Post by kris on Jan 15, 2012 21:35:28 GMT -5
Ever since I first set foot in this company, I've fought an uphill battle for credibility-- for the mere right to be acknowledged as someone to be reckoned with rather than overlooked simply on the basis of my gender… and at Prestige? I dealt the opposition that would try to hold me down one… one Hell of a blow.
There had been a time that Natalie had believed that her match at Prestige for the Lionheart Championship was going to be the most important bout of her career, dwarfing the other title bouts that she had been involved in over the years - and in some ways, it had been exactly that. She had finally became the holder of championship gold in a promotion populated by men… and willingly painted a gigantic bulls-eye in the middle of her back, making herself the target of the vast majority of the roster. The challenge isn't something she fears, not by a long shot. She's known that she would be looking at an even tougher fight to stay where she is than she had to get here ever since she climbed into the ring for the first time-- it's the nature of the beast, an animal that had taken its pound (or three) of flesh in the name of forcing her to become stronger. That doesn't mean that she hasn't reached another important conclusion, one that guided the firmness in her tone and the conviction in her eyes;
This is the most important match of her career.
To fall short in her first match since becoming champion would set her upon a dangerous slope, one that could devour her whole without so much as a moment's hesitation or mercy much as it had so many others. No, to establish herself as a credible, capable champion? Natalie needs to defeat her opponent, pin him for the three-count so as to ensure that she is taken seriously… and while it has been quite some time since most of EUW's roster had looked at her opponent with anything but a blend of disgust and pity, there's no denying that she is going to have her hands full with Stephen Callaway. There was still plenty of talent in him to take her down, if she wasn't careful-- but there was also opportunity, the chance to cleanse the man's presence from her title scene once and for all. It is the latter that the Southern Belle is bound and determined to pull off as she stands in the middle of the marble and maple space that is her foyer, blue eyes unflinching as she regards the camera. Dressed in a pair of chocolate-colored dress slacks and a high-collared white dress blouse, the Lionheart Championship is settled upon her right shoulder with care as Natalie nods in greeting at the camera's lens before she continues to speak.
My match against Mister Tenfold not only proved that I could stand, toe-to-toe, with one of the best and bravest young men to ever walk into this company… but that I could overcome him. It sure as sin wasn't easy, but I endured the kicks and punches, the falls and drops and throws-- and more importantly? I thrived beneath that pressure, drawing upon the strength inside of me to prove, once and for all, that I am far more than the role that a lot of the boys in the back would prefer to see me in, and that I am not going anywhere but up. I'm not going to fall into the same complacency, the same pitfall that I watched the previous champion fall into; instead?
I'm going to be the very definition of a fighting champion.
I will not turn down a single challenge-- and even when that sad, but inevitable day comes that I lose this title? Each and every time I walk down that ramp and get into the ring, I am going to keep fighting, keep digging in my heels and digging in my fingers to keep climbing the mountain until I, alone stand at its top… and when the day comes that I get my opportunity to go down in history as the first female world champion? Whoever I will be facing, be it Mister Titan or Mister Xplode or anyone else that has it in them to reach that pinnacle? Well, I hope they've packed themselves a nice, hearty lunch because even if I fall short, they're going to need everything in the tank-- and then some!-- to pin me to that canvas.
That determination... is what you will be climbing into the ring with, Mister Callaway.
The conviction in her eyes, the unflinching drive to keep bettering herself and her craft, to keep blazing the trail for any other young woman that was told to not dream so large… it's only grown stronger in the time between Prestige and now, something that should come as no surprise to anyone. Taking another deep breath, she raises her left hand to run it through her hair; there's a couple of band aids upon her fingers, covering where she's worked those digits harder than ever.
