Greetings. Welcome to the inside of Merlot’s brain...
Wait a minute, how you even get into Merlot’s brian!? What kind of witchcraft is this!?
...LOL. I kid I kid. You are not really in brain; this merely a little piece that I’ve written up. It’s a sort of like a journal I guess you could say; I’m just using this to get some of my feelings out there. However, I will be sharing some inner thoughts here, so it’s almost like being in Merlot’s brain forreal!
Hai! Let’s get started. And, I guess I’ll start with what Merlot has been doing over the past couple of months.
On December 8th, I made my return to GFP. If you were to ask me six months ago, I would have told you that I’d never reappear in that promotion. GFP mistreated me, it mistreated my family, and it disgraced a great deal of Japanese wrestlers. I honestly didn’t want any part of the promotion. So, when GFP just down for four or so months, Merlot didn’t shed a single tear.
Along the way, the remnants of GFP got sold to Felicity Banks. She vowed to resurrect GFP and take it to new heights; to do that, she knew that she had to mend some broken relationships. She, through her new board of directors, reached out to me. And to Merlot’s surprise, they didn’t bullshit me, or try to make excuses.
They simply admitted fault; they simply apologized.
After that, they asked if I would be apart of the company moving forward. In the past, when I was still disgruntled with this industry, I probably would have spit in their faces. However, I didn’t not. I took their offer, and immediately went to talk to my girl, Raven. She told me to seriously think about it, and to follow my heart. Therefore, that’s what I did, and at the end of the day, I decided to give GFP another chance.
Nevertheless, I vowed to myself that this time, people wouldn’t walk all over Merlot. I told myself that they were going to respect me, by their own free will, or by force!
On December 8th, GFP held Revival; it was the company’s first show in months. The marketing team claimed that GFP would be going back to it’s roots―pure wrestling. That night, Merlot wrestled in the second to last match against OOKAMI no CHI and Hunter Werth. The GFP Junior Championship was on the line.
That night I fought my heart out, and I kicked a lot of ass. Those ass kicking ways earned me the belt!
It was a joyous occasion―almost as joyous as the previous night’s events.
On December 7th, Destiny: Seishin Rising took place; it was the biggest event in the company’s history. And, that’s not just a tag-line; it was Seishin’s first Pay-Per-View. For the past couple of months, Seishin had held a tournament to crown it’s top champion.
Can you guess who made it to the finals?
In the main event, with all the cameras were fixated on me, I pinned Jacqui Monroe―seconds later, I was the champion!
Needless to say, December was a pretty good month for Merlot, hai! My goal is to keep that momentum rolling as I head into the new year. I need to dominate in GFP, murder in Seishin, and show out at PWP.
Ironically, PWP is the next event that I’m scheduled to wrestle on. My opponent is a man by the name of Gavin Grimes. Now, unlike last time, Merlot is actually pretty familiar with this person. He’s been making a name for himself in Portland Pro and New Generation Wrestling. I watched a few matches here and there. He’s good, really good. And, Merlot is great.
Therefore, we should have an amazing match, at the very least.
Nonetheless, I don’t think I’d truly be content with merely having an “amazing match.” Maybe Merlot doesn’t need to win―but I certainly want to.
“Sixteen!
“Seventeen! Come on Merlot, two more. You can do this.”
Merlot’s muscles ached in pain―the results of an intense two and a half hour workout. Had she been by herself, she might have skipped the bench press. She had always hated it; she felt much more comfortable on the incline machine, or something of that nature. However, her girlfriend, Raven Santos, was training with her that evening. Raven was a fitness instructor by trade. She had an affinity (and love) of pushing Merlot to the limit at the gym. Therefore, there was no way Merlot was going to skimp, not on her watch.
The Japanese woman gritted her teeth and breathed deeply as she thrust her heavy arms forward.
“Eighteen!
“Nineteen!”
The heaviness of both her arms and the weight began to take its toll. The weight-bar dipped down close to her chest.
“Come on Merlot! You got this; do not give up. Do you hear me? Push through and finish this last one!”
Using the last bit of strength she had. “Twenty!” Raven reached out, grabbed the weight-bar, and set it on the rack. Merlot collapsed off of the bench and fell to the matted floor.
