[Mercedes Vargas]

Blog: Almighty Fire
semana del 6 al 13 de septiembre de 2 0 2 0

I'm not going to waste too much time here. We all know that I didn't win the battle royal two weeks ago, that Alicia got super lucky, and that Maki should be thankful that she left as fast as she did when she got eliminated because the only reason she's still around is by the grace of God and because I'm a nice person.

Maybe not all the time, but most of the time.

Anyway, Sunday is the go-home show to Violent Conduct and surprise, surprise, I have a golden opportunity for a Bombshell Roulette Championship title match at the supercard. Only problem is Johanna Krieger and Bea Barnhart stand in my way.

You know, it’s a good thing Johanna is going into this with such confidence, because we all know she's the baddest bitch in the Bombshells Division, and she will let you know that fact.

Well, if she wanted competition, she's got the right one because I sure do love testing myself against the up-and-comers here and find out if they're really ready to take on the best the company has to offer.

Good thing Johanna has had a pretty good standing up until now, she's going to need it. Now that she's moving on to a singles career, we're going to find out if she'll sink or swim. Bea Barnhart, bless her heart, the girl is trying to keep her head above water, but it's not whether she can stay alive, it's how long until she goes under.

Anyway, facing Bea Barnhart should be fun. Add in Johanna Krieger, now we have a party.

I have two opponents to get through Sunday. Am I going to guarantee walking out number one contender? No. I'll guarantee the pursuit of it, whatever it takes.

One day, someday, I will be champion again. But just as how I'm not going to let anyone stop me, I'm not letting failure stop me either. This year is only a setup for my comeback. And despite what you may think, failure isn't fatal. But I am.

Long before you knew, and long after you remember.

~~~

FLASHBACK

A plane chases the sunset.

Inside the plane, Mercedes wakes up from her afternoon nap and looks outside her window seat. The pyramids of Giza were best viewed at daytime, but seemed even more majestic under the orange glaze that settled behind the.historic landmarks. A man walks his camels over the desert sand dunes to wherever he was going.[/i]

Jorge: So, where you're off too next, Carmen Sandiego?

Mercedes: I told you, I'm going to Africa for a show on the twentieth. Did you get my tickets for Egypt yet?

Jorge: Took care of it.

Mercedes' brother passes the time listlessly turning the pages of a travel brochure about the continent. All the pertinent details are there – glossy photos, a few interesting trivia, nightlife.

If getting there was half the fun, usually the other half wasn't worth the price of admission.

He looks up from his reading.

Jorge: You know, Merce. I'm kind of surprised you took me along after, well, you know, the Egypt thing.

Mercedes: Well, as the Good Book says, you should forgive others, and I forgive you, Jorge.

Jorge: You never told me why you're taking me with you to the Ivory Coast.

Mercedes: Don't you want to see your own sister win back her tag team titles that she lost a month ago? Relax. Getting there is only half the fun.

Jorge shrugs.

Jorge: If you say so. Just that, you know, those girls you're up against scare the hell out of me, especially the girl with the guns. Oh, well. Might as well be prepared. What did you bring with you?

Mercedes holds up an iPad.

Mercedes: Movies and music? You?

Jorge: Even better. I've brought along some board games, playing cards, and dominoes to play with. This is going to be one long flight. Gotta have something to do or I'm going to be suffering from bordom-induced coma.

Mercedes stares back at her brother before lowering her face into her hand. Yup, this was going to be the beginning of what would be the week from hell. Will she be able to survive it is the question. The male passenger, who has since woken up from his nap turns to Mercedes, waving at her, which in turn weirded her out.

As the plane flies over the majestic Atlantic Ocean under the guise of sunrise, our scene fades to black.

~~~

L O S A N G E L E S • C A L I F O R N I A

It's Not Whether You Win or Lose: Gatekeeper the Eighteenth: Mentiras, Malditas Mentiras (Lies, Damned Lies..., Part III)

[REC•]

The camera warms up on Mercedes sitting cross-legged on a beanbag chair, slightly pensive to the events of the past few weeks, and for the weeks to come.

"Some things are better left unsaid, but you can bet I'm going to say it anyway. I can't help being who I am."

Mercedes takes a deep breath, brushes away a few strands of her hair from her eyes.

"There's one thing everyone knows I love to do and that's talk. So, when I talk, most of the time you know I'm going to say a lot and usually something somewhat controversial. You hinge on every last word, you're watching, waiting, and wondering just what I'm going to say. Most of the time, my words seem to stay in people's mind. So when it comes to this match and finding out who will be next in line to challenge Seleana Zdunich for the Bombshell Roulette Championship at Violent Conduct, well, I guess I have to say something, right?