I know that there have been a lot of people on this roster, both that are still here and that are no longer in this company, that have looked down their nose at you, written you off without so much as a second thought. You can rest assured that you're not going to get that treatment from me, sir. Where they all saw someone that they considered to be beneath them, an easy win even? I see a competitor that was in the position I found myself in, walking into this company-- someone with all of the potential and the talent in the world, but no one willing to take them seriously. I know all about how upsetting that can be, to be condescended to and treated like I'm lower than dirt… but I also know just how potent of a motivator that can be, considering how that's what has been one of the driving forces that I myself have tapped into. Even if my title is not on the line, I know what a victory over me could mean for your career-- and while I do hope that the day comes that you prove those doubters wrong? Unfortunately I cannot, and I will not, allow you to do it at my expense. There is far too much at stake for me to simply roll over and let you by. Not only that, but handing you a gimme would be even more of an insult to you since it would suggest that you wouldn't be able to do it otherwise… and I highly doubt that's what you want. No, you want to remove all doubt and prove yourself to be a viable contender for my title-- something that you will properly need to earn since it seems that Mister Rivera's days at the helm of this company are coming to an end. While I am relieved at that, I also know that I need to do everything in my power to not only cement my position as someone worthy of carrying this belt, but to live up to what it stands for.
The blond nods to affirm her point, her gaze remaining on the camera's lens even as the thrum of a sound system's bass can be heard, dimly, in the background alongside of gravel crunching. Paying it no heed even when both sounds stop, she continues to speak.
You say that you are a man that researches your opponents, that does your homework. While that is something that is to be respected, there's only so far that watching tapes of me in the ring can accomplish… something that I hope you've learned, by now. Not only that, but who taught who what doesn't really factor into things as much as you think it does. To be able to be competent in that ring and to do what we do safely, yes, I'll grant that the who matters-- but beyond that? Quite frankly, I could care less who taught you how to do your particular superkick, or how to do anything else in that ring-- all the more that matters is how well you have learned to perform, something that seems to be the albatross around your neck. While you've shown signs of ditching it in your match against Mister King, the specter still lingers on-- and I know you're desperate to get away from it. That is why I will not pull a single blessed kick, and that is why you're going to find yourself on the receiving end of every last ounce of my willpower and heart that I've got. To put it bluntly, Mister Callway?
THOU SHALL NOT PASS!
…and without so much as knocking to see if he's interrupting his girlfriend, Brandon Young just pipes up as he opens the door, a large black duffel bag in one hand while he cradles the EUW Hardkore Title to his other shoulder. Unable to help but chuckle softly, the Southern Belle gives the Young Gun a mock-glare.
Brandon, sugah, light of my life, I love you--
Aww, I love you too!
Her boyfriend cuts her off as he walks up to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek… which does nothing to lessen that feigned look of irritation. One of his brows quirk.
And what's that look for? There's never a bad time for a Tolkien reference!
He grins at her for a moment before... finally noticing the camera crew, the blond shaking her head while an amused smile tugs at her lips.
...oh. Er, my bad.
Brandon chuckles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Chuckling to herself, Natalie leans up and presses her lips lightly to his in a gentle kiss.
Go on upstairs. I'll join you in a moment, okay?
Upstairs, eh..?
He smirks a bit, wraggling his eyebrows before kissing her back... and that smirk only widens when he sees just how brightly she's blushing at him.
As you wish.
And, with that, he treks up the stairs behind where the Southern Belle is standing. She watches him go with a faraway look in her eyes and a lovestruck smile on her lips… and her gaze remains there until the cameraman clears his throat softly. Startling back to reality, a sheepish smile tugs at her lips.
Sorry about that… well, you know how Young love is, eheh.
A deep breath to gather herself and that focus returns with a vengeance, those past stumbles-- and being around someone as rambunctious as her boyfriend-- helping her to get back to that all-important mental state.
But as I was saying-- if you expect to have a chance at beating me, then I highly recommend that you do the same. Leave it all out there in the middle of the squared circle, Mister Callaway, because I can guarantee that if you don't? Then your chances of overcoming me are pretty much nonexistent. You can talk about how you're ready to take on someone that has been strengthened by the trials and tribulations that they have been through but, at the end of the day, you will find out the hard way that there is a world of difference between talking the talk… and walking the walk. And sugah?
The blond leans forward slightly, as if she's able to get right up in his face in that very moment instead of having to use the camera's lens as a proxy.
You had best believe that I will be doing all I can to ensure that I walk all over you.
Straightening back up, Natalie nods at the camera in parting.
Now if you'll excuse me, I really must be going. Lord only knows what trouble Brandon can get into up there unsupervised. Good luck, Mister Callaway. Trust me when I say that you'll need it.
