Storm's End
Jun 23, 2016 19:49:21 GMT -5
Post by Savannah Taylor on Jun 23, 2016 19:49:21 GMT -5
Friday, June 17th, 2016
Las Vegas, Nevada
OFF CAMERA
The mid afternoon sun was blazing high in the sky, creating an additional layer to a borderline unbearably hot day. The recent string of triple digit temperatures wasn’t anything too out of the ordinary for Southern Nevada in June, but this was enough to turn even the most seasoned of residents into sweating grumps with no choice but to take refuge in air conditioned houses and office buildings. The slight breeze that was blowing wasn’t offering much of a rescue from the heat. It was the kind of heat where health officials warned people to stay indoors.But the heat didn’t stop people from making trips to destinations outdoors.
A place of serenity and reverence, the Woodlawn Cemetery stood as a sort of oasis where people could go and spend some quiet time with friends or relatives who have passed away. Despite the weather, about a dozen people are scattered throughout the massive resting place, milling about the different shaped headstones, quietly talking amongst themselves. In a quiet corner of the cemetery, just off to the side of a pair of sturdy oak trees sat one particular granite headstone. It’s smooth surface gleamed in the blazing sunlight, adding an element of beauty to an often thought of place of dreariness. A figure was seated with their back resting on the side of the headstone and their legs stretched out in front of them, soaking up the sun. The figure is actually that of favorite Las Vegas native Savannah Taylor. She was dressed in a pair of faded blue jean shorts, a simple white tank top and black sandals, an effort to keep as cool as possible. She lets out a slight sigh as she clears her throat.
Savannah Taylor: Well, I told you I’d make it today. With this God awful heat, I almost decided against it. But a promise is a promise and I’d like to think I’m a woman of my word. At least you always thought so.
She pauses to wipe a bead of sweat from her forehead as she continues.
Savannah Taylor: So let's see, what is new with me. My wrestling career is still going strong. I’ve got a pretty darn good thing going in FGA. The level of competition is outright insane, but in a good way. I think for the first time since leaving San Diego almost a year ago, I’m having fun again.
It was true. The end of the year last year was a time of turmoil and uncertainty. A couple of months prior, Savannah could see the writing on the wall, but a part of her was still holding out that things would work themselves out. She made the right choice towards the end in signing with FGA. It was the best thing for her personal and professional lives.
Savannah Taylor: I’ve got a fairly important match coming up next week. It’s on the biggest show of the year, so I have that going for me. I’m actually looking forward to the match I have. It’s pretty much the same type of situation I was in when I faced Annie Zellor-Dupree a while ago. Only this time, the person I’m facing is different. Don’t get me wrong. He’s still an uber goody good, but something, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, rubs me the wrong way in regards to him. Either way, I’m just looking forward to putting on what I hope is an amazing match.
Savannah reaches up and wipes another bead of sweat from her forehead, a move that made her wish she brought a bandanna or something to keep in her pocket. But deep down, she knew a little heat was worth the price of where she was.
Savannah Taylor: And for some reason, I’ve been picking up some pretty prestigious endorsements. I’m the face of a line of perfumes by Juicy Couture. That is something I’m still trying to wrap my head around. I’ve gone from being a relative unknown in wrestling to branching out in ventures outside of the ring. If I’m being completely honest, this is all a little overwhelming and is going to take some getting used to. Assuming I ever really do.
Sure, the money she was making from said endorsements was a great bonus. But she had always been somewhat of a private person. Sharing herself like this with the world was foreign territory, but stepping out of her comfort zone and exploring new opportunities were part of the growing process in wrestling.
Savannah Taylor: But even though I’ve been blessed beyond comparison and am set to do battle on a large stage in Florida, there is always this one thing that is weighing on my mind. That one thing that, if I keep dwelling on it too much, it will eventually overtake everything and I’ll slip up big time.
She heaves a sigh as she sneezes slightly.
