Post by heavenstobetsy on Feb 23, 2021 12:54:31 GMT -6
“You don’t deserve to be here."
“The chick that lost to Mack O’Connor?”
“You’re not ready.”
“SHUT UUUUUUPPPPPPPPP!”
Betsy Granger screams to the disembodied voices, holding her hands over her ears. Once the chatter stills, she opens her eyes and takes in the shocked expressions of the people around her. The camera crew all look away from her, acting busy even though the cameras are rolling.
“You know what I’m tired of hearing about? How I should be at the back of the line because Mack defeated me. Here’s a shocking fact: I don’t disagree. Now here’s the thing: I’m here, so get over this; furthermore, I still want this. So much that I had a serious discussion with James and we agreed that I still cared more about it. James never had his actual rematch; Consider this me cashing it in with permission. This is the curse of the ambitious: I’ll use whatever schemes and skills I have to get what I want.
But will it be enough?
To take down a disrespectful Boomer or a co-dependent tag-team lackey, definitely. Boys, it would be my honor to show you exactly why James and Shawn agreed to let me step forward for this shot. If either of you thought that you hurt my feelings by repeating what everyone else has said, then you need to go watch Shawn’s Behind the Scenes specials again. I may have fallen short to Mack O’Connor, but I can throw Old Man River and Pinhead all day long. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter which member of Legacy grabs that shot, as long as one of us does. If it means sacrificing myself to save his shot, you’re damn right I’ll do it; just as I know he would for me.
Outcast, I learned respect for my elders from my father; but even he agrees that every now and then, exceptions must be made. Congratulations, you are, you are, you are, my current exception. Whether I deserve to be here or not doesn’t matter; the fact that I am is what you should be focusing on. How to handle me once you’ve got me in the ring should be your priority. If you think I should be in the back of the line, I invite you to throw me there yourself. Just… Don’t break your hip doing it, I wouldn’t want to have to pay those medical bills out of guilt. I also don’t need an elderly abuse charge on my record. I appreciate the attempt to climb the mountain one more time, but there’s a wobble in your step and the slope is getting perilously steep. One little push, and down you go. The question is, who’s going to send you careening to the bottom?
Will it be you, Lux? You know, James and Jax showed me old match clips of you guys and it still amazes me that you guys managed to get one over on them. Why are you even in this match, to even out the numbers a bit? People have questioned the legitimacy of my right to be here, but at least I’ve got multiple singles championships and accolades under my belt in other companies. That’s what you call representation. The only thorn in my side has been GCWA, which is something I intend to rectify, one way or another. Love me or hate me, question my skills, question my determination, question anything you like; I won’t be told I don’t deserve to be here. Maybe my entry into this match wasn’t the most orthodox, but it was agreed upon and there isn’t a damn thing anyone can do about it. Please, step up and prove me wrong; make your point and send me on my way to the back. Just remember that I’m there; People have made that mistake before.
Both of you are fixated on all the wrong things going into this match, and it’s going to secure a Legacy victory. It’s not surprising that the bigger picture would go over your heads. Outcast lives far and away in his own mind, which is stuck somewhere in the 1940s. Lux is too busy trying not to get murdered and cutting deals with the devil to win a match or two. Neither one of you are up to the task of getting through to face Mack O’Connor; yet you would come after me about whether I deserve to be here or not? Deana probably drew your names out of a hat; At least Shawn had a spot to claim as the longest-reigning North American Champion. I myself hold gold in two different companies; in case you’re asking why that’s relevant, it’s called representing the brand. And you had better believe that GCWA will be no different soon enough. It doesn’t matter where it comes from, I have the hunger and the talent to capture any fucking thing I want, and it’s going to take more than Boomer and Lux the Lackey to stop me from having it.
But you two aren’t the only ones attempting to thwart my redemption, are you? Oh no, there’s a REAL threat to my getting another shot at Mack O’Connor.
Shawn… Brother Dearest… Sensei… Leader…
You hit mercilessly with a lot of truths that were hard to swallow, stuff that I myself had thought and dismissed. Things that lingered at the back of my mind, nagging every now and again. Thoughts of whether anyone within Legacy felt the same as I did: It should have been Shawn who won the Righteous Rumble. If it weren’t for Legacy, I never would have won it. Don’t get my words twisted, I worked my ass off to get where I am. But whether I like it or not, the Rumble was pure luck and full team-work. Moving right along, I also must concede that you were right about my not being up to the task of taking down O’Connor. I looked to you as a leader and a mentor and I rejected the lessons you provided. I acted on my emotions and allowed them to distract me enough to cost Legacy the title. It was a jarring wall to hit after moving full-steam ahead so quickly.
