Devona: I suppose you're going to hit this up and realize that this time around, I'm doing things a bit differently than I had before. That's alright, it's understandable. Because if there's one thing that Gabriel and Odette taught me at their wrestling academy, it's that every now and then you have to adapt to the times and try things out differently just for the sake of it. If you're in a difficult situation, then you have to work your way out of it. When you're up against the wall, you have to go out of the norm and find a way to get things accomplished, even if it is outside of your comfort zone. My point is, you have to evolve. You can't allow yourself to get stuck in a rut or become stale, otherwise you'll never get past the point you are now and move on to where you deserve to be.
But the question I've been asking myself for nearly a week strong, is do I really deserve it? Don't misunderstand me. I'm proud of what I've accomplished so far, and I don't think the negative outlook on those I've been inside of the ring against should be affecting me. I have my critics, I understand that. No person in the public eye can say otherwise, and if they do, they're either lying or simply blind to the world around them. I've heard a whisper or two, saying that I haven't done enough to earn this spot I find myself in, or that it's just because of my so-called connections that I'm being granted this opportunity. Well the funny thing about that is, when Mark Ward and Christian Underwood told me that I'd be getting a future championship match and sooner than I expected, I did indeed ask myself the former. I think any rookie in this business that's doing well but with a realistic sense of self has to ask that of themselves. But that is something that I'll be exploring a little later. You'll understand where I am coming from.
As far as my connections? To that I have to ask, what connections? Are you referring to Gabriel and Odette Stevens, the two people who took me into their care and confidence and prepared me for this rough and dangerous career that I chose for my own path? First off, they aren't my managers. Granted, they help me out when I need it, even when I don't realize that I do. They help book me quality flights and comfortable hotels to stay in, but that's just the type of people they are. They care and feel no remorse in showing the fact. They do the same for Evie Baang and would for anyone else they took under their proverbial wings. And if you think they went to the bosses at SCW and told them that I deserve a title opportunity, then you're insulting threefold; them, the bosses, and myself!
I don't believe for a moment that Gabriel and Odette would think so little of me and Mark Ward and Christian Underwood as to push me ahead of anybody in line for a championship match just because they trained me. They stood back on the sidelines and watched Evie Baang work her way up the ladder of contention, and offered advice along the way until she was declared ready -- by the bosses -- then they just watched with pride while Evie took the Bombshell division by storm, becoming their first student to lay claim to a world championship. The Stevenses have helped me more than they know from the first time I got my foot in the door, right up until the moment my title match against Mikah was made official. And as much as I enjoy a first class flight or those luxurious hotel suites they insist their charge (me, myself and I) get, it's their wisdom and experience that I find the most valuable. Where would I be right now without it? And if they did put a whisper in the ear of those in power, what of it? Isn't that what wrestling is all about? Making connections?
I have to admit that I keep feeling as though people are expecting me to live up to the hype that Evie has already surrounded herself with. But the two people who matter most that are not expecting the same are the two people who trained the two of us. Gabriel and Odette do not expect me to be Evie Baang because I am NOT Evie Baang! I. Am. Devona. And I'll say to you the exact same thing I said to Gabriel when he sat opposite me that first day he interviewed me:
Just give me time.
Las Vegas
Gabriel: So talk to me.
Gabriel said as he leaned back in the chair that was set front and center in the spacious living room in the house he and Odette called their own. It has been awhile since I've been back here in Las Vegas. My own hometown of New Orleans is over fifteen hundred miles away, so I can't get back here as often as I should like. Gabriel and Odette made it known that their doors were open to me to return to their training facility in order to keep my skills sharp. They also made it known that if I were to pass near en route to one of my bookings for Sin City Wrestling, that I was more than welcome to stay in a comfortable room in their estate rather than a cramped hotel room. It was that sort of generosity that always endeared me to this wonderful husband and wife. Admittedly it was just a part of my nature that almost always made me want to thank them for the offer but stay in a hotel anyway. For fear of intruding on their home, I suppose, but they'd hear no part of it.
