Author Topic: MERCEDES VARGAS (c) v HARPER MASON v VICTORIA LYONS - BOMBSHELL INTERNET TITLE  (Read 270 times)

Offline SCW Staff

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1648
    • View Profile
Please post all roleplays here! Have fun and good luck!

Offline Harper Mason

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 63
    • View Profile
“A Bridge Too Far.”
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2025, 11:00:57 PM »
Right when it seemed like Harper’s title match with Mercedes Vargas was set in stone for this year’s High Stakes? A spanner was thrown into he works in the form of Victoria Lyons who had apparently called first dibs weeks ago and to exception to Harper going after Mercedes, showing as such when she brutally attacked Harper in the backstage area late in the show! Never ones to shy away from controversy the bosses added Victoria to the Internet Title Match, making it a Triple Threat Match in the process, can Harper get the win?

Medic’s Room, Backstage at Climax Control 440, Buena Park, California
Sunday the 26th of October 2025, 21:00pm

Ow my fucking head.

One minute I was backstage, regretting every life choice that led to me donning a red wig and dressing as Roxi Johnson for Halloween because me and Cassie forgot it was the Halloween Special and needed to throw costumes together at the last minute, if we had a bit more time? We would’ve gone as Zombie Team Hero but I digress.

The next? I blacked out and I literally just woke up in the medic’s office.

”Ugh, what fucking hit me?” I grunted in pain as I sat up but a guy’s hand soon found itself on my shoulder, telling me to take it easy, looking up? I saw it was Josh, me and Cassie’s manager and soon to be Hall of Fame inductee. ”Josh?”

“Take it easy, you took a nasty beating.“ Josh instructed me and I lay back in my bed. “Victoria Lyons ambushed you when Cass was in the bathroom earlier, said something about calling first dibs.”

”Funny, I don’t remember seeing anything about it on Twitter or Climax Control!” I grunted in annoyance before noticing the annoying itchy feeling on my forehead, the kind that only came from one sauce. ”Let me guess, stitches?”

“Got it one, you were found before the bleeding got serious enough to require a hospital visit.” Josh explained as he leaned back in his chair and I frowned when I saw the look on his face. “And Christian used this attack as an excuse to make the Internet Title Match a Triple Threat, with Victoria as the second challenger.”

”He did WHAT?!” I asked before I went to get out of the bed and Josh stopped me. ”I need to speak with him, he can’t fucking do this! the fight is between me and Mercedes, Victoria has no place in this match!”

“He and Evelynn left the area not long after the Main Event ended, they are long gone.” Josh shook his head and I grunted in annoyance before sitting back down. “And frankly? I’m dealing with enough thanks to Cassie’s situation.”

”Why? What’s going on with Cass?” I asked with a confused look on my face before it hit me. ”Don’t tell me, she got left off a Supercard for the second time in a row?”

“Yes and she’s as upset about missing this show as ever, I was able to calm her down when she missed Violent Conduct last month but given that it’s the biggest show of the year and they booked Candy against a returning Amelia Reynolds instead?” Josh shook his head, clearly anticipating the shitstorm that was about to drop, was Candy beloved? Yeah, is it apparent that she hasn’t given a shit about the Bombshell Division in years? Also yeah. “I sent her to the car to cool off but she’s made it clear that she isn’t staying quiet about this like she did at Violent Conduct.”

”I swear, she’s  just as hot headed as Krystal, only younger and with less control over her anger.” I muttered as I shook my head referring to Cassie’s half sister Krystal who, before Victoria showed up, had the record for longest reigning Bombshell Roulette Champ having held the belt throughout the summer and second half of 2021 and losing it the following February, though at the time Cassie and Krystal believed they were cousins but that’s a really long story. ”When am I being discharged?”

“Doc said that he was waiting for you to wake up, but we’ll be good to go once he does,” Josh explained and I nodded before looking up at the ceiling.

It would ultimately work out in Cass’s favour as the shitstorm on twitter had led to her being added to the match between Bella Madison (who had been especially vocal in calling her out) and Bea Barnhart, making that match a Triple Threat as well. but that was Cassie’s problem and I had my own Triple Threat to worry about.

For better or worse.

Harpin’ On With Harper, Harper’s Hotel Room, Buena Park, California
Sunday the 26th of October 2025, 22:30pm

*on camera, start vlog, promo part one*

Me, Josh and Cassie left the medic’s office about an hour ago and I’ve mostly been resting in the hotel room ever since, however boredom eventually set in and I decided to sit down and film my first vlog for this year’s High Stakes.

”Is it me or does my luck tend to get seriously rotten around the time of High Stakes?” I asked with an exasperated sigh as I leaned forward on the desk. ”Year one, literally my first ever PPV for a Supercard and I got cheated out of a win over Bea Barnhart in my second match for SCW a few weeks earlier and got selected for Laura Phoenix’s “retirement match”, said retirement lasted until this year’s Blast from the Past but who’s counting? Year two, I, hot off the heels of being last off the Violent Conduct Card, made noise to avoid getting overlooked again which in the eyes of Bobbie Dahl made me a crybaby and I found myself in a match where, if I lost, I would’ve had to wear baby clothes if I had lost while also taking place in the High Stakes Battle Royal because I flat out refused to let me second ever High Stakes Match be under such ridiculous bullshit!

The fact that Bobbie managed to find a baby costume in her size after I beat her still surprises me but I digress!”
I added as I shook my head. ”And here we are in year three! I entered the High Stakes Tournament, got screwed over by the Not So Golden Girls, decided to set my sights on ending Mercedes’s Title Reign at the Grand Prix of Professional Wrestling and what happened?” I held up some strands of my wavy dirty blonde hair so I could show the stitches. ”Victoria fucking Lyons happened!”

I let my hair flow freely again and shook my head.

”That’s right, not only am I trying to end the golden oldie’s career renaissance by ending her title reign but I’m also dealing with a woman who can’t stand the fact that I was the one who ended her overly long Roulette Title Reign at Summer XXXTreme and had to sit on the sidelines and watch as I lost the title in my first defence to Alicia Lukas last month at Violent Conduct.” I scoffed as I ran both hands through my hair. ”I swear, I’m probably the only wrestler on SCW’s roster who’s actively dreading next year’s High Stakes at this rate because god knows what this supposed curse will have in store for me a year from now!

And to think, before I joined SCW in 2023 I didn’t believe in curses and such so thanks for that!”
I added as I let out a deep breath. ”So just to recap, I have an ancient bombshell who’s not only removed the stick up her ass but is using it to win matches and a Vitter old rival who’s likely going to accuse me of being a choke artist at some point tomorrow morning to deal with in what was supposed to be a one on one Bombshell Internet Title Match between me and the champion of the Jurassic Period! And no, the irony of Victoria calling me a choke artist when all she’s done since losing the Roulette Title is choke won’t be lost on me!”

*end vlog*

Local café, Las Vegas, Nevada
Tuesday the 28th of October 2025, 12:00pm

It had been a couple of days since the High Stakes card was announced and subsequently changed because Cassie refused to stay quiet and would probably have gone further off the deep end if she hadn’t been added to the match between Bella and Bea.

