Post by Brooke Hernandez on Jul 15, 2023 21:45:10 GMT -5
I walked with a noticeable limp in my right leg as the pain from my most recent outings was beginning to show the wear and tear on my body. I had seen the posts online saying I need to slow down before I wind up paralyzed or dead. Honestly I didn't know the meaning of slow down. From my upbringing in a lower tier area of Houston called Macgregor to my days in gymnastics at LSU, I never quit. I never gave up.
Things have often gotten a bit hairy. Many times I have pushed myself too far…
Or so I have thought. Every time I feel like I can't go on, I find the drive, I find the determination, I find people like Daniel Ramsey. People like Nova Skye. People like Synn. People who continue to push me because they know I'm destined for greatness.
I'm not a meme. I'm not a flash in an ever changing pan. I am for real and it is time I begin showing that.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Flashback
Jun 16-21, 2020
US Gymnastics Trials
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I sat by myself as the only gymnast from LSU at the trials. Thousands of women from all over the United States, some as young as twelve, had gathered to represent the United States in the World Games. Finally, someone I recognized, a rival if you will, walked up to me. Her name is Ivanka Metkova. She was a gymnast from Oklahoma. She was the one person who had outdone me in the college world. She edged me by .03 on the uneven bars. I had to outdo her here. She spoke in her thick Russian accent. "Hello again Blake Brookely."
She always called me that. At first I thought maybe it was an honest mistake but after two years of SEC competition, she had to know that wasn't my name. Her red hair, which was obviously fake. Her accent, which I feel like she plays up sometimes. Her smile, her attitude, everything made me want to hate her. But I couldn't. I couldn't hate someone who was so good at what she does. Maybe my hate wasn't red but rather green. Green in envy. I faked a laugh, you know that sarcastic "haha" that escapes your lips as you roll your eyes? Yeah. That one. I spoke back in my typical Texan, "bless your heart" fashion. "Well, if it isn't Ivanka Metkova? The best gymnast from Oklahoma."
She smiled as she nodded. I spoke back before she could. "That wasn't a compliment. My dad used to tell me that Oklahoma was flat to make it easier to escape and get to Texas."
She went to speak but was interrupted by the loud speaker. "Brooke Blakely, Houston, to the uneven bars. Brooke Blakely, uneven bars."
I was so excited that I didn't have to talk with her anymore. I got up, grabbing just bag, and walking to the opposite end of the gym. I laid my bag down. I took a locket out of the front pocket and opened it. Inside a photo of wrestling sensation, Zoe. I kissed it and put it back in my bag. I looked around to make sure no one saw it. I stood up briskly, removing my LSU team jacket. I laid it on my bag. I walked nervously to the bars. I had done this event a million times. Why was I this nervous? I approached the chalk and picked up a huge amount. I clapped my hands together. "Geaux Tigers!" I said under my breath as I nodded at the spotter. He lifted me up and my routine was under way. Over and under I went on the bars. The judges all taking notes as Ivanka looked on in disgust. It was time. The dismount. I flipped in mid air for a 630 degree rotation. It was mistimed. I landed hard on my right leg, it snapped like a twig in a hurricane. I screamed out in agony. I broke it and lost my chance at that moment. Even with Ivanka laughing, I still couldn't hate her.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Present Day
Cleveland, Ohio
I watched the tape of my broken leg, Daniel by my side. Lately, I hadn't been myself. I was completely beaten by Alexandra Callaway in Outcast Championship Wrestling. I was hurt even further in the Bohemian Bash for Thunder Pro. It wasn't my time it seemed. The burns on my legs were minor, but painful. I laid on my stomach for some relief as Daniel gently ran his right hand along my back. You could tell he was truly something special and I was the same to him. He spoke, in a reassuring tone. "It's a minor setback Brooke. Every wrestler has them. Hell my parents lost to Ragnarok and Damage. You know how bad that hurt their pride? How bad it hurt their relationship?"
I shook my head side to side. "Your parents are unstoppable as hell. I haven't won a match anywhere besides FCW in what seems like forever. Synn keeps telling me not to worry about, don't let it consume me but how in the hell is that possible? How can I not look at wrestlers like Ash Cassidy, wrestlers like Peter Vaughn, wrestlers like Synn and not get down about myself?"
Daniel kissed me, I kissed him back. The kiss lasted about two minutes before he spoke in his calming tone. "Just focus all of those feelings on Emily Simms."
I rolled my eyes as I spoke. "Dont even get me started on her. She left me out to dry against Cassette Collective and I will never forgive her. Emily Simms is the popular girl who never won homecoming queen. I think she is just jealous."
He kept rubbing my back as the scene cut.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Present Day
Cleveland, Ohio
I sat on the turnbuckle as I faced the stage before FCW Stone Cold Crazy went live. I closed my eyes as I held the same locket from the world trials in my hand. I kissed it again before speaking. "Every time we walk that aisle we risk losing. We risk everything. We can walk out or be stretchered out. A few shows ago we lost Emily and it is all your fault. You didn't save me from being pinned and I haven't forgiven you for that. Emily, admit it, your comeback to WGWF has been almost directly mirroring my career here.
