Zombie vs Ohio

Off-Camera
November 24th, 2019
On route to Pellegrini House
Post Black Magic

The short ride back home was a quiet one. Valerie and Essentia were working the phones trying to find information on the whereabouts and well-being of their sisters Titaness and Bruiser. Lexa drove with a purpose as Wendy stewed in the passenger seat, the most coming out of her mouth were grunts and growls, her hands red and swollen, the tape that was on them all but shredded off. Lexa sighs as they hit a red light.

Lexa: ‘Spose wes gonna get a fine or five, huh?

Wendy knew what this was. There were only a handful of people who could talk her down, some would say ALLOW to talk her down. Her mother, of course. Tony Scoletti. Bullet, though it was almost like pulling teeth, and Lexa. Lexa’s way always seemed to work the best. Facts with a touch of humor in it. When Lexa posed the question, Wendy couldn’t help but crack a smile. Lexa knew she had her. Wendy looked up finally, shaking her head in defeat.

Wendy: For?

Lexa: Well, let’s see. Laying out three of Stanton’s security team when they held you back from helping the Maidens. Think yous might have even destroyed Catering after your own match.

Wendy: Okay, so I might have thrown a few things.

From the back seat, Val can be heard mumbling to herself as they continued their ride home.

Valerie: Tables, chairs, agents, production boxes…

Wendy couldn’t help but laugh.

Wendy: Okay, I DID say a few things. If Rob or Ricky fine me, so be it. Who do I got next, Ohio?

Lexa: Yes, so I NEED you focused. Remember what happened when you hunted Azzy? How you refused to put her over and basically shit all over her and it cost you the match the first time? You’ve been doing it again. You may have beaten Tyke twice, but you had help. I’m not saying you can’t beat him, but that whole having a plan thing was bullshit and a shoddy explanation. Say the words.

Wendy felt her rage coming up again, but as always, Lexa was right.

Wendy: Actually, I was playing with his career a little, but yes, I lost to Tyke.

Lexa: The loss tonight I won’t harp on much. You’ve been dealing with the loss of Aerynn and Shonn, we all have, it hasn’t started our marriage off the right way, but you could have gone into the match a little more prepared. You’re the face, babe, and a pretty one…

Wendy: Don’t say pretty.

Lexa laughs before humming 'Pretty Vacant' by the Sex Pistols to herself. Wendy looks at her and smiles.

Lexa: Sorry, slip of the tongue there.

Wendy: Okay, now THAT’S just teasing, but I get it. I should have taken Ricky more seriously as well and didn’t.

Lexa: Right. So we have to take a different approach with Ohio. He’s big, he’s tough. You’ve seen what he’s done so far, and now he’s turned his attention on you. The Coven have the advantage right now. I’d even say maybe the Coven are in YOUR head.

From the back seat, Essie lets out a sound of happiness which makes Val giggle.

Valerie: I’m guessing good news?

Essie: Titaness has been found!

Wendy turns back with concern on her face, but also happy.

Wendy: Where? Status?

Essie: Boiler room of the building. She’s getting checked out, Bruiser as well. Ale just messaged me.

Wendy’s phone buzzes as she’s talking with Essie. She fumbles with it before almost dropping it.

Wendy: Just got the same message. Can’t really type right now, but let her know when Titaness can talk or text, have her contact me. With Ohio breathing down my neck, I want to know everything that happened.

Essie: I’m on it. Sent everyone a status on you as well. I think the question Bandit asked was whether She-Hulk reverted back to Jennifer Walters yet.

Wendy laughs out loud, making everyone else laugh as well.

Wendy: Yeah, I’m alright. Gonna need a couple of days before I get back into the gym again but I’m good. Right now though I need a shower, ice for the hands, and a cold beer. Not sure in what order yet.

On-camera
Video Blog (posted on social media)
November 25th, 2019
Zombie Compound, NOLA

Zombie is sitting on a bench, sweaty and breathing hard, her face in the camera that she’s holding, a towel draped over her neck.

“So, um, I think I need to get a couple of things off my chest before I go into this match with Gabriel Ohio. I got a lot of flak on social media about my inability to put over talent. Now some will call this breaking kayfabe, but just want to address a few things.

