Blog: Una serie de eventos desafortunado the 25th: Causa y efecto VII: un fin de semana puede cambiar todo/A Series of Unfortunate Events the 25th: Cause & Effect VII: One Weekend Can Change Everything
semana del 4 al 10 de septiembre de 2 0 1 6
I won.
I mean, I actually won a match for the first time in a long time. I had to pinch myself to make sure this was real. Don't get me wrong, Amy and I put on another classic match and she was tough as she always is last week, but at the end of the day, well, the end of the night, in my 75th career match, I had to fight my way just to avoid another crushing defeat. For me, everything was going wrong, I had to make sure last week went right. And, I don't know, maybe some might even call it an upset. No one expected James Tuscini to lose the Roulette Title in the main event either.
Just goes to show you that one weekend can change everything. Three months can turn a wrestler on top of the world into a freefall. Wrestling is funny like that.
Like I said, I've had a cruel summer, but I'm glad now that episode is in my rearview. I still have to contend with keeping up in this rat race and everyone has to watch their backs now after the last supercard put a reset on the World Bombshell title picture.
Labor Day, the official end of summer, the first Monday in September where people get the day off work. In professional wrestling though, there is no offseason, there is no days off. And even when we're afforded time off, it's usually a working vacation. There's interviews and photoshoots and meet-and-greets. We're away from friends, family and loved ones 52 weeks out of the year.
A few of the other girls on the roster have been doing this wrestling bit for a long time. Roxi, Amy, Mikah, Veronica, and myself, just to name a few. We have spent countless years refining our craft and refuse to settle in giving less than our all. We are the weekend warriors who have sacrificed blood, sweat, tears, and fears and pay a heavy price for what they do but at the same time, we love it and wouldn't have it any other way.
I'm honored to face the next top stars in a division which has constantly brought in ratings and have had great matches over the years, sometimes even outperforming the Superstars most weekends. The Bombshells main eventing Summer XXXtreme for the first-time ever? Who saw that coming?
The Bombshells Division is forever changing and the future is now and, yes, very bright. Don't think I haven't noticed that.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
One weekend can change everything. Now it's up to me to build on that.
Another mile, another step, another weekend, and another challenge from a familiar opponent who will be tough to beat Sunday.
Bring it on.
~ ~ ~
Momento de claridad XXV: No se puede ganar para perder/Moment of Clarity XXV: Can't Win for Losing
4 de septiembre de 2 0 1 6 ♦ LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
[A smile. It's the first time Mercedes Vargas has shown that emotion in a long time in a year where's there has been nothing much to smile about. Nonetheless, the Argentine is in good spirits late Sunday after defeating Amy Marshall by pinfall at Climax Control 158 at the Verdun Auditorium in Montreal.]
“I think I'm going to be enjoying the return flight back a little more tonight.”
[One of the more common rivalries in the Bombshells division, the most recent meeting between Mercedes Vargas and Amy Marshall was another classic confrontation in what was their 11th meeting in Sin City Wrestling. From their first matches feuding over the Bombshell Roulette Title in 2013 to the Mean Girls/Metal and Punk Connection battles that dominated 2014, the Grand Slam Champions first match in 2016 was nothing short of competitive. Sunday marked Vargas's fifth straight against Marshall and now leads the series 7-3-1 in SCW, 11-5-3 in nineteen career matches overall. Still, Vargas keeps her victory low key.]
“She's a class competitor. I always look forward to facing her. Amy Marshall is high on my list of favorite opponents of all-time and no matter how many matches we have, that will never change.”
[The respect might be mutual, but one thing is for sure: Each want to have a final resolution to a long standing rivalry.]
“It's intense in the buildup. This battle was won. I think Amy just wants to move on and focus on someone new for a change, if her comments the week ahead of our match says anything. We'll regroup, we'll go our separate ways, and we'll probably be right back where we started. How long was I going back and forth with her before the match Sunday? Five years now? Three of those years have been in SCW. If management wants us to have one more match, I'm game. Right now, we're both trying to get back to climbing the ranks again in the Bombshells division.”
