visiting Australia again for the first time since Summer XXXtreme II is going to be just as good. The Down Under Tour is going to be a special threat for the wrestlers as well as the fans. Definitely looking forward to it.

She’s not the only one. The majority of the SCW roster scheduled to compete at Climax Control 191 will be making their first trip to New Zealand, with Mikah the only exception. She is the only member of the active roster who appeared during the 2015 visit and will compete again this year. To make things even more special, Mercedes will be competing in the co-main event at Climax Control for the first time in nearly two years when she challenges Polly Playtime for the World Bombshell Championship. During her career, she’s been in 15 main events and another six co-main events. Sunday marks the seventh in her career, having won three in a row after falling short in her first three co-main event matches. A few years ago, being placed in the co-main event was sacred for Mercedes, but working her way to being one of the most visible mainstays in the company, matches like these are fairly commonplace.

Mercedes Vargas: I knew I was going to be on the card, I didn’t know I would be anywhere before the main event. But at the same time, this is like second nature to me. Not everybody will get to be where I’m at on the card, but I’m a proven commodity and SCW has realized that over the years. That I get to face Polly again, even better. Besides, we have a little unfinished business to take care of.

Business will have to wait until Sunday, however. For now, the Argentine invited cameras to tag along on her journey here in Wellington where the wind has picked up, tousling her hair that is styled in ringlets. She promptly buttons up in a fur line coat. With some of the harshest UV rays in the world, changeable seasons and variable temperatures throughout the country, she’s getting to know firsthand why New Zealand is a land of extremes.

Mercedes Vargas: Kinda reminds me of Chicago. I guess that’s why they call this also the Windy City, huh?

Another item of note: getting adjusted.

Mercedes Vargas: It’s been a while since I last traveled outside of the Americas. I think the last time I had to get used to the time difference was during the Asia leg of the SCW World Tour two years ago, and that wasn’t fun. At all. When I heard about the New Zealand trip this year, I was figuring out the best way to combat the jet leg. I mean, do I fly out from LA early and try to get used to the five-hour difference, or fly late and completely miss it at all? If I fly in early, do I sleep late? Doing this for as long as I have, I know this comes with the territory. Doesn’t mean it’s any less of a cakewalk getting adjusted to multiple time zones. The struggle is real.

Outside on the patio of the famous Maranui Café, Mercedes takes in the scene: Blue sea, watching planes land in the airport across the water, the busy atmosphere around her. These distractions made up for the long service, but it was worth it. It’s been more than 30 minutes before her waiter returned with her food. When her match is brought up, she offers a paper-thin smile. Apparently, she was looking forward to her match with Polly as much as the fans. But before she talks about her upcoming opponent, she indulgences in her cup of coffee. She remarks that the good brew puts Starbucks to shame, but not as much as she was going to do to her opponent.

Mercedes Vargas: I can’t wait. This is my opportunity to finally wipe that smirk off her face and claim my second Bombshell Championship and overall ninth championship in SCW. Of course, getting a little payback against her wouldn’t hurt. I’m willing to bet Pollyanna is still patting herself on the back after Violent Conduct, but she’s not out of the woods just yet. She’s got me as her first defense, so I hope she isn’t resting on her laurels yet. I’ve been known to overturn a few apple carts now and again. Ask around.

Numerous opponents over her career have been weary of this, from Raynin and Necra Octavian Kane to Crystal Millar and Alexis Edwards. Newcomer or veteran, there’s a reason why an opponent facing Mercedes knew that they were going to be in for a fight. Even Polly, who barely escaped both meetings with victories.

Mercedes Vargas: As this stage of my career, I’ve practically done it all. I’ve accomplished a lot in just four years. Now I get an opportunity to make history once again. Sunday night will be a night of champions, but it will also be my night of ascension.  Polly had better watch out, because her title reign is about to end before it really began. After what happened at Violent Conduct, I think I like my chances of walking out of my match a little more.

Will one reign end where another begins? Mercedes isn’t a stranger to ending title reigns, but if there was a perfect time to find that “Big Mercy” magic, Sunday was it. All the world’s a stage, as they say. The world will be watching if Mercedes lives up to her promise, or see another dream deferred along the way.
ds.

Fade.

~ ~ ~



This Sunday, yours truly gets the opportunity to face one of the Bombshell division's future stars in the talented Polly Playtime, in a battle of youth versus experience. But I guess you can say that experience hasn’t exactly won out because Polly’s got the best of me on two occasions, but I couldn’t be more confident this time. Why? Because the World Bombshell Championship is still in my sights.

We talk about prestige; it doesn’t get any better than the SCW World Bombshell Championship. Sometimes I find it hard to believe it’s been more than five years since the first ever champion was crowned. And I know for a lot of Bombshells that are coming in at a clip, there not aware of just how treasured this championship is. So, I guess a history lesson is in order. In the more than five years since that championship was first introduced, 21 Bombshells have held that title. 21 in the more than five years since it was first introduced.

