The more things change....
Jul 28, 2019 22:42:43 GMT -5
Lissie Hope, Roger Payton Jr, and 1 more like this
Post by Claire Hawkins on Jul 28, 2019 22:42:43 GMT -5
The camera fades in....no; the camera does not fade in as it had done countless times before. Instead, the unmistakable echo of a spotlight being switched on could be heard seconds before a hellishly radiant light rained down from an unviewable position above the camera shot. However, the sole focus was the woman standing in the center of radiance; her head tilted downwards as she stood with her feet precisely shoulder width apart. Dressed in the very in-ring gear that had become synonymous with her name over the last year, the woman's limited amount of bare flesh seemed to glow in contrast to the dark green and black hues that she bore; as if she were a strange amalgamation of the purity and corruption of man. Though her identity was certainly clear it wasn't until the woman turned her piercing crimson gaze to the camera was it officially revealed to be the incorrigible rebel that consistently stands against the undeniably corporate stagnation that Action Wrestling had fallen victim.
Of course, there were many that would argue that Action Wrestling had in no way reached that inevitable plateau of stagnation. After all, how could a company with such quality talent ever reach a stage such as that? The World Champion Ryan Lockhart was clearly at the peak of his young career with a nearly eight month reign; a reign that was being threatened on a consistent basis despite what he may claim. The proof of that lay with the ever increasing amount of people that boasted World Championship contention; Thaddeus Franklin King of The Hollywood Elite and "The King of Mass Confusion" Alex Richards currently sat atop that list while others such as Micheal X and Casey Holliday sat waiting in the wings.
Yet, the Action Wrestling World Championship wasn't the only one that had become flooded with worthwhile contenders.
The recently crowned United States Champion had to keep himself on a perpetual state of alertness despite his foreboding appearance and in-ring dominance. The "Queen" of the Royal Family had her sights set upon the Championship he bore, just as Kyle Kemp and Teo Blaze. However, they were not the only ones that many viewed as possible contenders; the eternal rivals of Dane Preston and LA Johnny Stylez were two of many names that made the list.
Meanwhile, the Red White and Bruised were under immense pressure to successfully defend their hard-fought Tag Team Championships against Thaddeus' two cohorts of The Hollywood Elite; Shadowlove and Samuel Kidsgrove. Yet, not even The Hollywood Elite's maelstrom of media warfare could be considered to be the worst. Not why such titanic forces as The Dark Tide and Man Made Gods lurked in the shadows not far behind. However, one couldn't rightfully discount the Savage Gods despite their recent loss nor the potentials of recently formed teams such as Sound and Furry, FemDom, or Magic:The Gathering.
Needless to say, the Television Champion Roger Payton Jr and the Hardcore Champion Corey Bull had their hands full with whomever else dared to challenge either of them. Yet RJ Collins, James Wolf, and the new and improved Hajeet were showing little to no signs of backing down from such monumental tasks set before them. Hopefully there will come a time when people the likes of DeMarcus Jordan and Brandon Moore would soon arrive to challenge and change their fates.
Yet, this possibly misguided notion of stagnation within Action Wrestling would need to be debated at a later time for Action Wrestling's resident Witch had deemed that it time for her to be heard amongst the masses watching.
"One year.
One year has passed since my historic bout against Camilia Gonzolaz took place for the original number one spot for the All In ladder match. A match that was undoubtedly the most underrated in Action Wrestling History. Yet, despite ending in a losing effort, I still managed to claw my way into that ten man ladder match at Uprising. It was there when I, for the first time, stepped into the ring with the likes of Corey Black, Dune, Spencer Adams, Sidney J Warwick, and Ryan Lockart.
It was there my small world crumbled.
It was there that change began."
As she spoke of the events that had transpired a year ago an image of each appeared behind her. To her right; the image of Camilia in mid-pin after hitting the Medusa's Stare. To her left; the image of her pinning Red Dragon after having hit him with the Black Veil. Finally, in the area behind her, the image of L Verez and herself falling from atop the ladder in mid suplex that taken both of them out of the match. With an overly dramatic flourishing of her left hand, and subsequent snapping of her fingers, the images suddenly brightened to the point they were naught but glowing spaces before ultimately blinking out of existence; leaving her alone once more.
With her porcelain face a mask of determination, Claire continued.
"Why do I speak of nostalgia instead of what lays before me this Sunday in Phoenix at Carnage?
Of events long past?