So here I am, on the road from New Orleans to Primm, Nevada for the biggest match of my career thus far, and I was seated in a manor that could swallow the houses of both my Grams as well as my two best friends and their Momma. As it turned out, Odette was scheduled as well to compete in Primm, and Gabriel thought to make a rare attendance, so it made sense for all of us to travel the extra forty or so minutes together. I had already stayed over the previous night, having arrived on Thursday, and Gabriel said we'd leave for Primm early Sunday morning. Gabriel and Odette had made my stay welcoming, even inviting his own mentor and his proverbial little brother over for dinner. They had taken me on a little walk through their personal zoo, when Gabriel could see that not everything was quite as it should be in my head. Hence why he corralled me later in the evening for this little heart to heart.
He shook his head, his eyes glued to my own as though he weren't certain he understand my feelings entirely.
Gabriel: Why don't you think you deserve to be in this match with Mikah?
Yes, I said 'my own' as in first person. As I said before, I was looking to try something a little different this time around. Against a veritable superstar like Mikah, I had little choice but to go the extra mile to walk away with a win, and if not a victory, then at least I will see to it that Mikah remembers my name. Anyone can put things together in a third person narrative, but first person? That's when you really and truly see through the eyes of the one whose life you're experiencing vicariously.
His brown eyes were warm and inviting as he wanted to be confided in, and he sat and patiently waited for me to respond.
Devona: That's just the thing.
I said.
Devona: I don't know if I do deserve the match or not. I can't help but wonder if maybe they had their sights set elsewhere for me, until I had that little run in with Mikah backstage, and took advantage of it.
Gabriel paused for a moment of thought, his arm stretched out past the armrest of his chair to drum his fingers on the end table to his left. He took time to contemplate what I had just said before a soft shrug of his shoulders and tilt of his head brought him around.
Gabriel: While that may very well be, there's something to be said for taking advantage of the moment in the business. There was obvious tension there between Mikah and yourself. Mikah's a champion. Can't blame the bosses for wanting to take advantage of what was practically handed to them on a gold platter.
Devona: I wouldn't exactly call it 'tension.'
Gabriel stared at me, his eyebrows slowly rising in wonder to near his hairline. I conceded.
Devona: Okay, maybe there was some tension there, but only because Mikah decided to just insert herself into the situation and talk down to me.
Gabriel smiled.
Gabriel: Exactly, and that's a sin that Mikah couldn't ignore; you stood up for yourself. You stood up to her. By the way, speaking of that...
Gabriel nodded, his face bearing a serious expression but I could see the laughter, the pride, dancing deep in his eyes.
Gabriel: Nice shot.
I couldn't help but smile. That was the second time a member of the Bombshell division has tried to get involved in my time and upstage me, and the second time I laid a hand to them in response. And much like the time I made Veronica Taylor eat my first, it felt good, slapping Mikah so hard it sent her botox lips to the back of her head.
Devona: Thanks, my hand is still stinging though. Can't help but wonder if that chick had so much work done, she's rendered her face hard as a rock.
I exhaled hard and felt my shoulders sag.
Devona: I can't help but wonder if I overreacted, though.
And that particular statement, or question, got an immediate reaction from the one of my two mentors. Gabriel sat up straight from where he had taken a relaxed position, and leaned forward just a hint at the waist while he pointed a finger right at me, all semblance of levity in his eyes now but a memory.
Gabriel: Don't.
Devona: Don't ... what?
Gabriel: Don't second guess yourself -- ever. What you did to Veronica Taylor served notice that you weren't going to be pushed around. And now what you just did to Mikah? That bitch slap told the entire Bombshell locker room that even one of the greats wasn't going to intimidate you. And make no mistake about it...
Gabriel nodded, his eyes and face both serious.
Gabriel: Mikah is one of the greats. Longest reigning Bombshell World Champion. Current Internet Champion. And yet when she got up in your face, you didn't back down. You didn't bat an eye. You spoke to her at first with respect, and when she decided to continue being ... herself, you slapped the hell out of her.
