Post by Ashley Mastrangelo on Dec 29, 2013 16:15:32 GMT
Ashley Mastrangelo: Can I stand here and say that I am sick and tired of this team versus team crap? The haves versus the have-nots?
The sounds of fists hitting a heavy bag can be heard, each strike one after the next in a fluid pattern that could turn into a heavy bag symphony at any moment. Suddenly it stops as Ashley looks over at the camera filming this intense training session.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I mean seriously, what gives? Ana and Amber think that Jess and I have been coddled and protected because we wanted to? Are you two dense? Do you have any sense of comprehension whatsoever? Ana, you don’t get it. This Sunday at Diamonds are Forever, it’s not Team Lockheart versus the board because that’s not what the lovely people in the stands care about. Nobody cares what “side” we chose, and quite frankly I didn’t choose anything, it was kind of just shoved in my face.
She takes a few more shots at the heavy bag, ending it with a well-choreographed striking sequence before starting to remove the fingerless gloves from her hands.
Ashley Mastrangelo: That’s not what this Sunday is about in the least bit. The Pay Per View comes down to two things for me and neither one has a damn thing to do with this pathetic power struggle. Goal number one is to exact my revenge on you for blasting me in the back of the head with a baseball bat and branding me like a cheap piece of meat; branding me a whore. Neither of which I am might I add.
She tosses the gloves to the side and grabs hold of a towel, wiping the sweat from her brow as she heads in front of a mirror that covers the entire wall. Standing there, she stares into her own reflection, one that does nothing but stare back.
Ashley Mastrangelo: As I stand here in this very spot and look into my own reflection it reminds me of Goal number two Ana. As I stare down at the empty space that is my waist, I realize that my favorite little accessory is missing. Since you used Amber to steal it from me, I’ve been reminded every single day. Every time I look into this mirror and see that empty space I yearn more for the return of my precious championship. As I see you parade around with it like some sort of prop, simply there for your amusement, the fire inside me grows to levels of which your contorted mind can’t even understand, and it makes me sick.
She stretched her leg out to one side and rocks side to side to loosen the muscles and tendons in her legs before her next activity.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I understand what you think your vendetta is with me Ana. You think that I’ve been praised and coddled and it was at my will and that you should have been given the golden treatment. Mind you that when Simon tried to “protect” me by throwing the towel in against Eternity, I spit in his face. I didn’t want protecting and I tried at every attempt to prevent it from being so. Your whole notion of me being some kind of whore is quite simple…simply flawed that is.
She finished her stretching before reaching forward toward a crossbar and grabbing hold of it, lifting it over her head and placing it on her shoulders as she starts to do a rep of squats.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I am nobody’s whore Ana, and I sure as hell am inferior to nobody. I won’t stand here and take a back seat while you and Amber try to rule the division. I won’t stand idly by and watch you parade around with my favorite accessory and treat it like crap, deteriorating a legacy that I helped build it to. I won’t let you get away with what you did to me. You started something that you won’t be able to finish. You asked if I knew pain, the answer is yes. What you explained is nothing that resembles pain and I can’t wait to correct you and your over-stated simple definition of the word. When I do so…I’ll be filling that empty void on my waist with that pretty championship once more.
====================
=== Course Correction ===
I’m sitting at home as finally there was a little break from all the travel with the holidays and all. By the way, if you’re sitting there, staring at the screen, happy holidays, and a happy new year to come.
Anyway, yeah, sitting on the couch at home, staring at my TV screen as the movie “A Christmas Story” plays over and over and over again on the once a year TV Marathon that cable likes to provide. It was my favorite part in the movie
”I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!”
Yep, that’s right, the triple dog dare for Flick to stick his tongue on the frozen pole. I couldn’t help but laugh as he yelled “stuck…stuck…stuuuuuuck” yes it was sad that the little boy stuck his tongue on the pole but it was funnier than it was sad that it actually got stuck.
As I started to sum up the laughing, I heard my phone ring on the side table next to me. Reaching over I grabbed both it and the remote and muted the television before answering the phone.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Hello? Come over? I have to go to my father’s in a couple hours for dinner, but if you can squeeze it in, I guess. Okay…see you soon. Bye.