Everything fades to black as Natalie turns and ascends the stairs herself, the sound of her ballet flats lightly clacking against the marble beneath them echoing even after the visual has faded entirely.
There had been a time that Natalie had believed that her match at Prestige for the Lionheart Championship was going to be the most important bout of her career, dwarfing the other title bouts that she had been involved in over the years - and in some ways, it had been exactly that. She had finally became the holder of championship gold in a promotion populated by men… and willingly painted a gigantic bulls-eye in the middle of her back, making herself the target of the vast majority of the roster. The challenge isn't something she fears, not by a long shot. She's known that she would be looking at an even tougher fight to stay where she is than she had to get here ever since she climbed into the ring for the first time-- it's the nature of the beast, an animal that had taken its pound (or three) of flesh in the name of forcing her to become stronger. That doesn't mean that she hasn't reached another important conclusion, one that guided the firmness in her tone and the conviction in her eyes;
This is the most important match of her career.
To fall short in her first match since becoming champion would set her upon a dangerous slope, one that could devour her whole without so much as a moment's hesitation or mercy much as it had so many others. No, to establish herself as a credible, capable champion? Natalie needs to defeat her opponent, pin him for the three-count so as to ensure that she is taken seriously… and while it has been quite some time since most of EUW's roster had looked at her opponent with anything but a blend of disgust and pity, there's no denying that she is going to have her hands full with Stephen Callaway. There was still plenty of talent in him to take her down, if she wasn't careful-- but there was also opportunity, the chance to cleanse the man's presence from her title scene once and for all. It is the latter that the Southern Belle is bound and determined to pull off as she stands in the middle of the marble and maple space that is her foyer, blue eyes unflinching as she regards the camera. Dressed in a pair of chocolate-colored dress slacks and a high-collared white dress blouse, the Lionheart Championship is settled upon her right shoulder with care as Natalie nods in greeting at the camera's lens before she continues to speak.
My match against Mister Tenfold not only proved that I could stand, toe-to-toe, with one of the best and bravest young men to ever walk into this company… but that I could overcome him. It sure as sin wasn't easy, but I endured the kicks and punches, the falls and drops and throws-- and more importantly? I thrived beneath that pressure, drawing upon the strength inside of me to prove, once and for all, that I am far more than the role that a lot of the boys in the back would prefer to see me in, and that I am not going anywhere but up. I'm not going to fall into the same complacency, the same pitfall that I watched the previous champion fall into; instead?
I'm going to be the very definition of a fighting champion.
I will not turn down a single challenge-- and even when that sad, but inevitable day comes that I lose this title? Each and every time I walk down that ramp and get into the ring, I am going to keep fighting, keep digging in my heels and digging in my fingers to keep climbing the mountain until I, alone stand at its top… and when the day comes that I get my opportunity to go down in history as the first female world champion? Whoever I will be facing, be it Mister Titan or Mister Xplode or anyone else that has it in them to reach that pinnacle? Well, I hope they've packed themselves a nice, hearty lunch because even if I fall short, they're going to need everything in the tank-- and then some!-- to pin me to that canvas.
That determination... is what you will be climbing into the ring with, Mister Callaway.
The conviction in her eyes, the unflinching drive to keep bettering herself and her craft, to keep blazing the trail for any other young woman that was told to not dream so large… it's only grown stronger in the time between Prestige and now, something that should come as no surprise to anyone. Taking another deep breath, she raises her left hand to run it through her hair; there's a couple of band aids upon her fingers, covering where she's worked those digits harder than ever.
I know that there have been a lot of people on this roster, both that are still here and that are no longer in this company, that have looked down their nose at you, written you off without so much as a second thought. You can rest assured that you're not going to get that treatment from me, sir. Where they all saw someone that they considered to be beneath them, an easy win even? I see a competitor that was in the position I found myself in, walking into this company-- someone with all of the potential and the talent in the world, but no one willing to take them seriously. I know all about how upsetting that can be, to be condescended to and treated like I'm lower than dirt… but I also know just how potent of a motivator that can be, considering how that's what has been one of the driving forces that I myself have tapped into. Even if my title is not on the line, I know what a victory over me could mean for your career-- and while I do hope that the day comes that you prove those doubters wrong? Unfortunately I cannot, and I will not, allow you to do it at my expense. There is far too much at stake for me to simply roll over and let you by. Not only that, but handing you a gimme would be even more of an insult to you since it would suggest that you wouldn't be able to do it otherwise… and I highly doubt that's what you want. No, you want to remove all doubt and prove yourself to be a viable contender for my title-- something that you will properly need to earn since it seems that Mister Rivera's days at the helm of this company are coming to an end. While I am relieved at that, I also know that I need to do everything in my power to not only cement my position as someone worthy of carrying this belt, but to live up to what it stands for.
