Post by amyzing on Mar 23, 2013 14:56:39 GMT -4
::The banner of Rasslemania IX hangs from the ceiling. A large Rasslemania IX logo dominated the canvas in the ring. Two of the banners around the ring the ring bear the Rasslemania logo, while the other two are the logo of Action Packed Wrestling. Black mats have been placed around the ring. The barricades at the ringside area have been placed. Additional seats, folding chairs that bear the event’s logo and that of the APW’s, have been set up all around the ring and aisle behind the barricades and along the entrance way.::
::The announce table is set up. The Action Packed Wrestling logo is displayed on the table. The monitors are set on the table. In front of them rests the headsets. The pyrotechnics launchers are loaded and ready. The sound equipment has been put in place. Several ladders have been brought in for the ladder match tonight. There is a large mound of dirt with a hole and a coffin and a shovel in the dirt, with a steam shovel next to the mound. The Hell in a Cell cage suspended over the ring by several pulley and cable systems. A cable is suspended from the ceiling, with a metal ring at the end for the ACW North American Championship to be hanged from.::
::A large set has been constructed. It looks similar to the one used for last year’s event. The only real main difference is the Toronto skyline has been built on the stage, with the wrestlers entering that way. The 33ft wide, 110 ft long Rogers Center videoboard depicts various matches that will occur during the show. It cycles though the Tag Team Championship, the ladder match for the North American.::
::All the camera men are in place, making all kinds of last minute checks to their equipment. Production crewmembers go through the final preparations, going over every last minute detail to make tonight perfect.::
::Inside the building, the food stands are getting set up. Popcorn is popping. Hot dogs are cooking on rollers. Ice is being dumped into soda machines.::
::The vendors in merchandise stands are setting up. Shirts are being hung up to be displayed. Replicas of the APW World Heavyweight and Undisputed Championships, both the cheap foam and plastic child’s version and the more expensive full-sized, exact copy style replicas for adults, are being set up for displayed. Hats are being places on hooks. The shelves are loaded with merchandise.::
::Outside the arena, despite the cold, despite the early hour, people have already gathered. The majority are locals, from all over Ontario. Others have come from other parts of Canada, such as Alberta, British Columbia, Vancouver and such. There are those who came from parts of the United States such as New York, New England, Alaska and so on. Some have even come from Europe. They wait outside, or walk around, or go to a local shop. Some of these fans are carrying various items, such as frying pans, baseball bats and other such things, for the Fan’s Bring Weapons Match tonight. For obvious reason, this has lead to a bit of extra security. Some people are there just to sell bootleg merchandise, or actual merchandise.::
::The parking areas are full of vehicles rented or even owned by the personnel of the arena and the APW. The trucks are unloaded. The production trucks are all set and ready to begin.::
::After hours of hard work and setting up, everything seems to be in place. The Rogers Center, formerly known as the Skydome, is ready for the biggest show the APW can put on; Rasslemania IX.::
::Inside the arena, the roof is opened. The CN Tower, the 5th largest free standing structure on earth, and the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, looms over the Toronto sky, visible from inside the arena.::
::Though the show is hours away, one wrester stands off to the side of the entrance walkway, on the floor of the arena. She looks up towards the Toronto skyline, however her eyes are closed. She slowly breathes in and out, in and out.::
::Amy Zing is already dressed to compete, even though the show is still hours away. As the show is in Canada, she is dressed in the colors of the Canadian flag. Her boots and gloves are red, while the part that covers her torso is white. She is wearing the latest Amy Zing t-shirt over her attire. This shirt is black. Written on the front in white letters is “Simply Amy Zing”, while on the back, also in white letters, is “Never give up. Never back down”.::
“Tonight…”
::She breathes in and out slowly. It is clear she is trying to keep herself calm and focused. This week has been hectic with appearances and fan events all over Toronto. She is trying to keep calm and focused on what is not only the biggest night of the biggest night of the APW’s calendar year, but also may potentially be the biggest night of her career. At the same time, it is as if she is trying to take in this moment, this calm before the storm.::
“It all comes down to tonight.”
::She opens her eyes, looking up towards the CN Tower. But it is as if she does not see the tower. Instead it is like she is looking beyond the tower.::
“For the last week, even before then really, about this time last week I suppose, each and every single one of us has been going on and on about Rasslemania IX and how they shall either dominate or win or hurt our opponent and so on. This week, we’ve done autograph signings, fan events, appearances on talk shows, been on radio broadcasts, media events and all sorts of other such things. All the while, we have been hyping Rasslemania IX, as we should, and going on about how we shall win whatever match we are in.”
