[Mark Ward]

Post all roleplays for this match here.
Limits: One roleplay per week per character - 10,000 word limit.
Good luck!

[Mercedes Vargas]

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

Her deep breaths set the mood before anything has to be said, and her slow pacing captures the moment of yet another missed opportunity on this night for Mercedes Vargas.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

Another night, another loss. At this point, in this year of the COVID, the losses go by and just seem to blend together. Just what is it about contendership matches and Mercedes? For the second time in three weeks, the SCW Hall of Famer missed out on a chance to compete in a title match at Violent Conduct, something she had done in her first three appearances. Now the Argentine will have settle for her second non-championship match at the supercard and her first in three years.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

It would be easy for Mercedes to dwell on coming up empty in another contendership match in a year where she's come up empty in contendership matches, or even in title matches, and keep replaying the scenario in her head, trying to figure out not so much how it could have gone differently, but where did she go wrong. Nonetheless, she had to move on. It was therapeutic, it was also necessary. Move on, focus on the here and now, and the future. Well, her immediate future. At the last Violent Conduct two years ago, Mercedes walked out a two-time World Mixed Tag Team Champion with Kain beating two other teams to claim the honor. Kain had long since left the company, Samantha Marlowe and Caleb Storms, the team that beat Mercedes and Kain in the first place, had a brief two-week reign, and London Underground just as soon returned to their other job running their casino. This year, Samantha and Caleb are in title matches again, Mercedes, on the other hand, didn't have a partner, she certainly wasn't contending for the World Mixed Tag Team Championship or anywhere close in contention. No, this year at Violent Conduct, Mercedes's next obstacle is someone who had wrestled all but five matches and until last week hadn't been seen in the company in well over 18 months.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

Some say she's too young, too inexperienced, but with her successful in-ring return at the same go-home show, the English native gains confidence. And for Mercedes, that's a frightening thought against a tough draw.

In less than two weeks, Pandora Barrett ventures into unchartered territory in what will be her Violent Conduct debut. Mercedes, of course, has been here before, maybe too often. She's won two, she's lost two.

Mercedes has been nothing but successful: an 12-time overall champion; a four-time Triple Crown Champion; has won over 60 career matches and competed in over 100 career matches in the company and on Climax Control; a two-time Grand Slam Champion; an SCW Award winner; an SCW Hall of Famer; twice a world champion. 

And yet she has been beaten, battered, and sometimes bullied in what has been a rough year that can't end soon enough. She no longer was the winningest female wrestler in the company or on Climax Control, Roxi Johnson took back that mantle months ago. She had a chance to become the first female wrestler to reach 50 wins on Climax Control and surpass Despayre's SCW record; Roxi not only was the first to do that but is now three wins from likely setting the record while Mercedes looks on.

She no longer was the winningest female wrestler in singles matches, that honor now belongs to Samantha Marlowe. But more glaringly than all that?

Zero championships, the first time that's happened since joining the company in June 2013. There were some - herself included - who would call it an anomaly, others a study in self-destruction.

Quite simply and emphatically, it wasn't supposed to be like this.

Through sheer force of will, Mercedes trudges along through this lost year, having watched her fellow Bombshells reached unexpected achievements. Through sheer force of will, Mercedes trudges along through this lost year in what was she was merely expected to do.

Johanna Krieger was next in line for the Bombshell Roulette Championship by drawing first blood on Bea Barnhart; Mercedes Vargas was left with nothing. Climax Control 280 was another one of those nights.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

In one locker room, you know Johanna Krieger was soaking in the moment as she prepares for her upcoming date with destiny. In another locker room, Pandora Barrett was doing much the same.

And in yet another locker room, Mercedes Vargas is still left to wonder. What could have been turned into what never was and as the final months of the year comes to an end, what won't be soon.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