Savannah Taylor: I’m worried about Mom. I’m worried because she isn’t doing as well as we all thought. Her body isn’t reacting the right way to the chemotherapy treatments. She’s getting weaker and more not herself as each day goes by. She had all she could do to make it through Harper’s graduation two weeks ago. I hate seeing her going through this. I hate being powerless and not able to do anything for her. I want her to be able to see me wrestle in person in August. That’s when the FGA comes to Las Vegas. But if it took a lot of effort on her part to sit through a high school graduation, it would be a damn near Herculean effort to sit through a wrestling show in her condition.
Savannah pauses as she takes her gold rimmed sunglasses off and rubs her eyes in an effort to block any tears from falling. Her mother’s condition was a VERY touchy subject that she had only shared with a miniscule handful of people. It was an aspect of her personal life that she didn’t need broadcast all over the airwaves and on social media.
Savannah Taylor: I’m scared. I mean, it was last year when I was reunited with not only her and Dad, but found out I had a sister as well. I got my family back and we’ve been getting along pretty well. I’ve finally received the one thing I’ve wanted for GOD knows how long, and now it’s at risk of being ripped apart. There is so much I want to enjoy and share with Mom, so much I want her to experience. To live under the cloud of her being taken from me far too soon….
She sniffs as she takes her glasses off and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. This whole situation was, at times, hard for Savannah to deal with. When she had to, she did her best to mask what was going on and go about her business. But behind closed doors and when she was around those she trusted two thousand percent, she let her guard down and almost reverted back to her five year old self when her life was turned upside down. In a couple of days, she would be on a plane to Florida, where she was set to take part in the various festivities leading up to All Star Showdown V. While she was in Florida, she would put on the mask she wore when she was concealing her private life troubles. But here in Las Vegas, she was able to be herself.
Savannah Taylor: Sorry about that. I’m just used to holding things in while in public. When I get talking about this, I turn into a mess. I know it’s nothing to be sorry for and if you were in front of me, you’d smack my arm.
She stands up and brushes off her shorts. Taking a deep breath, she turns and faces the headstone one more time
Savannah Taylor: Thanks for letting me vent to you. You always were a great person to talk to. I just wish you were here in person. Beggars can’t be choosers.
She laughs softly to herself as she reaches out and places a hand on the cool granite stone.
Savannah Taylor: Happy birthday, Grandma.
She pauses before giving one last look at her grandmother’s final resting place. She then turns and walks off in the opposite direction. In a few days, she would be immersing herself in her chosen profession. She would be two thousand percent ready for All Star Showdown V and her encounter with Mark Storm. She knew in her heart of hearts that she would be ready. The proverbial raincloud over her head would have to be pushed away, simply for the sake of her craft.
These words, spoken several times over in life, pretty much ring true in the wrestling world. People come into this business and expect things to be handed to them on a silver platter with a glass of champagne. Most people nowadays don’t have the internal gumption to go out and get what they want.
I am not most people.
I saw an opportunity to make a statement on FGA’s most important show. I saw an opportunity to give the faithful fans the chance to watch one hell of a match on an already stacked card. I saw an opportunity to get my name out there. You know what I did? I took that chance. I seized the opportunity to do all of that. Unfortunately some people took issue with how I went about things. Unfortunately, not everyone shares my enthusiasm for greater glory.
How you doin’, Mark?
Mark Storm, so we finally get the chance for a proper scrap. The professional part of me is excited. I’m excited to get in the ring with someone who has been around as long as you have. You’ve done more in your career than most people will ever have the chance of doing. Who wouldn’t be the least bit excited over the prospect of facing someone of your stature? But as excited as the professional side of me is over our upcoming match, the more realistic side of me has one simple question for you.
What in the hell have you done?
