Post by aeryn on Sept 22, 2013 17:40:44 GMT -5
#Backstage at Reloaded – During the Tag Match#
The scene opens. Aeryn Aashfield had been sitting in her locker room for most of that evenings show, watching a monitor of the action unfolding in the main arena, and above all taking note of her opponents at High Stakes 2. As the only one of them in the Roll of the Dice Ladder Match with out a match to compete in that night, she had been presented with the opportunity to relax and watch them all compete, any niggles, any injury occurring that night that might give her an advantage were being meticulously stored in her memory for later use at High Stakes.
Although taking note where it counts, Aeryn is distracted. Sat back on the large couch in her locker room, she has her hand resting against the crook of her crossed legs, her phone in her hand. She reads through a text message received some days ago from Soul Shadows niece Shakira, something that she has done at least twenty times since receiving it. Although only a few lines long its content is hurtful, accusing Aeryn of abandoning her uncle when he needed her help, and hoping that she was happy at the outcome. Pressing the reply button as she had many times before. She sits staring at the blank text box praying for the right words to come to her, to explain her inactions that night. Nothing comes. How can she possibly explain something like that to someone's family member without sounding heartless.
Letting out an audible growl of frustration she slams her phone down on the cushion next to her and moves to the edge of the seat.
Aeryn: What did she expect me to do?!...
She says, talking to nothing but the empty room, her voice is raised with an angry edge creeping into her tone.
Aeryn: ...Against the whole Damned faction!...The Resistance couldn't do anything to help, what good could I have done?!?
Aeryn: Plus we had a deal!
Her voice softens as the words catch slightly in her throat.
Aeryn:...we have...a...deal...I couldn't have helped.
Her attention is brought back to the monitor as a flash of movement catches the corner of her eye. A black mist and then Crow leaping the barricade. Aeryn stares at the screen for a moment, her eyes widening. She dashes from the room and races towards the arena...
#Two days later#
...: And on the line now we have one of the MPW's up and coming stars. Aeryn Ashfield. How are you doing?
Aeryn: Just fine Jon, couldn't be better. Before we start, may I add how much I enjoy your podcast, I have it downloaded to my iPod every week.
Jon: Your to kind, your making us blush.
*Aeryn is at home in Chicago. The rain is beating against the window pane as she takes a seat on a stool in her kitchen for her scheduled interview with the W.O.W podcast team. *
Aeryn: Im a big fan.
Jon: As we are of your's. Talking of fans you are building quite the fan base in MPW. What made you return to wrestling, and the MPW in particular?
Aeryn: Well for that I can ultimately blame my good friend Johnny Clash. There I was happily enjoying my retirement and he's like the little devil on my shoulder calling me back, now here I am. *Aeryn laughs* No seriously... it is his fault. But really I was also feeling the need to come back. Its not easy to replace the adrenaline rush you get used to in a wrestling ring in normal day-to-day life. A cup of coffee with friend, while nice, doesn't exactly cut it like fifteen thousand people cheering or booing you in an arena. And I guess being that natural attention seekers that us wrestlers naturally are, it didn't take a lot of persuading to get me to agree to sign on the dotted line. I don't think I could have chosen a better company to make a return though, do you?
Stewart: No not at all. The MPW seems to be the company on every body's lips at the moment.
Jon: Indeed it does. And in keeping with that everyone is talking about High Stakes 2, a card on which you have a match. Are you surprised you have a pay per view match so soon in to your MPW career?
Aeryn: Pleased yes. Surprised no. I have only been in the MPW a short time, but I've worked hard for my place on the roster and for my place on the High Stakes card. It's not a title match granted, but its the next best thing in the Roll of the Dice match. Six of us have a chance of grabbing the briefcase at the top of that ladder and gaining a shot to cash in on any MPW champion of our choosing. I intend to become the woman that does that.
Steward: Your the only woman in that match, aren't you?
Aeryn: That's correct. I have five guys chasing me up a ladder. How lucky can one girl be?!
*Aeryn laughs as do the two hosts*
Jon: Well lets talk about your opponents for this match. Joining you in the Roll of the Dice match we have Chris Radke, Chris Cable, Crow and Impaler from the Damned stable and Soul Shadow.
Stewart: Would you care to give us your opinion on some or maybe even all of your opponents going in to this match?
Aeryn: Sure..*She pauses for a moment considering her opponents*....Well we have Chris Radke. Possibly the only person in the match that I'm not concerned about at all. He was easy enough to deal with in our inter gender tag match, and I honestly doubt much has changed in the intervening weeks...I cannot how ever say the same for Chris Cable, he has a win over me, a recent win at that.