::She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, still looking at the Toronto skyline, dominated by the CN Tower.::
“I have never guaranteed victory in my entire career. It has never been a lack of desire or a lack of passion or a lack of heart or a lack of confidence. I have desire. I have passion. I have heart. I have confidence. But, at the same time, I know whoever I step into the ring with has those same things. If they did not, then they should not be here.”
::Again, she slowly breathes in and out, as if meditating.::
“All I want tonight is just a Rasslemania moment.”
::She smiles a bit, knowing that has probably opened her up to all kinds of comments about how she lacks desire or heart or confidence or whatever. That humble and respectful attitude of hers is often the first thing attacked by opponents. She is used to it, and has often bested the very people who made the accusation.::
“I know it is not as great a goal as wining the North American Championship, but I think it is an achievable goal. There are six other people in that ladder match, and each of us only has a little over a fourteen percent chance. It’s a fourteen and a lot of change percent really, but who’s counting. While I admit it is still enough of a chance for me to try and win, there are six other people all trying to win as well, so to guarantee victory would be foolish.”
“As sweet as that would be, I will settle for the moment. I want to achieve that one highlight, that one great moment, which fans will remember forever. I want to earn that one highlight that gets played over and over again whenever Rasslemania advertisements air. Tonight, I want to do something that just screams simply Amy Zing. Tonight, I want my moment.”
::The clanging sound of metal on metal is heard. Amy turns to look. One of the members of the ring crew has closed one of the ladders and is now starting to move it. She looks at the ladder, almost like she is daydreaming.::
“Still…I cannot deny that I really want that championship.”
::She turns from the ladder, running a hand through her hair.::
“When I look back on these past few months, since I debuted at One Night in Hell, all the way back in October, I can’t help but feel all the struggles, all the hardships have been leading to this moment, to this night at Rasslemania.”
“I think about all the problems with Young Mannie, his attacking me, abducting my parents, Sienna Harrison’s favoritism towards him, my issues with her, getting fired, coming back, all of those struggles and pains, somehow, it feels like it has just been leading to this moment. Somehow, it feels like tonight all those hardships and everything I have gone through in my, albeit short, career turns around and I finally have that one great victory that justifies every struggle, every pain and every sacrifice I have made.”
::She closes her eyes and smiles, shaking her head. She sighs and opens her eyes, looking at the ring. From where she is standing, she can only see two sides of the ring. One side, facing towards the entrance walkway and the stage, bears the Rasslemania IX logo. The other, which faces the barricade the fans will be behind, which also partially obscures it from full view, has the Action Packed Wrestling logo.::
“But I know that is not the case. I am sure Warren Peace, Nathaniel Havok, the Guv’Nor, Robina Hood, Niobe Martin, Cid Phoenix and Evan McDonald can all come up with reasons why they all deserve to win the match. And they have as tonight is mostly what we have all been talking about for at least the past two weeks, if not around the time the match was first announced in Alexander Duvall and Sienna Harrison’s last minute bit to save their jobs.”
“Still, each of us has our reasons for wanting to win tonight. Those reason range from respect, to glory, to pride, to redemption or to the fact that we are the current champion and would like to retain the championship, to the simple fact that for some of us, this is our Rasslemania debut and we simply do not wish to lose on this grand stage. Whatever the case may be, each of us could probably come up with a million reasons why we deserve to win. However, despite that, the simple and undeniable fact of the matter is that only one of us seven will be able to climb the ladder, capture the North American Championship and be declared the winner.”
“Warren, Nathaniel, Guv’Nor, Robina, Niobe, Cid, Evan, never mistake my humility for a lack of passion or drive or desire or heart. I have all those things. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t be here."
::She turns her attention to the empty seats. Within hours, but still, somehow sooner than one could imagine, these seats will start to fill up.::
“There are only a few places where I would want to have that great moment that just lives on memory forever. Toronto, Ontario, Canada is such a place.”
“I love my fans from all over the world and I love going to the ring to do what I do every night. But there are just some places where you can feel the history, you can feel all the great moments, the past excitement and glory, as if the very ground and building you stand on is somehow infused with it, echoing everything.”
