Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2016 18:02:20 GMT -6
This is the biggest match of my life. I need this victory more than anything I have ever accomplished here in VoW. The fact that I can no longer make history as VoW’s first ever female World Visionary Champion eats away at me. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Emma Carlisle, but that title should be around my waist, not hers!
I know that there are probably a lot of people out there who will ask if I even deserve a shot at the World title. Honestly, I can see why that question would be asked. What has Stacy Jones done lately that’s significant? Yes, at Heatstroke I defeated one of the greatest female wrestlers to ever step foot into a ring, Emevlas Stastias, in her own match nonetheless.
What else is there though? I failed in my war with Winter Pine. I’ve got a pathetic win/loss record. Gone are the days where I made history in this company. Gone are the days when Stacy Jones could call herself a champion. That’s what they will say.
But what do I say? I say that I am more than deserving of a shot at the big one! I have been through Hell on multiple occasions throughout my career and what do I do? I keep getting back up! Nothing will ever keep Stacy Jones down! And at Breakthrough 50? English is going to learn that himself!
The Maryland Athletic Club. Roughly about a thirteen minute drive from Homewood Field, the place where Breakthrough 50 will emanate from. This is the place I’ve been coming too to train non-stop for the past few days now. It’s quite late on this warm Thursday evening, about 9:30pm so I’m the only one here so it’s easier for me to concentrate.
My body is aching. Every inch of it. I’ve been pushing myself harder than ever before because I need this victory at Breakthrough 50. The very thought of it consumes me. If I can knock off the former World Visionary Champion, the greatest World Visionary Champion of all time! I will be able to throw my name into the hat for potential number one contenders.
A sharp exhale of breath leaves my body as I lift the barbell off the ground to just above my chest. Puffing out my cheeks, I strain as beads of sweat slowly trickle down my reddened face. My body is screaming at me to stop. But my mind is telling me that I must keep going.
I hear the faint sound of the door opening, however I pay no attention as it’s probably someone else coming in for a late night gym session. A few short, sharp breaths and then with a scream I raise the barbell above my head, straightening my arms before they begin to shake a little. Tears stream down my face as the pain is overwhelming to the point I can’t take it anymore, so I drop the weight and my legs turn to jelly as I fall to the floor with it.
“Stace! You’re gonna seriously hurt yourself!”
I recognize the voice instantly. Of course Zoey would be here. Considering what time it is, Jen’s probably worried about me since I set off for the gym at around 1pm. I slowly lift my head up to her as she bends down and helps me back to my feet.
“I have to keep going, Zoey…”
Reaching for the barbell again, Zoey grabs hold of my arms, stopping me before she wraps me up into a tight hug and I can’t help but start the waterworks.
“Sweetheart. You’re going to do more bad than good to yourself if you keep over-working yourself like this. Take it from someone who knows: the hospital ain't fun. And on top of that, I don't think I could find flowers pretty enough to give someone I care about as much as you.”
“B-But…I need th-this…”
Wrapping my arms around her now, I press my face into her collar bone and begin to sob.
“Shh, shh, shh…I know you do. But trust me, I know from experience that training like crazy and forcing your body to suffer excruciating pain isn’t the right way to do things. Rest is a part of training, too.”
She’s right. But this is my time to make Daddy proud of me, wherever he may be. He always believed that one day I would be a World Champion. I promised him that I wouldn’t let him down. Her fingers start going through my sweaty hair and her heartbeat is pounding in my ear. It is, at least, somewhat relaxing...
“I…m-miss him so much, Zoey…”
Retracting her head, a state of confusion crosses her sweet beautiful face.
“Miss who, sweetie?”
“Daddy…”
Puffing out her lower lip, she pulls me back in to the embrace and softly strokes her hand through my raven and silver locks further. I feel her cheek come to rest on top of my head. I can almost feel her eyes close.
“I know you do, Stacy.”
“I h-have to do this for him. He always believed that one day, I w-would be a World Champion. If I beat English…I have the ch-chance to make him proud of me.”
“Hey…”
Once again breaking away, Zoey places both of her hands on my cheeks and stares deep into my eyes.