I wonder what was so urgent that he wanted to see me so soon; on Christmas Day of all days. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
It wasn’t more than twenty minutes when there was a knock at the door of my apartment. I checked through the peephole before opening the door, never can be too careful these days, and standing in the doorway was Ray Gross. He was one of my co-trainers before I started wrestling. The lessons he and Mike taught me have gotten me through some tough times. I stepped to the side and invited him in with a smile. He nodded with a smirk of his own before stepping in and having a seat on the loveseat next to where I was sitting on the couch. I walked in and resumed said seat, folding my hands together in my lap.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What is it? It sounded urgent on the phone.
Ray Gross: I wouldn’t say it’s urgent. I just wanted to tell you some things.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Oh? What kind of things?
Ray Gross: Well first I want to tell you how proud I am of what you accomplished so far in IWF.
A smile came over my face as the pride swelled up on the inside.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Thanks.
Ray Gross: To see what you’ve come up from, the bare basics to the longest reigning Ruby Champion is incredible in such a short period of time.
I couldn’t help but sense this was going somewhere with a “but” involved.
Ashley Mastrangelo: But?
Ray Gross: You know me to well. There’s always a but…
Ashley Mastrangelo: What is it? What’s wrong?
Ray Gross: Nothing is exactly wrong. I see you have another shot at that belt.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I do.
Ray Gross: That’s good and all, but I don’t want you to get complacent.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What do you mean? Getting that title again is making history one more time.
Ray Gross: True, but is that all you want to do?
Ashley Mastrangelo: What do you mean?
Ray Gross: When I trained you, I always told you to shoot for the stars.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Yeah?
Ray Gross: That’s what I want you to do. I don’t want you to just settle for the Ruby Title Ashley. I want you to shoot for the stars. I want you to leave the silver lining behind and look up and the golden paradise that awaits. I want you to want the Diamond’s Championship. Screw second prize. Go for the top and get the respect you deserve.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Well of course that’s the end all be all.
Ray Gross: Is it? You seem pretty content with where you are and I don’t want you to be. I want you to strive for more. I want you to want to be the best. Not down the road, right now. No matter what happens at the Pay Per View, you have to go for it all. You want to make real history? Be the first girl in that division to hold both titles at one time. Close your eyes, imagine that…and then want it.
I did as he said and closed my eyes. I saw myself holding both championships simultaneously. I could hear the roar of the crowd. I could feel their cheers wash over me like a wave hitting me at the beach. The adrenaline was pure and at times, possibly overwhelming. Then I opened my eyes and saw Ray smiling at me. I giggled and blushed a little as he stood from his seat.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What?
Ray Gross: Nothing. I saw the smile. I know you want it. My job is done.
He started to head for the door prompting me to jump up from my seat to walk him out.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What do you mean your job is done? Your job is endless.
Ray Gross: As true as that is, and you know I’ll always be here to give you advice; the lessons are over. The coaching schemes and the playbook are planted in that pretty little head of yours. All you have to do now is execute.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I will. I promise.
He opens the door and steps into the hallway.
Ray Gross: Merry Christmas.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Merry Christmas to you too.
He walks away down the hall as I close the door leaning up against it with a smile on my face.
Ashley Mastrangelo: All I have to do is execute.
The scene fades as I lean against the door, the smile not coming off my face.
====================
Ashley Mastrangelo: You think you know me Ana. You think you know what I’m all about. You think you know my motives, my drive, and my overall plan in life. What you think you know is laughable. Your mind is filled with these ignorant thoughts of superiority. You think that you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. The world has done you wrong and now it’s your turn to exact revenge on all of us, and it starts with me.
The camera cuts in on Ashley sitting at a table set up like Christmas dinner. There’s a giant plate in the middle with half ham and half turkey to please everyone. To another side there is a dish of asparagus waiting to be devoured, and to another side there is a big bowl of mashed potatoes. The setup is grand and quite beautiful, but there’s a problem, nobody is sitting to the sides of the table. Nobody is sitting at the other end. Ashley is all by herself in a room full of food, yet there’s a smile on her face.
Ashley Mastrangelo: During this time of year Ana, this is what people look forward to. They look forward to sitting with their families and loved ones and having a grand old feast until their stomachs are ready to explode. Usually, it would be what I myself am looking forward to. Not this year.
Spreading both her arms across the table Ashley knocks the bowl of potatoes and the dish of asparagus to the side, off the table, crashing to the floor below with a loud shattering sound as the dishes send food shrapnel everywhere. The smile remains on her face.
Ashley Mastrangelo: This year I look forward to revenge. This year, I look forward to getting back what is rightfully mine. Damn the food, damn the desserts, I WANT MY DAMN PRESENT! The IWF Board has been kind enough to give me that present at Diamonds Are Forever. The present is you Ana. The wrapping is the revenge factor and the bow on top is me reclaiming what is going to be called mine again, the Ruby Championship.
