Post by Kenzie Rydell on Mar 19, 2017 3:22:38 GMT
DATE: 03/28/16
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"Dear Future Kenzie,"
Laden in sincerity and emotion, the Five Lakes Champion Kenzie Rydell reached from the past and touched the present day with every word she spoke. You could tell the video wasn't initially meant for public consumption, but as she continued to speak, you understood why it would be posted to YouTube now of all days.
"Hey. Remember me?"
The young Kenzie smiled meekly, sitting on her bed back in Nashville with her back slouched forward towards the camera.
"I made this video for you to watch whenever you felt overwhelmed. Whenever you feel like you forgot why you're here, or whenever you feel down on yourself after a loss. Just keep watching this video, okay? I'm going to help you the best I can."
She grinned a little wider, those innocent hazel eyes looking back at you through the monitor.
"You're going to compare yourself to other people, I know. You're going to compare yourself with Gavin Grimes or Ashleigh Jericho or Adrien Cochrane. You're going to compare yourself to someone I've never even met yet, and you're going to feel down on yourself sometimes. That's okay. I get it. Just remember to let it motivate you instead of letting it get you down. Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are today, right?"
"All those people you've put on those high pedestals? They're still people. They're still people just like you with problems and shortcomings whether they'll ever admit it or not. You just don't know them well enough to see it yet, that's all. And who knows? Maybe someone else puts you on one of those pedestals these days."
The younger Kenzie laughed at the thought of anyone seeing her as anything remotely like she saw other people. That spoke volumes to the kind of person she was, you thought to yourself. She was vulnerable, and she wasn't afraid to put this video up for everyone to see. The fact that she was willing to show you a personal moment like this was the epitome of the kind of person she was. Even if it helped just one person watching with their own life, it was worth sharing with the world.
She continued her open letter with excitement.
"Oh! That's another thing. Stay humble! Remember that those boots you wear are a modified replica of the combat boots you wore every single morning when you trained with Dad growing up since as far back as I can remember. He kept pushing you to keep running, to keep doing those exercises until you couldn't do it anymore. As much as you want to take a break, you know that you get the strongest when you fight through that muscle fatigue at the end, and you know that skipping a single day makes the next so much harder!"
What she said about the muscle fatigue was true. You remember hearing about that somewhere. When you get tired at the end is when you gain the most muscle. In a way, it was a fitting allegory to a lot of things in life. As she spoke, you noticed her nose crinkle up like a cute rabbit as she thought about having to train after missing a day. Obviously, it's happened before, and you knew it was probably a lot harder to get back into the swing of things once you spent an entire day being lazy in between.
"I know after high school, it felt like there were two options to make: You could either further your education by going to a college, or you could follow in Dad's footsteps by joining the Army. You trained for both. Every day, you exercised in the morning, even before school, and on the rare chance that you got in trouble, Dad made you exercise even more until you felt like you were going to die!"
She was exaggerating, of course. You knew because of the laugh at the end.
"You stayed after class when you weren't doing well in a subject in school - math and history, mostly - until the teacher answered enough questions that you finally grasped it. It was hard work, especially ROTC, but you knew you were prepared for whatever path you wanted to take. So, when the time came, what did you finally decide?"
She smiled wide with a genuine toothy grin.
"The third option: You chose wrestling school, with the caveat that you'd keep the promise you made to Dad and further your education the second you had the chance. If things didn't work out, you knew college was your next option, and it's always going to be the fallback plan in case, God forbid, something goes wrong."
You thought it was interesting to see that wrestling wasn't just a sport you watched on television every week or so. It was a decision to be made to the wrestlers themselves. It was a viable career path for those people who loved the sport enough. It was easy to forget sometimes, with the arrogant fighters always talking about how they were better than their opponents and whatnot, but in the end, each one of them loved the sport enough to make the same career decision just like a scientist or a teacher.
So, wrestlers are real people? It was almost hard to believe, but it was true.
"That's where you came from, Kenzie. I know sometimes you'll forget. You'll get so caught up in the wins and the championship opportunities that you'll forget the nights you spent watching wrestling with Dad back home. Maybe you'll forget the passion you have for what you're doing right now. Maybe you'll let this world consume you completely, and you'll get frustrated that maybe things aren't going your way. I get it. I understand that feeling, but you're on the right path. Just keep being the best Kenzie you can be, don't worry about what anyone else has to say, and you'll be fine. That's a promise I can make without a doubt."
The young woman from the past smiled reassuringly, her body language warm and honest.
"So stop and smell the roses. Cherish every single moment, whether it's good or it's bad. Let it digest. The people who got you to where you are today should be proud of you as long as you're fighting for what you think is right,"
That's when that smile disappeared.
"Sometimes you'll lose matches. Sometimes you'll have a misstep and you won't be able to answer the door when opportunity knocks. I know you get discouraged. I know you get mad at yourself and I know you get frustrated, but you know that you can learn way more from those losses than you'll ever learn when you win. Those pitfalls? They're just like muscle fatigue. You fight through it, and you become stronger than before. You just need to learn from it. You need to pinpoint the mistake you've made so it never happens again, and you need to use it to fire you up. You can do this, Kenzie. I know you can!"
Her excitement suddenly came back, encouraging her future self like she knew the words that would help her.
"You've improved so much since we've made this video. You've had so many new experiences, met so many new people, but you'll always be the same Kenzie. You're in charge of your future, and every time you feel like you need a boost, I want you to watch this video. Congratulations on every single victory since you last heard my voice, and keep everything I told you in mind when things aren't working out, okay?"
The video was starting to reach its conclusion, and as she neared the end of the open letter recorded in March of 2016, the fact that she even bothered to do this hit you hard. She knew she would be in a situation where she would need someone to encourage her. She knew enough to know that hard times would be ahead, and she took the time to record this video to help her get through all of those times. It was poetic, in a way.
"You're good enough, Kenzie. I know you're always reaching for greatness, but the truth is... You'll never reach it."
The video suddenly took a turn.
"You'll always hold yourself to such a high standard that even when you achieve everything you've set out to achieve today, you'll still never consider yourself great. You'll keep reaching, but the moment you think you've achieved it? The moment you think you've not only reached greatness, but you're the personification of it? That's the day you'll grow complacent, and you know what? I never want to become complacent."
Her words were powerful and loud.
"Keep fighting. Keep training every morning. Keep reaching for greatness, but never stop believing in yourself. You're here for a reason, Kenzie. Now go out there and show the fucking world!"
As the YouTube video finally came to a conclusion, another Kenzie promo was clickable on the right side of the screen. This one wasn't recorded in March of 2016, though. This new video was recorded in March of 2017.
DATE: 03/10/17
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"—and you know what? I never want to become complacent. Keep fighting. Keep—"
"Kenzie! Look alive," Noah Auburn shouted, watching as Kenzie's hazel eyes peeked up from her smartphone, stopping the video before she could finish it. "Let's try to wall run one more time."
