All Substance- Raine VS Karma

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All Substance
Serena Raine VS Johnny Karma

www.asylumwrestling.com/videos/raine-lionscup1

The video opens, and we are greeted by the sight of Serena Raine. The Asylum member is sitting behind a computer desk, a mostly dark bedroom visible behind her. Her black and blue hair is pulled behind her head in a messy bun, and her eyes are locked on the camera, a blank expression on her face. She takes a moment, adjusts the camera and takes in a breath.

RAINE: Since I signed with FGA a short while ago, I've been waiting very patiently to make my debut. I want my chance to show this company what I'm truly capable of. I want to let the fans, and the rest of the roster know that I mean business. Because at the moment, no one really has a whole lot to actually go on.

Raine stops, and lifts a DVD up so that the camera can get a glimpse of it. At the very top is the logo of the now defunct GEW, underneath in a stylised font the words 'Torneo Extremo' take up a large portion of the cover. Underneath that, at the bottom of the box we see 'The Asylum VS GEW'.

RAINE: This was the last time I made a meaningful appearance in a big wrestling company. Working for GEW at this point is actually the biggest accomplishment in my career. And regardless of the fact that I should actually be thankful for the chance to compete for an organization as big as the GEW was, I can't help but feel like the experience was flat.

Serena sets the case down and leans back in her seat, she cocks her head to the side slightly, and takes a small breath, letting her thoughts filter.

RAINE: I was part of one of the most important groups the company ever witnessed. I actually led that groups first assault on the company. And I was one of the few members of that team who had been in the company before we debuted the faction. And yet I still feel like I never actually accomplished very much while I was there. No one will really look back at my time and say I was critical to anything. I never held a title, and I never won any important matches. I pissed off some people, but that's nothing to write home about.

Serena gives a shrug, it's clear that she regrets not making the 'impact' that she had wanted, but obviously it isn't the sort of regret that makes people lose their mind. She follows the shake with a nod.

RAINE: Now, anyone familiar with my work down in some of the local area companies in the southerns states, and back up home in Canada may bring up that I've actually won some gold here and there. But really, what does that mean? I can beat rookies? I'm better than the rest of the bottom of the barrel? In the grand scheme of things, I'll tell you exactly what it means. Jack shit, and nothing more.

Serena shrugs in an animated gesture. Clearly she is beginning to get herself going.

RAINE: Now though, I get a chance to start doing things that will actually be remembered. Now, I get my shot at making a name for myself without Noumenon, Cerberus, Matt, Laurel, Leanne, or the Jokers Wild. Now I have a chance to leave my name in the history books in a company that actually matters. I get to try and make the name Serena Raine a legend in Frontier Grappling Arts.

Raine begins speaking with her hands, and an intensity flairs in her eyes. Her lips form in to a knowing smiles and she stops for a second, leaning back in to her chair and gaining her calm composure back..

RAINE: All I have to do to actually start on that road is win the FGA Lions Cup. Which if you think about it, would be absolutely huge. A rookie, with no reputation and no real experience in the company comes from out of nowhere and wins a guaranteed FGA title shot?

Raine holds her fingers less than an inch apart, smiles and then pulls them further away from eachother, not stopping.

RAINE: Suddenly, I would go from being about as important as a grain of salt, to a name that absolutely no one would have the right to ignore. Someone that no one in their right mind would bet against. And maybe, I could actually start feeling like I was doing something with the training I've been given.

Serena stops and holds out a hand.

RAINE: Of course, that may be getting a little bit ahead of myself. Because before all of that can happen, I need to pick apart every single person I come across in this tournament. Starting of course, with Johnny Karma.

Serena's head tips down and her expression takes on a darkly serious vibe.

RAINE: And the thing about this upcoming match, is that I'm not being given a chance in hell to win.

Serena laughs slightly and chases a stray hair away from her face. Her teeth grind together visibly, and her nostrils flair.

RAINE: I pay attention to wrestling news and forums. At my core, I'm still more a fan of this sport than I am a competitor. And what I've seen is that anyone willing to put money on this fight, is taking Karma. Is it because people know him? Or because they don't know enough about me?

Raine's lip curls and an angry smirk curls its way on to her mouth.

RAINE: See, normally I could stand being down on a betting pool. Whatever, if people want to blow their money watching some full of themselves hype machine get tapped out, that's absolutely fine. It just teaches them that you really, really should not bet against Serena Raine. And from that point on, they'll actually pay attention, and take me seriously. No skin off my teeth.

She raises a finger and raises her gaze back to a normal level.

RAINE: This time though, I'm... Agitated at the concept. See, the concept of being overlooked for a guy like Johnny Karma is insulting on its best day. Karma is good. I'll never deny a guy that. But no amount of substance can make up for the amount of absolutely bullshit amount of smoke this guy blows.

Visibly exasperated, Raine leans back in her chair after throwing her arms up, again getting worked up.

RAINE: I'm all for a little bit of show boating in my wrestling. I accepted that as part of the craft a long time ago. Hell, one of my best friends in this business basically treats it as a performance art. And I'm cool with that. But Karma, you take it to a whole different level. And even worse, no one calls you on your particularly high level of bullshit.

Calming once again, Serena takes a deep breath, and then another.

RAINE: Karma, I don't have a fancy television show with a set or even my own damn website. All I have is this piece of shit webcam, a piece of shit laptop and wherever the hell I can get a wifi connection to upload the videos to a site that Spades and BlakJak pay for. On top of that, I sure as heel don't have as many mundane and absolutely meaningless nicknames as you. I don't have someone sounding my damn horn for me wherever I go, and I let the company ring announcer call my name. I don't need to feel like I'm special. I don't need to run my mouth like a damn waterfall to believe in myself. The only thing I need to do to make myself feel good, is to leave myself in that ring.

Another shake of the head, and Serena smirks.

RAINE: I know, that sounds just about as cliché as you can get. But that statement is something every wrestler should make. None of us should have a fucking television show to toot our damn horn. We should just show up every damn night, and use the skills and talents we were given to put on the best damn performance we can.

Raine's hands begin to move again, before she stops suddenly and levels her gaze on the camera.

RAINE: I know that there is something behind all that flash Johnny. I know that no matter how much you build yourself up and make me want to smash your face, you do have some form of talent. But I want you to know that this match is not a foregone conclusion. You are still very much in danger of losing, more than you or anyone creating the betting lines know. Because Johnny... I am going to show up to Hartford on a mission. With one simple directive. Make Johnny fucking Karma tap the fuck out and progress past the qualifiers and in to the FGA Lions Cup. And I will succeed at that mission. Because unlike him, I'm all substance. And that's all I will ever need.

Her eyes on fire with determination, Raine reaches forward, and as she gives the camera a sharp nod of finality, the video ends.