“Are you alright?” Raven asked as she began to removed the weight-plates from the bar. In total, Merlot had been benching two hundred and twenty pounds. It was a pretty incredible feat, considering the fact that she only weighed about one hundred and eighteen pounds herself.
“Why you trying to kill Merlot?” she asked. Merlot took a couple of deep breaths as she laid flat on the floor “I thought you loved!?”
Raven let out a small smile as she grabbed a rag and a bottle of cleaner that had been resting near the weight rack. “I love you very much, that’s why I’m making you train so hard.” Raven sprayed down the bench and then wiped it down with the rag. “I can’t send my baby to the ring looking all weak and feeble, right?” After she had sanitized the weight bench, she put the cleaning items back.
The new intensive training had been a result of Merlot’s title matches, which Raven had seen in person. Although Merlot was the victor in them both, she suffered a great deal of punishment and abuse in each match. She was undersized, everyone knew that; however, everyone also extorted it as well. Raven wanted to try and give Merlot a bit of an edge, and she knew the perfect arena to work on―strength.
For a woman who was only five foot five, Merlot was astonishingly strong. Raven had caught onto this fact when they first moved in together. She observed Merlot out-lifting and carrying boxes by herself, while it took two or three movers to carry the same amount. Plus, Merlot’s endurance was greater than most that she observed.
“Merlot, do you know why I’m doing this? Why I’m pushing you so hard?” Raven asked. Her tone switched up; it wasn’t playful or joking this time.
“You want Merlot to be all she can be?”
“That’s true. But, there’s another reason.” Raven sighed. “Babe, you know I’ve watched a great deal of your matches. You are amazing in that ring, you really are.” She paused for a quick second. “However, when you step through those ropes, I worry about you. You’re smaller than most people you go up against; that’s just a fact. Your speed is a great asset, it helps you evade attacks and keeps things on a level playing field.” Raven nodded. “But, speed alone isn’t going to always give you that win. A wrestler has multiple forms of attack, numerous tools in his or her tool box, right?”
“Hai.”
“Well, that’s why I’m pushing you this hard. I know you don’t realize it, but you’re powerful babe―mentally and physically. I’m trying to harness that strength inside you.” Raven gently slide off the bench and took a seat next to Merlot.
As much as she hated to admit it, Raven was correct. Merlot was of small frame and size. And if she truly thought about it, she was often overpowered and tossed around in the ring due to sheer force. However, she it never really bothered her; perhaps it was because she was used to taking a beating when she broke-in over in Japan.
After Merlot caught her breath, she turned on her side and looked at Raven. “Everything you’ve said is correct. But, Merlot must ask, why are you doing this now?”
“At PWP, you’re about to step into the ring with Gavin Grimes, right? He’s five inches taller than you, and over sixty pounds heavier than you.” Raven averted her eyes. “I don’t want you getting hurt out there.” Once again, she sighed. “He’s going to anticipate you beating him with your speed. However, there’s no way he could anticipate you easily picking him up and dumping him on his head.”
“Hey,” Merlot says as she sits up. She puts her hands on Raven’s face and turns it. She plants a kiss on Raven’s lips “Merlot doesn’t want you worrying about her, okay? This match will be tough, there’s no doubt about that. But Gavin won’t break or hurt me.” Merlot gave her another kiss. “And Merlot thanks you for adding more tools to her toolbox. Will give Gavin a big brainbuster, just for you.”
Raven can’t help but smile. “That’s what I like to hear.” Raven stood to her feet and helped Merlot to hers.
“Well Sensei, what’s next?”
Raven giggled. “A bit more upper body training. A lot of Gavin’s moves target the head, shoulder, upper body region. We need to make sure you can withstand all that punishment.”
“Very well, hai.”
Aimless and Still Shootin’ (Blog)
“You bring me sorrow, and I'll bring you to a motha fuckin' hospital room bitch.” That phrase was spoken by the last opponent Merlot faced here in PWP―Donovan DeJesus. To be honest, it was quite amusing listening to his slanderous little interview. Merlot loves when so-called “badasses” talk dirty to her, because, more often than not, they end up making fools out of themselves. Had Donovan spent as much time training as he did coming up with witty quips, he might have been more successful in our match.
