Post by "Psycho" Saoirse Maguire on Mar 24, 2019 19:31:50 GMT -7
Off-Camera
Friday, January 5, 2018
Hybrid Combat School
Fairview, North Carolina
9:04 AM EST
The end of her first full week in North Carolina was staring “Psycho” Saoirse Maguire in the face almost as much as her trainer and girlfriend, Becca “Bruiser” Rogers. Their relationship was both relatively new and being tested with this new dynamic of student and teacher. The idea had been put forth a month earlier about moving here from Las Vegas and that idea had given birth to the idea of training here as well. Saoirse had already been trained in striking with her older brother, Shonn Maguire at his gym in Las Vegas but both with Becca’s new job here at the Hybrid Combat School and wanting to be able to spend more time with her, Saoirse had thought now was the time to move beyond knowing how to kick.
Becca had been ecstatic upon hearing the news about the move. No longer would they have to fight to make time because of being a new bicoastal couple. That reality had started to wear on both of them slightly and Saoirse’s solution had been a sign out of the darkness to Becca.
Now was coming the hard part. How well would Saoirse take direction from Becca? How well would she take criticism and advice? How bad would a potential argument be if she did not take that well?
For now, it was going well enough. The Irish-born Saoirse had done very well with the striking instructions with most remarking on her form being better than it should be and she’d silently thanked Shonn for knowing what he was doing on that.
As Saoirse circles with another student, a woman only slightly larger than Saoirse’s own five foot one, hundred pound frame called Johnnie Mae Morton, and the two look to lock-up. As Johnnie Mae starts to take a standing armbar, Saoirse kicks her just under the armpit and then spins into a kick to her chest causing Becca’s New York accent to come out some.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Use ya whole body, lass! Not just kicks!
Both Saoirse and Johnnie Mae can’t help but laugh at how quickly Becca had started picking up little “Sorshisms.” Everyone had noticed she’d started calling other women “lass” the same way Saoirse did and they all thought it was cute that this big, tough, New York badass woman would do something like that.
Johnnie Mae Morton: You ready to go again?
Saoirse nods,still trying to stifle her smile and snicker.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, let’s give it a go, Lass!
The two women circle with Becca watching intently. The two start to lock-up and Saoirse grabs a side headlock. Johnnie Mae grabs her wrist and starts to reverse into a hammerlock. Feeling this coming, Saoirse releases and spins into a kick to the chest again.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: What did I just say?!
Becca hops up onto the apron and climbs through the ropes, not looking best pleased.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: If ya wanna have any kinda success in this business, ya need to get outta this stupid little mindset o’ yours, Sorsh! You have an entire body to utilize, so damn well use it!
The trainer now turns to Johnnie Mae.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: As for you? Ya need to start bein’ aware o’ those kicks coz ya not blockin’ ‘em! Ya can’t win a match without bein’ able to defend yourself first!
The larger woman shakes her head before climbing back out of the ring and glares up at both of them with her hands on her hips.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Again! We’ll stay here all day if we have too until ya get it right, both of ya!
Saoirse and Johnnie Mae both nod and then start to circle each other in the center of the ring, both looking slightly tentative after the mild tongue-lashing. They lock-up, Saoirse trying to take the advantage but Johnnie Mae moving to keep it even. Johnnie Mae is able take a standing armbar and Saoirse ducks under into a hammerlock. Johnnie Mae drops to one knee and snap mares Saoirse over. Johnnie Mae starts to take a reverse chinlock only for saoirse to kick up, trying to push off and grab an arm. Johnnie Mae blocks the foot but saoirse still manages to grab the arm and pull. Johnnie Mae gets away from her and Saoirse jumps to her feet in a kip up. Saoirse tries for the same spinkick again but Johnnie Mae blocks it. Saoirse spins again and catches Johnnie Mae with an enziguri kick and Johnnie Mae goes down facefirst. Before Saoirse can jump on her, Becca calls a stop to things again.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Okay, much better! Johnnie Mae? Good work on those blocks despite gettin’ caught with that last one! Sorsh? Well done for showin’ you’ve got more than just kicks at ya disposal. I understand that that’s how ya brother taught ya but I ain’t him and as lon’ as ya under my trainin’, we’re gonna work on other stuff as well!
Becca glances at the watch on her wrist before looking back up to her students.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: All right you two, take five!
Saoirse and Johnnie Mae both nod, Saoirse helping Johnnie Mae to her feet.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m baein’ a right gobshite about this…
Johnnie Mae shakes her head.
Johnnie Mae Morton: I think she just wants y’all to mix it up more is all. Like, don’t just go straight to the kicks because if’n you keep doin’ that, eventually you’re gonna find somebody smarter than me who will make you wish you could roll with them better on the ground.
Saoirse nods as Johnnie Mae grins. Self-deprecating humor was Johnnie Mae’s usual m.o. When trying to cover her nerves.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye? Ye kinna bae sellin’ yerself short, Lass. Ye had me good til I managed tae kick ye in the back o’ th’ head.
Johnnie Mae shrugs.
Johnnie Mae Morton: I never really had you and you know it. You catch me every time with those damn kicks and I never see it coming!
Saoirse nods to the space just to their right in the ring.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye jess saw them comin’ twice, Lass. Yer far smarter than ye ever give yerself credit fer!
