Blog: Almighty Firesemana del 12 al 18 de mayo de 2024 At Climax Control 392, two streaks was on the line, a winning streak and a losing streak. After two weeks ago, one of them was broken. If you want to make a statement, pulling off an upset against the reigning Bombshell Internet Champion can do wonders for your career. That's right, I pulled it off. I beat Tempest! Don't ask me how or why, it just happened. Still, I think Tempest is just as surprised as I was. I handed Tempest her first loss of the year and her first loss in five months going back to last year. The crowd didn’t like it, but I can deal with the boos just fine. I expected it. I also expected to walk out of my match with my hand raised and look what happened. There was no doubt in my mind, in their mind and in Tempest’s mind that she had a chance, not even a minuscule one. Because a woman with nothing to lose is a dangerous one.
Tempest is on the verge of losing everything: her winning streak, her aura, and in a few weeks time at Into the Void, the Bombshell Internet Championship.
One match, one win, does not a serious title contender make - and I consider myself a serious title contender - but let's not lose focus, let's get this where it needs to be. In less than two days, those fans in Troy, Turkey are in for a treat. Where else are you going to see a match between two legendary Hall of Famers, a match between two women who have cemented their place in Sin City Wrestling history? With a combined seven world titles, 22 overall championships, and an impressive 21 years experience in this company, to say this match between Crystal Zdunich and I is destined to be an epic clash of titans would be an understatement. Never let it be said that the good paying fans at every SCW event aren't thoroughly entertained.
You know, ever since I joined Sin City Wrestling, I always looked forward to mixing it up with some of the best talent this company had to offer. I like to be challenged, kept on my toes, always having one eye open to the next opponent hoping to take their best shot. I was just another plucky newcomer who had to learn on the fly and get used to things fast if I wanted to succeed, and succeed I have, many times over. Proud to say it, not afraid to admit it.
I've had my ups and downs in my career but each time I've come back stronger for it. 2024 is already a lost year for me. But for a variety of reasons, I refuse to die. Perseverance got me here; determination is what made me stay. You want to be another wrench in the works, you want to throw another obstacle in my way, have me keep jumping through hoops? Bring it. Like the Phoenix I will rise again and like the Empire I will strike back.
If you have plans for an upset this weekend, Crystal, cancel them. Better yet, crumple it up and throw it away. You're going to want to be ready for the disappointment coming your way in Turkey. If you already planned to be there, then good. You are where you are supposed to be. I’m not going to tell you not to show up. That would be insulting to you and a disservice to me because I would hate to win a match by forfeit, but it helps that the option is still there on the table.You've known me to talk the talk, but I can also walk the walk. And I'm going to walk straight through you this Sunday.
And this isn’t going to be a match, oh no. This is going to be a war, and you are going to end up as a casualty, a martyr for your cause, or a rebel for cause. Whatever. Sunday night is where you learn first-hand that while silence is golden, I'm going to make my statement loud and clear and for all the world to hear when you end up on my checklist. But you already know what that's like over the years, don't you, mamita?~~~
“I never got the whole mythos behind Superman.”
“What's not to get? The dual identity or the million-and-one superpowers?”
“I can handle the suspension of disbelief. It's the persona that's lost on me.
[Mercedes sits across from her brother, Jorge, who is reading a classic issue from his collection and turning the pages meticulously.]
..::JORGE::..
He's nigh invincible. He isn't called the Man of Steel for nothing.”
.::MERCEDES::..
Not when it comes to Kryptonite he's not. Or magic. Or lead.
..::JORGE::..
It's just Kryptonite, Red Sun radiation, and magic now.
.::MERCEDES::..
Sure, okay. But it does make me wonder.
..::JORGE::..
You mean the whole dodging bullets, powerful than a locomotive, and leaping tall buildings deal?
.::MERCEDES::..
Supposedly, he's “faster than a speeding bullet”. Well, is he faster than 100? 500? A Gatling gun?
[Jorge stops reading now as he gives Mercedes his full attention.]
.::MERCEDES::..
So the question, then, is not so much that bullets can't hurt him, but why does he need to duck when they throw the gun? Everyone talks about about him being faster than the speed of light, but does anyone ever wonder what the speed of dark is?
..::JORGE::..
Perhaps there's more to Superman than meets the eye.
.::MERCEDES::..
No. I don't think so.
..::JORGE::..
But he's the Man of Steel...
.::MERCEDES::..
He's not living up to his promise. So bullets bounce off his chest, big deal.
[Jorge reaches across the table to feel her forehead.]
..::JORGE::..
You OK?
.::MERCEDES::..
(swatting his hand away) What? I'm fine.
..::JORGE::..
You sure? I didn't think you would go all philosophical on a comic book.
.::MERCEDES::..
It's called common sense, Jorge. Someday, you will know what that is.