Gabriel sat back once again and kicked his ankle up over his bended knee. His elbow placed on the armrest and his chin on curled fingers. The smile again found its way to his face.
Gabriel: It was beautiful. O and I both laughed our arses off at the look on Mikah's face after you did that! Can't remember the last time anyone put her in her place. So no. Don't second guess yourself for what you did or said. Mikah is one of the Alpha females in SCW, no matter what any of her nay sayers or detractors might want you to think or believe. And refusing to back down from her or allow her to openly disrespect you got you more respect alone than any championship run would have.
I leaned over on the sofa where I was seated and wrung my hands together.
Devona: I guess that's one of the things I keep asking myself. Should I be getting a shot at the Internet Championship so soon? I mean, when they told me I had earned a title match, I thought I was going to get put against Sam Marlowe. The roulette titles seem to be the real proving ground around SCW. And even then. I keep asking myself have I done enough? I've really only been in four matches since I first debuted.
Gabriel: Yes, but take a step back and look at just who you've beaten in those four matches.
He lifted a hand and counted off on his fingers.
Gabriel: Amy Marshall. That bird has done everything imaginable that a wrestler could want to do. She's held every championship, most of them more than once. First ever Grand Slam winner. Hall of Fame.
Gabriel leaned over at the waist and rested one elbow on his knee while pointing toward me with a forefinger for emphasis. he whispered in a conspiratorial manner.
Gabriel: I'll admit that when I first heard your debut was against Amy, I wasn't thrilled. Tradition always was that a rookie would face a rookie, or someone relatively low on the totem.
He paused for a moment in thought, then shrugged.
Gabriel: Or Veronica Taylor. Give or take. But they thought they were going to feed you to Amy. At the time I figure she'd become something like a welcoming committee, seeing as how they'd been booking her against relative newcomers. I guess I can understand it. So many men and women come to SCW with a chip on their shoulder and a championship resume a mile long. They waltz in, thinking they're the shit, and will pick up right where they left off in previous promotions...
Gabriel paused to smile.
Gabriel: But SCW isn't like some of those other promotions. The competition there? Much more fierce! And when these fellas and women start showin' their arses, thinking they're all that, only to turn around and debut with a loss? First thing they do is walk. How many newcomers in recent months has SCW seen leave before they give their careers a chance to really start?
Devona: Too many.
Gabriel: Exactly. So they put them against Amy to weed out the weak. I imagine they did the same with you, for the same reasons. Wasn't happy with it, but I understood.
Gabriel smiled.
Gabriel: Except, it didn't turn out the way they --or Amy -- thought it might. Then after you surprised everyone by putting Amy's shoulders down, they saw something in you. So they put you against Mercedes. She's about as equal to everything Amy's done, save for the Hall of Fame Induction.
Odette: That'll come in time, soon enough.
Gabriel's wife, and the other one responsible for the training of my in-ring career, came walking into the living room, her fingers intertwined with the small fingers of their little boy, Lucas. The child, not yet three years of age, saw me and his face lit up. Not out of recognition, necessarily, but he just seemed to love being around people. Lucas's fingers slipped from Odette's own and he ran as fast as his short legs could carry him and climbed onto the sofa beside me and practically flopped on me for a greeting.
Odette: Oh, sorry!
And she meant to retrieve their son from my lap but I waved her off, resituating Lucas at my side but my arm around the boy's slim shoulders.
Devona: No, no. It's okay.
Odette smiled and nodded, then turned her head to Gabriel. She gave a lilt of the head in my direction.
Odette: She going on again about not deserving this title match?
Gabriel made a face and nodded in the affirmative. Odette just exhaled and shook her head before giving me a look.
Odette: Dee, you've walked in, kicked the backsides of some of the Bombshells' top former champions, and get rewarded for it. And you're complaining?
Devona: I ... I just don't want to let anyone down.
