Determination.
Sept 1, 2016 20:00:16 GMT -5
Post by Ryan LeCavalier on Sept 1, 2016 20:00:16 GMT -5
Ryan Lecavalier was finally alive.
In her last trip to the ring, Ryan found some success against the likes of Rick Young, someone who considered himself a hell raiser – a different breed – that could match wits with her; it was a hard fought contest that saw her come out the victor. She wanted to make a statement. She’d have to settle for a ‘semi-statement’ instead, where she had to return to the ring to finish proving her point. That was only easy in theory. Ryan knew adversity well. She knew that in the end some things never ceased, be it adversity or not. She couldn’t fault herself for plain sheer optimism, but neither offered her help when she needed it. Frontier Grappling Arts is unforgiving.
Unforgiving in the sense that as a wrestler you’ve got to scratch tooth and nail to get ahead – case in point, she was nowhere to be found on the Above and Beyond V card. After falling to Dom Hater and seemingly picking up a win against Rick Young, it wasn’t necessarily a given that she was going to get showcased on a larger show. In her mind, she already knew. It wasn’t enough to see her make her singles debut on a larger scale.
Now it seemed that she was just retuning to the ring, on Vertigo no less, and her career continued on. There was a list of questions to be asked, details that needed to be sorted. Ryan had shown shades of her talent with the hopes that someone would realize her passion, that they would precipitate that with their affection. The fans had been lost before they had the chance to do so, once before. She was used to it, she had done so well from a certain perspective – it’s the difference between sulking and wanting more.
And now Ryan returned a woman on a mission, though she would not lie—
After Above and Beyond V – faith had been partially restored.
For her wrestling was generally one of three things: a chess match, a challenge, or just a job.
It rested entirely on who she was getting in the ring with. With Dom, wrestling as a chess match – a seduction without the mixture of drugs and alcohol so the fans were to enjoy crisp fluidity; it truly was a renaissance of movement. With Savannah, upcoming, it was a challenge with the way she was able to expose ones flaws – she didn’t like having her flaws exposed, she was more likely to end up suffering a blow to her ego in a loss, if she choose to muck around. With any of the others, wrestling was just a job – in and out and done and home.
---
Watching wrestling as a fan always made her nervous.
– It made sense. It was always weird someone else performing, there was always his sense of déjà vu – an outer body experience waiting to happen. To root for someone must’ve been even worse; wrestling was an individualist sport at its core, aside from teaming with someone, you were always expected put yourself first. Either you were ahead of the curve or caught up in the moment. She was in the moment. She hadn’t set foot into an arena as a fan in years, especially not since becoming a wrestler. Above and Beyond V was her first FGA event, where she would be a bystander in all the action to be had.
But despite her nerves, she was intrigued. She knew what she came to witness in its entirety, the conclusion of the Frontier Lion’s Cup. It’s something she cared for – cared to be in, cared to win. She had even more vested interest in: Fujiko Mine versus Savannah Taylor. Fujiko was more than a capable wrestler; she was FGA’s Pride Champion after all. Savannah wasn’t anybodies slouch either. From what she knew from offhand experience, was that Savannah Taylor could be a viable threat to anyone who wanted to escape into the finals. There were numerous reasons why she believed that, even if they hadn’t met. It was a classic matchup at its finest: champion versus proven commodity.
Ryan hoped that was the case. She ached for competition, while she hoped that they could fill the void. Visualizing how he encounters might’ve gone both suggestively and with slight bias, as she picked Fujiko to win. Knowing full-well what she was capable of. That’s why they (Nina, Riley, and her) came out in fleeting support the Frontier Lion’s Cup was important to her. Not only was Fujiko good enough to advance, Ryan couldn’t think of a better person to win it. Wanting to see it in person was always weird, they all dressed down for the show; they didn’t want to take the attention off anybody performing tonight.
DING! DING! DING!
“Let’s go Fujiko!” belted Riley with both hands cusped over his face, ever the cheerleader. Normally he enjoyed watching wrestling matches from the sideline, who better than him to stick by her side as entourage.
