There are so many different feelings and emotions that I am experiencing right now. All of my hard work and dedication to better myself in this company has started paying off. The countless nights that I found myself inside of a gym and pushing myself to go harder have come to this. There has been many people on this journey who thought that this would be a short stint for myself. There's a lot of people in that locker room who have been rooting against me since day one. Some young and some old. Walking into Territorial Invasion a little over a week ago I know that I had a lot to prove. I knew that I had to prove to myself that I can still be the top dog here in EAW. While I did not win a world championship, I walked out with the next best thing. It's normal for humans to sometimes doubt themselves. What if I'm just not good enough? What if I'm wasting my time? What if the guy standing across from me is just better than me? These are just a few of the questions I found myself pondering. However, I could not dwell on playing devil's advocate and not focusing on doing what I do best. That's winning. Not only did I prove to myself that I belong here in 2017 EAW. I prove a lot of these so called promising newcomers that this is still my company.


Week after week I found myself facing a lot of the talent from the new crop of extremist. In one way or another each and every one of them called me this washed up has-been who was attempting to relive old glory. Who's reliving glory now? Who's washed up? The fact of the matter is my best days are still ahead of me. The miles on my career are nothing but much needed experience to help me excel year after year. A lot of these young punks lack respect for guys who help put them in the position they're in. I remember being a newcomer who valued and respected the pioneers who helped create an opportunity for me to stand before the EAW Universe. While I wanted to beat and embarrass them if we crossed paths, respect is something that I never lacked to the people who came before. I knew that if I played my cards right I would be in their shoes one day. It would honestly suck to see someone who hasn't accomplish shit walk up to you and disrespect the legacy you have left. It's fine though. I'm not a fan of trying to talk someone into respect you and your craft. I'd much rather meet the bastard(s) in the ring and settle it like a real champion would. The funniest part about all of this is how guys who tried to bring me down along the way are on a treadmill repeating their same mistakes. Meanwhile, I am a flower who continues to blossom and get prettier each and every day. This company is in good hands with someone like me as champion. I can't clean up the mess that previous lackluster champions like Stark left within one week. But I will do my best to make sure this is one of the most significant championship reigns this company has seen.


This week on Showdown I'll be standing across from a ranger. A power ranger? May as well be. I don't know who this kid is and I'm sure he doesn't know who I am. I'll go ahead and break the ice by introducing myself. I am the Prince of Pheomenal. The National Extreme Champion. The Prince of Pedigree. The Pinnacle of Professional Wrestling. Honestly, I could go all day stroking myself and my ego but I'll save you the favor and get straight to the match. Who are you? Where are you from? Better yet, who train you? Do you think it's wise for him or her to let you in the ring with a talent like me? I don't plan on losing any time soon and I don't think my streak of wins will be threaten by you. I'll let you in on a little secret since I'm sure you're new around here. This isn't a place for bright eyed youngsters who think the world is in front of them. This is a place for hungry warriors who have to constantly look over his or her shoulder. Just when you think you have everything figured out, the whole system is switched up. I am here to constantly change the standard of excellence and greatness here in EAW. You could look at one guy and say ''Hey, he was a great champion.''. Then someone like me comes along and completely re-defines the sport. That's why I am here. To re-define what we view as greatness. I look to continue my greatness this Saturday after I stand over you victoriously.


James Ranger.
Texas Ranger.
Walker Texas Ranger.


Doesn't matter.  POP in 3.

 
(Camera goes to a normal interview room set up but with only Azumi and camera crew. You can see the Ace of Empire wearing her brand new hoodie along with a baseball cap with the words “Assennayo” on it.)
 
What am I jealous of, Maddie?
 
You? Madison, do you see it in my eyes… I don’t get jealous, that emotion isn’t in my soul. And why should I? I’m the self-proclaimed best wrestler on Empire; I’m the living embodiment of Strong Style. I’m not jealous of a random chick from Tampa who has a kinky thing for being called “Mistress of Death”. Like I told you in the first place, I don’t have a sense of care for you, your past, your future, your present or even that Wal-Mart brand Jamie O’Hara that you’re dating. I simply don’t need to care because it's a waste of my time to care about someone as insignificant as you. Just putting time and effort talking about you is a pain, Madison and why? Because everything I say will enter through one ear of yours and leave through the other. There’s no point talking about you since all that ends up is your skimming through the crap that you can use as a material for your next response.
 
The-future-Mrs. Cetinich thinks that she’s this big deal as a hero for this show but NOPE! If you really were a big deal then you wouldn’t have struggled so much last week dealing with REVY OF ALL PEOPLE. See with me, people knew I was going into Day 2 but who knows with you… you can instantly turn into Choke Artist mode and lose. No matter how hard you tell yourself that I’m jealous of you but in your heart that this Ace isn’t jealous of some little girl that even The Coven ditched for an upgrade in Cailin Dillon. See Maddie… this is what I think of your claims at me being jealous. Let me tell you a really simple thing so that I can take you seriously.
 
DO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE! Like literally that’s all you need to do, I don’t care if you win the Tag Titles as a part of Bound by Fate or as I like to call them. Wal-mart brand Jameron. Or you can try to be something big on Empire which will be even harder since you’ll end being a laughing stock again. The real jealousy lies within your heart, jealous of the success of the other women, jealous of people who have Hall Of Fame careers while you’re just stuck at being alumni at best when you retire. Or maybe… in your heart, the jealousy you have is against The Ace. Jealous at the untested, unbreakable and the Unsung Heroine of Empire while you’ve had shot after shot to become something important in this division but you fizzle out and crash down. Look at me, do you see me fazed by any of the words you’ve said about me? NOPE. I can’t be fazed or stopped on my way to the top of the mountain. Here for me, a title shot comes around once every blue moon, I continue to work harder than any soul in this company and shots go to someone like you who will keep on losing those opportunities without making most of them.
 
There’s a reason why I can’t take you seriously at times and this is it. You keep on boosting your broken confidence with lies about your opponents being jealous.
 
See real truth is that I am THE ACE OF EMPIRE! The workhorse of this entire show and I simply don’t need someone like you to tell me that I’m not because deep down in my heart I will just need my own self-belief about being the best and that’s all it’s going to be like.
 
When you keep screaming out to everyone that you’re one of the reasons that this Division exists then questions start getting asked from myself and the others start getting raised. What the fuck did you ever do in the last year or so?  Nothing… that’s all you’ve done. You had two important matches this year.
 
One was on the pre-show against other women on Empire and the other was against Aria Jaxon.
 
Meanwhile look at me, every big match has meant something for my career and it shows that I’m willing to go against the best of the best to get better competition. I took on the High Rollerz, not once but twice… Both of those two matches already outclass what you did in the ring, at PFP I was in the 24/7 Battle Royal, taking a giant risk and deciding to win that contract for a title. I stepped outside the natural comfort zone of Empire that you’re used to and I rose to the occasion in both matches!
 
At best Madison, you’re the fourth best or maybe even the third best on Aria’s little Hero Brigade. And I’m tired of facing the level of competition that you are because it's just not worth it.
 
I desire tougher competition than you, I want to face people who will make me fear them in these kinds of verbal argument. And Maddie, you certainly aren’t on that level but think all you can about being that kind of opponent. I get that you hype yourself so much and why the people are so behind you. You’ve got a great look, pretty decent in the ring, merchandise selling machine, pretty good on the mic but that’s about it. Nothing more and nothing less, just an above average chick from Florida who thinks it’s her against the world. That everybody is against and who thinks that I am scared of her.
 
(Simple shrug from Azumi as she looks into the camera with only a simple grin on her face, her expression shows her eternally confident look.)
 
Am I scared? No, because nothing scares me, Maddie.Not Alexis Diemos and her little coven, not the idea of being put down by people day in and day out or being told that I don’t deserve to be here. Not failure, NOTHING will get me scared here in EAW because this place is a just giant jungle where you have to step up or get eaten alive. Try out a different game plan, Maddie… it might just give you a fighting chance that beating me because right I don’t see you have a hell of a chance at it.

No little liar will stop me from taking my knee and smashing it right down your skull. You’d probably have a better chance at winning the tag tourney along with your low-grade Jamie O’Hara because you pretty much met the biggest roadblock in this tourney for you. Hopefully, you can bounce back in the Tag tourney as losing to me might just break down your little soul.
 
And as usual…
 
Assennayo, Madison.
 
It might help you when coming up with you overhyped crap about yourself
 

(Azumi begins to pull out the mic attached to her hoodie and tosses it to the side while getting and leaving the set as the camera fades to black.)

It's no secret that smart thoughts don't pass through my cranium here. I just go out and do whatever the hell I feel like doing at that moment, and it has it's benefits you know? I get to kick Jaywalker's ass and get rid of him momentarily. I get to kick the shit out of Ares Vendetta and this time no one's watching my back and that's just the way I want it, but more is on the line than me wanting to gouge Ares Vendetta's eye out of his head while he's trying to do the same to me. We ALL know I'm here for one thing and that is the EAW World Championship, I eat it, I sleep it, I breathe it. I've held it once and everyday without the championship since is a living hell, everyday I have to see Tiberius hold the EAW Championship and speak with his bravado makes me want to stick pins in my ears and the sight of him standing with the Triumvirate makes me want to stab myself in the eye. So I have a simple plan, I'm done playing games with Ares Vendetta, I'm going to hurt Ares Vendetta, I'm going to bust up Ares Vendetta, and I'm going to plant his fucking head into the canvas and walk over his prone body as I continue my Road to my Redemption. We are like cats and dogs, we just don't mix, this world isn't big enough for the two of us, one of us has to go and sadly I'm not ready to leave this fucking company yet. I don't have much belief in a god but I will say that if he exist I hope he has mercy for any soul including yours who thinks they are going to take food off of my plate because I will not allow it, you'll have to take it from my cold dead hands and no one has been man enough to destroy Diamond Cage, not even you with everything you've done since I've left you at Pain for Pride you've done nothing but piss me off and slither away when you know just like I know that I had your ass here to slaughter until you Triumassclowns decided to pull your stunt.

What happens when the running stops?

Will you finally man up?

Or will you show me what I've known all along, you are a little boy in a mans world who happened to notice daddy's wallet sitting on the counter.

