{The scene opens at the Team Hero gym with Keira leading another class. She has all the students sitting down in the ring. Roxi then comes through the doors and the students stands up and applaud her, along with Keira. Roxi shakes her head and waves the group off as she walks over to them and enters the ring.} Roxi – Alright, alright, that’s enough.
Keira – We just wanted to show our appreciation, my love.
Roxi – You don’t need to set up stuff like this. You all need to be learning. But, since you went to all this trouble, I want you all to get just a little touch.
{Roxi goes into her gym back and removes the SCW Bombshell’s title and hands it to the student to pass around.} Roxi – I know some of you have replica’s at home, some of you as fans have your own titles, but if only for a few minutes, I want you to feel what having that title, or any title is like. I want you to understand the importance and significance of holding one of those and representing a company, and understand that it means that you busted your butt, and you put in the work, and it will pay off. But most importantly, it means how much trust they have in you, and how much responsibility they have placed on you.
{The students pass around the title, and finally back to Roxi. She simply places it over her shoulder as she continues.} Roxi – Some of you may not win a title, but I believe a lot of you will. For the brief period you touched that title, I want you to envision that it was yours and everything that I just said that goes into it. But winning titles, starts with you putting in the work here. I know, some days absolutely suck. I know, I’m here in sometimes and I’m not letting you slide on things and some of you guys may think I’m the worst trainer in the world and that I don’t like you or that I’m picking on you. Same with Keira, or anyone else that comes down to help you train. But trust me, there is method to the madness.
{Roxi looks around at the students taking all the information in.} Roxi – We're doing this, because we want you to be able to go into that ring, or any ring and earn your living. Because if you go out there, and you aren’t ready, and you aren’t trying to get better, and you aren’t prepared? You know what happens. At the best, they don’t ever ask you to come back. At the worst, you injure yourself or someone else. We are never going to teach you that. I know it may seem harsh, but trust me, if you just prepare and listen, you will learn and you will excel.
{Roxi then turns to Keira, who takes center ring in front of the students.} Keira – Roxi's right, now you cannot ever let yourself become complacent. People pay hard-earned money, and trust me in this economy, it’s a lot for them, to come and see you perform. If you take any show for granted, then you will end up making a bad impression. Our whole team is going to do our best to put you in position to succeed, and we will do our best to get you on shows and into the ring in front of people for the experience. But we’re not going to do that, if you arent going to put in the work. Plain and simple. Everybody got that?
{The students murmur in agreement.} Keira – Okay, find a partner, get some stretching in, help each other. That’s what this is about. I’ll give you guys five minutes to warm up, and then I’ll lead the last five, and then we’ll get into tumbling, rolling, ring movement okay?
{More murmuring as the class gets together and starts chatting amongst themselves as Roxi and Keira go into Keira’s office.} Keira – I really am proud of you.
Roxi – Thank you, my love. You think they got the point?
Keira – Oh, I’m sure they recognize how this works. The only problem is some people may or may not be willing to go that extra mile.
Roxi – Well, we’ll have to weed them out.
Keira – Oh, and by the way...
{Roxi looks up as she is putting her title into her gym bag, catching Keira’s eye for a second, distracting her, but she shakes it off.} Keira – They still are asking about putting on a show.
Roxi – Okay?
Keira – I don’t know, but you know Harper and Jessie and everybody else that comes around here to stop by is also pulling my chain to try and let them do it.
Roxi – I mean, it couldn’t hurt. Let them put on a show here. You could charge people to come see it.
Keira – I'm just not sure. What if one of them gets hurt or something?
Roxi – They run that risk every day Keira. That’s why we’re here and I know some of them aren’t ready, and quite frankly there’s one or two that aren’t going to cut it without a lot more training. But it teaches them some responsibility.
Keira – I guess.
Roxi – Keira, it’s not like -
{Roxi notices Keira isn’t paying attention to her, but rather behind her as the students are just standing and looking into the office. Roxi and Keira look at each other in confusion.} Roxi – What do you think that is about?
Keira - I don’t know.
{Roxi and Keira come out and Tia, one of the smallest wrestlers in training, comes forward.} Keira – What are you guys doing? Is something wrong? You should be stretching.
Tia – Yeah, we actually just wanted to again ask about doing our own show. I mean, you just spoke about how much it means to be a champion, and to get experience and we think this could work for everybody.
Keira – Guys, I know you really want to do this, and it’s admirable. We just need to get you guys some more training before we start thinking about that.
