Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2015 13:35:42 GMT -6
PART ONE
Tegan’s match on Ignite was done and while she had won it she was not happy with the outcome one bit. Her goal in NEW was to prove herself and what she could do. People always doubted her or underestimated her because she was small, blonde, happy and upbeat. Those things seemed to make it so nobody would take her seriously and when someone came out to interfere on her behalf it only cemented the idea that she wasn’t good enough in the doubters minds. She didn’t ask or what Denise Buchannan to come out during her match with Jane Crowe.
Yet there she was rolling down the ramp when Tegan least wanted her. Jane was a perfect challenge for her because he was big, mean and scary. He was the type of opponent Tegan needed to beat to show she was able to take on anyone in any match. After the match she stormed to her locker room, more upset then she would of expected by the outcome of her match and shocking her father, Simon Taylor, a bit as she took off her elbow pads and threw them in her bag.
SIMON TAYLOR: What’s wrong, sweetie? You did great out there!
Tegan glared over at her dad for a second, upset that he didn’t know why she was upset. He knew what her goals were in the business and in NEW. He also knew that she didn’t like people cheating or pulling fast ones on people.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I didn’t do great out there. I wasn’t going to lose but I didn’t have it won. I only won because Denise ran out for no freakin’ reason! I didn’t want her out there. I needed to win that one on my own, dad. I needed that match to go the way I wanted it to and she ruined it.
SIMON TAYLOR: She was just trying to help…
TEAGN TAYLOR: No, she was cheating. She came out to let me win by cheating. That isn’t winning in my book. A win is when I beat the person because I’m the better performer and athlete. Now Jane Crowe could come back and act like I never beat him and I’m a joke or something along those lines. That wasn’t a real win even if it counts for one in the long run.
SIMON TAYLOR: Maybe we should go talk to her?
Of course Tegan didn’t want to hear that or hear Denise’s side of the story. She knew why Denise was doing it and just because her and Tegan’s dad had a thing didn’t mean Tegan had to be involved in her managing job. She sat down, pulling off her boots, wanting to get out of the arena.
TEAGN TAYLOR: We don’t need to talk to her. Blair made it clear to her that she shouldn’t manage me anyways. I just… I just wanted to win that on my own, dad. I needed a big win to show off what I can do and show people why I should be the Heartland Champion. Now when I go into that next match in the tournament people will think I’ll try to cheat to win again or that I’m not capable of doing things on my own. It’s the complete opposite image I want.
SIMON TAYLOR: You want me to talk to her about it? I think she was just trying to help you to show how much she cares about me and you and our new relationship. It’s her job, doll, and maybe she is looking to expand her clients beyond her daughter too. There are lots of reasons she might of done it.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Don’t care. I don’t care her reasons because deep down she had to know it is wrong to come out and cheat for someone. How can you not know that? It’s simple! My dad taught me that.
She looked back over her shoulder at him and he nodded his head. He had raised her to fight fair and clean. It was the way she had always been which was why someone interfering on her behalf bugged her so much.
SIMON TAYLOR: You’re right… I wish she wouldn’t of done it too but what’s done is done. It’s in the past now, Tegan. We can move on and try to make sure it doesn’t happen again or you can worry about it and stress out over something that already happened.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Grrr. I hate it when you make sense. That on top of Bonecrusher throwing paint on Nikita’s head all kind of adds up to why I’m frustrated.
SIMON TAYLOR: You know she’ll want revenge for that.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Oh I know and she’ll probably convince me to go to Lights Out. I love her and Sasha but we totally have different ideas on how to do things. Nikita is all about violence, Sasha likes to cause trouble and I’m like the good girl of the team… It’s a weird dynamic.
SIMON TAYLOR: Well you three kind of just threw yourselves together based on being blonde. Did you expect it to work or last long? Sooner or later one of those girls is going to turn on the other two?
TEAGN TAYLOR: No way! We are all besties even if we don’t have the same mindset about wrestling.
SIMON TAYLOR: Just be careful with them.
She looked at him again, taking off her other boot and her kneepads before pushing herself up to her feet. Maybe he was right and Blondes United was a doomed idea but it was one she enjoyed so she was going to have fun with her friends until something imploded.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I’m not going to be looking over my shoulders when dealing with my friends though. If something happens I’ll deal with it when the time comes. I still don’t think anything will though. Can we get out of here?
SIMON TAYLOR: You don’t want to watch the rest of the show?
TEAGN TAYLOR: I do but I don’t. Maybe after a show I’ll want to enjoy it more or a beer. Can you get me a Corona?
SIMON TAYLOR: Of course. I’ll grab myself one too.
TEAGN TAYLOR: And cotton candy. They sell it here, I saw it before the show started.
SIMON TAYLOR: A Corona and a cotton candy. That’s a weird mix but I’ll go get it and remember even though it didn’t end like you wanted tonight you did fantastic. Nobody is going to be doubting you deserve that championship and if they do they are idiots.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Thanks, dad.
SIMON TAYLOR: Anything for you, Tee.
Her dad got to his feet and headed out of the room. Tegan pulled the top of her ring gear off and turned around looking into the mirror for a second. She had won her match and she was moving on to her chance at the Heartland championship. She had to win it though and she had to do it on her terms. First though she needed to get out of town and take a break from the hectic world of NEW for a day. Maybe she could go visit Salt Lake City and Tyson Gregory anyways. She shrugged to herself, taking the rest of her gear off before heading into the shower.
By the time she was out of the bathroom, with a towel wrapped around her body, there was someone in her locker room and it wasn’t her dad. Instead it was Denise Buchannan. Tegan blushed a bit, not expecting to have someone in her room when she came out or she would of thrown something more on than a towel. Denise turned a bit like she was about to leave as she spoke.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: Is this a bad time?