The two danced feverishly in the ring for the first few opening minutes, Ryan pays close attention to certain nuances throughout the opening bit. It gets cagey quick, every time Fujiko clearly has the advantage, Savannahs finds a way to bring it back to square one. There was a break in the action; the referee hovered over them contently. Finally the ref stepped in as Savannah used the ring to her advantage, it was crafty for sure, and Riley looked slightly upset by it. Ryan’s eyes are fixed on the action; from their vantage point they can’t see the little things. Everything is one follow through motion, and she kind of likes it like that.
“I have to give her credit…that was slick,” Ryan remarked, watching as the match continued to unfold. She paid more attention to Fujiko’s body language than Savannah’s mostly because she knew her well. There were certain things she knew to look for. When you’ve trained with someone it was only natural that you knew their body language. Sometimes it led to interesting moments between the ropes, no matter who you were.
Savannah moves at an intriguing pace. Her interest is piqued and, of course, her eyes follow dutifully. “She’s really making this hard.” Fujiko’s opponent looked feverishly toward the crowd after a well timed shot, they reacted pretty negatively.
“I’d really wish she’d watch it,”
How was she able to keep up? she thinks to herself as she keeps her eyes forward.
“She’s rushing herself I don’t think she’s realized it,” she states, eyes defiant as they shift from the match directly onto Riley. “Maybe she’s nervous?”
“I don’t think it’s that. She was plenty excited beforehand.” Nina chimes in her words were almost light and airy as though it was a simple statement. “She’ll loosen up. Watch.”
She wants to believe. But there’s something else in the cards, statistics be damned, she’s struggling. Two women are laying it on the line, pride on display; the smaller wars are what Savannah keeps winning. They exchange glancing arrows like tall archers housed in all towers, they’ve tried to break each other. The crowds come alive to a point, as wrestlers they’ve become invisible. And of course, their resolve best of all to blame, and to take it all so very personally.
FUJIKO! FUJIKO! FUJIKO!
Savannah reaches a point to where she’s almost put Fujiko away. Fujiko comes raring back like usual – but something is off. The time limit expires; the crowd is happy. Fujiko’s music is going as confusion and chaos reign supreme. There’s a break in the music as it quiets down to a hush, the ring announcer takes to ringside to explain the situation to the masses.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the time limit has expired and the referee declares this match a DRAW!”
The hairs on the back of her neck stand straight up as the booing crowd perplexes her. It certainly outcome she had in mind, but she looks at Nina and Riley.
As something earned is robbed—confusion delays progress—
as someone who learned only much, much later how sweet the taste of victory—
“What just happened?”
---
How’s life treating you?
Me? It’s just keeps going – as always. Last week, I was in town for FGA’s Above and Beyond V—wanted to take in the Frontier Lion’s Cup. I heard so much about it; it makes me regret not joining the roster in time. Everybody came away talking about the finals of Johnny Karma versus Chandler Scott – it’s hard not to talk about. I thought it was a testament to the caliber of wrestler that FGA is known to employ. They did what they set out to do, they delivered. Speaking of delivering there’s another match I feel summed up Above and Beyond V as an event: Fujiko Mine versus Savannah Taylor.
I won’t lie I was there primarily to support Fujiko. She’s worked harder anybody to get to where she is. I feel she’s one of the best wrestlers in FGA – You’re hearing that from one of her best friends. You can take it with a grain of salt, if you like.
Going into Above and Beyond I didn’t know what to expect. I was ignorant to the idea that a single match could draw out so many feelings. Keep in mind, I haven’t sat in the crowd as a fan in a long time – those two ladies showed me what being in FGA is truly about. Easily there encounter was one of the best on the night. I’ve seen Fujiko pushed in the past, never have I seen her pushed to the limit like Savannah pushed her. There were so many twists and turns the 15 minute time limit flew by. I felt like I was watching something straight out of an action movie.