From one scumbag to another Ares, I just want you to know that I have no regrets. I don't regret leaving you and Jaywalker behind, I don't regret what happened at Dia Del Diablo where the Triumvirate was born. I NEEDED to stab you in the back, because I needed to be reminded that in this world you can't trust ANYBODY, everyone is the enemy. Even those who have the same common enemy as you, see unlike you Ares because you are a little boy and I'm a man, you are in a group. I've never been in a group, not because I'm not good enough oh no, it's because I don't play well with others, only one man can be at the mountain top and Tiberius is that man as much as I'd want to stab myself in the throat for saying it, so what are you? You are the bishop actually, preventing men like me from getting to the top to protect your comrade. Well isn't that cute, your the back up dancer in this little after school dance crew. I never thought I'd see the day where the almighty Ares Vendetta who previously didn't have any balls before the Triumvirate would join any group as the sidekick, but nothing really shocks me in EAW anymore, you got men slapping around women for world titles, you got relationships being the focal point of this company. Nobody really wanting to get their fingernails dirty around here anymore, and that's where I come in, I'm the garbage man of this establishment and I see three pieces of trash in the Triumvirate in the way of me coming for my holy grail. It's obvious that if the opportunity presents itself, you won't hesitate to end my career, the feeling is mutual, I already told you before about your destiny, you'll end up like your dad. And fucking around with me will make your destiny come sooner than it was suppose to, see I'd love to be a “wrestler” and just promote this fight and be like me and you are going to show the world why we are some of the best wrestlers on the planet but excuse the cliche I'm not your everyday professional wrestler, I'd love to just pin you and say I beat you and your not on my level because I showed the entire world that but that just isn't enough to satisfy my thirst for vengeance.

You and your father are the same you can't finish the fucking job.

Always hunting what you just can't kill.

I was at your mercy, Dia Del Diablo. You pulled your shit and formed that shitty group of jackasses, and you thought I'd just go away? You should of finished me completely but no, you are naive, you have the mind of a little boy, and now it's time to pay. Your going to pay for it, whether it be Showdown and if Showdown isn't enough surely my vengeance waits for no man and you'll pay for everything, the sins of the father, the sins of the son. So did I do my best to sell this match to you? Is there any more reason to tune in? Because there's no way in hell I'm going to allow myself to lose to Ares Vendetta when there's blood on his hands and there's a chance to go right inside the Extreme Elimination Chamber and do what I do best and that's cause utter freaking destruction. So there's your sales pitch, and here's your spoiler, I go into every match fully prepared to die trying when I fight for what I want, and damn it, I've been hungry for a long damn time, I'm like a street dog, pissing on these fire hydrants and digging through trash looking for a bone. I'm tired of digging through fucking trash, I'm tired of roaming these streets, I'm cashing in big time or I'll die trying Ares and trust me it isn't a game and it isn't bravado when I tell you that I'm going to beat your ass on Showdown, it's the simple fact that I am indestructible, I am the MOST dangerous man in the world. I'm Diamond Fucking Cage, and to you I'm a pissed off, hungry, Diamond Fucking Cage who is going to release all this pent up anger, frustration and every ounce of violent retribution that I have on you. So I'll wait, I'll wait to hear you speak see through words that nobody understands and nobody gives a fuck about until you start saying “mongrel” blah blah blah. 

All you have to do is show up, I'll do the rest.

 
Presumptuous.
 
You called me that once this time around. But it was used by you once in a message from you that was full of presumptions about me. And your number one use of it is to claim I at some point stopped taking responsibility for my own actions. I find that to be a tall tale of epic proportions from the likes of you. You’re the same woman who once won a title off of me, without pinning me, and then chose to rub it in my face as much as possible for a two-week span. While we were dating. And then had the gall to be sideways at me for my reaction about it? How long did it take you to stop and realize that you were being an asshole to your girlfriend, huh? But you, you’re wrong about me entirely. Still! I take full responsibility for the downfall of Iconomy. I know what I did made their leader a laughing stock to so many. But he was treating me like literal human garbage. Can you ever imagine me being a trophy? Just walked around in a dress to represent a group of people? Of course not. That’s not the Cailin Dillon you know, and I DO know you know that about me. I believe we all played a hand in the dissolution of the Formation. I ended the Sirens by making a choice to take my career in my own hands, but the Sirens had outlived their need at that point. And to say I joined the OGs is quite a stretch. I hear that often. But it’s all right there in plain sight. It was an alliance. Go back and watch how many times the three of them appeared sans me. Then the two of them. Go ahead, I’ll wait. But it’s going to be a big slice of humble pie when you realize a full month before Cameron cashed in on me, hell, back before our triple threat match, I was already correctly predicting the future and what they planned. And I was ready for it. I knew it was coming at Grand Rampage. I wasn’t oblivious. But the Coven, the group you founded, couldn’t handle it. They couldn’t handle their first opportunity at the Women’s Championship going south. And now the Coven is dead. This is not the Coven. You have said things about me joining the group you were apart of, but it’s not that any longer. You won’t even see us fighting together. But back to our title match. If you’re still reeling from the disappointment that they got involved in the finish, open your fucking ears. I’ve told Aria about 1,000 times that it made me sick. I never asked for that. Never. If I did, I would take responsibility for it. But there are a lot of times lately where people are charging me with crimes I haven’t committed. I would think that you would know better than to put that stuff on me. That’s just as disappointing. I gave credit to so many women for building this women’s division. You decided to just pinpoint one line about me and Aria. That’s disappointing, too. Because this show isn’t built without Cloud Matsuda, but you’re too busy trying to piss me off or make this personal. That’s also disappointing. As competitive as you are, this match alone should be enough to drive you. But you need something else. That’s just sad to me.
 
Let’s talk about the glorious opportunities that were handed to me. I was jaded by the Iconomy. Finished fourth in my group at Empress of Elite. I was the only one who didn’t register a pin in the Specialist’s Scramble. Should I keep going? No? Who cares, I’m doing it anyways. I defeated three other women, including Aria Jaxon, in a fatal fourway to become the No. 1 contender for Haruna’s title. I defeated a long list of people with the responsibility of champion and the determination of making sure the title I held would be taken seriously. Do you even remember back then? That title was horrendously mocked by all the upper class of EAW. They said it belonged in a trash can more than it belonged on my waist. Still waiting for where I was handed opportunities here. No? Struggling still? My opportunity alongside Aria to go against Hexa-gun came because of my history with them when I was with Iconomy. It was a chance to get back at them. I lost. But I beat HBG two months later when she challenged for my title. You took the title at GR, I worked my tail off to get myself back in contention. I struggled just to get that match at my first Pain for Pride. And despite absorbing chair shots from you, I still made it to the end. Then I took it upon myself to make damn sure I won the second Empress of Elite. Where were my hand outs there? I think the truth is we’ve both gone through a shit ton in our career, but that I’ve for one been here longer and for two have been fighting at a higher level for longer. You dipped out after your Vixen’s title match in a way, involved in a nowhere feud with Haruna. That was a long feud that gained you very little aside from your short reign as a champion. But look how much you lost along the way. Look at how much you found yourself questioning your future and your next step. I would never say that was your fault, and I don’t think you’re a pushover. But I do think throughout our careers you’ve been the one to sort of just accept one direction and ride it out to the finish. I’ve always been more about taking control and grabbing the reins for myself, steering that horse down the path I want to go down. I don’t get hand outs, I earn opportunities. If you can’t see that now, then I don’t know who you are. Because I remember late night conversations between the two of us, discussing how it seemed Aria got hand outs, but both of us going out of our way to defend her. Think about it. She’s had more opportunities in her time here than anyone on the Empire roster. But its come with just as much pain and heartache. You might think I’m heartless, and that’s fine. But I can assure you there has been more heartache than triumph in my career, and that’s the path to being the best. Just because I have desire to be the best doesn’t mean I get my way every time. Aria is undoubtedly the best right now, and look how long it took her to get to this point.
 
I get how personal this is to you and how much it would mean to you to beat me and to beat Aria and to stamp your place at the top. I’ve never overlooked you, either. In our triple threat match I made that clear. I’ve made that clear this week. If people overlook you they’re fools. You’re a former champion and a former No. 1 contender for the Vixen’s Championship. What’s to miss? While some people miss a beat or drop the ball, you’ve still been here chugging along despite constant attempts to find that new niche that puts you above everyone else. If you take me talking about your failures so personally than that’s on you. I really can’t do anything more than discuss them with you. This is as civil as you’ll get from me. I want to win this match. I don’t think pointing out your failures is what ultimately puts me over the top, but it’s something to talk about if you have plans to finally make that move to the top. Do you disagree? I challenge you to seriously show you have grown from those mistakes. I think I’ve proven I’ve grown from mine. You don’t have to like who I’m spending my time with now, but what I’m doing is not causing you any direct pain. You’ve got your Italian woman to lean on or whatever, even if you’re still hiding in the dark and burning my letters or standing in front of a camera with my girlfriend and tossing the engagement ring you bought me back at my face. We will always share a certain degree of personal history as former lovers, but that doesn’t define us. I’m not Cloud’s ex and you’re not Cailin’s ex. What defines us is how we handle ourselves in that ring. I hope for now you truly have found yourself. And if you somehow get past this week, just remember how much weight that crown seriously does hold. It’s very heavy to carry around the magnitude of it. Ask Aria, who won it and then lost her title chance. Or ask me, who won it and fought the match of a lifetime to the version of Sheridan that existed before she faded into whatever it was you beat last week. We will always have the fight of our lives when we meet in the ring. If anything, we’re the discount version of what people get so excited about when me and Aria are in the ring. And that’s not a knock on our matchup, that’s just playing off the fact that people don’t seem to realize just how magical our matches can be. But then again, we’ve rarely fought, haven’t we?
 

This week has been interesting. I’ve shown you nothing more than respect, but you’re still trying to gain that advantage over me by trying to piss me off. Or by trying to invoke some other emotional response from me. I’ve seen you go three different ways from the beginning. Slowly, I’m actually bringing you down to my level whether you choose to believe that or not. Think about it, people call me the bitch. But I’ve told you nothing but the truth. And you’ve just been throwing it back at me in heavy doses of denial. I get it, when someone comes after your career you have to fight back. I understand this feels like your chance to turn it all around. But what happens to you in Empress of Elite doesn’t have to be your legacy. If you lose it doesn’t mean your career is over. It doesn’t mean your chances to fight for something are over, either. You’re Cloud Matsuda, you don’t go away that easy do you? I didn’t think so. Win or lose, you’ll still have your head up after this week. It’s not as if they’re giving you an easy road in this tournament. You’ve had by far the toughest one so far, and it continues this week. It may very well end this week, too. But don’t take that personally. It’s not the end for you. Your story isn’t over yet.