“...I’m sure he is already proud of you. You’ve been through so much, Stacy. And even when you were suffering, you always put your friends, your family and your fans first. You have inspired countless people with the things you have been able to overcome, me included. I know how significant becoming World Champion is for you…but you need to know that whether you achieve that goal or not. Everyone who has ever known you, including your Dad…are more than proud of you already. I'd put money on Drake being proud, too.”
She always knows the right thing to say, as do most of my friends, and Jen as well. Taking hold of her hands in my own, a smile forms on my lips which of course results in that vintage smile of her own. She may not smile quite as much as she used to but when she turns on the glow there's no denying the warmth that spreads in your heart.
“There’s the smile I wanted to see! Now...promise me you’ll go easy on your training from now on, okay? When your body says rest, rest.”
Nodding, I wipe away the tears and sweat from my face with a small white towel that I brought along with me.
“Good. Because you don’t want me busting out my Mistress side on your butt!”
I can’t help but giggle at her last comment as I bite the end of my index finger in a seductive manner.
“Maybe I do?”
Raising an eyebrow, she raises her own index finger and sways it back and forth.
“That kind of talk ain't fair and you know it!”
The two of us now giggle together as Zoey begins to pack away my things into my duffel bag as I start to help her.
“Now come on. Let’s get you back to Jen. She’s been worried sick about you. Worried Jen is a very, very bad thing.”
Nodding, we finish up packing and Zoey lifts up my duffel bag and hangs it over her shoulder before we both make our way to the door to the gym, arm in arm with one another. Feeling a lot calmer now, I tilt my head to the side, resting it on my friends shoulder and smile.
“Thanks, honey. I needed this today…”
Her arm slides gently around my waist, drawing me closer and offering a little more support. Just in case, of course. It isn't unwelcome.
"Not the only thing you need, though, Stace. But I mean to help take care of that."
Reaching the rental car, she helps me into the back seat as the new lack of activity has allowed my body to fully begin its rebellion for the abuse I put it through up until recently. The ache is setting in and sitting very, very still sounds quite wonderful. When I look up after a few breaths, Zoey's on the phone, no doubt texting Jen. The reply comes quickly, her phone chiming softly, and she shows me the response from my lady.
"You might be in a bit of trouble when you get back. I doubt she'll let you out of her arms for the rest of the night."
“It certainly seems that way…”
Suddenly, my stomach begins to growl at me, telling me it needs sustenance but I didn’t think to bring my purse with me.
“Shit! I didn’t bring any money with me and I’m absolutely starving.”
"Leave that to me."
She says with her smile back on, shutting the door and slipping into the driver's seat. The radio comes on the moment she turns the key, some classic rock station which causes Zoey to squee just a little when Poison's "Look What The Cat Dragged In" comes on. But she keeps the volume low enough to not blast me out of the back windshield, thankfully.
"What's your stomach craving?"
One thing that always makes me feel bad is people paying for anything for me. It just makes me feel so guilty. I’m even been like that on dates in the past. Hell, when someone has offered to buy me a drink at a bar, I’ve always said no to them. Not because I wasn’t interested, I just didn’t want that feeling of guilt.
“I could murder a Subway. Are you sure it’s okay? I promise I’ll pay you back, honey.”
"Not going to hear that kind of talk, Stacy. You should know by now that I do this because I want to. It isn't a favor...it's a gift."
She glances at me through the rear view and even without seeing her smile on her lips I can sure as heck see it in her eyes.
"But I think we better pick up two for you...just in case. You probably haven't eaten in close to ten, maybe twelve hours. The first one's getting inhaled. The other one's going down when you wake up in a few hours."
Her new found motherly instincts seem to be kicking in. I know fine well that if it were my mother who had shown up, she’d have done and said the exact same thing.
“Thanks, Zoey. You seem to be doing a good job with this new motherly role of yours. Makayla’s a lucky little girl.”
A bit of shine came into her eyes and she took a hand from the wheel to quickly rub at them, probably stopping a tear from escaping. That smile wasn't going anywhere any time soon.
"Just for that you're getting cookies, too."
We pulled through the Subway close to the hotel with Zoey taking my list of instructions and relaying them patiently to the kid behind the speaker, patiently repeating them when there came confusion. Quite thankfully, I knew well what Jen liked on her own sandwich, and was thus able to see to that also. Once the food was handed over we pulled away, the ache slowly lessening to a more manageable level.
