Diary Of an Uncharismatic Enigma: Entry IV - Media
Apr 28, 2016 10:43:33 GMT -5
Post by sasso on Apr 28, 2016 10:43:33 GMT -5
Post-Gold Rush Rumble
Sara was exhausted.
Not so much physically, she could deal with the aches and pains of a hard night at work. Getting a little bruised up, having sore muscles after a match made her feel a rush. There was a certain adrenaline high from being in the ring that you couldn't capture anywhere else. She had never stopped loving that part of wrestling, it was all the other crap that went with it that had made her bitter and jaded. She just knew she was going to get run down for her tactics in the Rumble, sticking and moving, while hitting people from behind. People would say she was a dirty wrestler, or a cheap shot artist now. It's not like she did that in a regular one on one match, a rumble was no DQ. She was just doing what she had to in order to survive under the rules of the match a smaller competitor.
If she hadn't done that, she would've been accused of being soft and just another pretty face with no killer instinct, there was winning with these people. That was where the fatigue -- the same fatigue that caused her to flop back on her bed from exhaustion -- came from. It wasn't easy going through the motions, all the while keeping up this facade that everything was alright, putting that big smile on her face. Sure, it was easy to say "just be yourself" and let people know how she really felt if you weren't the one walking in her shoes. If she let it be known how miserable she really was, everyone back home who had told her she should go to college and pick a real career for herself would know they were right. Because if Sara wasn't happy with wrestling, if she didn't love it. what was she? Just another unremarkable schlub from her boring unremarkable town, working a job that they hate, and had tried to leave to no success.
This was even worse though, because unlike most of them, she had to confront the reality that she had loved her job at one point. So no, there was no other choice for her. To act otherwise would be to admit defeat, which would be the one thing she absolutely could never do. Because at the end of the day, she was still an athlete and a competitor -- just one who was incredibly disenchanted with their sport of choice.
Maybe she could stop measuring every movement, take a deep breath and let people think what they would once she got to the top. When you had mastery over your field, it was pretty much okay to do whatever you wanted, and let people form their own opinions -- you were made, you were larger than life. Look at Kanye, Bieber, Jon Jones, Kobe, the list went on and on. That was what made failing to capture the Gold Rush Rumble such a gut punch beyond the simple disappointment of losing. Not only was she stuck in the middle of the pack for a little longer, but it was a cruel reminder of the paradox she found herself facing. She had to spend this extra energy keeping up appearances until she performed better, but she could perform better if she spent less energy keeping up apperances. She just had to resign herself to the fact that she had no choice but to dig deep and try to find a new reserve to tap into; that, and to make sure she loved her job -- even though she didn't.
With a sigh, and small eye twitch, she forced a smile onto her face -- even if nobody was there.
[Off Cam]
4.28.16
7:59:59 AM EST
Voicemail left for Ben Terry of Prorasslesheet.net
"Heeeeyyyy there! It's Sara Cochran! Um, so I saw that latest story your site put up about backlash to my blog post? Um, I think there are some major, major, misconceptions going on here and my words being twisted to mean something they didn't! Can you please get back to me ASAP so we can clear up this little goof up? Maybe a retraction might be in order here, or some kinda explanation, haha."
Blog Post
4.27.16
Hey heeeyyy party people! Whaddup!? =)
Rhetorical question of course, a lot obviously! I mean wow, what a Gold Rush Rumble we're coming off! I know I already talked about my performance after the show, but wow let's just take a moment for what a huge show that was to sink in. The times they are a changin'! New champions, the first time we've had co-winners of the Gold Rush Rumble, returns and departures! I mean, it's not aalll positive, it's a sad thing that Cindy Parker has to retire, even if it is touching that Zero was able to clear his name and prove he could have beaten her the last time if he had wanted. Cindy was a great wrestler, and a real inspiration with her ability to put smiles on fans' faces. I mean, I know obviously the bulk of trying to fill those shoes as that ray of sunshine is going to fall on my shoulders. It's a little bit of a daunting task, but I live for challenges like that! Turn a negative into a positive, and shatter expectations, right?
Speaking of shattering expectations, what a match I've got coming up next! Izzy Anders burst onto the scene and reminded everyone what this business is all about -- wrestling. It doesn't matter if you're good looking or not, as long as you have passion for your craft. And well, her track record here and elsewhere like SSWA speaks for itself. I mean, I know some people aren't crazy about her on a personal level. Which I can respect, a lot of her lifestyle choices probably aren't ones our lord and savior J.C. would approve of. But let's just put all that aside, and look at what really matters. This is someone who as Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion shattered records. Not in a flash in a pan company either, her name is /immortalized/ here in FGA, that's pretty heavy.