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Sorsh is right, Johnnie Mae…
The two students look down to their trainer who had been listening to their conversation.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Both o’ ya have the potential there, ya just need to work on a few thin’s. And I know ya can both do it which is why at times I give ya both a grillin’. It ain’t somethin’ I wanna do but it’s somethin’ I need to do. Especially when it comes to ya, Sorsh… I don’t want any o’ the other students gettin’ ideas that I’m goin’ easy on ya just coz you’re my girlfriend. Ya understand don’t ya?
Saoirse nods even as Johnnie Mae looks down in shame.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, that I do, Bex.
Johnnie Mae nods slowly.
Johnnie Mae Morton: I’m sorry I’m not doin’ so hot…
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Ya doin’ fine, Johnnie Mae. Don’t ever be sorry. This ain’t an easy thin’ to do, and the most important thin’ to have when doin’ this sort o’ thin’ is passion for the business. You have that passion and eventually? The both of ya will be on big stages in front o’ thousands o’ people showin’ just how passionate and how good ya both are at this! Honestly? It’s moments like this that I love, coz I lost my chance o’ becomin’ professional and now I get to live vicariously through you two and all my other students. It makes me less and less bitter about the fact I’ll never be able to do what the two o’ ya will be doin’ in the future.
Johnnie Mae nods and then starts out of the ring.
Johnnie Mae Morton: Thanks, Miss Becca. I’ll not to let y’all down.
She walks off and heads for the showers leaving Saoirse and Becca alone in the ring.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m sorry I kaep goin’ back tae th’ kicks, Bex, but it jess faels natural every time. I dinna know why, but an openin’ presents itself an… there I bae…
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: As I said to Johnnie Mae, don’t be sorry, just focus on workin’ at it. I understand that it feels natural to ya, but here’s what ya need to learn. When Shonn was trainin’ ya, it was primarily for self-defence, which is fine. But wrestlin’ is bigger than just bein’ able to defend yaself. Ya need to be able to do more than just one thin’ coz not every opponent ya have is gonna just be taken down with kicks, no matter how hard or how good ya are at them.
The larger woman folds her heavily tattooed arms across her chest.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Tell ya what, since we’re always with each other, whenever the two o’ us are free, no matter where we are, I’ll make sure to help ya out with a few thin’s. I wanna see ya succeed, babe, coz I know ya capable of becomin’ a star. I can see ya becomin’ the star I always wanted to be.
Saoirse nods slowly, visibly touched.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Alright then, Lass. We’ll do this t’gather. I love ye, Bex. I jess wanna make ye proud.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: You’re already makin’ me proud, babe. I love ya too.
Saoirse smiles, looking momentarily younger than her twenty-six years. She kisses Becca and nods to herself as she steps clear to follow Johnnie Mae tio the showers. She was damn sure going to make Becca proud no matter what it took!
Thursday, March 21, 2019
MGM Grand
Paradise, Nevada
11:57 AM PDT
Standing in a hotel room on the Las Vegas Strip, Saoirse Maguire checks herself in the mirror, her Shieldmaidens’ kutte standing out over her black tactical pants and her white Rage Against the Machine t-shirt. She’d found the “Nuns With Guns” shirt in a store across the street in the shopping mall that constituted the walkway between the Luxor and the Mandalay Bay hotels and quickly bought it without thinking at all, knowing she’d likely never see it again. The sight of five nuns with rifles in hand had made her laugh immediately and her shopping buddy, younger sister and fellow Shieldmaiden, Aoife “Banshee” Maguire, had mentioned she didn’t do that often enough lately. The purchase was made alongside a black one that read “Scream Like A Banshee” in big blood red lettering for Aoife and the two sisters had returned to the Luxor and then quickly made their way on the moving walkway to the Excalibur on the other side of the Luxor to meet their respective girlfriends, Becca “Bruiser” Rogers and line non-Shieldmaiden, Katrina Knox, for lunch. The four had since returned to the MGM Grand to prepare for tonight’s match where Saoirse would face seven other women for GWW Hardcore Championship. It was a new creation for the company and had made all of them take a pause at the idea f having to fight a hardcore war only a few days before flying across the pacific to fight a six-person tag team match in Tokyo for Stranglemania.
A six-person tag team match that had no confirmed opponents as of the present time.
Saoirse exhales as she looks at herself in the mirror and nods, a small smile creeping across her face. As she does so, a blonde head walks into her field of view in the mirror, a sign that Aoife was now in the room as well.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Wearin’ yers too, are ye, Sorsh?
Saoirse turns to find her little sister grinning stupidly at her, the “Scream Like A Banshee” shirt staring back at her just as her Rage Against the Machine shirt does for Aoife. Both sisters can’t help but laugh.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, we should have looked fer one tha said “Hard Knox” fer KDub an’ one tha said sumting about “Bruisers” fer Bex.
Aoife shrugs, still giggling slightly.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: We’ll find them sumting, ye kin bet on tha, Sorsh!
Saoirse nods and turns back to the mirror.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Yer nay gonna wear tha tonight in yer match, are ye?
Saoirse shakes her head before glancing back.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m nay gonna wear this fer ennithin like tha, never get th’ blood out.
Aoife nods, the smile coming back almost as quickly as it had dimmed on her previous question.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Good, I bae likin’ tha’ shirt, dinna wanna sae it bae havin’ tha problem!
Saoirse nods.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, I bae thinkin’ th’ same ting. I dinna want it tae bae havin’ tha problem aither.
Aoife nods, the smile dimming slightly again.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Get through tonight, ye tink I naid tae bae worryin’ about gettin’ hit again at Stranglemania? I was th’ first tae get it at Rampage after all.