Hard to tell what smelled better...the sandwich or the cookies. Maybe it was magic that Zoey pulled us in there just as a batch came out of the oven!
“You really are a magician!”
Taking a deep breath in through my nose, the gorgeous smell of my usual go too Sub fills my nostrils. A Big Meaty Tasty (BMT) on honey oat bread with a layer of both plain and peppered cheese, lettuce and a few jalapeños topped with a generous dose of South West sauce for those who are wondering.
“Smells so good…”
"I'd hand one back to you, hon, but given your state right now I think it better if you relax in your room as you eat. Doctor's orders."
She said such with a giggle, knowing she wasn't a doctor...though she was on the way to that if she chose to be. It was a goal within reach. The rest of the drive to the hotel was a relaxed, quiet one with her eyes shifting from the road to me periodically, constantly checking up. It was nice to know that there were people that still cared that much after all the stuff that had went down in the last several months.
“Zoey? That whole business with the engagement ring I bought Jen for her birthday, you know the one I asked you to keep hold of because it was a stupid idea getting one when I know that neither of us are ready to make that kind of commitment yet?”
"I have it locked in my personal safe at home. What about it?"
My eyes begin to dart around the car, it’s what I always do when I end up getting nervous about anything.
“When the time does come. Do you think she’ll like it? And…do you think she’ll say yes?”
"I think she's going to cry. And, like this evening, you'll end up imprisoned in her arms wearing her love as well as her tears of joy. So to answer your question: yes and yes."
We pull into the lot of the hotel and, after shutting off the engine, Zoey turns and looks at me directly.
"No worrying. If it gets to you that potently, Kat and I could be there when you ask for support. You'll get to that point and you'll ask the question and it will be glorious."
Of course she’ll say yes. Maybe it’s just my tired, hungry body over-thinking things, but if there is one thing I’m certain of is that she will say yes when the time is right. After all, she is still wearing the promise ring I gave her.
“I was hoping everyone would be there. I’d love to have a bit of a party with all my family and friends there, and then I was going to pop the question to her in front of everyone.”
"It would be a beautiful moment, done in such a way."
She exits the car and opens my door for me, sandwiches and duffel bag in one hand and arm, me leaning against her side with the other about my waist again. Thank goodness for the elevator...steps would not have been very agreeable at this point.
I say thank goodness, that’s proof that I’m definitely not thinking straight considering I’m normally petrified of elevators. There’s just something about being in a small confined space with cables attached to it, lifting you high off the ground.
“I hate elevators…”
We enter the the tiny box and Zoey pushes the appropriate button and then the metal doors slowly close. The moment they shut and it begins to ascend, I grab hold of Zoey’s arm tightly and pull myself as close to her as possible.
She turns a bit, putting both arms around me and gently combing her fingers through my hair until the door opens and we hurry out. Leaning once again, we amble down the hall to mine and Jen's room, not even having time to stick the card in the lock before she yanks it open and almost jerks us into the room. Zoey, of course, laughs kindly at Jen's enthusiasm but it's making my body scream just a bit.
I honestly needed that from Zoey today. Having a friend to help me out. To stop me from hurting myself and to make me realize that what I was doing wasn’t the right way to go about things. I’m so blessed to have friends like Zoey to be there for me during my time of need.
Not only that, but thanks to her, I’ve realized that wherever my Dad may be right now that no matter what, he’s already proud of me. Of course, I’ll still fight with all of my heart when I step into the ring with English to make sure I leave with the victory. Not only that, but I will still continue clawing my way up that proverbial mountain until I capture the World Visionary Championship.
But at least I know now that no matter what, Daddy is proud of me already…
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is it. This is my time to shine. The time for a new revolution, and that revolution begins on September 2nd, 2016 live from the Homewood Field in Baltimore, Maryland. On Breakthrough’s 50th birthday, entitled “Visions Under The Stars”, the Stacy Jones revolution begins.
I’ve been here in Visionaries of Wrestling for over two years now. I had my debut match at Breakthrough #7 on July 11th, 2014 live from the DECC Arena in Duluth, Minnesota in a Triple Threat match against Shane Sparx and Ethan Payne. After hitting Ethan with Stacy’s Judgement, I was moments away from victory when Shane came off the turnbuckle, hitting both of us with the Sparx Fly and he ultimately picked up the victory after pinning Ethan.