But hey, that’s life, hai?
However, that last interaction has me thinking. I’m wondering what approach Gavin will take? Will he come out guns blazing, attempting to spit Ether like a damn fool? I certainly hope not. They say that Gavin is a student of the game. Hopefully, he will have learned from the mistakes of people like Donovan.
Nevertheless, I highly doubt that Gavin come out and act like Ghandi either. From what I can tell, he’s young, hungry, and has a relatively good head on his shoulders. Hmm, that’s a pretty dangerous combination, hai? He should be confident about this match-up.
You know, in similar circumstances, most people in my position would take a particular approach to this promo. Gavin, I’m sure you know which one I’m thinking about―the “I’m going to kick your ass because I’ve got three times more experience than you!” Ugh! That argument always makes Merlot gag. I had to deal with that shit when I was getting into the Business; hell, Merlot still had to deal with that shit three months ago, and I’ve been wrestling a decent amount of time now. Gavin, yes, I’ve wrestled longer than you...but, does that really matter?
I don’t believe that it does.
Heart and Determination can counter-balance a high level of experience―and rest assured, you’ve got plenty of both attributes. In Japan, people in my position would view you as a push-over; however, I’m not that foolish. Week after week you bust your ass in Portland Pro; that is why you are their Rose City Champion. And recently, you’ve set your sights on New Generation Wrestling; I have no doubt that you’ll be knocking heads and boots there in a short amount of time.
...Well, maybe not boots. Merlot thinks she messed up on that metaphor.
But, I digress.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m not underestimating you, Gavin. That’s a flaw of many a wrestler. The fact of the matter is, wrestling is hard to get into; if you are employed, then you’re dangerous. And you in particular, are very perilous.
. . .
However, Merlot realizes what she is to you, Gavin. I don’t know how you feel about me. Maybe you truly, and admire my skill. That would be a first; but, I won’t give up hope. However, no matter how respectful you are to me, no matter how much you appreciate my work―Merlot is merely a means to an end, right?
You beat me, and then you’ve got bragging rights...
You beat me, and you can proclaim that you knocked off a world champion…
You beat me, and you can declare that you are one of the best in the world…
I do not mean to call you a liar, there’s no way that you could possibly view this match as a means in and of itself―for you, the implications and spoils of victory for far too great.
Here’s the rub though, I completely understand, Gavin. I have been in your very position, many times.
. . .
So, what does that mean for Merlot? Should I just lay down and die? Should I simply give up and pack it in?
Of course not. That wouldn’t be fair to you, Gavin. You deserve to have this impending instant-classic under your belt. Additionally, it also wouldn’t be fair to me.
As I said before, you are young and hungry. Nevertheless, I also share those same attributes!
Gavin, what you’ve got to understand is that I was scarred by this Business. Professional wrestling was the cause of my knee injury years ago; I damaged it working my ass off in Japan. Instead of supporting me and uplifting me, this industry threw me to the wayside and hitched onto the next “hot product.” Realistically, if I had walked away from wrestling forever, I would have been well within my rights. However, the burning passion inside me could not be cooled.
That is why I returned last year!
And, what was the result of that return? Even more scars. I was made out to be a joke, a laughing stock. People would say things like, “Whiskey Ayano is the only legitimate wrestler in the whole clan; the rest are just drunken bastards―pieces of shit.”
Gavin, those sentiments were painful, they cut deep. However, that passion, that hunger―it still lingered!
And that’s why I’ve fought so hard over the last few months. That is came into Seishin looking for blood; and it why I turned GFP on its head.
Gavin, the world may view me as stepping-stone, a means to an end―but Merlot is far from that.
I’m an amazing athlete...
I’m an incredible champion…
I’m the standard of wrestling, both here and in Japan…
It’s because of all of those things that I’ll be looking to defeat you. I don’t want to kill your momentum, and I don’t want to stall your push. You are a man who will do many things in this Business; that I can guarantee you.
However, on January 23rd, I want to prove to the entire world that when you step into the ring with Merlot Ayano, you are stepping into the ring with greatness. I’m oh so very excited that you’ve been chosen to help me prove this point, Gavin.
See you soon.
END