Saoirse’s head droops in shame and guilt as much as anything else.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I tink tha’s a ting ye should bae tinkin’ about from now on, Lass. Scorpio an’ his lot opened tha door, blamed us fer it and ye kin bet everyone else will do th’ same jess because they sae us havin’ tae tink about it.
Aoife nods slowly, clearly thinking this over.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Ye tink Mac and Spartan…
Saoirse wheels on her, cutting her sister off.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I dinna tink Mac and Spartan bae doin’ ennithin! Tha they might bae our opponents is a bunch o’ shite! They bae no one’s opponents!
Aoife stares at her sister in almost complete shock.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Tha nay bae what Bex an’ Zombie tink…
Saoirse nods, unmoved.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: It nay bae what Mac an’ Spartan tink aither but they all bae wrong! Criterion isna goin’ ennywhere! They jess want us tae all tink they are!
She shakes her head and slowly turns around to face herself in the mirror again. Aoife just stares at her back.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: What happens if they do bae yer opponents, Sorsh?
Saoirse shrugs.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Same ting as ennyone else, we fight them until we kinna fight ennymore! Doesna matter if we have tae spill blood, theirs, our, whoever. Criterion isna gonna miss Strangelmania! It’s a big dael an they’re nay gonna give tha up over one loss. It’s nay gonna happen an’ I dinna care what everyone else says, those clem chancers are jess tryin’ tae get one o’er on us!
Aoife nods slightly, looking like she’s trying to convince herself.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: What happens if Bex an’ Zombie dinna agree wit ye?
Saoirse shrugs.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’re big girls, they kin tink fer themselves!
Aoife frowns in confusion.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Why ye bae so convinced…
Saoirse wheels on her before her sister can even finish asking the question.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Because, th’ whole place bae about tha! Scorpio is supposed tae bae this great legend, in a legendary tag taem wit ReBelle but did he stand up an fight Bex an me like a man?
She shakes her head almost too emphatically.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: He did nay such a ting! Aeven though we caem wit no help! He brought others tae help him and Ownsby, started a smokescraen tae distract from th’ fact tha he dinna have th’ confidence in himself or his partner tae jess take us on! Bex an’ I were nay gonna bring enny help unless it was naeded! We believe in ourselves an’ in our sisters! Sam dinna naed our help! Naither did Widow or RJ! Zombie dinna naed our help and if they had baen booked, Alex and Jackie would nay have naeded us aither! We waited fer the wrestlers tae bae gone when we jumped that railin’ an we gave everybody at ringside the chance tae go first, tha they chose tae still bae there…
Aoife nods, putting her hands up to try and calm her sister.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: I know, I was there, Lass…
Saoirse nods, glaring hotly, pointing an accusing finger at her sister.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: An’ tha is what is goin’ on with Criterion! They WILL bae there!
Aoife nods as Saoirse lowers her hand.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: What if ye bae wrong?
Saoirse shakes her head, grinding her teeth in anger now.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m nay wrong, Aef.
She points accusingly off to the right as if there’s another room there with people in it.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They tink they’re gonna bae laughin’ jess liek Scorpio was after our match when he pulled a fast one! They tink they’re gonna bae laughin’ at all o’ us an’ this whole fuckin’ comp’ny!
She pulls her hand in and taps herself in the chest right on top of the middle nun on her t-shirt.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’ll nay bae laughin’ at me, d’ye haer?
Her voice lowers as it starts to almost shake in her anger.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’ll nay bae laughin’ at me!
Saoirse turns back to the mirror and Aoife nods to her sister.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Ok, em, I’m gonna go back tae Katrina and Bex so, we’ll bae waitin’ fer ye in th’ naxt room, Sorsh.
Saoirse nods stiffly and Aoife nods back sadly.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: I love ye, Sorsh.
She nods and turns, walking out the door as Saoirse remains turned away, staring at the mirror.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I love ye, Aef…
She nods grimly to the mirror.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’ll nay bae laughin’ at me…
On Camera
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Luxor
Paradise, Nevada
2:01 PM PDT
The camera opens upon “Psycho” Saoirse Maguire standing alone outside the Luxor hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, a stone bench to her right. She walks over and sits down, letting the camera get a full shot of her black tactical boots, black tactical pants, black t-shirt that simply reads “Psycho” in plain white lettering, and her Shieldmaidens’ kutte as she looks down to the cement walkway in front of her. She nods slowly and grits her teeth momentarily.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know…
Nodding slowly, her gaze remains affixed to the concrete before her.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know that Aoife, Bex and Zombie dinna tink like I bae tinkin’ on Criterion.
Nodding again ever so slightly, she slowly looks up into the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know th’ comp’ny dinna bae tinkin’ tha aither or they wouldnay bae lookin’ few replacements worthy of Stranglemania. They wouldnay bae askin’ th’ likes o’ Mac an’ Jon Spartan tae come an’ sit in Criterion’s place in our match.
She nods grimly and then points an accusing finger into the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know me sister Maidens dinna tink Criterion’s pullin’ a fast one an’ I know it bae the talk o’ th’ dirt shaets tha Criterion’s takin’ their fuckin’ ball an’ run off tae stay away from ennithin havin’ tae do wit EWC an’ Stranglemania at th’ moment…
Her head droops, her hands coming together to fold together across her knees. She sits there nodding to her feet for a second before looking up to look around at the people walking by heading for the door of the Luxor.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, that’s right… jess kaep on walkin’... jess kaep on…
She looks back to her feet again, her hands rubbing over each other aggressively. As she does so, her voice lowers to just barely audible levels.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Cop on, ye gammy muppets!