Stewart: At a recent Reloaded, a close match by all accounts?
Aeryn: Indeed it was. So I know his potential, I know he's ambitious and I know that he will do what ever it takes to get to that briefcase...Impaler, a big brutal monster of a man. It would be stupid of me not to say that he is my biggest challenge in this match. He's made himself known in recent weeks as along with Crow, dealing out a great deal of punishment to the Resistance and my final opponent in this match. Soul Shadow...
Jon: Sorry to jump in. As you said we have all seen that battle play out over the recent weeks on Reloaded, and I think many people were surprised when you came out last week and just watched it happen. I'm sorry if this sounds blunt, but how could you do that?
*Aeryn stands and walks across the kitchen, the floor cold under her bare feet as she makes her way towards the window. Looking down on the rain soaked street below her apartment.*
#Flashback to Reloaded, Gorilla position.#
*Aeryn arrives slightly breathless from the sprint from her locker room. She stops at the foot of the steps leading up to the main stage, catching her breath before making her entrance.
Aeryn: ...You want an appearance Shakira. If you hate me for what happened in the cage, your going to despise me now...
The next few moments are a blur as she make her way on to the stage. She is aware of the noise of the fans screaming as she pushes past the curtain, like a wall of sound it hits her. The saviour has arrived. Except there is no saviour. Aeryn stays glued to the stage. Every sense in her body telling her to run to the ring, telling her to help her friend but she can't. Not only out of respect for their deal but out of her own selfish desire to win at High Stakes. She looks away in shame, only to lock eyes with Chris Cable. She watches his expression changes as he comes to the realisation that she is merely a spectator. She turns her attention back to the ring as the Damned stand triumphant over Soul before vanishing into the night. Taking one last look she turns her back on her fallen friend and exits the stage.*
Jon:...Aeryn, are you still there?
Aeryn What?.oh sorry guys..er..the line must have cut out for a second. Could you repeat the question?
Jon: I just asked how you could turn your back on Soul, someone that the MPW fans have seen you in alliance with for some weeks now?
Aeryn: That's a very good question...*She pauses, mulling over her answer*....But not something that I am willing to address here, you and your audience will hear from me in the coming days. You'll get your explanation don't worry.
Jon: Aww, we miss out on the breaking news again Stew!
Stewart: Just our luck. Well Aeryn, we know your short for time. Do you have any thing else you'd like to plug before we wrap up.
Aeryn: The MPWs biggest Pay Per View of the year is taking place this Sunday, the 22nd September, at the world famous MGM Grand Arena in Sin City its self, Las Vegas Nevada. We look forward to seeing all our fans there.
Stewart: Aeryn Ashfield, thank you for your time and good luck this Sunday.
Aeryn: Thank you guys, much appreciated.
#Hours before High Stakes 2#
Aeryn: Las Vegas, Sin City it's self. The perfect venue for the MPW's biggest pay per view of the year to take place. Why you might ask? Because this is the place that all inhibitions are left at the door, rules are only there to be broken and limits are set to be pushed to their very breaking point. This is the one night of the year where nothing is held back, you either win or pay the price. This is High Stakes!
And the stakes don't get much higher than the Roll of the Dice ladder match. Unlike the other matches on the card, were are not only competing for the chance at one title, oh no. We are competing for the chance at any title! To take at any time of our choosing. All we have to do is climb a ladder, reach up and unhook one little briefcase. Sound simple right? An opportunity ripe for the picking. A championship title so tantalisingly close that you can almost taste it, can almost smell the taught leather, its weight around your waist and all you have to do is win a briefcase to make your dreams come true...If only it wasn't for the five other guys reaching for the same dream.
The author, Jody Hedlund, said “Dream big, but work fiercely.” A quote that I find very appropriate. Tonight in particular. As it will come down to who is the most ferocious and brutal in the ring to determine who gets to have their big dream come true. Now I have worked to long and to hard in this business to let such an opportunity slip through my fingers. I have been looked down on and looked over time an time again through out the course of my career by management and opponents. Why? Not because im not good...Im good. Not because I can't hang in the ring with the best...I can. But because I am a woman!...And that opinion doesn't seem to have died out even here in 2013. In this match I am seen as the underdog, the outside shot, the one that doesn't deserve it....
...Well I have one thing to say to those are of the opinion that I don't belong in this match...Fuck your opinion!...I know what I am capable of! I have spent my career proving people wrong time and time and time again, I have had no other option. And tonight is no different.
My opponents for tonight's match are not to be taken lightly though...well most of them anyway.
