Post by Anastasia Hayden on Apr 23, 2017 4:00:22 GMT
So excuse me for looking
Like my world just ended
And excuse me for looking
Like I just lost my best friend
Back into darkness. Anastasia found herself in back of the arena, just moments from heading out to defend her High Roller Championship. The pressure was getting to her. It felt like her head was trapped between a vise grip, slowly twisting the dial to cause cracks in her skull. Feeling sick was just natural these days. But all it was to Ana was just a sign of fatigue. A good sign. That she was working hard, just like she needed to be. She needed to save her career. One shop closed up, another on the way out.
One last match in FSociety. One last title defense. One last opponent. And it was going to be one to remember. Hutch Lanahan and Anastasia Hayden. The man she’d known since day one in FSociety. The man she grew to hate. Or at least, a man she attempted to hate. But there wasn’t any time for her to try and decipher how she felt about Hutch. Not when she was just moments away from having to destroy him to further her career. She couldn’t go out on her back. That simply wasn’t an option.
The fight has been eating away at her ever since it was announced. Seeing any trace of Hutch made Ana irrationally upset. Having to wrestle him? Entirely different story. She could feel the hatred pumping through her veins. In the past, she’s faced people she hated like James Radford or Dom DiBona in AWE, but Hutch Lanahan was a completely different creature. Unlike the rest, Anastasia had no reason to hate Hutch. She had to make up one. She had to pretend that Hutch represented everything she hated in life.
And it worked so far. But just steps away from the curtain, she didn’t feel that hatred. She didn’t even feel contempt for him. She felt scared. Horrified. What if she didn’t win? What if she didn’t give it her all? Who’d want to sign Anastasia after a shit performance? No one. She already ventured down the road of unemployment once before and it nearly brought her to the end of the road. A “day job” wasn’t anything to be ashamed of for a normal person, but it meant settling down to Ana. It meant just becoming another cog in the gears of life. And she wanted to be the wrench that was thrown into the system.
This match meant everything to her. It meant saving her life. For once, the result meant something. She’d have to win. She’d have to beat Hutch Lanahan one more time. And deep down, she knew that was a task she wasn’t sure if she could complete again. A draw the first time and she barely escaped with his title the second time. The third time could be the charm for him. For Ana to continue, that couldn’t happen. There was no room for error. Everything she did had to be perfect.
Minutes away from the start of the match wasn’t an ideal time to start to panic, but Ana could get it under control. Or she could at least pretend she did. When the action starts, everything would fade away. She hoped anyways. There was a lot at stake, beyond the High Roller Championship. Whatever sickness she was feeling had to be put to the side. Anything she was feeling period had to be put to the side. As she got closer to the curtain, she knew that Hutch Lanahan is the key to her future. Which meant only one thing: Hutch Lanahan was her salvation.
But as she stood inches away from the curtain. She could hear the roar of the crowd. But not for her. Of course not, never for her, but she still listened to them. More than ever before. They weren’t just cheering for Hutch. There was more than that. It sounded like they were cheering on a fight. Moments before she was to make her entrance, the crowd had already forgotten her and moved onto whatever was happening beyond the curtains.
“Do these fucks not realize who I am…”
She muttered through her gritted teeth. Her arrogance starting to flash, but she didn’t care. They needed to be looking at her. Despite everything telling her to feel cold; she felt the rage return. Ana was determined to figure out just who the fuck was trying to steal her thunder. That spotlight was one she desperately needed. As she pushed through the curtains, no eyes were on her. Turning her attention toward the ring, the action had already begun. She could see Hutch Lanahan fighting with someone, but she couldn’t see just who until she got closer toward the ring.
It was Bryan Williams.
Her white knight. He had stepped into her role and taking out all her anger on Hutch. Blow after blow, the blood already covering the faces and chests of the men in the ring. Neither one has an advantage as it just looks like two gladiators fighting. It isn’t until she’s right by ringside that Bryan notices her and in that split second, he’s dropped to the mat and Hutch isn’t letting up. He’s defenseless, but no one is stopping it. His blood starting to pool around his head until Hutch finally lets up, raising his bloody fists up to the roar of the crowd.
Ana checks on Bryan, but he’s not moving. Her eyes turn toward the man in the ring. The victor celebrates, holding the High Roller Championship above his head. And still, no one notices her. She’s alone again. Finally, there’s a slight breath that Bryan takes as Ana’s eyes turn back toward him and she leans in closer to him. A mouthful of blood pours out and he coughs, violently spraying Ana’s face with his blood. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out.