Barely there.
I beat Sam Chatman and haven't been able to do much else in all honesty. I do not envy you, Emily. I am beyond you. You are not someone anyone should want to be. Brawl will be the beginning of my ascent in WGWF. I know I've said that before but now I see my worth. I see the way those who want me in their lives treat me. I see the names of the people I've lost to. Johnny Bacchus is a star. I said some things about him and Lissie that were way off base and I apologize. Lissie knows I look up to her.
What I won't apologize for is what I am going to do to you at Brawl, Emily. I am no longer that little girl who was starstruck by any one and every one I stepped in the ring with. Listen closely Emily, you won't be recognizable to anyone if I have my way.
You are someone who makes this whole damn business worse. When WGWF tweeted about MOST of their roster succeeding. They weren't talking about you. They were talking about Chris Page, about Justin York, about Jim Caedus. Names you will never step into the ring with because you don't have the drive."
I pulled the brace up over my knee as I hopped off the turnbuckle, trying to not over exert my injured knee. I winced in a bit of pain as I spoke again. "Emily, I may be injured but I'm not dead. No matter who wants me to slow down or stop on my way to greatness, I won't give in to their demands. The temptation is always there but with names like Synn, Nova Skye, and Daniel Ramsey in my corner, I won't give in. They want to see me rise and I won't let them down. I have embraced the fear within. I have allowed my body to be beaten, battered, and bruised but nowhere near as much as your ego is about to be. Nowhere near as beaten as you will be as you lay on your back and look at the rafters wondering how this young upstart humbled you so badly.
Emily, keep believing in the fantasy that anyone sees you as a threat. It just solidifies my win as that much more epic. You are about to step into the ring with a woman who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. As we approach summer madness, I am putting the entire WGWF on notice. This is the beginning of the summer of Blakely. You are all about to witness a major uprising, one that rivals the overthrowing of King Louis. One that will forever cement itself in the annals of wrestling history.
Now, if you will excuse me? I have rehabbing to do. I may not be at one hundred percent on Brawl but… then again… it's just Emily Simms."
I began running the ropes as the scene faded out and ended.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Moral of the story is we all hurt sometimes. We all have to face our demons, our past, and our mortality in order to move into the future. I'm not ready to be done with this business, far from it. I am anxious to keep making history. I am anxious to get the WGWF management to realize what they have in their grasp, in their company, in their bosom. You see, I am not a slouch. These injuries wouldn't define me.
Quite the opposite..
They would motivate me. They would push me to my limits. I wouldn't let them break me. I would make them my bitch. These losses would soon not matter in the grand scheme of things.
The warriors are not defined by their scars but by their victories. History is written by the victors. Welcome to my chapter. Welcome to the book as written by Brooke Blakely.
Things have often gotten a bit hairy. Many times I have pushed myself too far…
Or so I have thought. Every time I feel like I can't go on, I find the drive, I find the determination, I find people like Daniel Ramsey. People like Nova Skye. People like Synn. People who continue to push me because they know I'm destined for greatness.
I'm not a meme. I'm not a flash in an ever changing pan. I am for real and it is time I begin showing that.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Flashback
Jun 16-21, 2020
US Gymnastics Trials
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I sat by myself as the only gymnast from LSU at the trials. Thousands of women from all over the United States, some as young as twelve, had gathered to represent the United States in the World Games. Finally, someone I recognized, a rival if you will, walked up to me. Her name is Ivanka Metkova. She was a gymnast from Oklahoma. She was the one person who had outdone me in the college world. She edged me by .03 on the uneven bars. I had to outdo her here. She spoke in her thick Russian accent. "Hello again Blake Brookely."
She always called me that. At first I thought maybe it was an honest mistake but after two years of SEC competition, she had to know that wasn't my name. Her red hair, which was obviously fake. Her accent, which I feel like she plays up sometimes. Her smile, her attitude, everything made me want to hate her. But I couldn't. I couldn't hate someone who was so good at what she does. Maybe my hate wasn't red but rather green. Green in envy. I faked a laugh, you know that sarcastic "haha" that escapes your lips as you roll your eyes? Yeah. That one. I spoke back in my typical Texan, "bless your heart" fashion. "Well, if it isn't Ivanka Metkova? The best gymnast from Oklahoma."
She smiled as she nodded. I spoke back before she could. "That wasn't a compliment. My dad used to tell me that Oklahoma was flat to make it easier to escape and get to Texas."
She went to speak but was interrupted by the loud speaker. "Brooke Blakely, Houston, to the uneven bars. Brooke Blakely, uneven bars."