Maybe you don’t know me as well as I thought I know you. Maybe the reality of our situation is that we never knew each other as well as we thought we did. You paint this picture of me, which well, is the same portrait everyone else has depicted of me. Whether or not these people are right is in the eye of the beholder; my only concern is moving forward in my journey to the crown. I could never make you weak Cailin; I wasn’t joking when I called you the most dangerous woman on Empire. But, I’m by no means weak. Many paid the price with that assumption. I advise that you don’t become one of those people, sweets.

I didn’t make Sheridan irrelevant, but she would rather sabotage her career than lose to the likes of me. She wasn’t the first woman to say that, and she won’t be the last. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were one of them. One thing I noticed about you is how you rarely claim responsibilities for your actions. Back then you were more than adamant about the choices you made. Now, you just raise your hands, denying any liability. You knew what you were doing when you joined the OGs. You knew what was going down when they interrupted our match. To say you slowly distanced yourself is bull - HBG went her way, Kendra got injured, and Cam cashed in on yo ass. Remember Grand Rampage, the FPV you hate so much? Yeah. You claim I can’t hang with Aria, but she was the one who couldn’t secure a singles match. She has yet to prove whether or not if she’s truly better than me. So far I’m successful in the first single-elimination Empress of Elite. There are no do-overs, unlike the round robin mess you guys won. One mistake, and it’s all over for me. This situation is my reality at the moment, Cai. You play yourself off like a professional and me as some ring rat, but I admit my wrongdoings. Did I cheat my way into the triple threat? Yes. Did I use the Sanatorium to my advantage? Hell yes. I danced with the devil under the pale moonlight and paid the price. Now here I am, rebuilding my career. We’re not all blessed like you and Aria. We don’t get those key victories and are chosen to represent an entire brand. We have to scrape just a bit harder and fight a longer path to the top than anticipated. I have no regrets about choosing my path Cai. I learned much more than I would’ve if I defeated Eris LeCava back at King of Elite 2016. I’m more aware of this company and the people in it. Naivety is no longer a problem with me, nor is being caught up in awe of my opponent’s presence. You can be as serious as you want Cailin - I'm not shaking, nor will I ever be.

I feel it’s pretty presumptuous to say that you and Aria have ‘changed the game.' You made an impression sure, but we didn't create Empire. It was given to us when The Powers that Be decided it was time to have a show for its women’s division. Any of us didn't pioneer the Women's World Championship - it was a cookie given to us for our efforts. Let’s be real - if Empire didn’t exist, all of you would have been happily trudging along as Vixens. As for HBG and Cam? They thrived in a controlled setting, being fed lies of how they’re ‘different than all the other female wrestlers.' Having superior in-ring talent doesn’t make you a revolutionary outside the ring. Have you made Empire what it is today regarding in-ring performance? Hell yes. Have anyone of you changed women’s wrestling as a whole? Thinking like this is where egos get inflated and float into dreamland. Have we made strides? Well, we have a female GM who prefers to do things her way. We have an all female commentary team, ring announcer, and words ha it that we’re about to get our female senior referee.But to say that any of you has changed the game? Not yet, sweets. 

I know you want to carve your legacy. Like me, you had your fair share of ups and downs. You’re half right about evolution - though I’ll give you bonus points for your philosophical outlook. Evolution is about taking what exists and developing it into something else. Maybe nobody has told you this, but your reign as empress and world title reign hasn’t done either. It was as necessary as Cam’s (shrugs). Your Specialist reign? Now THAT was something you should be proud of. You took something Haruna had flushed down the toilet and made it something I was proud to be a part of. Since then? I don’t know Cailin. If Autumn Raven didn’t get counted out in our match, I wonder if you would have still won last year’s tournament (sighs). Alas, it doesn’t do me any good to think it. I’ll have you all to myself Thursday night. There was a time where that would be exciting, but as you can see we’re under a different set of circumstances. You’d rather take the same tired approach everyone else has against me, sitting in the back of the classroom as one of the cool kids. Instead of paying attention, you make assumptions about who you think I am and what you think I’m capable of. Good thing I don’t live by your perception of me, or else I would have lost my match last week. 

(Stephanie stands up, wrapping her hands)

Every time I gain an inch, somebody wants to take it away. You’re not the first to doubt my intentions, nor will you be the last. Maybe my actions pushed you away; You was never too fond of Mao. But instead of being honest and talking to be about her, you just push me away without an explanation. Am I taking our war of words a little personally? In our line of work, there’s nobody that’s all business. This is not some kayfabe promotion where the only goal is to entertain the fans. Wins and losses play a huge role in Elite Answers Wrestling. When your livelihood is on the line, I’m going to take what people say about me a little personally. It’s human nature, sweets. It’s what the EAW universe responds to. You think your indifference gives you strength, but all it shows me is how far you’re willing to go not to show weakness. Either way, I’m still going to give you the fight of your life. You misread what I said about your time in the Iconomy - I believe that’s the place where you and Eclipse have shown mutual signs of solidarity. It was JJ, and Chris didn’t belong with the two of you. 

(Stephanie walks towards the ring)

I take responsibility for the role I played in our dissolution. I guess as long as we’re chasing after the same thing, there will always be a conflict between us. They say some soulmates are never meant to be. Maybe that’s us; maybe I’m reaching. No disrespect to what either of us has, but I’ll always cherish the good times. Maybe one day when one of us retires or go to another promotion, we would be able to share a drink and be great friends again. (sighs) As long as we’re both on the Empire roster, we will always go to war. This is our story, our unfortunate shared fate. The only advantage I can see is learning from one another with each battle we have. 

(Stephanie climbs into the ring)

This might be business for you, but for me? It’ll always be personal when it’s about us.

(Chris Elite is shown sitting down at a desk watching Ryan Adams announce to the world their one on one match at Road To Redemption across his face you can see a smirk ear from ear while also getting the notification on his phone about his first Grand Prix Match)
 
Oh what a wonderful 2-3 days it’s been, a matter of fact what a month and a half has been I finally got what I want a match with Ryan Adams a match where I’m going to have a lot of fun and a match where I truly leave my mark in this company and on his face. However we won’t speak on that as of now that’s in the future let’s focus on the present.  Elite Tandem Chris Elite and Rex McAllister versus Di Consentes Cameron Ella Ava and Heart Break Gal or Di Casi. That means almost in Spanish, lately I’ve been hearing about the two of you and how you ALMOST did something. Like Cameron almost defeating Jamie O’Hara and all the feminist and woman on the roster going crazy for almost doing something. When guys like me are waiting for their shot at Jamie and prove to the world that he is human and he is beatable like the rest of us. If you think that’s bad then listening to everyone craze for Heart Break Gal almost leading Devan Dubian to victory at Territorial Invasion or almost becoming a number one contender for the championship. Then again after Showdown the feminist and the woman on the roster will go in a craze when they ALMOST defeated the best tag team in the Prix. It’s crazy how the world works sometimes and how stuff works nowadays like the world almost actually means something. If almost meant something I’d be in the top 5 ever for achievements. Almost means nothing and I had to get that through my thick skull long ago but it happened. Cameron I’m not taking nothing away from you, the match was great you did fantastic but you know what you didn’t look like? A winner, want to know what you won’t look like after our match? A winner. You can do fantastic all you want, bring myself and Rex to that limit get all the NEAR falls you need, get all the false finishes you feel is good enough for you and you almost beat me all you want. However while you guys are busy doing that we’ll actually get the job done and advance into the next round.
 
You know for some reason people are scared for Rex and I that we have to deal with such a tough challenge and maybe just maybe we’d be just a little scared if these were two opponents get the job done and actually accomplish the mission. As most of you can see though that isn’t the case now is it? Hey HBG, it’s been a while hasn’t it? Crazy to think of just 2 years ago just about I was carrying two other stooges attempting and almost defeating what you guys used to call Hexa-Gun, though this isn’t me bragging about almost doing something because that doesn’t mean anything. I was just bringing up our history and how far the both of us or one of us have changed since then.  Back then I’m not going to lie I wasn’t nothing special because of the company I had around me now though? I’m EAW’s hottest commodity I bring in the viewers and I bring in the money and despite popular belief from a certain someone I bring in the money for myself. My merchandise are off the walls in seconds no matter the price. Heart Break Gal gear? Still on the stands even though their having a sale where they are just selling it for 5 dollars.  I mean yeah you defeat Impact at Pain for Pride after that though I don’t hear much unless it’s about you damn near winning a match but not winning at all.  You better ask that old friend of yours Tiberius to give you a shootout or something because you need it. The name Heart Break Gal is vanishing just like Heart Break Boy has. Rex also has a history with you I believe he’s defeated you already. I know what you’re thinking who do I think I am underestimating two hall of famers and allow me to answer that for you, I am Chris Elite, I am Gawd Given Greatness and when I say something I mean it. No need to hide behind a bunch of big words no need to have to get into character. That whole Goddess thing is real cute and it really gives the little girls something to look forward too but right when those girls think they are about to have a happy ending. It gets snatched away from them by two bullies as we take down these false prophets.  
 
Cameron, Oh Cameron you almost had it baby girl just an inch away well for the viewer’s anyway. For you though it was still miles away and now it’s even further and now to make up for that loss you are coming to TRY and win this Grand Prix and you know you guys would have made it to finals and then lost against us but luck just isn’t on either of you guys sides. You ran into a roadblock a matter of fact you’ve ran into something much worse. Something no matter how hard you hit it and try to take it down, it won’t fall it will remain standing while you give it all you got and it gives damn near nothing. You will continue to have the bitter sweet taste of failure in your mouth and think twice before you bring me knowing that same taste. Cameron I respect you I truly do you are an all-time great, you put on so many classic matches and so many classic “Oh she almost had its moments” it’s insane, almost beating Aria Jaxon, almost beating Jamie O’Hara and the list goes on and on Saturday the list goes on much longer. You guys announced you were entering the prix right after we did probably thinking you’d steal our thunder and you know what? You almost did, growing tired of hearing that word then you better do something about it at Showdown shut me up kick the two of us the second round it won’t matter though because just like on the signups for the tournament you’ll finish below us in the actual tournament. We’ll see you soon ladies.
 

(Before the camera fades Chris quickly holds up a sheet of paper that reads “#MakeWomanVixensAgain”)

To say that this elitist didn't have an ulterior motive in all this would be a lie. While most will be entering into this Grand Prix to chase gold, and look for another achievement to add to their resume, it will be this tandem that's looking to destroy those ambitions and dreams that each of the rest have. We've done it time and again if you haven't been watching over the past year or two. When you seem to count us out, and believe me that happens to us more often than we care to count anymore, we end up shocking a few people along the way. If you looked at this, The Elite Tandem, you already see two individuals that will go above and beyond any means necessary to destroy everything the rest in this tournament look to achieve, and rightfully take it for ourselves, because the future is taking shape in the form of guys like myself and Chris Elite. Those who are on top now as world champions in this company, are soon to be Hall of Famers of tomorrow. We're both on that same trajectory. You don't have to buy into it, we don't expect you to, but then again that's the whole fucking point! That's why we are able to step up to the big names in this company, and show that we too are something to be reckoned with. You don't have to buy into it, no..you just have to learn to accept it.