"It's impossible, Noah. I can't do it." Kenzie plucked out her earbuds and laid her phone on a small nearby table, wrapping the handset with the long obnoxious white cord. "Besides, is a wall run really necessary? When is this ever going to come into play during a wrestling match?"
"You never know when a no-DQ match might go backstage in the future," Noah answered a little smugly, sticking a hand in the pocket of his jeans. "Besides, maneuverability is going to be important in your next matchup. You move the right way, perform some unpredictable moves he doesn't expect, and Chuck Matthews won't even see the jackknife kick coming straight for his arrogant jaw."
"And Aurora?" Kenzie smirked at Noah's confidence in her, resting a hand on her hip. "Chuck hasn't fought in months, but Aurora's been up against Tyson recently. She's probably the real challenge."
"Don't underestimate Chuck Matthews," the redhead responded matter-a-factly. "He's a tactician. You're going to need to bring your absolute A-game to beat him, and the same goes for Aurora Graves."
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right. I-- Wait. How can a jaw be arrogant?"
"Are you just going to keep making fun of me, or are you going to do this?" Noah chuckled at the thought, poking fun at himself as he watched Kenzie put on all of her protective gear. Her kneepads slid on over her tights and her elbowpads fit like a glove. Once she stood up straight, Kenzie looked around to see that Noah was the only one here today. Spencer was working at The Trench today, while Jack Napier and Laura King were running late thanks to traffic.
The gym was like a warehouse with a rundown wrestling ring at the center while exercise equipment wrapped around it like a horseshoe. The walls were lined with inspirational posters, along with the official #FSociety Cold Dawn artwork as well as Redemption Wrestling's Ultimate Resolve. The ceiling was held up with rafters and beams, but it was stable enough. Needless to say, it was a cheap place, but the fact that Spencer shelled out enough money to make it their own personal training spot still meant a lot to Kenzie.
Spencer recently assembled a group of friends they knew back in wrestling school, and now with each one specializing in a different in-ring expertise, it was easy to see why Kenzie was more than fired up to keep learning new techniques that she's never even considered before.
Today was about parkour.
Noah Auburn knew the topic well, He demonstrated the fact that running on the wall was possible earlier that morning, but Kenzie couldn't quite stick the landing. Quite a few times, she smashed against the tiled floor face-first and it wasn't pretty. Now that she had the time to rest and rewatch the 'Dear Future Kenzie' video, she was ready to try it again.
"Deep breath. In. Out. Focus, Kenzie," Noah instructed softly, watching her change stances. One leg extended behind her while the other bent in front. She looked like she was about to run a fifty yard dash or jump over a few hurdles. Of course, this was one hurdle she couldn't clear.
With a fury of energy, Kenzie sprinted as fast as she could. Close enough to hug the wall, she threw caution to the wind and made her jump. Stepping across the vertical wall was surreal, and as she took her second step, finally colliding back to solid ground with the soles of her combat boots, she smiled wider than she's smiled in a long time.
"I did it! Yes!!" She cheered, taking a victory lap around the wrestling ring until she heard a sound. The back door opened wide. Laura and Jack made their entrance, and as they bickered amongst each other, Laura finally spoke out in Kenzie's direction.
"What'd we miss?"
"I just ran on a wall," Kenzie replied happily, watching as Laura's hand raised for a high-five. Slap!
"Laura. Jack. You're here," Noah addressed, approaching the couple. "You ready to rewatch Cold Dawn?"
DATE: 03/16/17
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"Let me be the first to say thank you, Chuck Matthews."
Those were the first few words once you hit play on the new video. She was surprisingly genuine, standing in front of a green screen situated against a wall. The screen didn't look green, however. Instead, it was white in the video, a large picture of the Matthews Enterprises logo directly behind her.
"If it wasn't for you creating Matthews Enterprises, there's a chance I wouldn't even be here. That's right, Chuck. If it wasn't for you creating a company and then leaving it later - whether you were fired by the board of directors or left on your own two feet doesn't really matter - I might not even be able to call myself your opponent on the first episode of #FSociety season two."
She grinned at the odd circumstance.
"See, Matthew Enterprises is the owner of several businesses, subsidiaries as you will, but do you know the one I care about the most? On January 2016, your former company created OWN - the One World Network. For those of you aware of The Inferno Network that recently formed, OWN is like that, only less seedy and not filled with so many immoral assholes."
The OWN logo popped up behind Kenzie as she continued, crossing her arms as she continued.
"To quote the website, 'One World Network is unique in that, rather than rent out venues for televised shows, it instead utilizes facilities already owned and operated by its parent company. These venues are designed to be television-ready, with little preparation needed to begin taping.' It goes on to say that each of the venues are pretty different from one another so each brand has a different feel. Then it says that as OWN grows and expands, Matthews Enterprises continues to build and/or buy new venues as time goes on."
"For those of you who have a hard time deciphering business-speak like me, it's basically saying that there are a few independent wrestling venues across the country under the Matthews Enterprises banner, and one of the brands - The Trench - is lead by Spencer Walsh. That's right, guys. That Spencer."
Her index finger darted off-camera, pointing towards the computer where Spencer controlled the background of the green screen as the video recorded.
"In fact, right now we're inside The Trench: Nashville, deep in the heart of the promo suite upstairs. So the company that Chuck Matthews created is paying for this green screen, that camera, and this whole goddamn building! They're paying for The Trench: Seattle too, and they've been essentially paid for us to stay in our old Nashville apartment back in the day. If it wasn't for OWN, if it wasn't for Matthews Enterprises, we would have probably gotten evicted, and God knows where we'd end up after that!"
Kenzie smiled wide to the camera lens, slumping her hands in her pants pockets.
"So thank you, Chuck Matthews. Thank you for creating the company that put food on our table. Thank you for creating the company generous enough to hire Spencer, and I'm not being sarcastic either. I'm being one hundred percent serious."
She nodded firmly.
"I know you haven't watched #FSociety season one. I know you don't love wrestling the way I do. I know you were at least partially to blame for EXODUS - the first federation that hired me - closing down after my first and only appearance in the battle royal that introduced me to Adrien Cochrane. I eliminated him, but hey, I gained a mentor out of the deal, so it was for the best, right?"
Laughing, she continued as the picture of the EXODUS logo transitioned into Chuck Matthews himself.
"I'm not stupid enough to say that you're not befitting of the nickname 'The Smartest Man In Wrestling.' I'm not going to threaten to end your career, and I'm not going to make empty threats like everyone else. No. I'm going to talk to you like a person, stripped bare of all the eccentricities that you put on every time you record a promo of your own. Okay?"
A row of the championships Chuck Matthews has won over the nine years of competing show up as the backdrop, Kenzie's shadow subtly over the pieces of gold and leather.