That reality hit home tonight that was indeed the case.

~~~

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

So it's that time of year again. Violent Conduct is just around the corner and this year has a stacked card as it is. A lot of new faces, and a lot of familiar faces too.

You know whose face is also familiar at this supercard? Mine. I have never missed a Violent Conduct card since I joined the company. Did you think I would miss this night? Never in a million years would I miss this night, especially when yours truly gets an opportunity to face someone I haven't seen in a while.

People think I’m too arrogant and cocky, and that’s putting it mildly. I may be arrogant and cocky or whatever, but then again, who isn’t? Even with their success, Despayre, Samantha Marlowe and Roxi Johnson became this in their career. And yet people still think of them as the salt of the earth.

I wouldn’t use arrogant and cocky, I’m self-assured of myself. Sounds much nicer.

They say it’s not bragging if you can’t back it up and I've done just that over the years. This year, not so much. 2020 has been a strange year for a lot of the notable names in the women's division, which is why I can't wait until it's over.

But let's get this back to where it should be. I'm facing Pandora Barrett at the supercard which is something I never thought I'd say in 2020 moreso because our little English Rose has gone missing in action for well over a year. And now last Climax Control she just had to come back. Makes me wonder who else besides Mikah and Courtney Pierce are going to pop in SCDub between now and next year? Raynin, Gothika, Alice Knight? Is Amy Santino or Danielle Weston's return imminent? Maybe Christina Rose will convince her daughter to join the division again?

Hey, but you know what, Pandora? I think you’ll do great next Sunday. You’re the best. You think I’m the best? No, I’m not the best, you’re the best. Stop it, you’re the best. Yeah, you’re right, I am the best, and don’t you forget it, sweetheart.

So you came back to SCW to take out the roster, huh? Not that I really mind it, but there is such a thing as having too much of a good thing. But seriously good luck with that. You know, for someone like me who isn't worth the free publicity, for someone who is just skating along in the mid-card and has two wins to her name this year, I bet you think this match is going to be another walk in the park like you had against Apple. Now, I'm no Disney Princess either, but you're not going to simply roll over me. This isn't the first time someone has tried to make a name off of me but if you're smart, and I highly have my doubts about that, you probably should do a little homework on what happened to them after the fact. If anything, you're playing a dangerous game that's only going to get you hurt, little girl. Bad.

The way I see it, you got a long way to go before you even think about facing the best this division has to offer. You'll never run a marathon if you never put on your running shoes to train. You'll never master French class if you never attended one session. You'll never get better at playing that difficult Chopin piece or pirouette in Black Swan or solving complex algorithms the length of War and Peace. You'll never start on the morning run if you don't start out the door.

Before you get to the title, you have to get through me. Apple was just an appetizer, I'm the main course. Hope you're hungry, Pandora, because you're about to get more than you bargained for.

If you wanted competition, all you had to do was ask. At Violent Conduct, you get to face the gatekeeper of the Bombshells Division, and I know I'm more than you can handle.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. And may the odds be ever in your favor.

~~~

FLASHBACK

Comerica Park. It is here where set our scene as we find Mercedes Vargas leaving the baseball venue after enduring the three-and-a-half hour affair. She wasn't too keen on being outfitted in a Detroit Tigers baseball cap and jersey, and was even more apprehensive at times during certain parts of the game. Now that it was mercilessly over, she took to the middle of the bleachers, forcing her way through the multitude.

When she finally gets enough clearance, she quickly removes her jersey, revealing Mets apparel underneath.

A few Tigers fans, already bummed about their home team being embarrassed, were now just disgusted at this show of bravado.

Before she even got to the safety of the food court, Mercedes is pelted with popcorn, dodged a can of half-finished beer, and is nearly piefaced from some fan’s Coney dog. Some fans were bemused, but nonetheless not happy at this scene.

What was supposed to be a night of enjoying a baseball game turned into a near riot.

So then what happened?

Mercedes decided it was a good idea for doughnuts and Irma and Ricardo didn't object. Instead of hanging out at the usual restaurant, they Netflix and chilled, as the cool kids like to say in the Covid-era. Irma sat across from Mercedes on an arm chair with her doughnut of choice, maple old fashioned. Ricardo goes with a powdered doughnut sitting on a chair, back to the front. Mercedes lies on her side on her living roof sofa while reaching into a box of Wheat Thins. She takes up a handful as she continues her conversation.

Mercedes: Whoever invented these should get a Nobel Peace Prize.

She daintily pops in a few more Wheat Thins

Mercedes: I swear, these are like drugs. You want to stop, but you just can’t. They’re so addicting.

Ricardo: Of course, Wheat Thins is the answer to all of life's problems.

Irma: I thought that was alcohol?

Ricardo: That works too.

Irma: Well, Mercedes, tell me what happened in the story.

Mercedes: You sure? Once I get going, I'm like the Energizer Bunny.”

Mercedes stretches as she sits up at the edge of the couch.

Mercedes: You know their mascot? They were still on the field, and he began chasing me all over the ballpark! I swear I must have tripped up at least three times.

Mercedes holds up her Mets jersey, unlaundered and soiled in both the front and back. The Mets logo can barely be seen as it’s covered with the remains of chili dogs. Ricardo burst out laughing, which got her a little angry.