I know most people aren’t the biggest fan of Savannah Taylor, but I’m certain that was the best of her we’ve seen. I’ll admit I haven’t seen too many of her matches, however, she’s got some skill in the ring. From start to finish they were able to light a fire underneath the crowd, I’ve never seen a crowd turn like that in person – it was pretty different, almost like watching a tide roll. That’s what I get for not attending too many matches in person, I guess. They weren’t happy with the announcement of them (Fujiko and Savannah) coming to a time limit draw. Furthermore being eliminated from the Frontier Lion’s Cup set up the finals between Karma and Scott; I was left feeling numb after such a heart pounding affair. If you weren’t in attendance and are a wrestling fan, I recommend you watching. Hopefully it makes it to DVD...the whole even was too good not to be.
So where do I come into the picture?
I feel like Fujiko as a wrestler has set the bar undeniably high. I’m coming off an uninspiring win over Rick Young before Above and Beyond V – that’s not much – so I’ve got to make a statement, somehow. Vertigo has some competition with First Wave emanating from Hawaii. I don’t even know who my opponent will be, but rest assured I’m going out there with the best of intentions.
– Ryan
---
To invoke a tired cliché, business had really been picking up in FGA lately. Zero McHannon had won the World Championship. Chandler Scott became the Frontier Lion’s Cup holder. Tag Teams fought, Status Quoi reigned supreme. Newcomers of FGA made their marks. Fujiko Mine and Savannah Taylor dueled to a draw. Now was a wonderful time to be a fan of FGA’s brand of wrestling. What about her? She had a nice break; Above and Beyond V saw her in the crowd taking in wrestling aside from taking part. Wrestlers from all parts of the roster were making their presences known in a company which had seen amazing highs and devastating lows. It seemed now, though, that the company was seeing an upswing. Everything was being turned around. There was new interest, new talent, and a new fire to start achieving once again. Nowhere was this burning flame more evident than in the heart of one Ryan Lecavalier.
The proof was in the pudding, she spent her time since her last FGA appearance in training. Knowing that after her little rant on the Afterburn, she’s going to have to put her money where he mouth is.
After all excuses did not exist in her world. Too self-righteous to ask for forgiveness, she offered instead tokens of her affection. Each match was a testament to her skill. She did not bother with apologies when she was right, and Ryan LeCavalier was Always. Fucking. Right. She knew her limits, knew her place and she kept in line. All she asked was that others respect her decision to do so and to give her room to work.
That was a half-truth.
“Savannah, I owe you an apology,” Ryan said as stood off resting against the ropes of a training ring – she’s on location, at Vitality MMA - in Miami, Florida as he camera follows into the room at a low pan. “Before learning we were going head to head on Vertigo his week, you weren’t even on my radar.” she paused for a second, “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t aware of who you were. You’ve been paving your own path in FGA; you’re about as dangerous as your Johnny Cannon’s and Sunshine Tony Carmine’s of the world. That’s not saying you haven’t put in the time or effort to get to where you are today.” She ran both her hands apart against the ropes taking a firm grasp. “I’ve done my research; I know you’re a former World Champion. You’ve been at the top of the mountain. On your best day you can be just about anybody who darkens FGA’s doorstep.” she looked away for a second, only to bring her gaze back to the camera.
“If there’s anything I know about champions, there’s always something in the deepest depths of their mind. That something is what separates them from everybody else. Some call it fear, others call it self-preservation, and I call it being instinctually better than most.” she sighed, “What you did at Above and Beyond V wasn’t anything short of amazing. You were the cause of the Draw by sheer will power alone you singlehandedly took Fujiko to the limit.” She nodded helping her point. “By proxy. I feel like you’ve got far more to lose coming into Vertigo against me. Why, you may ask? That draw has been talked about. People took notice of your accomplishments; they’re finally starting to put two and two together – better late than never, right?”
Her shoulders relaxed, it was a sign that she wasn’t taking Savannah Taylor likely. “I need to know, how’d that feel? Not being eliminated, but being so close, making the one thing you set out to do possible? I wonder myself. I wonder what it’s like to be known for great matches; I’m building the proper reputation to call my own. This might be the most difficult match of my short tenure, so the chance of this being an instant classic is very high. You’re looking to rebound off of what you see as disappointment. I’m trying to rebound off of that Dom Harter loss, that’s supposedly still fresh. I won against Rick Young, but he’s nowhere near the mark. I don’t take your abilities slightly; I know that would be foolish of me to doubt someone like you. You were in the Frontier Lion’s Cup, that’s proof enough.”