Though honestly? I wouldn’t be surprised if the bosses used this as an excuse to book a match between Cassie and Candy for the next Climax Control because if there’s one thing Christian loves? It’s drama!

But besides that? We’ve been training for our upcoming matches! Granted, Cassie would’ve helped me train even if she did stay quiet like at Violent Conduct because, well, she helped me train for my Bombshell Roulette Title Match against Alicia at that show so if nothing else? Things would’ve remained consistent.

”One year ago I was hot new shit on the Bombshell Roster.” Cassie grunted as she looked at her newly emptied plate and I nodded. ”And hell, just a few months ago I was on a hotstreak! One of the first to qualify for the Bombshell Elimination Chamber at Blazr of Glory, the Queen for a Day Ladder Match, hell even that feud with Seleana, how the fuck did I go from that to basically having to advocate for myself just so I can get booked on the biggest show of the year! God forbid Christian takes off his rose tinted glasses for 2020!”

”And now you know how I felt after I missed last year’s Violent Conduct.” I grunted in annoyance after finishing my food. ”Not to mention the former champion argument doesn’t hold up when you remember that Krystal nearly missed Violent Conduct 2022.”

”Right? I swear to god Christian and Evelynn aren’t fit to run a lemonade stand if they still insist on booking the metal maniacs over actual fucking talent!” Cassie commented with a sigh before shaking her head. ”So what’s the plan for Victoria and Mercedes? Especially now that Victoria has openly called you a choke artist on Twitter.”

”Which is just fucking hilarious when you look at Victoria’s record since Summer XXXTreme.” I scoffed as I shook my head. ”First the Triple Threat against Bella and Alexandra for a future shot at Kayla, she wasn’t pinned but she still lost the match, then she got tangled up in Vincent’s mess after he was handed the Roulette Title by Christian, reminding me why I don’t want either Jason or McKenzie to follow me into wrestling when they’re older.”

”I know right? Sibling rivalry is bad enough outside of wrestling but inside?” Cassie shuddered and I quickly nodded in agreement. ”I actually remember her next match because in hindsight it was my only shot at getting on the Violent Conduct card.”

”Right, that battle royal Evelynn hastily threw together after Andrea left, I mean, she at least made the final two but she still lost that match.” I nodded as I thought back to that night in Cancun, Mexico, good times? Maybe. ”Then she beat Candy at Violent Conduct, cheated her way to round two of the High Stakes Tournament only to lose to Bella in the semis, that Bella match was her last match on Climax Control but the numbers don’t lie, she’s lost a hell of a lot more than she’s won and I’m the choke artist in this match?”

”Deflection much? It’s almost like she’s in denial, but what about Mercedes?” Cassie asked as she leaned back. ”She and Crystal seem as unstoppable as ever now.”

”Yeah, but Crystal has that World Bombshell Title Shot because she won the High Stakes Tournament, maybe she’ll consider it a lower priority?” I asked as I took a sip of my drink. ”I mean, the last time she interfered in one of Mercedes’s matches she literally got a barbed wire baseball bat to the face and on the same night she faced Bella in the finals, I don’t think she wants to risk that happening again and that might cost Mercedes the title.”

”Real question is, who will be the new champ when the dust settles on that title match in that scenario?” Cassie pointed out and I nodded in agreement knowing where she was going with this. ”You or Victoria?”

”If Victoria has her way? It’ll be her Bombshell Roulette Title Reign all over again, hopefully a hell of a lot shorter, if I have my way? Then I’ll be one of the few who can claim that she won both the Bombshell Internet and Bombshell Roulette Titles in the same year.” I pointed out and Cassie nodded. ”If Mercedes has her way? Then there’s a good chance she’ll still be the Internet Champ heading into 2026 but I might just go after Victoria for revenge over the attack that started this mess.”

”Now that I’d pay to see.” Cassie grinned as she leaned back. ”Thought I still want you to win the title at the end the day Harp.”

”Same, but I’m considering all my post High Stakes options.” I nodded in response before the conversation drifted off.

Harpin’ On With Harper, Harper’s Loft, Las Vegas, Nevada
Tuesday the 28th of October 2025, 21:00pm

*on camera, start vlog, promo part two*

Following my chat with Cass over lunch at the café I returned to my loft to spend time with my dogs and off course, boredom soon set in and I used the opportunity to film my second vlog.

”It seems that wrestlers love one thing more than winning titles it’s hypocrisy! And before anyone points it out? Yeah, I know Alexandra accused me of hypocrisy after I reffed her Semi-Final Match against Crystal but does that really count considering she never answered my reply?” I asked before shaking my head. ”Thought not and here’s the thing, the biggest hypocrite in SCW is also one of my opponents in this match and it’s my fellow challenger Victoria.

But this dates back even further than the High Stakes Tournament, oh no, I’m talking about everything she’s done since I beat her for the Bombshell Roulette Title.”
I stated as I leaned back with my arms folded. ”Or rather, what she failed to do, namely? Capitalize on the momentum from the Roulette Reign, I went back and watched all your matches after Summer XXXTreme Bella and I have to ask Victoria, what happened?”

Seriously.

”Only two wins under your belt in the three months since you lost the title? I couldn’t believe this was the same woman who dominated the Bombshell Roulette Division for over a year!” I stated before pointing to myself. ”And yet, I’m the choke artist? Not only is this projection on an extreme level Victoria but it masks the real reason you attacked me at the Halloween Special.

You were afraid, afraid that for the first time since joining SCW last year, you might actually miss out on a Supercard, especially the biggest show of the year, and saw my situation as an easy in!”
I shook my head. ”The truth hurts doesn’t it Victoria?”

And off course…………

”And don’t think for a second that I’ve forgotten about the main attraction in this match, the champion herself Mercedes who has arguably been just as big a thorn in my side as Victoria since my arrival in SCW!” I stated as I brushed some hair over my shoulder. ”And in a lot of ways? Mercedes over the past few months has been the exact opposite of Victoria’s run of luck, winning the Internet Championship out of nowhere over Bella was one thing, but aside from briefly losing it to Lilith Locke at Summer XXXTReme holding onto it with an iron fist with Crystal’s help and for the first time in years? It seems like you’re being taken seriously.

And I’m here to take a sledgehammer to that illusion.”
I stated with a confident smirk. ”While Summer XXXTreme seems to be a common link between the three of us Mercedes I’ll take pleasure in ending your fairytale!”

Why?

”I guess you could call me the long reign slasher at this point but even I have to admit that the name needs work!” I added as I shook my head. ”See, I hold a grudge Mercedes and I still remember the night you decided to attack me and Jessie with a kendo stick, and since she’s also in this match? Why don’t you ask Victoria just how powerful my ability to hold a grudge is.

Or more appropriately? What happened to Victoria’s reign after I channelled that grudge into my energy for a title match?”
I asked with a broad grin. ”Spoiler alert? It didn’t end well for her and this won’t end well for you either!”

*end vlog*

Josh’s gym, Las Vegas, Nevada
Wednesday the 29th of October 2025, 11:00am

Today? I was back to my training regimen with Josh and with Cassie training at Hero Academy today? I had some quality time with him.