Tegan thought about it for a second but she much rather talk to Denise in person instead of having to try to call her or communicate over the phone or something. She adjusted her towel, pulling it up a bit more as she shook her head.
TEAGN TAYLOR: No. It’s okay.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: I just wanted to come by because I saw your father and he seemed to act like you were upset with me coming to the ring tonight?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Well… Yeah. I was kind of upset over it. I know you meant well though and all but I really don’t want help when I’m in the ring. Some people do or they need someone to watch their back because they made so many enemies or something. Like I get why people have managers or agents or whatever. I get why came out because that’s what you would of done for Blair but I’m not Blair. When I got to the ring I go out there to prove myself on my own. It’s my thing. I’m the underdog and I try to overcome whatever they throw at me and I want to do it on my own. You know?
Denise nodded her head, Tegan and Blair were pretty much opposites on their approach to winning a match. Blair would like to win under any circumstances and Tegan wanted to win under her own conditions.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: I understand. I didn’t mean to offend you or anything. I just wanted to apologize if I over stepped or anything. I just wanted to help.
TEAGN TAYLOR: It’s alright. I love that you cared enough to come out too but I just don’t want help.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: I get that now and I respect your decision. I have to go run catch up with Blair but I just didn’t want to leave any bad feelings between us. Your father is very special to me and that means I want to help your career and get to know you more. .
TEAGN TAYLOR: I appreciate that. I’ll talk to you more soon I’m sure, Denise.
Denise walked over, hugging the toweled Tegan before turning and hurrying off out of the room before Blair realized she was gone again. Tegan watched her go with a bit of a smile and wondered where the relationship between Denise and her dad was going. It was a strange situation especially since Blair seemed to want nothing to do with Tegan. She shook her head before locking the locker room door so she could change in peace before her dad returned.
PART TWO
Tegan took a trip to Salt Lake City after Ignite, hanging out with her friend Tyson Gregory for the day before she flew back to New Orleans. From there she repacked her bags and flew to Chicago where Lights Out was going to take place. It was the first edition of the show and there was no way she was going to miss the taping. Nikita wanted her there too and Tegan had a feeling she wasn’t going to like the reasons why but Nikita was her friend and she needed a friend to chat with. So the two of them met up at a Chicago style pizza place to have some lunch and hang out once they both got to town. When Tegan got there Nikita already was sitting at a table with a glass of what appeared to be straight vodka sitting in front of her.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Hey Tee!
Nikita jumped up and Tegan ran over, giving her Russian friend a tight hug. After letting go she sat across from Nikita with a smile on her face.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Sorry I’m late, the hotel took forever to check me in.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: It’s fine. I just had a few drinks as I waited.
TEAGN TAYLOR: A few? I don’t know how you do it, Nik.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Ha. It comes with being Russian I think. Anyways how was your trip? You flew in from Salt Lake?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Oh no. I went back to New Orleans for a day and did laundry and all that fun stuff. I’m excited to get out of that apartment though and move up here. I need more space and I think being in Chicago will be better for doing NEW events and stuff.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Yeah, it is a nice city and I’m sure the NEW staff would enjoy having you nearby to use. I mean not many people in NEW are as friendly as you are, Tegan. Most of us aren’t as patient with the media either.
TEAGN TAYLOR: You are fine!
Nikita laughed a bit as she downed her drink and looked over at the waitress to try to get another. Tegan was impressed with how much Nikita could drink and sometimes got a bit worried she drank too much but she wasn’t going to say that unless it seemed like a real problem.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: So how was Salt Lake? I heard you were with your friend…. What was his name?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Tyson. He works for Pride and he had a match the same day Ignite was so I thought I’d go hang out with him for a day. I mainly just wanted to get away from NEW for a day and go on a separate adventure. I’ve never really had money before to go where I wanted when I wanted. It is kind of liberating.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: It is a nice paycheck for sure but don’t change the subject, tell me more about this Tyson? Was it just friends or did more go down?
Nikita leaned forward with a smile on her face and Tegan knew she wanted to hear the dirt. She had a great night with Tyson though and he was someone she wouldn’t mind spending more time with in the future.
TEAGN TAYLOR: He picked me up, we drove around for a bit before we went to dinner and had a few drinks. You know me though and it doesn’t take too many drinks for me to get a bit tipsy.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: I know very well how much of a light weight you are. What happened after? Anything?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Well… After we had some drinks he took me back to the hotel and maybe I might of kissed him.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You didn’t?!
TEAGN TAYLOR: I did. I don’t know, he’s cute, nice and talented. So I figured I’d go for it and he’s single so it was worth a shot, right?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: What did he do? He would be a fool not to kiss you back.
Tegan turned a bit red at the comment and thought about it for a second. She liked Tyson a lot but they both were traveling all the time so the logistics of being with him seemed weird plus it was just a few kisses.
TEAGN TAYLOR: He kissed me back. He had some drinks too. It got pretty heated before I finally told him I had to go back to my room. Part of me wanted it to go further but I didn’t want to be a girl who flew out to meet a guy and end up hooking up with him on our first night hanging out together. It was nice though. He’s a good kisser.
Nikita let out another laugh in amusement as another drink was put in front of her. Tegan ordered a beer for herself, not wanting to try to drink vodka straight like Nikita did. After she ordered a drink they also ordered a pizza to split. It wasn’t exactly the healthiest option but Tegan was willing to cheat on her diet for a bit.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You need to call him up and get him here in Chicago.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I don’t know about all that. I’ll text him some and see where things go. I mean we have to do Lights Out and then I have a title match in Michigan and he has his own shows for Pride he will be traveling for. I’d like to see him again but we’ll see how it works out.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Speaking of Lights Out, I’m glad you are going to be there. You saw what Bonecrusher did to me, yes?