Her eyes jolted open, she wiped her face, but there’s no blood; only sweat. She finds herself already sitting up; unsure if she was even sleeping to begin with or if it was just another fever dream. Her eyes roll over to Bryan next to her, still sleeping soundly. Whatever it was, she was back in her world. But did she want to be? Ana wasn’t sure of the answer. At least if she was sleeping, she could’ve kept going, but now she was too awake. Lifting her phone up, she checked the time: 3:15 AM. She let out a sigh before pinching the bridge of her nose, but it wasn’t needed with her head throbbing already.
Carefully, she got up from the bed and dug through her bag for some allergy relief medicine. Quietly locking herself in the restroom, she turned on the faucet, and cupped some cold water in her hand to swallow the medicine. Instantly she felt better, but she knew all too well that it was only temporary. She looked in the mirror and saw a face of defeat staring back at her. Nothing ever made her feel better. Not her new apartment. Not being with Bryan, but it wasn’t his fault. She was the damaged one. She contemplated if even wrestling was making her feel better or worse.
But in a few days, she’d know the answer to that. She’d be without a steady gig. And she knew If she didn’t win in FSociety, even her indie work could be unstable. There was no solution. No easy fix. As bad as Ana ever felt in her life, she had stepped into a new world of self-hatred. No longer was it just mental and emotional, but now physical. To everyone, she downplayed it. Never wanting to be the victim. Though, that was all she was ever good at. Not the damsel in distress, but the one everyone knew was too far gone. Just a matter of when.
Maybe beating Hutch would make her feel happy again. He’d run his mouth on Twitter about her and Bryan. And she didn’t hate him for it. She just felt sorry. Beating him could be something to fix that. Knowing that if she won, she’d be leaving in a positive light. She never cared for vanity, but now it was the only thing that mattered because she saw it was the only thing that could save her. Growing complacent wasn’t her only fear anymore. Growing irrelevant had partnered up with complacency. And with each day passing by, the fears became larger and scarier.
The thought of what she’ll feel like on the actual show sent a chill down her spine. Being nervous before a match wasn’t anything new. No matter how much of a pro someone is, they feel at least something before a match. But against Hutch Lanahan? It was easy when she pretended she hated him. But what about her feeling sorry for him? He’s bitter, but she knows why. Perhaps there was something there between the two, but whatever that was, it couldn’t happen. She moved on, but he hadn’t. So he’d just run his mouth. Always running his mouth. But was he in the wrong?
Questions began to flood her mind. A match she was so sure of was now an uncertainty. Would she be able to defend her championship? Would she be able to even compete? But more importantly, would she beat able to beat Hutch Lanahan? The self doubt was unlike any other time before. Ana already beat him once, would always brag about beating him in her debut, but now she wasn’t sure anymore. All she saw was defeat. Even in her dreams, Hutch was winning. Maybe it was the sickness starting to get to her.
Maybe she got lucky.
Maybe her dream was better than the reality.
Maybe there was no saving Anastasia Hayden.
“We’re days away from my final encounter with Hutch Lanahan in FSociety. Days away from determining who will walk out as the High Roller Champion. But in reality, we’re just days away from watching me end the career of Hutch Lanahan. You know, they say life always works in threes. They’re not wrong. Think about it for a second. I know for the majority of you, that’s a struggle, so allow for me to break it down for you. Forget everything else I’ve done in FSociety and focus on just Hutch and myself.”
“When I made my debut in FSociety, my first opponent was Hutch Lanahan. He wanted a challenge and I brought it. I brought it unlike any opponent he’s ever had in FSociety. It wasn’t for his belt, but he knew that when the match was over...it’d only be a matter of time before I came for it. I didn’t win our first encounter, but I didn’t lose either. I do consider myself a winner though...I showed just how weak Hutch Lanahan truly is. At the time, we were friends, but once I sensed the weakness...it was over for him.”
“Our second encounter, I took the High Roller Championship from him. The item that made his career...I ripped away from him. And look at him after it. Right into a pit of irrelevancy. Oh, he tried to make an effort toward becoming the main guy in FSociety, but he flew too close to the Sun and we watched his wings burn to a crisp before he came crashing back down to reality. That reality being you’ll never rise above this title, Hutch, but that’s fine. This title that I’m holding...my championship...I made it more valuable than the championship Tyson Gregory holds. More valuable than the one Ally Morrow holds.”
“And yet...for our third encounter...we get regulated to not even the co-main event. I am the greatest champion in FSociety’s history...and I’m third place? I know Hutch’s star has fallen mighty low, but for me to be slumming it with people like Ronnie Harris or Gavin Grimes...it disgusts me. But hey, disrespect, I’m used to it. I don’t need anyone’s respect. I’ll just do what I do best and prove everyone wrong. I’ll continue to prove that I’m the hardest working wrestler alive and while I may no longer be the MVP of AWE...you can guarantee that I’ll be the MVP of Revelation.”