”My third High Stakes and Cassie’s second.” I commented to Josh after taking a break from the rowing machine. ”Do you remember what that felt like Josh?”

“I didn’t make my High Stakes debut until the fifth one in 2015, when SCW was doing hat World Tour, it was a hell of an experience that you don’t easily forget.” Josh responded with a nod before I stood up to meet his gaze. “But I’m confident that you and Cassie will do well in your matches Harper.”

”That’s the thing, I need to do better than well.” I responded as I folded my arms and Josh nodded. ”Last year I voluntarily put myself in two matches by entering the High Stakes Battle Royal, setting aside how that ended for me and Cass? The stakes are higher this year, pun not intended, last year I was fighting for pride and a potential title shot to close out the year, this year I’m fighting to close out the year as champion!”

“It is funny the difference a year can make.” Josh nodded in response as he sized me up. “I can’t really say you’re undefeated at High Stakes because you lost the battle royal, but I can say that you’ve yet to be pinned or submitted at High Stakes.”

”Something Mercedes can’t say but Victoria sure as hell can.” I nodded in response before brushing some hair over my shoulder. ”Then again Mercedes has been in SCW since Jessie was in her twenties and this is Victoria’s second High Stakes, not exactly a fair comparison.”

“No, but there is some truth to those words.” Josh nodded in agreement before motioning to the ring. “I think it’s time we did some in ring drills in any case.”

”Never thought you’d ask.” I responded with a grin before I got into the ring.

Harpin’ On With Harper, Josh’s Gym, Las Vegas, Nevada
Wednesday the 29th of October 2025, 12:30pm

*on camera, start vlog, final promo part*

With High Stakes approaching last I knew I had to knock out these vlogs fast so, with Josh filming, I went ahead and filmed my final vlog for week one.

”High Stakes has always been the Season Finale of sorts for SCW, hasn’t it? The time where we look back at the past year, hand out yearend rewards for the hard work of everyone involved and also the matches and shocking moments of the year, if you ask me? This is the perfect place to end Mercedes’s reign once and for all.” I stated before letting out an annoyed grunt. ”But of course, there had to be a blonde haired spanner in the works from North Carolia.

The Queen of Choking herself, Victoria Lyons!”
I added as I brushed some hair over my shoulder. ”On paper this is two former Bombshell Roulette Champions on a quest to end the golden oldie’s reign at the grandest stage of SCW, but in reality?”

Oh boy.

”The only reason Mercedes has held the title this long is because she’s had Crystal’s help and if you ask me? I think Crystal’s going to prioritize the World Bombshell Title Match instead! And Victoria? If you looked up fumble in the dictionary you’ll find her picture right there, all because she couldn’t take advantage of the momentum from her title reign.

Which, need I remind you, I ended!”
I stated with a grin. ”In other words? A bad look for them, a great look for me!”

It’s that simple.

”I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t know what was going to happen to me after I lost the Bombshell Roulette Title at Violent Conduct, at least until Mercedes decided to help Crystal beat me and wouldn’t you know? I had a new goal.” I asked with a grin before rolling my eyes. ”A goal that Victoria had to hijack because she, in her own words, wanted to make this match interesting! Bitch, you’re terrified of sliding into irrelevance and saw this as an opportunity to get back on top! Don’t bullshit me because I was raised by my military dad to call out bullshit when I see it!”

And with that I decided to wrap things up.

”And I’m seeing so much bullshit that’s about to come out of not you’re your mouth Victoria but Mercedes’s mouth as well that you’d think I was a cattle ranch!” I added before flipping some hair over my shoulder, ”But spew all the bullshit you want ladies because it doesn’t change the fact that the world needs a new hero and a new Bombshell Internet Champion and her name is “The Slaytanic Avenger” Harper Mason!”

Josh turned off the camera as the scene fades.

Offline Mercedes Vargas

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1248
    • View Profile
    • Mercedes Vargas
KNOTT'S SCARY FARM -  BUENA PARK, CALIFORNIA

[Somewhere at Knott's Scary Farm. The camera pans in on Mercedes Vargas and Crystal Caldwell. Crystal is still catching her breath, visibly proud after her tournament final victory over Bella Madison. Mercedes stands beside her with the Bombshell Internet Championship resting on her shoulder.]

Crystal:
Mercedes, I can’t believe it! We did it. I’m going to High Stakes to face Frankie Holliday for the World Bombshell Championship!

Mercedes:
And they said you couldn’t do it without me. You proved them wrong. I told everyone you would. Bella Madison gave you a fight, but tonight, you proved that you’re ready for the spotlight.

[Crystal smiles, shaking her head as the moment sinks in.]

Crystal:
And speaking of spotlight, your title defense against Harper Mason is coming up too. You feeling ready for her?

[Mercedes pushes off the railing, that half-grin never fading.]

Mercedes:
Ready? Crystal, I was born ready. Harper’s tough, sure—but this title isn’t going anywhere. I’ve got that defense locked down.

[Before Mercedes can continue, Rocky Mountains rushes into frame, clearly out of breath and holding a microphone.]

Rocky:
Mercedes, sorry to break up the celebration, but we’ve just received major news. Victoria Lyons attacked Harper Mason backstage. Harper’s hurt, but the office made the call… you’re not facing Harper alone anymore. High Stakes just became a triple threat. Harper Mason. Victoria Lyons. And you.

[The silence that follows is heavy. Crystal looks over, waiting for Mercedes’ reaction. Mercedes doesn’t flinch at first; her jaw tightens, her grip on the title stiffens.]

Crystal:
Wait, Victoria Lyons? She’s been added to your title match? What the fuck?

Mercedes:
You know what? That’s fine. Victoria and I have crossed paths before and both times, it ended without me getting the win. I’ve had two chances to beat her for the Bombshell Roulette Championship, and she’s slipped away both times. But at High Stakes? Third time changes everything, and I've got something she want this time. Harper and Victoria both want this title so badly they’re willing to tear each other apart before even getting to me. Works in my favor.

[Mercedes takes a step toward the camera, her gaze firm.]

Mercedes:
Triple threat or not, I’ve beaten Harper before, and I’ll do it again. Victoria can play mind games all she wants. At High Stakes, when the lights are brightest, I’ll finally get her in the ring with everything on the line—and this time, I walk out still champion.

[Crystal nods, her expression shifting from surprise to encouragement.]

Crystal:
That’s the energy we need going into High Stakes. You get your redemption. I get my world title shot. Two champions. Two matches. One unforgettable night.

Mercedes:
You handle your business. I’ll handle mine. Frankie Holliday, Harper Mason, Victoria Lyons—doesn’t matter. High Stakes belongs to us.

[Mercedes’ smirk returns—sharper this time. She extends her fist. Crystal bumps it without a word.