TEAGN TAYLOR: I did. I can’t believe he would pour paint on you. Seriously that’s just gross and mean. He should have been a man and tried to fight you face to face if he has a problem with you. I get why he has a problem but being a child about it just makes him look worse in the end.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: He’ll look like an idiot when all is said and done. We will get payback during Lights Out and he won’t know what hit him. He’ll be expecting it I’m sure but he won’t know that all three of us will be there or what we will have planned.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I don’t know what we have planned. Do we have a plan?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Not yet but I’m forming one. I just want to get some payback. It took me hours to get that paint out of my hair. It was disgusting.
TEAGN TAYLOR: You think getting him back will help? I mean you two will just got back and forth with attacks and stuff forever probably. Maybe you could just face him in the ring? I don’t know about ganging up to get revenge…
NIKITA ROMANOVA: It is what we have to do, Tegan. We are a team and we will show him and everyone else not to cross us. It will benefit you and Sasha too in the long run, trust me. Bonecrusher will be someone we make an example out of.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Make an example out of? That sounds so extreme. You know I’m not extreme, right? I’m the nice one.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You are but you must be tougher. We shall harden you so that people don’t push you around. People will take advantage of your kindness. They will walk all over you, Tegan. I will not allow that so if I need to toughen you up by showing you how I do things then so be it. Speaking of teaming up though, you are not teamed with Blair’s mother now, are you?
TEAGN TAYLOR: No way. She just was being helpful when she didn’t need to be.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Good because I may need to take her down on Ignite when I face Blair.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Don’t be too mean to Denise…
NIKITA ROMANOVA: I’ll do whatever it takes to win. I know you said your dad is with Blair’s mom but that can’t concern me when I’m in the ring. If she tried something I’ll take her down.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I get that. I just don’t want my dad freaking out about her getting beat up by you. This situation with my dad dating someone is becoming way more dramatic and difficult then I could ever imagine. Seems like it’d be simple but he had to go and find the mom of some girl who hates me to date.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You can’t control who you fall for.
TEAGN TAYLOR: True. I’m glad he seems happy with her too… So back to these revenge plan, you have any idea what kind of things you want to do to Bonecrusher? I mean if you want to beat him up you don’t really need me, right?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: I might. I don’t know what we’ll do but we need to show up at Lights Out in force and teach him a lesson. You may not be comfortable with it but I know you got my back, right? I mean you won’t get squeamish or something?
Tegan got her drink as Nikita was talking and took a big swig from her beer. She was a bit nervous about the whole revenge plot for Lights Out. She hadn’t had any issues with Johnny herself but both of her team mates did which meant she had to do what was right for the good of Blondes United even if it wasn’t something she’d normally do.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Nope. I’ll do what I need… I may not like it totally and I may try to talk you out of it too but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. After this though I need to get training hard for Ignite, I could be a Heartland Champion in a couple weeks.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You will be the Heartland Champion. You are better than Dasha and Jimmy Abel. I don’t see how you could lose.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Thanks, Nik. Now… Where is this pizza? I’m starving and this place is supposed to be the best in town, right?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: That’s what I heard. We shall see though.
Tegan leaned back a bit as Nikita made a comment about her hair and the two friends relaxed and chatted a bit. It was nice for Tegan to unwind with Nikita even if she was a bit wary of what Lights Out had in store for the two of them and also in the back of her mind she knew she had to be careful and not get into a position where she could get hurt since she had a huge title match coming up at Ignite.
PART THREE
Tegan was standing outside the arena for Lights Out. There was a small group of fans gathering but security was holding them back as the camera crew set-up. Tegan had a make-up girl outside with her who was making sure everything looked good as she was getting ready to do a piece about Ignite. She was a bit nervous because she knew she had tough opponents, she was friends with Jimmy too which didn’t help her nerves. She was always nervous going into a match though but this one was different. It was her first title match and it was her first main event in NEW. It was a huge deal and she knew she had to be ready for anything. After her make-up was done she stood in front of the camera, her hands on her hips and ready to try to be fierce and sassy as possible and to try to prove to everyone she was the next Heartland champion.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Last week on Ignite I beat a six foot seven man who was nearly three hundred pounds to qualify for a chance at the Heartland Championship.
I know. I know. You are all saying that I didn’t win it on my own and I had help and all that. I’m not proud of how I won. It was embarrassing to me honestly. I don’t ever want to rely on someone else to win and I don’t want to be the kind of girl who cheats to win either. That’s not me and any of my fans know that too. What happened at Ignite was out of my hands but I can tell you that even if Denise didn’t come out I would have had that match won. Jane Crowe was tough but I had prepared for that match so much I knew what he was going to do before he did it. I may not of won the way I wanted but I still won which means I still get my chance at the Heartland Championship.
This is a huge deal too because his match is my first shot at gold in a really long time. It’s also my first chance to main event an episode of Ignite too! I’m super excited about both these things. Like WAY excited and I can’t wait for this match. This championship means a lot too because it’s Ignite exclusive and it will start a new era for Ignite and the brand split in NEW. Whoever holds it will make history. It’s not like winning a belt that has been around for a while. This will make a champion out of a vacant title and whoever wins will be the first Ignite Heartland Champion! History in the making, people! Even for the people who don’t win they will be a part of that history by just being in the match. Of course nobody wants to be in the history books as the person so-and-so beat to win a belt. All three of us want to be the one who won it but there can only be one. Only one person will walk out with this championship sadly and I’m going to make sure it’s me.
