Post by Jessica Reed on Mar 31, 2024 15:45:22 GMT
{ Our scene opens in a dimly little state-of-the-art gymnasium at the IWF Performance Centre. Roberto Verona stands alone next to the ring, his eyes darting around as he drinks in the fruits of his investment as the portraits of former alumni are draped proudly around the room. Suddenly the doors open and Jessica Reed excitedly skips into the room, causing Verona to look up and smile. Jess makes her way over to Verona, dropping a gym back on the floor next to the ring apron as she approaches him. }
Jessica Reed: You asked to see me?
{ Verona beckons for Jess to come and join him. }
Roberto Verona: Yes, I have something important to ask you.
{ Jess gulps. }
Jessica Reed: It isn’t about the Mountain Dew stains on your rug I swear I…
Roberto Verona: What stain?
{ Jess looks away shiftily, awkwardly playing with her hair. }
Jessica Reed: I meant… what can I do for you Bertie?
Roberto Verona: Don’t call me Bertie. I wanted to talk to you about this place, actually.
Jessica Reed: The Performance Centre? Oh, do you want me to re-decorate because I could totally do that and…
Roberto Verona: I want you to help run it.
Jessica Reed: I… I don’t…
Roberto Verona: Don’t sound too excited or anything…
{ Jess shakes her head. }
Jessica Reed: No, no! It isn’t that I… I just… I thought the Performance Centre was Bob’s “thing,” I never really…
{ Verona interjects. }
Roberto Verona: The Performance Centre is my thing. Bob has done a great job, just look at some of the talent it has produced…
Jessica Reed: So why not…
Roberto Verona: But… it can be so much more with the right investment. That isn’t an indictment on Pooler, but a recognition that the scope of my vision is beyond the remit of just one person.
Jessica Reed: I guess that makes sense… but why me?
{ Verona cocks an eyebrow. }
Roberto Verona: Why not you?
{ Jess stumbles with her words, a little taken aback. }
Jessica Reed: Well… because I…
Roberto Verona: Jess. I trust you. Do you understand how important it is for me to have people who I trust in positions of great responsibility?
Jessica Reed: With great power comes…
{ Jess grins as Verona rolls his eyes and continues. }
Roberto Verona: Since day one, I have always supported your dreams. You wanted to be a pro-wrestler and I worked to make that happen, despite your sister’s misgivings. Throughout your career, you’ve extolled the importance of inspiring the next generation of talent to be able to pursue their dreams, as far as I am concerned you’re the perfect candidate.
{ Jess is speechless, a little stunned by the compliment. }
Roberto Verona: You had to step away from your dream temporarily for your own health – both mental and physical – and we both know you’ve spent years lending a hand at the Performance Centre…
Jessica Reed: Yes… but that was just dipping in and helping them learn the ropes…
Roberto Verona: We both know that it’s been more than that. I’ve watched you giving them advice, taking them under your wing and encouraging them when they’ve failed…
Jessica Reed: You.. you saw all that?
Roberto Verona: I see everything, I have eyes everywhere… it’s kind of my thing.
{ Verona sighs. }
Roberto Verona: Look… We both know I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t believe in you.
{ Jess frowns, a tinge of self-doubt written across her face. }
Jessica Reed: But what if I don’t believe in myself?
{ Roberto reaches out and rests a reassuring hand on her shoulder. }
Roberto Verona: You’ll never find out if you don’t try.
Jessica Reed: You asked to see me?
{ Verona beckons for Jess to come and join him. }
Roberto Verona: Yes, I have something important to ask you.
{ Jess gulps. }
Jessica Reed: It isn’t about the Mountain Dew stains on your rug I swear I…
Roberto Verona: What stain?
{ Jess looks away shiftily, awkwardly playing with her hair. }
Jessica Reed: I meant… what can I do for you Bertie?
Roberto Verona: Don’t call me Bertie. I wanted to talk to you about this place, actually.
Jessica Reed: The Performance Centre? Oh, do you want me to re-decorate because I could totally do that and…
Roberto Verona: I want you to help run it.
Jessica Reed: I… I don’t…
Roberto Verona: Don’t sound too excited or anything…
{ Jess shakes her head. }
Jessica Reed: No, no! It isn’t that I… I just… I thought the Performance Centre was Bob’s “thing,” I never really…
{ Verona interjects. }
Roberto Verona: The Performance Centre is my thing. Bob has done a great job, just look at some of the talent it has produced…
Jessica Reed: So why not…
Roberto Verona: But… it can be so much more with the right investment. That isn’t an indictment on Pooler, but a recognition that the scope of my vision is beyond the remit of just one person.