Mercedes: Stop it! This isn't funny!

Ricardo: Yeah, I think it is. So, what have we learned?

Mercedes: Never to take any of my brother's ideas seriously? This is why I don't bet anything against him. Thanks to him, I’ve been blacklisted at Tigers games and PAWS, their mascot, claims he knows where I live.

Irma: So that's why you avoid eating Frosted Flakes. It all makes sense now.

Mercedes: You do realize we’re talking about two different mascots, right?

Mercedes pushes herself up from the sofa and grabs her jacket that was draped over the seat.

Irma: Before we go, are you like a celebrity now?

Mercedes: Detroit Free Press, front page. The headline shows me being chased by PAWS with a baseball bat.

Ricardo: I can't wait until you show your face at a Tigers game again.

Irma: Sounds like a fun night had by all.

Mercedes: You're both dead to me.

~~~

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 Nineteenth: Mentiras, Malditas Mentiras (Lies, Damned Lies..., Part IV: These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends)

[REC•]

The camera warms up on Mercedes in the living room of her Los Angeles residence as the Hall of Famer sits in a wicker chair with her legs slightly dangling over the armrest. She begins filing, sharpening, her nails with one fluid motion from side to center with a cerulean nail file.

"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.

"So, I'm going to come out and say it: my last match two weeks ago turned out ugly. There's no two ways about it, I should have won that contendership match at the go-home show. I mean, Johanna, Bea, easy pickings, even with the roulette wheel deciding our match. Up until Sunday, I had never lost in a Bombshell Roulette Championship contendership match. That could have been me facing Seleana Zdunich at Violent Conduct and wiping her off the face of the earth and ending her sham title reign for the greater good. Seleana losing her title is still a real possibility, but that it won't be my hands is disappointing. This was my last chance at winning a championship for another year but all good things must come to an end.

Everything happens for a reason. One of those isn't because Johanna Krieger is better than me. She made Bea bleed to win. Sorry, it was either her or me, and I wasn't planning on wearing the proverbial crimson that night.

Sorry, Bea.

Age before beauty."

With a knowing smile, Mercedes mouths "sorry" followed by an obnoxious shrug.

"You can look at my upcoming match in several kind of ways, and you would be right each time. You can see this match as a battle of youth versus experience. The stars of tomorrow versus the proven veterans of the ring. You could see this match as a battle between the past and the future. Next Sunday can mean any number of things, a consolation prize, a welcoming match, a step-up in competition. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in my eyes this isn't a pay-per-view match, this is an exhibition match. Because Pandora Barrett, in less than two weeks, you're not going to step into the ring with just anybody. You're not going to step into the ring with one of your wrestling school trainees, you're not going to step into the ring with someone who just graduated from wrestling school just yesterday, you're going to step into the ring with one of the most accomplished Bombshell on this roster or any other roster. You're standing across the ring and looking into the eyes of a proven veteran, someone who is more than capable of taking you to school and showing you what wrestling is all about.

"But when I look into your eyes? I don't see a worthy challenger. No, I see someone who is desperate to make a name for herself. Beating Jessie Salco, Parand Ara, and Apple Coren isn't exactly what I would call a murderers' row, but, hey, you have to start somewhere. The only difference between me and you outside of her home countries is that I never lost to Trinity Jones, but that's neither here or there.

"Now, I don’t even know you, but already I don’t like you, and I find it challenging when I try to impress someone I really don’t like. But don’t you worry, sweetheart, I will show up for the showdown at Violent Conduct, because if there is one thing I know, and I know a lot of things, it's that first impressions mean a lot. But make no mistake about, I'm not doing this because you asked for it. I'm doing it because anything less would go against everything I stand for.

"I know how this will likely play out. You’re the returning star, I'm the wily veteran who is past her prime, and you’re going to more than likely toss me aside. You’re going to ignore me and focus on your quest for redemption and one day claim that World Bombshell Championship for your own. That’s cute and all, and I’m almost sure it would make a great bedtime story, but, really, ask yourself this: if you disappeared again, would it be worth it?

I never took you for someone who make excuses, so what excuse are you going to make when I take that chip off your shoulder and take that smile off your face? 

I don't have to ease the doubt in anyone's mind because people already know what's going to happen. If you beat me, well, good on you, but that's only half the battle."

She smiles, but the expression fades as she narrows her eyes and a serious tone sets into her voice.

"Because this tough girl act, I've seen this many times over in my career. You act like I'm supposed to be intimidated by you. Pretty sure I've been in this company longer and I've had the longer career. I don't think I'll need to check in my closet, look under my bed, or close my bedroom door tonight or any other night. Probably won't need to keep one eye open while I'm in bed. Maybe I can rest easy without the comfort of a stuffed toy and possibly leaving the nightlight on.

"When we step into that ring next Sunday, that look you see in my eyes, Pandora, won't be fear, but growing anticipation for the moment I get to shorten your stay here one more day."

Nobody said she couldn't live up to keeping that promise. This was a big step up in competition, and in her mind Pandora's wins didn't impress her all that much, it just told her she's had it easy so far. Pandora can bet that was going to change next weekend. Mercedes rubs her hands expectantly for the supercard in the coming days.

