Post by L Verez on Apr 19, 2020 22:51:28 GMT -5
Zima’Ion: Are you sure you’re ready to jump back into the world of professional wrestling?
Zima’Ion: L… it’s now or never. We cannot go through this again.
L Verez: I know love. I can’t keep Jason waiting, and I’d best not turn this into a pattern.
Zima’Ion: I won’t let it. You weren’t ready for EWC, and now I’m left wondering if this is something we should keep doing. I understand your love for the fight, but I never want to see you as unsure of yourself as you were after that match.
L Verez: I… I understand.
Jason: Ahh, you’re back! Have you made your decision?
L Verez: I have.
Zima’Ion: You have?
L Verez: Yes, but before I sign this, I would like to know where I’m going to start.
Jason: Err… I’m not quite the one to be answering that. I don’t deal with the bookings, L.
L Verez: Why is that?
Jason: Adam doesn’t trust me to. He’s afraid I’ll play favorites, especially after my dealings with Odin Balfore. Irina Ivanova is the one you’ll want to ask about bookings.
Zima’Ion: So what do you do then, Jason?
Jason: Me? I’m basically the head recruiter. With Dani’s help, I search for talent to sign into APW, just as I did for you, L. It took longer than expected to get you here.
L Verez: My apologies. I had… other concerns I had been dealing with at the time.
Jason: No worries. You’re here now, and you’ll make a big impact. I notice Dani and I aren’t the only ones bringing talent in, considering some of the new members of the roster. Maybe you can straighten their acts.
L Verez: I’ll do my best to, although I have other plans first…
Irina: May I ask why you are interrupting me, new girl?
L Verez: I want in on the show tonight.
Irina: And why exactly should I grant you that?
L Verez: I’m a returning wrestler. Wouldn’t you want big returns on your show? It doesn’t even have to be a match. I just want to make my presence known.
Irina: Child. I know who you are, and why you are here. You are friends with Zurra and Kaine. You want to be remembered, and you think they can help you. You must understand that I am the one in charge, and I will tell you when you can and cannot step into my APW ring. I do not care about your past success. Only your current prowess. From what I understand, you couldn’t even last two seconds in your last fed before running off with your tail tucked between your legs, so why should I trust that you won’t do the same thing here?
L Verez: I’m not here for favoritism. Dani and Jason were the ones that came to me, not the other way around. I’m here to prove that I still have what it takes to be the best. I don’t want to be known as a quitter. I want to be the one that stands tall in the end.
Irina: Is that so…?
Irina: Prove yourself, then. You have a history with him, yes?
L Verez: I do, yes. I still have yet to have faced him one on one, though.
Irina: Earn that right. I’ve become bored with this brawl. No one can seem to step up to him. If you make a good impression, then maybe you’ll be the one to do just that.
This was a more difficult question than I expected. I always look to Zima for support. For reassurance. However, as I’m looking into her bright white eyes filled with uncertainty, I can’t help hold onto a similar feeling. What I had back in the UCI Reunion was… closure. I defeated Bonnie Blue, the former leader of the Guardians. She was my mentor, my friend, and now is a bitter rival. Even before joining the Guardians, I questioned if I ever had what it took to defeat her. Not only did I do just that, but I did it in what could very well be the final resting place of United Championship Infinite. Maybe that was my peak… my magnum opus. Maybe I was never meant to be a World Champion, as I tried so hard to be back in Action Wrestling.
I couldn’t even step into EWC with the same confidence I had against Bonnie. I was so out of my element, in an uncharted world, that I… I ran from it. For the first time in my professional wrestling career, I was afraid, and I gave in. That isn’t something a champion does. If I ever hope to be one again, I have to persevere. I cannot show that same fear I did in EWC. So, maybe I’m not ready… or maybe I am. I suppose I won’t know until I jump right back into the fold.