She reaches forward and takes a sip of her wine before continuing.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Your claims of my futility as champion are laughable. I only beat people you beat? Did you beat yourself? I did. I beat you the one time we were one on one in the center of that ring. I took you to limits you weren’t accustomed to and then I dropped you back down to the spot you deserved. To your credit, you scratched and clawed back up the mountain and when opportunity presented itself, you knocked me down and took that belt…stole that belt. Your claims to that title are hollow Ana, and the only time any of them will be vindicated is if you beat me this Sunday. You and I both know that and it eats you up on the inside.
Reaching forward with a fork she takes a small piece of ham and consumes it, looking up at the ceiling as if thinking of what to say next. After swallowing, she nods her head in approval before reaching forward and repeating the process with a small piece of turkey. She then throws the fork over her shoulder and reaches forward, flipping the tray of meat forward sending the chunks of dead animal and juices all over.
Ashley Mastrangelo: You know that this so-called bubble-head is right Ana. You feel the weight of being nothing more than a paper champion. You know that vindication is needed to stake your claim as a real champion, though you won’t admit it publicly because you don’t want to embrace such weakness. You don’t want to admit such fault. People would look at this match Ana, and they would think that all the pressure is on my back but to be honest, I have nothing to lose. There will be other shots at the title you possess should I lose, and there will come a time where I get my shot at the Diamond’s Title as well. The pressure is all on you. The pressure to rise up as champion and defend that status with valor is on you. The pressure to finally cement your claim as a real champion and not a girl who won in some sort of fluke situation…is on you. The pressure not to lose, is solely on you. Do you know what pressure does inside the human body Ana? It bursts a pipe. Your flaws will flow and I will exploit them all.
She takes another sip of wine before smashing the glass on the ground in front of her.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Don’t worry though. All that pressure will be off after Sunday night. I will remove it from your incapable shoulders, and put it squarely back on mine. After all, the pressure so goes with that Ruby Title…I’ll take that too.
The scene fades out on the room, a total disaster after Ashley’s display of smiling rage. The fixings of the table are spewed everywhere and all she does in her emerald green, covered in black lace dress is turn and walk away.
The sounds of fists hitting a heavy bag can be heard, each strike one after the next in a fluid pattern that could turn into a heavy bag symphony at any moment. Suddenly it stops as Ashley looks over at the camera filming this intense training session.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I mean seriously, what gives? Ana and Amber think that Jess and I have been coddled and protected because we wanted to? Are you two dense? Do you have any sense of comprehension whatsoever? Ana, you don’t get it. This Sunday at Diamonds are Forever, it’s not Team Lockheart versus the board because that’s not what the lovely people in the stands care about. Nobody cares what “side” we chose, and quite frankly I didn’t choose anything, it was kind of just shoved in my face.
She takes a few more shots at the heavy bag, ending it with a well-choreographed striking sequence before starting to remove the fingerless gloves from her hands.
Ashley Mastrangelo: That’s not what this Sunday is about in the least bit. The Pay Per View comes down to two things for me and neither one has a damn thing to do with this pathetic power struggle. Goal number one is to exact my revenge on you for blasting me in the back of the head with a baseball bat and branding me like a cheap piece of meat; branding me a whore. Neither of which I am might I add.
She tosses the gloves to the side and grabs hold of a towel, wiping the sweat from her brow as she heads in front of a mirror that covers the entire wall. Standing there, she stares into her own reflection, one that does nothing but stare back.
Ashley Mastrangelo: As I stand here in this very spot and look into my own reflection it reminds me of Goal number two Ana. As I stare down at the empty space that is my waist, I realize that my favorite little accessory is missing. Since you used Amber to steal it from me, I’ve been reminded every single day. Every time I look into this mirror and see that empty space I yearn more for the return of my precious championship. As I see you parade around with it like some sort of prop, simply there for your amusement, the fire inside me grows to levels of which your contorted mind can’t even understand, and it makes me sick.
She stretched her leg out to one side and rocks side to side to loosen the muscles and tendons in her legs before her next activity.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I understand what you think your vendetta is with me Ana. You think that I’ve been praised and coddled and it was at my will and that you should have been given the golden treatment. Mind you that when Simon tried to “protect” me by throwing the towel in against Eternity, I spit in his face. I didn’t want protecting and I tried at every attempt to prevent it from being so. Your whole notion of me being some kind of whore is quite simple…simply flawed that is.