"You've had it too good for too long, but eventually all good things come to an end, Pandora. Violent Conduct is your last chance to prove that your first run here wasn't a fluke, but when you fail to actually back up your words, don't feel too bad for yourself. You're only as good as your last match. Only, this one isn't going to be your night."

Her eyes doesn't meet the camera as she looks down for a moment, gathering her thoughts as she brings her hands to her face. This was something that she herself did not want to get herself into. If it's a war Pandora wanted, then she certainly bargained for one at the pay-per-view, whether she liked it or not. A short sigh and she looks up again, a determined stance in her voice, a redemptive fire in her eyes.

"Don’t expect me to shake your hand or pat you on the back once everything is said and done. I will stand there looking down on you and smile. Because like it or not, in the end....

"A cada puerco le llega su sabado. Pronto llegará tu hora."

"We all get what we deserve. Your time is coming soon."

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

"Long before you knew..."

Looking deadset into the camera lens, her voice drops to a whisper though her words hold conviction behind them. She pauses, mostly for dramatic effect.

"And long after you remember."

***Fade***

[Mercedes Vargas]

Blog: Almighty Fire
semana del 13 al 20 de septiembre de 2 0 2 0

48 hours.

In 48 hours, it's Violent Conduct and yours truly, Mercedes Vargas, will grace this supercard once again. Is that a scowl on your face or are all of you just glad to see me? I know you're all glad to see me. I know you're all looking forward to me being there.

I hope you can say the same Pandora because ready or not, here I come. You can't run or hide. I'm going to find you and when I do, when I get my hands on you, it's over for you, mamita.

I think it's time we have a talk, a “come to Jesus moment”, an intervention, whatever you want to call it. Some things are better left unsaid, but you can bet I'm going to say it anyway. Maybe you're unawares. Unaware that you never pose a threat to me. It's going to take a lot more than a mean streak and some fetish with Gen-X 90s counter culture to stop this momentum.

You don't understand. YOU ALL UNDERSTAND! I mean don't understand! WAAAAAHHHH!!!!

Ah, shut up, you big baby!

I am everything that you're not, everything you claim to be, and everything you wish you could be.

I’ve been called many things in my career, some not so pleasant. But one thing I am not is a shrinking violet. Alicia knows. It’s why she gets angry all the time whenever my name is at the tip of her tongue. Christina knows. If every opponents she's ever faced, I'm the only one who lives rent free in her head. It didn’t matter if I underestimated her, she underestimated me and thought I was going to roll over, but I was more than happy to change her mind.

As far as Pandora goes. Talk about right place, right time You're under the bright lights and performing on wrestling's biggest stage. Things couldn't be more perfect. This leads me now to some good news and some bad news. Are you ready?

The good news is this is your first pay-per-view match in your return to Sin City Wrestling. The bad news is this is your first pay-per-view match in your return to Sin City Wrestling…and you’re not going to walk out of our match with a victory. Believe it or not, Sunday night gives me a lot of confidence that I will be walking out with with my hand raised.

But don't be fooled, I know what you can do, Pandora. I've seen what you can do, but when it comes to me and you, you've haven't done enough to change my opinion. Could you beat me this weekend, sure. You have the desire, the drive, the determination, but it'll take more than that. You're going to need a little luck and a whole lot of talent to keep up with me. I don't see your A-game. Matter of fact, I don't see your B or C game either helping you in this one. What I do see is you failing to make the grade, because if your first stint in SCW is anything to go by, I'm afraid thing aren't going to be much better the second time around.

Doesn't mean I'm going to be intimidated by you, Pandora. I don't know if you get it, I don't know if my words are going through one ear and out the other. You don't intimidate me. Nothing about you intimidates me. I have faced bigger, badder, and better sweetheart, and they could practically wipe the floor with you without so much as staining their lip gloss. I don’t care what you do, say, think, or otherwise. You will never turn me away from this company. You can try, but you will fail. You can talk about me all you want until you're blue in the face, I will still be here on the roster. The day after Violent Conduct, the best part of waking up isn't Folgers, it's me still being a part of the Bombshells Division. Come Sunday, don't expect anything out of the ordinary, I will show up for our match.

At this point, I'm really running out of material when it comes to you. I'm out of options here. If you're already patting yourself on the back right now, I would stop what you're doing. Your fate is sealed, and I'm going to knock you out so hard, you're going to find yourself on a way-trip back to the UK. It's one thing that you're truly out of touch with reality, it's another that you think you have any kind of chance of beating me. That you even signed a contract with SCW is a miracle in and of itself.

You're just not up to my caliber. It's not an assumption, it's not a maybe. It's a fact. And you can't argue with facts, honey. The fact that you'll never beat me. Not in this life or the next to come. And you want to know why that is? Because I'm Mercedes Vargas. I'm the Gatekeeper. I claim nothing, I prove everything. I don't care if Christian Underwood put this match together, I don't care if you asked for this match. Because in the end, you will end up on my checklist.

So am I worried about my match with Pandora?

The better question is should I be.