Jessica Reed: I guess that makes sense… but why me?
{ Verona cocks an eyebrow. }
Roberto Verona: Why not you?
{ Jess stumbles with her words, a little taken aback. }
Jessica Reed: Well… because I…
Roberto Verona: Jess. I trust you. Do you understand how important it is for me to have people who I trust in positions of great responsibility?
Jessica Reed: With great power comes…
{ Jess grins as Verona rolls his eyes and continues. }
Roberto Verona: Since day one, I have always supported your dreams. You wanted to be a pro-wrestler and I worked to make that happen, despite your sister’s misgivings. Throughout your career, you’ve extolled the importance of inspiring the next generation of talent to be able to pursue their dreams, as far as I am concerned you’re the perfect candidate.
{ Jess is speechless, a little stunned by the compliment. }
Roberto Verona: You had to step away from your dream temporarily for your own health – both mental and physical – and we both know you’ve spent years lending a hand at the Performance Centre…
Jessica Reed: Yes… but that was just dipping in and helping them learn the ropes…
Roberto Verona: We both know that it’s been more than that. I’ve watched you giving them advice, taking them under your wing and encouraging them when they’ve failed…
Jessica Reed: You.. you saw all that?
Roberto Verona: I see everything, I have eyes everywhere… it’s kind of my thing.
{ Verona sighs. }
Roberto Verona: Look… We both know I wouldn’t be asking if I didn’t believe in you.
{ Jess frowns, a tinge of self-doubt written across her face. }
Jessica Reed: But what if I don’t believe in myself?
{ Roberto reaches out and rests a reassuring hand on her shoulder. }
Roberto Verona: You’ll never find out if you don’t try.
It feels like it’s been years since I stood in front of this camera and spoke with you all…
Cameraman: That’s because it has been…
I’ve missed you too. Anyway, where was I… oh, yes, heartfelt acknowledgement of my absence…
{ Jess scrunches up her face and shakes her head a little in the direction just behind the lens. }
Time really does fly, I honestly can’t believe that it has been nearly eleven years since I made my official debut inside an IWF ring all the way back at the beginning of this company.
Which brings me to my opponent… Hi, Jennie!
{ Jess waves. }
I have to admit I have been really excited watching you grow as a competitor and I can’t tell you how privileged I felt to be asked to step in as your first title defence.
And listen, allow me to address the elephant in the room…
I completely understand that people will look at me as a nepobaby just sweeping in with my family connections ahead of all the other girls and to that I say…
You have every right to think that.
I get it, me and *redacted* {Post-Edit: Roberto} are obviously very close and he gets to decide who gets a title shot and I can’t stand here and pretend the fact that he has so much faith in me hasn’t factored into my massive opportunity this weekend.
I recognise that privilege and I completely own it. I won’t hide away from that fact.
For what it’s worth… whether you agree with me getting this opportunity or not… I wish every single woman inside that Iron Maiden the best of luck because they have earned their spot in the main event of Night of the Immortals and they deserve the opportunity to challenge for one of the biggest titles in professional wrestling on the biggest stage of them all.
But…
{ Jess kicks her feet awkwardly. }
I kinda think people are forgetting everything I’ve done in this business.
And that’s totally cool, I get it, I’ve been gone for so long and ever since my little knock on the noggin’ I’ve not been as reliable as I would like in terms of appearances but I’m not just some plucky little girl with a dream who he dragged off the street because he’s dating my sister. He didn’t just attach a rocket to somebody with absolutely no credibility.
I’m the first-ever Heiress to the Throne, IWF Women’s World champion and women’s Hall of Famer.
The lineage that Jennie is carrying… and Brooklyn before her… that is the lineage that I started eleven years ago. No matter who holds that belt when you drag your finger along the history book, that timeline starts with me. That is an honour and a privilege I take very seriously, whether you love me or hate me - which is incredibly mean by the way – you cannot deny that I am not just a footnote in this business.
I am the girl who carried that burden before anybody else.
I am the person that this company trusted to build the credibility of its women’s division at a time when we were frequently just an obligatory tick-box exercise and a filler before the “real” main event. Me and all of the girls…
Hi Eternity!