“My strategy this week is stronger than ever. I have decided to return my focus towards a solid game plan. I can’t afford to make a mistake against you, Savannah. If I were campaigning, this match sets the tone for the future. If I don’t have enough to think about, I always have Fujiko to serve as a reminder. I won’t let myself falter, I’m surrounded by successful people. I have a reputation to uphold, you won’t be the one to ruin it. There are people who know I’m serious about keeping my word, I want to follow through.” she clicked her tongue thinking about what someone like Fujiko Mine had accomplished.
“For some reason, I’m actually jealous of her. In wrestling, she’s had the room to become who she’s wanted. I haven’t had the same luxury.” She looked down towards her feet, “It’s clearly why you see the person before you. I’m the product of never learning and snap decisions. I didn’t want to wake up knowing that a lifelong dream that at one point I ran from went incomplete, so – that’s why I learned how to fight, it’s why I took up the family legacy as my own Legacy. It’s why on Vertigo I’m going to give you you’re second; best match of the year.”
Her tone was very serious and keeps even with everything she said previous, with her eyes meeting the camera as she seemed a little somber. “I know you’ve been through a lot of adversity, as a wrestler, I ask you to wade through unchartered territory one more time. Bring that spark to Vertigo, the very spark that made you a highlight of Above and Beyond. I need you to hit me with the same ire you hit Fujiko with – without it, there’s no giving me room to grow as a wrestler.” She brought her hands together in a praying motion shaking them in front of her, “I want you to picture yourself taking on the physical personification of adversity. When you do this, I want you put all your might behind every kick and punch that you throw. I know I’ll be doing the very same, because I won’t stop until there’s nothing left.” she smirked confidently.
“You will see why I’m one of the most polarizing names in wrestling today. We’re on the cusp of something big, and you’re the catalyst to spark the chain of events to come. I’m one of the best presentations of sport; you’re one of the best representations of heart at the moment. I have made examples out of the best in the world and I consider you no less talented than most former Champions I have faced. This is an opportunity for me to turn my career around and get in the position for what’s to come.”
She smiles fully and the camera fades out.
In her last trip to the ring, Ryan found some success against the likes of Rick Young, someone who considered himself a hell raiser – a different breed – that could match wits with her; it was a hard fought contest that saw her come out the victor. She wanted to make a statement. She’d have to settle for a ‘semi-statement’ instead, where she had to return to the ring to finish proving her point. That was only easy in theory. Ryan knew adversity well. She knew that in the end some things never ceased, be it adversity or not. She couldn’t fault herself for plain sheer optimism, but neither offered her help when she needed it. Frontier Grappling Arts is unforgiving.
Unforgiving in the sense that as a wrestler you’ve got to scratch tooth and nail to get ahead – case in point, she was nowhere to be found on the Above and Beyond V card. After falling to Dom Hater and seemingly picking up a win against Rick Young, it wasn’t necessarily a given that she was going to get showcased on a larger show. In her mind, she already knew. It wasn’t enough to see her make her singles debut on a larger scale.
Now it seemed that she was just retuning to the ring, on Vertigo no less, and her career continued on. There was a list of questions to be asked, details that needed to be sorted. Ryan had shown shades of her talent with the hopes that someone would realize her passion, that they would precipitate that with their affection. The fans had been lost before they had the chance to do so, once before. She was used to it, she had done so well from a certain perspective – it’s the difference between sulking and wanting more.
And now Ryan returned a woman on a mission, though she would not lie—
After Above and Beyond V – faith had been partially restored.
For her wrestling was generally one of three things: a chess match, a challenge, or just a job.
It rested entirely on who she was getting in the ring with. With Dom, wrestling as a chess match – a seduction without the mixture of drugs and alcohol so the fans were to enjoy crisp fluidity; it truly was a renaissance of movement. With Savannah, upcoming, it was a challenge with the way she was able to expose ones flaws – she didn’t like having her flaws exposed, she was more likely to end up suffering a blow to her ego in a loss, if she choose to muck around. With any of the others, wrestling was just a job – in and out and done and home.
