Post by Mercedes Vargas on Oct 26, 2015 3:39:49 GMT
..::PROLOGUE::..
If there's one thing I absolutely love about this business, it's that it doesn't take long to hit instant stardom. It's true. When wrestling fans and the internet unite, it makes for a perfect marriage. And you know you've made it in IWF when memes are being made about you. Trust me, I've seen them and some are pretty funny to sad to downright brutal.
You take the good with the bad.
Looking back at some of them, some people were able to achieve their dreams. Mike Laszlo did become Imperial Champion. Alex Jones finally cashed in that Joker in the Pack, and also became Imperial Champion. And yes Heath Leger Joker, it still boggles our minds when Sunshine Sparkles hugs people everyday, yet our current IWF Champion does the same.
Makes you think why didn't IWF check the sex registry when it comes to the current Imperial Champion. Hiring practices are long overdue.
In any event, I think I'll pick a few of my personal favorites.
Hey Alexis, remember this one?
Hahaha! From Paris with Love. Hated it, but the dinner scene was too violent for my taste. Now the caption, that was funny. 'Alexis, the future of the Diamonds Division!?' That was hilarious. Even more hilarious when Ana said Amber Richards was all the division had left. Yeah, in what universe?
How about this one?
Whatever happened to those Kik cereal commercials? This caption would have been a great line for that, or any kind of kid's breakfast commercial. An announcement like that is enough for ANYONE to do a spit take.
Maybe we can take this further. Trying to break the ice on the first date:
'So, Alexis is Diamonds Champion...'
Spit take!
Group of kids hanging out in the cafeteria:
“Hey, dude. You heard the news?
What news?
Alexis Caffrey is the Diamonds Champion.
Spit take.
Casual phone conversation while watching TV: 'Watching the 5 o'clock news. Did you hear that Alexis Caffrey is the Diamonds Champion?'
Spit ta...Well, I think you get the idea by now.
The point is, no news is good news when Alexis is leading the Diamonds division, she can't even lead herself to a successful defense. She is not a game changer, she's a channel changer, a ratings killer. Doesn't IWF realize this? Merch sales are its lowest point in years. Fan attendance has dwindled. Protests and dumpster fires have broken out nationwide.
Case in point, no matter what she will tell you, Alexis is bad for business.
You and Eternity both held the belt for 91 days in your first reigns, but defended it once, but unlike Eternity, she successfully defended it that one time, while you failed. And you know who she defeated in her first and only defense in that first reign? The same person she beat to become a two-time champion at Legacy...Hint, hint. That would be you.
You are a pretender, someone only on the throne because Jessica Reed still had her vendetta against Ana, and Kayla's foolproof plan for her stupid sister to get an easy fourth title reign backfired when Amber lost in the finals of the HT3.
I’ve been punished enough lasting the entire month of Eternity's reign, but having to sit through another run with you as world champion is another 28 days of my life I’ll never get back. Your run as world champion makes me want to cringe, it makes me want to throw up in my mouth, and I’m not alone in saying that because save for the people who have not hit puberty, no one is going to admit and say, with a straight face: "Oh boy, I watch IWF because of Alexis Caffrey!" Nobody thinks of you first or second. At the very least, most people who look at you wearing that title isn't really thinking, “Wow, she's the Diamonds Champion?” It's more like, “Do your parents know where you are?"
Your title win at Extreme Endurance was received with limp fanfare and like your first reign, you’re just treading water until someone comes along and finally knocks you off that pedestal. Well, they don't have to go far to find an answer.
Enter: Mercedes Vargas
You know, I've been waiting eight months for this. That's a really long time. But you know something?
My time is finally here.
_______≈₪≈______
__________________________
CASA DE VIDA APARTMENTS
PALMS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
♦ ♦ ♦
W E D N E S D A Y
25TH OCTOBER 2015
1:55 PM PST
“I could really get used to this.”
“See? I told you this wasn't so bad.”
Mercedes and Carmen are lying face down on separate massage tables, bath towel wrapped around their bodies. A masseuse gently massages Mercedes' back and begins to lather oil between his hands as he applies this to her back also.
.::MERCEDES::..
I still don't know about moving, though.
.::CARMEN::..
Trust me, it's for the best. Didn't you enjoy the grand tour earlier? The tennis courts, the pool hall...
Mercedes finishes her cousin's sentence.
.::MERCEDES::..
The gym? I get all that but it just isn't the same.
.::CARMEN::..
These things take time, Mercy. You'll feel right at home before you know it. Think about it like your moving in all over again.
Carmen is faced down on her table as the masseuse crosses over to her table and begins chopping her back. A butler puts her drink in a cup float beside her.