“When you think of the history wrestling has with this building and that here, in Canada, wrestling is a tradition, and you think about all the great wrestlers and wrestling dynasties Canada has produced, it really makes you want to go out and do something truly incredible so that your name is etched into their minds forever. Tonight, I want to add my name to that list. This is the night where stars can become legends and legends can become immortal. That is something I have to admit is appealing.”
::For a moment, she allows herself to look above the ring at the cell and cable. For a moment, she looks concerned.::
“That is of course if that cell doesn’t come crashing down on top of the ring. I mean look at that thing. Why would anyone have a Hell in a Cell match in an open air arena? It just doesn’t seem safe. Okay, yeah, I’m in wrestling and it is generally not a safe environment. And yes, I know that people have made sure that thing is safe and secure. But still, I really want a better moment than that thing crashing down onto the ring. Now sure, there is a one in a million chance of that happening. Still, it would be a terrible moment and I really want a moment. I…”
::She suddenly stops herself from speaking and purses her lips. “The Hong Kong Sensation” closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly as she does every time she starts rambling.::
“That’s what I am fighting for tonight. I am fighting for my dream. I am fighting for all my fans, my friends and family who have supported me since day one. Tonight, I fight to prove I truly deserve the name “the Hong Kong Sensation”.”
::She looks upwards again, this time towards the Toronto skyline and closes her eyes. Once again, she takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. Much like that humility she demonstrates, that rambling is something she simply cannot avoid. It is just a part of who she is.::
::Opening her eyes, Amy looks over the arena. Her eyes wander around the Rogers Center.::
“I will fight. No matter the odds, no matter the obstacle, I will fight. I will fight and I will never give up as long as I have the strength to move. Tonight, I walk into the Rogers Center with the goal of doing something memorable. I am going to fight to have that one moment, be it some amazing highlight or even, dare I dream, become the APW North American Champion.”
::She turns once again to the Toronto skyline. It is as if she is not looking at the skyline, but instead towards the stars and towards the heavens. Time and time again, she has reference the Mandate of Heaven in regards to a championship. Now, it seems as though she is trying to see if the heavens finally deem her worthy.::
“Seven of us will walk into that ring, but only one of us will be worthy of the Mandate of Heaven and become the North American Champion. Tonight, I will walk into that ring, and compete in a ladder match on the biggest night of my career and I will show the entire world why I am simply Amy Zing.”
::With that, Amy turns and walks towards the back. The camera pans to the Rasslemania IX banner and slowly fades to black.::
::The announce table is set up. The Action Packed Wrestling logo is displayed on the table. The monitors are set on the table. In front of them rests the headsets. The pyrotechnics launchers are loaded and ready. The sound equipment has been put in place. Several ladders have been brought in for the ladder match tonight. There is a large mound of dirt with a hole and a coffin and a shovel in the dirt, with a steam shovel next to the mound. The Hell in a Cell cage suspended over the ring by several pulley and cable systems. A cable is suspended from the ceiling, with a metal ring at the end for the ACW North American Championship to be hanged from.::
::A large set has been constructed. It looks similar to the one used for last year’s event. The only real main difference is the Toronto skyline has been built on the stage, with the wrestlers entering that way. The 33ft wide, 110 ft long Rogers Center videoboard depicts various matches that will occur during the show. It cycles though the Tag Team Championship, the ladder match for the North American.::
::All the camera men are in place, making all kinds of last minute checks to their equipment. Production crewmembers go through the final preparations, going over every last minute detail to make tonight perfect.::
::Inside the building, the food stands are getting set up. Popcorn is popping. Hot dogs are cooking on rollers. Ice is being dumped into soda machines.::
::The vendors in merchandise stands are setting up. Shirts are being hung up to be displayed. Replicas of the APW World Heavyweight and Undisputed Championships, both the cheap foam and plastic child’s version and the more expensive full-sized, exact copy style replicas for adults, are being set up for displayed. Hats are being places on hooks. The shelves are loaded with merchandise.::
::Outside the arena, despite the cold, despite the early hour, people have already gathered. The majority are locals, from all over Ontario. Others have come from other parts of Canada, such as Alberta, British Columbia, Vancouver and such. There are those who came from parts of the United States such as New York, New England, Alaska and so on. Some have even come from Europe. They wait outside, or walk around, or go to a local shop. Some of these fans are carrying various items, such as frying pans, baseball bats and other such things, for the Fan’s Bring Weapons Match tonight. For obvious reason, this has lead to a bit of extra security. Some people are there just to sell bootleg merchandise, or actual merchandise.::