But let me ask you this. When was the last time the SCW World Bombshell Championship was held by, well, a world champion? When was the last time they had the responsibility of traveling all over the world to prove that they are the best female wrestler anywhere? Because, you know, I’ve already done all that. I’ve traveled some 41 countries over eight years. I’ve been either nominated or outright won several awards. I’m a hall a famer, I’m listed among the top six best wrestlers in the world today and I’ve beaten the best of the best.

And Polly Playtime, I’m coming to Wellington, New Zealand – the forty-second country I will be visiting this weekend – to challenge you not as a wrestler, but as a champion. So you have two choices. You can step up or you can step aside, but at the end of our match the Sin City Wrestling World Bombshell Championship will have a champion – a world champion – it deserves.

~ ~ ~

Present Day
W E L L I N G T O N  â™¦ N E W Z E A L A N D

[REC•]

“So, three weeks have come and gone since the last supercard and I’m not going to sit here and pretend this is all sunshine and rainbows, because it hasn’t been. The loss to Amy Marshall? Yeah, it stung. It stung a lot. I’ll even go as far as saying I was a little embarrassed. I am not out here to say she got lucky or make up any excuses. Amy Marshall grew up in front of our very eyes and finally beat me in a decisive match and for that all I can say is great job. It took her six years, but good job. I’m willing to bet she feels like a huge weight has been lifted off of her shoulders and she can sleep peacefully at night these days, but let’s get this to where it should be.”

«Mercedes slowly shakes her head, the pain of last night's outcome still felt raw. Her body language tells us everything we need to know. She felt numb to the point where she broke contact with the camera lens, slightly lowering her head. Her voice softens, and she repeats those last four words.»

“Where it should be.”

«For a moment she bites her lower lip, now completely at a loss for words. God, this promo was going to bomb, but what the viewers were getting here was pure, unadulterated emotion. Another second or two passes before Mercedes slightly raises her head as if she was ready to speak again. She raises an index finger in a wait a minute gesture.»

“The Mean Girls are no longer in Sin City Wrestling. This is a fact. I have gone through the five stages of grief. I’ve tried to deny that it never happened, that it was just a mirage, a dream, something that never could have happened. I became angry and upset that it actually did happen and I blamed everyone what became of the group, but mostly I blamed myself for allowing this to happen. If only I had won more matches and not blown title opportunities. I bargained with myself that I could back the group together, but even Delia knew it was hopeless and she laughed in my face. I couldn’t bother to show up to answer her ultimatum after that. I became depressed. But eventually I had to get over it. I have to accept that the Mean Girls will never return.

Now I told you I went through my grieving the last few months, but for people like the Metal and Punk Connection, they are still fixated that Mean Girls still exist and obviously won’t let it go, which is, like their taste in music, very unhealthy. It’s been more than two months since the breakup and if I, an ex-member of the group can accept it, why can’t the people who hate us unconditionally? But again, let’s get this where it should be.”

«She drew in a shaky breath and goes on.»

"I’m not in a very good mood right now, haven’t been for a while actually. And in just four days I step back into a wrestling ring. Maybe I’ll get over this by then, maybe I won’t. But I know this much: in my upcoming match this weekend, I’ll be more than ready facing my next opponent. Most recently, I had a championship match for the first time in a long time, despite claims of being handed a title shot. Go figure.  Since my Bombshell Roulette reign ended, no one has broken my record for most title defenses. Sure, Kate Steele beat my singles reign, but she failed to break my defense record. There’s a possibility someone might tie my record, but there’s ZERO chance anyone will actually surpass it. Not with the hungry challengers after that title like Cadence Carter among others. Credit where it’s due, she gave Samantha a run for her money at the supercard just as I did a few weeks ago, but if you didn’t see her dispose of Amy-Jayne like yesterday’s garbage last week, you need to watch that match again.

«She sighs while shaking her head once then looks upwards for a second and then back to the camera.»

“Before, during and after Mean Girls, it doesn’t change the fact that I’m still considered one of the best and I’ve lived up to that potential. I knew since the day I walked through the doors of SCW that I was good. I didn’t know I would be THAT good in just four years and this Sunday I get to prove once again why that is when I challenge Polly for the World Bombshell Championship. Some may say I was giftwrapped another title match, others are boiling in rage that other people are denied a title opportunity because it’s always the same usual suspects that are always in the title picture. A lot of you will recall the whole you get in what you put in mandate Mark Ward issued a few months ago, and I hear you. But this weekend, I’m tuning out the noise and focusing on the one championship reign that was practically made a mockery of by how I won it.

«Mercedes looks around looking rather confused as she points to herself.»