The blond nods to affirm her point, her gaze remaining on the camera's lens even as the thrum of a sound system's bass can be heard, dimly, in the background alongside of gravel crunching. Paying it no heed even when both sounds stop, she continues to speak.
You say that you are a man that researches your opponents, that does your homework. While that is something that is to be respected, there's only so far that watching tapes of me in the ring can accomplish… something that I hope you've learned, by now. Not only that, but who taught who what doesn't really factor into things as much as you think it does. To be able to be competent in that ring and to do what we do safely, yes, I'll grant that the who matters-- but beyond that? Quite frankly, I could care less who taught you how to do your particular superkick, or how to do anything else in that ring-- all the more that matters is how well you have learned to perform, something that seems to be the albatross around your neck. While you've shown signs of ditching it in your match against Mister King, the specter still lingers on-- and I know you're desperate to get away from it. That is why I will not pull a single blessed kick, and that is why you're going to find yourself on the receiving end of every last ounce of my willpower and heart that I've got. To put it bluntly, Mister Callway?
THOU SHALL NOT PASS!
…and without so much as knocking to see if he's interrupting his girlfriend, Brandon Young just pipes up as he opens the door, a large black duffel bag in one hand while he cradles the EUW Hardkore Title to his other shoulder. Unable to help but chuckle softly, the Southern Belle gives the Young Gun a mock-glare.
Brandon, sugah, light of my life, I love you--
Aww, I love you too!
Her boyfriend cuts her off as he walks up to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and kissing her cheek… which does nothing to lessen that feigned look of irritation. One of his brows quirk.
And what's that look for? There's never a bad time for a Tolkien reference!
He grins at her for a moment before... finally noticing the camera crew, the blond shaking her head while an amused smile tugs at her lips.
...oh. Er, my bad.
Brandon chuckles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Chuckling to herself, Natalie leans up and presses her lips lightly to his in a gentle kiss.
Go on upstairs. I'll join you in a moment, okay?
Upstairs, eh..?
He smirks a bit, wraggling his eyebrows before kissing her back... and that smirk only widens when he sees just how brightly she's blushing at him.
As you wish.
And, with that, he treks up the stairs behind where the Southern Belle is standing. She watches him go with a faraway look in her eyes and a lovestruck smile on her lips… and her gaze remains there until the cameraman clears his throat softly. Startling back to reality, a sheepish smile tugs at her lips.
Sorry about that… well, you know how Young love is, eheh.
A deep breath to gather herself and that focus returns with a vengeance, those past stumbles-- and being around someone as rambunctious as her boyfriend-- helping her to get back to that all-important mental state.
But as I was saying-- if you expect to have a chance at beating me, then I highly recommend that you do the same. Leave it all out there in the middle of the squared circle, Mister Callaway, because I can guarantee that if you don't? Then your chances of overcoming me are pretty much nonexistent. You can talk about how you're ready to take on someone that has been strengthened by the trials and tribulations that they have been through but, at the end of the day, you will find out the hard way that there is a world of difference between talking the talk… and walking the walk. And sugah?
The blond leans forward slightly, as if she's able to get right up in his face in that very moment instead of having to use the camera's lens as a proxy.
You had best believe that I will be doing all I can to ensure that I walk all over you.
Straightening back up, Natalie nods at the camera in parting.
Now if you'll excuse me, I really must be going. Lord only knows what trouble Brandon can get into up there unsupervised. Good luck, Mister Callaway. Trust me when I say that you'll need it.
Everything fades to black as Natalie turns and ascends the stairs herself, the sound of her ballet flats lightly clacking against the marble beneath them echoing even after the visual has faded entirely.