.::CARMEN::..
So, another big weekend?
.::MERCEDES::..
I've got a match in Hampton, Virginia? I heard it's supposed to be a big title match. Really, it's no big deal.
.::CARMEN::..
wiggles as she reaches for her drink and takes a sip
Well, that's one way to treat such a big match.
.::MERCEDES::..
I'm just trying to be calm. I find it's best not to get all nervous before the big match. After all, it's only four days away. I've got plenty of time to worry.
.::CARMEN::..
Sure hop so, because last time you had a title match, well, it wasn't a lesson learned.
.::MERCEDES::..
Sorry, I missed class that day. What would that lesson be?
.::CARMEN::..
Not letting titles define who you are.
.::MERCEDES::..
Oh no, that doesn't apply to me. Titles complete me.
.::CARMEN::..
Then what are you missing?
Mercedes laughs as she takes up her pina colada and stirs it with the min umbrella before takign a sip and placing it back in the cup holder.
.::MERCEDES::..
Not much. I know what I have to do. I just have to focus on this match and finally getting this monkey off my back. If anything, I don't have the time to be overconfident, that's mostly on my opponent.
.::CARMEN::..
You mean the same one who continually beat you, that one, right?...
.::MERCEDES::..
She's had my number, yes, but I think I've got her this time. It's good to have confidence, but over confidence is the kiss of death. I've got something for her Sunday night. Believe you me, I may be walking a challenger, but I'm walking out champion.
.::CARMEN::..
Time spent trying to get even would be better spent trying to get ahead.
.::MERCEDES::..
Whatever you say, Carmen.
Mercedes rolls her eyes. It was not common for her cousin to always act as the voice of reason, but she hates the fact that she was pretty good at it. Maybe the losses had really gotten to her, but that stubborn pride has more often than not kept her in matches. She was going to have to bring something more to the fight to finally conquor her tormentor onc and for all.
.::CARMEN::..
You're only as good as you think you are. Just saying.
.::MERCEDES::..
Look, can we just drop this? I really don't want to talk about it anymore.
.::CARMEN::..
Consider it dropped.
Carmen looks at her watch, then turns to Mercedes, who's mood hasn't improved since the talk.
.::CARMEN::..
OK. Don't forget, we still have a game at the tennis court later. Best two out of three?
.::MERCEDES::..
Don't remind me. You know you always win.
_______≈₪≈______
..::EPILOGUE::..
It gets to the point where it's almost predictable when it comes to Mercedes Vargas. Seriously, I don't have need for a crystal ball, tarot cards or a magic 8-ball to know what's coming. It's so obvious even Stevie Wonder can see it. My career or my title reign, take your pick, really. Both have been spat on, trampled on the ground, ridiculed, and in the case of my title reign, surpassed. And yet when everyone's favorite talking points gets around to my reign, no one talks about the one who broke my record for longest reign that stood for ten months. Why isn't anyone talking about the one who surpassed my reign? Why isn't anyone talking about Firenze Everett, the one who actually used the words “killing the division” and “Ana” in the same sentence? Why isn't she listed as the most recent champion to earn the IWF Endurance Award? You think after my record was broken more than six months ago that people would drop it already, yet to hear the other girls in the lockerroom tell it, they make it sound as if my reign was the best reign in the history of ever.
While everyone has the potential to be world champion, or any kind of champion for that matter, if they really, really, put their heart and soul and mind into it, here's a cold, hard truth to swallow: not everyone is cut out for the part. Championships are earned, sure, but all that hard work, blood, sweat and tears can disappear in an instant based on whether the fans like you or not, not to mention the powers that be. You are their most prized investment who they have decided is good enough to trust with their highest title, good name and reputation, after all. It's a huge responsibility to carry and those few weeks can determine whether that investment was worth it. And while there has been many good champions in IWF, at the same time there has been just as many bad ones.
Sometimes unforeseen circumstances get in the way. Sometimes a champion has a less than stellar run because of booking, making their effort of winning the title in the first place worthless. Sometimes an injury or a personal setback can cut a title run short. And sometimes...well, the man or woman holding it just isn't very good in the ring. Or has ruffled a few feathers backstage. Or both.
When it comes to my title reign, maybe it's due to one of these things or all of these things, or none of these things. Whatever the case may be, not once have I ever considered folding my tent and quitting, not once have I ever said 'screw this, I'm done.' Not because of foolish pride, not because I have something to prove.
Because I'm too stubborn.