"I get it. You see the world differently than I do. You see the business side of things, the inner-workings of wrestling and companies that I frankly don't really care about. Spencer helps me with the business side of things, making sure my contracts are in order and my pay isn't too low. And yeah, I see championships as more than you do. I see them as tokens for your good work, an admission that you're one of the best the company has on the roster at that point. I see them as a step towards greatness while you see them as a toy or a publicity accessory. I know nothing I ever say will make you feel differently, and I know no order of words will ever make you see that championships matter more than you or Ana Hayden think they do. If you don't care about achieving championships, then that's your prerogative, it's just..."
With a pause, Kenzie rolled her hands into fists.
"I pray to God that when I've been doing this for nine years, I never become like you. I hope I never see championships as worthless junk, and I hope I never keep wrestling just because I'm good at it. I love this sport. I love the pageantry, the showmanship, the athleticism, and the day that I start to lose interest in everything happening around me, I'm gone. I'm on the hunt for a masters degree in some university somewhere and I'll never step into a ring again. Mark my words."
"You might think wrestling's about stocks and money, business dealings and political maneuvering, but I see it as so much more. I see the crowd who want you to entertain them enough that it takes them away from all their problems and responsibilities for a little while. I see a stage where you can be larger than yourself, an outlet to show people whatever you want to show them. Wrestling's an artform. Wrestling's filled with countless people passionate enough to envelop themselves in the culture, in the feeling that can't be described in words when you walk out that curtain and get a response."
A picture of Matthew Enterprises stock slid behind her, along with several pictures of Kenzie meeting with several excited fans after a few recent shows.
"Maybe I'm wrong. And maybe you're right, Chuck. I don't have all the answers, but honestly? None of that matters right now. Maybe wrestling is whatever you want it to be, it's just based on your perspective. So you can think whatever you want. You can go head first into whatever goal you want to achieve here in #FSociety, and one match against Aurora and I isn't going to stop you. That's the honest truth."
"You won't give up after one loss. You won't curl up into a ball and cry yourself to sleep at night until Betsy can cheer you up again. I know you're stronger than that. I know that you won't even have to adjust your plan. You'll just have to fight in the second episode of #FSociety season two with a blemish on your record that you haven't had in a long time, and you won't show a shred of weakness in public."
The #FSociety Anarchy logo was easy on the eyes.
"That's one thing I like about you, Chuck. You have a goal, and you accomplish it. I may not agree on the specifics. I may not like the idea of you closing down companies or earning championships you don't give a fuck about, but... You have persistence. You have an undying need to do whatever it takes to succeed, and judging by your actions on Twitter, I know that underneath all the bravado is a genuine person that wants yourself and Betsy to be happy. I admire that. I can relate to that."
"And I know, I know. You're going to be coy and tell me that it's all an act. You're going to play it up like I don't understand you, and that there's no way I of all people could relate to you, but it's true. I'll be ready for when you put up your armor, though. I know you'll relentlessly assault me with your words for saying such a thing, but we both know everything I've been saying is true."
Kenzie paused and smiled softly in front of the Anarchy logo.
"So here it is. I finally get to fight Chuck Matthews, and just to make it clear, Chuck Matthews is not a joke. As Inferno Champion in the closing days of Inferno Wrestling, and countless other achievements beforehand, I understand he's not someone you can't take lightly."
"I consider this the semi-main event. I consider this one of those rare moments where I'm actually in an important match on the card, and I know this won't be the last. In #FSociety season two, I can promise that you'll get the best Kenzie Rydell you've ever seen, and it's not a Kenzie that looks back at the past. It's someone who looks towards the future, and as things look right now, I'm going to start this season with a bang!"
"That's why I'm going to beat Aurora Graves and Chuck Matthews. That's right. I said it. And that's not an empty threat either."
Kenzie smirked defiantly.
"See, the thing that both of my opponents have in common is that they see this match and they don't care. Chuck Matthews sees it as something he can do to cure his boredom while Aurora questions why this match is even happening. And while I respect the two of them in very different ways, it's obvious who cares the most out of anyone else in this match. It's easy to see I'm the only one who's willing to give it all to come out the victor when the final bell rings."
"I'm not the most experienced, I admit it. I haven't achieved championship after championship like my opponents, but then again, I haven't grown complacent like them either. I can see the purpose of this match. I can see that beating talents like the final Inferno Champion and the four-time Tag Team Champion specialist within the year skyrockets my career, and not just for a couple weeks. Permanently."
"Aurora is too short sighted - asking what it gains her now - and Chuck sees things too long term. I'm in the Goldilocks zone. I understand the significance of this match, and I'm not going to let some tag team loss at Cold Dawn deter me from winning a career defining match!"
You thought she sounded more confident than she's been in a long time with the way she moved and the things she said. Maybe some of it was self-imposed. Maybe it was because she watched the video you watched before this. Or maybe she was finally maturing a bit.
"Chuck Matthews doesn't know how much I've improved since he last saw me. He hasn't been watching #FSociety season one. Aurora still sees me as the rookie who stepped out of Angelz Of Destruction the second I realized that what they hoped to accomplish only hurt me in the process. They had their sights on Gavin, and a real friend doesn't stab her friend in the back like that. So it's a good thing I left so soon too. The group faded into obscurity quicker than a John Blade promo, so I made the right choice."
The sudden jab at Angelz Of Destruction took you by surprise.
"Don't get me wrong, though. Aurora has been doing amazing lately in #FSociety and Redemption Wrestling alike, and it's honestly been surprising me. I mean, everyone thought she could only succeed as a tag team specialist, but she proved the world that she can go against Tyson Gregory, and that's no small feat! That deserves all the congratulations in the world, no matter what anybody else says."
"And see, once I beat Aurora, once I beat Chuck Matthews, what does that say about me? It says that I'm someone who's going to make season 2 of #FSociety her own, and I can stand on the same level as some of the best in this company. It means I can finally stop being some glorified midcarder, and I'll get my time in the sun."
"So if you think a bored Chuck Matthews who would rather attempt to make #ChuckAppreciationDay trend on Twitter or Aurora, who's pretty complacent over her loss, want this more than I do, you're fooling yourself. You're dead wrong and I'm going to prove it."
She crossed her arms again, smiling proudly for the camera.
"So let me be the first to say thank you again, Chuck Matthews."
"Let me be the first to say thank you to you too, Aurora Graves."
"Thank you for being so complacent. You guys are practically handing me the biggest victory of my whole career, but you're smart, right Chuck? You already saw this happening the second you saw I was your opponent."
Once the video faded to black, a third video popped up on the right-hand side of the screen. It was another recent promo by Kenzie herself, and as you hovered your cursor over the thumbnail, you prepared to click it.
DATE: 03/12/17
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"C'mon, Aurora! You can do it!" Kenzie shouted at the small television with glee, excitedly watching Cold Dawn with a bag of popcorn in her lap. Surrounded by the rest of the group, they watched as Kenzie forgot she was watching this to scout her opponent, and anyone else she might have to fight in the future and instead chose to watch as a fan.
"Kenzie, we watched this Pay-Per-View like, four times already," Spencer remarked with a chuckle, watching as his best friend shoveled popcorn into her mouth.