[Sunday was a significant win for a former World Bombshell Champion in something of a lost year, or a disaster. Vargas has fewer wins in 2016 than at any point in her career. Last year, Vargas had 9 wins. In 2013, her first year, she had 8. 2014 saw her earn a personal record 13 wins. Her fifth win Sunday wasn't going to be easy and Tommy Knocks had Marshall favored to prevail in Montreal. Three months ago since her last win, she sat atop the Bombshells Division winning the top title that was mired in controversy. She entered Sunday on a five-match winless streak dating back to Into the Void.]
“Nothing went right for me this year, that much is clear, and I've gone on record that I don't enjoy losing. Can't win for losing, but you can't win any wars without losing some battles, you know? I had to believe in myself because no one else will. I've had some tough matches, but then everyone goes through a rough patch. I went through mine and I came out better on the other side.”
[Lately, though, wins for Vargas were few and far between, frustration mounted. There were fears, uncertainty, doubt. She even questioned retirement.]
“It was lingering for a moment, but I wasn't thinking about quitting. I mean, I know I've practically done it all here. I have a lot of interests and my life would be good regardless the day I finally decide to walk away. I still think I have what it takes to be World Bombshell Champion again and hopefully I'll get the opportunity to do so in the future.”
[Vargas had to find her resolve when she was losing and even though she knew with Marshall anything can happen, they competed in their fourth singles match in SCW, she stepped up in the face of adversity and desperately pulled off the win, and now the future looks bright. Cryptically, she smiles after a question about the possibility of her challenging for the World Bombshell Championship after the Violent Conduct III supercard later this month.]
“I've used up all of my cards. I still have one last card to play now.”
[She's alluding to her Queen for a Day contract she's now held for more than 9 months. While SCW could schedule a rematch between Keira Fisher-Johnson and Crystal Millar should an upset happen at the supercard, Vargas facing the temptation of vying for her 8th championship match in 2016 or still holding out until the last possible day before the contract opportunity expires.]
“It's irresistible, cashing in. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but trust me, you'll know when it does happen. Watch this space.”
[For now, Vargas will be back in Canada again this weekend this time facing Samantha Marlowe, who is overcoming a two-week bout with food poison, something which Vargas can relate.]
“I remember a trip I took to Portland and, against my better judgment, I tried the clam chowder. Probably a decision I wanted to take back. I felt like death the next three weeks. Lesson learned there. I hope she's 100 percent because we've got some unfinished business in Toronto.”
~ ~ ~
Blog: Una serie de eventos desafortunado the 26th: Causa y efecto VIII: /A Series of Unfortunate Events the 26th: Cause & Effect VIII:
semana del 4 al 10 de septiembre de 2 0 1 6
This is a story. It's an all too familiar one to someone first starting out in the Bombshells division. When she showed up, she was the fresh-faced newcomer that nobody knew. As much as SCW holds a high standard when it comes to the Superstars, the same can be said about the Bombshells and there are times when a new hire can be hit or miss. Although Mark Ward and Christian Underwood are men, evaluating talent and finding the next breakout star isn't a science. It's mostly trial and error. Usually, they'll look at a potential Bombshell and they'll say, 'Yeah, I think she's going to change the division', turn out to be nothing. Other times they're like, “Eh, I don't think they have what it takes, and they turn out to be Misty, the biggest name in the division.
Many fans long for the days when Misty ruled the Bombshells division. The guys wanted to see her, or, at the very least, be with her, and the girls wanted to be her. Even after her retirement, many of the roster still look up to her because she was the benchmark of the division and maybe that newcomer hopes to live up to be the next Misty. Or the next Vixen. Or the next Delia Darling. But when it comes to Samantha Marlowe, she found someone even better to be as: herself. And that's what makes her the Sin City Sweetheart.