This is a Ignite main even too though which I already mentioned but this show that features a cage match, a steel chain match and even something I’ve never seen before in a Hangman’s match. Out of all that insanity they staff though our triple threat match for the Heartland Championship was the most worthy to headline the show. That’s huge! Now we all have to not only try to win a match but the three of us have to do it in such a fantastic way that we outshine those crazy matches that precede us. That will be a tough task but one I’m up for.
I proved on the last Ignite that I’m not afraid of anyone. I proved that I’ll face the biggest and baddest NEW has to offer without backing down. This match will be intense, brutal and I know that whoever wins will have to work their bum off to win it. Nobody is going to give this one up easy. Plus it’s a triple threat which means anything goes. You can’t be DQ’ed or counted out so you have to be ready for everything and anything. It’s hard to even prepare yourself for this because you have to train for two opponents and anything else they could throw at you. So far in NEW though I’ve faced a ladder down and a three hundred pound cult leader though so a triple threat really isn’t that bad, right?
Tegan smiled at the though and realized her career in NEW so far had been a weird one. But now she was at a huge crossroads and while she was 1 and 1 on her record, winning a championship would sky rocket her to a whole new level.
TEAGN TAYLOR: All three of us in this match earned it. We all had to qualify and we all want it really bad. None of us have had a long career in NEW either. We are all still rookies there which makes this chance a big deal for all of us.
Take Dasha for instance. She’s an immigrant trying to make it in this business. That is hard enough but she’s also very proud of being Russian too which I know can make you unpopular. She is fighting for her place in NEW though and for her country too I imagine. Now I don’t know if I buy all this smartest woman in the world stuff I hear about her or that she is some bad ass Russian spy or solider. I mean that all seems a bit farfetched but I do know she’s tough and that’s all that matters. She took out her opponent on Ignite with ease too which means she’s dangerous and will try to end things early. In a few ways Dasha reminds me of my friend Nikita which actually may help me get into her mind because I can ask Nikita what she would do in a similar situation.
I don’t care if Dasha is a spy or a ninja or a Sasquatch though. I respect her abilities and I like the fire inside her but I’ll do what I need to beat her. I’ll do whatever it takes to win this match and this Heartland Championship. I’ve proven I’m not afraid of anyone and that includes her. I won’t make this some patriotic thing either like a lot of people do. I have nothing against Russians and I like that she’s proud of her country. The Heartland Championship is about the Heart of America though, Dasha, can you represent that? I don’t think you’d be comfortable doing it honestly. Plus people may be mad at me if I let that belt go home with you to Moscow.
My other opponent is more like me which is weird to say since he’s a guy. But Jimmy Abel is a good guy, a nice person trying to win the right way. I love that about him. I love his work ethic and how hard he works to win a match. He’s from here in Chicago too, the home of NEW, so you know some of the fans in Michigan will be rooting for him based on that alone. It’s like a hometown boy, a Russian and a Southern girl all facing off. In reality he’ll probably be the crowd’s favorite too which will be strange since I’m used to being the fan favorite. Will that bug me? Nope because while I love to hear the fans cheer for me I know that I’ll have some Team Tegan out there even if their aren’t as vocal as Jimmy’s fans.
Abel has toured the world though and has made a name for himself in other countries. That means he’ll be able to adapt to different styles and that he can do things in that ring I’ve probably never seen before. Jimmy Abel can do it all pretty much but while he has that experience outside of America, I have experience in an American ring since I’ve worked for numerous promotions. Like I said though we both have some experience, we both love our fans and they love us and we’re both going out there to make a name for ourselves. We are very similar and we both love doing high flying, show-stealing moves. Two peas in a pod I guess but only one of us can be a champion.
Tegan really did like Jimmy. He was a hard worker and a real person unlike most people in NEW who seemed a bit fake. It was going to be fun to wrestle him she figured because they had a similar style and they both would have the fans divided. Deep down she wished she was going one on one with him so it would be a good clean match. Dasha was the one who would be trying to cheat and pull a fast one if anyone was going to she figured.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Another factor in this match is the fact that both my opponents have managers. I saw on Ignite just what kind of distraction they can be. I would encourage my opponents to leave them backstage though and let this match be just the three of us to prove who is best. Will they? I don’t know but if they want to win that belt the right way and make sure there is no doubt they should have it then they will do it. If they don’t though I’ll be ready to dodge their managers and be ready for whatever tricks they might try.
In fact I’ll be ready for everything these two can throw at me. I’ve got their old matches on my computer and I’ll be researching every movement they make, everything they do to signal a move. This match is my top priority and it is one of the biggest matches of my career… Heck a main event title match probably is the biggest match of my career. I won’t let my fans down and I won’t let myself down on this one. I’m leaving Ignite as the Heartland champion. I’m going to bring respect and dignity to that belt too. I’m still new in this company but this one match will cement me in NEW history and show the world that Tegan Taylor is a serious competitor. This is my moment to shine!
Tegan smiled before she leaned forward and blew a handful of glitter into the camera. She skipped off camera after that and took a deep breath. She had let all that out but she knew that was only a small part of the battle she had a head of her. Jimmy and Dasha were tough and she had to be ready. Plus she had Lights Out to attend too and part of her wanted to see Tyson Gregory again too. Tegan had a lot coming up but winning that Heartland Championship was on top of her priorities and she couldn’t let herself down by not winning it.