Tia- Yes, we know. But to know that it something we can do, would be a huge boost to us.
{Roxi look at Keira and then Keira looks back out at the students.} Keira – Guys...
Roxi – Let me ask you this, okay, do you have any plans for how to make this work? How much work is going into putting on a show?
Tia – Yeah, and we want to do it.
Roxi – You tell me what your plans are then.
Tia – We can do most of everything. You know, make fliers and hang them out. Post on social media. We all know how to set up the ring. We can sell the tickets. We just want to put this together.
{Roxi looks at Keira.} Keira – In the future. Yes. Okay, we’ll even help you. But you have to get down to business and stop worrying about that, and instead on getting better. So, for now, yes, you can do a show.
{The students are happy and excited about getting their wish.} Keira – But since I’m agreeing to this. Well, since we’re agreeing to this. The deal is really simple. You guys make progress, and make it as a team, then it’s all good. That means we see the improvement, we see you guys trying, and we see everyone doing their part. Deal?
{The students murmur in agreement.} Keira – Good. Now, stop bugging me about it, and let’s get back to work. Get to stretching!
{The excited students starts stretching as Roxi and Keira head back into the office.} Keira – So... how do we pull of a show?
Roxi – I think we can call in a few favors and we’ll be okay.
Keira – You think?
Roxi – You can’t tell me that Jessie, Harper, Cassie and everyone else in that crew won’t want to be part. There’s a lot of people we can call on. We’ll just have to see how the kids actually think this through.
Keira – You called them kids like they’re our kid.
Roxi – Because they are. We’re taking them and putting them into a new world that isn’t going to be very friendly and may not be for all of them. That’s why we’re also preparing for life after all this. Because you and I both know it’s not going to last forever.
Keira – Yeah, that’s true.
{Roxi sees Keira turn away and look at nothing in particular, she knows what Keira is actually thinking, but she doesn’t bother to say anything.} Roxi – Anyway, let’s get out there and see how many of them trip over their own two feet, like kids do.
Keira – And here I was thinking about... never mind.
{Roxi smirks at Keira as the two head out to begin class, and the scene fades.}
“All right, Avengers... You...you will be the face of a new era. And I will tell you why I picked you... For your nobility and strength. Your cunning and bravery. Power and responsibility. Ruthlessness and selflessness. Symbolism. Savvy. And a clear view of the future.”
- Captain America (Avengers Vol 4 #1)
Hello SCW.
I do apologize for the lack of coming to the ring to celebrate being the Bombshell’s champion for the 5th time. There was something a bit lacking about it, and so, I wasn’t really in the mood to celebrate. While I am happy about winning and hey, only one other person has been champion 5 times, I try not to get hung up on accomplishments at this point in my career and my life. But I will hold up my hand and apologize for not being where I am supposed to be as advertised. There were just some unforeseen circumstances that caused me to not be able to appear. It was what it was, and I will always do my best to give you what you paid to see.
You will not have to worry about anything like that happening this week when I have to defend this championship. And trust me, I will be there for that.
A lot of people congratulated me on winning the title for a 5th time and I am truly appreciative of all those good vibes. Winning any title is hard and trust me, it’s not like it ever gets any easier the more you go along. I do not take for granted what I had to go through to win the title. And I do not take for granted who I had to beat to get it.
I don’t know if Amber is coming back or will be back. Maybe that was it for her. Maybe she is hanging it up, or maybe she’s just biding her time. I don’t know, but if that was the end of everything between us? She has always had my respect, and I like to think I earned hers. At the end of everything, maybe she realized what I was afraid of when this whole thing began, that at the end of it, neither one of us would be able to do anything in our later years because of the hell we put each other through. And maybe she realized it wasn’t worth it.
And again, she could come right back and get in my face this Sunday. I don’t know for sure.
But if the latter is the case, I will be there, and I will be ready. I made her a promise, and I always intend to keep my promises.
But Sunday isn’t about whether or not Amber Ryan is coming back. It’s actually not about Amber at all. It’s about another old enemy. One that continues to survive despite all efforts to put her out of her misery. My old pal, Mercedes Vargas.
Now, I don’t really know what else there is to say at this point about Mercedes in general. Mercedes is being given this opportunity because of her past accomplishments, and I think that’s really the problem with the whole Mercedes Vargas thing. I don’t think we can keep rewarding her based on what she did 4-5 years ago. I think we are enabling Mercedes to continue to do the thing we all know she’s doing. Resting on those accomplishments like they are a get out of jail free card.