Gabriel: The only way you'd let us down is if you walked into this title match and didn't give it your all. I'd like to think we taught you better than that. But it's like I was saying, it's not as if your record is against you. Amy first, then Mercedes Vargas? Everything Marshall's done, so has Vargas, save for the Hall of Fame thing. And you beat her too.
Odette: You also beat the Mean Girls collective in that six woman tag match, and it wasn't Kate or Amy who got the win for your team. Not that they didn't help as part of the team, but you pinned Veronica, the one who started that whole bloody mess.
Gabriel: Not to mention your follow up match against Veronica, the match you should have gotten in the first place. That bird is a loud mouth and sounds like a repeat record every time she opens her yap or posts on twitter, but she's got a proven record. And you shut her up -- again. Given your record, I think you have a pretty good chance against Mikah.
It felt good, knowing these two wrestling greats were being so supportive. I felt almost silly in having my own insecurities to contradict them. I sighed.
Devona: Don't get me wrong. I do think that I can take Mikah if I put my mind to it, but I can't help but worry that I'm moving too fast. I don't want to end up being the female equivalent of Tommy Rich.
Gabriel's eyebrows rose.
Gabriel: Mm! Someone's been doing her homework.
Indeed. Tommy Rich was a former World Heavyweight Champion of the National Wrestling Alliance. He had won the title on April 27, 1981 at the tender age of 24. He lost the title a mere four days later, and his career never truly recovered. He won several regional championships, but he would never be seen again as anything else than a 'flash in the pan' champion. Any respect he had was systematically ruined.
I felt the hand on my shoulder and looked up into the eyes of Odette who had a warm smile on her face.
Odette: That's not going to happen, Dee. You're going to walk into that ring, and win or lose, you're going to make Mikah remember your name. And I truly believe that you will win...
Gabriel: We both do.
Devona: But what if I do lose?
Gabriel frowned and shrugged.
Gabriel: So what if you do? Everyone loses. I've lost. Odette here's lost. Evie has lost.
Odette sat down on the arm rest of the sofa, close to my side, her hand never leaving my shoulder.
Odette: If you think we'd think any less of you should you not win, then you're worrying over nothing. Just go into that Main Event, get in Mikah's face, and make sure she never again puts her finger in yours.
I let my attention drift from Odette to Gabriel who simply winked with a smile.
Odette: Now that that's been settled, are your two friends going to be coming to Primm?
I smiled as it was just before I had left N'Awlins that Beast had informed me that he and his brother would indeed be there to cheer me on.
New Orleans - Days ago... ------------------
Standing at the airport terminal, Beast had enveloped me in a big hug, 'big' being the operative word as the dear man was well near 6'6" and over four hundred pounds of nothing but muscle. It must have been quite the comical sight, him almost enveloping me entirely in his arms. We separated and he had a smile on his face as those beefy hands rested on my shoulders.
Beast: We'll be there, DiDi.
It took a moment to process his meaning, but when I did I could feel my face light up.
Devona: You will?
Beast: Wouldn't miss the chance to see you win your first championship. I'd even tolerate another road trip with dumbass to get to be there for it.
And by 'dumbass' he obviously meant his brother, Beauty. Say what you will, but despite the antagonistic relationship the brothers had, the two actually did care about one another. You'd just never get either of them to actually admit it!
Las Vegas
Devona: They'll be there.
Gabriel: Good. We'll see about setting up some backstage passes for them.
Gabriel then shared a brief look with his wife, before settling his attention once again on me.
Gabriel: Just so long as the one leaves the female staff alone?
Of course, it wasn't just Gabriel and Odette that I had to rely on as the butterflies started to settle in my stomach over the spot of Main Event truly started settling in my stomach. I also had two dear friends who ensured they'd also be there for me, in every sense of the world.