That's the kind of attitude you need to have in this business, because if not, you either end up as the just another “former IWF talent” or like many of the Training Ground rookies who came through these door over the last 18 months, shining stars like Firenze Everett that burn twice as bright , but eventually, lasted half as long.
It must really piss all of you off that every subtle tweet, every mean, hurtful and nasty thing you say about me and every attempt at ending my career hasn't even once given me thoughts of walking out of that door. It must really burn you up that your words hasn't once given me the inkling of handing in my walking papers to Simon or Roberto.
See, your words, ladies, are not driving me away, in fact, it's doing quite the opposite. Your words sustain me and furthers my drive to be the best even more, kind of like the nutrients needed for, well,cancer to survive. I'm thinking the person who said that wasn't thinking about going to medical school. Don't quit your day job.
I live for moments like these. The pressure is on and I've never been more ready to meet it head on. It won't be long now before I make my mark and take my place in history.
_______≈₪≈______
__________________________
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT HAMPTON
HAMPTON, VIRGINIA
♦ ♦ ♦
S U N D A Y
25TH OCTOBER 2015
5:47 PM EST
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.”
The cold water from the shower head pours down her back as Mercedes stares blankly at the tiled wall. The events from this past Sacrifice on her mind. Eight Diamonds waged war unlike any other. Her side didn't lose the match, but they didn't win either, and that's what really pissed her off.
Even when she was trying to lose, she still couldn't win.
Can't win for losing, indeed.
The last thing she remembered was brawling with Alexis through the back before the match was over. She heard about Eternity's attack on Eliza after the fact. Quite frankly, she didn't care. She didn't care when the cameras were off. She didn't care about Sara Garcia. She didn't care about Esperanza Serranto. Her mind was only on one thing, and one thing only.
October Revolution.
She scrubs her hair, which falls pasts her shoulders limp. She adds a second quarter size amount of shampoo in the palm of her hand, suds already covering her body as she fumes some more. A “revolution” is right. A revolution without a revolutionary, and yet she was sure she checked her TV listings. She must have missed it because it probably wasn't televised. It's been three weeks since the newest chapter in IWF, and yet it felt like more of an Immortal error than an “era” ever could.
“Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.”
The last stand to the tyranny of IWF, well in the eyes of Body Count anyway, was completely neutralized, and it had more to do with the execution than the members who formed the group. Body Count, she mused, was doomed from the very start. Alex Jones' sit-in protests and Ana going on strike failed to even move the meter in the group's cause fighting against the machine. The rest? Well, other than Andrew, when immediate success doesn't happen right away, there was sure to be mutiny. No surprise here. Now, Body Count went the way of other factions like the COE, the Age of X, and the Empire.
So much for that.
IWF 1, Latest Faction 0
Running her fingers through her hair to wick the water out of her hair, the warm water washes away the shampoo. She always wondered what it would have been like to join the faction. In a more perfect world, if she was even half as good as Ana, maybe they'd get along. Maybe.
In a more perfect world.
“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.”
There was something to be said about the Diamonds division. If there was supposed to be some kind of revolution, nobody told her. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Jessica Reed has been busy doing whatever cosplaying and parody nonsense she's involved in. Ana Jones finally hung up her boots for good this time. And yet nobody kept a party, the division didn't all hold hands and started singing, “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead!”, and the sun didn't exactly appear from behind dark clouds. The water turns cold and Mercedes turns off the shower faucet in silence.
Despite the influx of new faces, or lack thereof, nothing has really changed. The Diamonds Champion, whoever held the belt, usually was MIA, the Diamonds division was as dysfunctional as ever, and all the so-called change that the company is pushing to the masses has led to a new champion who won’t last. The Diamonds Championship, on the other hand, changed hands for the second time in two months and if this was starting to become another ugly game of hot potato that doomed the title for most of last year, she wanted no part of it. Eternity- Alexis was no Ana-Amber, and she would be damned if the Diamonds Championship is passed around like a roofie for four months. She reaches for a towel and wraps it tight around her waist.[//i]
“Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
She never saw herself as the bad girl in all of this, that was more Ana's job, and she was simply the best, better than all the rest and better than anyone. Still, all the world's a stage and everyone had their parts. She reaches for a second towel from a stack on top of the clothes hamper and wraps her hair.
Every story needed a villain, and if that was the role Mercedes was born to play, then so be it. Her first act was getting rid of Alexis, who has been the pain in her neck for all of her IWF career.
And at October Revolution, her audience waits.[//i]
Fade.
..::EPILOGUE::..
You think Eternity's two reigns was painful, try having to sit through a second helping of Alexis Caffrey. While Eternity's last reign was two spoonfuls of Ny-quil-level agony, Alexis' two reigns alone should be nominated for the Nobel Peace prize for curing insomnia around the world.