“Sunday isn’t just any old random title shot. It’s not a handout or buyout. This is my redemption. This is another opportunity to right a wrong a certain “Silver Screen Queen” and her husband did to me going back more than a year ago. You know the story. For those who don’t, go back through the archives, pull up Climax Control 148 and watch my match with Samantha Marlowe for her title that night in Kobe, Japan. The match that lived up to every minute of being the final match of the night, and then relive the final moments of that match when Crystal Millar and her husband stuck their nose in where it didn’t belong by costing Marlowe the match.

“Every championship that I’ve held in this company, I’ve never had to use brass or chicanery or lower myself to needing outside help to win a match, even with all that time being with Mean Girls. I’ve won my matches the right way because I’m too damn good to resort having to cheat in matches. Apparently, people interfering in my matches have become a thing, and this has happened on more than one occasion. That night, in Kobe, was the final straw. The title loss two weeks later at Into the Void in the triple threat where I wasn’t pinned was the last straw. Regardless of how long Crystal held the title during her first reign and that I wasn’t able to beat her last October, no matter if she was given a second chance at the title when she blew her chance in her Blast from the Past Bombshell Championship match opportunity, whatever “friendship” she claimed with me went out the window. 15 months on I still haven’t forgiven her and I never will, in this life or the next.”

And I can’t forgive myself by slipping up again this weekend. It’s been over a year, maybe more, since I last held a championship in Sin City Wrestling, despite that I’m the only Bombshell to have won a title four years running. Given our brief history, Polly, chances are you couldn’t care less about my backstory or that you’ve got past me once by the skin of your teeth and again by someone screwing me over in our return match so long as you still hold that title around your waist and make Daddy proud. Well, I’m here to tell you that Daddy is going to be mildly disappointed because I’m walking into Wellington, New Zealand not as a Mean Girl, not as Celeste or Delia’s lackey not as anyone’s stepping stone or charity case, but quite simply a challenger – YOUR CHALLENGER - who is on a mission, and you will know my name by the end of the night.

«Mercedes stares at the camera now and again, but only now does she keep her eyes trained on the lens.»

“Because Polly, as good as you say you are, as great as you think you are, in life there’s always going to be someone who is just a little bit better, someone a little more refined, and someone who is willing and able to do whatever they have to do to get shit done, and when it comes to that, nobody does it better. I’m going out there not to prove to you or anyone wondering if I still got it or simply to pad my stats or as someone’s charity case because I have everyone under their pity thumb. For you, this is just another match; for me, this is as personal as it gets. You’re the girl who loves to play. Well, I’ll play along with you, but I’m not sure you’re going like this playdate very much. In fact, I’ll make sure of it.”

«Nonchalantly nodding her head, Mercedes maintains the impassive expression on her face as she continues.»

“I don’t play games, I win games. I don’t own the second-most wins in the Bombshells Division for no reason. I didn’t become the first-ever eight-time champion in this company by accident. Being a future hall of famer isn’t just heresy or a rumor. Beating every member of the Metal and Punk Connection doesn't qualify you for much anything except a t-shirt from the Podunk County Fair, which I’m still waiting on, but sweetie, you know better than to count me out of any match. I’m a different breed of opponent and no matter the outcome, I’m ready. My past may be the past, but that past is what made me who I am today. I live in the moment and that won’t stop me from what will become my future. Well, my immediate future, and I won’t need to take shortcuts to get there, either.

Shortcuts seem to define our rivalry Polly because for as much as you claim to never take them, history says otherwise, but we don’t want to go there, do we, Polly? No, you know what? Let’s go there because I think we all need that reminder of just who we’re dealing with. You cheated to beat me not once, but twice. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Sweetie, I won’t get fooled again this weekend, so bring what you got and more importantly bring that Bombshell Title with you. Halloween may be less than two months away, but what happens Sunday won’t be any trick. Taking that huge chip off your shoulders and that title off your waist will be my treat and you won’t need to thank me for it.”

«Mercedes holds up her hands in reservation.»

“I won’t be surprised if you start baiting me that I was handed a title shot because what I’ve done in the past since I came to SCW. You’re not the first to use that crutch, probably won’t be the last. People like Mikah can sit in her ivory tower and wax poetic about who does or doesn’t deserve title shots, but when that title opportunity comes knocking, a challenger, regardless of experience, has to answer. My road to become World Bombshell Champion was a steep road to climb, but I didn’t want to end the way it did 15 months ago. I didn’t want it to end that way. Now is my time to rewrite history and claim the championship the right way.”

«Mercedes angles her head to one side as her arrogance shines through. A small smile turns into a satisfying grin. Mercedes was always told to err on the side of caution, but such advice meant little to her. Murphy's Law has a funny way of ruining plans - even the best laid plans - but there's just no way she could mess this up, right? Right?»

«Mercedes removes her reading glasses, then holds up three fingers. A rueful smile follows before her voice drops to a faint whisper.»

“Any given night, all it takes is three seconds to my ascension.”’