She finished her stretching before reaching forward toward a crossbar and grabbing hold of it, lifting it over her head and placing it on her shoulders as she starts to do a rep of squats.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I am nobody’s whore Ana, and I sure as hell am inferior to nobody. I won’t stand here and take a back seat while you and Amber try to rule the division. I won’t stand idly by and watch you parade around with my favorite accessory and treat it like crap, deteriorating a legacy that I helped build it to. I won’t let you get away with what you did to me. You started something that you won’t be able to finish. You asked if I knew pain, the answer is yes. What you explained is nothing that resembles pain and I can’t wait to correct you and your over-stated simple definition of the word. When I do so…I’ll be filling that empty void on my waist with that pretty championship once more.
====================
=== Course Correction ===
I’m sitting at home as finally there was a little break from all the travel with the holidays and all. By the way, if you’re sitting there, staring at the screen, happy holidays, and a happy new year to come.
Anyway, yeah, sitting on the couch at home, staring at my TV screen as the movie “A Christmas Story” plays over and over and over again on the once a year TV Marathon that cable likes to provide. It was my favorite part in the movie
”I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!”
Yep, that’s right, the triple dog dare for Flick to stick his tongue on the frozen pole. I couldn’t help but laugh as he yelled “stuck…stuck…stuuuuuuck” yes it was sad that the little boy stuck his tongue on the pole but it was funnier than it was sad that it actually got stuck.
As I started to sum up the laughing, I heard my phone ring on the side table next to me. Reaching over I grabbed both it and the remote and muted the television before answering the phone.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Hello? Come over? I have to go to my father’s in a couple hours for dinner, but if you can squeeze it in, I guess. Okay…see you soon. Bye.
I wonder what was so urgent that he wanted to see me so soon; on Christmas Day of all days. I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
It wasn’t more than twenty minutes when there was a knock at the door of my apartment. I checked through the peephole before opening the door, never can be too careful these days, and standing in the doorway was Ray Gross. He was one of my co-trainers before I started wrestling. The lessons he and Mike taught me have gotten me through some tough times. I stepped to the side and invited him in with a smile. He nodded with a smirk of his own before stepping in and having a seat on the loveseat next to where I was sitting on the couch. I walked in and resumed said seat, folding my hands together in my lap.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What is it? It sounded urgent on the phone.
Ray Gross: I wouldn’t say it’s urgent. I just wanted to tell you some things.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Oh? What kind of things?
Ray Gross: Well first I want to tell you how proud I am of what you accomplished so far in IWF.
A smile came over my face as the pride swelled up on the inside.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Thanks.
Ray Gross: To see what you’ve come up from, the bare basics to the longest reigning Ruby Champion is incredible in such a short period of time.
I couldn’t help but sense this was going somewhere with a “but” involved.
Ashley Mastrangelo: But?
Ray Gross: You know me to well. There’s always a but…
Ashley Mastrangelo: What is it? What’s wrong?
Ray Gross: Nothing is exactly wrong. I see you have another shot at that belt.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I do.
Ray Gross: That’s good and all, but I don’t want you to get complacent.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What do you mean? Getting that title again is making history one more time.
Ray Gross: True, but is that all you want to do?
Ashley Mastrangelo: What do you mean?
Ray Gross: When I trained you, I always told you to shoot for the stars.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Yeah?
Ray Gross: That’s what I want you to do. I don’t want you to just settle for the Ruby Title Ashley. I want you to shoot for the stars. I want you to leave the silver lining behind and look up and the golden paradise that awaits. I want you to want the Diamond’s Championship. Screw second prize. Go for the top and get the respect you deserve.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Well of course that’s the end all be all.
Ray Gross: Is it? You seem pretty content with where you are and I don’t want you to be. I want you to strive for more. I want you to want to be the best. Not down the road, right now. No matter what happens at the Pay Per View, you have to go for it all. You want to make real history? Be the first girl in that division to hold both titles at one time. Close your eyes, imagine that…and then want it.
I did as he said and closed my eyes. I saw myself holding both championships simultaneously. I could hear the roar of the crowd. I could feel their cheers wash over me like a wave hitting me at the beach. The adrenaline was pure and at times, possibly overwhelming. Then I opened my eyes and saw Ray smiling at me. I giggled and blushed a little as he stood from his seat.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What?
Ray Gross: Nothing. I saw the smile. I know you want it. My job is done.