Slowly, she looks up and nods with resigned annoyance to the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Right, so I’m th’ fuckin’ gimp, yeah?
She shakes her head angrily and looks off to the right, pounding her right fist down onto the bench.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Fer fuck sake, it bae sayin’ right in their fuckin’ song!
She starts rubbing her hand, seemingly instantly regretting smashing it against the stone bench. Looking back to the camera, she can’t help but shake her head as her anger starts to grow.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They bae playin’ ye all fer the goms ye bae an’ none of ye bae saemin’ tae care! Ye all jess look at me an’ go, “Sorsh, ye dinna sae what it bae sayin’.” “Sorsh, it bae an official comp’ny announcement!” “Sorsh, they fuckin’ walked out on us an’ left us fuckin’ hangin’ at th’ biggest show of the yaer!”
She nods slowly.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye an’ tha bae why I bae sayin’ ye all kinna bae more wrong if ye tried! I’m sittin’ out haer all by meself after ye got tae sae Zombie an’ Bex bote give ‘em hell fer leavin’ an I bae tinkin’, ye, I bae upset too if they really did leave. It would be ECWF all over again where bex an’ me came into the comp’ny, got booked as a taem fer th’ first time anywhere. It was tae bae Bex’s first real professional match ever. We were all set tae make tha impact everybody always wants tae make when they come intae a new place an’ our opponents quit the comp’ny rather than show up and face us. Jess disappaer like a fart in the’ wind, they did! We got no notice, no new opponents, nutting! Jess, “Oh, we’re really sorry, Lasses, but ye’ll bae allowed tae get them next time.”
She nods grimly before glaring into the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Only there was nay a next time because the comp’ny fuckin’ lost it’s fuckin’ mind right after tha! Damn naer everybody left and tha brought us haer wit th’ promise tha we dinna have tae worry about that! EWC had a better cut o’ roster. They’re contracted wrestlers wouldnay do such a ting, especially nay this close tae Stranglemania! Everybody bae jockeyin’ fer position tae get on tis show. Nobody would jess blow off like tha when it bae Stranglemania, aye?
She stands up, anger radiating off of every fiber of her being.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Except, they did! Criterion would have us all believe tha they just up an’ vanished intae th’ wind on th’ word of Collector like he’s some odderworldy baein’ like in the Marvel movies an’ tha he would raelly jess say fuck it because of one fuckin’ loss.
She looks down, bending over, her hands landing on her knees as she shakes her head at the ground. After a few seconds, she looks back up and nods to the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye realize what this maens, ye?
She nods as if begging the question, standing back to her full upright posture.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: This maens aither we nay bae good enough fer them or they bae fuckin’ wit us and tink we all bae a bunch o’ wetbrained gobshites too stupid tae notice tha their entrance thaem says, “Welcome tae th’ show!” in it!
She turns and almost punches a bush sitting two feet away from the bench. Swallowing hard, she turns back to the camera and tries to calm herself down a bit.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: In a few minutes, I’ll bae walkin’ back over tae the MGM Grand tae have a hardcore rules match tonight. It’ll be a wee bit o’ fun baefore I come to Tokyo fer Stranglemania. Two pay-per-view matches in the same fuckin’ few days an’ I know baefore I even go over there tha me sisters will jess bae shakin’ their heads at what I have tae say here. Tha’s why they bae over there at the MGM Grand an’ I bae haer by meself in front of the fuckin’ Luxor. I dinna want ennyone else tae bae haer tae stop me from gettin’ out what I naeded tae bae gettin’ out!
She points across the street at the big green building.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They had their say an’ this bae mine! Tonight, I have me fun haer Tokyo, I’ll bae provin’ right an’ ye kin all jes stop laughin’ at the little Irish girl fer sayin’ what she…
She shakes her head suddenly as if she’s just heard somebody tell her she’s wrong.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m nay wrong…
She starts to shake her head, her hand popping up with an extended index finger waving almost frantically.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye kin stop fuckin’ laughin’ at me because I’m nay wrong about this…
She glances around, glaring at everyone in sight before turning towards the bushes.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Stop laughin’ at me ye fuckin’ manky gowl!
Glaring even more harshly, she marches over by the bush and kicks at it.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Stop…
Gritting her teeth, she drops to her knees and glares at something just under the bush.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye fuckin’...
She jumps up and kicks at the thing and it flies over towards the bench, smashing into it hard and breaking into two pieces on impact. Saoirse glares at it and points.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Tha bae a taste of what’s tae come if ye dinna stop laughin’ ye we clem chancer!
She takes one step and points firmly.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Stop laughin’ ye jabby wee cunt! Come at me, I’ll have ye!
She nods and lowers her hand.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye… that’s what I thought ye’d say…
She glares one last time and nods firmly again.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Fuckin’ jabby wee cunt! Tell yer friend Scorpio he nay is funny aither, fuckin’ coward!
Turning, Saoirse walks away, heading for the main sidewalk as the camera zooms in to find the thing lying in the grass. A black plastic hairbrush, broken off at the handle from where it hit the stone bench. The camera stares at the remnants of the bruch and then swings over to see Saoirse heading off before fading to black.