"I know, I know. And I know I should hate Aurora and all after the whole Angelz Of Destruction thing, but... Look at this, guys! She won't give up. They're putting on a clinic right now!"
"And not a health clinic," Jack responded like clockwork, smirking to himself as he watched the television set with everyone else.
"You think you can beat her, Kenz?" Laura chimed in.
"I don't know. I mean, I've trained every single day leading up to this match harder than I've ever trained before, but she's talented. It makes me think about that thing she said a while back about the diamond."
"What'd she say 'bout a diamond?" Jack asked as the match continued, eyes never leaving the screen.
"Pressure," Kenzie ate some more popcorn. "She said it takes pressure on a piece of coal to make a diamond. And I get the sentiment, it's fantastic, don't get me wrong, but I looked it up the other day... Apparently, that's a myth? Diamonds are formed deep underground, way further down than coal. Heat and pressure fuse atoms of carbon—"
"I'm sorry I asked," Jack bluntly responded with a smirk when—
"Rollup! C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! One! Two!!... Shit! Kickout." Kenzie didn't necessarily dislike Tyson Gregory at all, but of course, she was a fan of Aurora, whether she wanted to admit it before the match or not. "All I'm saying is, the pressure's on and she's in the best condition of her life. She doesn't look nervous or anything, she just looks... Determined, y'know?"
Kenzie ate some more popcorn as a few loose kernels slipped down her chin.
"I just hope I get to meet this Aurora in the ring when the first episode hits," she smiled wide, just enjoying the match like she was six years old with her father back home.
DATE: 03/18/17
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"#FSociety Season Two."
The woman's voice was serious once you hit the play button, Kenzie's arms to her side as she stood on a street corner in front of her hotel. The rhetorical question was a strong one, you thought.
"What does season two mean to you? Is it a new start? Is it the time where Chris Night, Drayton Macphereson and the others carry out their plan to find order in #FSociety? Does it mean nothing?"
You answered the question inside your head.
"There are all kinds of ways to look at the start of the new season, but I choose to believe that it's a healthy mixture of all three."
"Sure. It might just be a meaningless marketing ploy by Chris Night and the rest of the talking heads that lead The Inferno Network, but I'm going to make the most of it. I'm going to use the premiere of #FSociety season two to capitalize on the new opportunities I'm being handed. I'm going to answer Destiny's door, and I'm not going to let my own self-doubt sabotage my own success anymore."
"Things have been rough for me lately. It's undeniable, let's face it, but it's like my dad always says. When you feel the most tired and the most burnt out, you still have to push yourself to succeed. That's when you earn the most strength."
You remembered the 'Dear Future Kenzie' video and noticed the not-so-subtle callback.
"So Aurora wants to ask why this match is even happening? It's to see if she's strong enough to stay in the limelight. It's to make sure she still has what it takes to be one of the mainstays of the entire company, but the fact that she's just fine with her loss against Tyson Gregory... You might not think it's a big deal, but you're becoming almost as complacent as Chuck Matthews himself. You had the opportunity to become the #FSociety Champion, and you're not even the slightest bit angry? You're not even frustrated? Where's your passion? Where's your drive, Aurora? I know it's in you, I saw it when you fought at Cold Dawn."
It frustrated Kenzie just by saying the words.
"I want to fight the best Aurora Graves that you can be. I want to fight the woman who could take the #FSociety Champion to his limit. You wanna talk about the Angelz Of Destruction? Destroy us. Use your every skill to rip us to shreds, and then, even in the unlikely event that I lose, I can still say I lost to someone who gave it their all and then some."
"Now, I don't know what happens in your head. I don't know if you think Chuck Matthews is a threat or a nuisance, but he's the real deal. You need to bring your A-game if you think you can even come close to beating 'The Smartest Man In Wrestling.' And as for me..."
"I still have more passion for wrestling than the two of you combined! I have more drive, more perseverance, and I've trained 'til I couldn't even stand up every day since #FSociety season one came to a close! But sure, you can keep playing it up like I'm some scrappy underdog who shouldn't win this match. You can say I don't even deserve to be here, but we all know that's a lie too. Once I show you both what I can do between those ropes, you and everyone else will see why I'm still fighting in a #FSociety ring, and why I'm one of the best damn competitors on the roster!'
"So while you're reaching for a reason and Chuck's reaching for step one of a plan, I'll be reaching towards greatness. I'll be achieving what I could never achieve before, and while I respect the two of you in my own way, I'm going to do it at your expense."
Confidence exuded from has as she crossed her arms defiantly, her kindness wavering the more she spoke.
"Let me make something clear, Aurora. I'm willing to put a lid on the past. I closed that door when I beat Avery Miles III at the most recent Redemption Wrestling Pay-Per-View, Ultimate Resolve, even if he did hit me with a chair. I still have a splitting headache, but hopefully by the time of the show, that's all healed. Regardless, with season two on the horizon, there's no point in looking so far back, is there?"
"I said I respect you. I meant it. I even respect your point of view. Maybe your version of wrestling is right from your own perspective too. Maybe all we're doing is jumping over ourselves on a ladder, jockying for our own fifteen minutes of fame, but thoughts like that don't win matches. The way I see it, thoughts like that are how you make mistakes."
"Yes. I know you'll play coy just like Chuck. I know you'll call me a liar and tell me that I'm full of crap. I know you'll put me on blast for even considering the fact that a girl as inexperienced as me could ever defeat a multi-time champion like you, but when the multi-time champion stopped trying? Damn right the one with the most drive is going to come out the victor!"
"So c'mon. Give me your best. The both of you. No holding back. Let's entertain that crowd. Let's steal the fucking show and make #FSociety season two known for something other than a couple of stuffy suits trying to bring 'order' to #FSociety."
As the video reached its conclusion, Kenzie made sure to add one more thing.
"Just don't be surprised when I win. Against a guy who hasn't wrestled in months and a woman who doesn't give a shit about wrestling anymore, the winner becomes pretty obvious even before any of us have stepped between those ropes, right?"
DATE: 03/13/17
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Her eyes narrowed. She took her stance and examined the situation. A dummy stood just beside the wall, a brown quadriplegic with a stonefaced expression adorn his handsome features. He looked intimidating, his eyes peering Kenzie's way, silently asking her why she hasn't hit him yet. Clearly, he was getting cocky.
Kenzie took her stance against the wall and prepared to break out into a sprint as fast as she would go, and in an instant, her legs were moving against the wall, propelling her forward towards the taunting dummy. One step, then two steps. Finally, she took the third step and used it to leap towards her aggressor. With all her might, she turned in such a way that it made a jackknife kick possible, and as she watched the rubbery man drop to the floor, she stumbled to her feet and struggled to stay upright.
As she gripped the wall to keep her balance for a moment, she smiled. Maybe parkour would be useful for maneuverability in the ring after all. Not even 'The Smartest Man In Wrestling' would be abe to see it coming.
