Post by Caroline Machado on Mar 9, 2023 7:24:59 GMT
Caroline Machado is the midst of a sleepless night.
As a gentle breeze blew outside, a sense of quiet tension was building inside her house on Wolf Creek Drive. She slowly paced around her living room area, walking gingerly on that sprained left ankle she suffered several weeks ago. It hurt like hell, and for the first time in her life, it gave her a sense of vulnerability as she started meditating on the upcoming Iron Maiden.
Wash she over her head?
Was she coming back too soon?
This would be first appearance in Imperial's signature women's match, but she wasn't alone in that regard. All five of her opponents were also in that match for the very first time. It was yet another sign that the women's division was undergoing more changes. Fiona, Virginia, Etarnity -- previous Iron Maidens -- were gone, and Caroline was now the "senior" member of the current crop of hopefuls.
She had to go out there and be a guiding light.
After all, she was a former Women's World Champion -- and the one who busted Shelly Diamond's record-breaking run.
Yet winning said match was going to be a tall order. Caroline had this dreaded inkling that some in the match were going to be gunning for the injured ankle. As she sat down on the couch and closed her eyes, she imagined herself watching old wrestling tapes with James Gilmore. He spoke directly into the Brazilian's mind, trying to creae a calming effect that would soothe the tension she was feeling.
"This business is brutal. The more your grow, the older you get, you're gonna get hurt more often than not…"
Caroline took a deep breath, JJ's fatherly essence taking hold.
"Ankle sprains, separated shoulders, concussions...they're gonna leave visible scars. Yet there are scars in which ya won't be able to see. The demons, the coulda-woulda-shouldas, the things left unfinished. Those are the scars ya can't see with the naked eye. The true test lies in how you overcome those scars...and it's very easy to fail…"
Her head bowed, she noticed that JJ's spirit was starting to fade away.
"...people are gonna tell you that you've had your time in the light…"
The Brazilian's lips curled as the "force ghost" completely faded.
"...you ARE that light, kiddo. Be that guide…"
As her alarm sounded, Caroline stood up and began to walk towards her bedroom, where her computer is set up. She had been expecting herself to feel discomfort in her left ankle, but there was none to be found. With a sense of purpose, she plunked down at her desk and began her livestream.
It was a semblance of normalcy -- if only for a fleeting moment.
"Hi!!!"
Her cheeful voice exuberated the type of confidence that only Caroline could display. As she watched the Twitch chat blow up with messages and comments, the Brazilian began to feel a sense of ease course through her body. To her, it felt as if she never left -- even though she had been out of action for several weeks.
"Last time you saw me in the ring, I...I got inured, and it hurt like crazy-crazy!!! When you've been away from doing whatever it is you love, you...you tend to miss out on a lot of things. You wind up having to play um jogo de catch-up just to figured out what's going on around you. The process is very painful, but at the end of the day...part of growing means you find a way to get back up again, even after other people start doubting you!!!
I know the feeling.
I missed out on a LOT of things when I was away. I missed watching Ram reunited with his mother for the first time in a long, long time! I missed Shelly Diamond getting pinned for the first time in her career at Jennie's hands!! I often find myself feeling regret...regret that I didn't pin Shelly to win the Women's World Title at Legacy, even though the rules stated that she could still lose the title even if not pinned.
Yet there is one thing -- ONE MOMENT -- that I cannot miss in the whole, wide world!!!
The Iron Maiden.
This will be my first time in this signature match, but...I'm not alone. Every one of my opponents -- Mai Everstone, Ms. Markela, Sara Cross, Sorcha Wynne, and Latoya Hixx -- are in this for the first time as well. To me...it's a friendly reminder that no matter who the Women's World Champion is, the division ITSELF is changing! Yet despite this, the prize at the end will always stay the same!!
To be in the main event at Night of the Immortals.
A moment like that WILL change your life as a whole!!!
Admittedly...I am very nervous coming into the match. During training, I've often found myself listening to the same things over and over again. 'AHH! YOU'RE IN OVER YOUR HEAD! AHH!! YOU'RE COMING BACK FROM INJURY TOO SOON!!!' Sorry for scared you, hehehe...but you all know the feeling, right?! It's this feeling that makes you WANT to step in that ring and bring out the best within yourself and others!!!
That is where the true test will lie…"
Caroline paused, taking a sip from a bottle of peach tea.
"Ms. Markella, this is our first time meeting in a match, and...the first of many matches we will have. I truly believe that social media can be a great tool to meet new people and, hopefully, learn from each other. As someone who doesn't want to hurt others, it really bothers me that you use things like Twitter to stab people in the back. Yet I still hope that you're able to learn from this experience so that others can see just how GOOD of a person you can be!