Looking at this contract, at my new opportunity, given to me by Irina, Jason, and Adam… I look at the roster they have in place. Alpha Pro Wrestling brings both familiar and brand new names that I had nary the chance to greet. I have the chance to finish certain goals, and begin new ones. As I sit at the outside of Jason’s office, I can’t help but endlessly ponder whether or not to sign the contract.
L Verez: I know love. I can’t keep Jason waiting, and I’d best not turn this into a pattern.
Zima’Ion: I won’t let it. You weren’t ready for EWC, and now I’m left wondering if this is something we should keep doing. I understand your love for the fight, but I never want to see you as unsure of yourself as you were after that match.
L Verez: I… I understand.
I look into Jason’s office doors. I can just barely see him writing more paperwork, looking a bit restless. Hopefully I am not the cause of that. I can’t help it. Before signing, I go into the room.
L Verez: I have.
Zima’Ion: You have?
L Verez: Yes, but before I sign this, I would like to know where I’m going to start.
Jason looks back down at his paperwork. He seems a bit frustrated.
L Verez: Why is that?
Jason: Adam doesn’t trust me to. He’s afraid I’ll play favorites, especially after my dealings with Odin Balfore. Irina Ivanova is the one you’ll want to ask about bookings.
Zima’Ion: So what do you do then, Jason?
Jason: Me? I’m basically the head recruiter. With Dani’s help, I search for talent to sign into APW, just as I did for you, L. It took longer than expected to get you here.
L Verez: My apologies. I had… other concerns I had been dealing with at the time.
Jason: No worries. You’re here now, and you’ll make a big impact. I notice Dani and I aren’t the only ones bringing talent in, considering some of the new members of the roster. Maybe you can straighten their acts.
L Verez: I’ll do my best to, although I have other plans first…
~~~~~~~
It feels odd to be back in the locker room, waiting to see if I’ll have the chance to make my debut. I feel similar to how Jason looked when I signed my APW contract… restless, and a bit frustrated. I can’t stay here waiting any longer. I have to make my way to Irina’s office. I need to go out there.
Once I make it there, I knock and hear a heavily accented “enter” to let me in. She’s at her desk, but facing towards her right at a TV screen, showing the APW Hardcore Championship match between Z-MAC vs Vincent Vayne, although Spartan seems to have taken initiative within the match.
L Verez: I want in on the show tonight.
Irina: And why exactly should I grant you that?
L Verez: I’m a returning wrestler. Wouldn’t you want big returns on your show? It doesn’t even have to be a match. I just want to make my presence known.
She stands, and leans over to her desk, her hands gripping it tightly.
Although I disagreed with some of what she said, she made some good points. I’ve made myself less trustworthy. I have to rebuild that trust.
Irina: Is that so…?
She looks back at the Hardcore Title match. Z-MAC, as per usual, has the advantage.
L Verez: I do, yes. I still have yet to have faced him one on one, though.
Irina: Earn that right. I’ve become bored with this brawl. No one can seem to step up to him. If you make a good impression, then maybe you’ll be the one to do just that.
I nod, and leave her office, but not without hearing her mumble “foolish girl” under her breath. This is exactly what I wanted. A chance to make my comeback in the biggest way possible. Facing someone I have had the chance to compete against? That’s the best outcome I can think of.
~~~~~~~
I can’t stop looking at the card for this week’s Monday Night Metal. A six person tag match with so many unknown names. Even the two I know, I’ve never been in the ring with. My nerves are kicking back in, and I’m not quite sure how to prepare myself for this. I can’t let this get the best of me. I’ve done so much in my career. Many things I thought I’d never be capable of, even given what I do outside of Earth. All I want is to prove that I still belong. Even moreso, that I can shine among the rest.