Friday, January 5, 2018
Hybrid Combat School
Fairview, North Carolina
9:04 AM EST
The end of her first full week in North Carolina was staring “Psycho” Saoirse Maguire in the face almost as much as her trainer and girlfriend, Becca “Bruiser” Rogers. Their relationship was both relatively new and being tested with this new dynamic of student and teacher. The idea had been put forth a month earlier about moving here from Las Vegas and that idea had given birth to the idea of training here as well. Saoirse had already been trained in striking with her older brother, Shonn Maguire at his gym in Las Vegas but both with Becca’s new job here at the Hybrid Combat School and wanting to be able to spend more time with her, Saoirse had thought now was the time to move beyond knowing how to kick.
Becca had been ecstatic upon hearing the news about the move. No longer would they have to fight to make time because of being a new bicoastal couple. That reality had started to wear on both of them slightly and Saoirse’s solution had been a sign out of the darkness to Becca.
Now was coming the hard part. How well would Saoirse take direction from Becca? How well would she take criticism and advice? How bad would a potential argument be if she did not take that well?
For now, it was going well enough. The Irish-born Saoirse had done very well with the striking instructions with most remarking on her form being better than it should be and she’d silently thanked Shonn for knowing what he was doing on that.
As Saoirse circles with another student, a woman only slightly larger than Saoirse’s own five foot one, hundred pound frame called Johnnie Mae Morton, and the two look to lock-up. As Johnnie Mae starts to take a standing armbar, Saoirse kicks her just under the armpit and then spins into a kick to her chest causing Becca’s New York accent to come out some.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Use ya whole body, lass! Not just kicks!
Both Saoirse and Johnnie Mae can’t help but laugh at how quickly Becca had started picking up little “Sorshisms.” Everyone had noticed she’d started calling other women “lass” the same way Saoirse did and they all thought it was cute that this big, tough, New York badass woman would do something like that.
Johnnie Mae Morton: You ready to go again?
Saoirse nods,still trying to stifle her smile and snicker.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, let’s give it a go, Lass!
The two women circle with Becca watching intently. The two start to lock-up and Saoirse grabs a side headlock. Johnnie Mae grabs her wrist and starts to reverse into a hammerlock. Feeling this coming, Saoirse releases and spins into a kick to the chest again.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: What did I just say?!
Becca hops up onto the apron and climbs through the ropes, not looking best pleased.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: If ya wanna have any kinda success in this business, ya need to get outta this stupid little mindset o’ yours, Sorsh! You have an entire body to utilize, so damn well use it!
The trainer now turns to Johnnie Mae.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: As for you? Ya need to start bein’ aware o’ those kicks coz ya not blockin’ ‘em! Ya can’t win a match without bein’ able to defend yourself first!
The larger woman shakes her head before climbing back out of the ring and glares up at both of them with her hands on her hips.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Again! We’ll stay here all day if we have too until ya get it right, both of ya!
Saoirse and Johnnie Mae both nod and then start to circle each other in the center of the ring, both looking slightly tentative after the mild tongue-lashing. They lock-up, Saoirse trying to take the advantage but Johnnie Mae moving to keep it even. Johnnie Mae is able take a standing armbar and Saoirse ducks under into a hammerlock. Johnnie Mae drops to one knee and snap mares Saoirse over. Johnnie Mae starts to take a reverse chinlock only for saoirse to kick up, trying to push off and grab an arm. Johnnie Mae blocks the foot but saoirse still manages to grab the arm and pull. Johnnie Mae gets away from her and Saoirse jumps to her feet in a kip up. Saoirse tries for the same spinkick again but Johnnie Mae blocks it. Saoirse spins again and catches Johnnie Mae with an enziguri kick and Johnnie Mae goes down facefirst. Before Saoirse can jump on her, Becca calls a stop to things again.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Okay, much better! Johnnie Mae? Good work on those blocks despite gettin’ caught with that last one! Sorsh? Well done for showin’ you’ve got more than just kicks at ya disposal. I understand that that’s how ya brother taught ya but I ain’t him and as lon’ as ya under my trainin’, we’re gonna work on other stuff as well!
Becca glances at the watch on her wrist before looking back up to her students.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: All right you two, take five!
Saoirse and Johnnie Mae both nod, Saoirse helping Johnnie Mae to her feet.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m baein’ a right gobshite about this…
Johnnie Mae shakes her head.
Johnnie Mae Morton: I think she just wants y’all to mix it up more is all. Like, don’t just go straight to the kicks because if’n you keep doin’ that, eventually you’re gonna find somebody smarter than me who will make you wish you could roll with them better on the ground.
Saoirse nods as Johnnie Mae grins. Self-deprecating humor was Johnnie Mae’s usual m.o. When trying to cover her nerves.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye? Ye kinna bae sellin’ yerself short, Lass. Ye had me good til I managed tae kick ye in the back o’ th’ head.
Johnnie Mae shrugs.
Johnnie Mae Morton: I never really had you and you know it. You catch me every time with those damn kicks and I never see it coming!
Saoirse nods to the space just to their right in the ring.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye jess saw them comin’ twice, Lass. Yer far smarter than ye ever give yerself credit fer!
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Sorsh is right, Johnnie Mae…
The two students look down to their trainer who had been listening to their conversation.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Both o’ ya have the potential there, ya just need to work on a few thin’s. And I know ya can both do it which is why at times I give ya both a grillin’. It ain’t somethin’ I wanna do but it’s somethin’ I need to do. Especially when it comes to ya, Sorsh… I don’t want any o’ the other students gettin’ ideas that I’m goin’ easy on ya just coz you’re my girlfriend. Ya understand don’t ya?
