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Carmen & Max in Hotel Gym
Paris, France
12.6.22Carmen was working out, looking straight ahead in the mirror in front of her. In her reflection she could see Max watching her, having set his weights down. She turned to look at him, still lifting her weights. She took the moment to stop, setting them down before speaking.
"You know, it's hard to concentrate when you look at me like that.""Can you blame me? I didn't think it was possible for you to get any sexier, then you get focused on a goal and bam, I can't concentrate.""Well we both need to focus. I could become the Collateral Damage Champion.. and you handsome... You could become the United Champion.""And we will. Dylan Howell can't compete with you in any way. Out there you are far more talented than him. Even last week, I know..""Last Riot, I failed. I failed both of us when I lost to Violet. So there's that. We cannot both stand here and think that I'll walk out the winner against Howell at Crusade.""I know that you will."Max got up and moved towards her, placing his hands on her hips. He kissed her quickly, before he pulled back, looking into her eyes, once more he continued to speak, focusing on her in this moment.
"Carmen, you are the only person in this company who is as talented and focused as I am. Before the end of Crusade, they will all know it and so will you. So you had a bad night in Rome, it happens. We all have them. But now, you can show them all the champion I know that you are.""You know just what to say to make me feel better."Carmen pulled him into a kiss, it lasted a few moments, the both of them getting lost in the moment of passion. Behind them someone could be heard clearing their throat. Max's sister Elena cleared her throat, looking at the two of them with her arms crossed over her chest.
"Can you two stop making out every moment you all get alone?"Carmen pulled back laughing softly, she looked at Max who turned to look at his sister as Carmen began to speak.
"I am pretty sure you would be the same way if you had a boyfriend.""Yes, but I don't want to watch my brother make out with his girlfriend.. gross!""Ha, ha very funny, she better not be kissing anyone."Carmen laughing seeing the way Max and his sister Elena had a bond and it made her miss her brother. She felt a tear slip from the corner of her eye. She quickly wiped it away. She was sure her brother would reach out again soon enough.
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Carmens Thoughts
12.7.22
Paris, FranceDylan Howell, set to Face Carmen Rodriguez for the Collateral Damage Championship
His first mistake was drawing my name for his opponent. Okay, so he's been the Collateral Damage Champion, for how long? A couple of months, and I don't think I've seen him defend it much. Sure that's good for him, but I can promise he's never faced anyone quite like me. I was born into a family who made Death Matches their business. People who are not above destroying their opponents in the name of a win. My name is Carmen Rodriguez, I am the daughter of La Collison, Sister to Crash Rodriguez, and just like those who came before me, I am unafraid of tearing you apart. Remember my name well, because when our match is over, you will need to remember who to thank for relieving you of the Collateral Damage Championship and sent your ass to the hospital, bleeding and broken.
His second mistake, costing me the match against Violet Holt. He couldn't wait, couldn't give me the chance to show that psycho that she does not belong here, but rather locked up in an asylum. Just know he will pay for that mistake. And when I finish, his ass and send him to the hospital, I will be returning to show little Miss Holt, that her win was a fluke, based on his interruption Without him, I would have left her in the center of the ring, in a pool of her own blood, regretting all her decisions in her life. However, thanks to him, she gets the bragging rights of getting one over on me. But that will not happen again.
My mistake was thinking that he would keep his ass at the announce table. I lost my focus, Mi visiΓ³n estaba apagada, perdΓ mi enfoque, nunca mΓ‘s. Cero miedo. That will not happen again. At Crusade, I will be the Collateral Damage Champion and you Dylan Howell, will be just that Collateral Damage at the hands of the woman who will defend that title against any challenger, bringing it the prestige and honor it deserves. Besides, think how lovely that championship, will look draped across my body.
While you Dylan, will tuck your tail between your legs, lick your wounds and try to figure out how you managed to loose the one thing that made you important. You will fade away, while I shine bright holding the title that you used to treasure. You will be a former champion. I will hold your treasure, showing EVERYONE that Violet's win was a large fluke. Violet was a joke, her win was a fluke thanks to YOUR interruption. You just couldn't stand that I was getting more attention than you. You just couldn't wait, couldn't let me have MY moment. It always has to be all about Dylan Howell right? Well then.. we can make it all about you.
Dylan Howell, a man who has the looks and the talent, but absolutely NO DRIVE. A man who could still be a champion, if he had pulled any other name than mine. Any name other than Carmen Rodriguez, the future Collateral Damage Champion, and the future wife of Max Delgado, the woman who will end Dylan's reign. ME.
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Arrival in Barcelona
12/16/22Max, Carmen, and Elena arrived in Barcelona, ready to go to Crusade. The newly engaged couple and Max's little sister, looked as if they were on a mission. Mission get the fuck to the hotel so that we can rest. The three individuals look worn out. The last show had gone by and now, Crusade was upon them. In just a few days both Carmen and Max would be stepping up into the possibility of being champions. Carmen wanted to make a good impression on Elena and not ruin her opinion of her so close to her and Max getting married.
"The taxi is this way.. let's go.."Max carried the bags on the cart as the two girls walked on either side of him. Carmen took a deep breath and nodded, following after her mind still on the loss to Holt.