~~~

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

It's the weekend. You know what that means.

You know, this whole COVID thing, you can practically get out of anything. Weddings, birthdays, funerals, anything. What to do. Where to turn. How to cope. It never fails.

Oh for those halcyon days.

Mercedes, Ricardo, and Irma begins walking along the pathway. They stop suddenly and turns in the direction of two kids playing a game of tag. They run past them and they look on until the kids are out of sight.

Mercedes: How the script coming?

Ricardo: It's going great. And by great I mean I got nothing.

Irma: Writer's block again, huh?

Ricardo: I ended up tossing scenes that took me four hours to write, then rewriting entire scripts based on problems I should have spotted before I even started in the first place.
My wastebasket is overflowing and I can barely keep my eyes open.   

Irma: Maybe you need a muse.

Ricardo: My imaginary friends won't even talk to me.

Mercedes: Hey, I know we were going to meet for drinks on Sunday night, but I have to cancel on you. 

Irma: Oh, that sucks. What happened? 

Mercedes: Apparently some idiot in my wine club was infected with COVID, so now we all have to to quarantine.

Ricardo: Wine club? I don't even know there was here. 

Mercedes: You, that's a surprise. We get most of our recipes from that cookbook Martha Stewart wrote with Guy Fieri.

Irma: Seriously? I think I've actually read that. I love that book, just made the spinach empanadas last week.Every Christmas, my entire family gets together at my grandma's house and we all eat this huge meal with many courses. So naturally, the best thing to go with these many courses is many glasses of wine. Every Thanksgiving, my family always end up going through more wine bottles than soda, but it makes for the best laughs and memories.

Mercedes: All of my Thanksgivings this year are going to be socially distanced.

Ricardo: I feel bad for the poor chap who has to pass the gravy bowl.

Irma: Anyway, sad that we won't be able to hang out on Sunday night, Mercy. Maybe next week?

Mercedes checks her appointment calendar on her phone, that's it's free.

Mercedes: Yup, next week sounds good.

Ricardo: You know, this whole COVID thing, you can practically get out of anything.