Sara, hi...it's been a long, long time! I know how you're feeling after not being able to compete at the highest level that you expect yourself to. There is so much to learn, so much to see, and despite what the doubters say about you, I know that you'll show the same good vibes as you did when you faced me at Night of the Immortals this past year!
Latoya...we've known each other long enough to understand our strengths and weaknesses. You are still struggling to find consistency, and that's why people unfairly dismiss you as an afterthough. You have amazing potential that needs to be harnessed, that needs to be tempered. If the need ever arises, I...I will train with you. Just like that Denny's restaurant, my door will always be open!!!
Hehehehe...AHEM!
Serious time again!!!
Mai...wow! Much like Markella, we've never met before until now, but...wow, you've already shown how tough you can be by beating Ram in a gauntlet match!! That, unto itself, shows just how great the IWF truly is! You could have chosen to join another promotion, but you picked IWF because of its rich tradition. I hope you'll be able to etch your name amongs the likes of a Shelly Diamond or Fiona McFly!
And Sorcha...you've come back from a long absence too! While I feel confused by your riddles sometimes, I admire that your live and breathe the art of the battle! You've come close to being Women's Champion, and now...there's that last step, that road towards the big dance very few get to take in this life!
The Iron Maiden is that big step…"
She paused once more, bowing her head before taking another sip from her drink.
"No matter what happens from here, this moment will change your lives forever! You will no longer be simply known as spokes on a wheel. You will have the attention of the masses as you seek out this rare, one-in-a-lifetime chance! You will push yourselves to your limits, and you will be tested in ways that will remain with you forever and ever!
The Iron Maiden will bring out the best in all of you!!!
IN ALL OF US!!!
Yet only one of us can win. That is just a hard fact that we must all face together! No matter how many times I get bashed, no matter how many times I hear someone say bad things about me, I will show you the kind of enthusiam that helped me become a Women's World Champion! I want this moment of validation, I want the chance to prove that I am no one-hit wonder!
I will become the 2023 Iron Maiden.
I MUST be the one who faces Jennie Fenix at Night of the Immortals.
And I am going to etch my name...into the cosmos and into immortality."
WORD COUNT: 1450
As a gentle breeze blew outside, a sense of quiet tension was building inside her house on Wolf Creek Drive. She slowly paced around her living room area, walking gingerly on that sprained left ankle she suffered several weeks ago. It hurt like hell, and for the first time in her life, it gave her a sense of vulnerability as she started meditating on the upcoming Iron Maiden.
Wash she over her head?
Was she coming back too soon?
This would be first appearance in Imperial's signature women's match, but she wasn't alone in that regard. All five of her opponents were also in that match for the very first time. It was yet another sign that the women's division was undergoing more changes. Fiona, Virginia, Etarnity -- previous Iron Maidens -- were gone, and Caroline was now the "senior" member of the current crop of hopefuls.
She had to go out there and be a guiding light.
After all, she was a former Women's World Champion -- and the one who busted Shelly Diamond's record-breaking run.
Yet winning said match was going to be a tall order. Caroline had this dreaded inkling that some in the match were going to be gunning for the injured ankle. As she sat down on the couch and closed her eyes, she imagined herself watching old wrestling tapes with James Gilmore. He spoke directly into the Brazilian's mind, trying to creae a calming effect that would soothe the tension she was feeling.
"This business is brutal. The more your grow, the older you get, you're gonna get hurt more often than not…"
Caroline took a deep breath, JJ's fatherly essence taking hold.
"Ankle sprains, separated shoulders, concussions...they're gonna leave visible scars. Yet there are scars in which ya won't be able to see. The demons, the coulda-woulda-shouldas, the things left unfinished. Those are the scars ya can't see with the naked eye. The true test lies in how you overcome those scars...and it's very easy to fail…"
Her head bowed, she noticed that JJ's spirit was starting to fade away.
"...people are gonna tell you that you've had your time in the light…"
The Brazilian's lips curled as the "force ghost" completely faded.
"...you ARE that light, kiddo. Be that guide…"
As her alarm sounded, Caroline stood up and began to walk towards her bedroom, where her computer is set up. She had been expecting herself to feel discomfort in her left ankle, but there was none to be found. With a sense of purpose, she plunked down at her desk and began her livestream.
It was a semblance of normalcy -- if only for a fleeting moment.
"Hi!!!"