Fast forward two months later, September 11th, 2014 live from the University of Minnesota Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I saw myself battling against Scott Knight, Brett Carson and Vanessa in a Fatal Four Way match for the VoW Xcel Championship at our first Armed & Dangerous Pay-Per-View event. And what a difference two months can make, because I ended up walking out the brand new Xcel Champion!
The following year saw me become a two-time Xcel Champion, live from the Nebraska, Coliseum on February 2nd, 2015 when I defeated Brett Carson in an Xcel Rules Match at Double Jeopardy. That night, much like the night at Armed & Dangerous meant the world to me in more ways than one because not only did I become a champion, but I made history by becoming the first ever female champion of any kind and then became the first ever two-time champion of any kind in VoW history.
Ever since I first stepped foot into this company, I have fought as hard as I possibly can to make a name for myself. I have scratched and clawed my way to the top of the mountain. I have battled legends, monsters, haters and even a kid stuck in the 90’s. And yes, I may have lost more matches than won since being here…
But I never give up. I never stop fighting. And now that I have the chance of a lifetime, I’m not going to let it slip from my fingers!
Where one revolution ends, another begins. The Casanova English revolution is coming to an end. So now it’s time for the Stacy Jones revolution to begin.
It’s a beautiful evening here in Baltimore as I’m sitting here on the blood red plush leather couch in the hotel room that Jennifer and I are staying in. The hotel room itself is quite a large one, the walls are a neutral white colour, decorated with some modern art style pictures. A black 32 inch plasma flat screen television is the main center piece of the living room quarters and between where I’m sitting and the television is a small modern glass table with a black metal frame.
As for myself? I’m dressed in a pair of black leather high heeled boots, a pair of black skin tight leather trousers, a black Nightwish Imaginearum T-shirt, a black leather jacket and a black Panama Jack hat. Leaning forward, I pick up the TV remote off the table and press play on it starting up a video that I submitted to VoW before they signed me.
“My name is Stacy Marie Jones, I’m 25 years old and I’m from New York City, New York…”
Smiling as I watch myself introducing the VoW to who I am, I lift my electronic cigarette to my lips and holding in the button, I deeply inhale the Vanilla flavoured vapour and then slowly exhale.
“...I’ve been wrestling since the age of 14 and I made my professional wrestling debut in September of 2009 working for the National Wrestling Association…”
The memories of my time working for the NWA all come flooding back to me as if it were yesterday. Until I signed with VoW, the NWA was the place I called home and it will forever be a big positive part of my life that helped mold me into the wrestler I am today.
“...I remained working for the NWA till August of 2013 until I decided that I wanted to move on and try out a new company and then I found myself working for Wrestling Championship Federation…”
Now the not so great memories of my short time in WCF come to mind as I tuck my long black and silver hair behind my left ear.
“...my time in WCF wasn’t good. I had a few friends there which had it not been for them, I probably would have left a lot sooner than I did. But it got to a point where I just couldn’t take all the egos, the backstage politics and just the sheer amount of negativity that radiated off the whole organization, so in June of this year, last month, I handed in my papers and now I’m here…”
The smile that instantly crosses my face on the tape brings one to my own. I remember how relieved I felt when I was finally able to leave WCF and embark on yet another new chapter in my professional wrestling career.
“How would I describe my wrestling style? Well, my strongest style is definitely my high flying Lucha Libre. I remember when my Dad took me to see my first wrestling event at Madison Square Garden and I wish I could remember the company that was putting on the event, but all I know is it was a Mexican Lucha Libre company and I was just in awe over some of the stuff they were pulling off…”
I still am in awe even to this day! It blows my mind seeing some of the things the guys and girls with that style are able to do. Some people don’t like that kind of style and that’s fair enough, they just aren’t a fan, but for me when it comes to wrestling, I love all styles.
“Then I met Matt, my now ex-husband and he specialized in a hard-hitting European brawling style along with technical mat work and so I learned a lot from him during our five years of marriage. And over the years I’ve been learning submission, the Japanese stiff-style known as Puroreso and more technical styles from my close friend who I first met back in 2009, Seifer Black. So really, my wrestling style is best described as an all rounder…”
It’s crazy to think even now that Seifer is in fact my half-brother. Considering how I always thought of him like a brother from another mother, yet all this time, he was in fact my brother from the same mother. I feel so blessed to have the guy as my brother, I wish he was here and not all the way in Tokyo. I wish he had been here when I was battling through my depression, but of course he had his own demons to deal with so there is certainly no love lost between us. As much as I miss him greatly.