---
Watching wrestling as a fan always made her nervous.
– It made sense. It was always weird someone else performing, there was always his sense of déjà vu – an outer body experience waiting to happen. To root for someone must’ve been even worse; wrestling was an individualist sport at its core, aside from teaming with someone, you were always expected put yourself first. Either you were ahead of the curve or caught up in the moment. She was in the moment. She hadn’t set foot into an arena as a fan in years, especially not since becoming a wrestler. Above and Beyond V was her first FGA event, where she would be a bystander in all the action to be had.
But despite her nerves, she was intrigued. She knew what she came to witness in its entirety, the conclusion of the Frontier Lion’s Cup. It’s something she cared for – cared to be in, cared to win. She had even more vested interest in: Fujiko Mine versus Savannah Taylor. Fujiko was more than a capable wrestler; she was FGA’s Pride Champion after all. Savannah wasn’t anybodies slouch either. From what she knew from offhand experience, was that Savannah Taylor could be a viable threat to anyone who wanted to escape into the finals. There were numerous reasons why she believed that, even if they hadn’t met. It was a classic matchup at its finest: champion versus proven commodity.
Ryan hoped that was the case. She ached for competition, while she hoped that they could fill the void. Visualizing how he encounters might’ve gone both suggestively and with slight bias, as she picked Fujiko to win. Knowing full-well what she was capable of. That’s why they (Nina, Riley, and her) came out in fleeting support the Frontier Lion’s Cup was important to her. Not only was Fujiko good enough to advance, Ryan couldn’t think of a better person to win it. Wanting to see it in person was always weird, they all dressed down for the show; they didn’t want to take the attention off anybody performing tonight.
DING! DING! DING!
“Let’s go Fujiko!” belted Riley with both hands cusped over his face, ever the cheerleader. Normally he enjoyed watching wrestling matches from the sideline, who better than him to stick by her side as entourage.
The two danced feverishly in the ring for the first few opening minutes, Ryan pays close attention to certain nuances throughout the opening bit. It gets cagey quick, every time Fujiko clearly has the advantage, Savannahs finds a way to bring it back to square one. There was a break in the action; the referee hovered over them contently. Finally the ref stepped in as Savannah used the ring to her advantage, it was crafty for sure, and Riley looked slightly upset by it. Ryan’s eyes are fixed on the action; from their vantage point they can’t see the little things. Everything is one follow through motion, and she kind of likes it like that.
“I have to give her credit…that was slick,” Ryan remarked, watching as the match continued to unfold. She paid more attention to Fujiko’s body language than Savannah’s mostly because she knew her well. There were certain things she knew to look for. When you’ve trained with someone it was only natural that you knew their body language. Sometimes it led to interesting moments between the ropes, no matter who you were.
Savannah moves at an intriguing pace. Her interest is piqued and, of course, her eyes follow dutifully. “She’s really making this hard.” Fujiko’s opponent looked feverishly toward the crowd after a well timed shot, they reacted pretty negatively.
“I’d really wish she’d watch it,”
How was she able to keep up? she thinks to herself as she keeps her eyes forward.
“She’s rushing herself I don’t think she’s realized it,” she states, eyes defiant as they shift from the match directly onto Riley. “Maybe she’s nervous?”
“I don’t think it’s that. She was plenty excited beforehand.” Nina chimes in her words were almost light and airy as though it was a simple statement. “She’ll loosen up. Watch.”
She wants to believe. But there’s something else in the cards, statistics be damned, she’s struggling. Two women are laying it on the line, pride on display; the smaller wars are what Savannah keeps winning. They exchange glancing arrows like tall archers housed in all towers, they’ve tried to break each other. The crowds come alive to a point, as wrestlers they’ve become invisible. And of course, their resolve best of all to blame, and to take it all so very personally.
FUJIKO! FUJIKO! FUJIKO!
Savannah reaches a point to where she’s almost put Fujiko away. Fujiko comes raring back like usual – but something is off. The time limit expires; the crowd is happy. Fujiko’s music is going as confusion and chaos reign supreme. There’s a break in the music as it quiets down to a hush, the ring announcer takes to ringside to explain the situation to the masses.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the time limit has expired and the referee declares this match a DRAW!”