Say it ain't so.

Is it really that time again already?

The moment that keeps repeating itself over and over.

Ah, yes! Envy. There is no such pleasure like being envied on a mass scale, wouldn't you two Hall of Famers say so yourselves? Envy, after all, comes from simply wanting that of which is not yours. You two are one in the same, and yet I guess that's why you both failed to make a resounding impact at Territorial Invasion. While this tandem indeed did that very thing this past Saturday, picking yourselves back up and licking your own wounds was the only thing you could do to soothe your broken egos. Your longing and lust to add something more to your already filthy rich resumes was what ultimately became your undoing. However, it's the present we should focus on, now isn't it? It's not what you have done that we should be paying attention to, but what you will do. So, what are you going to do? I mean, come to think of it. You, Cameron, spilled a nice line on a couple of rookies last week about the rigors and wars you two have burned and bled through just to be able to proudly call yourselves Hall of Famers. How did it go? Ah, that's right. "The moment the other teams face us in the ring, their time at the Prix is done. There is no way someone is going to successfully get a victory over us". Now, you see! I like that! You have absolute one hundred percent confidence in yours and your partner's skills and abilities to get through this tournament. So much certainty and conviction behind those words. I mean, it's bullshit, but hey against two fresh peas straight out of their pods with nothing note worthy to their names, it's pretty much enough to seal the deal, right? I mean, what are they honestly going to say in their own defense? They may have been optimistic about their chances, but deep down they had no true hopes of winning the moment they viewed the card. You wish for the world to kneel before you, while you just swoop right in and take this whole tournament for yourselves. That's quite an illusion to enslave yourselves to, quite riveting indeed. Constantly at the mercy of your greatest desires, and what of these desires when you can't have them? I mean, certainly having things that were yours for the taking, Cameron, most definitely says that your very own desires and lusts got the best of you again at Territorial Invasion, and now they are at the forefront once again destined to go unfulfilled and leave you with nothing else, but to deal with the harsh reality that came from the folly over your own overestimation and self promotion. 

Saying you're going to take it all is the easy part.

It's expected, and yet very predictable.

Your illusion doesn't quite meet the reality.

And that will be the hardest part to accept in the end.

HBG - "Let the power of the goddesses shine upon you all, and remember that this is yet another day to celebrate". So touching. Heart Break Gal, we meet again. I know, I know. You are more than grossly disgusted by now of having to even acknowledge me at this point. Your petty little emotions and insecurities are always seemingly holding you back nowadays from accomplishing the things you desire. Trying to fight honorably just to show how tough you really are. You're always about yourself, nothing has changed, something Cameron is seemingly very well aware of  and should keep in mind should you both fail this weekend. Poor Devan Dubian, thought he had one ally in his battle to prevent me from my continuous ascension to the top of this brand. Everyone knows you will sacrifice a lot to stay alive even your own partner, constantly braving things out while staying afloat any way you possibly can. We both know to drown would be a terrible misery to befall us in the long run, but sometimes it's overcoming that roller coaster ride that we realize how much more we gain from continuing to swim rather than allowing ourselves to sink and drown. You are not a Goddess, you are just a very driven individual, both you and your partner. Driven to achieve something as a female tandem, that up to this point has never been achieved in this company, or at all. But swim on you will after this, it just won't be to he next destination that you were longing for. I'll tell you what I have no desire for, and that's to allow you two deluded, egocentrically, envious individuals to achieve something that you are not meant to in the first place. The most important word you should take out of that is "individuals", because in the end that's all you two really are. Just like me and my partner are at heart. We can readily admit to that, but ruining others expectations is what we do best. For us? We enjoy stealing away your dreams and taking away what others were never as rightfully deserving of in the first place! We're deserving, because we are the future of this company, and as the future of this company, I can't think of a better way to prove that than to show the both of you with our actions rather than waste our time trying to convince you otherwise through our words. Your desires, your envy, your lustful nature is what keeps getting you in trouble, Heart Break Gal, and unfortunately you are about to find that out once more. You already know where this is going, Heart Break Gal. This is just another one of the chapters that is inevitably being written, that you will be making a short cameo in. You're right in saying that you don't need approval to do or say as you please in all this, you just need to prove that everything you do and say is enough to see you through to winning this tournament. You're as tough as they come, the both of you, but in the end just like anybody else, you're also beatable. On Showdown there will be no celebration from your side, just the bitter taste that you both have become accustomed to in this chapter of your careers that's being written. It's become a cycle.

One that just keeps repeating itself.

Dynasty Promo #3: Target Practice


Short-coming.

Target Smiles, do you just not get it? When will you get it through your THICK skull that you just won't step to me how you think you will. You get all of these ideas through my past returns and you think that it's just going to be something easy for you to do, when in reality you won't even be able to say you came close. Under that mask of yours.. you're just a vulnerable Elitist. You think that you're so great and that you'll actually be doing something, but you AREN'T. I don't care if I have to break a sweat to beat you.. if I PIN you or make you tap out, you LOST just like you will in that Glass Gauntlet match. Target Smiles, this isn't just going to be a shortcoming for you.. but it's going to be a disappointment as always that comes from you. That EAW Hardcore Championship is on my path and you are not going to stop me from getting it. Dynasty.. this is my house.. and you're stepping in my yard and that I'm going to kick you out of. This EAW Hardcore Championship may not mean anything to you but it is the WORLD TO ME. I started with that championship and I'm going to bring it back to relevance. You were destroyed by Scott Diamond.. that's funny because I DEMOLISHED Scott Diamond. He thought that he could stomp on me and do anything he wanted to take something away from me and I brought him back to reality just like I'm going to do to you. I gained my success in my early days just like I'm going to do it now. I'm going to EARN it. I'm going to get in that ring and prove to everyone that I can STILL do this and be with the best. And Target.. you're nowhere near the best. You're just a STEPPING STONE.. for me to get to where I want to be. That EAW Hardcore Championship is in sight and all that's standing in my way is you Target, and others that want to battle in that Glass Gauntlet match. I've seen myself fall. I've seen myself get into the biggest matches and fall down to some of the worst who were never even on my level. I've made my mistakes, but we make mistakes to learn from them and I'm never going to step into that area again. Battle after battle .. step after step, I've been in and out of this business. This time.. I'm making a name for myself AGAIN. I've been getting questions from people and they've been asking "Hawk.. why are you still doing this.. haven't you already done enough?" And I start to think.. and I start to realize that sure.. I've got a lot under my belt. And then I start to see myself in the mirror and realize that there is absolutely more that I could do in this business. We've changed from Extreme to Elite.. we've made new champions.. we build around and there's been new Elitist like you, and everyone thought that it would be so hard for me to get through.. But I'm the same Hurricane Hawk that step into the business and ran through to get everything that I deserved. You want to think that you're over me.. go ahead. But I'm not going to be the one to fall under pressure.. YOU ARE. 

I'm not just your average loudmouth. These smiling faces that you think that you're going to see are not going to be there. You're going to see the ShowSlayer shirts.. the support that's going to be given to me and you're going to feel that rage.. and jealousy of me because you're going to want everything that I have. You can't be me. Step in my way Target.. I DARE YOU.. because when you do I'm going to make you regret the decision right away. Target Smiles, I'm not that underwhelming returning Hurricane Hawk.. I'm the Hurricane Hawk that ran with Generation Genesis.. the Hurricane Hawk that climbed up that ladder in that Cash in the Vault ladder match and grabbed that briefcase.. The Hurricane Hawk that cashed in and SUCCESSFULLY won my first world title. I want you to see this right away when we step into that ring because once you see that.. you'll know it's too late. I'm going to BREAK YOU.. like a piece of glass.. And you can still show yourself to be sharp but you're just going to be one of the small pieces to lay on the ground just like every other competitor. When I show you I can beat you on Dynasty , you know that I'm going to do it again at House of Glass. I don't just believe that you stand no chance against me.. I KNOW. I know that you're going to step into that ring with me and BREAK. You're going to fall to me. I don't plan on giving you ANY CHANCES.. This right here is to give a message to every single EAW Elitist that wants to step into that Glass Gauntlet match because they believe they have a chance to make a name for themselves, because I'm going to eliminate every single one of them. Those frowning faces are what's going to be seen because they'll see that you CAN'T DO ANYTHING AGAINST ME. Save yourself the time of talking to me because every single word that you say is going to BACKFIRE on you. I've been in this business with opportunities over my head and time after time I reach for them just to slide from me but this time.. No.. I'm not giving this up. I'm going to GRAB IT.. AND MAKE IT MINE.. That EAW Hardcore Championship will be mine and on Friday Target Smiles.. 


I'll just steal the show once again.

DYNASTY PROMO #2: TARGET PRACTICE


Distraught. 

I love how these kids in this business just love to look up to me and see me down. I must look to be a joke to some of these Elitist because they want to try and not take me seriously, but this time, it's not going to happen. This time, this isn't just a return.. This isn't just another comeback.. I'm not going anywhere. I left this business because I felt I did everything that I needed to do until I started to see exactly what was going on with me. I was afraid that I couldn't do anything better than what I've already done. When I first started in this business at Pain for Pride II I came for one thing.. the EAW Hardcore Championship. Week after week of just starting, my eyes were on the prize and now that I'm back on that EAW Hardcore Championship. Everybody is going to know the DEFINITION of HARDCORE. This upcoming Friday on Dynasty, I mean to destroy Target Smiles. Target I see you like to make a little joke of me. You like to think that I can't hang with you.. because I'm not going to be the one hanging. You're going to be the one to CHOKE like you have a rope around your neck, when you step into that ring under pressure and realize that you're going to fall short to me. I don't plan on hanging with you.. I plan on being over top of you on the throne. I plan on getting in the ring with you and showing you that I'm not Lethal Consequences.. That EAW Hardcore Championship is going to be mine. I'm going to PUT MY FOCUS on winning at House of Glass in that Glass Gauntlet Match. I don't care who's going to be in it and once I drop you in that ring on Dynasty, you're going to see that you're nowhere near me. You WILL NEVER.. be on my level. Time and time again I've come to this business and I've tried to step up and I've failed but this time.. I'm going to be at my BEST. I'm on a path of major success and it starts here. I didn't just return last week just to get a single win and say "you know what guys.. I think this is enough for me," I came back to prove that I'm above these new kids just like you. You want to step in the ring with me be my guest.. but once you realize that you're an embarrassment don't say I didn't tell you so. You're not just a failure Smiles.. You see, you step into this business and you think just because you have a few wins over maybe a few world champions and legends, you think that you could be in that area with me. I don't just have accolades because I say so.. I have accomplishments because I actually stepped in that ring and worked my ass off for them and actually PROVED that I'm better than some of the elitist that are in this business because they couldn't BEAT me; just like you won't be able to when you step in the ring with me. YOU have no accomplishments because YOU CAN'T BEAT SOMEBODY WHEN IT ACTUALLY MATTERS. Sure.. you might have beaten a world champion here and there.. but please tell me.. when it matters the most, why couldn't you get your opportunity? Like Territorial Invasion you could've been in that ring with The Pizza Boy at House of Glass instead of Nasir Moore.. but you couldn't do it because you're not BUILT. 