Lessons learned, Brother Mine.
For all the leadership and guidance, you’ve given me, I thank you. You took me under your wing and taught me everything I needed to succeed; with your lessons, I became a credit to Legacy. I quickly rose through the ranks; all while being hyped by Shawn Warstein himself. A girl couldn’t have asked for much more; I certainly wouldn’t. I’ve had more in my first few months in the business than most of these deadbeats get in a lifetime. Perhaps this is one part fangirl, one-part kin, one part friend saying this, but Shawn deserves this title shot. He’s worked his ass off to get where he is, a legend of the business, founder of the greatest stable to hit the industry ever. Shawn Warstein should become GCWA World Heavyweight Champion...
Eventually.
Oh, he was right when he said I wasn’t ready to face Mack… The first time. Brother Dearest, I must admit, I’m a little disappointed in that one. It’s not that I disagree with what you said; it’s the fact that you know firsthand what a quick learner I am. Many of your own lessons are ones I’ve soaked in like a sponge. You had better hope you didn’t teach me just enough to slip through your fingers. You said it yourself, I have a habit of sneaking up on those who aren’t ready for it. Are you going to be able to keep your eyes on me the entire match with two other goons running around? If my history in matches proves anything, it’s that I’m willing to take advantage of any opportunity presented to me.
You know, you talked a lot of crap about James and I both dropping the ball against Mack O’Connor. What took you so long to step up to the plate, fearless leader? Biding your time, plucking at those fiddle strings can only go so long. Someone with your drive doesn’t sit idly by as long as you did; I think someone just got a little too complacent being the reigning North American Champion. You could have dropped that belt ages ago and moved right on up with ease; instead, you held on to it, beating every opponent that came your way. It sounds good on paper, but let's break it down to what it really is: The Legendary Fuzz, spending his time batting around mid-carders like cat toys. Just something to pad your resume a little more, not that you need it at this point. You’ve certainly enjoyed this cozy position with the title. Why break the longest running streak with it now?
Somewhere in the darkest recesses of your mind, you know you aren’t cut out for the top spot anymore. All those jokes about being carried by James... How much truth were you allowing in that sarcasm? It must weigh a little heavy on your mind, despite all your bravado. Watching James being the one held to the highest esteem, all while knowing that it was your genius that led to the creation of Legacy. Seeing how quickly he was elevated in every company he stepped in, while you remained labeled as his washed up side-kick. Watching someone like me rise as quickly as I did, hurdling past the slow and steady work you’d been putting in all along. It sucks to be the best and watch everyone else around you pick up the rewards of your work. It’s there; I saw it in that brief flash of anger in your face at the Righteous Rumble. The disappointment of the ambitious, the frustration of having yet another opportunity snatched away from you.
That little demon will always lurk in the corners of your mind.
However, I digress; I wouldn’t be too worried about being able to hang with the crowd; you made the crowd what it was. It’s just that when you agreed to take me on, you didn’t expect a student so much like yourself while being so painfully different. And that’s why we butt heads, it’s why we get along, and it’s why I know we’re going to put on an absolute clinic when we get Tweedle-Dumb and Tweedle-Doofus out of the way.
At the end of the day, you still get exactly what you wanted: Legacy vs. Legacy. It may not be for the title, but we’re going to give the world one hell of a show. And I just wanted to address this before I finished here today: Pride is officially on the shelf and my ego is in check. I want this, but I want it more for Legacy as a whole. If that means sacrificing my opportunity to ensure yours, so be it. You’ve done it for me; I’d be honored to return the favor if presented with the chance. You’ve held me up and hyped me like no one else; It would be a pleasure to do the same for you. And even if I have to use the referee to get back to my feet at the end of the match, I will be the one to raise your hand in the air when the bell rings.
Because that’s what family is, folks. That’s what Legacy is. And this is ours.”
Betsy gets up abruptly, ripping the mic off her shirt. She looks troubled as she walks off camera, digging into her pocket for her phone. The crew look at each other confused. The camera operator finally shrugs and switches it off.