The hairs on the back of her neck stand straight up as the booing crowd perplexes her. It certainly outcome she had in mind, but she looks at Nina and Riley.
As something earned is robbed—confusion delays progress—
as someone who learned only much, much later how sweet the taste of victory—
“What just happened?”
---
How’s life treating you?
Me? It’s just keeps going – as always. Last week, I was in town for FGA’s Above and Beyond V—wanted to take in the Frontier Lion’s Cup. I heard so much about it; it makes me regret not joining the roster in time. Everybody came away talking about the finals of Johnny Karma versus Chandler Scott – it’s hard not to talk about. I thought it was a testament to the caliber of wrestler that FGA is known to employ. They did what they set out to do, they delivered. Speaking of delivering there’s another match I feel summed up Above and Beyond V as an event: Fujiko Mine versus Savannah Taylor.
I won’t lie I was there primarily to support Fujiko. She’s worked harder anybody to get to where she is. I feel she’s one of the best wrestlers in FGA – You’re hearing that from one of her best friends. You can take it with a grain of salt, if you like.
Going into Above and Beyond I didn’t know what to expect. I was ignorant to the idea that a single match could draw out so many feelings. Keep in mind, I haven’t sat in the crowd as a fan in a long time – those two ladies showed me what being in FGA is truly about. Easily there encounter was one of the best on the night. I’ve seen Fujiko pushed in the past, never have I seen her pushed to the limit like Savannah pushed her. There were so many twists and turns the 15 minute time limit flew by. I felt like I was watching something straight out of an action movie.
I know most people aren’t the biggest fan of Savannah Taylor, but I’m certain that was the best of her we’ve seen. I’ll admit I haven’t seen too many of her matches, however, she’s got some skill in the ring. From start to finish they were able to light a fire underneath the crowd, I’ve never seen a crowd turn like that in person – it was pretty different, almost like watching a tide roll. That’s what I get for not attending too many matches in person, I guess. They weren’t happy with the announcement of them (Fujiko and Savannah) coming to a time limit draw. Furthermore being eliminated from the Frontier Lion’s Cup set up the finals between Karma and Scott; I was left feeling numb after such a heart pounding affair. If you weren’t in attendance and are a wrestling fan, I recommend you watching. Hopefully it makes it to DVD...the whole even was too good not to be.
So where do I come into the picture?
I feel like Fujiko as a wrestler has set the bar undeniably high. I’m coming off an uninspiring win over Rick Young before Above and Beyond V – that’s not much – so I’ve got to make a statement, somehow. Vertigo has some competition with First Wave emanating from Hawaii. I don’t even know who my opponent will be, but rest assured I’m going out there with the best of intentions.
– Ryan
---
To invoke a tired cliché, business had really been picking up in FGA lately. Zero McHannon had won the World Championship. Chandler Scott became the Frontier Lion’s Cup holder. Tag Teams fought, Status Quoi reigned supreme. Newcomers of FGA made their marks. Fujiko Mine and Savannah Taylor dueled to a draw. Now was a wonderful time to be a fan of FGA’s brand of wrestling. What about her? She had a nice break; Above and Beyond V saw her in the crowd taking in wrestling aside from taking part. Wrestlers from all parts of the roster were making their presences known in a company which had seen amazing highs and devastating lows. It seemed now, though, that the company was seeing an upswing. Everything was being turned around. There was new interest, new talent, and a new fire to start achieving once again. Nowhere was this burning flame more evident than in the heart of one Ryan Lecavalier.
The proof was in the pudding, she spent her time since her last FGA appearance in training. Knowing that after her little rant on the Afterburn, she’s going to have to put her money where he mouth is.
After all excuses did not exist in her world. Too self-righteous to ask for forgiveness, she offered instead tokens of her affection. Each match was a testament to her skill. She did not bother with apologies when she was right, and Ryan LeCavalier was Always. Fucking. Right. She knew her limits, knew her place and she kept in line. All she asked was that others respect her decision to do so and to give her room to work.
That was a half-truth.