“My dreams in this business continue to change and grow. My very first dream was to even get signed by a professional wrestling company. My Dad used to call up countless promotions, eager to get me signed to one. Then my second dream was to win a championship, not only win one, but to win one with my Dad watching. I achieved part of that dream…because unfortunately my Dad passed away before I won my first ever title…”
I miss you Dad. If there is such thing as a Heaven and you’re looking down on me and witnessing everything that I have accomplished thus far. I hope you’re proud of me, and I hope to continue making you proud.
“Now though? My ultimate dream here in wrestling…is to one day win the big one. I want to one day be able to raise that ultimate prize above my head and look up to the sky and say the words, Dad, I finally did it!”
Pausing the video, I begin to tear up hearing me say those last words, just like I did at that very moment in said video. I hope that I can achieve that dream, and that’s why this match against Casanova English at Breakthrough 50 is such a huge deal for me. I NEED to win this match more than anything in the world!
Wiping away my tears, I stare at the television screen for a few moments before finally switching it off.
“It’s funny how most things in life always change, yet some thing always remain the same. Since I debuted here in July, 2014…a lot has changed. I’ve made friends, I’ve lost friends. I’ve had different relationships. I’ve seen many wrestlers come and go…”
Turning my gaze now to the camera, I take another drag from my e-cig.
“...but the things that never seemed to change, Casanova? My heart, drive and will to never EVER give up no matter how many times I got knocked down! And of course…you being World Visionary Champion.”
Standing to my feet, I make my way over to one of the side tables where the plethora of framed photos of me and Dad after winning my countless trophies and medals when training are situated.
“However. That can no longer be said about you, can it Cass? Because at Heatstroke…after three hundred and twenty five days as World Champion, the great Casanova English was finally dethroned.”
Taking yet another drag from my e-cig, I chuckle a little.
“Heatstroke marked the beginning of a new revolution. And no, it wasn’t the beginning of the Datura revolution or even the beginning of the Emma Carlisle. No. The true revolution was disguised by a mere retirement match. The moment I put Mevy through a table…the moment a new World Champion was crowned…the moment you and I were booked against one another at Breakthrough 50. All of them, tiny baby steps to something bigger and better!”
I turn to the camera now, a strong look of determination on my face as I feel that fire burning inside of me again.
“We have met in the ring a few times over our VoW careers, Cass. Most have been in tag team action and you’ve been the victor every single time. Now of course, I know you’re not foolish enough to underestimate me…but you must have that lingering thought in the back of your mind that this will be but another victory for you.”
A smirk crosses my face as I slowly but defiantly shake my head.
“Well I’m afraid I’m going to have to disallow that from happening. Like I said, Heatstroke marked the beginning of a new revolution. The Stacy Jones revolution! And this opportunity right here is something that I am not going to take lightly. It’s something that I know will help boost my career to the height and level that I know it can reach! If…no…WHEN I defeat you Cass! When I defeat the former World Visionary Champion! The greatest World Visionary Champion in VoW history! Well then…that will put me right where I want to be! Right where I deserve to be! Right where…Daddy knows I can be…”
I lower my head now as the thoughts of Dad and how much I miss him flood back to me, it’s always the same whenever I mention him. Composing myself however, I slowly raise my head back up to the camera.
“Casanova English? Your time here on top of the mountain in VoW is finally over. It’s time for a new beginning. And come Breakthrough 50, when that final bell tolls…you will simply just be a vision…under a star! That’s right Cass! After I defeat you in the middle of that ring, I WILL be a star! It’s time that you suffer my Judgement…your final penance…is coming!”
And with that, I take one final drag from my electronic cigarette and blow the vapor towards the camera, causing the entire view to be blocked by nothing else.
I can feel it. I can feel it in my heart. This is my time now. It’s my time to shine brightly as the star that my father always knew I could be. To make him proud and reach the heights that I know I can achieve.
I know I can do this…