The camera lingers on the two of them standing amid flickering carnival lights—the hum of fog machines, the sound of faint screams in the distance—and then the image cuts to black.]

~~~

Almighty Fire
Semana del 26 de octubre al 2 de noviembre de 2025

Your girl's a little spicy today, so let's get into it.

There’s a lot of noise in the wrestling world, stories told from every angle, some with more truth than others, but you know what sets a real champion apart? Perspective. And I’m here to give you mine, unfiltered and unapologetic, before High Stakes puts everything on the line.

Let’s start by clearing the air about the Bombshell Internet Championship. I didn’t just snatch that title out of nowhere; I earned it at Climax Control 436 back in August, defeating Lilith Locke in a hard-fought battle that showed why I belong at the top. Since then, I’ve defended it fiercely, overcoming threats, distractions, and yes, even the pressure of proving I’m more than a flash in the pan. They said I was done. They said I had nothing left to prove. But here I am—still standing tall while others have come and gone.

Now, the talk is all about “underdogs,” “curses,” and “destined upsets.” Let me get something straight: I’m no fairy tale, but I am no victim either. I’ve built this reign with grit, cunning, and hard work, not just luck or alliances. Crystal Caldwell has been a steadfast ally in this journey, but make no mistake, this title has been earned and maintained with sweat and skill — not handed out.

And speaking of challengers — Harper Mason. The underdog with a chip on her shoulder who’s been counting her curses instead of her victories. She loves to talk about bad luck, missed chances, and supposed “curse” around High Stakes. But here’s the reality: Harper’s struggled more with consistency than with any hex. She’s unpredictable, hungry, that’s true. But hunger alone doesn’t win championships. It takes grit. It takes focus. It takes results — something I’ve delivered over and over.

And then there’s Victoria Lyons. Halloween was yesterday, I know, but this woman has haunted me longer than I’m willing to admit. Make no mistake: Victoria is a threat. She’s cunning and chaotic, a wild card who never backs down. But don’t let the rumors fool you — Victoria hasn’t exactly been lighting this division on fire since losing the Bombshell Roulette Championship. Some might say she lost the spark she once had after she and Harper lost to Song and Lilith Locke in a tag match back in May. Her attack on Harper at Climax Control 440 was desperation, pure and simple, an attempt to claw her way back into relevance at the biggest show of the year.

I’ve faced Victoria twice before, and though she may have the bragging rights on paper, I know exactly what it will take to finally put her away for good. My reign isn’t about grudges or unfinished business. It’s about proving who truly rules this division.

This triple threat match isn’t some convenient storyline. It’s a reckoning. Harper brings fire, Victoria brings chaos, and I bring the unshakable confidence of a champion who refuses to lose what she’s fought so damn hard to keep. They should consider themselves lucky — they get to be part of history when I become the all-time leader in career wins and PPV victories in SCW history.

Some call me the thorn in their sides, the glass ceiling, the lucky champ. Good. That means their ambition is real. Their hunger is sharp. Without worthy challengers, where’s the glory?

At High Stakes, I’m not just defending a title. I’m defending a legacy. A legacy built on blood, sweat, and victories that none of my opponents could ever dream of achieving. Mercedes Vargas doesn’t bow, doesn’t break, never backs down. Whether it’s Harper’s fire or Victoria’s fury, I will stand tall when the final bell rings.

And with everything I’ve accomplished this year, I’m in the running for top honors at the SCW Year-End Awards, including Woman of the Year. It’s not just about the hardware in my hands; it’s about the respect, the dominance, and the mark I’m leaving on this company.

Bring your curses, doubts, and desperation. I live the reality that counts — a champion still rising, reigning, and ready to prove why this championship is mine.

The question isn’t who’s going to let me; it’s who’s dumb enough to try and stop me. Watch closely, because High Stakes is where history will be made. And I’m ready to make mine.


~~~

KNOTT'S SCARY FARM – LATE NIGHT

[The carnival noise is gone now. All is quiet except for the steady hum of the overhead lights. Backstage corridor away from the active scare zones. Mercedes Vargas sits on a weathered bench, half in shadow, cleaning her Bombshell Internet Championship with a towel. Her reflection in the metal plate is weary but focused. Crystal Caldwell enters, her hair still damp from a post-match shower, a hoodie thrown over her gear.]

[Crystal finds a spot near her.]

Crystal:
You didn’t have to wait around this long.

[Mercedes smirks faintly.]

Mercedes:
Couldn’t sleep. Still hearing the crowd. Still seeing Victoria’s name flashing on the monitor.

[Crystal exhales, sitting across from her, elbows on her knees.]

Crystal:
You’ll handle her. You always do.

Mercedes:
No. That’s the problem. I haven’t.

[The weight in her voice lands heavy. Mercedes sets the belt down between them with care, fingertips tracing the worn center plate as if searching for answers.]

Mercedes:
She gets in my head. Always has. Every time we cross paths, it’s like she’s already halfway there before the bell even rings. And Harper—she’s another story. She’s got fire. She’s hungry. That makes her unpredictable. This time, I can’t afford to be just good. I have to be unbreakable.

[Crystal looks at her, studying her expression. The energy between them has shifted—more somber than celebratory now.]

Crystal:
You talk about being unbreakable like you haven’t already proved it a hundred times. You’ve carried this company when half the roster was just trying to stay visible. You earned everything you’ve got.

[Mercedes smiles a little.]

Mercedes:
You sound like a motivational poster.

Crystal:
Maybe. But I mean it.

[She leans forward.]

Crystal:
You think I don’t have my own doubts? Frankie Holliday’s been the face of this division for how long now? Half the fans already see me as another name on her list. But that’s what fuels me. That’s why I fight.

Mercedes:
That’s what makes you dangerous, Crystal. You don’t need validation. You just want the fight.

[They share a quiet laugh, broken by the dull clang of a locker slamming somewhere down the hall. Both women glance toward the sound, then back at each other.]

Mercedes:
You ever stop and think how strange this all is? We give so much of ourselves to moments—titles, storylines, chances at glory. And at the end of it, we’re just hoping someone in the seats remembers the feeling.

Crystal:
Maybe that’s all it ever is. Moments. Good ones. Bad ones. But if we can make people feel something, even for a heartbeat, then maybe it’s all worth it.

[Mercedes studies her for a long moment, then finally nods. She stands, slinging the Bombshell Internet Championship over her shoulder. The dim light catches the gold plate for just a second before it disappears into shadow again.]

Mercedes:
High Stakes. You go make Frankie remember your name. I’ll make Victoria wish she never showed up.

Crystal:
And after that?

Mercedes:
After that… we go find what’s next.

[Crystal nods in agreement. Mercedes walks toward the exit, the sound of her boots echoing down the hall. Crystal lingers for a moment, staring at the empty locker opposite her. Her voice falls into a whisper.]

Crystal:
One night at High Stakes. Everything changes.