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"Dear Future Kenzie,"
Laden in sincerity and emotion, the Five Lakes Champion Kenzie Rydell reached from the past and touched the present day with every word she spoke. You could tell the video wasn't initially meant for public consumption, but as she continued to speak, you understood why it would be posted to YouTube now of all days.
"Hey. Remember me?"
The young Kenzie smiled meekly, sitting on her bed back in Nashville with her back slouched forward towards the camera.
"I made this video for you to watch whenever you felt overwhelmed. Whenever you feel like you forgot why you're here, or whenever you feel down on yourself after a loss. Just keep watching this video, okay? I'm going to help you the best I can."
She grinned a little wider, those innocent hazel eyes looking back at you through the monitor.
"You're going to compare yourself to other people, I know. You're going to compare yourself with Gavin Grimes or Ashleigh Jericho or Adrien Cochrane. You're going to compare yourself to someone I've never even met yet, and you're going to feel down on yourself sometimes. That's okay. I get it. Just remember to let it motivate you instead of letting it get you down. Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are today, right?"
"All those people you've put on those high pedestals? They're still people. They're still people just like you with problems and shortcomings whether they'll ever admit it or not. You just don't know them well enough to see it yet, that's all. And who knows? Maybe someone else puts you on one of those pedestals these days."
The younger Kenzie laughed at the thought of anyone seeing her as anything remotely like she saw other people. That spoke volumes to the kind of person she was, you thought to yourself. She was vulnerable, and she wasn't afraid to put this video up for everyone to see. The fact that she was willing to show you a personal moment like this was the epitome of the kind of person she was. Even if it helped just one person watching with their own life, it was worth sharing with the world.
She continued her open letter with excitement.
"Oh! That's another thing. Stay humble! Remember that those boots you wear are a modified replica of the combat boots you wore every single morning when you trained with Dad growing up since as far back as I can remember. He kept pushing you to keep running, to keep doing those exercises until you couldn't do it anymore. As much as you want to take a break, you know that you get the strongest when you fight through that muscle fatigue at the end, and you know that skipping a single day makes the next so much harder!"
What she said about the muscle fatigue was true. You remember hearing about that somewhere. When you get tired at the end is when you gain the most muscle. In a way, it was a fitting allegory to a lot of things in life. As she spoke, you noticed her nose crinkle up like a cute rabbit as she thought about having to train after missing a day. Obviously, it's happened before, and you knew it was probably a lot harder to get back into the swing of things once you spent an entire day being lazy in between.
"I know after high school, it felt like there were two options to make: You could either further your education by going to a college, or you could follow in Dad's footsteps by joining the Army. You trained for both. Every day, you exercised in the morning, even before school, and on the rare chance that you got in trouble, Dad made you exercise even more until you felt like you were going to die!"
She was exaggerating, of course. You knew because of the laugh at the end.
"You stayed after class when you weren't doing well in a subject in school - math and history, mostly - until the teacher answered enough questions that you finally grasped it. It was hard work, especially ROTC, but you knew you were prepared for whatever path you wanted to take. So, when the time came, what did you finally decide?"
She smiled wide with a genuine toothy grin.
"The third option: You chose wrestling school, with the caveat that you'd keep the promise you made to Dad and further your education the second you had the chance. If things didn't work out, you knew college was your next option, and it's always going to be the fallback plan in case, God forbid, something goes wrong."
You thought it was interesting to see that wrestling wasn't just a sport you watched on television every week or so. It was a decision to be made to the wrestlers themselves. It was a viable career path for those people who loved the sport enough. It was easy to forget sometimes, with the arrogant fighters always talking about how they were better than their opponents and whatnot, but in the end, each one of them loved the sport enough to make the same career decision just like a scientist or a teacher.
So, wrestlers are real people? It was almost hard to believe, but it was true.
"That's where you came from, Kenzie. I know sometimes you'll forget. You'll get so caught up in the wins and the championship opportunities that you'll forget the nights you spent watching wrestling with Dad back home. Maybe you'll forget the passion you have for what you're doing right now. Maybe you'll let this world consume you completely, and you'll get frustrated that maybe things aren't going your way. I get it. I understand that feeling, but you're on the right path. Just keep being the best Kenzie you can be, don't worry about what anyone else has to say, and you'll be fine. That's a promise I can make without a doubt."
The young woman from the past smiled reassuringly, her body language warm and honest.
"So stop and smell the roses. Cherish every single moment, whether it's good or it's bad. Let it digest. The people who got you to where you are today should be proud of you as long as you're fighting for what you think is right,"
That's when that smile disappeared.
"Sometimes you'll lose matches. Sometimes you'll have a misstep and you won't be able to answer the door when opportunity knocks. I know you get discouraged. I know you get mad at yourself and I know you get frustrated, but you know that you can learn way more from those losses than you'll ever learn when you win. Those pitfalls? They're just like muscle fatigue. You fight through it, and you become stronger than before. You just need to learn from it. You need to pinpoint the mistake you've made so it never happens again, and you need to use it to fire you up. You can do this, Kenzie. I know you can!"
Her excitement suddenly came back, encouraging her future self like she knew the words that would help her.
"You've improved so much since we've made this video. You've had so many new experiences, met so many new people, but you'll always be the same Kenzie. You're in charge of your future, and every time you feel like you need a boost, I want you to watch this video. Congratulations on every single victory since you last heard my voice, and keep everything I told you in mind when things aren't working out, okay?"
The video was starting to reach its conclusion, and as she neared the end of the open letter recorded in March of 2016, the fact that she even bothered to do this hit you hard. She knew she would be in a situation where she would need someone to encourage her. She knew enough to know that hard times would be ahead, and she took the time to record this video to help her get through all of those times. It was poetic, in a way.
"You're good enough, Kenzie. I know you're always reaching for greatness, but the truth is... You'll never reach it."
The video suddenly took a turn.
"You'll always hold yourself to such a high standard that even when you achieve everything you've set out to achieve today, you'll still never consider yourself great. You'll keep reaching, but the moment you think you've achieved it? The moment you think you've not only reached greatness, but you're the personification of it? That's the day you'll grow complacent, and you know what? I never want to become complacent."
Her words were powerful and loud.
"Keep fighting. Keep training every morning. Keep reaching for greatness, but never stop believing in yourself. You're here for a reason, Kenzie. Now go out there and show the fucking world!"
As the YouTube video finally came to a conclusion, another Kenzie promo was clickable on the right side of the screen. This one wasn't recorded in March of 2016, though. This new video was recorded in March of 2017.
DATE: 03/10/17
CAMERA STATUS: ON / OFF
"—and you know what? I never want to become complacent. Keep fighting. Keep—"
"Kenzie! Look alive," Noah Auburn shouted, watching as Kenzie's hazel eyes peeked up from her smartphone, stopping the video before she could finish it. "Let's try to wall run one more time."
"It's impossible, Noah. I can't do it." Kenzie plucked out her earbuds and laid her phone on a small nearby table, wrapping the handset with the long obnoxious white cord. "Besides, is a wall run really necessary? When is this ever going to come into play during a wrestling match?"