Her cheeful voice exuberated the type of confidence that only Caroline could display. As she watched the Twitch chat blow up with messages and comments, the Brazilian began to feel a sense of ease course through her body. To her, it felt as if she never left -- even though she had been out of action for several weeks.
"Last time you saw me in the ring, I...I got inured, and it hurt like crazy-crazy!!! When you've been away from doing whatever it is you love, you...you tend to miss out on a lot of things. You wind up having to play um jogo de catch-up just to figured out what's going on around you. The process is very painful, but at the end of the day...part of growing means you find a way to get back up again, even after other people start doubting you!!!
I know the feeling.
I missed out on a LOT of things when I was away. I missed watching Ram reunited with his mother for the first time in a long, long time! I missed Shelly Diamond getting pinned for the first time in her career at Jennie's hands!! I often find myself feeling regret...regret that I didn't pin Shelly to win the Women's World Title at Legacy, even though the rules stated that she could still lose the title even if not pinned.
Yet there is one thing -- ONE MOMENT -- that I cannot miss in the whole, wide world!!!
The Iron Maiden.
This will be my first time in this signature match, but...I'm not alone. Every one of my opponents -- Mai Everstone, Ms. Markela, Sara Cross, Sorcha Wynne, and Latoya Hixx -- are in this for the first time as well. To me...it's a friendly reminder that no matter who the Women's World Champion is, the division ITSELF is changing! Yet despite this, the prize at the end will always stay the same!!
To be in the main event at Night of the Immortals.
A moment like that WILL change your life as a whole!!!
Admittedly...I am very nervous coming into the match. During training, I've often found myself listening to the same things over and over again. 'AHH! YOU'RE IN OVER YOUR HEAD! AHH!! YOU'RE COMING BACK FROM INJURY TOO SOON!!!' Sorry for scared you, hehehe...but you all know the feeling, right?! It's this feeling that makes you WANT to step in that ring and bring out the best within yourself and others!!!
That is where the true test will lie…"
Caroline paused, taking a sip from a bottle of peach tea.
"Ms. Markella, this is our first time meeting in a match, and...the first of many matches we will have. I truly believe that social media can be a great tool to meet new people and, hopefully, learn from each other. As someone who doesn't want to hurt others, it really bothers me that you use things like Twitter to stab people in the back. Yet I still hope that you're able to learn from this experience so that others can see just how GOOD of a person you can be!
Sara, hi...it's been a long, long time! I know how you're feeling after not being able to compete at the highest level that you expect yourself to. There is so much to learn, so much to see, and despite what the doubters say about you, I know that you'll show the same good vibes as you did when you faced me at Night of the Immortals this past year!
Latoya...we've known each other long enough to understand our strengths and weaknesses. You are still struggling to find consistency, and that's why people unfairly dismiss you as an afterthough. You have amazing potential that needs to be harnessed, that needs to be tempered. If the need ever arises, I...I will train with you. Just like that Denny's restaurant, my door will always be open!!!
Hehehehe...AHEM!
Serious time again!!!
Mai...wow! Much like Markella, we've never met before until now, but...wow, you've already shown how tough you can be by beating Ram in a gauntlet match!! That, unto itself, shows just how great the IWF truly is! You could have chosen to join another promotion, but you picked IWF because of its rich tradition. I hope you'll be able to etch your name amongs the likes of a Shelly Diamond or Fiona McFly!
And Sorcha...you've come back from a long absence too! While I feel confused by your riddles sometimes, I admire that your live and breathe the art of the battle! You've come close to being Women's Champion, and now...there's that last step, that road towards the big dance very few get to take in this life!
The Iron Maiden is that big step…"
She paused once more, bowing her head before taking another sip from her drink.
"No matter what happens from here, this moment will change your lives forever! You will no longer be simply known as spokes on a wheel. You will have the attention of the masses as you seek out this rare, one-in-a-lifetime chance! You will push yourselves to your limits, and you will be tested in ways that will remain with you forever and ever!
The Iron Maiden will bring out the best in all of you!!!
IN ALL OF US!!!
Yet only one of us can win. That is just a hard fact that we must all face together! No matter how many times I get bashed, no matter how many times I hear someone say bad things about me, I will show you the kind of enthusiam that helped me become a Women's World Champion! I want this moment of validation, I want the chance to prove that I am no one-hit wonder!
I will become the 2023 Iron Maiden.
I MUST be the one who faces Jennie Fenix at Night of the Immortals.
And I am going to etch my name...into the cosmos and into immortality."
WORD COUNT: 1450
Well howdy there pardner.