[END]
 
~~~

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

[REC•]

[Sunset. A Los Angeles rooftop. The Bombshell Roulette Championship glimmers on a table nearby. Mercedes Vargas sits, silk robe sliding from her shoulder, golden light painting her silhouette. The city hums below, and she doesn’t look at it—she lets it look at her.]

"You can tell a lot about a city by which side the sun sets on. Los Angeles—everyone here desperate for a little starlight, like fame is perfume they can rub on their wrists and call it ‘legacy.’ I don’t chase spotlights. I built my own. And while most of these tourists mistake traffic for movement, I already own every lane."

[She glides closer to the camera, drapes the Bombshell Roulette Championship over her shoulder. The metal catches a bleed of copper sunlight.]

"Harper Mason, you finally get a taste of altitude sickness. See, High Stakes isn’t about you climbing a mountain. It’s about you realizing how thin the air gets when you finally reach the summit—only to find someone already sitting in first class, and the view’s reserved."

[Her fingers trace the gold plate, a smile hovering just between mockery and meaning.]

"You remind me of every right-now girl in this city—so busy turning validation into performance that you forget legacy isn’t rehearsed. Willing to do anything for a headline—so desperate for a crown you end up wearing plastic. You call yourself the future? Every future needs a past to study. Too bad the only history they’ll remember is the night you learned why legends aren’t made—they’re born stubborn. Like me."

[Mercedes rises, the cityscape spreading behind her in quiet reverence.]

"Inexperienced girls always think surprise is strategy. But after a decade of mastering this game, surprise just looks like a beginner’s mistake from here. You want to “break through”? The only thing breaking is your carefully curated confidence. They say every match is a story. Let’s just call this one an overdue correction."

[She steps toward the edge, voice dropping lower, precise.]

"You’ll have your moments, Harper. The near falls. The crowd convinced they’re moments away from something historic. But come next Sunday, inevitability’s wearing red, gold, and that trademark Vargas grin. You grew up chasing rebellion. I became its definition. There’s a difference."

[She glances down at the belt, then back at the lens—measured, indifferent.]

"Let’s be clear, Harper. High Stakes is more than a main event, it’s a reminder that “potential” is just an excuse people use when they haven’t delivered. I don’t trade in excuses. Only receipts."

[She adjusts the title’s strap across her shoulder.]

"And you? You’ll be one more ‘almost’ who thought destiny owed her something. Sorry, mamita. Destiny and I have an exclusive arrangement."

[Mercedes walks closer until only her expression fills the shot: fierce, still, almost kind.]

"Here’s your gift, Harper. Next Sunday, you’ll know the true weight of a crown. Maybe you’ll thank me one day—when you’re wiser, humbler, and no longer under the illusion that a lucky night rewrites the book I authored. Because while everyone else is busy dreaming in Los Angeles, I never had to wake up.

"This reign? It’s real. It’s earned. It’s untouchable."

[Pause, then softer.]

"So when the sun sets and the only thing left on your side is disappointment, remember—This view from the top is breathtaking. Just not for you."

[Mercedes continues, now turning attention to her other opponent.]

"Funny thing about climbing, Victoria—it’s only impressive if you stop falling."

[Pause. A faint smirk.]

“I admire the effort. You’ve finally realized that dragging excuses behind you doesn’t look flattering under bright lights. So congratulations — you’ve discovered accountability. Late, but better late than never, right?"

[She tilts her head, amused.]

“But that wasn’t what caught my attention. No, what made me stop… what made me laugh, honestly… was hearing you talk about your brother being deadweight. Sweetheart, come on. That’s not shadow work, that’s projection. You spent most of 2025 blaming circumstance for every stumble, every oversight, every match you couldn’t close. You wore setback like it was a personality trait and now you want applause for shedding the skin you outgrew six months too late?

How about the fact that Vincent is holding a championship right now while you're not?”

[The smirk widens slightly — restrained, yet cutting.]

“I’ve seen talent like yours before, Victoria. Ambitious. Emotional. Fragile. Always eager to talk about rising, but allergic to staying consistent once the spotlight tilts elsewhere. You’re not reinventing yourself, Victoria. You’re recycling your same story under new packaging.”

[Mercedes’ tone stays even, conversational, like she’s explaining simple math to someone who insists two plus two equals five out of pride.]

“If you truly were a different woman now, you wouldn’t need to announce it. Real change is quiet. It’s done in the dark when no one’s watching, not shouted across timelines begging for validation.”

[There’s a certain rhythm to Mercedes’ words, the cadence of someone who doesn’t shout because she doesn’t have to. Every sentence lands with precise weight, deliberate, unhurried, scalpel-sharp. She continues.]

“You called me out as if your newfound self-awareness gives you license to stand at my level. That’s cute. Truly. Reminds me of when rookies still believed confidence alone could bridge experience. You want to talk about rising out of a pit? I’ve lived long enough in this business to know when someone’s simply decorating the walls of theirs.”

[A subtle jab, delivered with such poise that the insult glides by like perfume in the air — sweet but unmistakably pointed.]

“You think your transformation makes you dangerous. But what it really makes you is predictable. Every woman who reinvented herself in the last decade has tried the same storyline. Mass-marketed enlightenment looks good for press, but it never survives pressure.”

[She leans forward, elbows on knees, voice low but firm.]

“You see, the thing about someone like me isn’t that I’ve stayed the same. I’ve simply remained true. I don’t need to burn things down to know my worth. I build on foundations I laid years ago. You? You keep starting over every time your story doesn’t test well.”

[For a brief moment, Mercedes looks away, almost contemplative. Then her voice softens further — not out of empathy, but precision.]

"I could’ve stayed quiet, let you talk yourself into irrelevance. But then again, it’s not in my nature to watch someone make a fool of themselves publicly when I can make it educational instead.”

[Another pause, then a sigh that sounds too faintly pleased to be genuine.]

“I said 2024 Victoria Lyons isn’t the same as 2025 Victoria Lyons, and I still believe it. The difference is that last year, at least, you still knew where you stood — behind the line of relevance, waiting for your moment. This year? You still haven’t caught up. You’ve just convinced yourself that louder footsteps mean faster progress.”

[She leans back again, expression calm, unbothered.]

“And yet, here you are — mentioning me by name. That tells me everything I need to know. Every time a woman like you feels the need to prove she’s changed, it’s because deep down, she knows she hasn’t. She just changed the reflection — not the reality.”

[Camera pans closer. Mercedes tilts her head, gaze unwavering.]

“You brought up family. You pointed fingers. You said your brother dragged you down. And yet, the common denominator between every misstep, every failure, every burnt bridge — is you. You’re the gravity you try to outrun.”

[Then, with just enough venom to sting.]

“So tell me, Victoria, what happens when you run out of people to blame? When there’s nowhere left to climb because you tore down every rung yourself?”

[This is where Mercedes' influence shines through most clearly — that quiet cruelty wrapped in elegance, the ability to disarm through calmness rather than chaos. Mercedes doesn’t yell. She never needs to. Every word feels measured, rehearsed, intentional. The aesthetic of authority.]

“Rising out of the pit, you say. Funny. From up here, it still looks like you’re digging.”

[Mercedes shifts her tone now — smooth, professional, detached — the kind of demeanor someone adopts when discussing a legacy too established to question.]

“You should study me, Victoria. Seriously. Not because I’m your opponent — but because I’m your future if you ever get your story straight.”