For each of you to understand my mindset going into this Sunday. You see, though the match I am in isn't technically a qualifying match for the All In match, I am fully aware that every match is carefully being watched by those in command of this ever changing world that we call Action Wrestling. Just because somebody does not find themselves in a position to qualify doesn't mean they wont after their match on Sunday. It is in that simple truth that my goal is laid bare; to return to Uprising and compete for the All In case.
The case that was awarded to Casey Holliday at Havoc.
The case that Ryan Lockhart used to cement his legacy as the Action Wrestling World Champion."
Much like before, images of what she speaking appeared around her. To her right; an image of Casey Holliday announcing when she would be cashing her case in. To her left; the image of Ryan Lockhart and his Beach Krew compatriots celebrating the successful cashing in on the then World Champion; Sidney J Warwick. Making it clear to all that she greatly valued the All In case and what it could do for her and that she was not overlooking her upcoming match at Carnage. Not when it lay as the precursor to her ultimate goal of returning to the All In match.
The proof of that lying within the confines of clear crimson eyes as the images faded away.
"Do you understand or is the gravity that our match possesses lost on you?"
As if aiding the viewer as she chose to speak directly to her opponent over the general populace, a second radiant spotlight turned on; revealing a full body image of her opponent dressed in a flowing red satin dress and a queenly crown upon her head. Playing up the "Crimson Queen" moniker.
"Sahara, this Sunday can lead to the single most pivotal point in either of our careers.
Can you handle knowing that?"
Allowing that simple question to hang in the minds of everyone that could hear the sound of her voice, Claire took a momentary pause to walk over to the royal portrayal of her visage. After taking a moment to walk a circle around the visage as if she were a predator sizing up her prey, Claire turned her crimson scrutiny back to the camera.
"No, you haven't a fucking hope in understanding.
Sahara, you dwell within the same echo chamber that every other blonde starlette tends to surround themselves with; conceited superiority. Through your modicum of fleeting success in acting you have created and hidden yourself within the illusion that you are worth more than the pubescent precum of twenty manchildren that ever heard of your trite role in that Netflix show.
Fake blood and plastic tits make not a warrior bloodied."
WIth a second overly dramatic flourish of her left hand, and subsequent snapping of her fingers, the "Crimson Queen" version she stood next to change into the more contemporary variation; the almighty Valkyrie.
"Now this is the part in which I am to look the fool, right?
By saying that you aren't a warrior when you prance about the ring dressed as one?
Which one of us is more foolish I wonder; the one playing dress up or the one calling the pretender out?
Now, I am fully aware that you used to compete in this beloved sport of ours and that you at one time had the potential to truly be somebody within it. However, potential is just that; potential. Just because you possess it does not mean you can cultivate it and develop it. Had you the capability then you would never have left for a career less than bright, right?
No.
Your path would still have been as it has been. For it was never lacking in the development of your potential nor the wear and tear upon your body that drove you away; it was desperation.
Desperation to be noticed.
Desperation to be good at something.
Desperation to have a legacy that means something more than just being another subliminally mundane peice of human fucking filth."
WIthout a dramatic flourish nor any visible indication of what she was planning, Claire suddenly pivoted to the side and firmly placed her left hand across the visage's face. Then, without any audible word that may indicate some sort of spell she may be casting, the image of the visage's face rapidly rotting beneath her splayed fingers could be seen. Due to what seemed an accelerated rate of decomposition, the visage of Sahara was soon nothing more than a pile of filth upon the ground.
A symbolic statement made that would not be forgotten.
Slapping her hands together obnoxiously loud as she wiped her hands clean, Claire turned back to the camera and fixed it with a decisively potent gaze; a gaze that shone brightly with diabolical focus.
"Listen well Lauren; nothing in your life has prepared you for what I am going to be bringing into Carnage this Sunday.
NOT your original stint in wrestling.
NOT your time as an F list actress.
NOT this love-hate relationship you have developed with RJ Collins.
NOT a fuckin' thing is going to keep me from defeating you; from leaving you a broken mass upon the canvas. When I do defeat you it is with the sole purpose of getting MY name soundly in the minds of those in command of the Action Wrestling world; to get MY name in for an All In qualifier.
How can I be so confident?
The answer is really quite simple you see; you haven't faced the sort of shit that I 've had to go through. You haven't had to face the stark adversity and disdain that the roster seems to have for me. When they step into the ring with me; it's with the intention of taking me out permanently. Even now, after having held the Television Championship for a near record amount of time, they would sooner seek to bury me the mountains of their insecurities than acknowledge me. Despite putting in the work to drastically improve they continue to shit on me because I'm not "one of the boys". They're afraid of me and they should be.