Tegan’s match on Ignite was done and while she had won it she was not happy with the outcome one bit. Her goal in NEW was to prove herself and what she could do. People always doubted her or underestimated her because she was small, blonde, happy and upbeat. Those things seemed to make it so nobody would take her seriously and when someone came out to interfere on her behalf it only cemented the idea that she wasn’t good enough in the doubters minds. She didn’t ask or what Denise Buchannan to come out during her match with Jane Crowe.
Yet there she was rolling down the ramp when Tegan least wanted her. Jane was a perfect challenge for her because he was big, mean and scary. He was the type of opponent Tegan needed to beat to show she was able to take on anyone in any match. After the match she stormed to her locker room, more upset then she would of expected by the outcome of her match and shocking her father, Simon Taylor, a bit as she took off her elbow pads and threw them in her bag.
SIMON TAYLOR: What’s wrong, sweetie? You did great out there!
Tegan glared over at her dad for a second, upset that he didn’t know why she was upset. He knew what her goals were in the business and in NEW. He also knew that she didn’t like people cheating or pulling fast ones on people.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I didn’t do great out there. I wasn’t going to lose but I didn’t have it won. I only won because Denise ran out for no freakin’ reason! I didn’t want her out there. I needed to win that one on my own, dad. I needed that match to go the way I wanted it to and she ruined it.
SIMON TAYLOR: She was just trying to help…
TEAGN TAYLOR: No, she was cheating. She came out to let me win by cheating. That isn’t winning in my book. A win is when I beat the person because I’m the better performer and athlete. Now Jane Crowe could come back and act like I never beat him and I’m a joke or something along those lines. That wasn’t a real win even if it counts for one in the long run.
SIMON TAYLOR: Maybe we should go talk to her?
Of course Tegan didn’t want to hear that or hear Denise’s side of the story. She knew why Denise was doing it and just because her and Tegan’s dad had a thing didn’t mean Tegan had to be involved in her managing job. She sat down, pulling off her boots, wanting to get out of the arena.
TEAGN TAYLOR: We don’t need to talk to her. Blair made it clear to her that she shouldn’t manage me anyways. I just… I just wanted to win that on my own, dad. I needed a big win to show off what I can do and show people why I should be the Heartland Champion. Now when I go into that next match in the tournament people will think I’ll try to cheat to win again or that I’m not capable of doing things on my own. It’s the complete opposite image I want.
SIMON TAYLOR: You want me to talk to her about it? I think she was just trying to help you to show how much she cares about me and you and our new relationship. It’s her job, doll, and maybe she is looking to expand her clients beyond her daughter too. There are lots of reasons she might of done it.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Don’t care. I don’t care her reasons because deep down she had to know it is wrong to come out and cheat for someone. How can you not know that? It’s simple! My dad taught me that.
She looked back over her shoulder at him and he nodded his head. He had raised her to fight fair and clean. It was the way she had always been which was why someone interfering on her behalf bugged her so much.
SIMON TAYLOR: You’re right… I wish she wouldn’t of done it too but what’s done is done. It’s in the past now, Tegan. We can move on and try to make sure it doesn’t happen again or you can worry about it and stress out over something that already happened.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Grrr. I hate it when you make sense. That on top of Bonecrusher throwing paint on Nikita’s head all kind of adds up to why I’m frustrated.
SIMON TAYLOR: You know she’ll want revenge for that.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Oh I know and she’ll probably convince me to go to Lights Out. I love her and Sasha but we totally have different ideas on how to do things. Nikita is all about violence, Sasha likes to cause trouble and I’m like the good girl of the team… It’s a weird dynamic.
SIMON TAYLOR: Well you three kind of just threw yourselves together based on being blonde. Did you expect it to work or last long? Sooner or later one of those girls is going to turn on the other two?
TEAGN TAYLOR: No way! We are all besties even if we don’t have the same mindset about wrestling.
SIMON TAYLOR: Just be careful with them.
She looked at him again, taking off her other boot and her kneepads before pushing herself up to her feet. Maybe he was right and Blondes United was a doomed idea but it was one she enjoyed so she was going to have fun with her friends until something imploded.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I’m not going to be looking over my shoulders when dealing with my friends though. If something happens I’ll deal with it when the time comes. I still don’t think anything will though. Can we get out of here?
SIMON TAYLOR: You don’t want to watch the rest of the show?
TEAGN TAYLOR: I do but I don’t. Maybe after a show I’ll want to enjoy it more or a beer. Can you get me a Corona?
SIMON TAYLOR: Of course. I’ll grab myself one too.
TEAGN TAYLOR: And cotton candy. They sell it here, I saw it before the show started.
SIMON TAYLOR: A Corona and a cotton candy. That’s a weird mix but I’ll go get it and remember even though it didn’t end like you wanted tonight you did fantastic. Nobody is going to be doubting you deserve that championship and if they do they are idiots.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Thanks, dad.
SIMON TAYLOR: Anything for you, Tee.
Her dad got to his feet and headed out of the room. Tegan pulled the top of her ring gear off and turned around looking into the mirror for a second. She had won her match and she was moving on to her chance at the Heartland championship. She had to win it though and she had to do it on her terms. First though she needed to get out of town and take a break from the hectic world of NEW for a day. Maybe she could go visit Salt Lake City and Tyson Gregory anyways. She shrugged to herself, taking the rest of her gear off before heading into the shower.
By the time she was out of the bathroom, with a towel wrapped around her body, there was someone in her locker room and it wasn’t her dad. Instead it was Denise Buchannan. Tegan blushed a bit, not expecting to have someone in her room when she came out or she would of thrown something more on than a towel. Denise turned a bit like she was about to leave as she spoke.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: Is this a bad time?