[She holds up a single finger.]

“One. You’ll need one reinvention. Just one. Because the moment you find the identity that was meant for you, you won’t have to keep rewriting the prologue. The fact that you’re still workshopping your persona halfway through the year tells me you’re not living your rise — you’re rehearsing it.”

[Two fingers now.]

“Two. You’ll learn that control isn’t loud. I don’t flaunt victories. I let history archive them. When you’ve spent as much time dominating this industry as I have, you don’t crave eyes — eyes crave you.”

[And finally, a third.]

“Three. You’ll stop pretending you’re misunderstood when the truth is simple: you’re just not respected yet. There’s a difference.”

[Another slight smile — poised, knowing, confident.]

“You’ll figure that out… eventually. Maybe you thought this would be a story about redemption. Maybe you envisioned me as the wall you crash through to declare your rebirth. But I’m not your obstacle, Victoria. I’m the reminder.”

[She stands now, voice still calm but colder.]

“I remind the naïve of their limits. I remind the ambitious that confidence without calculation is chaos. And I remind women like you that the spotlight is not a wish — it’s a responsibility.”

[Mercedes smooths the sleeve of her jacket with deliberate care, then glances back at the camera.]

“I don’t need to shout I’m better. Time does that on its own.”

[A heartbeat. The faintest smirk.]

“So keep rising, Victoria. Burn as bright as you like. Just remember — the higher your flame, the easier it is to see the smoke."

>;
SCW ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2x SCW Hall of Famer (Class of 2018, Class of 2021)
First-ever 2x SCW Hall of Famer (2018, 2021)
One of only two 2x SCW Hall of Fame inductees in SCW history (alongside Delia Darling, 2020 and 2021)
World Bombshell Champion (x2)
Bombshell Roulette Champion (x4)
Bombshell Internet Champion (x3)
GRIME World Nightmare Champion
World Bombshell Tag Team Champion (x3; w/Traci Patterson (x2) and Delia Darling (x1)
World Mixed Tag Team Champion (x3; w/Kain (x2) and Goth (x1)
Most overall title reigns in SCW history, 16
Most career singles reigns in SCW history, 10
First and only wrestler to reach 10/double-digit singles reigns
Third SCW Bombshell Triple Crown Champion (6th SCW Triple Crown Champion overall)
First-ever and only 2x, 3x and 4x Bombshell Triple Crown Champion in SCW history (most ever by a female wrestler)
Second SCW Bombshell Grand Slam Champion (4th SCW Grand Slam Champion overall)
First-ever and only 2x and 3x Bombshell Grand Slam Champion in SCW history (most ever by a female wrestler)
First and only woman to win five different SCW championships in career
First Bombshell to become three-time World Mixed Tag Team Champion in career
First Bombshell to capture the World Mixed and Bombshell Tag Team Championships three times each in career
First Bombshell to become first two-time champion with the World Mixed and Bombshell Tag Team Championships in career
First and only Bombshell with multiple reigns with five different championships in a career (World Bombshell Championship, Bombshell Roulette Championship, Bombshell Internet Championship, World Bombshell Tag Team Championship, World Mixed Tag Team Championship)
First and only Bombshell with multiple reigns with four different championships in a career
First Bombshell and wrestler and one of three in history to reach 10 championships/double-digit title reigns in career (Goth and Roxi Johnson are the others)
Second Bombshell and one of only six to hold all three women's singles championships available to the women's division in a career (second to do so after Amy Santino, with Roxi Johnson, Mikah, Crystal Zdunich and Keira Fisher-Johnson being the others)
First and only Bombshell with multiple reigns with every Bombshell championship and the World Mixed Tag Team Championship in a career
First and only Bombshell with multiple reigns with all three Bombshell singles championships in a career
One of six Bombshells and fourth in history with multiple reigns with two of the three singles championships in a career (Vixen, 2014; Roxi Johnson, 2015; Amy Santino, 2017; Mercedes Vargas, 2017; Samantha Marlowe, 2018; Crystal Zdunich, 2023)
Most years winning at least one championship since SCW debut (7 years from 2013-2019, 12 championships total), SCW record which still stands since surpassing Despayre from 2012-2016 (5 championships) and the shared record of four by Amy Santino from 2012-2015, 7 championships and Roxi Johnson from 2013-2016, 6 championships in September 2017)
One of seven Bombshells to win championships in two different decades (2010s, 2020): Crystal Zdunich (2015-2018, 2020, 2023), Mikah (2015, 2017, 2018; 2020, 2022), Alicia Lukas (2019, 2020, 2025), Seleana Zdunich (2019, 2020), Keira Fisher-Johnson (2015, 2020, 2022), Mercedes Vargas (2013-2019, 2021, 2025) Roxi Johnson (2013-2016, 2019, 2022, 2023)
Most championships won in five-year span since SCW debut (2013-2017): 9
Most championships won in 10-year span (2013-2022): 14
Most titles won in a single year (4 in 2014, capturing the Bombshell Roulette (January and September) and World Bombshell Tag Team Championships (March and June) twice
Unpinned in singles matches for 434 days (July 2013 - August 2014, 14 months and 8 days)
Unpinned in SCW since debut for 301 days (July 2013 - March 2014, 10 months and 28 days)
All-time leader in career and PPV matches, career singles matches and singles wins, career TV matches (Climax Control), career main event matches, career title matches, career championship reigns and career wins in title matches
SCW Year-End Award Winner: 2014 Feud of the Year (Mean Girls vs SCW Bombshells roster)
Queen for a Day winner (December 2 Dismember 2015, inaugural)

Offline Victoria Lyons

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 40
    • View Profile
Plan B
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2025, 08:13:41 PM »
It was a relaxing evening in the home of Victoria Lyons, she and Darian had just finished putting up the last of their Halloween decorations out in front of their new home, which and an addition to the common jack-o'-lanterns included a dummy hanging from a tree, a scarecrow and a witch plastered on the rooftop.

They sat cuddling together on the sofa blindly scrolling through the Netflix selection looking for something to settle into for the evening. This was the two of them behind all the theatrics they created when the cameras were rolling, a normal couple like anyone else with perhaps….. a few odd kinks thrown in.

“It all went so beautifully on Climax Control.” Victoria smiled at Darian running her fingers through his beard, “Now I get my shot at the Bombshell Internet Championship, and Harper Mason is sure having a hissy fit about it.”

“Let her cry about it, I say.” Darian replied.

“Oh I intend to Dare Bear.” Victoria continued to smile “It just shows Harper really is. “Champions don't whine when the situation changes, they adapt. I doubt Mercedes likes this new setup either, but she's kept her mouth shut which means she's likely trying to figure out how to adapt herself instead of crying about it.”

She leaned back on the sofa resting her head against the cushion.

“Harper just lacks discipline.” Victoria said “The situation changes and she can't keep up. I knew what I wanted, and I took what I wanted.

“And you didn't even break a sweat doing it.” Darian chuckled

“Exactly.” Victoria said her smirk deepening “They all say I got added to the match, I say I made myself impossible to ignore. That's why I'm on such a different level than most of the Bombshells. I don't wait to be given chances, I take them.”

She stretched her arms slightly keeping the smirk on her face.

“Should anyone really be surprised?” said Victoria “Before I was placed into the High Stakes tournament, I called out Mercedes in the ring, and I told the entire locker room to keep their head on a swivel. So after my….elimination from the High Stakes tournament, I needed to restate my claim because that's who I am and it's who I've always been.”

“That's what I love about you.” Darian smiled at her, "You're ruthless, it's just in your blood.”

“Exactly, I never had to learn it because I am it.” she said “I don't pretend to be the good guy, or pretend to play fair. I do what gets results.  People like Harper Mason need to realize that fairness doesn't exist in this business.  I learned that before I even left my first pair of boots.”