Chris Radke...I'm sure your a good guy and you work hard. But really, I think you should just sit this one out and let the grown ups play. Unless we get to use you as a weapon, I really have no time for you on this occasion.
Chris Cable. You on the other hand I will gladly make time for. Mr Hardcore icon. After my loss to you at Reloaded I have had some time off to ponder my mistakes...sorry...my one mistake. Because up until then I had you on the ropes didn't I. I had you beat. Tonight is my chance to atone for that, with the added bonus of beating you senseless and robbing you of your chance at becoming an MPW champion all at the same time. But lets not make the mistake that you are the main threat in this match. That honour goes to The Damned.
Impaler and Crow the current unstoppable force here in the MPW and as a duo probably the favourites to claim that briefcase...as a duo. But this isn't a tag match, and there is only one briefcase. Which one of you gets to lay down for the other? Who gets to be the one to step aside and leave behind their opportunity?...My guess, if I were a betting woman...and we are in Las Vegas, so why the hell not...My guess would be Impaler. Crow is obviously the boss right? The leader in this band of monsters, it only makes sense for the henchman to step aside. But what if he doesn't?! I for one cant wait to witness the inevitable implosion if that scenario were to come about. The killing of two birds with one stones as it were.
Which would only leave Soul Shadow...My friend...if I can still call you that after all of this I am not sure. You have been put through a lot in the run up to this match Soul, the most recent of which I witnessed first hand. Now I have been asked many times since Reloaded why I didn't help. “Aren't you supposed to be his friend Aeryn?”, “Why didn't you help him Aeryn?!”. Aeryn, Aeryn, Aeryn...Our deal prevented me from helping you. You know that...but maybe, maybe I need you to be hurt...yeah I said it. Maybe I need you to be hurt, for this match so that I can get the best shot at my dream!...And believe me it doesn't make me feel good to say that, but damn it it's true. I never claimed to be a good person, I will take any advantage and use it to get what I want. This is business and I know...I hope you'll understand that.
In a few short hours we will put on a match the like of which Sin City has never seen before. It will be so violent, so brutal that people will tell their grandchildren that they were there the night that the MPW came to the MGM Grand. And the winner will be immortalised. And that winner will be me.
To quote the Hunger Games, may the odds be ever in your favour gentlemen. Although I make it a habit to make sure that they are always in mine.
#Aeryn smiles broadly as the scene fades out.#
The scene opens. Aeryn Aashfield had been sitting in her locker room for most of that evenings show, watching a monitor of the action unfolding in the main arena, and above all taking note of her opponents at High Stakes 2. As the only one of them in the Roll of the Dice Ladder Match with out a match to compete in that night, she had been presented with the opportunity to relax and watch them all compete, any niggles, any injury occurring that night that might give her an advantage were being meticulously stored in her memory for later use at High Stakes.
Although taking note where it counts, Aeryn is distracted. Sat back on the large couch in her locker room, she has her hand resting against the crook of her crossed legs, her phone in her hand. She reads through a text message received some days ago from Soul Shadows niece Shakira, something that she has done at least twenty times since receiving it. Although only a few lines long its content is hurtful, accusing Aeryn of abandoning her uncle when he needed her help, and hoping that she was happy at the outcome. Pressing the reply button as she had many times before. She sits staring at the blank text box praying for the right words to come to her, to explain her inactions that night. Nothing comes. How can she possibly explain something like that to someone's family member without sounding heartless.
Letting out an audible growl of frustration she slams her phone down on the cushion next to her and moves to the edge of the seat.
Aeryn: What did she expect me to do?!...
She says, talking to nothing but the empty room, her voice is raised with an angry edge creeping into her tone.
Aeryn: ...Against the whole Damned faction!...The Resistance couldn't do anything to help, what good could I have done?!?
Aeryn: Plus we had a deal!
Her voice softens as the words catch slightly in her throat.
Aeryn:...we have...a...deal...I couldn't have helped.
Her attention is brought back to the monitor as a flash of movement catches the corner of her eye. A black mist and then Crow leaping the barricade. Aeryn stares at the screen for a moment, her eyes widening. She dashes from the room and races towards the arena...
#Two days later#
...: And on the line now we have one of the MPW's up and coming stars. Aeryn Ashfield. How are you doing?
Aeryn: Just fine Jon, couldn't be better. Before we start, may I add how much I enjoy your podcast, I have it downloaded to my iPod every week.
Jon: Your to kind, your making us blush.
*Aeryn is at home in Chicago. The rain is beating against the window pane as she takes a seat on a stool in her kitchen for her scheduled interview with the W.O.W podcast team. *
Aeryn: Im a big fan.