Last week, Alexis, you claimed that as long as you have that title in your hands, that you're never alone. But I don't believe that for a second. Nobody does. What are you going to do on those cold winter nights when you're not champion anymore? Your “mother” won't be there to read you a good bedtime story and tuck you in, and as for Mikey...well, I'm not sure if he's ready to come back as yet after the ass kicking he got from Rob Diamond at Lineage, so, yeah, you're pretty much on your own.
You are right about one thing, though: The title does matter, it's you who ultimately don't. Tell me, where are the Diamonds lining up at your door waiting for a title match? No one answered your open challenge at the first two Open Fight Nights or called you out on Twitter. As a matter of fact, the only response you got when you brought up your stupid challenge again this past Monday was the sound of crickets.
The very idea that you showed up on Sacrifice to address the crowd surprised me, but has it ever occurred to you that while you were trying so, so desperately to get attention, no one was actually paying attention? Isn't it sad that three weeks ago you came out to the ring, made an open challenge and the only reaction to that challenge is a mild shrug? As a matter of fact, no one batted an eye and some probably rolled their eyes. Maybe it hasn't gotten through to you that no one cares that you’re holding the Diamonds Championship, and you want to know why? Not for lack of competition, that's for sure. Because everyone knows you are without a doubt the least threatening champion ever, the most known of the least known. After all the time you've spent in this company, it must really suck that still no one takes you seriously. More importantly, everyone knows you’re a fluke. Want to make something of it? I'm sure you're not going out of your way to order the Night of the Immortals replay on the IWF Network for only 9.99 to prove me wrong.
Go ahead and talk yourself up as this great champion, however, plain and simple, you can't sugarcoat anything because you can be and have been beaten and it's only a matter of time before I join that list.
We've fought so many times by now that you know what you're going to get from me, Alexis. No lessons in logic here ala Fiona McFly, none of the dark, cryptic convoluted bullshit that Eternity is famous for. Just me. No filter, no fluff. Just me telling it like it is.
Now, I've never known you as someone whose words were never really thought out, but when you issue an open challenge, the way that work is anyone who wants to prove their salt comes out from the back, their music hits and they make their way down the ramp, enter the ring, and accepts the challenge. It's simple. You believed me accepting your open challenge was an act of charity for you. I'd call it noble, if not selfish. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't feel as charitable, sweetheart. I would feel ashamed and embarrassed that the last person to show up in the arena, step in the ring and get in your face to accept your stupid challenge is someone you've defeated over and over again. But what do I know? You've proven that I'll never be able to lace up those Chuck Taylors, right?
This match, this year at October Revolution, you won't be facing Eternity and you won't be facing Kayla like you did last year. You get me, whether you like it or not, and I know you don't like it. You think the other 12 times would be any different. Eternity never did cash in her rematch against you, so it certainly makes sense for her to cash in her shot against the new champion. Instead, she trades that in for her whimsical mind games with Ana's niece. Quite a trade-off, isn't it?
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. In this instance, though, you're just a girl wearing a paper crown and are a pretender to the throne when the real queen will be standing across the ring from you. At th end of the night, she will be the one to finally accept her rightful place in IWF. And just the same, it's time for you to accept your position.
Shine my belt up real nice, have that World Diamonds Championship polished and put a nice red bow on it, make sure you present it to me. You need to understand that you only hold a belt, but I hold the title. I've been the uncrowned champion for well over a year. You've been a champion in name only, because when the casual wrestling fan asks who the champion is, they have no idea.
But they will have an idea that what's going to change is beating you this Sunday. I'm going to do everyone a favor and take back what is, and should be, rightfully mine. Because you don't deserve it, Alexis. I never took you for someone who make excuses, so what excuse are you going to make when I take that chip off your shoulder and take that title off your waist? Think of the joy when in Hampton, Virginia, after I defeat you, face to face I'll stand there and I'll tell you that you were nothing more that you've always been.
A pretender, a place holder, a paper champion, a statistic, a fucking transitional champion who was just fortunate to have a lengthy title reign and made the seamless transition to an even worse title holder, and was lucky enough to win the title right back.
You've had it far too good for too long, your wins over me. Eventually, all good things come to an end, Alexis. Sunday is your last chance to prove that your first reign wasn't a fluke, but when you fail to defend your title past the first defense – again – don't feel too bad for yourself. You're only as good as your last match. Only, this one isn't going to be your night.
This is supposed to be a movement, a cause for change, an era, a revolution, but let's be serious here.
It's the end of days, especially for your reign.