Let's not look past the fact that she's proven herself to be dangerous, and she's going to have a major chip on her shoulder following a show that I mean wow, did not go her way in any way she could have conceived, except maybe TGH's short showing. The mistake there would be to try and rub that in, or something along those lines. I know better than that, we all have nights where absolutely nothing works, and that it's foolish to judge someone from that. Especially since if my personal experience is anything to go by, the natural reaction to a night like that is to come out like a house of fire the next time. That's a huge, huge challenge, but lucky for me I thrive on huge challenges. You all saw me performing at a higher level than my first two FGA appearances at the Rumble, a level closer to the one I know I can perform at consistently!
Maybe most importantly, I've got a hugely important edge heading into this match. Do I have the pedigree in FGA that she does, or the matches under my belt this past year that she does? No, but if you can sort of get inside the head of your opponent a little bit, that's huge heading into any fight! And I can't say I know exactly what she feels, but I'm pretty darn sure I have a better idea than most. Warning: This will involve me talking about my previous career! I know, I know, but trust me when I do it this isn't to brag. I know fully well you to re-prove yourself in any company. This isn't about accomplishments, it's about relevant experiences! =)
See, before Izzy was the bubbly happy to be here girl who got pushed around in FGA, I was in a really similar place. I just wanted to wrestle, compete, and try to be the best. I had a smile on my face. Then I got put on the shelf for about half a year from a post-match attack. Not because of anything I did, but because I had ovaries and this dude named Pat had a crusade against women in wrestling. There were all sort of temptations, so far ranging I can't really get into all of them. My point is, coming back with a bad attitude would have been the easy thing. Sure I came back with a little more of an edge and aggression, I learned to use my elbow strikes as weapons. But I never changed who I was at the core, I didn't stop smiling, I didn't dull my energy. Because brooding, turning into a rebellious teenager RAGING AT THE WORLD would have been the easy thing to do. I knew in my heart of hearts that if I had any chance of achieving my goals, ones i still am reaching for but am a lot closer to than I was at that moment of truth ... to be the /very best/ that I couldn't show that kind of weakness! I needed to use my hardships to find a new inner strength.
I know Izzy has a reputation as a survivor, I can't say I know all the minutiae, I don't really investigate dirt sheet gossip about other people -- that's not my focus. But my point is, when it comes to survival in that ring? I know I can outlast her, and not because I had to push myself to my limits as an athlete since I was young. Because I've been in the spot she was, and I made the stronger choice. Because my Rumble showing was at least as good as yours, if not better -- especially if you consider I had to deal with both the monsters Page and Grendel but eliminated the latter before you had to enter. Because I am bringing an obsession to this match. Not an obsession like the kind Izzy has, with titles, with Dom Harter, with taking careers. Those obsessions on people, on hoarding /stuff/ like a squirrel make it easy to lose sight of the task at hand. My obsession is with the process of being great, the struggle, and the sweat. She can convince herself she's focused all she wants, but there's no way she's as focused on the here and now as I am.
I'm getting better, I feel the momentum behind me, and I'm not going to let that slow down. I won't be stop-start stalling and never getting any real momentum behind myself. I am absolutely going to bring everything I've got, every bit of "won't be denied" with me, and while this is a huge challenge I /will/ overcome it, and Izzy Anders will feel my obsession. =)
[Off Cam]
4.28.16
8:35:49 AM EST
Voicemail left for Ben Terry of Prorasslesheet.net
"Sara Cochran again! I know you're up Ben, I saw you tweet out a house show report for some other company! Come on now, you know I meant her actions as a wrestler by lifestyle choices. not because she's a -- ugh, this is really bush league you know that? I said I didn't care about their lives outside the ring in that same blog! Trying to make a controversy because I'm a Christian athlete, and -- I, I just thought I knew you better than this."
Anonymous Private Letter to FGA Management
To whom it may concern,
It has come to my attention that the so called wrestling media is in the business of spreading lies and gossip about our performers. TMZ posting stories about Annie was one thing, but the people who cover our sport for a living resorting to those low down tactics is quite another. It's a shame, this is 2016, and we are supposed to be past the old days dealing with "dirt sheets". I completely understand that it can make us seem backwards and out of touch to be the only sport with such a hostile relationship with reporters. But, it is clear that they are the problem, failing to follow their obligations as media members, not us. With that said, as someone who has had an eye on the pulse of the locker room, I can undoubtedly say that this toxic atmosphere the media creates plays a large part in the often embarrassing and borderline criminal behavior of FGA grapplers. It seems that the only reasonable course of action is to place a media blackout on all future Vertigo events, and not give out credentials as a temporary measure until a comprehensive list of irresponsible reporters to send a cease and desist order against can be compiled.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Employee
Fin.
