[We fade in with a closeup of Mercedes Vargas, who appears to listen to a question for a promotional interview for her match this weekend at Blaze of Glory. We peel back to see the Hall of Famer sitting in a director’s chair in front of a magenta backdrop. A white rose adorns her hair, pinned close to her head. Matching dangling torquois earrings complements a form-fitting canary yellow short dress that shows off her long and slender legs, one crossed over the other, and a pair of strappy sandles. Sitting across from Mercedes is a blonde woman who listens intently as she nods.]
Interviewer – Let's talk about your recent match with Georgie Robertson. As we all saw on Climax Control, your match with Georgie was mired in controversy as the match ended in a double countout draw. What did you think about that?
Mercedes Vargas – What did I think about it? It was crap. And let's get one thing straight, okay? That should not have happened. I get Jacob Summers is a veteran referee, that he's been in some of the greatest matches and moments in Sin City Wrestling, but you don't need to be Helen Keller to know that two matches in a row Georgie got away with murder.
Interviewer – The instant replay showed Georgie reaching down her top and grabbing an object from her bra. Open-and-shut case.
Mercedes Vargas – That ending? Really? The fans who paid their hard earned money deserved better, but instead they have to accept that bull****? (shaking her head) No, just...no. What happened that night was totally uncalled for.
[Mercedes is still visibly upset over the outcome.]
Interviewer – Do you think more effort should have been taken in watching out for Georgia using underhanded tactics?
Mercedes Vargas – Of course. She should be put under the microscope, she should have been told that she would be evaluated during matches to see if she would pull that stuff again, and clearly this was passed over, for what reason, I don't know.
Look, there are a few Bombshells who are more talented, hard working and don't have to lower themselves to using weapons or whatever as an excuse because they're untalented.
Interviewer – Do you think that Georgie should have been fired?
Mercedes Vargas – Well, I wouldn't go that far. I think she should have been suspended. But you know what? It's okay, it's alright. I was upset about it, but I'll get over it. There's nothing else I can do about it, really.
[To Be Continued...]
~~~
[Mercedes Vargas ignores the knocking coming from outside of the bathroom. As the sink runs, she close her eyes and splashes the cool water on her face.]
Mercedes: Stupid, stupid, STUPID! You should have known this was going to end badly, but oh no, you just had to tempt fate."
[The "a" in had is stressed out, to make it sound like “just haaad,” as a weary sigh escapes from her lips while shaking her head solemnly.
Mercedes: At this point, I bet I couldn't win a match if my opponent was blindfolded and with one hand tied behind their back!
[Her eyes welled up with tears as Mercedes tried to make sense of where did it go so wrong in this new year. But her moment of solitude kept being interrupted with that knocking.Turning off the sink, Mercedes whirls around and unlocks the door. When she opens it, Carmen, wearing UCLA apparel, stands there for a good five seconds with arms crossed, blank expression, just looking at her cousin. Her expressions softens into concern.]
Carmen: You've been in there for two hours. You okay?
[Mercedes wipes away her tears with the back of her hand.]
Mercedes: No, no. Just my sinuses acting up again.
[Carmen walks back into the living room as Mercedes follows. Carmen sat cross legged on one of the beige arm chairs as Mercedes sits across from her on the couch. The television was playing the UCLA-Georgia basketball game with the sound muted.]
Carmen: Sometimes you have to know when to step away. It's time.
[Mercedes's expression turns into surprise, making a funny face, with eyes and mouth wide open as she shakes her head in disbelief.]
Mercedes: I can't believe you're suggesting I quit wrestling, Carmen! I still have so much to offer in the ring. Age is just a number, and I refuse to let anyone tell me I'm past my prime.
Carmen: When are you going to face reality? You're not the same wrestler you used to be. Your body can't handle the resiliency it once did. I understand your passion for wrestling, Mercedes, but maybe it's time to consider a new path. You could explore other career options where your experience and skills could be valuable.
[A hard pill to swallow. Wrestling was all Mercedes has ever known. It's hard to admit, but her cousin might be right, maybe it was time for her to consider other options. It's tough to say goodbye to something she loved so much.]
Carmen: It's important to think about your future and what will make you happy in the long run.
Mercedes: Like what, a beach getaway or a hiking adventure in the mountains?
Carmen: How you ever thought about moving back to New York?
Mercedes: Well, I've been missing the city life lately. The last time I went there, the Statue of Liberty had two hands up. I can't imagine things getting better. Maybe it's time for a change. What do you think?
Carmen: I say go for it! New York has so much to offer and it would be great to have you closer. Plus, we could go on all sorts of adventures together!"
[With a deep sigh, Mercedes takes up her coat and heads for the door. She pauses outside and looks back to see Carmen as her attention is now on the TV.]