"On paper, this is Johanna's match to lose. Johanna has the better record, the most wins, and the fewest losses. She's had an incredible, incredible year. SCW is always on the lookout for the next breakout star. A lot of the higher-ups believe she's had a breakout year of any woman on the active roster and it's only a matter of time before she winds up with her first singles championship and maybe even the top championship in her future. Bea Barnhart hasn't had a great year, but SCW sees a lot of potential. Like I said, on paper.

"In reality, though?"

The pause, then small smile on her face was a telltale sign to the viewer that Mercedes was about to once again defy all kinds of logic by not talking about herself.

"In reality, there's only one real threat in this triple threat. Sorry, it's not Bea or Johanna. And if you really had either of those two in mind, please leave the room. Don't get me wrong. Johanna is good, she may even be great, but she's only beginning her climb in Sin City Wrestling. She may be enjoying the honeymoon now, but it's not going to last forever. Alicia is a good example, so is Andrea. They were the hottest thing going last year, nobody could stop them. This year? Not so much.

"I know what you're thinking. There's no woman who's invincible. And as sure as the sky is blue I'm not either. I've taken my knocks, I've lost more than my fair share. But, see, the thing is I always got back up. I always get back up.

"I don't need 40 minutes to tell you what I can already say in 10 minutes. I could tell you about my title reigns and accolades, the championships I've won, the numerous records I've set and broken, the milestones I've reached, everything I've done in my career,, but, really, where's the fun in that? I've accomplished a lot more than what people give me credit for. I've carved out a legacy that will never be surpassed or equaled. You've read the history book, you've seen the monents. And if you did none of those things, you probably heard about it."

And while Mercedes may not be headlining shows or main events, no longer one of the top stars of the company or hold a title or even the top title, she was still a dangerous opponent, no matter what her win-loss record says.

"Johanna already made it clear how she feels about me and that's perfectly fine because I was never moved by emotions and I really don't care how people see me. If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best, either the fans and the other Bombshells takes me for granted or they don't.

Mercedes offers an nonchalant shrug while mouthing the word "sorry" before continuing. The offer was non-negotiable.

"I've made history many times over at Violent Conduct. Do I have to win this match? Not really. Do I have anything to prove? Not really. My legacy won't be threatened, especially from who I'm facing next Sunday. This match is just the stepping stone to either Bea or Johanna in taking that next step. That doesn't mean I won't make you earn it."

Mercedes pauses, smirks a while. She knows where she was going with this.

"So when SCW poses a question that whoever wins Sunday won't know what they're getting into at Violent Conduct, I can only shake my head.

Maybe they forgot that I've been in more Roulette Rules matches than any woman in SCW history, or that I have more wins in Roulette Rules matches than anyone. Or the fact that I was the first-ever four-time Bombshell Roulette Champion."

Mercedes pauses, then adds.

"Or that there's nothing that roulette wheel can throw at me that I can't handle against Seleana. After all, I ruined her pay-per-view debut."

Mercedes swipes a hand over face. The once proud smile she had has transformed into a serious expression.

"And maybe Bea Barnhart seem to forgot that I have a singles win over her. Or that Jojo forgot that the last person who got in my face from her stable got her first loss handed to her. I'm willing to bet Sierra still has nightmares over it.

I know I'm a nightmare for anyone who stands across from me in that ring and I've proven that time again. In my prime, past my prime, it doesn't matter. Underestimate me at your peril and see where that gets you.

“So just how am I going to prepare for this match? I should be freaking out,, biting my nails and wondering how will that roulette wheel decide my fate this time.

“But I know better because it doesn't matter what the stipulation is. I don't have to get ready, I stay ready. Whatever the spin of that roulette wheel, I'll face it head on. Whatever challenge the two of you pose will be nothing like the first time anything before it. Am I at disadvantage? No question. And the scary thing is, I know neither of you like me, and maybe the greatest disadvantage is that you have every advantage. But here's the thing, I'll find a way, not a way out. I always do, because that's what I do.”

See, it's really simple: in order for me to make history one more time at Violent Conduct, for me to achieve my dreams, I have to crush yours. So Bea and Johanna will lose their Violent Conduct debut, and they might have to wait a little bit longer for that elusive singles title win.

"Ladies, you shouldn't be afraid of my words, you should be afraid when I have to put my boots back on and ready to kick ass and take names. So which one of you are going to end up on my checklist Sunday? Doesn't really matter. Pretend this is the Hall of Fame, you're both inducted, so pat yourselves on the back. You've earned it."

"So the question isn't who's going to let me..."

For a moment the smile returns to her face while running her fingers through her hair.

"it's who's going to stop me?"

Mercedes stops to open her arms wide in challenge.

***Fade***