βCome on kid!β Katherineβs trainer, Mick, shouted through the door of the female changing room inside the Tap or Snap Fight Gym.
The Television Champion sat alone on a bench wearing an oversized FightSmart hoodie; the hood concealing her face. She cradled the championship in her arms, looking down at the silver faceplate.
βThis title, it really does mean the world to me. Being the 42nd Television Champion is such an honour - does CVO even care about the possibility of being number 43?β
βI donβt know what Iβm supposed to have done wrong exactly? I thought defending this title week in, week out would help me earn respect from my peers. Fighting a legend like Spencer Adams would prove my worth - yet the likes of Graham Baker would happily see me failβ.
βThat one hurt, but you know what they say - donβt meet your heroes because youβll only be disappointedβ.
βThen thereβs my opponent for Execution - Catherine van Owen, who appears hellbent on ending my reign. Why does she appear to hate me so much?β
Katherine wiped a tear from her cheek.
βItβs been really getting me downβ.
Mick can be heard pacing back and forth outside as he waited impatiently, βHow do you expect to beat her twice in one match if youβre gonna hide in the ladies changing room, huh?β
Katherine peered up to the door, she then cleared her nose as she refocused on the championship.
βWhy do you hold so much disdain for me, Catherine? Iβve always tried to remain professional, defending this championship with both the honour and integrity it deserves. Yet to you, this is more personal; holding little regard for the championship. You merely want to beat me to prove your own worth hereβ.
βLike yourself, Iβm just a girl with a dream, a hope to make an impact in this sport. We should be helping each other become better, not firing barbs back and forth on Twitter. The likes of yourself and Brick Hauser, you both have the opinion Iβm the golden girl of Action Wrestling, that Iβve been handed everythingβ.
βThatβs so untrue, I came to this country with nothing. Iβve had to depend on the charity of others, from the likes of Harvey Marx, to Sam and Zooey, to help get me started. Then I had to shed a whole lot of blood, sweat and tears to build my winning record, to win this championship that I cherish, to defend it successfully every weekβ.
She wiped away another tear.
βYou speak ill of my mother, whatβs wrong with you? You openly talk of your family problems, but mine's off-limits, so please keep them out of your mouthβ.
Mick had his ear to the door.
βI can hear you! What would they think of you crying like a baby in the locker room? What would your little niece think of her auntie throwing in the towel?β
What did he just say? Katherine thought to herself. Mickβs latest comment had struck a nerve. She pulled herself up from the bench with her championship in hand, grabbing her mouthguard with the other as she burst through the door, knocking Mick back.
She stood face-to-face with Mick, a scowl spread across her face.
After standing in silence for a moment, she finally spoke, βYou bastard!β
She then proceeded to march over to a kick bag.
Mick chuckled to himself, βWell it worked, didnβt it? Now give that bag hell!β
I guess he was right. Katherine thought as she rested the championship down on the table before removing her hoodie and inserting her mouthguard.
She started unleashing a variety of strikes into the bag.
βYou know what Catherine...FUCK... YOU!!!β Katherine rarely used such language, but the time felt appropriate.
Mick had finally gotten through to Katherine, pulling her head out of the fog that CVOβs constant verbal attacks had left her lost within.
I finally see you for what you are! As Katherine pounded the bag harder with each strike, it became more apparent that CVO knew she was not the same calibre athlete as Katherine, that she herself was riddled with her own self-doubt and insecurities. The reigning Television Champion was on a hot streak, and to this point, no one physically had been able to stop her. So why not try the mental game?
Iβm embarrassed that the Champion was reduced to that blubbering mess. If THAT Katherine had walked into Execution, she would have been hung out to dry and would have lost her championship with a 2-0 sweep. But Mick had done what he had needed to open her eyes and get her head back in the game.
Mick watched on as Katherine continued to pound the bag, βDonβt overdo it, kid! Remember, you have to win twice, donβt empty your tank too fast!β
Katherine paused; she watched the bag as it swung from left to right before finally hitting a perfect spin kick, the force breaking the chain holding up the bag, sending it crashing to the floor.
βWhen I hit her with that on Sunday, she wonβt even be able to recover to face me a second time!β
Katherine walked over to her championship belt once again, picking it up as she breathed heavily.
βI am so done Mick with people, my peers, trolls like CVO thinking they can push me around, thinking I havenβt earned my place hereβ.
βMy voyage to Action Wrestling has come to an end because I have FINALLY ARRIVED! Iβve sacrificed so much to be here, Iβm not going to let it all be taken away by some insecure girl who hides behind her Twitter account. Letβs see how she manages to type crap when Iβve broken her fingers or letβs see her spew utter bullshit with a wired-up jaw!β
βI know Iβm probably sounding like a madwoman right now - but Catherine, youβve been tagging Battle Kat all these weeks, well now sheβs here and sheβs beating you... TWICE!β
|