New Orleans - Days ago
The week had not been a bright one for the city of New Orleans, as the temperatures were only in the low eighties and with cloudy skies, rain had been the norm for much of the week, for most of the days. It was dismal, I admit, as I would much rather revel in the bright sun and blue skies, but I should have known that even with weather like this, I'd get no reprieve from my buddies. They were watching SCW streaming on their television at home, and when they heard that I was to receive a championship match against Mikah, they went into full on training mode to help make certain that I was ready for anything the Internet Champion Mikah could throw my way.
There's one thing you should know about Beauty, the younger of the two brothers. No, not that he's a very attractive young man, or as his brother might say, he is a few tacos short of a combination plate. It's the fact that he is in remarkable physical condition, a fact that Beast takes more pride in than he might admit. It was Beast who got Beauty started in working out, exercise, and the like. No, I'm actually referring to the fact Beauty has exceptional conditioning. Despite his muscle mass, he can run for miles and not get winded. I should know.
It's what he had me doing today.
The rain had not stopped coming down, but thankfully it had eased up just a little. Just enough so that I wasn't entirely miserable when Beauty showed up at my doorstep at dawn to run and work on my own conditioning. Granted, I wasn't as slim and trim as some of these other Bombshells, but I feel I'm in great shape. I just couldn't deny Beauty had the edge overall in this matter, and given I had asked the boys for their help in getting me ready, I guess I asked for this day from hell.
We were in the City Park in N'Awlins, and there were few others around us. Small wonder why, given the weather, but we made full use of it as we jogged through the paths and nature walks, and were currently running along the bank of the beautiful lake. I was wearing my usual black sports bra and matching lycra shorts, lined in (you guessed it) purple. Beauty was a yard or so ahead of me, and he was wearing a white t open at the arms, and powder blue shorts that were clinging to everything thanks to the drizzle coming down. I guess I should be thankful his Momma most likely stopped him from wearing white shorts too or else we'd really have a show!
Beauty had his iPod tuned up and ear buds plugged into his ears as we jogged up and over the bridge, but me? I never ran with music playing because it just seemed an unnecessary distraction and potentially dangerous should you not hear anything or anyone oncoming. But just as we were about to finish crossing, Beauty had come to a halt and in my own distracted state, I came this close to plowing right into him from behind.
Before I could ask what was up, Beauty was bent over at the waist, tying the laces on his shoe which had come undone. And, well -- let's just say his already tight shorts were getting some extra emphasis for the way he was positioned. I took the brief moment to catch my breath and look out over the calm water of the lake, when from behind us we heard a whistle, and a call...
Cyclist: Coming through!
I turned to reach for Beauty as he was finishing his laces, but he scooted a bit, having obviously heard. I looked up and saw the two cyclists bearing down on us, having taken the same route we had down the paths and across the bridge. Still, there was plenty of room on the bridge for all. Beauty was fighting with the knot his laces had become entangled into, but managed to back himself up against the wall so the two men on bicycles had room to pass us.
Cyclist: Move over please!
Beauty shot upright with a scowl on his face and he hollered.
Beauty: How far do you think I can go!?
Cyclist: I don't know but I'd love to find out later sweet cheeks!
The cyclist in front called as they passed, and it probably wouldn't have been half as amusing as it was were it not for the fact the two riding by us were both male. I watched them pass and then turned to Beauty who had a perplexed look of confusion on his face, as if he were trying to decipher the man's meaning. I laughed.
Devona: Come on!
I grabbed his arm and pulled him along as we took up the run once again....
Of course, it wasn't Just the cardio that Beauty helped me with. I mean, as proud as I am of my kicks and that right hand? The boy has me beat tenfold when it comes to striking.
We were now in the NOLA Kickboxing school, where he and I would routinely attend to sharpen our skills. It appeared more like a warehouse than a school, with chipped brick walls and blue mats along the floor, but it really served its purpose. We stood in front of a large, picture window, the rain now coming down much harder since our early run, and side by side we practiced our punches and kicks while the instructors walked around, offering input and guidance where needed, and criticisms when called for. Not that we needed it, or I should say not that I needed it.