She exhaled softly.

“Harper wants to cry about how I took her moment.” said Victoria “The same woman who couldn't even hold on to the Roulette championship long enough for me to even miss it. It's almost insulting to me that she was my successor after everything I did for that championship.”

“I doubt they even had time to change the name plate.” Darian grinned.

Victoria laughed.

“Right?” she grinned “All that talk about earning opportunities, but when she had one she couldn't handle the pressure that's why she will always be all shine and no staying power.”

“A flash in the pan.” Darian remarked.

“That's what separates people like me from people like her, Dare Bear.” Victoria said "I don't crumble and I don't panic. I adapt if one door shuts I kick open another one, losing to Bella in the tournament wasn't it a failure it was just a redirection.”

She paused shortly.

“I'm the reason this match has people talking now.” Victoria said “Mercedes has the championship, but I'm the threat.  Harper's just noise in the background at this point.”

Victoria leaned back into the sofa as Darian listened.

“Of course there's Mercedes herself.” Victoria said, “She seems to think seems some sort of dominant champion, but all I've seen her do is lose the championship as fast as she wins it.”

She shrugs.

“She loses it to Bella, and she wins it back. She loses it to Lilith Locke and she wins it back again.” Victoria said “It's like she's caught in this endless game of hot potato. It might add more reigns to her resume but it shows a lack of consistency, it shows that she doesn't know how to stay on top anymore.”

“Well if you ask me.” Darian said “The games are going to stop with you.”

Victoria smiled, kissing Darian and softly on his cheek. 

“Of course they will.” Victoria said “Because I know how to remain on top, champion or not. The thing about Mercedes is she needs that championship to be relevant. The championship makes Mercedes Vargas, but me? I make the championship.”

She turned her head towards Darian with a smile.

“The landscape of the Bombshell Internet Division will be changing soon.” said Victoria “There will be no more revolving door of champions who can't keep the thing for more than a few weeks. I will be the constant that the championship has needed for a long time.“

“So no mercy?” Darian grinned

“Mercy?” Victoria chuckled to herself with a smile “Mercedes deserves no mercy. She's had her spotlight. I'm not coming to add another chapter to her book, I'm coming to close it.”

“That's my queen.” Darian smiled.

“I'm not just coming to win the Internet Championship, Dare Bear.” Victoria said "I'm coming to redefine it. I'm going to remind people what dominance feels like. The Bombshell locker room won't have to think about who happens to have the Internet Championship this week,  they'll know it belongs to me.”

She smiles confidently.

“So Harper can keep throwing tantrums online.” Victoria said “Mercedes can keep trying to play her game of lose one win one. So when the smoke settles, and I rise as the new Bombshell Internet Champion, they will both realize they were just keeping my seat warm.”

“You never stop do you?” Darian smirked.

“Why would I?” she replied grabbing the remote, “Winning is all about keeping your rhythm.”

She scrolled through the Netflix queue some more before finally stopping on Halloween Kills.

“This is the one.” she said.

“Works for me." Darian smiled.

As the universal logo faded in, the glow of the TV danced across their faces as the two snuggled up close together. Tonight was a romantic evening and horror movies with her Dare Bear, a true calm before the storm that she intended to bring at High Stakes.

__________

The family home hadn't changed in years her mother still had the same curtains up, and the mantlepiece was decorated with the same candles and family portraits that it had gathered over the years.

There were pictures of her parents' wedding, several of her and Vincent as children, and even a couple of Eddie.

She grabbed one of the family on a fishing trip and looked at it with a smile, Vincent was holding a large fish he had caught and of course he had his arm around their mother. She was on the opposite end, hanging off her father's arm.

“How come you never redecorated?” she said setting the picture back down, turning to her mother who had emerged from the kitchen with two cups of coffee.

“I like keeping things how they were.” her mother said “Somehow makes the house feel less empty.”

Victoria sat across from her mother and took a sip of the warm coffee. She watched her mother's gaze shift to the pictures on the mantelpiece.

“Feels like yesterday this house used to be nothing but noise.” her mother said “You and your brother fighting one minute, and then laughing the next. I miss it. It's just so quiet around here now.”

“Well, we couldn't live here forever mom.” Victoria said.

“I know…” her mother replied “You and your brother live your own lives now. It's just we don't have your father anymore either, so I just.. I get lonely.”

“You know you can come visit at anytime.” Victoria “I'm just not sure you'd like the noise of my life.”

“I can handle the noise.” her mother said “It's the distance, both of you have started to drift so far away…. especially from each other.”

“Oh is that what this is..?” Victoria's sighed.

“I'm just saying maybe you could pick up the phone.” she said “Vincent's going through a lot he could use his sister right now.”

“He's the one that pushed me away first!” said Victoria.

“Like I told you he's going through a lot.” her mother said “Maybe he said some things he didn't mean. You allowed him to push you away.”

“That's not fair!” Victoria replied. "You always do this! You always protect him!”

“That's not true.” her mother replied

“Yes it is!” Victoria insisted. "While dad was teaching me how to take on the world, you were busy pampering your baby boy.”

“Your father also let you get away with everything because you were his baby girl.” her mother said, eyes narrowing. "If your brother broke a rule, he got grounded for a week. You break the same rule and all you’d have to do is smile and he'd bend.”

“That's called charm.” Victoria said, lowering her voice looking her mother directly in the eyes. “Just one of my many talents”

Her mother sighed softly, shaking her head “But charm won't always get you through life Victoria.”

“It's got me this far.” Victoria replied “And I'm not planning on slowing down now. Not for Vincent, not for anyone.”

“Or maybe that's the problem.” her mother replied “You want to keep climbing higher, but you forget the people who helped you start to climb in the first place.”

Victoria looked at her mother with a look of defiance.

“People didn't help me get anywhere mom.” she said “No one handed me a damn thing I made my own way.“

“He's still your brother.” her mother said

“Who made the decision that he didn't want me around.” Victoria interrupted “I tried to reach out but he keeps making me feel like the villain, so I'm not going to go out there and chase him down to apologize for something I didn't do.”

“You both lost your father.” her mother replied “And that kind of pain can change people, you shut down in your own way after it too. Over the years, it's changed you both.”

“Maybe..” said Victoria “But I used it to strengthen myself, Vincent's the one that uses it as an excuse.”

“You're a lot like him, you know..” her mother said “Your father, you have the same need to prove yourself but your father also knew when to stop fighting. Need to be proud of you and all you've accomplished but he would also tell you to slow down and enjoy the view every once in a while.”

“He also taught me to never back down.” Victoria replied.

“Promise me you'll call your brother.” her mother said “And don't move too fast with that Darian just take it one step at a time.”

Victoria frowned.

“Vincent has a phone. He can call me.” Victoria said “And you don't worry about Darian he gets me. Him and I will be just fine. In fact I should probably go anyway, she's waiting for me."

Victoria drink the last sip of her coffee and set the cup down on the table.

“Thanks for the coffee mom.” she said as she stood up and walked to the door.

She got to her car started it and then headed off down the road, her irritation with her mother had only fed her fire and that fire was going to spread right across Mercedes Vargas and Harper Mason.