Are you fully aware of the choice that you made by accepting this match, Mark? I honestly don’t think you are. You may have acted rashly. You may have acted in the heat of the moment when you finally decided to accept my challenge. Maybe you were still pissed off at me for interrupting your little love fest a few weeks ago. Maybe you just woke up one morning and thought to yourself “Hey, I wonder what stupid thing I can do today.” Or maybe it was the repeated blows to your head that caused your momentary lapse in judgement. Either way, you signed your name in the dotted line, thus sealing your fate for All Star Showdown V.
You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?
Look, I can appreciate your fortitude to want this match. I can appreciate you wanting to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and get back on the winning side of things.
I’m just not going to allow you to do that at my expense.
I’ll be the first person to admit that I have done some pretty crappy things in the past in this business. There is an entire chunk of time around the last year to year and a half that I am trying to put past me. Trying to move past what I’ve done is still a work in progress. Thankfully I’m in a place where the people seem more receptive. That is a hell of a lot more I can say for other places on the opposite coast. But one thing I haven’t tried to move past is that tried and true killer instinct. I revel in the fact that no matter the stakes, no matter the match, I am willing to but my body, heart and soul on the line. Why? Because people choose to doubt me. Because people choose to bury their head in the sand and pass me over for the sake of others. Do others deserve it more than me? More often than not, yes. Does this irritate me and push me to be better? You’re damn right it does.
That is where you come in.
The person that awaits you in Lakeland is going to make you regret agreeing to this match. I am not going to be nice towards you because you are a seasoned veteran or may or may not have a few mental issues going on. I am going to treat you the same way that people have taken to treating me ever since I debuted in this business. Believe me when I say that it is not going to be a pretty site for you.
Well, not entirely. I’m the only pretty site in this match.
You can take all of your preconceived notions about me and about how this match is going to go and you can throw them out the window. Our match at All Star Showdown, while it may very well be a showcase of what we can do, it is going to be far from easy. You are going to find out the hard way just what a huge mistake it was to not only accept this match, but to cross paths with me in the first place.
It’s your funeral, I suppose.
Auf Wiedersehen.
Las Vegas, Nevada
OFF CAMERA
The mid afternoon sun was blazing high in the sky, creating an additional layer to a borderline unbearably hot day. The recent string of triple digit temperatures wasn’t anything too out of the ordinary for Southern Nevada in June, but this was enough to turn even the most seasoned of residents into sweating grumps with no choice but to take refuge in air conditioned houses and office buildings. The slight breeze that was blowing wasn’t offering much of a rescue from the heat. It was the kind of heat where health officials warned people to stay indoors.But the heat didn’t stop people from making trips to destinations outdoors.
A place of serenity and reverence, the Woodlawn Cemetery stood as a sort of oasis where people could go and spend some quiet time with friends or relatives who have passed away. Despite the weather, about a dozen people are scattered throughout the massive resting place, milling about the different shaped headstones, quietly talking amongst themselves. In a quiet corner of the cemetery, just off to the side of a pair of sturdy oak trees sat one particular granite headstone. It’s smooth surface gleamed in the blazing sunlight, adding an element of beauty to an often thought of place of dreariness. A figure was seated with their back resting on the side of the headstone and their legs stretched out in front of them, soaking up the sun. The figure is actually that of favorite Las Vegas native Savannah Taylor. She was dressed in a pair of faded blue jean shorts, a simple white tank top and black sandals, an effort to keep as cool as possible. She lets out a slight sigh as she clears her throat.
Savannah Taylor: Well, I told you I’d make it today. With this God awful heat, I almost decided against it. But a promise is a promise and I’d like to think I’m a woman of my word. At least you always thought so.
She pauses to wipe a bead of sweat from her forehead as she continues.
Savannah Taylor: So let's see, what is new with me. My wrestling career is still going strong. I’ve got a pretty darn good thing going in FGA. The level of competition is outright insane, but in a good way. I think for the first time since leaving San Diego almost a year ago, I’m having fun again.