"You never know when a no-DQ match might go backstage in the future," Noah answered a little smugly, sticking a hand in the pocket of his jeans. "Besides, maneuverability is going to be important in your next matchup. You move the right way, perform some unpredictable moves he doesn't expect, and Chuck Matthews won't even see the jackknife kick coming straight for his arrogant jaw."
"And Aurora?" Kenzie smirked at Noah's confidence in her, resting a hand on her hip. "Chuck hasn't fought in months, but Aurora's been up against Tyson recently. She's probably the real challenge."
"Don't underestimate Chuck Matthews," the redhead responded matter-a-factly. "He's a tactician. You're going to need to bring your absolute A-game to beat him, and the same goes for Aurora Graves."
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right. I-- Wait. How can a jaw be arrogant?"
"Are you just going to keep making fun of me, or are you going to do this?" Noah chuckled at the thought, poking fun at himself as he watched Kenzie put on all of her protective gear. Her kneepads slid on over her tights and her elbowpads fit like a glove. Once she stood up straight, Kenzie looked around to see that Noah was the only one here today. Spencer was working at The Trench today, while Jack Napier and Laura King were running late thanks to traffic.
The gym was like a warehouse with a rundown wrestling ring at the center while exercise equipment wrapped around it like a horseshoe. The walls were lined with inspirational posters, along with the official #FSociety Cold Dawn artwork as well as Redemption Wrestling's Ultimate Resolve. The ceiling was held up with rafters and beams, but it was stable enough. Needless to say, it was a cheap place, but the fact that Spencer shelled out enough money to make it their own personal training spot still meant a lot to Kenzie.
Spencer recently assembled a group of friends they knew back in wrestling school, and now with each one specializing in a different in-ring expertise, it was easy to see why Kenzie was more than fired up to keep learning new techniques that she's never even considered before.
Today was about parkour.
Noah Auburn knew the topic well, He demonstrated the fact that running on the wall was possible earlier that morning, but Kenzie couldn't quite stick the landing. Quite a few times, she smashed against the tiled floor face-first and it wasn't pretty. Now that she had the time to rest and rewatch the 'Dear Future Kenzie' video, she was ready to try it again.
"Deep breath. In. Out. Focus, Kenzie," Noah instructed softly, watching her change stances. One leg extended behind her while the other bent in front. She looked like she was about to run a fifty yard dash or jump over a few hurdles. Of course, this was one hurdle she couldn't clear.
With a fury of energy, Kenzie sprinted as fast as she could. Close enough to hug the wall, she threw caution to the wind and made her jump. Stepping across the vertical wall was surreal, and as she took her second step, finally colliding back to solid ground with the soles of her combat boots, she smiled wider than she's smiled in a long time.
"I did it! Yes!!" She cheered, taking a victory lap around the wrestling ring until she heard a sound. The back door opened wide. Laura and Jack made their entrance, and as they bickered amongst each other, Laura finally spoke out in Kenzie's direction.
"What'd we miss?"
"I just ran on a wall," Kenzie replied happily, watching as Laura's hand raised for a high-five. Slap!
"Laura. Jack. You're here," Noah addressed, approaching the couple. "You ready to rewatch Cold Dawn?"
DATE: 03/16/17
CAMERA STATUS: ON / OFF
"Let me be the first to say thank you, Chuck Matthews."
Those were the first few words once you hit play on the new video. She was surprisingly genuine, standing in front of a green screen situated against a wall. The screen didn't look green, however. Instead, it was white in the video, a large picture of the Matthews Enterprises logo directly behind her.
"If it wasn't for you creating Matthews Enterprises, there's a chance I wouldn't even be here. That's right, Chuck. If it wasn't for you creating a company and then leaving it later - whether you were fired by the board of directors or left on your own two feet doesn't really matter - I might not even be able to call myself your opponent on the first episode of #FSociety season two."
She grinned at the odd circumstance.
"See, Matthew Enterprises is the owner of several businesses, subsidiaries as you will, but do you know the one I care about the most? On January 2016, your former company created OWN - the One World Network. For those of you aware of The Inferno Network that recently formed, OWN is like that, only less seedy and not filled with so many immoral assholes."
The OWN logo popped up behind Kenzie as she continued, crossing her arms as she continued.
"To quote the website, 'One World Network is unique in that, rather than rent out venues for televised shows, it instead utilizes facilities already owned and operated by its parent company. These venues are designed to be television-ready, with little preparation needed to begin taping.' It goes on to say that each of the venues are pretty different from one another so each brand has a different feel. Then it says that as OWN grows and expands, Matthews Enterprises continues to build and/or buy new venues as time goes on."
"For those of you who have a hard time deciphering business-speak like me, it's basically saying that there are a few independent wrestling venues across the country under the Matthews Enterprises banner, and one of the brands - The Trench - is lead by Spencer Walsh. That's right, guys. That Spencer."
Her index finger darted off-camera, pointing towards the computer where Spencer controlled the background of the green screen as the video recorded.
"In fact, right now we're inside The Trench: Nashville, deep in the heart of the promo suite upstairs. So the company that Chuck Matthews created is paying for this green screen, that camera, and this whole goddamn building! They're paying for The Trench: Seattle too, and they've been essentially paid for us to stay in our old Nashville apartment back in the day. If it wasn't for OWN, if it wasn't for Matthews Enterprises, we would have probably gotten evicted, and God knows where we'd end up after that!"
Kenzie smiled wide to the camera lens, slumping her hands in her pants pockets.
"So thank you, Chuck Matthews. Thank you for creating the company that put food on our table. Thank you for creating the company generous enough to hire Spencer, and I'm not being sarcastic either. I'm being one hundred percent serious."
She nodded firmly.
"I know you haven't watched #FSociety season one. I know you don't love wrestling the way I do. I know you were at least partially to blame for EXODUS - the first federation that hired me - closing down after my first and only appearance in the battle royal that introduced me to Adrien Cochrane. I eliminated him, but hey, I gained a mentor out of the deal, so it was for the best, right?"
Laughing, she continued as the picture of the EXODUS logo transitioned into Chuck Matthews himself.
"I'm not stupid enough to say that you're not befitting of the nickname 'The Smartest Man In Wrestling.' I'm not going to threaten to end your career, and I'm not going to make empty threats like everyone else. No. I'm going to talk to you like a person, stripped bare of all the eccentricities that you put on every time you record a promo of your own. Okay?"
A row of the championships Chuck Matthews has won over the nine years of competing show up as the backdrop, Kenzie's shadow subtly over the pieces of gold and leather.
"I get it. You see the world differently than I do. You see the business side of things, the inner-workings of wrestling and companies that I frankly don't really care about. Spencer helps me with the business side of things, making sure my contracts are in order and my pay isn't too low. And yeah, I see championships as more than you do. I see them as tokens for your good work, an admission that you're one of the best the company has on the roster at that point. I see them as a step towards greatness while you see them as a toy or a publicity accessory. I know nothing I ever say will make you feel differently, and I know no order of words will ever make you see that championships matter more than you or Ana Hayden think they do. If you don't care about achieving championships, then that's your prerogative, it's just..."