Let’s just call a spade a spade. Mercedes Vargas has done exactly nothing to earn this match. Yes, she’s a grand slam champion. Yes, she’s in the Hall of Fame. And that’s all well and good. I respect that, and all those accolades. But there comes a point about doing something that’s relevant. What was the last thing that made any of us notice Mercedes Vargas? Her last two matches have been handouts.
Now, I’m not saying I haven’t gotten those. Because I have. But when literally every single time we have to see Mercedes Vargas, it’s putting all of her accolades in front of her name and trying to sell her as still being that person. When we all know at this point, it’s just a front. SCW, I implore you to stop propping up Mercedes Vargas. Stop enabling her to stop caring about evolving at this point. Make her actually earn these things.
But I guess doing that would expose Mercedes for having rested on her laurels this entire time. Let me just ask this question: How long has it been since you actually thought Mercedes was going to really do something important? For the past what, 3-4 YEARS, she has been canon fodder, and the worst part is she not only seems to know, but seems to not even care. I mean, I get it, there’s gonna be some point where you know that winning isn’t everything, and you stop really caring about the wins and losses and you focus more on your own enjoyment. I know this, because I can see this coming over the horizon for me. Heck, I even made a list of dream matches I wanted to have, and really at the end of the year, it’s still up in the air whether or not I really want to continue this. Because while I appreciate the significance of holding this very championship, and what it represents, I know now that there’s a lot of other things that interest me more these days.
I have been very fortunate and lucky to have the opportunities I’ve had. I have never let that slip away from me. I am thankful for everything that SCW has given me, and by that same token, I’m going to fight to make this championship as prestigious as it ever was. And when the time comes that I am no longer champion, I will know that I did everything I could, and I fought as hard as I could to keep this title where it is.
But I’m not blind and I see the crops of wrestlers coming up, and really so should Mercedes. I know each year they get younger and hungrier. And it forces me to keep my game as sharp as it ever has been. I refuse to end up being like Mercedes and relying on everything I once was to carry me through. At some point that has to stop. And I again implore SCW to stop giving Mercedes these chances. On Sunday, I’m going to beat Mercedes again and that’s really all there is to it.
Well, I guess there was a little more to talk about than usual when it comes to Mercedes. I guess I could continue on the nostalgia trip, but I think I’ve had enough of that kind of thinking. I would hope that this reaches Mercedes so she too takes this more seriously, but I’ve known her long enough to know that I’m better off talking to a wall.
I heard it right after I lost the title that I was a boring champion. I heard that I didn’t do anything to elevate the division or make it mean anything. I heard this all from Mercedes Vargas of all people, and at this point, I just had to chuckle and wave it off, because you just kinda look at the source and that’s my reaction.
I suppose we should all strive to have that 30 day title reign that nobody really talks about. We should all want to just have this championship. It doesn’t matter if you hold it for 30 minutes. Just have it once, and then it’s bragging rights forever. It makes you special. While all that is true, she has no right whatsoever to criticize or critique anything I’ve done. I’ve done more with this championship than just wear it for a short time. I’ve tried, over and over to open this up. And I’ll do the same here and now.
It doesn’t matter to me how long you’ve been in SCW. If you earn a match against me? If you earn a match for this championship, I will be more than happy to wrestle you. I want you to come and chase this championship. Because that’s what I did. I want you to try and take it. Sieze your moment.
Because it will mean a hell of a lot more if you take it from me, than if you win it from Mercedes Vargas.
But for now, you on’t have to worry about that. Because I’m going to beat Mercedes. Again. And at this point, I really don’t even take satisfaction in it, and neither should any one else who wrestles her. Until she gets up off her ass and actually tries to make her name mean something again. But until that day comes, this is just another match for me. Just another defense. And it’s sad to have to say that about someone who has accomplished so much.
If you ever really wanted to know the difference between Mercedes and myself, it’s really simple. Mercedes has allowed herself to become complacent and just be here. I am always will be hungry for the next challenge.
So one last time, SCW. Please, stop enabling Mercedes Vargas based on her past. Make her do what everyone else has to do. Earn it. Because after this, there shouldn’t be any more freebies.
On Sunday, I will do what I always do, and I will put on a show. Even if I had to drag Mercedes Vargas kicking and screaming to being acceptable.
See you Sunday.