Beggars can't be choosers, but then again, Alexis, you never had a choice.
If there's one thing I absolutely love about this business, it's that it doesn't take long to hit instant stardom. It's true. When wrestling fans and the internet unite, it makes for a perfect marriage. And you know you've made it in IWF when memes are being made about you. Trust me, I've seen them and some are pretty funny to sad to downright brutal.
You take the good with the bad.
Looking back at some of them, some people were able to achieve their dreams. Mike Laszlo did become Imperial Champion. Alex Jones finally cashed in that Joker in the Pack, and also became Imperial Champion. And yes Heath Leger Joker, it still boggles our minds when Sunshine Sparkles hugs people everyday, yet our current IWF Champion does the same.
Makes you think why didn't IWF check the sex registry when it comes to the current Imperial Champion. Hiring practices are long overdue.
In any event, I think I'll pick a few of my personal favorites.
Hey Alexis, remember this one?
Hahaha! From Paris with Love. Hated it, but the dinner scene was too violent for my taste. Now the caption, that was funny. 'Alexis, the future of the Diamonds Division!?' That was hilarious. Even more hilarious when Ana said Amber Richards was all the division had left. Yeah, in what universe?
How about this one?
Whatever happened to those Kik cereal commercials? This caption would have been a great line for that, or any kind of kid's breakfast commercial. An announcement like that is enough for ANYONE to do a spit take.
Maybe we can take this further. Trying to break the ice on the first date:
'So, Alexis is Diamonds Champion...'
Spit take!
Group of kids hanging out in the cafeteria:
“Hey, dude. You heard the news?
What news?
Alexis Caffrey is the Diamonds Champion.
Spit take.
Casual phone conversation while watching TV: 'Watching the 5 o'clock news. Did you hear that Alexis Caffrey is the Diamonds Champion?'
Spit ta...Well, I think you get the idea by now.
The point is, no news is good news when Alexis is leading the Diamonds division, she can't even lead herself to a successful defense. She is not a game changer, she's a channel changer, a ratings killer. Doesn't IWF realize this? Merch sales are its lowest point in years. Fan attendance has dwindled. Protests and dumpster fires have broken out nationwide.
Case in point, no matter what she will tell you, Alexis is bad for business.
You and Eternity both held the belt for 91 days in your first reigns, but defended it once, but unlike Eternity, she successfully defended it that one time, while you failed. And you know who she defeated in her first and only defense in that first reign? The same person she beat to become a two-time champion at Legacy...Hint, hint. That would be you.
You are a pretender, someone only on the throne because Jessica Reed still had her vendetta against Ana, and Kayla's foolproof plan for her stupid sister to get an easy fourth title reign backfired when Amber lost in the finals of the HT3.
I’ve been punished enough lasting the entire month of Eternity's reign, but having to sit through another run with you as world champion is another 28 days of my life I’ll never get back. Your run as world champion makes me want to cringe, it makes me want to throw up in my mouth, and I’m not alone in saying that because save for the people who have not hit puberty, no one is going to admit and say, with a straight face: "Oh boy, I watch IWF because of Alexis Caffrey!" Nobody thinks of you first or second. At the very least, most people who look at you wearing that title isn't really thinking, “Wow, she's the Diamonds Champion?” It's more like, “Do your parents know where you are?"
Your title win at Extreme Endurance was received with limp fanfare and like your first reign, you’re just treading water until someone comes along and finally knocks you off that pedestal. Well, they don't have to go far to find an answer.
Enter: Mercedes Vargas
You know, I've been waiting eight months for this. That's a really long time. But you know something?
My time is finally here.
_______≈₪≈______
__________________________
CASA DE VIDA APARTMENTS
PALMS, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
♦ ♦ ♦
W E D N E S D A Y
25TH OCTOBER 2015
1:55 PM PST
“I could really get used to this.”
“See? I told you this wasn't so bad.”
Mercedes and Carmen are lying face down on separate massage tables, bath towel wrapped around their bodies. A masseuse gently massages Mercedes' back and begins to lather oil between his hands as he applies this to her back also.
.::MERCEDES::..
I still don't know about moving, though.
.::CARMEN::..
Trust me, it's for the best. Didn't you enjoy the grand tour earlier? The tennis courts, the pool hall...
Mercedes finishes her cousin's sentence.
.::MERCEDES::..
The gym? I get all that but it just isn't the same.
.::CARMEN::..
These things take time, Mercy. You'll feel right at home before you know it. Think about it like your moving in all over again.
Carmen is faced down on her table as the masseuse crosses over to her table and begins chopping her back. A butler puts her drink in a cup float beside her.
.::CARMEN::..