With a pause, Kenzie rolled her hands into fists.
"I pray to God that when I've been doing this for nine years, I never become like you. I hope I never see championships as worthless junk, and I hope I never keep wrestling just because I'm good at it. I love this sport. I love the pageantry, the showmanship, the athleticism, and the day that I start to lose interest in everything happening around me, I'm gone. I'm on the hunt for a masters degree in some university somewhere and I'll never step into a ring again. Mark my words."
"You might think wrestling's about stocks and money, business dealings and political maneuvering, but I see it as so much more. I see the crowd who want you to entertain them enough that it takes them away from all their problems and responsibilities for a little while. I see a stage where you can be larger than yourself, an outlet to show people whatever you want to show them. Wrestling's an artform. Wrestling's filled with countless people passionate enough to envelop themselves in the culture, in the feeling that can't be described in words when you walk out that curtain and get a response."
A picture of Matthew Enterprises stock slid behind her, along with several pictures of Kenzie meeting with several excited fans after a few recent shows.
"Maybe I'm wrong. And maybe you're right, Chuck. I don't have all the answers, but honestly? None of that matters right now. Maybe wrestling is whatever you want it to be, it's just based on your perspective. So you can think whatever you want. You can go head first into whatever goal you want to achieve here in #FSociety, and one match against Aurora and I isn't going to stop you. That's the honest truth."
"You won't give up after one loss. You won't curl up into a ball and cry yourself to sleep at night until Betsy can cheer you up again. I know you're stronger than that. I know that you won't even have to adjust your plan. You'll just have to fight in the second episode of #FSociety season two with a blemish on your record that you haven't had in a long time, and you won't show a shred of weakness in public."
The #FSociety Anarchy logo was easy on the eyes.
"That's one thing I like about you, Chuck. You have a goal, and you accomplish it. I may not agree on the specifics. I may not like the idea of you closing down companies or earning championships you don't give a fuck about, but... You have persistence. You have an undying need to do whatever it takes to succeed, and judging by your actions on Twitter, I know that underneath all the bravado is a genuine person that wants yourself and Betsy to be happy. I admire that. I can relate to that."
"And I know, I know. You're going to be coy and tell me that it's all an act. You're going to play it up like I don't understand you, and that there's no way I of all people could relate to you, but it's true. I'll be ready for when you put up your armor, though. I know you'll relentlessly assault me with your words for saying such a thing, but we both know everything I've been saying is true."
Kenzie paused and smiled softly in front of the Anarchy logo.
"So here it is. I finally get to fight Chuck Matthews, and just to make it clear, Chuck Matthews is not a joke. As Inferno Champion in the closing days of Inferno Wrestling, and countless other achievements beforehand, I understand he's not someone you can't take lightly."
"I consider this the semi-main event. I consider this one of those rare moments where I'm actually in an important match on the card, and I know this won't be the last. In #FSociety season two, I can promise that you'll get the best Kenzie Rydell you've ever seen, and it's not a Kenzie that looks back at the past. It's someone who looks towards the future, and as things look right now, I'm going to start this season with a bang!"
"That's why I'm going to beat Aurora Graves and Chuck Matthews. That's right. I said it. And that's not an empty threat either."
Kenzie smirked defiantly.
"See, the thing that both of my opponents have in common is that they see this match and they don't care. Chuck Matthews sees it as something he can do to cure his boredom while Aurora questions why this match is even happening. And while I respect the two of them in very different ways, it's obvious who cares the most out of anyone else in this match. It's easy to see I'm the only one who's willing to give it all to come out the victor when the final bell rings."
"I'm not the most experienced, I admit it. I haven't achieved championship after championship like my opponents, but then again, I haven't grown complacent like them either. I can see the purpose of this match. I can see that beating talents like the final Inferno Champion and the four-time Tag Team Champion specialist within the year skyrockets my career, and not just for a couple weeks. Permanently."
"Aurora is too short sighted - asking what it gains her now - and Chuck sees things too long term. I'm in the Goldilocks zone. I understand the significance of this match, and I'm not going to let some tag team loss at Cold Dawn deter me from winning a career defining match!"
You thought she sounded more confident than she's been in a long time with the way she moved and the things she said. Maybe some of it was self-imposed. Maybe it was because she watched the video you watched before this. Or maybe she was finally maturing a bit.
"Chuck Matthews doesn't know how much I've improved since he last saw me. He hasn't been watching #FSociety season one. Aurora still sees me as the rookie who stepped out of Angelz Of Destruction the second I realized that what they hoped to accomplish only hurt me in the process. They had their sights on Gavin, and a real friend doesn't stab her friend in the back like that. So it's a good thing I left so soon too. The group faded into obscurity quicker than a John Blade promo, so I made the right choice."
The sudden jab at Angelz Of Destruction took you by surprise.
"Don't get me wrong, though. Aurora has been doing amazing lately in #FSociety and Redemption Wrestling alike, and it's honestly been surprising me. I mean, everyone thought she could only succeed as a tag team specialist, but she proved the world that she can go against Tyson Gregory, and that's no small feat! That deserves all the congratulations in the world, no matter what anybody else says."
"And see, once I beat Aurora, once I beat Chuck Matthews, what does that say about me? It says that I'm someone who's going to make season 2 of #FSociety her own, and I can stand on the same level as some of the best in this company. It means I can finally stop being some glorified midcarder, and I'll get my time in the sun."
"So if you think a bored Chuck Matthews who would rather attempt to make #ChuckAppreciationDay trend on Twitter or Aurora, who's pretty complacent over her loss, want this more than I do, you're fooling yourself. You're dead wrong and I'm going to prove it."
She crossed her arms again, smiling proudly for the camera.
"So let me be the first to say thank you again, Chuck Matthews."
"Let me be the first to say thank you to you too, Aurora Graves."
"Thank you for being so complacent. You guys are practically handing me the biggest victory of my whole career, but you're smart, right Chuck? You already saw this happening the second you saw I was your opponent."
Once the video faded to black, a third video popped up on the right-hand side of the screen. It was another recent promo by Kenzie herself, and as you hovered your cursor over the thumbnail, you prepared to click it.
DATE: 03/12/17
CAMERA STATUS: ON / OFF
"C'mon, Aurora! You can do it!" Kenzie shouted at the small television with glee, excitedly watching Cold Dawn with a bag of popcorn in her lap. Surrounded by the rest of the group, they watched as Kenzie forgot she was watching this to scout her opponent, and anyone else she might have to fight in the future and instead chose to watch as a fan.
"Kenzie, we watched this Pay-Per-View like, four times already," Spencer remarked with a chuckle, watching as his best friend shoveled popcorn into her mouth.
