“I’m sorry.” Chelsea Creed said as she stood against the cold cement wall backstage at the Wells Fargo Center. Just moments prior, Chelsea took part in her first professional match against Jack Cole in a losing effort. Surrounding her was Robin Boyd - her mentor and trainer, and other students of Boyd’s.
Chelsea began to slink down the wall until she sat on the floor. Her feet planted firmly on the floor, her knees bent and her arms brought up - elbows positioned on her knees so she could hold her head in her hands. Disappointment and embarrassment has set in. She promised she wouldn’t let this opportunity slip, that - in front of her hometown - she wouldn’t fail.
But she did.
Sympathetic to her student, Robin looked down to Chelsea - knowing exactly how she felt. “You have nothing to apologize for. You went out there and showcased your talents. There is more to this profession than winning and losing. You will learn that - and tonight was your first lesson. Jack has experience, maybe not on the professional level - but experience nonetheless and that was his edge over you. But you have nothing to feel disappointed about.”
Chelsea remained silent but lifted her head in response. Her eyes focused on Robin, no one else mattered - not right now. Not the other students that attended the evening, not the sparring partners she’s had that are present. Just her mentor. “I know you’re disappointed, Chelsea. I taught you as much as I could, but I cannot teach you how to deal with this kind of disappointment. All I can do is offer you peace of mind; the knowledge that your career isn’t over because of one loss. You’ve heard of the age old saying, ‘Whatever doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger’ - so think of it like that. One lost battle doesn’t define you, nor will it end what will be a long career. It’s a lesson to be learned; to be ready for the next time. Expect people to look out for your Sleeper hold, expect people to look out for the Tiger Suplex set up. When you know they expect it, you will be a step ahead of them when you switch your offense.”
Robin had knelt down to give her pupil that last bit of advice. Words that Chelsea took to heart. Her head nodded gently, agreeing with Robin as she spoke. And as those words sunk in, you could see the disappointment in her eyes lift and that spark of desire, that dedicated fire to become one of the best in this industry returned. The emotion in her face twisted from one of dejection, to a more focused - fired up expression.
Robin, too, noticed this shift in Chelsea's mental state and it brought a smile to her lips. Returning vertical to stand up straight, Robin offered Chelsea one final thought. “I know a loss following a close battle affects your psyche negatively - but you will be better prepared for your next match. You have now tasted defeat; that bitter, sour taste will be a driving force for you - I know it. And what else I know is - victory tastes so much better. You’ll soon know that, as well.”
Chelsea watched Robin turn on her heels and walk away, leaving the students huddled around Chelsea who remained sat on the ground. Robin’s words resonated in Chelsea’s head, replaying on a loop. ‘Victory tastes so much better’. Soon, Chelsea would know …
-------------
“It stings.”
“Getting so into it, into the belief that you are ready to take the next step away from training and venture off into the industry - only to fall flat on your face on the first chance you’re given. It’s embarrassing. It’s humiliating. I said that I was going to be victorious in front of my friends, in front of my family - only to lose. Do you know how hard it was to face them - to face my mentor - after all of that? It’s been repeated to me since that night, losing is a part of the game. That it’s not the end of the world and it doesn’t define me. Keep my head focused on the next one, take the lessons offered to me and prepare for battle.”
“Easier said than done, though. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t dwell on the loss - but I can’t simply forget about it either. Jack Cole was better than me and I have to live with that. I will learn from my mistakes, though and I will come back better than before. Which may not be a good thing for Jessie. Against Jack Cole I was focused, albeit inexperienced. I went in head first into the deep end, into the unknown. While it wasn’t a perfect outing, I know what I’ve done wrong and I will apply that tough lesson into what comes next. I was within a matter of moments from winning my last outing and this time, I’m not slowing down. This time, I won’t make those same mistakes and this time I won’t be so focused on the outcome - instead I will be focused on the immediate task.”
“Taking out Jessie B.”
“You are like me in the sense that you didn’t win at Inception; however your loss wasn’t as heartbreaking. You were in a ladder match, no pin to be taken - no direct loss to eat. You got to skate by and just say, ‘I had nothing to do with the outcome’. An excuse I assume someone with your attitude and ego will make. I’ve seen it happen in this industry, people not owning their losses - making excuses just to make themselves look better. Even if I were in that position, I wouldn’t do that. You didn’t climb the ladder. You didn’t pull down the championship - you were just as much of the outcome as the other people who lost the match. But, I will offer you no room for excuses after this next event. Matt Miles has decided to give me another chance, this time against you - and I promise you, I won’t lose this one. I won’t let this opportunity slip through my hands like the last one did.”
“I know you’re seasoned. You’ve traveled to, and competed in Japan against some of the top names in the industry - but I won’t let that intimidate me. You may have rubbed shoulders with the greats, but that doesn’t put you in their bracket. I know I’m green in comparison, but I also know that I have more dedication to this business - to this industry - than someone like you. You’re here for fame, money and stardom. Your ‘Pimp Agency’ means more to you than this entire profession; which is a problem in more ways than one. I’m not even going to go into the distasteful character trait it is to be a so-called ‘pimp’, I’ll let you reflect and figure it out for yourself. But this industry - professional wrestling - taking a backseat to your little ‘agency’? It’s pathetic. There are people like me, and many - many others who would kill to have the opportunities that you’ve had. You’ve traveled and competed in Japan with legends in the business; a dream of mine since before I was even in training. You’re taking it all for granted, and that stops now.”
“I may be new to the industry. I may be green as grass, but I’m going to make you respect this profession. If I have to do so by twisting you in ways you never thought imaginable, then so be it. If I have to do so by putting you asleep and suplexing you onto the back of your head, then so be it. Honestly, it doesn’t matter what I have to do - just mark my words, you will look at this profession in a new light after this. Maybe after you’re beaten by someone going into only their second professional match, you’ll take this more seriously? Maybe after you’re bested by a rookie, you’ll leave the escorts and companions alone and focus on sharpening your in ring I.Q., maybe you’ll focus on being a professional wrestler and not an incompetent pimp?”
“Wishful thinking, I guess.”
“I won’t lie though, Jessie. Your life and career path is none of my business. I’m just passionate about this industry - about professional wrestling and it’s sad when someone who’s considered to be a ‘professional’ treats this as a great-rich-quick scheme. It’s upsetting when this is being used as just an avenue to build stock for something else.”
“The only stock I’m looking to build is my own, and beating you is going to give me a push in the right direction. This time, the opportunity given to me will not escape me. I will make the most of this and I will begin my path toward stardom - and unfortunately it will come at your expense, Jessie.”
by MinaAizawa Thu Oct 13, 2022 3:46 am
Subject: "PROFESSIONAL Wrestler." Apex April 2nd 