L Verez: I hope Zombie enjoyed my presence last week, because it won’t be the last time he will have to deal with me. Before I get to him, I have an interesting match ahead of me. One I’m honestly unsure about. There are a lot of variables that I still don’t quite know enough about to be comfortable with. Should I trust my teammates? Can I count on them and work with them to victory? I’ll try and make the best of the situation at hand. Jordi seems wild and unpredictable. It’s also obvious to tell the trained from the untrained. He’s been going with his gut since entering the fold, and it’s led him to this match. I don’t know how useful he will be, but at least he’s a wildcard. Soul Reaver concerns me. His size will be essential, especially due to one of my opponents, Mike Matthews. Reaver can be a great tank, so long as he cooperates with the team.
I am curious about Matthews. Of the three opponents, he is the only one that I don’t know much about. Smith and Lex know each other well. Mike, not so much. How he will mesh with those two, I’m unsure. He could cause some discourse between them, leading us to taking advantage. Reaver could also outstrength him. I obviously won’t be able to. However, with my wit and strategy, I can conquer.
Now, Lex… I know Lex. His impact in Trinity, while short lived, was very memorable. Trinity Wrestling was a well built timebomb. Lex worked around it, and then barely escaped the final explosion. The work he did was impressive, at that. Doing so well at the battle royale, and later on finally winning the World Championship. I didn’t expect him to pull it off, but he did. He was a harbinger, and almost could have been a martyr. Seeing him in APW is a slight surprise. A lot of Trinity wrestlers flocked to Action for safety. However, with Lex and Smith’s relationship, it shouldn’t be all that shocking.
It makes me wonder, though, if Lex may have an ulterior motive. One thing I never agreed with was how he used others to get ahead. Smith is a very skilled wrestler. One that doesn’t have many close ties, but he sees to have his guard a bit lowered with Lex. Could that be something Lex would want to exploit? Is he willing to go low enough to use his friend to become a champion in APW? It’s definitely something to keep in mind.
I have noticed what the two have in common. It took them both some time to finally win the big one. It must really bother Smith, knowing that the man he truly wanted to beat for the World Championship will now forever be out of his reach. Honestly, if Masuda were still alive, it’s a possibility he would still be champion to this day. One would never know. Smith was never truly able to best him. His reign was a great one, don’t get me wrong, but he didn’t dethrone the man that ruled the federation. Lex at least defeated the champion he sought after. Snow was a fighting champion that met his match. Masuda was a driving force that couldn't be stopped unless he literally got killed over it.
I’ve been itching to face both men, honestly. Two former world champions with a myriad of skill to back up why they made it to the top, even with their setbacks and questionable motives. A world championship hasn’t quite been at my reach just yet.If I can best these two, then I know for sure that I will be main event worthy. I worked so very hard to prove that in Action Wrestling. Setback after setback kept me from the grand prize. I won’t let that happen here. I’m aiming for the top, no matter who attempts to block my path. Whether that be Mike, Smith, Lex, Zombie, it doesn’t matter.
Smith held the reigns for APW for a fair amount of time. It came to a point where I began to look up to the man. He stayed true to himself, no matter what his situation was. He may not have beaten Masuda, but he arguably made a bigger impact on the company. He’s still the man to beat, and I aim to do just that. I just wonder if Lex is aiming to do so first. Maybe he’ll try to be another obstacle. He was always the looming blockade in Trinity. He was the stopping point that could put all of your momentum to a screeching halt. He did everything it took to win the gold. So, teaming with his friend that knows the ins and outs of the main event scene in APW could be how he goes back to being that looming blockade for a very different environment.
I have to be ready for any sneaky tactic Lex may pull. Not just in this match, but for the foreseeable future. I can’t fall for his traps the way John Snow did. I have to be better. I have to be smarter. I also have to out persevere Smith. That’s what brought him to winning the title a second time. He doesn’t quit, that’s for certain. EWC aside, I’m not one for doing so either.
This is a different environment that I need to adapt to. Whether it be the unpredictability of my teammates, the combined level of skill that my opponents have, or the variety of talent, both new and familiar within APW, I have to be ready for anything… and I think, after a lot of struggle and self doubt that I had to go through… I’m finally ready to jump back into the world of professional wrestling.
~~~~~~~