You can't step up and actually be what you say you are, and I'm going to prove that to you. This Friday.. you can try anything but I WILL NOT FALL TO YOU. I say what I am because I can actually come out here and prove it. I can actually back up every single world that I say. Why can't you? I've beaten MANY World Champions and Hall of Famers.. and I actually did it when it mattered. I did that when things like the EAW World Heavyweight Championship were on the line. If anyone is a "threat," it's me. Not just because I was a former World Champion or because I have my label of being an EAW Hall of Famer.. but it's because I'm one of the BEST ELITIST TO EVER STEP INTO AN EAW RING. I don't care WHO STEPS IN THAT RING WITH ME.. IF you want it you got it. And Friday is just going to be a little taste of what's going to happen at House of Glass. I'm going to come to House of Glass prepared for anything and I'm going to walk out of that arena number one contender for the EAW Hardcore Championship that I surely DESERVE. You're going to get a dose of reality on Dynasty. You say you're a man of the people but you can't do a damn thing that these people want. All of my career I've been doing every single thing that they've wanted. They've wanted me to be a champion.. They've wanted me to go to Pain for Pride and showcase everything that I had. I'm the MAN that resonates with the people because I can ACTUALLY DO WHAT I SAY. They want to see someone who can actually tell the truth to them. Not a fraud. They want to see me come to Dynasty and show that I am BETTER than YOU. I'm not just a show off because I can grab a microphone.. and say "I'm the best.. and say the things I've done.." no.. I'm a show off for the things that I do in that ring. So Smiles, those little grins that you see on Dynasty isn't for you.. it'll be for me when I beat you. And under that mask that you're wearing.. while the fans are cheering for me..

Defeat is what's going to make you frown.

I like that.. "The Original God", it's fitting and also true.. but where you went wrong was ever thinking a man such as myself had ever "fallen". Whether it had been in or out of that ring, I always went out on my own terms, I never fell and I never will. Here's the thing, other Gods don't rise from the ashes, there is only one true God and then there are his disciples, and that one true God looks down over all of his creations, reigning upon his kingdom while prophets rise and learn the ways of their God and the values that he set forth in order for eternal prosperity, but they NEVER try to undermine the man who's word they are supposed to be spreading onto others. People who do that are people like yourself, and we like to call them false prophets. The thing about false prophets is they fool people into putting more trust and faith in them as people than they need to, they find themselves overstating the power they actually have, and it never ends ideally for them because one day they have to answer to that one true higher power, the one who's word they drifted away from to manipulate people for their own personal gain. One unexpected day that one true higher power returns to the land he created and made possible for people to prosper under, and he gets rid of all of the people who strayed their followers into the wrong path and spoke down on his name in the process, and that day is now. 

"Will we eliminate the innovators? Will we commemorate the imitators?"

You call yourself the Zeitgeist and I find that to be completely ironic, because you could get off with claiming such a name with anybody else on this EAW roster and it'd come off as valid. I mean what could they really say in response to that right? But in this particular case, the Zeitgeist name for you is just that.. a nickname. You see because in the reality of this unique situation at hand, Ryan Marx has come across and is facing off against the only man in EAW who can actually call himself a Zeitgeist and make such a bold claim. And as someone who can actually backup a name of such meaning and power, trust me when I tell you Ryan that you aren't a Zeitgeist by any stretch of your imagination. What makes you one? Because you feel like you are the living embodiment of the future of EAW? In order to do that, you would have to do more than just capture championships and win matches, you can't be a Zeitgeist if you never experienced having to carry a whole federation on your back for years, if you never had to not only compete in matches, but then make executive decisions that shake the foundation of EAW. You are a worker, you collect your checks, you compete in matches, and you go home, thats where the buck stops for you. Your future is in the hands of your superiors who can very so decide that they want to go in a different direction.. without you and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, and guess what? EAW will continue to thrive with or without you. Me on the other hand, I have no superiors, I can retire for five years and come back in my rightful spot at the top and then leave for another five years, who's going to stop me? Not anyone in power and certainly not an in over his head overhyped rookie. Sure you can say "well EAW lasted another five years without you", but that wasn't without the hardships and trails they faced throughout that path without me at the helm to avoid that from happening. Not even a year after my departure and EAW's future hang in the balance with it's life being decided by the outcome of a single match. That is the kind of entity I am Ryan, the living personification of not only an era of EAW, but any and every era including the one that you think you will be running soon. That's the thing about spirits, they live on forever. You can kill the mind and the body, but the soul remains. So as an actual Zeitgeist, I am forever and nothing or nobody will ever be able to knock me off of my place at the top. This was proven evident during my five year departure, EAW still uses concepts created by yours truly, EAW still honors and respects the platform that I put forward and foundation laid in order for us to thrive even in my absence, a foundation that you reap the benefits of to this day. Maybe one day if you humble yourself you'll be the top guy, but what you'll never be is the spirit of EAW.. that is reserved for one person and one person only. You can play pretend all you want, but your fantasy and delusion is my reality.

Thats why I find it funny that you stated EAW would end up to become a greater civilization than it was when I was around, a place that "doesn't need me". Well here's the thing with that, I worked my ass off for five long years through thick and thin, tragedy and triumph, and every obstacle that was thrown in my way for that very reason. So EAW can become a place that didn't need me to hold it by the hand in order to continue to thrive. I set forth so many ideologies and blueprints that I passed down to those who would follow in my footsteps in my absence in hopes that EAW would not only thrive without me, but that it would grow and become even better, low and behold here we are. Here's the striking difference between me at the helm and anyone who would soon follow and don't ever forget it.. it's easy to hop on an already well oiled machine, all you have to do is maintain it and it will continue doing it's job, it's a totally different thing to create that well oiled machine from scratch. But I'm not here to prove my worth in EAW to Ryan Marx of all people, but what I do need to address is your misconception of my intentions of being here in 2017. You see I didn't come back to stroke an ego, I didn't come back to have everyone gravel at my feet while praising me for the work I put in years ago, nor did I come back to base my worth around winning championships. If it so happens that I win a championship during my second tenure here that's great, but it's not a priority. Not because I can't do it, I could easily take that Openweight title off of your shoulders if I so felt like it, but championships have never determined my value. You get to the point where well.. you're bigger than a championship. I could never win another title again but my name would still forever be etched in stone as the greatest, you HAVE to continue to strive to win championships because you have a legacy you are trying to create, but where you went wrong in attempting to create a legacy is jumping the gun and attempting to stand me up. You mention the Prince of Phenomenal "passing me up", well I can't say I agree with that statement but I would've hoped he did considering he was one of the men who was supposed to be carrying this company after I left. That's why it is mandatory for men like Scott Diamond and Prince of Phenomenal.. and even Hurricane Hawk to come back and place themselves in championship situations, because while they are Hall of Famers they are also "what if" scenarios, they know deep down that they dropped the ball and could have been way bigger than what they actually became and are making up for lost time, repairing their legacy so that when it's said and done they can be considered alongside people such as myself. I don't need to do that, there is no catching up and legacy repairing for me, it's just fun at this point. You could actually learn a thing or two from the Prince of Phenomenal, Scott Diamond, and the likes.. because these men were in the same shoes you stood in years ago. What I mean by that is that they were ahead of the pack as rookies and rose up the ranks at a high rate, from winning multiple championships within their first year to winning world championships and headlining Pain for Pride's by their second, and by their third or fourth years well.. afterthought status. Perhaps it was a case of them getting too much too early, winning so much that they felt they stopped having to prove themselves and in result lacking the longevity in their careers to be considered the greatest of all time. Thats why they are back, not me. I tell you this not because you care because I'm sure you don't, but you should. You should learn to show some humility and pump your brakes before YOU end up as the next cautionary tale and "what if" scenario, and if you keep barking up the wrong tree it just might happen to you.

It's unfortunate that lil ol' Banks is unworthy of Marx's time because he has a title defense pending on the horizon but you shouldn't lose sight whats in front of you. I say that because well.. CM Banks not being deemed worthy just means CM Banks is not being taken serious as a competitor which means I am being underestimated which smells for an "upset', though technically the only person that would consider it an upset would be yourself. What would that do for your psyche looking ahead to your next title defense? A man who was beneath you defeated you, surely you'll want revenge.. maybe so much to the point where it consumes your mind to the point where you lose your next defense thinking too much about it. Me on the other hand, well I don't think I'm too big or too good to fight anybody on this roster whether it be Ryan Marx, Nasir Moore, or Shaker Jones.. you step up to the plate and I'll give you what you asked for.. or in your case you disrespect me and claim I am a thing of the past and need to be put away because it's your time, well I'll give you a chance to do it yourself. I didn't come back to sit on a pedestal and have my ego boosted with some false sense of importance, I never need to be reassured by anyone about where I stand in history and as a competitor because deep down I know what's real and what isn't. If you say that if I was as good as my accolades show me to be, I wouldn't be facing you.. then what does that say about you? Are you not yet worthy enough to face a man like myself at this time? Do you know deep down you aren't half as good as you like you say you are but you have to go with it anyways? Because if I truly was as good as my accolades show then well you are EXACTLY who I should be facing.. at least according to the praises you sing for yourself. Don't get it twisted though, just because we are in a match against one another doesn't mean i am suddenly not a legend and on the same level as you, it's more so a lesson in respect than a match. Look what we have here though, Ryan Marx showing a bit of humility? Or is Ryan Marx using his "hardships" to fit his agenda? You lost a couple of matches against bigger names than yourself and you acknowledge the fact that well, you aren't main event talent but here you are in the main event, thanks to me. Don't get it twisted though, this isn't a testament to how far CM Banks has fallen by facing the likes of you, it's a testament to how big CM Banks is and continues to be by being able to have the likes of yourself placed in a main event slot. How can you say that "no one man can be something this huge" while going around calling yourself the Zeitgeist? It's becoming more apparent to me that the claims you have made about yourself throughout your short career here is clearly nothing but a facade. A mask to cover up the flaws and insecurities that lie beneath, ones that begin to reveal themselves when facing clear superiors, the type of men who actually are what he claims to be. Next you're going to tell me that you don't actually live your life by the Five Pillars. Keep exposing yourself Ryan, tell me more about how a man of my stature should be too good to be fighting the self proclaimed Zeitgeist because you simply don't deserve to be in the main event slot after continuously coming up short against superior talent in that position. I'll be waiting.