So, another big weekend?
.::MERCEDES::..
I've got a match in Hampton, Virginia? I heard it's supposed to be a big title match. Really, it's no big deal.
.::CARMEN::..
wiggles as she reaches for her drink and takes a sip
Well, that's one way to treat such a big match.
.::MERCEDES::..
I'm just trying to be calm. I find it's best not to get all nervous before the big match. After all, it's only four days away. I've got plenty of time to worry.
.::CARMEN::..
Sure hop so, because last time you had a title match, well, it wasn't a lesson learned.
.::MERCEDES::..
Sorry, I missed class that day. What would that lesson be?
.::CARMEN::..
Not letting titles define who you are.
.::MERCEDES::..
Oh no, that doesn't apply to me. Titles complete me.
.::CARMEN::..
Then what are you missing?
Mercedes laughs as she takes up her pina colada and stirs it with the min umbrella before takign a sip and placing it back in the cup holder.
.::MERCEDES::..
Not much. I know what I have to do. I just have to focus on this match and finally getting this monkey off my back. If anything, I don't have the time to be overconfident, that's mostly on my opponent.
.::CARMEN::..
You mean the same one who continually beat you, that one, right?...
.::MERCEDES::..
She's had my number, yes, but I think I've got her this time. It's good to have confidence, but over confidence is the kiss of death. I've got something for her Sunday night. Believe you me, I may be walking a challenger, but I'm walking out champion.
.::CARMEN::..
Time spent trying to get even would be better spent trying to get ahead.
.::MERCEDES::..
Whatever you say, Carmen.
Mercedes rolls her eyes. It was not common for her cousin to always act as the voice of reason, but she hates the fact that she was pretty good at it. Maybe the losses had really gotten to her, but that stubborn pride has more often than not kept her in matches. She was going to have to bring something more to the fight to finally conquor her tormentor onc and for all.
.::CARMEN::..
You're only as good as you think you are. Just saying.
.::MERCEDES::..
Look, can we just drop this? I really don't want to talk about it anymore.
.::CARMEN::..
Consider it dropped.
Carmen looks at her watch, then turns to Mercedes, who's mood hasn't improved since the talk.
.::CARMEN::..
OK. Don't forget, we still have a game at the tennis court later. Best two out of three?
.::MERCEDES::..
Don't remind me. You know you always win.
_______≈₪≈______
..::EPILOGUE::..
It gets to the point where it's almost predictable when it comes to Mercedes Vargas. Seriously, I don't have need for a crystal ball, tarot cards or a magic 8-ball to know what's coming. It's so obvious even Stevie Wonder can see it. My career or my title reign, take your pick, really. Both have been spat on, trampled on the ground, ridiculed, and in the case of my title reign, surpassed. And yet when everyone's favorite talking points gets around to my reign, no one talks about the one who broke my record for longest reign that stood for ten months. Why isn't anyone talking about the one who surpassed my reign? Why isn't anyone talking about Firenze Everett, the one who actually used the words “killing the division” and “Ana” in the same sentence? Why isn't she listed as the most recent champion to earn the IWF Endurance Award? You think after my record was broken more than six months ago that people would drop it already, yet to hear the other girls in the lockerroom tell it, they make it sound as if my reign was the best reign in the history of ever.
While everyone has the potential to be world champion, or any kind of champion for that matter, if they really, really, put their heart and soul and mind into it, here's a cold, hard truth to swallow: not everyone is cut out for the part. Championships are earned, sure, but all that hard work, blood, sweat and tears can disappear in an instant based on whether the fans like you or not, not to mention the powers that be. You are their most prized investment who they have decided is good enough to trust with their highest title, good name and reputation, after all. It's a huge responsibility to carry and those few weeks can determine whether that investment was worth it. And while there has been many good champions in IWF, at the same time there has been just as many bad ones.
Sometimes unforeseen circumstances get in the way. Sometimes a champion has a less than stellar run because of booking, making their effort of winning the title in the first place worthless. Sometimes an injury or a personal setback can cut a title run short. And sometimes...well, the man or woman holding it just isn't very good in the ring. Or has ruffled a few feathers backstage. Or both.
When it comes to my title reign, maybe it's due to one of these things or all of these things, or none of these things. Whatever the case may be, not once have I ever considered folding my tent and quitting, not once have I ever said 'screw this, I'm done.' Not because of foolish pride, not because I have something to prove.
Because I'm too stubborn.
That's the kind of attitude you need to have in this business, because if not, you either end up as the just another “former IWF talent” or like many of the Training Ground rookies who came through these door over the last 18 months, shining stars like Firenze Everett that burn twice as bright , but eventually, lasted half as long.