I was so excited that I didn't have to talk with her anymore. I got up, grabbing just bag, and walking to the opposite end of the gym. I laid my bag down. I took a locket out of the front pocket and opened it. Inside a photo of wrestling sensation, Zoe. I kissed it and put it back in my bag. I looked around to make sure no one saw it. I stood up briskly, removing my LSU team jacket. I laid it on my bag. I walked nervously to the bars. I had done this event a million times. Why was I this nervous? I approached the chalk and picked up a huge amount. I clapped my hands together. "Geaux Tigers!" I said under my breath as I nodded at the spotter. He lifted me up and my routine was under way. Over and under I went on the bars. The judges all taking notes as Ivanka looked on in disgust. It was time. The dismount. I flipped in mid air for a 630 degree rotation. It was mistimed. I landed hard on my right leg, it snapped like a twig in a hurricane. I screamed out in agony. I broke it and lost my chance at that moment. Even with Ivanka laughing, I still couldn't hate her.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Present Day
Cleveland, Ohio
I watched the tape of my broken leg, Daniel by my side. Lately, I hadn't been myself. I was completely beaten by Alexandra Callaway in Outcast Championship Wrestling. I was hurt even further in the Bohemian Bash for Thunder Pro. It wasn't my time it seemed. The burns on my legs were minor, but painful. I laid on my stomach for some relief as Daniel gently ran his right hand along my back. You could tell he was truly something special and I was the same to him. He spoke, in a reassuring tone. "It's a minor setback Brooke. Every wrestler has them. Hell my parents lost to Ragnarok and Damage. You know how bad that hurt their pride? How bad it hurt their relationship?"
I shook my head side to side. "Your parents are unstoppable as hell. I haven't won a match anywhere besides FCW in what seems like forever. Synn keeps telling me not to worry about, don't let it consume me but how in the hell is that possible? How can I not look at wrestlers like Ash Cassidy, wrestlers like Peter Vaughn, wrestlers like Synn and not get down about myself?"
Daniel kissed me, I kissed him back. The kiss lasted about two minutes before he spoke in his calming tone. "Just focus all of those feelings on Emily Simms."
I rolled my eyes as I spoke. "Dont even get me started on her. She left me out to dry against Cassette Collective and I will never forgive her. Emily Simms is the popular girl who never won homecoming queen. I think she is just jealous."
He kept rubbing my back as the scene cut.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Present Day
Cleveland, Ohio
I sat on the turnbuckle as I faced the stage before FCW Stone Cold Crazy went live. I closed my eyes as I held the same locket from the world trials in my hand. I kissed it again before speaking. "Every time we walk that aisle we risk losing. We risk everything. We can walk out or be stretchered out. A few shows ago we lost Emily and it is all your fault. You didn't save me from being pinned and I haven't forgiven you for that. Emily, admit it, your comeback to WGWF has been almost directly mirroring my career here.
Barely there.
I beat Sam Chatman and haven't been able to do much else in all honesty. I do not envy you, Emily. I am beyond you. You are not someone anyone should want to be. Brawl will be the beginning of my ascent in WGWF. I know I've said that before but now I see my worth. I see the way those who want me in their lives treat me. I see the names of the people I've lost to. Johnny Bacchus is a star. I said some things about him and Lissie that were way off base and I apologize. Lissie knows I look up to her.
What I won't apologize for is what I am going to do to you at Brawl, Emily. I am no longer that little girl who was starstruck by any one and every one I stepped in the ring with. Listen closely Emily, you won't be recognizable to anyone if I have my way.
You are someone who makes this whole damn business worse. When WGWF tweeted about MOST of their roster succeeding. They weren't talking about you. They were talking about Chris Page, about Justin York, about Jim Caedus. Names you will never step into the ring with because you don't have the drive."
I pulled the brace up over my knee as I hopped off the turnbuckle, trying to not over exert my injured knee. I winced in a bit of pain as I spoke again. "Emily, I may be injured but I'm not dead. No matter who wants me to slow down or stop on my way to greatness, I won't give in to their demands. The temptation is always there but with names like Synn, Nova Skye, and Daniel Ramsey in my corner, I won't give in. They want to see me rise and I won't let them down. I have embraced the fear within. I have allowed my body to be beaten, battered, and bruised but nowhere near as much as your ego is about to be. Nowhere near as beaten as you will be as you lay on your back and look at the rafters wondering how this young upstart humbled you so badly.
Emily, keep believing in the fantasy that anyone sees you as a threat. It just solidifies my win as that much more epic. You are about to step into the ring with a woman who has nothing to lose and everything to gain. As we approach summer madness, I am putting the entire WGWF on notice. This is the beginning of the summer of Blakely. You are all about to witness a major uprising, one that rivals the overthrowing of King Louis. One that will forever cement itself in the annals of wrestling history.
Now, if you will excuse me? I have rehabbing to do. I may not be at one hundred percent on Brawl but… then again… it's just Emily Simms."
I began running the ropes as the scene faded out and ended.
-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
Moral of the story is we all hurt sometimes. We all have to face our demons, our past, and our mortality in order to move into the future. I'm not ready to be done with this business, far from it. I am anxious to keep making history. I am anxious to get the WGWF management to realize what they have in their grasp, in their company, in their bosom. You see, I am not a slouch. These injuries wouldn't define me.
Quite the opposite..
They would motivate me. They would push me to my limits. I wouldn't let them break me. I would make them my bitch. These losses would soon not matter in the grand scheme of things.
The warriors are not defined by their scars but by their victories. History is written by the victors. Welcome to my chapter. Welcome to the book as written by Brooke Blakely.