Why?
Because I will burn their entire fucking world to the god damn ground as soon as I get the fuckin' chance; and it all begins you at Carnage.
Prepare yourself Lauren; for I'm going to tear through your overplayed and overstayed generic ass like I did Hazel Overton and the rest of the roster during my Television Championship reign.
Quoth the WItch Forever-fucking-more."
Instead of the loosing customary Banshee shrill that people had come to expect from her, Claire took a step back just in time to avoid a large red curtain from falling on top of her. Despite the oddity of the ending the message was clear; the curtain would fall upon Sahara's chances of victory just as it had fallen upon the stage. It was here, just as the camera finished fading to black, that the Banshee's shrill would peirce the sublime peace that the ending had been thought to entertain.
CARNAGE
Phoenix, Arizona
July 28th, 2019
. It was amazing how much things could change in a year's passing. This time last year she was the one alone in the locker room preparing for her match hours in advance in a vain attempt to quell the ceaseless stirring of butterflies that had taken residence within her prior to that match Camila. Now? The nervousness was still very much there, but now she was constantly distracted by the sea of people before her as she sat behind a table signing autograph after autograph; posing for picture after picture. To her it was mind boggling. Yet her she was, relentlessly repeating the same procedure wherever she went.
At least she had been until a few moments ago.
Much to the chagrin of the ravenous fans that lined the arena lobby, the fan session prior to the event had come to a close and the various plethora of Action Wrestling Stars had to get changed and ready for their matches. Matches that were sure to wow the masses and thoroughly entertain them. It was in this moment, just as she was getting near the door, an apparently rabid fan couldn't take it and burst through the terribly loose net that had been the local security that arena's allowed. Yet, it wasn't the surprised shouts from the rest of the crowd that alerted her; but a weak but potent dark magicka that radiated from the fan's person.
Reacting reflexively to this threat barreling down upon her, Claire gracefully whirled around and held her left arm out towards the person; with said person already brushing against the tips of her fingers she only had one thought on her mind.
'HABERE!'
completely stopping as if they were frozen in place, Claire could see nothing in the man's eyes. In fact, they were glossed over as if he were not in control of himself! With crimson eyes narrowed in suspicion, Claire deftly plucked the object in which the magicka oozed forth from. The moment she did the man's eyes regained focus moments before he inevitably passed out just as security grabbed onto him; lucky him. However, that wasn't something that was worth being concerned over; not when she inspected the item in question. Instead, upon closer inspection she found that the object she held was incredibly concerning and she found herself questioning if this incident hadn't been by design.
Designed by the thing she held in her hands.
Unfortunately, she had not the time to worry about it as she had to prepare for her match that had been set to take place fairly early upon the Carnage card. THerefore, she needed a place to keep it safe until she could spare the time. Hopefully, that place wouldn’t be stupid enough to open the damn thing.
At least she had been until a few moments ago.
Much to the chagrin of the ravenous fans that lined the arena lobby, the fan session prior to the event had come to a close and the various plethora of Action Wrestling Stars had to get changed and ready for their matches. Matches that were sure to wow the masses and thoroughly entertain them. It was in this moment, just as she was getting near the door, an apparently rabid fan couldn't take it and burst through the terribly loose net that had been the local security that arena's allowed. Yet, it wasn't the surprised shouts from the rest of the crowd that alerted her; but a weak but potent dark magicka that radiated from the fan's person.
Reacting reflexively to this threat barreling down upon her, Claire gracefully whirled around and held her left arm out towards the person; with said person already brushing against the tips of her fingers she only had one thought on her mind.
'HABERE!'
completely stopping as if they were frozen in place, Claire could see nothing in the man's eyes. In fact, they were glossed over as if he were not in control of himself! With crimson eyes narrowed in suspicion, Claire deftly plucked the object in which the magicka oozed forth from. The moment she did the man's eyes regained focus moments before he inevitably passed out just as security grabbed onto him; lucky him. However, that wasn't something that was worth being concerned over; not when she inspected the item in question. Instead, upon closer inspection she found that the object she held was incredibly concerning and she found herself questioning if this incident hadn't been by design.
Designed by the thing she held in her hands.
Unfortunately, she had not the time to worry about it as she had to prepare for her match that had been set to take place fairly early upon the Carnage card. THerefore, she needed a place to keep it safe until she could spare the time. Hopefully, that place wouldn’t be stupid enough to open the damn thing.