"At least now we can enjoy Barcelona for a little while before we have to get into the ring and show them all what we've got."
Elena marveled at things as they walked through the airport. It wasn't a really long flight from Paris to Barcelona, but it felt like a lifetime for her. Soon she could be the Collateral Damage Champion. A thing she had wanted, a title.. a championship, something she could take home to Mexico and proudly show off. However that might not happen and she knew it. Howell could have her number.
"You thinking about your match Carmen?" Elena's voice pulled her from her thoughts as they got into the Taxi. She just noticed how her gaze had been far off as she hadn't really been focused on anything as the people moved around them. She shook her head and turned to Elena.
"Yes I was.. I'm so sorry.. did you say something?""You will do great. You will be the Champion.. you'll see."Max walked over, slipping his arms around their shoulders.
"Carm mi amour, you've got this match.. it's not going to be easy, but we've been working on ideas for the match.. and I know you'll be the champion.. it just takes the confidence."She smiled at both of them.
"I know.. I just can't get that loss he caused me out of my head.""Then use it.. Carmen.. if anyone has what it takes to remove that responsibility from him.. to relieve him of the championship, its you babe. Just do me a favor.. don't take too much damage out there.""I was born for this Max. You have nothing to fear."The three of them climb into the Taxi and head off for the hotel, finally Carmen had her focus back. Something had been put into place and she would see it through.
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Carmens Thoughts
12/18/22
Barcelona, SpainCarmen Rodriguez, Future Collateral Damage Champion
It seems that some people around here have forgotten just who I am. I am Carmen Valentina Rodriguez, the Daughter of La Colision the man who owns his own Death Match promotion in Mexico. I was RAISED in broken light tubes, barbed wire and pain. In pools of blood I danced. I took pleasure in the pain of others. I took delight in their pained screams. I brought in my hour of my 21st birthday, bleeding in the middle of the ring as I pinned my opponent, who had just gone sixty minutes with me in a Escalera de la Muerte match. I was making people bleed before I was even old enough to drink legally.
When I came into this company, I didn't call myself the Goddess of the Death Match as a joke. I called myself that because it's the truth. I am the golden standard. I am the Goddess of the Death Match and at Crusade, Dylan Howell, you decided that it will be a Hardcore Match.. and since you have made that decision, you have signed up for your own downfall. You think that you are going into this with a woman who's afraid to hurt you, but after what you've done... you are far from mistaken.
The woman who will take that title from you, is me. I will cement my legacy here, starting with removing the responsibility of being a champion off you. From Crusade on, it's my name that will fill the arena with sound. It's my name that will be on the merch.. it will be ME who is the champion they can be proud of. Your time as the champion is over. It was over the moment you pulled my name. A name you should NEVER forget.
Then they went so far as to make it a hardcore match.. did you really want out that badly? Your wish is my command. I will put you out of your own misery, once and for all. When the dust settles, they will wipe your name from the title.. and mine will take it's place. A name that no one will forget. CARMEN RODRIGUEZ, the Goddess of the Death Match, the woman who is the COLLATERAL DAMAGE CHAMPION. Who sits at the top with the rest of the people who matter.
Tonight, the Goddess of the Death Match takes that title home. I will prove my nickname true.. and I will reign as the Collateral Damage Champion, then marry the love of my life and have the life.. you only WISH you could have. Carmen.. out..
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Hotel Balcony
12/18/22
Barcelona, SpainCarmen stood outside on the balcony of their shared hotel room, next door, Elena slept soundly in her connecting room. They had spared no expense at the nice hotel and she was going to take the time to enjoy the moment. The sounds of the city below them, the music from the streets, reminded her of home. It was not just the place they were in, but the people she was with. She sent her brother another text message when they had arrived in Barcelona.. however.. there was no news, no response. It had been weeks. She knew the search for his baby's momma was hard on him. But she needed her brothers advice in this. She wish he could be there and as if Max could tell there was something wrong, she felt arms slipping around her waist and looked over her shoulder.
"Hello Max.. I hope I wasn't bothering you.""Are you alright Carmen?"
Carmen turned to were she could look him in the eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her ring caught the light just right. Something stirred inside her upon seeing it. She was building her own life, instead of trying to fix everyone else's.
"I'm alright.. just.. didn't get any response back from my brother. I wish he could be here for the show. But he's busy.""Hey.. you got me an Elena.. you got the support you need. I'm sure he'll be proud of you. And he'll be watching it online."She knew Max had his own things going on, yet stayed so supportive of her and Elena in their lives. She smiled at him and nodded.
"You're right.""So.. I can think of something to do to take your mind off of it.. and mine off my match.. at least for tonight.."
Carmen looked over at him and shook her head.
"Max.."
"What Carmen.. I'm hot.. you're hot.. there's nothing wrong with it. It'll be the best exercise we both could get."
She laughed softly and pulled him into a kiss. Her phone buzzed and she smiled as she pulled away and looked at it. A shocked expression crosses her features. The text read...
βLanding in Barcelona on 12/19 at 10am. Pick me up?β
"He's coming.. he asked us to pick him up..""Told you.. family is everything. For now.. I've got you all to myself."She knew her brother would be there.. front row, camera side to see his baby sister in her first championship match since breaking away from their father. He would be there and she'd be happy about it.