__________

Darkness surrounds Victoria Lyons as the cameras open, the faint outline of smoke filters behind as her voice cuts through the quiet with the precision of a blade.

“You ever notice how those who scream the loudest about fairness tend to be the ones least equipped to deal with reality?” she said with a cold tone “They always paint themselves as victims of circumstance, like they were some martyr to some grand injustice. When the truth is, they were never strong enough to take what they wanted in the first place.”

She smirks.

“That's Harper Mason in a nutshell.” she said “A little birdie chirping about how unfair it is that I found my way into this match. Because she was supposed to have her big one-on-one and she earned this moment.”

Victoria laughs and shrugs nonchalantly.

“Newsflash Harper.” Victoria said “You didn't get cheated, you got out played. The universe doesn't reward those who play fair. You have to take matters into your own hands, and take what you want if you want to be successful.”

She takes a few steps closer to the camera, keeping a steady gaze on the lens.

“See when my high stakes journey didn't go as planned.” Victoria said “I didn't make excuses or complain about it, I just found another path because that's what predators do. If one trail goes cold we find another that leads us to a feast.”

She licks her lips and in a seductive yet cruel way.

“You would have sat around and waited.” said Victoria “Hoping that someone would come along and offer you a second chance. But I'm not someone who waits. I sought out my second chance, and I took it.”

A faint smirk creeps across her face.

“You should have seen the look on your face when I dropped you with the Lions paw.” Victoria grinned “I could practically taste the fear, the moment you realized that all your pretty little dreams about being next in line just went up in smoke.”

She pauses shortly.

“You couldn't even capitalize on the biggest win of your career.” said Victoria “You ended the greatest Bombshell Roulette Championship reign of all time,  my reign. But then you couldn't handle the pressure. You lost that championship before you could even make your victory matter. That makes you a placeholder, not a champion.”

That ever familiar arrogant smirk creeps across her face again.

“You had every opportunity to make something of yourself.” said Victoria “A huge win, a championship, and you failed. Should lightning strike twice, and you somehow walk away as Bombshell Internet Champion, who's to say that won't happen again?”

She looks into the camera as if waiting for a response.

“Of course there's the matter of the champion herself, Mercedes Vargas.” Victoria continued “Mercedes, you and I don't have to like each other to understand one another.  You at least know how to act like a proper champion. That's why I don't hear you whining and complaining like Harper. You may not like this new development but like a champion you're ready to embrace whatever's thrown your way. The thing you lack is consistency.”

She pauses, keeping her attention on the camera.

“You are the champion, you're not the champion, you're the champion again, then you're not, then you are once more. That's been your cycle lately hasn't it Mercedes?” Victoria continued “You just can't seem to keep a hold on that championship for more than a couple of months before you need to win it back. When I was roulette champion I was the constant in that division for an entire year. I made the championship mean something and then Harper pissed it all away.”

She shakes her head, disappointed.

“But that's between Harper and myself.” said Victoria “As far as you're concerned Mercedes, I know you've built your legend on blood and persistence and that is something I can respect. Your iron will has led you to multiple championships over your career.”

She grins into the camera.

“But even iron rusts when it's out in the rain too long.” she said “And it's been raining on you for a while Mercedes. You spent so long cleaning into your past glory days, you don't even see how close to thunder is. You don't realize that I'm the storm that finally washes you away.”

She tilts her head at the camera.

"Over the years Mercedes, your hunger turned to habit." said Victoria "And now you wear the Championship like an heirloom instead of a weapon. I'm not looking to hold the Bombshell Internet Championship like some sort of prize, I'm coming to consume it and make it part of me. Just like I did with the Bombshell Roulette Championship I'm going to etch my name into the Bombshell Internet Championship so deep it will never forget the taste of my hands.”

She takes a couple precise steps closer to the camera.

“This isn't about any sort of validation for myself.” [/color]she said “It's about control of the conversation, and control of the entire division. Whether they admit it or not, every Bombshell in this company looks at me and knows what I represent, the cold-hearted truth that the world doesn't reward the kind-hearted or deserving.”

She pauses for a beat.

“The world rewards the relentless.” Victoria said “That's why I always come out ahead in the end. I'm not chasing a fairy tale ending I'm going to craft an Empire of inevitability.”

She smirks arrogantly.

“My father used to tell me that a lion doesn't need permission to hunt.” she said “And that's something that's stuck with me. I hear his voice in the back of my mind when I see Harper Mason crying about what's fair, or Mercedes Vargas leaning on her legacy.  A lion doesn't wait for the jungle to approve of its actions, a lion just takes, and that's what I've done my entire life.”

She keeps her words firm and confident.

“I have no doubt that Harper Mason will come out swinging with all the heart in the world.” she said “But hearts are soft and hearts get crushed. When I crush hers maybe she'll finally understand what I've been saying all along about how this business doesn't reward those who play nice “

She pauses.

“Mercedes will come out  methodical and calculated.” she said “She'll think she read me because she feels like she's seen every kind of opponent by now, and maybe she has. But she's never been ready for me in the past and she's not going to be ready for me now. I'm not some little girl chasing relevance and I'm not a veteran clinging to legacy. I'm the next inevitable thing.”

She keeps a strong confident gaze on the camera.

“You both like to talk about legacy and opportunity.” she said “But what you both want is validation, that's what drives you isn't it? Harper you want to prove you belong here, and Mercedes you want to prove you still got it. I don't need to prove anything to anybody. I'm here to take what I know I deserve.”

She takes another short moment to pause.

"Harper Mason you can keep trying to convince everyone you're more than just a moment she said but you can't even convince yourself of that can you?" she said. "Even with your big win over me, you're nothing but a footnote in my story. You're not the woman who defeated me for the Bombshell Roulette Championship, you're the one who lost it the moment you stepped out of my shadow.”

She takes another slow step toward the camera.

“And you Mercedes, your survival turned into stagnation.” she said “You used to be dangerous but now you're just familiar. You built an entire empire on being the veteran standard, or some sort of measuring stick and you don't even realize you've been measured. That's why you have to win the same title over and over again because you've got nothing left to chase, you don't rule perra, you recycle.”

She laughs softly to herself behind an arrogant smile.

“When the bell rings Harper will be the first to crumble because she's all heart and no spine.” said Victoria “Mercedes will fight harder because she has pride and her own legacy to worry about.  But she will repeat the pattern and lose her Championship here to me only this time I break the cycle and she won't be getting it back.”

Her expression hardens completely.

“After High Stakes there won't be debates about who deserves what.” she said  "Or the same old lines about longevity. There will only be me standing with the Bombshell Internet Championship in my hand. I don't chase moments, I make them and this one belongs to me.”

That smirk grows on her face as sharp as ever.

“Ladies..” she said “Consider this your warning that you had better…..be prepared.”

She pulls her spiked glove, The lion's paw out of a pocket and puts it on.  She licks some of the barbs and winks to the camera has everything fades to black.