It must really piss all of you off that every subtle tweet, every mean, hurtful and nasty thing you say about me and every attempt at ending my career hasn't even once given me thoughts of walking out of that door. It must really burn you up that your words hasn't once given me the inkling of handing in my walking papers to Simon or Roberto.
See, your words, ladies, are not driving me away, in fact, it's doing quite the opposite. Your words sustain me and furthers my drive to be the best even more, kind of like the nutrients needed for, well,cancer to survive. I'm thinking the person who said that wasn't thinking about going to medical school. Don't quit your day job.
I live for moments like these. The pressure is on and I've never been more ready to meet it head on. It won't be long now before I make my mark and take my place in history.
_______≈₪≈______
__________________________
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT HAMPTON
HAMPTON, VIRGINIA
♦ ♦ ♦
S U N D A Y
25TH OCTOBER 2015
5:47 PM EST
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.”
The cold water from the shower head pours down her back as Mercedes stares blankly at the tiled wall. The events from this past Sacrifice on her mind. Eight Diamonds waged war unlike any other. Her side didn't lose the match, but they didn't win either, and that's what really pissed her off.
Even when she was trying to lose, she still couldn't win.
Can't win for losing, indeed.
The last thing she remembered was brawling with Alexis through the back before the match was over. She heard about Eternity's attack on Eliza after the fact. Quite frankly, she didn't care. She didn't care when the cameras were off. She didn't care about Sara Garcia. She didn't care about Esperanza Serranto. Her mind was only on one thing, and one thing only.
October Revolution.
She scrubs her hair, which falls pasts her shoulders limp. She adds a second quarter size amount of shampoo in the palm of her hand, suds already covering her body as she fumes some more. A “revolution” is right. A revolution without a revolutionary, and yet she was sure she checked her TV listings. She must have missed it because it probably wasn't televised. It's been three weeks since the newest chapter in IWF, and yet it felt like more of an Immortal error than an “era” ever could.
“Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.”
The last stand to the tyranny of IWF, well in the eyes of Body Count anyway, was completely neutralized, and it had more to do with the execution than the members who formed the group. Body Count, she mused, was doomed from the very start. Alex Jones' sit-in protests and Ana going on strike failed to even move the meter in the group's cause fighting against the machine. The rest? Well, other than Andrew, when immediate success doesn't happen right away, there was sure to be mutiny. No surprise here. Now, Body Count went the way of other factions like the COE, the Age of X, and the Empire.
So much for that.
IWF 1, Latest Faction 0
Running her fingers through her hair to wick the water out of her hair, the warm water washes away the shampoo. She always wondered what it would have been like to join the faction. In a more perfect world, if she was even half as good as Ana, maybe they'd get along. Maybe.
In a more perfect world.
“Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.”
There was something to be said about the Diamonds division. If there was supposed to be some kind of revolution, nobody told her. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Jessica Reed has been busy doing whatever cosplaying and parody nonsense she's involved in. Ana Jones finally hung up her boots for good this time. And yet nobody kept a party, the division didn't all hold hands and started singing, “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead!”, and the sun didn't exactly appear from behind dark clouds. The water turns cold and Mercedes turns off the shower faucet in silence.
Despite the influx of new faces, or lack thereof, nothing has really changed. The Diamonds Champion, whoever held the belt, usually was MIA, the Diamonds division was as dysfunctional as ever, and all the so-called change that the company is pushing to the masses has led to a new champion who won’t last. The Diamonds Championship, on the other hand, changed hands for the second time in two months and if this was starting to become another ugly game of hot potato that doomed the title for most of last year, she wanted no part of it. Eternity- Alexis was no Ana-Amber, and she would be damned if the Diamonds Championship is passed around like a roofie for four months. She reaches for a towel and wraps it tight around her waist.[//i]
“Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
She never saw herself as the bad girl in all of this, that was more Ana's job, and she was simply the best, better than all the rest and better than anyone. Still, all the world's a stage and everyone had their parts. She reaches for a second towel from a stack on top of the clothes hamper and wraps her hair.
Every story needed a villain, and if that was the role Mercedes was born to play, then so be it. Her first act was getting rid of Alexis, who has been the pain in her neck for all of her IWF career.
And at October Revolution, her audience waits.[//i]
Fade.
..::EPILOGUE::..
You think Eternity's two reigns was painful, try having to sit through a second helping of Alexis Caffrey. While Eternity's last reign was two spoonfuls of Ny-quil-level agony, Alexis' two reigns alone should be nominated for the Nobel Peace prize for curing insomnia around the world.