He started to head for the door prompting me to jump up from my seat to walk him out.
Ashley Mastrangelo: What do you mean your job is done? Your job is endless.
Ray Gross: As true as that is, and you know I’ll always be here to give you advice; the lessons are over. The coaching schemes and the playbook are planted in that pretty little head of yours. All you have to do now is execute.
Ashley Mastrangelo: I will. I promise.
He opens the door and steps into the hallway.
Ray Gross: Merry Christmas.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Merry Christmas to you too.
He walks away down the hall as I close the door leaning up against it with a smile on my face.
Ashley Mastrangelo: All I have to do is execute.
The scene fades as I lean against the door, the smile not coming off my face.
====================
Ashley Mastrangelo: You think you know me Ana. You think you know what I’m all about. You think you know my motives, my drive, and my overall plan in life. What you think you know is laughable. Your mind is filled with these ignorant thoughts of superiority. You think that you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. The world has done you wrong and now it’s your turn to exact revenge on all of us, and it starts with me.
The camera cuts in on Ashley sitting at a table set up like Christmas dinner. There’s a giant plate in the middle with half ham and half turkey to please everyone. To another side there is a dish of asparagus waiting to be devoured, and to another side there is a big bowl of mashed potatoes. The setup is grand and quite beautiful, but there’s a problem, nobody is sitting to the sides of the table. Nobody is sitting at the other end. Ashley is all by herself in a room full of food, yet there’s a smile on her face.
Ashley Mastrangelo: During this time of year Ana, this is what people look forward to. They look forward to sitting with their families and loved ones and having a grand old feast until their stomachs are ready to explode. Usually, it would be what I myself am looking forward to. Not this year.
Spreading both her arms across the table Ashley knocks the bowl of potatoes and the dish of asparagus to the side, off the table, crashing to the floor below with a loud shattering sound as the dishes send food shrapnel everywhere. The smile remains on her face.
Ashley Mastrangelo: This year I look forward to revenge. This year, I look forward to getting back what is rightfully mine. Damn the food, damn the desserts, I WANT MY DAMN PRESENT! The IWF Board has been kind enough to give me that present at Diamonds Are Forever. The present is you Ana. The wrapping is the revenge factor and the bow on top is me reclaiming what is going to be called mine again, the Ruby Championship.
She reaches forward and takes a sip of her wine before continuing.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Your claims of my futility as champion are laughable. I only beat people you beat? Did you beat yourself? I did. I beat you the one time we were one on one in the center of that ring. I took you to limits you weren’t accustomed to and then I dropped you back down to the spot you deserved. To your credit, you scratched and clawed back up the mountain and when opportunity presented itself, you knocked me down and took that belt…stole that belt. Your claims to that title are hollow Ana, and the only time any of them will be vindicated is if you beat me this Sunday. You and I both know that and it eats you up on the inside.
Reaching forward with a fork she takes a small piece of ham and consumes it, looking up at the ceiling as if thinking of what to say next. After swallowing, she nods her head in approval before reaching forward and repeating the process with a small piece of turkey. She then throws the fork over her shoulder and reaches forward, flipping the tray of meat forward sending the chunks of dead animal and juices all over.
Ashley Mastrangelo: You know that this so-called bubble-head is right Ana. You feel the weight of being nothing more than a paper champion. You know that vindication is needed to stake your claim as a real champion, though you won’t admit it publicly because you don’t want to embrace such weakness. You don’t want to admit such fault. People would look at this match Ana, and they would think that all the pressure is on my back but to be honest, I have nothing to lose. There will be other shots at the title you possess should I lose, and there will come a time where I get my shot at the Diamond’s Title as well. The pressure is all on you. The pressure to rise up as champion and defend that status with valor is on you. The pressure to finally cement your claim as a real champion and not a girl who won in some sort of fluke situation…is on you. The pressure not to lose, is solely on you. Do you know what pressure does inside the human body Ana? It bursts a pipe. Your flaws will flow and I will exploit them all.
She takes another sip of wine before smashing the glass on the ground in front of her.
Ashley Mastrangelo: Don’t worry though. All that pressure will be off after Sunday night. I will remove it from your incapable shoulders, and put it squarely back on mine. After all, the pressure so goes with that Ruby Title…I’ll take that too.
The scene fades out on the room, a total disaster after Ashley’s display of smiling rage. The fixings of the table are spewed everywhere and all she does in her emerald green, covered in black lace dress is turn and walk away.
Well howdy there pardner.