“Savannah, I owe you an apology,” Ryan said as stood off resting against the ropes of a training ring – she’s on location, at Vitality MMA - in Miami, Florida as he camera follows into the room at a low pan. “Before learning we were going head to head on Vertigo his week, you weren’t even on my radar.” she paused for a second, “That doesn’t mean I wasn’t aware of who you were. You’ve been paving your own path in FGA; you’re about as dangerous as your Johnny Cannon’s and Sunshine Tony Carmine’s of the world. That’s not saying you haven’t put in the time or effort to get to where you are today.” She ran both her hands apart against the ropes taking a firm grasp. “I’ve done my research; I know you’re a former World Champion. You’ve been at the top of the mountain. On your best day you can be just about anybody who darkens FGA’s doorstep.” she looked away for a second, only to bring her gaze back to the camera.
“If there’s anything I know about champions, there’s always something in the deepest depths of their mind. That something is what separates them from everybody else. Some call it fear, others call it self-preservation, and I call it being instinctually better than most.” she sighed, “What you did at Above and Beyond V wasn’t anything short of amazing. You were the cause of the Draw by sheer will power alone you singlehandedly took Fujiko to the limit.” She nodded helping her point. “By proxy. I feel like you’ve got far more to lose coming into Vertigo against me. Why, you may ask? That draw has been talked about. People took notice of your accomplishments; they’re finally starting to put two and two together – better late than never, right?”
Her shoulders relaxed, it was a sign that she wasn’t taking Savannah Taylor likely. “I need to know, how’d that feel? Not being eliminated, but being so close, making the one thing you set out to do possible? I wonder myself. I wonder what it’s like to be known for great matches; I’m building the proper reputation to call my own. This might be the most difficult match of my short tenure, so the chance of this being an instant classic is very high. You’re looking to rebound off of what you see as disappointment. I’m trying to rebound off of that Dom Harter loss, that’s supposedly still fresh. I won against Rick Young, but he’s nowhere near the mark. I don’t take your abilities slightly; I know that would be foolish of me to doubt someone like you. You were in the Frontier Lion’s Cup, that’s proof enough.”
“My strategy this week is stronger than ever. I have decided to return my focus towards a solid game plan. I can’t afford to make a mistake against you, Savannah. If I were campaigning, this match sets the tone for the future. If I don’t have enough to think about, I always have Fujiko to serve as a reminder. I won’t let myself falter, I’m surrounded by successful people. I have a reputation to uphold, you won’t be the one to ruin it. There are people who know I’m serious about keeping my word, I want to follow through.” she clicked her tongue thinking about what someone like Fujiko Mine had accomplished.
“For some reason, I’m actually jealous of her. In wrestling, she’s had the room to become who she’s wanted. I haven’t had the same luxury.” She looked down towards her feet, “It’s clearly why you see the person before you. I’m the product of never learning and snap decisions. I didn’t want to wake up knowing that a lifelong dream that at one point I ran from went incomplete, so – that’s why I learned how to fight, it’s why I took up the family legacy as my own Legacy. It’s why on Vertigo I’m going to give you you’re second; best match of the year.”
Her tone was very serious and keeps even with everything she said previous, with her eyes meeting the camera as she seemed a little somber. “I know you’ve been through a lot of adversity, as a wrestler, I ask you to wade through unchartered territory one more time. Bring that spark to Vertigo, the very spark that made you a highlight of Above and Beyond. I need you to hit me with the same ire you hit Fujiko with – without it, there’s no giving me room to grow as a wrestler.” She brought her hands together in a praying motion shaking them in front of her, “I want you to picture yourself taking on the physical personification of adversity. When you do this, I want you put all your might behind every kick and punch that you throw. I know I’ll be doing the very same, because I won’t stop until there’s nothing left.” she smirked confidently.
“You will see why I’m one of the most polarizing names in wrestling today. We’re on the cusp of something big, and you’re the catalyst to spark the chain of events to come. I’m one of the best presentations of sport; you’re one of the best representations of heart at the moment. I have made examples out of the best in the world and I consider you no less talented than most former Champions I have faced. This is an opportunity for me to turn my career around and get in the position for what’s to come.”
She smiles fully and the camera fades out.