Last week, Alexis, you claimed that as long as you have that title in your hands, that you're never alone. But I don't believe that for a second. Nobody does. What are you going to do on those cold winter nights when you're not champion anymore? Your “mother” won't be there to read you a good bedtime story and tuck you in, and as for Mikey...well, I'm not sure if he's ready to come back as yet after the ass kicking he got from Rob Diamond at Lineage, so, yeah, you're pretty much on your own.
You are right about one thing, though: The title does matter, it's you who ultimately don't. Tell me, where are the Diamonds lining up at your door waiting for a title match? No one answered your open challenge at the first two Open Fight Nights or called you out on Twitter. As a matter of fact, the only response you got when you brought up your stupid challenge again this past Monday was the sound of crickets.
The very idea that you showed up on Sacrifice to address the crowd surprised me, but has it ever occurred to you that while you were trying so, so desperately to get attention, no one was actually paying attention? Isn't it sad that three weeks ago you came out to the ring, made an open challenge and the only reaction to that challenge is a mild shrug? As a matter of fact, no one batted an eye and some probably rolled their eyes. Maybe it hasn't gotten through to you that no one cares that you’re holding the Diamonds Championship, and you want to know why? Not for lack of competition, that's for sure. Because everyone knows you are without a doubt the least threatening champion ever, the most known of the least known. After all the time you've spent in this company, it must really suck that still no one takes you seriously. More importantly, everyone knows you’re a fluke. Want to make something of it? I'm sure you're not going out of your way to order the Night of the Immortals replay on the IWF Network for only 9.99 to prove me wrong.
Go ahead and talk yourself up as this great champion, however, plain and simple, you can't sugarcoat anything because you can be and have been beaten and it's only a matter of time before I join that list.
We've fought so many times by now that you know what you're going to get from me, Alexis. No lessons in logic here ala Fiona McFly, none of the dark, cryptic convoluted bullshit that Eternity is famous for. Just me. No filter, no fluff. Just me telling it like it is.
Now, I've never known you as someone whose words were never really thought out, but when you issue an open challenge, the way that work is anyone who wants to prove their salt comes out from the back, their music hits and they make their way down the ramp, enter the ring, and accepts the challenge. It's simple. You believed me accepting your open challenge was an act of charity for you. I'd call it noble, if not selfish. If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't feel as charitable, sweetheart. I would feel ashamed and embarrassed that the last person to show up in the arena, step in the ring and get in your face to accept your stupid challenge is someone you've defeated over and over again. But what do I know? You've proven that I'll never be able to lace up those Chuck Taylors, right?
This match, this year at October Revolution, you won't be facing Eternity and you won't be facing Kayla like you did last year. You get me, whether you like it or not, and I know you don't like it. You think the other 12 times would be any different. Eternity never did cash in her rematch against you, so it certainly makes sense for her to cash in her shot against the new champion. Instead, she trades that in for her whimsical mind games with Ana's niece. Quite a trade-off, isn't it?
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. In this instance, though, you're just a girl wearing a paper crown and are a pretender to the throne when the real queen will be standing across the ring from you. At th end of the night, she will be the one to finally accept her rightful place in IWF. And just the same, it's time for you to accept your position.
Shine my belt up real nice, have that World Diamonds Championship polished and put a nice red bow on it, make sure you present it to me. You need to understand that you only hold a belt, but I hold the title. I've been the uncrowned champion for well over a year. You've been a champion in name only, because when the casual wrestling fan asks who the champion is, they have no idea.
But they will have an idea that what's going to change is beating you this Sunday. I'm going to do everyone a favor and take back what is, and should be, rightfully mine. Because you don't deserve it, Alexis. I never took you for someone who make excuses, so what excuse are you going to make when I take that chip off your shoulder and take that title off your waist? Think of the joy when in Hampton, Virginia, after I defeat you, face to face I'll stand there and I'll tell you that you were nothing more that you've always been.
A pretender, a place holder, a paper champion, a statistic, a fucking transitional champion who was just fortunate to have a lengthy title reign and made the seamless transition to an even worse title holder, and was lucky enough to win the title right back.
You've had it far too good for too long, your wins over me. Eventually, all good things come to an end, Alexis. Sunday is your last chance to prove that your first reign wasn't a fluke, but when you fail to defend your title past the first defense – again – don't feel too bad for yourself. You're only as good as your last match. Only, this one isn't going to be your night.
This is supposed to be a movement, a cause for change, an era, a revolution, but let's be serious here.
It's the end of days, especially for your reign.
Beggars can't be choosers, but then again, Alexis, you never had a choice.
Well howdy there pardner.