“I’ll make Hutch look like a respectable wrestler out there because I’ll just toy with him if I have to. Hell, I carried him in our tag match. It’s no secret that I’m not just a better wrestler than Hutch, but I’m a better everything than Hutch. Regardless, I’m getting a fight out of this. And I know Hutch is going to want back the title he thinks he ‘made’ just to show his kid that daddy ain’t a complete fuck up. But Hutch, there’s no amount of gold or money that will show your kid that you mean anything in this world. Hell, there’s no amount of success that will make up for you missing out on your kid growing up.”
“So allow for me to direct this message to Spencer. I’m sorry for what I’m going to have to do to your father. I’m sorry that I’m part of the reason he feels the need to make a name for himself in America. But don’t be misled, I am not a villain. Your father came here for his own selfish reasons. Do not believe his lies that he wanted to make life for you easier. What father would abandon their child for glory? The moment you were potty trained, your pop ran out the door as soon as he could. The harsh truth that nobody, but me have the nerve to tell you...your dad only saw you as someone holding him back.”
“You need a role model, kid. You need me, Spencer. Someone who can stand on their own and doesn’t need accomplishments. The championship I took from your father? He can have it back, but he’ll never get back the lost time. I can tell you’ll grow up independent, just like me. You’ll be more like me than your father, and kid...that’s a blessing. Your father’s got no backbone. He’s a coward. And when I called him out on that...he showed just how true that was. Don’t look up to him, look up to me. Besides, everyone knows the name Anastasia Hayden. They don’t care about the fisherman from Cornwall.”
“When it comes time for the show, Spence, I hope you’re in bed. You don’t need to see what I’m going to do to your father. He wants my title? He wants to try and be relevant again? He can try. And like the last time he faced me, he’ll fail. But I’m not the villain. I’m just trying to make him realize where he belongs isn’t inside a wrestling ring, but back home with you, making an honest living. There’s nothing wrong with that, right? Your dad’s just too stubborn to realize he’ll never make it. Maybe I can help him. But Spencer, he’s a lost cause.”
“It’s going to be ugly. I’m going to stomp his head into the canvas. I’m going to leave him a bloodied mess. He’ll be lucky if he can even walk out of the arena by himself. And these aren’t just empty threats. These are promises. I don’t care if he makes me bleed either...in fact, I welcome that. At least show me you’ve got some balls, Hutch. But if you don’t? I have no problem dragging your body back home and letting your broken face be a reminder of who I am and what I did.
“And Hutch, I know what I’m saying is going to get you all riled up. Maybe you’ll actually bring a fight this time. Maybe you’ll prove me wrong. I know you’ll want your championship back. The only thing that matters in your life, isn’t it? The man who helped make the High Roller Championship what it is today...and also the man who nearly tarnished it by going on to become a fucking joke afterwards, but I came through to make it worth something. You tried, trust me, you tried, but no one is going to remember the ‘great’ champion Hutch Lanahan. There’s only the greatest champion Anastasia Hayden. I surpass everyone else here, but come on...we already know that.”
“You want to run your mouth about Bryan, Hutch, do it. You want to run your mouth about my reign as a champion, do it. Come showtime, that’s all you’ll have. Empty words. Then afterwards, you can go back and bitch on Twitter again. I’ve never given a fuck about what you’ve said. That’s why I’m the champion and you’re a failed contender. So keep running your mouth, that’s what you’re best at and I’ll do what I’m best at...kicking your teeth down your throat. I’ll teach you to keep my fucking name out of your mouth.”
“When I leave FSociety, I’ll be leaving as the champion. I’ll be leaving with another belt in my collection just like when I left PAW. I’ll continue to leave my legacy everywhere I go. I don’t care about the disrespect I get from FSociety. Or anyone else. I’ve done everything I’ve needed. Call me selfish or arrogant, but I’m not as bad as Hutch or anyone else in FSociety. At least I’m honest about it. You’re witnessing the main event champion dragging a nobody wrestler to my level.”
“Once the doors close, no one will remember Hutch Lanahan, Tyson Gregory, Ally Morrow...but you know who they’ll remember? Anastasia Hayden. I can guarantee you that I’ll be remembered. Hell, if I’m lucky, I’ll be remembered as the wrestler who put down Hutch Lanahan for good. The last ever High Roller Champion. I’ll leave undefeated. I’ll continue to showcase why I’m the greatest wrestler alive. I’ll continue to do my best to kill Hutch Lanahan. And I’ll continue doing what I do best...”
“I’ll continue being the MVP of FSociety.”