"I know, I know. And I know I should hate Aurora and all after the whole Angelz Of Destruction thing, but... Look at this, guys! She won't give up. They're putting on a clinic right now!"
"And not a health clinic," Jack responded like clockwork, smirking to himself as he watched the television set with everyone else.
"You think you can beat her, Kenz?" Laura chimed in.
"I don't know. I mean, I've trained every single day leading up to this match harder than I've ever trained before, but she's talented. It makes me think about that thing she said a while back about the diamond."
"What'd she say 'bout a diamond?" Jack asked as the match continued, eyes never leaving the screen.
"Pressure," Kenzie ate some more popcorn. "She said it takes pressure on a piece of coal to make a diamond. And I get the sentiment, it's fantastic, don't get me wrong, but I looked it up the other day... Apparently, that's a myth? Diamonds are formed deep underground, way further down than coal. Heat and pressure fuse atoms of carbon—"
"I'm sorry I asked," Jack bluntly responded with a smirk when—
"Rollup! C'mon, c'mon, c'mon! One! Two!!... Shit! Kickout." Kenzie didn't necessarily dislike Tyson Gregory at all, but of course, she was a fan of Aurora, whether she wanted to admit it before the match or not. "All I'm saying is, the pressure's on and she's in the best condition of her life. She doesn't look nervous or anything, she just looks... Determined, y'know?"
Kenzie ate some more popcorn as a few loose kernels slipped down her chin.
"I just hope I get to meet this Aurora in the ring when the first episode hits," she smiled wide, just enjoying the match like she was six years old with her father back home.
DATE: 03/18/17
CAMERA STATUS: ON / OFF
"#FSociety Season Two."
The woman's voice was serious once you hit the play button, Kenzie's arms to her side as she stood on a street corner in front of her hotel. The rhetorical question was a strong one, you thought.
"What does season two mean to you? Is it a new start? Is it the time where Chris Night, Drayton Macphereson and the others carry out their plan to find order in #FSociety? Does it mean nothing?"
You answered the question inside your head.
"There are all kinds of ways to look at the start of the new season, but I choose to believe that it's a healthy mixture of all three."
"Sure. It might just be a meaningless marketing ploy by Chris Night and the rest of the talking heads that lead The Inferno Network, but I'm going to make the most of it. I'm going to use the premiere of #FSociety season two to capitalize on the new opportunities I'm being handed. I'm going to answer Destiny's door, and I'm not going to let my own self-doubt sabotage my own success anymore."
"Things have been rough for me lately. It's undeniable, let's face it, but it's like my dad always says. When you feel the most tired and the most burnt out, you still have to push yourself to succeed. That's when you earn the most strength."
You remembered the 'Dear Future Kenzie' video and noticed the not-so-subtle callback.
"So Aurora wants to ask why this match is even happening? It's to see if she's strong enough to stay in the limelight. It's to make sure she still has what it takes to be one of the mainstays of the entire company, but the fact that she's just fine with her loss against Tyson Gregory... You might not think it's a big deal, but you're becoming almost as complacent as Chuck Matthews himself. You had the opportunity to become the #FSociety Champion, and you're not even the slightest bit angry? You're not even frustrated? Where's your passion? Where's your drive, Aurora? I know it's in you, I saw it when you fought at Cold Dawn."
It frustrated Kenzie just by saying the words.
"I want to fight the best Aurora Graves that you can be. I want to fight the woman who could take the #FSociety Champion to his limit. You wanna talk about the Angelz Of Destruction? Destroy us. Use your every skill to rip us to shreds, and then, even in the unlikely event that I lose, I can still say I lost to someone who gave it their all and then some."
"Now, I don't know what happens in your head. I don't know if you think Chuck Matthews is a threat or a nuisance, but he's the real deal. You need to bring your A-game if you think you can even come close to beating 'The Smartest Man In Wrestling.' And as for me..."
"I still have more passion for wrestling than the two of you combined! I have more drive, more perseverance, and I've trained 'til I couldn't even stand up every day since #FSociety season one came to a close! But sure, you can keep playing it up like I'm some scrappy underdog who shouldn't win this match. You can say I don't even deserve to be here, but we all know that's a lie too. Once I show you both what I can do between those ropes, you and everyone else will see why I'm still fighting in a #FSociety ring, and why I'm one of the best damn competitors on the roster!'
"So while you're reaching for a reason and Chuck's reaching for step one of a plan, I'll be reaching towards greatness. I'll be achieving what I could never achieve before, and while I respect the two of you in my own way, I'm going to do it at your expense."
Confidence exuded from has as she crossed her arms defiantly, her kindness wavering the more she spoke.
"Let me make something clear, Aurora. I'm willing to put a lid on the past. I closed that door when I beat Avery Miles III at the most recent Redemption Wrestling Pay-Per-View, Ultimate Resolve, even if he did hit me with a chair. I still have a splitting headache, but hopefully by the time of the show, that's all healed. Regardless, with season two on the horizon, there's no point in looking so far back, is there?"
"I said I respect you. I meant it. I even respect your point of view. Maybe your version of wrestling is right from your own perspective too. Maybe all we're doing is jumping over ourselves on a ladder, jockying for our own fifteen minutes of fame, but thoughts like that don't win matches. The way I see it, thoughts like that are how you make mistakes."
"Yes. I know you'll play coy just like Chuck. I know you'll call me a liar and tell me that I'm full of crap. I know you'll put me on blast for even considering the fact that a girl as inexperienced as me could ever defeat a multi-time champion like you, but when the multi-time champion stopped trying? Damn right the one with the most drive is going to come out the victor!"
"So c'mon. Give me your best. The both of you. No holding back. Let's entertain that crowd. Let's steal the fucking show and make #FSociety season two known for something other than a couple of stuffy suits trying to bring 'order' to #FSociety."
As the video reached its conclusion, Kenzie made sure to add one more thing.
"Just don't be surprised when I win. Against a guy who hasn't wrestled in months and a woman who doesn't give a shit about wrestling anymore, the winner becomes pretty obvious even before any of us have stepped between those ropes, right?"
DATE: 03/13/17
CAMERA STATUS: ON / OFF
Her eyes narrowed. She took her stance and examined the situation. A dummy stood just beside the wall, a brown quadriplegic with a stonefaced expression adorn his handsome features. He looked intimidating, his eyes peering Kenzie's way, silently asking her why she hasn't hit him yet. Clearly, he was getting cocky.
Kenzie took her stance against the wall and prepared to break out into a sprint as fast as she would go, and in an instant, her legs were moving against the wall, propelling her forward towards the taunting dummy. One step, then two steps. Finally, she took the third step and used it to leap towards her aggressor. With all her might, she turned in such a way that it made a jackknife kick possible, and as she watched the rubbery man drop to the floor, she stumbled to her feet and struggled to stay upright.
As she gripped the wall to keep her balance for a moment, she smiled. Maybe parkour would be useful for maneuverability in the ring after all. Not even 'The Smartest Man In Wrestling' would be abe to see it coming.