Tegan thought about it for a second but she much rather talk to Denise in person instead of having to try to call her or communicate over the phone or something. She adjusted her towel, pulling it up a bit more as she shook her head.
TEAGN TAYLOR: No. It’s okay.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: I just wanted to come by because I saw your father and he seemed to act like you were upset with me coming to the ring tonight?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Well… Yeah. I was kind of upset over it. I know you meant well though and all but I really don’t want help when I’m in the ring. Some people do or they need someone to watch their back because they made so many enemies or something. Like I get why people have managers or agents or whatever. I get why came out because that’s what you would of done for Blair but I’m not Blair. When I got to the ring I go out there to prove myself on my own. It’s my thing. I’m the underdog and I try to overcome whatever they throw at me and I want to do it on my own. You know?
Denise nodded her head, Tegan and Blair were pretty much opposites on their approach to winning a match. Blair would like to win under any circumstances and Tegan wanted to win under her own conditions.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: I understand. I didn’t mean to offend you or anything. I just wanted to apologize if I over stepped or anything. I just wanted to help.
TEAGN TAYLOR: It’s alright. I love that you cared enough to come out too but I just don’t want help.
DENISE BUCHANNAN: I get that now and I respect your decision. I have to go run catch up with Blair but I just didn’t want to leave any bad feelings between us. Your father is very special to me and that means I want to help your career and get to know you more. .
TEAGN TAYLOR: I appreciate that. I’ll talk to you more soon I’m sure, Denise.
Denise walked over, hugging the toweled Tegan before turning and hurrying off out of the room before Blair realized she was gone again. Tegan watched her go with a bit of a smile and wondered where the relationship between Denise and her dad was going. It was a strange situation especially since Blair seemed to want nothing to do with Tegan. She shook her head before locking the locker room door so she could change in peace before her dad returned.
PART TWO
Tegan took a trip to Salt Lake City after Ignite, hanging out with her friend Tyson Gregory for the day before she flew back to New Orleans. From there she repacked her bags and flew to Chicago where Lights Out was going to take place. It was the first edition of the show and there was no way she was going to miss the taping. Nikita wanted her there too and Tegan had a feeling she wasn’t going to like the reasons why but Nikita was her friend and she needed a friend to chat with. So the two of them met up at a Chicago style pizza place to have some lunch and hang out once they both got to town. When Tegan got there Nikita already was sitting at a table with a glass of what appeared to be straight vodka sitting in front of her.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Hey Tee!
Nikita jumped up and Tegan ran over, giving her Russian friend a tight hug. After letting go she sat across from Nikita with a smile on her face.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Sorry I’m late, the hotel took forever to check me in.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: It’s fine. I just had a few drinks as I waited.
TEAGN TAYLOR: A few? I don’t know how you do it, Nik.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Ha. It comes with being Russian I think. Anyways how was your trip? You flew in from Salt Lake?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Oh no. I went back to New Orleans for a day and did laundry and all that fun stuff. I’m excited to get out of that apartment though and move up here. I need more space and I think being in Chicago will be better for doing NEW events and stuff.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Yeah, it is a nice city and I’m sure the NEW staff would enjoy having you nearby to use. I mean not many people in NEW are as friendly as you are, Tegan. Most of us aren’t as patient with the media either.
TEAGN TAYLOR: You are fine!
Nikita laughed a bit as she downed her drink and looked over at the waitress to try to get another. Tegan was impressed with how much Nikita could drink and sometimes got a bit worried she drank too much but she wasn’t going to say that unless it seemed like a real problem.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: So how was Salt Lake? I heard you were with your friend…. What was his name?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Tyson. He works for Pride and he had a match the same day Ignite was so I thought I’d go hang out with him for a day. I mainly just wanted to get away from NEW for a day and go on a separate adventure. I’ve never really had money before to go where I wanted when I wanted. It is kind of liberating.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: It is a nice paycheck for sure but don’t change the subject, tell me more about this Tyson? Was it just friends or did more go down?
Nikita leaned forward with a smile on her face and Tegan knew she wanted to hear the dirt. She had a great night with Tyson though and he was someone she wouldn’t mind spending more time with in the future.
TEAGN TAYLOR: He picked me up, we drove around for a bit before we went to dinner and had a few drinks. You know me though and it doesn’t take too many drinks for me to get a bit tipsy.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: I know very well how much of a light weight you are. What happened after? Anything?
TEAGN TAYLOR: Well… After we had some drinks he took me back to the hotel and maybe I might of kissed him.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You didn’t?!
TEAGN TAYLOR: I did. I don’t know, he’s cute, nice and talented. So I figured I’d go for it and he’s single so it was worth a shot, right?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: What did he do? He would be a fool not to kiss you back.
Tegan turned a bit red at the comment and thought about it for a second. She liked Tyson a lot but they both were traveling all the time so the logistics of being with him seemed weird plus it was just a few kisses.
TEAGN TAYLOR: He kissed me back. He had some drinks too. It got pretty heated before I finally told him I had to go back to my room. Part of me wanted it to go further but I didn’t want to be a girl who flew out to meet a guy and end up hooking up with him on our first night hanging out together. It was nice though. He’s a good kisser.
Nikita let out another laugh in amusement as another drink was put in front of her. Tegan ordered a beer for herself, not wanting to try to drink vodka straight like Nikita did. After she ordered a drink they also ordered a pizza to split. It wasn’t exactly the healthiest option but Tegan was willing to cheat on her diet for a bit.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You need to call him up and get him here in Chicago.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I don’t know about all that. I’ll text him some and see where things go. I mean we have to do Lights Out and then I have a title match in Michigan and he has his own shows for Pride he will be traveling for. I’d like to see him again but we’ll see how it works out.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Speaking of Lights Out, I’m glad you are going to be there. You saw what Bonecrusher did to me, yes?