Jon: As we are of your's. Talking of fans you are building quite the fan base in MPW. What made you return to wrestling, and the MPW in particular?
Aeryn: Well for that I can ultimately blame my good friend Johnny Clash. There I was happily enjoying my retirement and he's like the little devil on my shoulder calling me back, now here I am. *Aeryn laughs* No seriously... it is his fault. But really I was also feeling the need to come back. Its not easy to replace the adrenaline rush you get used to in a wrestling ring in normal day-to-day life. A cup of coffee with friend, while nice, doesn't exactly cut it like fifteen thousand people cheering or booing you in an arena. And I guess being that natural attention seekers that us wrestlers naturally are, it didn't take a lot of persuading to get me to agree to sign on the dotted line. I don't think I could have chosen a better company to make a return though, do you?
Stewart: No not at all. The MPW seems to be the company on every body's lips at the moment.
Jon: Indeed it does. And in keeping with that everyone is talking about High Stakes 2, a card on which you have a match. Are you surprised you have a pay per view match so soon in to your MPW career?
Aeryn: Pleased yes. Surprised no. I have only been in the MPW a short time, but I've worked hard for my place on the roster and for my place on the High Stakes card. It's not a title match granted, but its the next best thing in the Roll of the Dice match. Six of us have a chance of grabbing the briefcase at the top of that ladder and gaining a shot to cash in on any MPW champion of our choosing. I intend to become the woman that does that.
Steward: Your the only woman in that match, aren't you?
Aeryn: That's correct. I have five guys chasing me up a ladder. How lucky can one girl be?!
*Aeryn laughs as do the two hosts*
Jon: Well lets talk about your opponents for this match. Joining you in the Roll of the Dice match we have Chris Radke, Chris Cable, Crow and Impaler from the Damned stable and Soul Shadow.
Stewart: Would you care to give us your opinion on some or maybe even all of your opponents going in to this match?
Aeryn: Sure..*She pauses for a moment considering her opponents*....Well we have Chris Radke. Possibly the only person in the match that I'm not concerned about at all. He was easy enough to deal with in our inter gender tag match, and I honestly doubt much has changed in the intervening weeks...I cannot how ever say the same for Chris Cable, he has a win over me, a recent win at that.
Stewart: At a recent Reloaded, a close match by all accounts?
Aeryn: Indeed it was. So I know his potential, I know he's ambitious and I know that he will do what ever it takes to get to that briefcase...Impaler, a big brutal monster of a man. It would be stupid of me not to say that he is my biggest challenge in this match. He's made himself known in recent weeks as along with Crow, dealing out a great deal of punishment to the Resistance and my final opponent in this match. Soul Shadow...
Jon: Sorry to jump in. As you said we have all seen that battle play out over the recent weeks on Reloaded, and I think many people were surprised when you came out last week and just watched it happen. I'm sorry if this sounds blunt, but how could you do that?
*Aeryn stands and walks across the kitchen, the floor cold under her bare feet as she makes her way towards the window. Looking down on the rain soaked street below her apartment.*
#Flashback to Reloaded, Gorilla position.#
*Aeryn arrives slightly breathless from the sprint from her locker room. She stops at the foot of the steps leading up to the main stage, catching her breath before making her entrance.
Aeryn: ...You want an appearance Shakira. If you hate me for what happened in the cage, your going to despise me now...
The next few moments are a blur as she make her way on to the stage. She is aware of the noise of the fans screaming as she pushes past the curtain, like a wall of sound it hits her. The saviour has arrived. Except there is no saviour. Aeryn stays glued to the stage. Every sense in her body telling her to run to the ring, telling her to help her friend but she can't. Not only out of respect for their deal but out of her own selfish desire to win at High Stakes. She looks away in shame, only to lock eyes with Chris Cable. She watches his expression changes as he comes to the realisation that she is merely a spectator. She turns her attention back to the ring as the Damned stand triumphant over Soul before vanishing into the night. Taking one last look she turns her back on her fallen friend and exits the stage.*
Jon:...Aeryn, are you still there?
Aeryn What?.oh sorry guys..er..the line must have cut out for a second. Could you repeat the question?
Jon: I just asked how you could turn your back on Soul, someone that the MPW fans have seen you in alliance with for some weeks now?
Aeryn: That's a very good question...*She pauses, mulling over her answer*....But not something that I am willing to address here, you and your audience will hear from me in the coming days. You'll get your explanation don't worry.
Jon: Aww, we miss out on the breaking news again Stew!