::The parking areas are full of vehicles rented or even owned by the personnel of the arena and the APW. The trucks are unloaded. The production trucks are all set and ready to begin.::
::After hours of hard work and setting up, everything seems to be in place. The Rogers Center, formerly known as the Skydome, is ready for the biggest show the APW can put on; Rasslemania IX.::
::Inside the arena, the roof is opened. The CN Tower, the 5th largest free standing structure on earth, and the tallest in the Western Hemisphere, looms over the Toronto sky, visible from inside the arena.::
::Though the show is hours away, one wrester stands off to the side of the entrance walkway, on the floor of the arena. She looks up towards the Toronto skyline, however her eyes are closed. She slowly breathes in and out, in and out.::
::Amy Zing is already dressed to compete, even though the show is still hours away. As the show is in Canada, she is dressed in the colors of the Canadian flag. Her boots and gloves are red, while the part that covers her torso is white. She is wearing the latest Amy Zing t-shirt over her attire. This shirt is black. Written on the front in white letters is “Simply Amy Zing”, while on the back, also in white letters, is “Never give up. Never back down”.::
“Tonight…”
::She breathes in and out slowly. It is clear she is trying to keep herself calm and focused. This week has been hectic with appearances and fan events all over Toronto. She is trying to keep calm and focused on what is not only the biggest night of the biggest night of the APW’s calendar year, but also may potentially be the biggest night of her career. At the same time, it is as if she is trying to take in this moment, this calm before the storm.::
“It all comes down to tonight.”
::She opens her eyes, looking up towards the CN Tower. But it is as if she does not see the tower. Instead it is like she is looking beyond the tower.::
“For the last week, even before then really, about this time last week I suppose, each and every single one of us has been going on and on about Rasslemania IX and how they shall either dominate or win or hurt our opponent and so on. This week, we’ve done autograph signings, fan events, appearances on talk shows, been on radio broadcasts, media events and all sorts of other such things. All the while, we have been hyping Rasslemania IX, as we should, and going on about how we shall win whatever match we are in.”
::She takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, still looking at the Toronto skyline, dominated by the CN Tower.::
“I have never guaranteed victory in my entire career. It has never been a lack of desire or a lack of passion or a lack of heart or a lack of confidence. I have desire. I have passion. I have heart. I have confidence. But, at the same time, I know whoever I step into the ring with has those same things. If they did not, then they should not be here.”
::Again, she slowly breathes in and out, as if meditating.::
“All I want tonight is just a Rasslemania moment.”
::She smiles a bit, knowing that has probably opened her up to all kinds of comments about how she lacks desire or heart or confidence or whatever. That humble and respectful attitude of hers is often the first thing attacked by opponents. She is used to it, and has often bested the very people who made the accusation.::
“I know it is not as great a goal as wining the North American Championship, but I think it is an achievable goal. There are six other people in that ladder match, and each of us only has a little over a fourteen percent chance. It’s a fourteen and a lot of change percent really, but who’s counting. While I admit it is still enough of a chance for me to try and win, there are six other people all trying to win as well, so to guarantee victory would be foolish.”
“As sweet as that would be, I will settle for the moment. I want to achieve that one highlight, that one great moment, which fans will remember forever. I want to earn that one highlight that gets played over and over again whenever Rasslemania advertisements air. Tonight, I want to do something that just screams simply Amy Zing. Tonight, I want my moment.”
::The clanging sound of metal on metal is heard. Amy turns to look. One of the members of the ring crew has closed one of the ladders and is now starting to move it. She looks at the ladder, almost like she is daydreaming.::
“Still…I cannot deny that I really want that championship.”
::She turns from the ladder, running a hand through her hair.::
“When I look back on these past few months, since I debuted at One Night in Hell, all the way back in October, I can’t help but feel all the struggles, all the hardships have been leading to this moment, to this night at Rasslemania.”
“I think about all the problems with Young Mannie, his attacking me, abducting my parents, Sienna Harrison’s favoritism towards him, my issues with her, getting fired, coming back, all of those struggles and pains, somehow, it feels like it has just been leading to this moment. Somehow, it feels like tonight all those hardships and everything I have gone through in my, albeit short, career turns around and I finally have that one great victory that justifies every struggle, every pain and every sacrifice I have made.”