It was true. The end of the year last year was a time of turmoil and uncertainty. A couple of months prior, Savannah could see the writing on the wall, but a part of her was still holding out that things would work themselves out. She made the right choice towards the end in signing with FGA. It was the best thing for her personal and professional lives.
Savannah Taylor: I’ve got a fairly important match coming up next week. It’s on the biggest show of the year, so I have that going for me. I’m actually looking forward to the match I have. It’s pretty much the same type of situation I was in when I faced Annie Zellor-Dupree a while ago. Only this time, the person I’m facing is different. Don’t get me wrong. He’s still an uber goody good, but something, and I can’t quite put my finger on it, rubs me the wrong way in regards to him. Either way, I’m just looking forward to putting on what I hope is an amazing match.
Savannah reaches up and wipes another bead of sweat from her forehead, a move that made her wish she brought a bandanna or something to keep in her pocket. But deep down, she knew a little heat was worth the price of where she was.
Savannah Taylor: And for some reason, I’ve been picking up some pretty prestigious endorsements. I’m the face of a line of perfumes by Juicy Couture. That is something I’m still trying to wrap my head around. I’ve gone from being a relative unknown in wrestling to branching out in ventures outside of the ring. If I’m being completely honest, this is all a little overwhelming and is going to take some getting used to. Assuming I ever really do.
Sure, the money she was making from said endorsements was a great bonus. But she had always been somewhat of a private person. Sharing herself like this with the world was foreign territory, but stepping out of her comfort zone and exploring new opportunities were part of the growing process in wrestling.
Savannah Taylor: But even though I’ve been blessed beyond comparison and am set to do battle on a large stage in Florida, there is always this one thing that is weighing on my mind. That one thing that, if I keep dwelling on it too much, it will eventually overtake everything and I’ll slip up big time.
She heaves a sigh as she sneezes slightly.
Savannah Taylor: I’m worried about Mom. I’m worried because she isn’t doing as well as we all thought. Her body isn’t reacting the right way to the chemotherapy treatments. She’s getting weaker and more not herself as each day goes by. She had all she could do to make it through Harper’s graduation two weeks ago. I hate seeing her going through this. I hate being powerless and not able to do anything for her. I want her to be able to see me wrestle in person in August. That’s when the FGA comes to Las Vegas. But if it took a lot of effort on her part to sit through a high school graduation, it would be a damn near Herculean effort to sit through a wrestling show in her condition.
Savannah pauses as she takes her gold rimmed sunglasses off and rubs her eyes in an effort to block any tears from falling. Her mother’s condition was a VERY touchy subject that she had only shared with a miniscule handful of people. It was an aspect of her personal life that she didn’t need broadcast all over the airwaves and on social media.
Savannah Taylor: I’m scared. I mean, it was last year when I was reunited with not only her and Dad, but found out I had a sister as well. I got my family back and we’ve been getting along pretty well. I’ve finally received the one thing I’ve wanted for GOD knows how long, and now it’s at risk of being ripped apart. There is so much I want to enjoy and share with Mom, so much I want her to experience. To live under the cloud of her being taken from me far too soon….
She sniffs as she takes her glasses off and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. This whole situation was, at times, hard for Savannah to deal with. When she had to, she did her best to mask what was going on and go about her business. But behind closed doors and when she was around those she trusted two thousand percent, she let her guard down and almost reverted back to her five year old self when her life was turned upside down. In a couple of days, she would be on a plane to Florida, where she was set to take part in the various festivities leading up to All Star Showdown V. While she was in Florida, she would put on the mask she wore when she was concealing her private life troubles. But here in Las Vegas, she was able to be herself.
Savannah Taylor: Sorry about that. I’m just used to holding things in while in public. When I get talking about this, I turn into a mess. I know it’s nothing to be sorry for and if you were in front of me, you’d smack my arm.