Mercedes: Looks like I have decisions to make.
~~~
Blog: Almighty Firesemana del 7 al 14 de abril de 2024I've had a lot on my mind, my thoughts run deep and my emotions run hot. Where do I even start? My losing streak? Championship matches falling through my hands? That I can't even seem to beat newcomers who just had their signatures dried on an SCW contract? I can't help but to laugh but it really makes me think: Am I flawed or really unlucky? I'm better than this. I'm not like the other girls when they get beat, they simply laugh it off, they simply shrug it off. I'm competitive, that's just the kind of person I am. Every wrestler wins matches, every wrestler loses matches, but it's the great wrestlers that are able to bounce back from a loss, or in my cases, a series of losses. Don't mistake this as a sob story, I'm not looking for pity. It's through adversity where you find strength. I'd rather take the road less traveled than the easy way out.
Last match, I didn't lose, but I didn't exactly win either and that, quite frankly, has pissed me off.
Now, I can understand why Georgie Robertson did what she did and, hey, I actually have to commend her. People will do just about anything to get noticed, even if now she's been demoted to extra in the Bombshells Division with that Golden Briefcase she's held since mid-December. Georgie wants attention. She craves it, breathes it, eats it, needs it. But sometimes, well, just sometimes, attention isn't always a good thing. Especially if you attract that attention from the wrong people. That's why she attacked the top three Bombshell singles champions in a match she got to referee in. That's why she attacked me the following week with brass knuckles the week after that. And I suppose this builds to a brilliant segueway as to why that match entirely didn't end so well for me, because I was embarrassed by Georgie Robertson. For the second time this year.
So, I'm going to be a part of a time-honored tradition – yours truly making the card for Blaze of Glory, again. What could be better than being a part of one of the most signature pay-per-view events of the year in front of a packed out arena?
No one was going to deny me from once again making history because that's just what I do. I think its going be a grrreat way to spend a Sunday night. Not that Alexandra Calaway is any less important, because she is, it's that 2024 hasn't been the year I though it would be.
I think the all-important question is what does Alexandra have to do to beat me? It's going to take a little bit of luck and a whole lot of talent. She talks about hardcore matches being her domain, but maybe just maybe she forgot that these matches are second nature to me.
Read my lips, write it down – I’m walking out of Blaze of Glory with my head held high and my hand raised in victory. I’m going to end this losing streak. And as for Alexandra Calaway? Don't know what's going to happen to her after our match. She's still a capable wrestler, but the novelty is wearing out fast, which can only mean that it will be a matter of time before she becomes a fading star in SCW.
I hope Alexandra keeps those words soft and sweet.
Just in case she has to eat them.
But at least I’ll make her feel better about it.~~~
Interviewer – And now from Climax Control 390 to Blaze of Glory. You're facing former Bombshell Roulette Champion Alexandra Calaway in a Hardcore match. Now, you seem to have a new perspective on opponents you've yet to face. What's your thoughts on Alexandra?
Mercedes Vargas – Ahead of this interview, I have to admit that I was in a cranky mood, but when I found out that she was one of my opponent, it brought a smile to my face.
Interviewer – Why is that?
Mercedes Vargas – Have you see her matches? Obviously, she's pretty good. And Alexandra does have victories over some tough Bombshells so far, so she has that going for her. This really sounds like a challenge, and I like being challenged.
Interviewer: There's no doubt in my mind that Alexandra could prove to be, well, difficult. She very well could be the last opponent that you'll have to beat to get back to winning.
Mercedes Vargas – Maybe, but as good as she is, I'm simply that...much...better. And I'll be more than happy to show her why that is.
Interviewer – Is that what you think about Alexandra?
Mercedes Vargas – Alexandra is another women who will likely stay no more than two years, probably have a few more Bombshell Roulette or Internet Championship reigns and then leave because she wasn't good enough to become world champion.
Interviewer – Wow! That's some pretty strong words there, Mercedes. What makes you say that?
Mercedes Vargas – I'm not going to pretend and say that I haven't seen her matches, I have. It's obvious to everyone that she's talented. Just not world champion material, like, well, yours truly. She's got hopes and dreams, but that's all it is – hopes and dreams. And the only thing that she'll have that close to the Bombshell Roulette Championship again, is the replica belts from the merchandise store.
[Mercedes grins airily.]
Mercedes Vargas – As far as my match is concerned, Alexandra may come up just short in walking away from this match with her hand raised. She might want to bring along a six-pack of Red Bull. It's going to be a loooooong night for her. Part of me feels that it's going to be a great match, but then another part of me feels sorry for what I'm going to do to Alexandra this Sunday. Is that so wrong?