Beauty, despite all physical evidence to the contrary, was deemed good enough to compete on an amateur level. One instructor even asked him if he had any interest in attempting MMA, but he shot both suggestions down quickly. Why? His looks would be put at risk, and to him that was a cardinal sin. Besides, if he were to do any form of competitive sport, I knew it would one day be wrestling.
I decided if I was going to do this, I was going to do it right. I was seated in the back of a taxi, en route from their house to their training facility. I had gone as far as I was able, earlier this week with my buddies. They helped me far more than I could ever credit them for. I had little to no desire to jump into one of the three rings in the as-of-yet unnamed gym. After the intense week I've already had, I doubt I'd have anything left for Mikah if I were to engage in yet another training regiment. For now, all I could do was realize what was to come, relax and focus.
I watched the city go by, the bright sun darkening to dusk, as the road stretched out before us with bright lights everywhere the head would turn.
Devona: Gabriel and Odette were right, of course. I'm done second guessing myself and where I stand as I head into this match against you, Mikah. I earned a championship match with my record over Amy, Mercedes and Veronica, and I would have gladly accepted whatever Mark or Christian decided to give me. Of course, what they gave me was you. You and your Internet Championship. Quite the prestigious belt, ever since it was first established. Women everywhere, from Roxi Johnson to Amy Marshall, and yes, Mercedes Vargas ... right up to you. And very soon, me.
I know you're feeling pretty confident. After all, why shouldn't you be? You're a former World Champion, one of the best SCW has had if you're prone to listening to the critics and armchair experts. I can't exactly fault them for those views. You held that title for well over eight months and defended it against everyone the bosses placed in front of you. And after a bit of time away from the championship scene, here you are. Back and some might say better than ever. Save for one little nugget of information.
I looked to the camera.
Devona: Your record for Internet Championship defenses isn't nearly as stellar as the record you held when you were the World Champion. Your championship defenses haven't been as regular as what you held when you were the top Bombshell. I mean, you even took Into the Void V off for so-called family reasons, yet there you were. At the event in full view of one and all. Why is that, I wonder? Part of me believes that despite all of your bravado and bluster, in the end, that World title loss made you realize you are the one thing you never believed possible; vulnerable. Yes, Mikah. You are not unbeatable. You can be defeated. Samantha Marlowe proved that when she beat you for the World Championship. And in a matter of days, I'll prove it when I become the new Bombshell Internet Champion. Why do I feel suddenly so confident? Logic.
I held up her hand and counted off at the fingers.
Devona: Amy Marshall. Grand Slam Champion. Internet Champion -- beat her. Mercedes Vargas. Grand Slam Champion. Internet Champion. Beat her.
I smiled, and nodded my head toward the camera.
Devona: Get where I'm coming from, Mikah? My track record is looking better than your own outlook. Things aren't looking too good for you, but they are looking pretty bright for me.
The cab pulled up to the lot where I had first begun my foray into the sport of professional wrestling. As I started to pay the cabbie his fare, I looked one last time into the camera.
Devona: So please make sure that belt is shined up real nice, Mikah. A girl does like a little bling.
New Orleans - Days ago
Prime Fitness RX
Of course, it wasn't just Beauty who had my back and a hand in getting me ready for Mikah. While his brother helped me with conditioning, Beast then went to work with what he did best; weights and endurance. That's why we found ourselves here at Prime Fitness RX, a twenty-four hour state of the art gym which Beast was a member of, and I was a guest. (Beauty worked out elsewhere.) Beast didn't splurge altogether too often with the funds he got from his job, but the one thing he indulged in was his gym. He loved working out and as far as he was concerned, this place was the best. His home away from home and small wonder why;
It looked like something out of a modern sci-fi movie, if sci-fi movies specialized in state-of-the-art workout machines, treadmills, free weights and everything else imaginable.
Beast: No, like this. Stand like this Didi.