Stewart: Just our luck. Well Aeryn, we know your short for time. Do you have any thing else you'd like to plug before we wrap up.
Aeryn: The MPWs biggest Pay Per View of the year is taking place this Sunday, the 22nd September, at the world famous MGM Grand Arena in Sin City its self, Las Vegas Nevada. We look forward to seeing all our fans there.
Stewart: Aeryn Ashfield, thank you for your time and good luck this Sunday.
Aeryn: Thank you guys, much appreciated.
#Hours before High Stakes 2#
Aeryn: Las Vegas, Sin City it's self. The perfect venue for the MPW's biggest pay per view of the year to take place. Why you might ask? Because this is the place that all inhibitions are left at the door, rules are only there to be broken and limits are set to be pushed to their very breaking point. This is the one night of the year where nothing is held back, you either win or pay the price. This is High Stakes!
And the stakes don't get much higher than the Roll of the Dice ladder match. Unlike the other matches on the card, were are not only competing for the chance at one title, oh no. We are competing for the chance at any title! To take at any time of our choosing. All we have to do is climb a ladder, reach up and unhook one little briefcase. Sound simple right? An opportunity ripe for the picking. A championship title so tantalisingly close that you can almost taste it, can almost smell the taught leather, its weight around your waist and all you have to do is win a briefcase to make your dreams come true...If only it wasn't for the five other guys reaching for the same dream.
The author, Jody Hedlund, said “Dream big, but work fiercely.” A quote that I find very appropriate. Tonight in particular. As it will come down to who is the most ferocious and brutal in the ring to determine who gets to have their big dream come true. Now I have worked to long and to hard in this business to let such an opportunity slip through my fingers. I have been looked down on and looked over time an time again through out the course of my career by management and opponents. Why? Not because im not good...Im good. Not because I can't hang in the ring with the best...I can. But because I am a woman!...And that opinion doesn't seem to have died out even here in 2013. In this match I am seen as the underdog, the outside shot, the one that doesn't deserve it....
...Well I have one thing to say to those are of the opinion that I don't belong in this match...Fuck your opinion!...I know what I am capable of! I have spent my career proving people wrong time and time and time again, I have had no other option. And tonight is no different.
My opponents for tonight's match are not to be taken lightly though...well most of them anyway.
Chris Radke...I'm sure your a good guy and you work hard. But really, I think you should just sit this one out and let the grown ups play. Unless we get to use you as a weapon, I really have no time for you on this occasion.
Chris Cable. You on the other hand I will gladly make time for. Mr Hardcore icon. After my loss to you at Reloaded I have had some time off to ponder my mistakes...sorry...my one mistake. Because up until then I had you on the ropes didn't I. I had you beat. Tonight is my chance to atone for that, with the added bonus of beating you senseless and robbing you of your chance at becoming an MPW champion all at the same time. But lets not make the mistake that you are the main threat in this match. That honour goes to The Damned.
Impaler and Crow the current unstoppable force here in the MPW and as a duo probably the favourites to claim that briefcase...as a duo. But this isn't a tag match, and there is only one briefcase. Which one of you gets to lay down for the other? Who gets to be the one to step aside and leave behind their opportunity?...My guess, if I were a betting woman...and we are in Las Vegas, so why the hell not...My guess would be Impaler. Crow is obviously the boss right? The leader in this band of monsters, it only makes sense for the henchman to step aside. But what if he doesn't?! I for one cant wait to witness the inevitable implosion if that scenario were to come about. The killing of two birds with one stones as it were.
Which would only leave Soul Shadow...My friend...if I can still call you that after all of this I am not sure. You have been put through a lot in the run up to this match Soul, the most recent of which I witnessed first hand. Now I have been asked many times since Reloaded why I didn't help. “Aren't you supposed to be his friend Aeryn?”, “Why didn't you help him Aeryn?!”. Aeryn, Aeryn, Aeryn...Our deal prevented me from helping you. You know that...but maybe, maybe I need you to be hurt...yeah I said it. Maybe I need you to be hurt, for this match so that I can get the best shot at my dream!...And believe me it doesn't make me feel good to say that, but damn it it's true. I never claimed to be a good person, I will take any advantage and use it to get what I want. This is business and I know...I hope you'll understand that.
In a few short hours we will put on a match the like of which Sin City has never seen before. It will be so violent, so brutal that people will tell their grandchildren that they were there the night that the MPW came to the MGM Grand. And the winner will be immortalised. And that winner will be me.
To quote the Hunger Games, may the odds be ever in your favour gentlemen. Although I make it a habit to make sure that they are always in mine.
#Aeryn smiles broadly as the scene fades out.#