TEAGN TAYLOR: I did. I can’t believe he would pour paint on you. Seriously that’s just gross and mean. He should have been a man and tried to fight you face to face if he has a problem with you. I get why he has a problem but being a child about it just makes him look worse in the end.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: He’ll look like an idiot when all is said and done. We will get payback during Lights Out and he won’t know what hit him. He’ll be expecting it I’m sure but he won’t know that all three of us will be there or what we will have planned.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I don’t know what we have planned. Do we have a plan?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Not yet but I’m forming one. I just want to get some payback. It took me hours to get that paint out of my hair. It was disgusting.
TEAGN TAYLOR: You think getting him back will help? I mean you two will just got back and forth with attacks and stuff forever probably. Maybe you could just face him in the ring? I don’t know about ganging up to get revenge…
NIKITA ROMANOVA: It is what we have to do, Tegan. We are a team and we will show him and everyone else not to cross us. It will benefit you and Sasha too in the long run, trust me. Bonecrusher will be someone we make an example out of.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Make an example out of? That sounds so extreme. You know I’m not extreme, right? I’m the nice one.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You are but you must be tougher. We shall harden you so that people don’t push you around. People will take advantage of your kindness. They will walk all over you, Tegan. I will not allow that so if I need to toughen you up by showing you how I do things then so be it. Speaking of teaming up though, you are not teamed with Blair’s mother now, are you?
TEAGN TAYLOR: No way. She just was being helpful when she didn’t need to be.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: Good because I may need to take her down on Ignite when I face Blair.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Don’t be too mean to Denise…
NIKITA ROMANOVA: I’ll do whatever it takes to win. I know you said your dad is with Blair’s mom but that can’t concern me when I’m in the ring. If she tried something I’ll take her down.
TEAGN TAYLOR: I get that. I just don’t want my dad freaking out about her getting beat up by you. This situation with my dad dating someone is becoming way more dramatic and difficult then I could ever imagine. Seems like it’d be simple but he had to go and find the mom of some girl who hates me to date.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You can’t control who you fall for.
TEAGN TAYLOR: True. I’m glad he seems happy with her too… So back to these revenge plan, you have any idea what kind of things you want to do to Bonecrusher? I mean if you want to beat him up you don’t really need me, right?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: I might. I don’t know what we’ll do but we need to show up at Lights Out in force and teach him a lesson. You may not be comfortable with it but I know you got my back, right? I mean you won’t get squeamish or something?
Tegan got her drink as Nikita was talking and took a big swig from her beer. She was a bit nervous about the whole revenge plot for Lights Out. She hadn’t had any issues with Johnny herself but both of her team mates did which meant she had to do what was right for the good of Blondes United even if it wasn’t something she’d normally do.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Nope. I’ll do what I need… I may not like it totally and I may try to talk you out of it too but I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. After this though I need to get training hard for Ignite, I could be a Heartland Champion in a couple weeks.
NIKITA ROMANOVA: You will be the Heartland Champion. You are better than Dasha and Jimmy Abel. I don’t see how you could lose.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Thanks, Nik. Now… Where is this pizza? I’m starving and this place is supposed to be the best in town, right?
NIKITA ROMANOVA: That’s what I heard. We shall see though.
Tegan leaned back a bit as Nikita made a comment about her hair and the two friends relaxed and chatted a bit. It was nice for Tegan to unwind with Nikita even if she was a bit wary of what Lights Out had in store for the two of them and also in the back of her mind she knew she had to be careful and not get into a position where she could get hurt since she had a huge title match coming up at Ignite.
PART THREE
Tegan was standing outside the arena for Lights Out. There was a small group of fans gathering but security was holding them back as the camera crew set-up. Tegan had a make-up girl outside with her who was making sure everything looked good as she was getting ready to do a piece about Ignite. She was a bit nervous because she knew she had tough opponents, she was friends with Jimmy too which didn’t help her nerves. She was always nervous going into a match though but this one was different. It was her first title match and it was her first main event in NEW. It was a huge deal and she knew she had to be ready for anything. After her make-up was done she stood in front of the camera, her hands on her hips and ready to try to be fierce and sassy as possible and to try to prove to everyone she was the next Heartland champion.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Last week on Ignite I beat a six foot seven man who was nearly three hundred pounds to qualify for a chance at the Heartland Championship.
I know. I know. You are all saying that I didn’t win it on my own and I had help and all that. I’m not proud of how I won. It was embarrassing to me honestly. I don’t ever want to rely on someone else to win and I don’t want to be the kind of girl who cheats to win either. That’s not me and any of my fans know that too. What happened at Ignite was out of my hands but I can tell you that even if Denise didn’t come out I would have had that match won. Jane Crowe was tough but I had prepared for that match so much I knew what he was going to do before he did it. I may not of won the way I wanted but I still won which means I still get my chance at the Heartland Championship.
This is a huge deal too because his match is my first shot at gold in a really long time. It’s also my first chance to main event an episode of Ignite too! I’m super excited about both these things. Like WAY excited and I can’t wait for this match. This championship means a lot too because it’s Ignite exclusive and it will start a new era for Ignite and the brand split in NEW. Whoever holds it will make history. It’s not like winning a belt that has been around for a while. This will make a champion out of a vacant title and whoever wins will be the first Ignite Heartland Champion! History in the making, people! Even for the people who don’t win they will be a part of that history by just being in the match. Of course nobody wants to be in the history books as the person so-and-so beat to win a belt. All three of us want to be the one who won it but there can only be one. Only one person will walk out with this championship sadly and I’m going to make sure it’s me.