Mercedes: Did I mention that I'm wrestling that night?

~~~

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 Nineteenth: Mentiras, Malditas Mentiras (Lies, Damned Lies)..., Part IV: These Violent Delights Have Violent Ends: Dangerous by Design

[REC•]

The camera warms up on Mercedes outside standing in front of the Paul Smith wall, the famous big pink wall where people post photos and selfies.As it did, we’re treated to black-and-white footage. Mercedes wears low-rise jeans paired with her “Mercedes” Sin City Wrestling authentic t-shirt. She’s hidden behind a pair of black Oakley's.

"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.

"During the week leading up to a supercard is where things get a little interesting. This is our last chance to get those last words in while we can, so everyone is going to take advantage of that.

Anyway, much has happened since we last saw you, Pandora. We rung in the New Year, celebrated the life and achievements of Martin Luther King on his birthday. Groundhog Day and the Super Bowl have come and gone, we sent our cards to that special someone on Valentine's Day, honored presidents past and present on President's Day, and got festive for Mardi Gras. We've prepared for the first day of Lent on Ash Wednesday, said hello to Daylight Savings Time, remembered the fate of the Jews on Purim, wore green on St. Patrick's Day, welcomed the first signs of Spring.

Played our best pranks on April's Fools, ushered in Palm Sunday and Passover, filed away our taxes on Tax Day, and then reflected on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Honored our mothers on Mother's Day, remembered our fallen in uniform on Memorial Day, devoted a day to our dads on Father's Day, and just could not wait for those lazy hazy crazy days of Summer. Celebrated another birthday for America on Independence Day, honored working people on Labor Day, and watched the leaves turned brown as Fall swept in.

There's also that whole Covid thing, too. Don't want to get into that. Too depressing.

You missed quite a lot over the last 18 months, and it's sad to say that no one even noticed you were gone. But here you are again, three weeks since your return and looking for another run in SCW. So far, you beat Apple Coren. I mean, that's great and all, but then who hasn't beaten poor Apple, right? But, hey, a win is a win, that's a feather in your cap.

Now, things get a little interesting. You and me, me and you, one-on-one. There's nothing at stake save for pride a x perhaps the opportunity of saying you stepped in the ring with the most accomplished talent on this roster. Last time we met, it was about getting a golden briefcase in a multi-man ladder. This year, we're fighting for so much more. We'll at least you are. Because either you're one step closer to one day challenging for the top prize in the Bombshells Division and hopefully unseat whoever walks out of champion, or you will be left behind in the title hunt.

"Thing is, I'm just not sure that if you happen to beat me and then go on to lose if we'll ever see you again. Pandora.

Where, oh where, have you been for the last 18 months? Were you expecting and you wanted to keep it a surprise from everyone, is that it? No, wait. Were you injured? Maybe you decided to take a trip around the world in eighty days? (Well, in this case, you would probably need to do that more than twice, but you get the idea) Where were you when SCW's women's division was main eventing on television and pay-per-view almost weekly? Where were you, Pandora, when all these new girls were coming in at a clip at a time? The Blast From the Past Tournament could have used a few more people. Where were you, Pandy? Because I knew where I was. For over seven years, I've been busting my ass in this company week in and week out, night in and night out, competing in that ring. Since my in-ring debut, I've wrestled in over 150 matches. Hold your applause. You've wrestled all of five matches in 18 months. Five!

With you, Pandora, another run in SCW is a great way to waste a roster spot. I hear what you're saying, I love the sales pitch, but I'm not buying what you're selling. It's too bad this company doesn't see it the same way, but sooner or later, they're going to regret it.

"SCW has changed dramatically since I first joined and now at my age, I no longer have time on my side. I'm a veteran now and the oldest active competitor within the women’s division.

I've also been all around the world, a veteran of many tours in Japan and Europe and Canada. I've been mostly successful everywhere I've gone, including here in Sin City Wrestling."

Mercedes suddenly becomes quiet as she reaches for her glasses and slowly pulls them off, folding them in her hands and then placed them next to her.

"No one should doubt that I will be ready for Violent Conduct given my track record. No one should think that I don't stand a chance in singles contests. No one should worry that I'm going to break a hip or worse against you Pandora because I'm just as capable of ending your career as you are coming for mine.

"This match isn't something that I need to do to prove to the rest of the division that I'm that damn good. I've won that argument. I already won at this pay-per-view before too on two occasions. If I were to win this match again, I'd be very surprised. But even if I don't, would it matter? My legacy is still intact, my title reigns and accolades aren't on paper, it's in the record books, and I'm on the damn cover. I highly doubt none of the other Bombshells are capable of taking my spot on the roster until I'm ready to give it up.

"And right now, this isn't Mercedes Vargas talking to Pandora Barrett, this is Mercedes Alicia Vargas Castaños de Ortega talking to Mellie Bennett."

A pause is met as she gathers her thoughts before raising her head again to finish her promo.

"You bring your black baseball bat, you bring your badassery, you bring your absolutely best, but it won't be enough against me. You see me as an afterthought, and that's fine. After Sunday, the only thought that's gonna cross your mind is 'what the hell just happened'?

"Go ahead and hold on to that false confidence and your unfounded arrogance. Go ahead and puff out your chest a little more and make all the bold declarations you want to. While you're at it, go ahead and mock my accolades.

Unless, of course, you prove me wrong. I hope you can back up your words, sweetheart. I hope you beat me. Better yet, that's your homework for tonight: Beat me. Please, beat me. Shut me up. Put me in my place. I dare you."

***Fade***