"There once was a dreamer, a young man with the ambition of a lion. These dreams and ambitions were something that this man would stop at no cost to achieve, to the point where those very things molded him into becoming he man he would turn out to be. Somewhere down the line an ambitious dreamer with his head to the sky converted into a self absorbed narcissist of an individual and as the hunger to reach his goals increased, the drive did as well. This man would go onto mold himself into a powerful entity in his own right, with said dreams and aspirations being the spark that ignited the fire in his heart to become what he did. The more he realized he was closer to reaching his goal, the more of a monster he became. Nobody could tell him anything, he did it his way and it got him this far, to the Land of Elite. Finally, but merely reaching the place considered the pinnacle of this sport was not where the buck stopped for him. One milestone reached was not going to tame his hunger or hinder his ambitions, his goals became even more prevalent as he added onto them each time he'd accomplish one. Full of himself but despite the character flaws, he was able to back up his words with action. One would consider the sociopathic mind state to be problematic, but it was a gift in a sense. He never thought twice, and never thought about his actions..he just got things done, and it got him as far as it did. Converting people into followers went from a task to a given that he didn't even need to do himself. Pretty shortly he didn't need to speak for himself, the followers did it for him.. dream realized. A young dreamer with the world in his hands and the future ahead of him.. capturing championships and creating a buzz. It seemed as if nothing was going to wake him up from this realized dream until the harsh realities of the levels he was able to reach set in, it hit him hard and fast. He found himself stuck between a rock and a hard place after having reached a roadblock in the name of CM Banks. Far cry from the inexperienced newcomers he made a name out of defeating."

My latest victim happens to be an individual who's praises I've heard sung in harmony from dozens of people in the back. A man who has backed up his words and those praises time and time again, continuing to win and continuing to impress people to the point of them labeling this man the future of this business. The general consensus of him being a surefire star who's ascension to the apex of this company is not a matter of "if".. but rather "when", and with the Openweight Championship being held on your shoulders, that is a good indication of you being on the right track, the claims are indeed backed up by some form of proof. I'm sure you hear the praises and the constant heralding, and you revel in it, it must be a gratifying feeling for you. The problem with that is what you and everybody else needs to understand is the fact that you are not the first person to walk into this company quickly making a name for himself, gaining a cult following and support making everyone crown you as "The One" who will carry this company into it's next generation while becoming a legend. I have seen it all and heard it all, I could even name names but I won't do that, but often times these names enter this company and the ones who we think will hands down live up to the potential and labels placed upon them.. they fold under pressure. Pressure bursts pipes, and these guys go from the hottest new thing in EAW... to busts, and many things may factor into that, it could be a matter of feeling like you're already where you need to be and getting complacent, or it could simply be you not being as ready for that next level as everyone thought you'd be. Oh and to add icing onto the cake the ones who actually do turn out to become the next in line were the ones who didn't garner much hype or praise initially, they were the ones being overlooked while seeing guys like YOU get all the glory and they worked to surpass you. There's a good saying that goes "hard work beats talent, when talent fails to work hard" and to me that epitomizes EAW to it's very core. Now don't get me wrong, I am not labeling you an overhyped future bust, but I have seen a thousand Ryan Marx's come and go in this business.. and until you prove me wrong and have some longevity in this business and make a lasting Marx(see what I did there), then you are nothing more to me than just another guy. Which brings me back to my point about overhyped guys folding under pressure and then becoming disappointments that didn't live up to the expectations projected upon them.. are you aware of how much pressure you face going up against me? Or does it not phase the big bad Ryan Marx who runs through all of his opponents and wins championships.. because then that does nothing but bring me back to my point of complacent overconfident people who let the hype get to their heads, only to end up being in over their heads once they face real competition such as myself. 

You are nothing more than a paradigm of everything wrong with EAW, people who experience minimal success but haven't truly made a dent somehow thinking that they are suddenly able to skip the line and compete against the very top of the food chain. Your most impressive victory thus far comes against an admittedly rusty Prince of Phenomenal on his first bout back in this federation in years. Yet you'll probably use that as some sort of measuring stick for me, and proof that you have what it takes to stand toe to toe with a Hall of Famer. I'll tell you what though, you are severely miscalculating if you think that this is anywhere near a similar situation. What you have in front of you is not your random everyday Hall of Famer who got thrown in despite an underwhelming career because they just needed to fill the quota. This isn't your random everyday legend in this business who you can point to as somebody who made an impact in this business but in the grand scheme of things you can name several superiors. This is a man who is THE Hall of Fame, I am THE INDUSTRY. You are facing the very blueprint of this whole thing, and no you aren't facing simply "the founding father", you are facing the heart and soul of this company. You have clearly worked your way up in the ranks to the point where people would even feel like me and yourself would be an intriguing matchup, perhaps it will but some butts in seats, glue some eyes to the tube to see us go at it verbally and in the ring.. but then the clear drop off in talent and experience from myself to you becomes evident. They compare and contrast the two of us and see CM Banks the very embodiment of an old era in EAW and they see Ryan Marx, a visual representation of the future face of this company, who will be the man long after I'm dead and gone. But these observations are made from the outside looking in, this week we get a clear inside look of everything and the observations look funny in the light. What's seen in the light, or in reality ends up being CM Banks, the very live in the flesh embodiment of not only an old era of EAW.. but EVERY era of EAW, past, present, and future. A future that may or may not include Ryan Marx but whether it does or does not, EAW won't miss a beat regardless, you know why? Because of everything that I instilled into MY creation. Going against me is a far cry from your average New Breed division competitor, your average rookie, or average middle of the pack extremist just happy to be booked on a card. What you are sooner than later going to have to realize is that there are levels to this, tiers, stratospheres.. and I am on one by myself. You on the other hand son, you have a ways to go.. you WERE on the right track until you thought it was a good idea to muster enough confidence to face me in that ring, whatever happened to a slow burn? That's why people like you always end up fizzling out, they go from one level to a million levels higher even though they aren't quite ready for it yet. It is very easy to be the standout in a division of mediocrity and get praise based on the level of competition you have dominated in, but it's not necessarily quite the same when you begin to face.. ya know, actual competition. I mean we already know how Ryan Marx performs when it comes to actual top tier talent. You lost to Lannister, and a few weeks back you lost to Tiberius Jones who might I add is the same man who has been tucking his tail running from Theron for the past two months and has yet to successfully defend his championship without some form of assistance, so what does that say about you? It says that when the bright lights are on, you can't rise to the occasion, so perhaps you should stick to fighting people on your level. You Ryan Marx up until this point have been nothing more than the least smelling pile of trash out of the several other piles of trash, and I guess to a bunch of people in the back who aren't familiar with what actual greatness looks like that can be deceiving, so they take what they can get and herald you for not being as underwhelming as your counterparts. It's very easy for an athlete to be the best at their local recreation league, they might even win a bunch of trophies for it, but the talent difference between that of an actual professional and an amateur like themselves is still glaring. That's probably the best way to describe the difference between me and you, but I'd rather show you than tell you.

That brings me to the elephant in the room, I suffered my first loss since returning at the hands of Nasir Moore, and honestly there's no excuses or anything that I can really say to knock him. He showed up, he stepped up to the plate, and he proved himself to be a worthy competitor and a future world champion. The glaring difference between a person like Nasir Moore and Ryan Marx is that Nasir came out to the ring straight up and answered an open challenge because he wanted to prove something to not only me but himself. With Ryan Marx there is no "proving" anything in his head because everything is already made up that he is as good as he thinks, and this is where I will be delighted to knock him off of that high horse and back down to reality. He didn't come out to accept a challenge but rather to disrespect and undermine me, and in doing so, he bit off more than he could chew. He claims that he's going to capture a world championship thus becoming the heart and soul of this company leaving old timers like myself to be a thing of the past, extinct. Those are some great ambitions to have but allow me to show you exactly how I became the heart and soul of EAW on this upcoming Showdown, and it wasn't through beating a bunch of nobodies and growing a huge ego because of it. It was through sheer hard work, dedication, and respecting the foundation that was set before me. You should crawl before you walk, but perhaps this will be the wake up call you needed before that last title defense.. a master class is in session.

"Don't ever throw rocks at the sun, you can't reach it."

 
I would say good morning, but it’s not a good morning for anyone who accessed EAW.com in these early hours. Because they just witnessed the dumbest video that’s ever been posted to that website. The interview featured the most beautiful and intelligent woman in this whole world… and Cloud Matsuda. Cloud is a woman that has a real strange way of coming to her conclusions. She’s a real shit talker that pretends to know everyone better than they know themselves and truly surrounds herself with particular groups of people in order to put off a certain image with other people. Once this week you saw her surrounded by certain people on our roster in an effort to, I don’t know, portray herself as someone that is good? Now you see her sitting down for an interview and trying to make herself look tough and make me look weaker. Poor Monica even struggled at times in this video because of how idiotic Stephanie was acting. You’re not so clever, hunny. You’re more so acting like a tool than anything else.
 