(OOC: Word Count - 2159)
Sara was exhausted.
Not so much physically, she could deal with the aches and pains of a hard night at work. Getting a little bruised up, having sore muscles after a match made her feel a rush. There was a certain adrenaline high from being in the ring that you couldn't capture anywhere else. She had never stopped loving that part of wrestling, it was all the other crap that went with it that had made her bitter and jaded. She just knew she was going to get run down for her tactics in the Rumble, sticking and moving, while hitting people from behind. People would say she was a dirty wrestler, or a cheap shot artist now. It's not like she did that in a regular one on one match, a rumble was no DQ. She was just doing what she had to in order to survive under the rules of the match a smaller competitor.
If she hadn't done that, she would've been accused of being soft and just another pretty face with no killer instinct, there was winning with these people. That was where the fatigue -- the same fatigue that caused her to flop back on her bed from exhaustion -- came from. It wasn't easy going through the motions, all the while keeping up this facade that everything was alright, putting that big smile on her face. Sure, it was easy to say "just be yourself" and let people know how she really felt if you weren't the one walking in her shoes. If she let it be known how miserable she really was, everyone back home who had told her she should go to college and pick a real career for herself would know they were right. Because if Sara wasn't happy with wrestling, if she didn't love it. what was she? Just another unremarkable schlub from her boring unremarkable town, working a job that they hate, and had tried to leave to no success.
This was even worse though, because unlike most of them, she had to confront the reality that she had loved her job at one point. So no, there was no other choice for her. To act otherwise would be to admit defeat, which would be the one thing she absolutely could never do. Because at the end of the day, she was still an athlete and a competitor -- just one who was incredibly disenchanted with their sport of choice.
Maybe she could stop measuring every movement, take a deep breath and let people think what they would once she got to the top. When you had mastery over your field, it was pretty much okay to do whatever you wanted, and let people form their own opinions -- you were made, you were larger than life. Look at Kanye, Bieber, Jon Jones, Kobe, the list went on and on. That was what made failing to capture the Gold Rush Rumble such a gut punch beyond the simple disappointment of losing. Not only was she stuck in the middle of the pack for a little longer, but it was a cruel reminder of the paradox she found herself facing. She had to spend this extra energy keeping up appearances until she performed better, but she could perform better if she spent less energy keeping up apperances. She just had to resign herself to the fact that she had no choice but to dig deep and try to find a new reserve to tap into; that, and to make sure she loved her job -- even though she didn't.
With a sigh, and small eye twitch, she forced a smile onto her face -- even if nobody was there.
[Off Cam]
4.28.16
7:59:59 AM EST
Voicemail left for Ben Terry of Prorasslesheet.net
"Heeeeyyyy there! It's Sara Cochran! Um, so I saw that latest story your site put up about backlash to my blog post? Um, I think there are some major, major, misconceptions going on here and my words being twisted to mean something they didn't! Can you please get back to me ASAP so we can clear up this little goof up? Maybe a retraction might be in order here, or some kinda explanation, haha."
Blog Post
4.27.16
Hey heeeyyy party people! Whaddup!? =)
Rhetorical question of course, a lot obviously! I mean wow, what a Gold Rush Rumble we're coming off! I know I already talked about my performance after the show, but wow let's just take a moment for what a huge show that was to sink in. The times they are a changin'! New champions, the first time we've had co-winners of the Gold Rush Rumble, returns and departures! I mean, it's not aalll positive, it's a sad thing that Cindy Parker has to retire, even if it is touching that Zero was able to clear his name and prove he could have beaten her the last time if he had wanted. Cindy was a great wrestler, and a real inspiration with her ability to put smiles on fans' faces. I mean, I know obviously the bulk of trying to fill those shoes as that ray of sunshine is going to fall on my shoulders. It's a little bit of a daunting task, but I live for challenges like that! Turn a negative into a positive, and shatter expectations, right?
Speaking of shattering expectations, what a match I've got coming up next! Izzy Anders burst onto the scene and reminded everyone what this business is all about -- wrestling. It doesn't matter if you're good looking or not, as long as you have passion for your craft. And well, her track record here and elsewhere like SSWA speaks for itself. I mean, I know some people aren't crazy about her on a personal level. Which I can respect, a lot of her lifestyle choices probably aren't ones our lord and savior J.C. would approve of. But let's just put all that aside, and look at what really matters. This is someone who as Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion shattered records. Not in a flash in a pan company either, her name is /immortalized/ here in FGA, that's pretty heavy.