..::JORGE::..
I think I'll stick with suspension of disbelief, thank you.
(changing the subject as he goes back to reading, turning another page). So you had a match against Tempest, huh? Think you stood a chance?
.::MERCEDES::..
I was dreading it. And, yeah, that's the theory, at least.
..::JORGE::..
So what do you call staring up at a nearly six-foot giant?
.::MERCEDES::..
A tall order. I'm still feeling the injuries from the last match we had. I was practically counting how many lights were in the arena or finding out how hard the canvas was. Let's just say that for a rookie coming in as a wrestler in her second match, it wasn't what I had expected.
..::JORGE::..
Trust me, I remember.
.::MERCEDES::..
For what it was worth, though, I'm surprised our rivalry lasted for so many months. It may have been three years ago, but at least I won my fair share of matches against her.
[For the second time, Jorge looks up, slowly this time as he mouths the word “damn”.]
..::JORGE::..
How the hell are you going to beat Tempest at the supercard? Five stones and a slingshot?
.::MERCEDES::..
The same way I ended up beating her the last time...
[Without a beat, Mercedes offers her brother a weakened smile.]
.::MERCEDES::..
Suspension of disbelief.
~~~
Present Day
[REC•][Turkey is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture, offering a plethora of sightseeing opportunities. From the majestic Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, a former Byzantine church and Ottoman mosque, to the ancient city of Ephesus, with its well-preserved ruins and impressive architecture, there's no shortage of incredible landmarks to explore. Visitors can also wander through the vibrant bazaars and markets of Istanbul, sample delicious Turkish cuisine, and marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty of the Cappadocian landscapes, featuring unique fairy chimneys and honeycombed hills
The camera peels back just a bit to find Mercedes Vargas in front of the Hagia Sophia in Instanbul, Turkey, some five hours away from Troy, where this weekend's Climax Control was taking place. Mercedes is strumming a half-tuned baglama, an instrument similar to a lute. The notes flows from the instrument as she maneuvers over the strings. As of on cue, Mercedes looks up at the camera, sets the instrument aside]
"If there's one thing I was looking forward to this weekend, it definitely was the next great inspirational speech from Crystal Zdunich. You know how those lifting words bring me to tears every time hoping to get everyone to rally behind her. Yeah, she's good at that. Oh, and also running her mouth on Twitter and jumping into everyone’s business.
"This weekend, at Climax Control 394, yours truly will finally get the opportunity to take care of a common annoyance, a common problem that's been a pain in my ass for well over a decade in Sin City Wrestling. Anyone who has followed my career know that Crystal Zdunich and I have had a rivalry that has spanned multiple promotions. This matchup gets hype every year, and yet, when has it failed to deliver? Whether on Climax Control or on a supercard, we bring out the best in each other. It doesn't get much better in terms of star-power. Everyone will be watching, as they should. Bad enough that I've been embarrassed and humiliated against Crystal in every match we've had since I arrived to SCW. And with the mood I'm in dealing with how this year has already turned to shit for me..."
[Mercedes shakes her head slowly, a solemn look on her face as she continues.]
"Crystal and I have had our problems, our own differences, and my career has suffered because of it, more so because I've never pinned Crystal's shoulders to the mat in any of our previous meetings, and that bothers me. Insanity is doing something repeatedly and expecting different results. Or, to put it another way, "If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you got." Well, yes and no. If you make the same mistakes over and over, you'll stop calling a mistake.
"Before I defeat Tempest at Into the Void and win the Bombshell Internet Championship off of her, I have to take care of Crystal, who for some strange reason has suddenly cozied up to our six-foot giantess. Gee, I wonder why. It certainly not because Crystal suddenly has Tempest's best interest at heart. But we know better, don't we? Crystal is all about playing the long game: maybe she's angling for a rematch for the Bombshell Internet Championship or maybe she's going to hire Tempest as her muscle as she plans to get another opportunity at the Bombshell Championship. Don't get me wrong, anybody with five championship reigns deserves their flowers. But a sixth reign will boost her inflated ego even more than it already is.
"Crystal, ¿crees que puedes detenerme? Me gustaría verte intentarlo. Todavía voy a pasar por la competencia y haré lo que sea necesario para volver a ser campeón. ¡ya verás! ¡Todos verán!"
"Crystal, you think you can stop me? I'd like to see you try. I'm still going to go through the competition and I'll do whatever it takes to be champion again. You'll see. You'll all see!""Estar preparado para lo peor, esperar lo mejor."
"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst."[Mercedes stares menacing into the camera. She lowers her voice, barely a whisper.]
"Y que la suerte está siempre en su favor."
"And may the odds be ever in your favor."[The camera pulls back on the lasting image of Mercedes smiling as we fade to black.]
[***Fade***]