This is a Ignite main even too though which I already mentioned but this show that features a cage match, a steel chain match and even something I’ve never seen before in a Hangman’s match. Out of all that insanity they staff though our triple threat match for the Heartland Championship was the most worthy to headline the show. That’s huge! Now we all have to not only try to win a match but the three of us have to do it in such a fantastic way that we outshine those crazy matches that precede us. That will be a tough task but one I’m up for.
I proved on the last Ignite that I’m not afraid of anyone. I proved that I’ll face the biggest and baddest NEW has to offer without backing down. This match will be intense, brutal and I know that whoever wins will have to work their bum off to win it. Nobody is going to give this one up easy. Plus it’s a triple threat which means anything goes. You can’t be DQ’ed or counted out so you have to be ready for everything and anything. It’s hard to even prepare yourself for this because you have to train for two opponents and anything else they could throw at you. So far in NEW though I’ve faced a ladder down and a three hundred pound cult leader though so a triple threat really isn’t that bad, right?
Tegan smiled at the though and realized her career in NEW so far had been a weird one. But now she was at a huge crossroads and while she was 1 and 1 on her record, winning a championship would sky rocket her to a whole new level.
TEAGN TAYLOR: All three of us in this match earned it. We all had to qualify and we all want it really bad. None of us have had a long career in NEW either. We are all still rookies there which makes this chance a big deal for all of us.
Take Dasha for instance. She’s an immigrant trying to make it in this business. That is hard enough but she’s also very proud of being Russian too which I know can make you unpopular. She is fighting for her place in NEW though and for her country too I imagine. Now I don’t know if I buy all this smartest woman in the world stuff I hear about her or that she is some bad ass Russian spy or solider. I mean that all seems a bit farfetched but I do know she’s tough and that’s all that matters. She took out her opponent on Ignite with ease too which means she’s dangerous and will try to end things early. In a few ways Dasha reminds me of my friend Nikita which actually may help me get into her mind because I can ask Nikita what she would do in a similar situation.
I don’t care if Dasha is a spy or a ninja or a Sasquatch though. I respect her abilities and I like the fire inside her but I’ll do what I need to beat her. I’ll do whatever it takes to win this match and this Heartland Championship. I’ve proven I’m not afraid of anyone and that includes her. I won’t make this some patriotic thing either like a lot of people do. I have nothing against Russians and I like that she’s proud of her country. The Heartland Championship is about the Heart of America though, Dasha, can you represent that? I don’t think you’d be comfortable doing it honestly. Plus people may be mad at me if I let that belt go home with you to Moscow.
My other opponent is more like me which is weird to say since he’s a guy. But Jimmy Abel is a good guy, a nice person trying to win the right way. I love that about him. I love his work ethic and how hard he works to win a match. He’s from here in Chicago too, the home of NEW, so you know some of the fans in Michigan will be rooting for him based on that alone. It’s like a hometown boy, a Russian and a Southern girl all facing off. In reality he’ll probably be the crowd’s favorite too which will be strange since I’m used to being the fan favorite. Will that bug me? Nope because while I love to hear the fans cheer for me I know that I’ll have some Team Tegan out there even if their aren’t as vocal as Jimmy’s fans.
Abel has toured the world though and has made a name for himself in other countries. That means he’ll be able to adapt to different styles and that he can do things in that ring I’ve probably never seen before. Jimmy Abel can do it all pretty much but while he has that experience outside of America, I have experience in an American ring since I’ve worked for numerous promotions. Like I said though we both have some experience, we both love our fans and they love us and we’re both going out there to make a name for ourselves. We are very similar and we both love doing high flying, show-stealing moves. Two peas in a pod I guess but only one of us can be a champion.
Tegan really did like Jimmy. He was a hard worker and a real person unlike most people in NEW who seemed a bit fake. It was going to be fun to wrestle him she figured because they had a similar style and they both would have the fans divided. Deep down she wished she was going one on one with him so it would be a good clean match. Dasha was the one who would be trying to cheat and pull a fast one if anyone was going to she figured.
TEAGN TAYLOR: Another factor in this match is the fact that both my opponents have managers. I saw on Ignite just what kind of distraction they can be. I would encourage my opponents to leave them backstage though and let this match be just the three of us to prove who is best. Will they? I don’t know but if they want to win that belt the right way and make sure there is no doubt they should have it then they will do it. If they don’t though I’ll be ready to dodge their managers and be ready for whatever tricks they might try.
In fact I’ll be ready for everything these two can throw at me. I’ve got their old matches on my computer and I’ll be researching every movement they make, everything they do to signal a move. This match is my top priority and it is one of the biggest matches of my career… Heck a main event title match probably is the biggest match of my career. I won’t let my fans down and I won’t let myself down on this one. I’m leaving Ignite as the Heartland champion. I’m going to bring respect and dignity to that belt too. I’m still new in this company but this one match will cement me in NEW history and show the world that Tegan Taylor is a serious competitor. This is my moment to shine!
Tegan smiled before she leaned forward and blew a handful of glitter into the camera. She skipped off camera after that and took a deep breath. She had let all that out but she knew that was only a small part of the battle she had a head of her. Jimmy and Dasha were tough and she had to be ready. Plus she had Lights Out to attend too and part of her wanted to see Tyson Gregory again too. Tegan had a lot coming up but winning that Heartland Championship was on top of her priorities and she couldn’t let herself down by not winning it.