Let's not look past the fact that she's proven herself to be dangerous, and she's going to have a major chip on her shoulder following a show that I mean wow, did not go her way in any way she could have conceived, except maybe TGH's short showing. The mistake there would be to try and rub that in, or something along those lines. I know better than that, we all have nights where absolutely nothing works, and that it's foolish to judge someone from that. Especially since if my personal experience is anything to go by, the natural reaction to a night like that is to come out like a house of fire the next time. That's a huge, huge challenge, but lucky for me I thrive on huge challenges. You all saw me performing at a higher level than my first two FGA appearances at the Rumble, a level closer to the one I know I can perform at consistently!
Maybe most importantly, I've got a hugely important edge heading into this match. Do I have the pedigree in FGA that she does, or the matches under my belt this past year that she does? No, but if you can sort of get inside the head of your opponent a little bit, that's huge heading into any fight! And I can't say I know exactly what she feels, but I'm pretty darn sure I have a better idea than most. Warning: This will involve me talking about my previous career! I know, I know, but trust me when I do it this isn't to brag. I know fully well you to re-prove yourself in any company. This isn't about accomplishments, it's about relevant experiences! =)
See, before Izzy was the bubbly happy to be here girl who got pushed around in FGA, I was in a really similar place. I just wanted to wrestle, compete, and try to be the best. I had a smile on my face. Then I got put on the shelf for about half a year from a post-match attack. Not because of anything I did, but because I had ovaries and this dude named Pat had a crusade against women in wrestling. There were all sort of temptations, so far ranging I can't really get into all of them. My point is, coming back with a bad attitude would have been the easy thing. Sure I came back with a little more of an edge and aggression, I learned to use my elbow strikes as weapons. But I never changed who I was at the core, I didn't stop smiling, I didn't dull my energy. Because brooding, turning into a rebellious teenager RAGING AT THE WORLD would have been the easy thing to do. I knew in my heart of hearts that if I had any chance of achieving my goals, ones i still am reaching for but am a lot closer to than I was at that moment of truth ... to be the /very best/ that I couldn't show that kind of weakness! I needed to use my hardships to find a new inner strength.
I know Izzy has a reputation as a survivor, I can't say I know all the minutiae, I don't really investigate dirt sheet gossip about other people -- that's not my focus. But my point is, when it comes to survival in that ring? I know I can outlast her, and not because I had to push myself to my limits as an athlete since I was young. Because I've been in the spot she was, and I made the stronger choice. Because my Rumble showing was at least as good as yours, if not better -- especially if you consider I had to deal with both the monsters Page and Grendel but eliminated the latter before you had to enter. Because I am bringing an obsession to this match. Not an obsession like the kind Izzy has, with titles, with Dom Harter, with taking careers. Those obsessions on people, on hoarding /stuff/ like a squirrel make it easy to lose sight of the task at hand. My obsession is with the process of being great, the struggle, and the sweat. She can convince herself she's focused all she wants, but there's no way she's as focused on the here and now as I am.
I'm getting better, I feel the momentum behind me, and I'm not going to let that slow down. I won't be stop-start stalling and never getting any real momentum behind myself. I am absolutely going to bring everything I've got, every bit of "won't be denied" with me, and while this is a huge challenge I /will/ overcome it, and Izzy Anders will feel my obsession. =)
[Off Cam]
4.28.16
8:35:49 AM EST
Voicemail left for Ben Terry of Prorasslesheet.net
"Sara Cochran again! I know you're up Ben, I saw you tweet out a house show report for some other company! Come on now, you know I meant her actions as a wrestler by lifestyle choices. not because she's a -- ugh, this is really bush league you know that? I said I didn't care about their lives outside the ring in that same blog! Trying to make a controversy because I'm a Christian athlete, and -- I, I just thought I knew you better than this."
Anonymous Private Letter to FGA Management
To whom it may concern,
It has come to my attention that the so called wrestling media is in the business of spreading lies and gossip about our performers. TMZ posting stories about Annie was one thing, but the people who cover our sport for a living resorting to those low down tactics is quite another. It's a shame, this is 2016, and we are supposed to be past the old days dealing with "dirt sheets". I completely understand that it can make us seem backwards and out of touch to be the only sport with such a hostile relationship with reporters. But, it is clear that they are the problem, failing to follow their obligations as media members, not us. With that said, as someone who has had an eye on the pulse of the locker room, I can undoubtedly say that this toxic atmosphere the media creates plays a large part in the often embarrassing and borderline criminal behavior of FGA grapplers. It seems that the only reasonable course of action is to place a media blackout on all future Vertigo events, and not give out credentials as a temporary measure until a comprehensive list of irresponsible reporters to send a cease and desist order against can be compiled.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Employee
Fin.
(OOC: Word Count - 2159)