You didn’t make Sheridan irrelevant. She did. That’s the funny thing about you though. You’re always trying to take credit for someone’s downfall. This isn’t your first time doing this either. You’re right, I did play 1/3 of the role in killing Hexagun. That really did happen. And the same woman that did that is standing here right now. It’s just funny that you’re pretending like I’m sliding to these low tactics in an effort to get through matches. Look, really look, at how often I cheat in a match. Having trouble figuring that out? I don’t need to fucking cheat. It’s not even in my wheelhouse. You have to go all the way back to the time the OGs interrupted our triple threat match. You know, the one you cheated your way into? I imagine you’ve probably forgotten now as you tend to gloss over facts in order to make this seem about something else all together. And what happened then? I distanced myself as far away from those trash hoes as possible, didn’t I? Do you see Alexis running to the ring an doing things for me? No, you don’t. So really, you’re just creating this narrative, that you no doubt think is foolproof, and trying to spin it out there like the little spider you are. But I squish spiders like you under my boot when they try to be big shit talkers that can’t back it up. It’s not that you can’t back it up, either. It’s just that you won’t. Because now we’re in iteration 47 of Cloud Matsuda since she joined EAW. And this one is just as worthless as the other 46 before it. Even though, I’ll give you credit, you have had your moments here in here among those 47. Me busting up Aria’s arm, listen, that’s more her fault than mine. She was too stubborn to just tap her hand on the ground and mercifully let the match come to an end. It was her own movement, trying to get out of that Longhorn Lock, that put her in the place to dislocate her own arm. Am I blameless? Nah… but it wasn’t about maiming her in order to get a win. I was just witness to Aria Jaxon’s greatest act of desperation in her entire career. And now you want to make me out to be a criminal for having the best seat? It’s not my fault you can’t hang with her. It’s not my fault you aren’t see as a top class wrestler. Open your eyes. Open your mind. That’s all on you.
 
I find myself standing here searching for all of the shit I apparently did to ruin your life? Explain it to me, I’ve got time. You’re making me out to be far more villainous than even I believe I am. I’m goal driven. I have a strong work ethic. I’m accepted and loved by people who surround me with nothing more than encouragement. I take constructive criticism as well as anyone in this business. And I still, whether you choose to believe this or not, work my tail off to make sure the Cailin that enters that ring is the best possible version. That’s why I haven’t been routinely losing a step. That’s why I won’t be turning in my two weeks anytime soon. And THAT’S why I’m the No. 1 contender for the title. It was progression. A month ago Madison Kaline told me I was done. People keep doing that to me, Cloud, you should know better. Shouldn’t you? But here I am again. No matter what happens in Empress of Elite, I will be walking into Manifest Destiny to fight what I believe will be a fully healthy Aria. And so all of this shit talk you wasted your time delivering, it will be all for not. You’re wrong about me in more ways than one. You’re wrong about so many things that it honestly baffles me that you still believe you’re one of the best in this company. Maybe that all came to you as an epiphany during your little trip to Italy to get away from it all. Did you wake up there and finally realize, like the rest of us, that you’ve always been this talented? But still, we’re all waiting for the moment you put it all together and manipulate it in the right shape, and finally do what you’ve been telling us you we’re going to do all along. But I’m not a patient person, so I’m not going to dance around with you in the ring and wait until you do something. I’m going to take the lead and I’m going to put you down and move on yet another week in this tournament. Can you only imagine what that would mean for EAW? Try as you might, you aren’t putting me away this week. Try your damndest, but I’ll still be right here where I belong, fighting at the top like I do over and over. That has nothing to do with whether or not I care about myself more than someone else. It has everything to do with how hard I work to be where I am. And now matter how much you eat, sleep, train and repeat, you will never be able to fucking measure up to me. Especially not when you’re acting as idiotic as possible.
 
Is everyone their own worst enemy? Of course. That’s obvious. But with Cloudy we have someone who doesn’t just drive one knife into herself at a time, but several. It’s such a death by a thousand paper cuts kind of scenario. And she’s shrugging off what I’m saying, but she knows this to be true. She’s the woman of a million gimmicks. Her character changing with the wind. I’ve always been a determined and stubborn fighter. Maybe I come across more as a bitch now than I did before. But I think my own moment of sweet to bitch came when I had to hear Sheridan Müller explain week after week that she was the reason Empire happened and she was the reason women’s wrestling was evolving in EAW. That’s so despicable because Empire is all of us. One woman might call herself the queen, but this foundation was built on the actions of women like HBG and Cameron and others. It turned a corner with fighters like Tarah Nova and Madison Kaline completely changing the game from what it had been for so long. Aria and I? We started to change it again and force the perceptions to change. And then someone like you came along. I took actions into my own hands to make sure the woman who wanted all of us cleansed and referred to anyone that wasn’t her as cancerous, wasn’t the woman who was reigning above us. I used my crown opportunity to do that, which I believe was as selfless an act as I could have possible given this company. Was there a reward for me? Of course. But the ultimate reward wasn’t the Women’s title. It was taking that out of Sheridan’s possession. I became my own worst enemy because the OGs who laid the foundation surrounded themselves around me immediately. They tried to be my friend and scheme around me all for a chance to taste the gold on their own. I saw it coming from a mile away, but they still got what they desired. And I did evolve from that. I think you learned that from me. From Day 1 here, I’ve been saying that same line. You lose, you learn. You win, you learn. But from all of it, you either evolve or you slide backwards. But evolution doesn’t come from a new gimmick, it comes from a mental standpoint. And if you haven’t figured that out yet, your trainers and teachers you speak so highly of are teaching you the wrong damn things. I could be a bitch to you all week and try to act cocky, like you’re trying to do. Or, I could respectfully pick you apart and watch you flounder in an attempt to defend yourself. That’s what I’m doing, because it works so well with you. You’re trying to piss me off because you think you can. But you can’t. You better evolve again. For all the cockiness you’re trying to muster up, you’ll just get the same old confidence from me, with an added dose of composure you were never ready for.
 
Much of what you say these days is confused layers of bullshit. I can see that you’re trying to make some sort of point along the way and you’re trying to paint me out to be a lot of things. For one, I have indeed beaten Aria. That gets glossed over by people trying to make it seem like she has only beaten me. And actually, we’ve had three total results since that one match. It’s not my fault you ruined two of those matches this year. I want to clarify what I said about Meow. You can love her, but she ruined a good portion of your career. And that angered me. Why? Because I was your friend. Because we were in a relationship. You spent a great deal of time last season trying to pick apart who everyone was and going from place to place with who you were. That’s not complicated. That’s insecure. If knowing who I am and who I want to be makes me a stale and boring person, than that’s fine. But being insecure and changing who I am every other month doesn’t sound the least bit interesting to me. I evolve who I am in the ring through training. I don’t need to do that in the same way out of the ring. For some reason you believe that when I leave the ring I’m breaking arms and spitting in faces. I’m doing what I want with Aria because I want to. You’re taking that as an insult for some reason. If I’m wrong on that, than you can portray that differently than you have the next time. But again, excuse me if I’m disappointed with the bad direction she took you in. But how does that make you different with the way you seem to be coming at me about the Sanatorium? Oh yeah, it doesn’t. I take some offense to you blaming me for anything JJ Silva did. Especially from you. You know as well as anyone the abuse I dealt with there. You know the mental strain that he put on me because I’ve told you. It’s pretty low that you would bring that into the light and try and turn it back on me. The freedom I got from him, and the love I still have for both Eclipse and Chris, it only made me grow as a competitor. It was the best decision I ever made in my career and it came only a few months into EAW. Sad that you would try to make it something else. And leave it to you to say that you’ll embarrass me on national television. I’ve already pointed out that you’re a formidable opponent. We will fight our asses off and I know not to expect anything but the best effort from you. I just expect myself to beat you, just like any good competitor would. And no, I don’t really think you’re a confused little blasian girl. I’ve never even called you blasian or labeled you anything as such. You’re Stephanie Matsuda. And you’re one of the best damn fighters I’ve ever known.
 

I spent a lot of really great moments in my life with you. But sometimes it doesn’t work out. Things we’re never perfect, but they were always passionate. But it never felt completely right to me. So, yeah, selfishly I thought we would be better with other people. I haven’t been wrong about that yet. I’m sorry you still feel so much hurt and pain from this breakup, but it was the right thing to do. I gave you those things back that you threw around because you deserve them back. I can’t return those feelings to you the way you wanted. In reality, I think we’ll always be better as friends who just had a shitload of chemistry when they took it further. We developed into a relationship faster than we ever did a friendship. But that friendship that did come along developed a hell of a bond. Even with all of this fighting right now, I think I’ll always have deep friendships with Aria, Tarah and even you that go beyond what happens in the ring. One of these days you’ll turn to your side while recounting your career in EAW and I’ll be sitting there at the bar with you, smile on my face and remembering all of those good times. But for now, you want to go to war and you want to try and make me out to be the worst person to ever step foot in Empire. You’re no better than the woman you claim to have made irrelevant last week if that’s really the case. Keeping on talking, hunny, keep on trying to make me look worse than I am. But you’re digging your own hole. I got myself a new shovel to dig it deeper for you. Because I’m on a new, damn level.

Empress of Elite 24/7 Interview w/ Stephanie “Cloud” Matsuda



(The camera opens to a studio where EAW Interviewer Monica Vaughan is sitting with Stephanie Matsuda, who’s dressed in a War Room Dojo t-shirt and jeans.)

Monica: Welcome back to EOE 24/7. I’m sitting here with my guest for the evening, Stephanie Matsuda.

Stephanie: (soft smile) Thank you for having me.

Monica: Well, I’d like to get straight to the point: The EOE quarterfinals. This Thursday you will be fighting against Cailin Dillon, a former world champion, specialist champion, and last year’s Empress of Elite. Some say the odds are not in your favor. Are the critics right?

Stephanie: (sighs) In a way, they’re right. In a few days, I’ll be stepping in the ring with one of the best pound-for-pound female wrestlers in the world. Then again, there was a time where Sheridan Muller was the most dangerous woman in the woman in the world. Despite that, we all saw what happened last week.

Monica: Yes, you pinned Sheridan with the Cloud City after a grueling match.

(Stephanie holds up three fingers)

Stephanie: Three seconds. That’s all it takes to make someone irrelevant. Who the hell is talking about Ms. German Efficiency? Nobody. A week haven’t already passed, and nobody has heard a peep from her, or her name come out the mouth of the EAW Universe. 

Monica: Maybe that has to do with the notoriety of your next-

Stephanie: Myth.

Monica: Huh?

Stephanie: It’s more myth than notoriety. The Legend of Cailin Dillon! The woman who toppled Hexagun! The first ever EAW Women’s World Champion! I say myth because the woman I just described no longer exists. All that’s left is a woman who’s afraid to be left behind. Instead of fighting the champ fair and square, she breaks Aria’s arm in hopes that’ll weaken her enough to win the title. She’s taking the easy way out because she knows she can’t take down a fresh prey. So she resorts to hit and run tactics, slowly picking away at her foe until there’s nothing left.  
 
Monica: Mmhm.