If I go off what Roxi says about you, and she's right, you really are a straight-shooter. You're no wallflower. You stand your ground. You stick to your guns. People should be more like you. Of course, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
And you're not one who is flattered that easily.
With Violent Conduct III less than three weeks away and the final show happening this weekend, this is the dress rehearsal for the Superstars and Bombshells who already have matches. For us, Sammi, this is our last chance to impress management to at least have a spot on the card, which is filling up pretty fast. My last few matches could have gone better, sure, and maybe my performance lately could cause me to miss my first supercard appearance ever, and that's a scary thought. To go three-plus years without missing a supercard, that's a rare accomplishment.
To beat another former World Bombshell Champion in back-to-back weeks can only help me get back on the title hunt and, honestly, the fact I was never pinned for the title has to hold some kind of weight. I was never pinned at Into the Void and Crystal never pinned me at Summer XXXtreme either. But that's neither here or there. After all, you survived to the bitter end in the Chamber of Fate match so you should get a say for receiving another shot if Crystal retains. No matter who gets that next title match, we're going try our damndest to make sure that we're not forgotten from the conversation.
But this conversation between us isn't about revenge, is it? I don't know what I need to do to convince you that I had absolutely nothing to do with Crystal ending your first reign. I had no knowledge she would show up that night in Kobe and I had no collusion with her or her husband pulling that stunt, because that's what it was. If I could turn back time and live that moment again, I would have handed the title right back. I did all I could to compete at Into the Void but my best wasn't good enough and Crystal got the better of you each and every time, so we're in the same boat here. Walking out of Toronto with a win at my expense, though, sorry to say, isn't going to be a piece of cake. While you've beaten former champions like Crystal, Raynin and Amy, this Sunday, you step in the ring with the most decorated wrestler in SCW history and someone looking to be where you are now – a two-time World Bombshell Champion. Because while I've done it all, I'm not done yet. I've proven that talks of being in the hall of fame isn't just hearsay, it's a reality, and I'm not going to step off the gas pedal now, I'm not resting on my laurels after just one win. If I can string a couple of wins together, there's no question I can rewrite that night in Kobe, Japan and return to the top of the division.
It started with Amy last week and now I have to keep my momentum going by beating not just a great wrestler, but someone I can call a rival and one of the most popular and respected names in the division.
Everybody waited for the big surprise, but no one noticed when it arrived. That was you, Samantha Marlowe. You've had an amazing career 13 months in and the sky is the limit on what you can achieve. You know you've made it when you have a celebrated analyst and journalist and a dedicated blogger predicting you winning a few awards at the Year Ends later next month.
Your match with Roxi stole the show and I can only hope to match let alone surpass that. Funny that our first two singles matches couldn't do it because of, shall we say, uninvited guests, and hopefully that ends this weekend.
We can only hope.
~ ~ ~
Momento de claridad XXVI:/Moment of Clarity XXVI:
6 de septiembre de 2016 ♦ NEW YORK, NEW YORK
[[Days after my match with Amy Marshall, I returned back to New York. One of the things I missed about being here before I left for sunnier locales in Los Angeles was riding the taxi. Like a box of chocolate, you never knew what cabbie you're going to get. It's another sticky afternoon, in the 90s, and I'm in a taxi heading towards my former neighborhood for a bite and to look around. My cabbie is raping the Pina Colada song playing on the radio and my ears couldn't take the abuse.]]
Mercedes: For the love of God, please stop.
[[Either he didn't hear me, ignored me or was too lost in how awful he was, but divine intervention won out when the song faded into the next commercial. That's when he turned around and started up a conversation as the car eased into traffic.]]
Cab Driver: You got it. Just so you know, it's gonna be that kind of day. Traffic is backed up for miles.
Mercedes: One more reason why I love New York.
[[I point at the iconic “I Love New York” t-shirt I decided to where that day. Obviously dripping with sarcasm, I think I saw a smile. I bristled at the grin he gave me. Gold fillings replace the gaps in his teeth, had to be three at least. I turn away, reaching for my cellphone.]]