Saoirse nods even as Johnnie Mae looks down in shame.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, that I do, Bex.
Johnnie Mae nods slowly.
Johnnie Mae Morton: I’m sorry I’m not doin’ so hot…
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Ya doin’ fine, Johnnie Mae. Don’t ever be sorry. This ain’t an easy thin’ to do, and the most important thin’ to have when doin’ this sort o’ thin’ is passion for the business. You have that passion and eventually? The both of ya will be on big stages in front o’ thousands o’ people showin’ just how passionate and how good ya both are at this! Honestly? It’s moments like this that I love, coz I lost my chance o’ becomin’ professional and now I get to live vicariously through you two and all my other students. It makes me less and less bitter about the fact I’ll never be able to do what the two o’ ya will be doin’ in the future.
Johnnie Mae nods and then starts out of the ring.
Johnnie Mae Morton: Thanks, Miss Becca. I’ll not to let y’all down.
She walks off and heads for the showers leaving Saoirse and Becca alone in the ring.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m sorry I kaep goin’ back tae th’ kicks, Bex, but it jess faels natural every time. I dinna know why, but an openin’ presents itself an… there I bae…
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: As I said to Johnnie Mae, don’t be sorry, just focus on workin’ at it. I understand that it feels natural to ya, but here’s what ya need to learn. When Shonn was trainin’ ya, it was primarily for self-defence, which is fine. But wrestlin’ is bigger than just bein’ able to defend yaself. Ya need to be able to do more than just one thin’ coz not every opponent ya have is gonna just be taken down with kicks, no matter how hard or how good ya are at them.
The larger woman folds her heavily tattooed arms across her chest.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: Tell ya what, since we’re always with each other, whenever the two o’ us are free, no matter where we are, I’ll make sure to help ya out with a few thin’s. I wanna see ya succeed, babe, coz I know ya capable of becomin’ a star. I can see ya becomin’ the star I always wanted to be.
Saoirse nods slowly, visibly touched.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Alright then, Lass. We’ll do this t’gather. I love ye, Bex. I jess wanna make ye proud.
Becca "Bruiser" Rogers: You’re already makin’ me proud, babe. I love ya too.
Saoirse smiles, looking momentarily younger than her twenty-six years. She kisses Becca and nods to herself as she steps clear to follow Johnnie Mae tio the showers. She was damn sure going to make Becca proud no matter what it took!
Thursday, March 21, 2019
MGM Grand
Paradise, Nevada
11:57 AM PDT
Standing in a hotel room on the Las Vegas Strip, Saoirse Maguire checks herself in the mirror, her Shieldmaidens’ kutte standing out over her black tactical pants and her white Rage Against the Machine t-shirt. She’d found the “Nuns With Guns” shirt in a store across the street in the shopping mall that constituted the walkway between the Luxor and the Mandalay Bay hotels and quickly bought it without thinking at all, knowing she’d likely never see it again. The sight of five nuns with rifles in hand had made her laugh immediately and her shopping buddy, younger sister and fellow Shieldmaiden, Aoife “Banshee” Maguire, had mentioned she didn’t do that often enough lately. The purchase was made alongside a black one that read “Scream Like A Banshee” in big blood red lettering for Aoife and the two sisters had returned to the Luxor and then quickly made their way on the moving walkway to the Excalibur on the other side of the Luxor to meet their respective girlfriends, Becca “Bruiser” Rogers and line non-Shieldmaiden, Katrina Knox, for lunch. The four had since returned to the MGM Grand to prepare for tonight’s match where Saoirse would face seven other women for GWW Hardcore Championship. It was a new creation for the company and had made all of them take a pause at the idea f having to fight a hardcore war only a few days before flying across the pacific to fight a six-person tag team match in Tokyo for Stranglemania.
A six-person tag team match that had no confirmed opponents as of the present time.
Saoirse exhales as she looks at herself in the mirror and nods, a small smile creeping across her face. As she does so, a blonde head walks into her field of view in the mirror, a sign that Aoife was now in the room as well.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Wearin’ yers too, are ye, Sorsh?
Saoirse turns to find her little sister grinning stupidly at her, the “Scream Like A Banshee” shirt staring back at her just as her Rage Against the Machine shirt does for Aoife. Both sisters can’t help but laugh.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, we should have looked fer one tha said “Hard Knox” fer KDub an’ one tha said sumting about “Bruisers” fer Bex.
Aoife shrugs, still giggling slightly.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: We’ll find them sumting, ye kin bet on tha, Sorsh!
Saoirse nods and turns back to the mirror.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Yer nay gonna wear tha tonight in yer match, are ye?
Saoirse shakes her head before glancing back.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m nay gonna wear this fer ennithin like tha, never get th’ blood out.
Aoife nods, the smile coming back almost as quickly as it had dimmed on her previous question.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Good, I bae likin’ tha’ shirt, dinna wanna sae it bae havin’ tha problem!
Saoirse nods.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, I bae thinkin’ th’ same ting. I dinna want it tae bae havin’ tha problem aither.
Aoife nods, the smile dimming slightly again.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Get through tonight, ye tink I naid tae bae worryin’ about gettin’ hit again at Stranglemania? I was th’ first tae get it at Rampage after all.