Stephanie: (laughs) What is this, National Geographic? That’s not going to work on Aria. The villain of the week s*bleep*t already has her preparing for retaliation. When that day comes, whatever Cai thinks is going to happen will go up in smoke. (Shakes her head) That’s why on Thursday Cailin is getting fired from her No. 1 Contender’s job.

Monica: I believe she’ll still have-

Stephanie: Two week’s notice dear (winks).

(There’s a long moment of silence between Monica and Stephanie.)

Monica: (coughs) Moving on, I’d like to know your response to some of the things Cailin Dillon has said about you. First off, how do you feel about her claims of not caring about your hopes dreams, or your desire to win this year’s tournament? These statements must be hard to hear from someone who you once held dear.

(Stephanie stares at Monica incredulously)

Stephanie: You’re kidding with that statement right? I mean you out of all people is going to say that-

Monica: The question, please.

(Stephanie looks at Monica for a moment, and leans back in her seat.)

Stephanie: Cailin Dillon has never given a f*bleep*k about me or anyone else for that matter. One thing I’ll agree with her about is that she was always like this. Aria, Tarah, and I were just too stupid to see it. She feels like this is who she is? Then get ready for a long, lonely life sweets. By the way, I’m referring to the both of you with that comment. In words of the immortal Chris Rock, “Some people say life is short and that you could get hit by a bus at any moment and that you have to live each day like it's your last. Bullshit. Life is long. You're probably not gonna get hit by a bus. And you're gonna have to live with the choices you make for the next fifty years.” Unquote.

(Another moment of silence occurs between Monica and Stephanie)

Stephanie: Every time I look into Lauryn’s eyes, I sigh and think to myself ‘I failed you.' I fought in her honor - or so I thought - and I failed her when I lost to Alexis at Terminus. I have to live with that feeling for the rest of my life. Remember that turning point in last week’s match where I delivered the slingblade to Sheridan? “Don’t fail her again” was all that I could think about when she had the upper hand against me. (narrows her eyes) I will not fail Lauryn again. One day, Cailin is going to look back at all the s*bleep*t she’s done and realize she has to live with those choices. She’s a drug-free healthy thoroughbred too - which means she’s going to live for a very long time. She’s going to look at everything she’s done to be the best, and I guarantee she’s not going to be proud of it. She breaks titles and crowns. If all those things don’t mean anything to her, then why the hell is she even in EAW? I used to be the same way - disguise my failures with a nonchalant attitude and pretend to not care about the accolades that wrestling has to offer. Those accolades I once criticize are objectives; they are goals that we aspire to see how far we’ve gone in our career. It's why Olympians compete for the gold. It’s why boxers beat the hell out of each other. When Joe from marketing gets employee of the month, you think he’s going to reject that? That might lead to a promotion which means more money and better benefits to feed his family. Emily’s just in her feelings because she can’t get the job done.

Monica: We’ll see about that. Next, she brings up about your time in Italy and your aspirations to win the crown. She also discusses your tendency to be your own worst enemy and that your prey is the crown and not her. What are your thoughts on her words?

Stephanie: “Tendency to be my own worst enemy.” That’s real cute Monica. But alas, it’s true. That doesn’t hold much weight though; everyone is their own worst enemy. You will evolve, once you realize that. The hardest battles always come from within (beats chest). Cailin wants to know when did it change for me? (laughs) I can tell her when I knew I needed to change and the exact moment it all clicked for me.

Monica: Really?

Stephanie: Of course, sweets. In my last match before I left, the tag match with Manami versus Hazumi, I watched my sensei get pinned in the middle of the ring. Two people, we should have been able to beat in our sleep, somehow overcame us. I looked into Manami’s eyes, and it dawned on me: I was too distracted to help her in the match. Despite it being a new season, I was still living in the past. So I decided I needed a fresh new start. I went to Italy, a place I fell in love with when we were touring through there a while ago. For two weeks I lived amongst the people, ate their food, and just basked in the atmosphere. One evening, I was in Venice, sitting atop of the world famous Rialto Bridge, staring at the sunset. Sharing that magnificent sight with the surrounding tourists made me realize something: the world is bigger than me. Empire is greater than me. Elite Answers Wrestling is bigger than me. Same goes for women’s wrestling - hell, the industry as a whole. The funny thing is I started saying these things under my breath, which prompted a giggle to the left of me. I turned my head to the left and was face to face with the woman I'm with now, Elisa Galimberti.

Monica: Hmm.

Stephanie: That crown does feel elusive to me. It's is my second year chasing it, and this time I’m not going to give up. I’m fighting for the right reasons this time. Heavy is the head that wears the crown, and I’m willing to undertake the responsibilities of being Empire’s Empress of Elite. A strong matriarch is a servant to her population, making the tough decisions as their representative. Aria created the blueprint on what it means to be an empress. Cailin just held the crown for herself. I doubt she’s done a damn thing for anybody else in her life. She claims I can’t do this without the crown? I’d like to ask her something, so maybe you can ask her this on my behalf at dinner later Monica-

Monica: Whatever you think-

Stephanie: Don’t play games with me, sweets. What I want you to ask her is this: “What is your motivation?” That’s it. If she says “being the best,” then that’s complete bull. If she were the best, then she would have never let Cam get the drop on her. If she were the best, she would have walked out of PFP a 2-time champion. If she were the best, then she wouldn't’ have a hard time dealing with this “Aria problem.” While Cailin has tunnel vision, some of us are learning from our lessons and getting stronger every day. It’s not just the Aria and Cailin show anymore. In one night I turned Empress of Elite into “Cloud Country.” I had the back of the entire locker room when I beat Sher, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the girls came out to support me for this match. Cailin’s struggles with her demons do nothing for anybody, much less herself. She needs to step aside with that mess and let me finish the job and prove to the world that Aria Jaxon isn’t invincible. I love and respect my best friend. She wants me to win so we can put on the show of a lifetime. There was a time where Aria and Caiin viewed each other as friendly rivals.

(Stephanie turns to the camera)

Stephanie: What the hell happened Emily? What happened between now and PFP that lead you down this dark path? Why didn’t you come to me? Or Tarah? Or ‘Ria? What did the Sanatorium do to you? You once told me that you wanted to save EAW when you fought against Hexagun. You were so proud to be Specialist Champion. Despite my protest back then, you were so happy being a Siren with Aria and Tarah. What makes a good girl go bad? Unless if you had us all fooled and you were bad, to begin with. When Eclipse whispered in my ear, he took pieces of my pain and negativity and forged it into a blade. I was his Sword of Sanatorium. You seem like his Hammer, smashing the title in half, and destroying the arm of the champion. I don’t know this new Cailin, but it doesn’t take a psychologist to figure out that you’re struggling from within. There’s nothing anyone can do to help you, Emily. This is the kind of stuff you have to deal with yourself. When you huff and puff about how “this is who I am!” part of me doesn’t buy that mess. There’s a reason why I changed my ring name to my real name, Emily. I want the EAW Universe to know that regardless of what path I choose, what they see is what they get with me. When they see Stephanie Matsuda’s ups and downs in the ring, it’s a reflection of the same in my personal life. It’s to show them that I’m just as human as they are. Maybe the Sanatorium is your family all along. Maybe JJ Silva had it half right - you and Eclipse belonged together, and he and Chris Elite was the odd men out. You may want to insult the people in my life Emily, but Mao and Carlos mean as much to me as Alexis and Joseph mean to you. 

Monica: So you’re both at a standstill.

(Stephanie’s eyes fixate on the camera)

Stephanie: That we are, Monica. I guess we were never meant to be in each other’s lives, Emily. Two competitors are vying for the same thing - it was destined to fail from the beginning. To be honest, I’m shocked that Aria and I were somehow able to repair our friendship. As for my identity - everything I ever was, am, and will become is as real as it gets. It’s called being a complicated person Emily - maybe you should try it sometime. If your wrestling is going to be as stale as your personality these days, then expect to be embarrassed on national television. But, I doubt you will disappoint me. You’d rather end your life than let a “Cloud Matsuda” squash you in a match. The confused little Blasian girl who spends her days looking for acceptance everywhere she goes. That’s your perception of me? Good. Let that image burn itself into your mind. It’ll make beating you that much easier. Sanatorium has nothing to do with me - that much I know. In fact, it never had anything to do with me. Eclipse got what he always wanted, and I was so wise to leave when I did. Maybe he knew I wouldn’t stay. Maybe he realizes you would respond to my struggle and reach out to him. If so, then he’s a better manipulator than I give him credit. I don’t want to waste you or your new plaything’s time so...

(Stephanie stands up and walks towards the camera)

Monica: What are you-

Stephanie: She needs to pay close attention to what I’m about to say next.

(Stephanie stands several feet away, her face expressionless)

Stephanie: Camera’s focused on me? Good. Cai- no Emily. I’m addressing you as such because honestly, I have and will always see beyond the Cailin Dillon gimmick. There’s something you need to know and understand. Maybe you already do, and if so, then your latest antics make sense. Aria vs. Cailin is a headliner - it has been for quite some time. The reality is those once in a lifetime rivalries have a lifespan just like anything else. The more it’s used, the older it becomes. What keeps a good rivalry alive is when both parties can overcome each other. You have never beaten Aria, sweets. Eventually, the masses are going to get tired of seeing you get your ass handed to you, and they will go away. Ratings will fall, and over time the brass will have to make a decision. Keep falling on your face Emily - as long as she’s champ you may never see a title shot again; Aria vs. Stephanie? It’s still new, fresh in people’s minds. So, to save the world from another disappointment and YOUR career from falling into obscurity, I have to finish YOUR job. I have to clean up YOUR mess. This talk amongst the EAW Universe about Aria being loved and unbeatable? You created that myth with your failures.  Now I have to squash that s*bleep*t with my own feet. When I say I’m driven by something nobody can understand, this is one of many bullet points that fall under that statement. It's is what a real aspiring Empress have to think about - things that have nothing to do with her. I may not be a heartless death machine like you, but at least I can give the fans what they want. Keep living in darkness. No wonder you can’t see what’s right in front of you. 

(Stephanie reaches into her pocket and takes out a white envelope. She stares at it for a moment, her eyes showing hints of sadness)

Stephanie: I can afford to pay off what I’m about to say so please, cut off the delay.

(Stephanie looks back into the camera, glaring)

Stephanie: I love you Emily, but fuck you.

(Stephanie walks off stage in Monica’s direction She tosses the white envelope to her)

Stephanie: Take it. I don’t need it anymore.

(As Monica catches the envelope, it opens, spilling out a letter and ring.)

Monica: Oh. My. God.

(The camera focuses on Monica covering her mouth for a moment, but zooms in on the letter and ring on the floor as the camera goes black)