{ Jess waves excitedly }
We… we paved the way so that those who followed us wouldn’t have to deal with all the nonsense we did, we were the girls who blazed a trail so they could all shine. I am not just “some girl” that the CEO picked to fill a spot. I’ve paid my dues and always done my best to help this company and everybody in it and unlike some… I don’t take this opportunity for granted. I know that so many other girls could be in this spot and I must do myself justice to not make a mockery of the sacrifices they’re all making to get to this position.
I owe it to everybody to prove why I am worthy of sharing a ring with them all.
So… Jennie.
Can I just say a big congratulations on re-capturing the IWF Women’s World Championship! Not many women have the honour of calling themselves a multiple-time champion and you’ve earned your entry into that rare company.
And quite frankly, I think people need to give you much more credit.
I’d recommend anybody who underestimates you to go back and re-watch that Dragon’s Den and let me know how many other women could have gone into such an environment with a dominant competitor like Brooklyn Madrox and emerged victorious. Especially when you consider that you had to overcome the disappointment of your failure to defeat her after working so hard to become the Heiress to the Throne.
Many other people would have withered away, but you didn’t.
If that isn’t admirable to people then quite honestly, I don’t know how you could ever satisfy them.
You, Abigail, Shelly, Caroline and Brooklyn… you’ve all carried the weight of this championship for over two years, that isn’t something that just anybody can do. It takes real ability to reach the top of this mountain and it takes even more to keep its foundations strong, no matter the length of your reigns… your generation has taken the groundwork laid by people like me and you’ve ensured that it has continued to remain strong.
As much as nobody can take my accomplishments away from me… nobody can take any of yours away from you.
I want you to know that I am fully aware of the huge challenge facing me at High Stakes. I know lots of the guys and girls like to brush off the threat posed by their opponents but I’d like to think I am consistent if nothing else. I’ve always shown my opponents the respect they deserve, the only reason I was able to make a success of myself was because of the challenge of overcoming their immense ability.
The only reason I am in that Hall of Fame is because of the sheer quality of opposition I’ve had to compete with.
And you… you’re not different, Jennie.
You’re an incredible talent inside those ropes. I know that if I have any possibility of posing a threat to your championship reign I need to be at the absolute top of my game and the truth is… I can’t rely on riding a wave of momentum into this match. I can’t look back at a recent victory like you and take that confidence into this week, I can’t remind myself of the obstacles I have overcome week after week on my journey here like you.
Those fine margins… you have the edge.
Whatever people think about why I am in this match… I am under no illusions that I am not the underdog.
Don’t get me wrong. I have all the confidence in the world in my ability to put on a show for everybody watching us and for all my flaws, you can always count on me to give everything everything I have. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have in my career without such determination but the truth is…
I know that I am in for a battle where everything I may have been will all be irrelevant when that bell rings.
No matter how much I have been preparing for my return to the ring and my opportunity this week, all the best-laid plans… well they go right out of the window. It’ll be about who can react the quickest to opportunities, who can exploit any mistake the other makes… for all the arm drags and the cardio, nothing can really prepare you for the twists and turns of a wrestling match.
And they certainly can’t prepare you for one with such… High Stakes.
{ Jess smiles as we can hear an audible groan off-camera. }
But if I have any advantage at all, it is my experience of these high-pressure moments. If we’re being totally honest… my entire career has been built upon the intensity of the spotlight.
When I made my debut, I was carrying the pressure of being the protégé of the man who made this entire company possible in the first place, I couldn’t hide behind the comforts of being able to make the same mistakes other girls could. I was under the microscope from day one in a way that no other rookie has ever been.
When I won the first-ever Heiress to the Throne and was crowned the inaugural IWF Women’s World champion… I was thrust into a position of immense responsibility from day one, if I stumbled at the first hurdle, I would have made a mockery of everything I had done to get there. I had to perform and build up a title so that all those who followed me could continue to carry a credible torch. So that we could all make people take women’s wrestling so seriously that they would just call it professional wrestling.
When Angel Blake cracked my skull open like an egg,.. everybody wondered if I could ever do this again, let alone at the standards I had set for myself. I went to a dark place but I knew that I had to step back up and continue to prove to all those little girls at home that not only can they pursue their dreams… but they can overcome adversity. If I gave in, I knew I was sending a message to millions of people that I simply couldn’t allow after committing myself to working so hard for them.