Cab Driver: Hey, what are you doing?
Mercedes: I'm texting my orthodontist on when my next scheduled cleaning.
Cab Driver: Oh?
[[Traffic begins to move again. I keep my eyes on the meter, creeping towards the four dollars.]]
Mercedes: I think the meter is going a little too fast.
Cab Driver: No, I don't think so.
Mercedes: I've been here for five minutes. Step on it. I've got places to go.
[[My cabbie weave in and out of traffic before he slams the brakes as a passing car enters his lane and speeds up. I'm jostled around and grab hold of anything that is bolted down.]]
[[Fifteen minutes later and a twenty dollar cab fare later – highway robbery, really – I arrive at my destination. Eating a Cuban sandwich outside my old apartment building stood Giles, wearing a Mets baseball cap in protest of the heat and in a tank top tucked into jean shorts. A portable radio on the ground next to him. He did a double take when he saw me. Giles was the building's doorman when I lived there.]]
Giles: Mercedes, this is a surprise. What are you doing here?
Mercedes: Oh, you know. Just in the neighborhood. The more things change, huh? You don't look a day over 50.
[[He wasn't even that, really. He was actually close to 65, if that. He didn't seem to mind the comment as he punched numbers into his cellphone and summoned his wife, Belkys, down from upstairs. I guess the nostalgia hit her too because she was overcome with emotion too. We eventually catch-up. They have followed my wrestling career.]]
Belkys: So tell me again why this trip is so important? Three matches in five weeks is a little taxing, don't you think?
Mercedes: Not really. I get every other week off. This weekend is a rare exception. It's been over a year since I wrestled back-to-back matches in Sin City. Don't worry, this isn't my first time to Canada. There's only so many times I get to visit there anyway.
Giles:Some more than others.
Mercedes: What did I miss?
Belkys: Remember the Collins, the neighbors whose apartment got broken into?
Mercedes: Yeah.
Belkys: They moved to Alaska and haven't looked back.
Mercedes: What about Mr. Wilkins in 4A? He's still around?
[[Giles and Belkys are silent for a moment. Belkys began dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.]]
Belkys: Sadly, he, too, is in a better place.
[[They both look at the ground.]]
Mercedes: What a shame.
[[ I solemnly shake my head then look back up.]]
Mercedes: Hey, do you remember that woman I sublet my apartment to? How did she make out?
Giles: Left the apartment keys with me after three months. I don't think she could have dealt with the neighbors as it is. Between Ms. Chen yelling at her in Cantonese and Mr. Wilkins Pekinese. It was enough for her to move out.
Belkys: I almost feel bad for the lass. Almost.
Giles: Oh, and that reminds me
[[Giles reaches into his jacket and throws a set of keys to me.]]
Giles: If you ever feel to move back in, it's yours.
[[I hand him back the keys. As much as I would love to, moving back wouldn't be the same. My time in New York has passed. If I could make it there, well, you know the rest of it.]]
Mercedes: I'm going to pass on this one, Giles. I kinda of like staying in the west coast. Freeways, sunshine, the snotty people and occasional earthquake. I travel the world. This is my new life now. Someone else deserves the apartment.
[[They were understanding at least, though I couldn't shake the feeling they had a pool going betting how much the new tenant would last.]]
Mercedes: I'm set for leaving Toronto on Thursday anyway.
[[After numbers were exchanged and photos taken and promises to stay in touch, I climb into a waiting cab that pulls up on the curb. Moments later, the cab pills away and I look back to see Giles and Belkys waving back. I'm going to miss those two. Maybe more than the taxi rides.]]
Since leaving New York for LA more than two years ago, it marked a successful transition for me. Sometimes change can be a good thing.[/i]]]
[Fade.]