Saoirse’s head droops in shame and guilt as much as anything else.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I tink tha’s a ting ye should bae tinkin’ about from now on, Lass. Scorpio an’ his lot opened tha door, blamed us fer it and ye kin bet everyone else will do th’ same jess because they sae us havin’ tae tink about it.
Aoife nods slowly, clearly thinking this over.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Ye tink Mac and Spartan…
Saoirse wheels on her, cutting her sister off.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I dinna tink Mac and Spartan bae doin’ ennithin! Tha they might bae our opponents is a bunch o’ shite! They bae no one’s opponents!
Aoife stares at her sister in almost complete shock.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Tha nay bae what Bex an’ Zombie tink…
Saoirse nods, unmoved.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: It nay bae what Mac an’ Spartan tink aither but they all bae wrong! Criterion isna goin’ ennywhere! They jess want us tae all tink they are!
She shakes her head and slowly turns around to face herself in the mirror again. Aoife just stares at her back.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: What happens if they do bae yer opponents, Sorsh?
Saoirse shrugs.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Same ting as ennyone else, we fight them until we kinna fight ennymore! Doesna matter if we have tae spill blood, theirs, our, whoever. Criterion isna gonna miss Strangelmania! It’s a big dael an they’re nay gonna give tha up over one loss. It’s nay gonna happen an’ I dinna care what everyone else says, those clem chancers are jess tryin’ tae get one o’er on us!
Aoife nods slightly, looking like she’s trying to convince herself.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: What happens if Bex an’ Zombie dinna agree wit ye?
Saoirse shrugs.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’re big girls, they kin tink fer themselves!
Aoife frowns in confusion.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Why ye bae so convinced…
Saoirse wheels on her before her sister can even finish asking the question.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Because, th’ whole place bae about tha! Scorpio is supposed tae bae this great legend, in a legendary tag taem wit ReBelle but did he stand up an fight Bex an me like a man?
She shakes her head almost too emphatically.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: He did nay such a ting! Aeven though we caem wit no help! He brought others tae help him and Ownsby, started a smokescraen tae distract from th’ fact tha he dinna have th’ confidence in himself or his partner tae jess take us on! Bex an’ I were nay gonna bring enny help unless it was naeded! We believe in ourselves an’ in our sisters! Sam dinna naed our help! Naither did Widow or RJ! Zombie dinna naed our help and if they had baen booked, Alex and Jackie would nay have naeded us aither! We waited fer the wrestlers tae bae gone when we jumped that railin’ an we gave everybody at ringside the chance tae go first, tha they chose tae still bae there…
Aoife nods, putting her hands up to try and calm her sister.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: I know, I was there, Lass…
Saoirse nods, glaring hotly, pointing an accusing finger at her sister.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: An’ tha is what is goin’ on with Criterion! They WILL bae there!
Aoife nods as Saoirse lowers her hand.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: What if ye bae wrong?
Saoirse shakes her head, grinding her teeth in anger now.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m nay wrong, Aef.
She points accusingly off to the right as if there’s another room there with people in it.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They tink they’re gonna bae laughin’ jess liek Scorpio was after our match when he pulled a fast one! They tink they’re gonna bae laughin’ at all o’ us an’ this whole fuckin’ comp’ny!
She pulls her hand in and taps herself in the chest right on top of the middle nun on her t-shirt.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’ll nay bae laughin’ at me, d’ye haer?
Her voice lowers as it starts to almost shake in her anger.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’ll nay bae laughin’ at me!
Saoirse turns back to the mirror and Aoife nods to her sister.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: Ok, em, I’m gonna go back tae Katrina and Bex so, we’ll bae waitin’ fer ye in th’ naxt room, Sorsh.
Saoirse nods stiffly and Aoife nods back sadly.
Aoife "Banshee" Maguire: I love ye, Sorsh.
She nods and turns, walking out the door as Saoirse remains turned away, staring at the mirror.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I love ye, Aef…
She nods grimly to the mirror.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They’ll nay bae laughin’ at me…
On Camera
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Luxor
Paradise, Nevada
2:01 PM PDT
The camera opens upon “Psycho” Saoirse Maguire standing alone outside the Luxor hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip, a stone bench to her right. She walks over and sits down, letting the camera get a full shot of her black tactical boots, black tactical pants, black t-shirt that simply reads “Psycho” in plain white lettering, and her Shieldmaidens’ kutte as she looks down to the cement walkway in front of her. She nods slowly and grits her teeth momentarily.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know…
Nodding slowly, her gaze remains affixed to the concrete before her.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know that Aoife, Bex and Zombie dinna tink like I bae tinkin’ on Criterion.
Nodding again ever so slightly, she slowly looks up into the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know th’ comp’ny dinna bae tinkin’ tha aither or they wouldnay bae lookin’ few replacements worthy of Stranglemania. They wouldnay bae askin’ th’ likes o’ Mac an’ Jon Spartan tae come an’ sit in Criterion’s place in our match.
She nods grimly and then points an accusing finger into the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I know me sister Maidens dinna tink Criterion’s pullin’ a fast one an’ I know it bae the talk o’ th’ dirt shaets tha Criterion’s takin’ their fuckin’ ball an’ run off tae stay away from ennithin havin’ tae do wit EWC an’ Stranglemania at th’ moment…
Her head droops, her hands coming together to fold together across her knees. She sits there nodding to her feet for a second before looking up to look around at the people walking by heading for the door of the Luxor.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye, that’s right… jess kaep on walkin’... jess kaep on…
She looks back to her feet again, her hands rubbing over each other aggressively. As she does so, her voice lowers to just barely audible levels.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Cop on, ye gammy muppets!