The war with Coven is very much real. The Shieldmaidens were, and damnit still are, the most dominant faction in Mile High and maybe in the industry. Coven needed to do what they did to get eyes on them, an alternative if you will. Black Magic, they shocked everyone with the addition of Alastair Frost and his chain. What they were willing to do to Bruiser, what they made Psycho choose to do, what Ohio did to Titaness, and then what they did to Skrabz at the end. So, yeah, that war is VERY real. Tyke Index? Gotta say the guy actually DID make my career, and in doing so, much as he annoys me, I can actually respect him to an extent. And, yeah, I toyed with him a little bit. Problem is last go-around, I ran my mouth a little, got into the zone a little hard and people started to question which side I’m really on. Am I a good guy? Am I a bad guy? So it made me think a little bit, and what I’m about to tell you comes from me, Wendy Pellegrini.

I am loyal to my Shieldmaiden sisters, I love them to death, and I’ll stop at nothing to protect them. My family at home; Lexa, J, Mom, Val, I also love them to death, and I’ll stop at nothing to protect THEM. I know they know this, and I tell them all often. I know my head and my heart are in the right place with them.

But between those ropes, Wendy Pellegrini fades back. Zombie comes out to play and it’s, I’m, a different animal. The Irish and Italian blood starts to boil. The hard-nosed New Yorker gets a little more ramped up. The former NYPD beat cop, who had her head on a swivel before they put me in the lab for being a bit of a loose cannon, it comes out a little as well. The thing is, Zombie is Rage Personified. I take no shit and I don’t deal in bullshit. Think it was Bandit the other day called me She-Hulk and she’s not far off the more I think about it.

I’d like to think you guys cheer me because I fight against injustices. I also know there are some purists who think the good guy should never do wrong, play by the rules, uphold the law. Sorry to burst those bubbles, but black and white got mixed to gray a LONG time ago. It’s no longer the knights in shining armor that save the day, they’re not the real heroes anymore. That’s fairytale and make-believe. Real heroes are those who can get a little dirty. Who trade in their metal shields and steeds for leather vests and motorcycles. You fans know what I stand for and what I do to get the best results. I ain't a good guy, nor am I a bad guy. I'm a fucking Shieldmaiden, the Bull Shark of Mile High, and there aren't many who can beat me."

Off-camera
November 26th, 2019
Pellegrini House

Wendy is watching Black Magic again, rewatching the Caged Turmoil match, looking for… what. Weaknesses? Understanding of someone’s psyche? She’s facing a monster and she’s starting to understand it. She debates calling Rob and changing the stipulation of her match but decides against it.

The phone finally rings and on the caller ID, she sees it’s Sam. She quickly picks it up and answers.

Wendy: Sam! Thank fuck!

Sam: H-Hey, Wendy. I umm … I was told to call you?

Wendy: Yeah, yeah. Hang on, gonna turn the sound down. How are you, first of all, and seriously, what in the actual fuck was that all about with Gabe?

There’s no immediate response from Sam. Ten seconds turn to thirty and, for a few seconds, one would almost think that maybe The Titaness hung up. Finally though, an unorthodox but very shaky response is heard.

Sam: I’ll be better by the time I go against Frost. Bastard. Fine, so they’re great at ambushes, but that’s the most praise they get. Me and Gabriel, though?

Despite talking over the phone, Zombie could actually feel Sam’s heart sink as she starts forcing herself to answer that question.

Sam: I’m honestly not yet one hundred percent sure myself. But I … guess he’s …

Another pause lingers as she stops herself from immediately breaking down and outright crying.

Sam: I guess the fucker’s finally keeping his promise. Back when Rob was still Snakebite, he said he’d do this. That he’d take me away, and …. I can’t though! Not again, I don’t want to …

Wendy: Slow down, and back up. He’s not taking you anywhere, first of all. That ain’t happening on my watch or any other Maiden’s watch. Wait… again?

Wendy can be heard scribbling stuff down, mumbling and almost growling to herself, cursing Ohio under her breath.

Sam: Yeah. I hinted this to Bullet a while ago, but I’ve never needed to bring it up to anyone else before. Considering what recently occurred, though …

Samantha finally manages to take a deep breath before resuming.