I have never had the benefit of obscurity, since the moment I laced up a pair of boots I have carried the weight of expectations on my back.
And whilst there have been moments I have stumbled amongst all the successes, where I have had to pick myself back up…
I used each of them as a learning experience. I took the lessons of my failures, both self-inflicted and because of the skills of my opponents, and I became a better wrestler as a consequence. I am a product of all the highs and the lows, of the lessons I have learned from every woman I have had the privilege of sharing a ring with.
And I’ll bring every bit of that with me when we face this weekend.
I look forward to learning the lessons you will teach me, Jennie, no matter the result.
I look forward to making some more history… together.
Let’s prove to everybody why that belt is worth the sacrifices that Serenity, Abigail, Mai, April, Charlotte and Natasha are going to make inside such a brutal structure. Let’s make sure that they have a champion worthy of their endeavours to test themselves against on the biggest platform in our business.
Let’s continue to build this division for those who are following in our footsteps.
I’ll see you out there.
Champ.
Cameraman: That’s because it has been…
I’ve missed you too. Anyway, where was I… oh, yes, heartfelt acknowledgement of my absence…
{ Jess scrunches up her face and shakes her head a little in the direction just behind the lens. }
Time really does fly, I honestly can’t believe that it has been nearly eleven years since I made my official debut inside an IWF ring all the way back at the beginning of this company.
Which brings me to my opponent… Hi, Jennie!
{ Jess waves. }
I have to admit I have been really excited watching you grow as a competitor and I can’t tell you how privileged I felt to be asked to step in as your first title defence.
And listen, allow me to address the elephant in the room…
I completely understand that people will look at me as a nepobaby just sweeping in with my family connections ahead of all the other girls and to that I say…
You have every right to think that.
I get it, me and *redacted* {Post-Edit: Roberto} are obviously very close and he gets to decide who gets a title shot and I can’t stand here and pretend the fact that he has so much faith in me hasn’t factored into my massive opportunity this weekend.
I recognise that privilege and I completely own it. I won’t hide away from that fact.
For what it’s worth… whether you agree with me getting this opportunity or not… I wish every single woman inside that Iron Maiden the best of luck because they have earned their spot in the main event of Night of the Immortals and they deserve the opportunity to challenge for one of the biggest titles in professional wrestling on the biggest stage of them all.
But…
{ Jess kicks her feet awkwardly. }
I kinda think people are forgetting everything I’ve done in this business.
And that’s totally cool, I get it, I’ve been gone for so long and ever since my little knock on the noggin’ I’ve not been as reliable as I would like in terms of appearances but I’m not just some plucky little girl with a dream who he dragged off the street because he’s dating my sister. He didn’t just attach a rocket to somebody with absolutely no credibility.
I’m the first-ever Heiress to the Throne, IWF Women’s World champion and women’s Hall of Famer.
The lineage that Jennie is carrying… and Brooklyn before her… that is the lineage that I started eleven years ago. No matter who holds that belt when you drag your finger along the history book, that timeline starts with me. That is an honour and a privilege I take very seriously, whether you love me or hate me - which is incredibly mean by the way – you cannot deny that I am not just a footnote in this business.
I am the girl who carried that burden before anybody else.
I am the person that this company trusted to build the credibility of its women’s division at a time when we were frequently just an obligatory tick-box exercise and a filler before the “real” main event. Me and all of the girls…
Hi Eternity!
{ Jess waves excitedly }
We… we paved the way so that those who followed us wouldn’t have to deal with all the nonsense we did, we were the girls who blazed a trail so they could all shine. I am not just “some girl” that the CEO picked to fill a spot. I’ve paid my dues and always done my best to help this company and everybody in it and unlike some… I don’t take this opportunity for granted. I know that so many other girls could be in this spot and I must do myself justice to not make a mockery of the sacrifices they’re all making to get to this position.
I owe it to everybody to prove why I am worthy of sharing a ring with them all.
So… Jennie.
Can I just say a big congratulations on re-capturing the IWF Women’s World Championship! Not many women have the honour of calling themselves a multiple-time champion and you’ve earned your entry into that rare company.
And quite frankly, I think people need to give you much more credit.
I’d recommend anybody who underestimates you to go back and re-watch that Dragon’s Den and let me know how many other women could have gone into such an environment with a dominant competitor like Brooklyn Madrox and emerged victorious. Especially when you consider that you had to overcome the disappointment of your failure to defeat her after working so hard to become the Heiress to the Throne.