[The camera closes in on her face as Mercedes puts on a look of concern.]
Interviewer – Alexandra is a well-established name in some circles, and is no stranger to gold. She's won various titles throughout her career, not to mention that she's been fortunate enough to capture the Bombshell Roulette Championship here in SCW. Why do you think you deserve to win this Sunday?
Mercedes Vargas – Why am I going to win? Seriously? What kind of a question is that? Why am I going to win this Sunday at Blaze of Glory? Because unlike my opponent in this match, I'm the only one who was made for this pay-per-view. Why am I going to win? Because I know what it's like, and what's it about, and what it takes to be a champion. Why am I going to win?
[She pauses.]
Mercedes Vargas – Because I won't settle for anything less.
~~~
"You ready to taste defeat?"
"I'm ready to taste victory, with a side of humiliation for you!"
[Ricardo and Mercedes circle each other inside a boxing ring.]
"Thanks for coming out and helping me train for my match. I thought you would be busy, you know, helping book matches or something."
"It's not a problem, after all somebody has to keep an eye on you..."
[Ricardo quickly wraps her arm around Mercedes' neck in a side headlock, but Mercedes weasels out of it and counters with a waist lock.]
Ricardo: You've been grinding hard in the gym for this match against Alexandra. She may have been a former Bombshell Roulette Champion, but I think you're more than capable of taking her on and coming out victorious. You have what it takes to beat Alexandra and make a statement at Blaze of Glory. Believe in yourself and trust your training.
Mercedes: Looks like I'll be eating salad for the rest of the week to make up for this.
[They lock up a second time.]
Ricardo: Binging on pizza is never a good idea.
Mercedes: Excuse me? I'm on a diet.
Ricardo: Is that what you called it when you ordered a pizza with extra cheese, but they forgot to put any on?
Mercedes: The no cheese, all sadness special is real.
Ricardo (laughs): That's terrible, but also kind of funny."
Mercedes: I know, I'm full of terrible jokes. It's a gift, really.
***
L O S A N G E L E S, C A L I F O R N I A
[REC•][Leaning against the front of her Porsche, Mercedes smiles at the camera. Sunglasses are raised over her head.]
"So, I'm very much looking forward to Blaze of Glory. And Alexandra, I know you're looking forward to it too. I've got to hand to you, I'm almost surprised you've made it still in SCW one full year. That's an accomplishment in and of itself, so take a bow. You've earned that, at least. It's just that I'd thought your career in SCW would have been a whole lot memorable then it is right now."
[Mercedes raises her index finger for a moment, considering the thought then shakes her head.]
"Don't get me wrong, you had your moments, that great winning streak after stumbling early on last year, the Bombshell Roulette Championship run. We've seen how far you've come, now it's time to see how far you can go. The potential is there, the expectations is there, but in the end, what else is there now that your reign is over? I'm pretty sure you want to forget that night, Alexandra, but don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened. This Sunday at Blaze of Glory, you're going to let a lot of people down. You're going to let your family down, you're going to let your fans down, but most of all, Alexandra? You're going to let yourself down."
[Mercedes stares at the camera now and again, but only now does she keep her eyes trained on the lens.]
"This difference between us...
[Mercedes motions between her and the camera.]
"I have proven that I can maintain my spot at the top of the totem pole. You want to know how I got there? I got results, and I didn't get results by sucking up to the owners or having to come back and then disappearing every few months like some people I know. Believe me, I’ve seen people come and go in this company, some lasting longer than a cup of coffee. Most haven't even make it out of their first month. Sadly, more don't even make it after their first match. No matter what you do, what you say or where you stand, you have never been, and likely never will be, the level of in-ring performer I am, Alexandra. I am one of the greatest female wrestlers in the history of SCW. That's not a rumor or heresay, that's my legacy. I have taken on challenges head-on as I rose to the top and claimed my rightful spot as an Hall of Famer twice over.
"People hate me, but they can't ignore the fact of what I've done. You can choose to believe the hype or not, but it won't change the fact that you chose the wrong Latina to mess with."
[Her tone's painfully cold. No need to mince words.]
"See, because while you're still climbing the ladder, I'm already at the top of it. History remembers names, mamita. When your career is over, will anyone remember yours?"
[She raises an eyebrow as if she was expecting a debate on this.]
"Whatever plans you have for Sunday, I suggest you find new plans. Better yet, cancel them. Let the air out of the balloons, hold off on the streamers and huge banner, put that champagne on ice, sweetheart, because you’re going home. This story isn’t going to have a happy ending."
[A smirk appears as her voice lowers into a near-whisper.]
"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. And may the odds be ever in your favor."
***Fade***