I was working out with dumbbells, and I guess I wasn't standing correctly while I did the bicep curls. Beast was like a drill sergeant when it came to working out. You could see the evidence given his little brother used to be a pretty scrawny kid that got picked on frequently in school before Beast got hold of him and did something about it. He walked around me until he stood just behind me, to my right. With one big hand flat on my stomach, Beast placed his other hand on the small of my back and corrected my posture so that I was standing perfectly upright.
Beast: Stand over like that and you could pull a muscle in your shoulder or back. Been there, and it ain't fun.
He also had me on my back (mind out of the gutter guys!), as I laid back along the weight bench and pressed the weights over my body while he stood over and spotted me. He kept me at it until it looked to his eyes I was starting to falter. If my face strained or he noticed a twitch in my arms, he then immediately grabbed the weights and lifted them from my hands and placed them back on the rack.
Of course, one of my favorite workouts in this gym were the battle ropes. After a small break, I stood with the ends of those thick, dark red ropes in my hands and I started to swing my arms up and down, sending the ropes into a parallel wave-like motion.
of course, by the time the afternoon wore on, my entire body felt like it was on fire. I was sweating, sore, and ready for a little nap or a big meal, whichever came first. I was seated on a bench, having a drink of water when Beast approached me.
Beast: Feeling good?
That wouldn't be quite how I'd put it, but I knew in the end it would all be worth it. I just nodded, and he beamed like a young boy on Christmas morning and clapped his hands together and rubbed his palms briskly.
Beast: Good! We're all warmed up! Let's get started!
I looked up at him with wide eyes.
Devona: Say what?
I was now inside of the training facility of Gabriel and Odette's, standing inside of one of the three rings the walls of this building housed. I walked along the perimeter of the ring, my hands gliding along the top rope, from one turnbuckle to the next as I found myself in deep contemplation.
Devona: I know I did things a little differently this time around, and I hope that none of you minded too terribly my delving a little bit into my life and how my friends helped me get prepared for my biggest match yet. Beauty and Beast, I love those two men like the brothers I always wanted. And Mikah? I imagine she'll give us another edition of "The Mikah and Drake Green Show," or as critics like to call it -- "As the Stomach Turns." O did all this, showed what I was going through, did the talking, and now it all leads up to one question, Final Jeopardy if you will.
I stopped my walking and turned my back against the ring ropes and crossed my arms over my chest as I looked into the camera with as much raw determination as I could muster.
Devona: Am I ready for Mikah? I think that's the question on everyone's mind. Hell, I've even been asking myself that question, ever since I was told it would be happening. I suppose there's more than a few Bombshells out there, watching on and hoping I fail. maybe they, like Mikah, believe that I'm not ready. Maybe they think I don't deserve it, I don't know. I mean, I don't have any girlfriends in SCW, any female confidants or the like.
I shrugged.
Devona: I admit it, I'm a little disappointed in that fact. I thought after what we went through with the Mean Girls, maybe I was getting a bit of a connection with Amy and Kate, even Jessie, but I haven't heard much of anything from any of them since Summer XXXTreme so I guess I was wrong. Now, will they be watching my match with Mikah this weekend?
I nodded.
Devona: I hope so. I want them, and everyone else, to see that there's a new chick on the horizon. One that had the best trainers, and dear friends, all of whom have my back as I make my mark this Sunday and take the Bombshell Internet Championship from the waist of Mikah. I want someone, anyone, to get a shot of Mikah's face so I can get it framed, when she looks up and sees the girl she accused of not being ready, holding the Internet belt up high, and that moment of realization that it is no longer hers.
And Amy? Kate? Jessie? If I am wrong in my assumption, well then, drinks afterwards? There's going to be a new champion crowned on Sunday, and a girl's got to celebrate!
I then added a smile, purely for Mikah's sake.
Devona: An' Mikah? Not to worry chere. After I win the title, I'll make sure to send a drink over to your table to soothe that fragile ego of yours. Because I'm just that kind of girl.
I smiled and saluted the camera.
Devona: Laissez les bon temps rouler!
"Let the good times roll!"