Many other people would have withered away, but you didn’t.
If that isn’t admirable to people then quite honestly, I don’t know how you could ever satisfy them.
You, Abigail, Shelly, Caroline and Brooklyn… you’ve all carried the weight of this championship for over two years, that isn’t something that just anybody can do. It takes real ability to reach the top of this mountain and it takes even more to keep its foundations strong, no matter the length of your reigns… your generation has taken the groundwork laid by people like me and you’ve ensured that it has continued to remain strong.
As much as nobody can take my accomplishments away from me… nobody can take any of yours away from you.
I want you to know that I am fully aware of the huge challenge facing me at High Stakes. I know lots of the guys and girls like to brush off the threat posed by their opponents but I’d like to think I am consistent if nothing else. I’ve always shown my opponents the respect they deserve, the only reason I was able to make a success of myself was because of the challenge of overcoming their immense ability.
The only reason I am in that Hall of Fame is because of the sheer quality of opposition I’ve had to compete with.
And you… you’re not different, Jennie.
You’re an incredible talent inside those ropes. I know that if I have any possibility of posing a threat to your championship reign I need to be at the absolute top of my game and the truth is… I can’t rely on riding a wave of momentum into this match. I can’t look back at a recent victory like you and take that confidence into this week, I can’t remind myself of the obstacles I have overcome week after week on my journey here like you.
Those fine margins… you have the edge.
Whatever people think about why I am in this match… I am under no illusions that I am not the underdog.
Don’t get me wrong. I have all the confidence in the world in my ability to put on a show for everybody watching us and for all my flaws, you can always count on me to give everything everything I have. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have in my career without such determination but the truth is…
I know that I am in for a battle where everything I may have been will all be irrelevant when that bell rings.
No matter how much I have been preparing for my return to the ring and my opportunity this week, all the best-laid plans… well they go right out of the window. It’ll be about who can react the quickest to opportunities, who can exploit any mistake the other makes… for all the arm drags and the cardio, nothing can really prepare you for the twists and turns of a wrestling match.
And they certainly can’t prepare you for one with such… High Stakes.
{ Jess smiles as we can hear an audible groan off-camera. }
But if I have any advantage at all, it is my experience of these high-pressure moments. If we’re being totally honest… my entire career has been built upon the intensity of the spotlight.
When I made my debut, I was carrying the pressure of being the protégé of the man who made this entire company possible in the first place, I couldn’t hide behind the comforts of being able to make the same mistakes other girls could. I was under the microscope from day one in a way that no other rookie has ever been.
When I won the first-ever Heiress to the Throne and was crowned the inaugural IWF Women’s World champion… I was thrust into a position of immense responsibility from day one, if I stumbled at the first hurdle, I would have made a mockery of everything I had done to get there. I had to perform and build up a title so that all those who followed me could continue to carry a credible torch. So that we could all make people take women’s wrestling so seriously that they would just call it professional wrestling.
When Angel Blake cracked my skull open like an egg,.. everybody wondered if I could ever do this again, let alone at the standards I had set for myself. I went to a dark place but I knew that I had to step back up and continue to prove to all those little girls at home that not only can they pursue their dreams… but they can overcome adversity. If I gave in, I knew I was sending a message to millions of people that I simply couldn’t allow after committing myself to working so hard for them.
I have never had the benefit of obscurity, since the moment I laced up a pair of boots I have carried the weight of expectations on my back.
And whilst there have been moments I have stumbled amongst all the successes, where I have had to pick myself back up…
I used each of them as a learning experience. I took the lessons of my failures, both self-inflicted and because of the skills of my opponents, and I became a better wrestler as a consequence. I am a product of all the highs and the lows, of the lessons I have learned from every woman I have had the privilege of sharing a ring with.
And I’ll bring every bit of that with me when we face this weekend.
I look forward to learning the lessons you will teach me, Jennie, no matter the result.
I look forward to making some more history… together.
Let’s prove to everybody why that belt is worth the sacrifices that Serenity, Abigail, Mai, April, Charlotte and Natasha are going to make inside such a brutal structure. Let’s make sure that they have a champion worthy of their endeavours to test themselves against on the biggest platform in our business.
Let’s continue to build this division for those who are following in our footsteps.
I’ll see you out there.
Champ.
Well howdy there pardner.