::She closes her eyes and smiles, shaking her head. She sighs and opens her eyes, looking at the ring. From where she is standing, she can only see two sides of the ring. One side, facing towards the entrance walkway and the stage, bears the Rasslemania IX logo. The other, which faces the barricade the fans will be behind, which also partially obscures it from full view, has the Action Packed Wrestling logo.::
“But I know that is not the case. I am sure Warren Peace, Nathaniel Havok, the Guv’Nor, Robina Hood, Niobe Martin, Cid Phoenix and Evan McDonald can all come up with reasons why they all deserve to win the match. And they have as tonight is mostly what we have all been talking about for at least the past two weeks, if not around the time the match was first announced in Alexander Duvall and Sienna Harrison’s last minute bit to save their jobs.”
“Still, each of us has our reasons for wanting to win tonight. Those reason range from respect, to glory, to pride, to redemption or to the fact that we are the current champion and would like to retain the championship, to the simple fact that for some of us, this is our Rasslemania debut and we simply do not wish to lose on this grand stage. Whatever the case may be, each of us could probably come up with a million reasons why we deserve to win. However, despite that, the simple and undeniable fact of the matter is that only one of us seven will be able to climb the ladder, capture the North American Championship and be declared the winner.”
“Warren, Nathaniel, Guv’Nor, Robina, Niobe, Cid, Evan, never mistake my humility for a lack of passion or drive or desire or heart. I have all those things. If I didn’t, then I wouldn’t be here."
::She turns her attention to the empty seats. Within hours, but still, somehow sooner than one could imagine, these seats will start to fill up.::
“There are only a few places where I would want to have that great moment that just lives on memory forever. Toronto, Ontario, Canada is such a place.”
“I love my fans from all over the world and I love going to the ring to do what I do every night. But there are just some places where you can feel the history, you can feel all the great moments, the past excitement and glory, as if the very ground and building you stand on is somehow infused with it, echoing everything.”
“When you think of the history wrestling has with this building and that here, in Canada, wrestling is a tradition, and you think about all the great wrestlers and wrestling dynasties Canada has produced, it really makes you want to go out and do something truly incredible so that your name is etched into their minds forever. Tonight, I want to add my name to that list. This is the night where stars can become legends and legends can become immortal. That is something I have to admit is appealing.”
::For a moment, she allows herself to look above the ring at the cell and cable. For a moment, she looks concerned.::
“That is of course if that cell doesn’t come crashing down on top of the ring. I mean look at that thing. Why would anyone have a Hell in a Cell match in an open air arena? It just doesn’t seem safe. Okay, yeah, I’m in wrestling and it is generally not a safe environment. And yes, I know that people have made sure that thing is safe and secure. But still, I really want a better moment than that thing crashing down onto the ring. Now sure, there is a one in a million chance of that happening. Still, it would be a terrible moment and I really want a moment. I…”
::She suddenly stops herself from speaking and purses her lips. “The Hong Kong Sensation” closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling slowly as she does every time she starts rambling.::
“That’s what I am fighting for tonight. I am fighting for my dream. I am fighting for all my fans, my friends and family who have supported me since day one. Tonight, I fight to prove I truly deserve the name “the Hong Kong Sensation”.”
::She looks upwards again, this time towards the Toronto skyline and closes her eyes. Once again, she takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. Much like that humility she demonstrates, that rambling is something she simply cannot avoid. It is just a part of who she is.::
::Opening her eyes, Amy looks over the arena. Her eyes wander around the Rogers Center.::
“I will fight. No matter the odds, no matter the obstacle, I will fight. I will fight and I will never give up as long as I have the strength to move. Tonight, I walk into the Rogers Center with the goal of doing something memorable. I am going to fight to have that one moment, be it some amazing highlight or even, dare I dream, become the APW North American Champion.”
::She turns once again to the Toronto skyline. It is as if she is not looking at the skyline, but instead towards the stars and towards the heavens. Time and time again, she has reference the Mandate of Heaven in regards to a championship. Now, it seems as though she is trying to see if the heavens finally deem her worthy.::
“Seven of us will walk into that ring, but only one of us will be worthy of the Mandate of Heaven and become the North American Champion. Tonight, I will walk into that ring, and compete in a ladder match on the biggest night of my career and I will show the entire world why I am simply Amy Zing.”
::With that, Amy turns and walks towards the back. The camera pans to the Rasslemania IX banner and slowly fades to black.::