~ ~ ~
Momento de claridad XXVII: sólo negocios/asuntos pendientes/Moment of Clarity XXVII: All Business/Unfinished Business
9 de septiembre de 2016 ♦ TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
[REC•]
On a quiet evening in Toronto, our scene opens on a crowd mingling near St. Lawrence Market. Inside the interior to the south market, we spot Mercedes coming towards and bundled up in a fur line coat. She's more exuberant this time following her win this past weekend. She doesn't anytime and gets into her promo.
“Hello, hello, hello. And welcome to Toronto, Ontario. Can't believe it's been four years since my last visit here, but here I am. Four weeks into the Canada Tour and we're finally made it to the last show before Violent Conduct II. I'm excited, you're excited too, I bet. And if you're not, you either don't have a pulse, have ice in your veins, or you're Mikah.”
Mercedes deadpans, holding that expression for a moment before letting out a laugh. She was joking, of course. Even though the longest reigning World Bombshell Champion have been known to hate overseas trips, it was all in good fun.
“Anyway, if you haven't noticed, I'm going to be facing Samantha Marlowe at Climax Control and I can't wait. Though, being the respected competitors that we are, Sam, some might say that our match should be a little further down the card, but then again, maybe this was by design. Maybe Mark and Christian ripped off the rose colored glasses and finally began to see what I've been seeing and what you've been seeing, that someone always throws a spammer in the works. We can't deny it never happened, just look at what we've had to put up with in our first three matches.
“Crystal Millar cost you your first Bombshell Title reign, a match most people think should have never taken place. The triple threat at Into the Void, Kate Steele and Veronica showed up, and if it wasn't for you, maybe Crystal would have walked out of Tokyo with the title and proved Tommy Knocks' prediction right, but you flipped the script instead. And in our rematch, the week after you lost to Crystal, what happened that night? Mikah came down to the ring, for what reason I'll never know, and although Crystal stopped her from trying to interfere, that didn't stop us from brawling with them and poor Jasmine, bless her heart, just threw up her hands and called the match off.”
A look of pure disgust crosses her face. She wasn't going to pretend that she was happy with the decision, but it was out of her hands. The constant interruptions were getting out of hand. At some point the madness had to stop.
“But you know something, I have a feeling that things are going to be different this time. Have you noticed Crystal being eerily silent lately? Maybe she's doing this on purpose or maybe Keira has got in her head. This isn't same Crystal who was talking smack after Summer XXXtreme. Mikah, or should I say Ms. Green, has our controversial Bombshell Internet Champion, Melody Grace, this weekend so I don't think interfering in another one of my matches will be on her agenda. Kate Steele? Apparently, she's turned over a new leaf since losing the Bombshell Roulette Title to Veronica three weeks ago. And speaking of my good, ex-Mean Girl stablemate, I hear she's going to be plenty busy these next three weeks. Facing Twisted Sister in her first defense this weekend? Well, okay then. You know how in those horror movies where everybody dies and there's the one girl who survives. That's definitely me. I still have nightmares about the night Twisted Sister scarred Delia with a hot iron and then, then, threw her through a vanity mirror. And with this sick twisted, fascination she has with power tools lately, or power mixers...anything that's battery operated, really, I can't imagine what Veronica is going to be in for. I can't help but worry. If she got to Delia and she got to Veronica, am I going to be next? I don't even want to tempt fate to find out.
[She couldn't remember when exactly, but she may have seen “Pray for Veronica” trending on Twitter when the title match was made. As the only other ex-Mean Girl on the roster, she would accept prayer requests on her behalf. It's the very least she could do. In the mean time, her upcoming match was more important.]
“Don't you see, Sammi? We catch a break here. We can breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, you and I can settle this thing once and for all in a good, clean match. We're both about giving people what they want, right? Well I say this weekend, with no distractions to worry about, we give those good-paying fans in Toronto the match they so justly deserve on the final show before the supercard. We owe them THAT much.”
“This weekend, I'm all business. And you and me?”
[She points at the camera, then back to herself.]
“We have unfinished business to deal with.”
[Fade.]