Slowly, she looks up and nods with resigned annoyance to the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Right, so I’m th’ fuckin’ gimp, yeah?
She shakes her head angrily and looks off to the right, pounding her right fist down onto the bench.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Fer fuck sake, it bae sayin’ right in their fuckin’ song!
She starts rubbing her hand, seemingly instantly regretting smashing it against the stone bench. Looking back to the camera, she can’t help but shake her head as her anger starts to grow.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They bae playin’ ye all fer the goms ye bae an’ none of ye bae saemin’ tae care! Ye all jess look at me an’ go, “Sorsh, ye dinna sae what it bae sayin’.” “Sorsh, it bae an official comp’ny announcement!” “Sorsh, they fuckin’ walked out on us an’ left us fuckin’ hangin’ at th’ biggest show of the yaer!”
She nods slowly.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye an’ tha bae why I bae sayin’ ye all kinna bae more wrong if ye tried! I’m sittin’ out haer all by meself after ye got tae sae Zombie an’ Bex bote give ‘em hell fer leavin’ an I bae tinkin’, ye, I bae upset too if they really did leave. It would be ECWF all over again where bex an’ me came into the comp’ny, got booked as a taem fer th’ first time anywhere. It was tae bae Bex’s first real professional match ever. We were all set tae make tha impact everybody always wants tae make when they come intae a new place an’ our opponents quit the comp’ny rather than show up and face us. Jess disappaer like a fart in the’ wind, they did! We got no notice, no new opponents, nutting! Jess, “Oh, we’re really sorry, Lasses, but ye’ll bae allowed tae get them next time.”
She nods grimly before glaring into the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Only there was nay a next time because the comp’ny fuckin’ lost it’s fuckin’ mind right after tha! Damn naer everybody left and tha brought us haer wit th’ promise tha we dinna have tae worry about that! EWC had a better cut o’ roster. They’re contracted wrestlers wouldnay do such a ting, especially nay this close tae Stranglemania! Everybody bae jockeyin’ fer position tae get on tis show. Nobody would jess blow off like tha when it bae Stranglemania, aye?
She stands up, anger radiating off of every fiber of her being.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Except, they did! Criterion would have us all believe tha they just up an’ vanished intae th’ wind on th’ word of Collector like he’s some odderworldy baein’ like in the Marvel movies an’ tha he would raelly jess say fuck it because of one fuckin’ loss.
She looks down, bending over, her hands landing on her knees as she shakes her head at the ground. After a few seconds, she looks back up and nods to the camera.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye realize what this maens, ye?
She nods as if begging the question, standing back to her full upright posture.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: This maens aither we nay bae good enough fer them or they bae fuckin’ wit us and tink we all bae a bunch o’ wetbrained gobshites too stupid tae notice tha their entrance thaem says, “Welcome tae th’ show!” in it!
She turns and almost punches a bush sitting two feet away from the bench. Swallowing hard, she turns back to the camera and tries to calm herself down a bit.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: In a few minutes, I’ll bae walkin’ back over tae the MGM Grand tae have a hardcore rules match tonight. It’ll be a wee bit o’ fun baefore I come to Tokyo fer Stranglemania. Two pay-per-view matches in the same fuckin’ few days an’ I know baefore I even go over there tha me sisters will jess bae shakin’ their heads at what I have tae say here. Tha’s why they bae over there at the MGM Grand an’ I bae haer by meself in front of the fuckin’ Luxor. I dinna want ennyone else tae bae haer tae stop me from gettin’ out what I naeded tae bae gettin’ out!
She points across the street at the big green building.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: They had their say an’ this bae mine! Tonight, I have me fun haer Tokyo, I’ll bae provin’ right an’ ye kin all jes stop laughin’ at the little Irish girl fer sayin’ what she…
She shakes her head suddenly as if she’s just heard somebody tell her she’s wrong.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: I’m nay wrong…
She starts to shake her head, her hand popping up with an extended index finger waving almost frantically.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye kin stop fuckin’ laughin’ at me because I’m nay wrong about this…
She glances around, glaring at everyone in sight before turning towards the bushes.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Stop laughin’ at me ye fuckin’ manky gowl!
Glaring even more harshly, she marches over by the bush and kicks at it.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Stop…
Gritting her teeth, she drops to her knees and glares at something just under the bush.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Ye fuckin’...
She jumps up and kicks at the thing and it flies over towards the bench, smashing into it hard and breaking into two pieces on impact. Saoirse glares at it and points.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Tha bae a taste of what’s tae come if ye dinna stop laughin’ ye we clem chancer!
She takes one step and points firmly.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Stop laughin’ ye jabby wee cunt! Come at me, I’ll have ye!
She nods and lowers her hand.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Aye… that’s what I thought ye’d say…
She glares one last time and nods firmly again.
"Psycho" Saoirse Maguire: Fuckin’ jabby wee cunt! Tell yer friend Scorpio he nay is funny aither, fuckin’ coward!
Turning, Saoirse walks away, heading for the main sidewalk as the camera zooms in to find the thing lying in the grass. A black plastic hairbrush, broken off at the handle from where it hit the stone bench. The camera stares at the remnants of the bruch and then swings over to see Saoirse heading off before fading to black.