She stands up and brushes off her shorts. Taking a deep breath, she turns and faces the headstone one more time
Savannah Taylor: Thanks for letting me vent to you. You always were a great person to talk to. I just wish you were here in person. Beggars can’t be choosers.
She laughs softly to herself as she reaches out and places a hand on the cool granite stone.
Savannah Taylor: Happy birthday, Grandma.
She pauses before giving one last look at her grandmother’s final resting place. She then turns and walks off in the opposite direction. In a few days, she would be immersing herself in her chosen profession. She would be two thousand percent ready for All Star Showdown V and her encounter with Mark Storm. She knew in her heart of hearts that she would be ready. The proverbial raincloud over her head would have to be pushed away, simply for the sake of her craft.
“If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.”
These words, spoken several times over in life, pretty much ring true in the wrestling world. People come into this business and expect things to be handed to them on a silver platter with a glass of champagne. Most people nowadays don’t have the internal gumption to go out and get what they want.
I am not most people.
I saw an opportunity to make a statement on FGA’s most important show. I saw an opportunity to give the faithful fans the chance to watch one hell of a match on an already stacked card. I saw an opportunity to get my name out there. You know what I did? I took that chance. I seized the opportunity to do all of that. Unfortunately some people took issue with how I went about things. Unfortunately, not everyone shares my enthusiasm for greater glory.
How you doin’, Mark?
Mark Storm, so we finally get the chance for a proper scrap. The professional part of me is excited. I’m excited to get in the ring with someone who has been around as long as you have. You’ve done more in your career than most people will ever have the chance of doing. Who wouldn’t be the least bit excited over the prospect of facing someone of your stature? But as excited as the professional side of me is over our upcoming match, the more realistic side of me has one simple question for you.
What in the hell have you done?
Are you fully aware of the choice that you made by accepting this match, Mark? I honestly don’t think you are. You may have acted rashly. You may have acted in the heat of the moment when you finally decided to accept my challenge. Maybe you were still pissed off at me for interrupting your little love fest a few weeks ago. Maybe you just woke up one morning and thought to yourself “Hey, I wonder what stupid thing I can do today.” Or maybe it was the repeated blows to your head that caused your momentary lapse in judgement. Either way, you signed your name in the dotted line, thus sealing your fate for All Star Showdown V.
You’ve met with a terrible fate, haven’t you?
Look, I can appreciate your fortitude to want this match. I can appreciate you wanting to pick yourself up by the bootstraps and get back on the winning side of things.
I’m just not going to allow you to do that at my expense.
I’ll be the first person to admit that I have done some pretty crappy things in the past in this business. There is an entire chunk of time around the last year to year and a half that I am trying to put past me. Trying to move past what I’ve done is still a work in progress. Thankfully I’m in a place where the people seem more receptive. That is a hell of a lot more I can say for other places on the opposite coast. But one thing I haven’t tried to move past is that tried and true killer instinct. I revel in the fact that no matter the stakes, no matter the match, I am willing to but my body, heart and soul on the line. Why? Because people choose to doubt me. Because people choose to bury their head in the sand and pass me over for the sake of others. Do others deserve it more than me? More often than not, yes. Does this irritate me and push me to be better? You’re damn right it does.
That is where you come in.
The person that awaits you in Lakeland is going to make you regret agreeing to this match. I am not going to be nice towards you because you are a seasoned veteran or may or may not have a few mental issues going on. I am going to treat you the same way that people have taken to treating me ever since I debuted in this business. Believe me when I say that it is not going to be a pretty site for you.
Well, not entirely. I’m the only pretty site in this match.
You can take all of your preconceived notions about me and about how this match is going to go and you can throw them out the window. Our match at All Star Showdown, while it may very well be a showcase of what we can do, it is going to be far from easy. You are going to find out the hard way just what a huge mistake it was to not only accept this match, but to cross paths with me in the first place.
It’s your funeral, I suppose.
Auf Wiedersehen.