Sam: So … Rob used to take up his wrestling persona of Snakebite when we were both in HcW. When I came in, I was the only female wrestler around at the time. I’m not sure if it was my presence or … something else completely, but that was when everything began, more or less. It started with just stalking me. But after a bit … coercion was added. At one point, we teamed together, because it was the smarter option than having him continue to be on my worse side. Or … I thought it was, anyway.

A few more shaky breaths resound from The Titaness before she continues her tale.

Sam: Sometime in between all this forced bullshit with Rob and just fighting weekly in HcW, I was put against Ohio. Pretty frequently. Lost the HcW Television Title to him, in fact, so I guess .. management wanted to see me reclaim it or something. I dunno. I never understood their mindset. Anyway … Gabriel said at one point he’d take me away from everything; from Snakebite, the world, just … make me disappear completely. Never said what he’d do, but from what Saoirse has told me? He’s no better than the Children. And now that I’ve experienced it? I … am pretty fucking sure that gut instinct was right.The better question isn’t what he did, it’s more what he didn’t do, and the answer is not much.

Wendy puts her phone on speaker and we can hear her pacing back and forth.

Wendy: In your dealings with him, Ohio I mean, was there any weaknesses? Something that made him, I don’t know, human? The way he was talking at Black Magic, he said something like the old Ohio would watch? I’m grasping at straws here.

Sam: Actually, maybe. I’ve avoided this in fear it’d make … everything that just happened occur sooner, but … who knows. Maybe this’ll work out in your favor, so …

Another exhale can be heard as Samantha regains both breath and composure.

Sam: It was actually hinted when I did win the Television Title back. The GM of HcW hinted something about Ohio having literal daddy issues. I guess … maybe that’s partly why he’s as violent as he is? I’m not sure. But he definitely mentioned ‘the old me’ quite a few times in the boiler room also. I’ll never forget though … the moment Jonny D went on about his father, and how bad of a boy he was being … it definitely made Gabriel snap. It’d be more accurate to say he didn’t ‘lose’ compared to his new focus went from the match to the general manager that evening.

Wendy: Sorry to go all Officer Stevens on you, force of habit. I’ll admit, it isn’t much to go on. The way he sounds, it’s like I’m facing Skrabz and Reaper in one body, and that’s scary enough. With what Psycho has managed to tell me, and now this, I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I’m going to walk out of this match on my own two feet. Yeah, I’m scared shitless. Family first, though, and I got him in the match I wanted, foolish me. Rest up, Frost looks like a bit of a beast too. If you think of anything else, let me know, alright?

Sam: Don’t say that. That would be literally exactly what he wants to hear. You rest up too, but if Psycho could get to him in the first few bouts they had? You can also. It’s likely going to be me who can’t anytime soon. I haven’t slept much, though so … that does sound good. I’ll definitely contact you with anything else I may think of. Fucker’s been haunting me even when I can sleep, so … even if at my expense, maybe it’ll allow me to assist you somehow. Later.

Only after Wendy gets her own goodbye in does Sam hang up, leaving Zombie to her thoughts and devices.

On-Camera
November 27th, 2019
Zombie Compound

"Yous remember what we talked about, right?"
“Yeah. Yeah.”
“Sure you can do this?”
“I brought it on, what can I say?”
“Okay, I’m gonna set up over here.”
“Wait, are you recording already?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“We can edit it out.”

The camera picks up Wendy Pellegrini in workout gear, jogging in place, her towel around her neck, rolling her fists and stretching her neck.

“Gabriel fucking Ohio, welcome to the end. Actually, this is exactly what you want, isn’t it? You live for it, pain. You want everyone to suffer so you wouldn’t be alone, is that right? No. No, it goes deeper than that for you. You want everyone to suffer like you suffered. You endured a life of hell at the hands of Daddy and you’re still that scared little boy even years later. So you hurt people, just as you were hurt. If only I can be like Daddy, then people would notice me.

Trust me, Gabe, the world has noticed you. The Shieldmaidens have noticed you.

I… have noticed you.”

Wendy takes the towel off her neck and tosses it aside.

“I know what you’re trying to do. It started with Psycho. You thought she’d be an easy target because she was already mentally broken. So you tried to worm your way in, and the more she resisted, the more you liked it. Until she started to beat you, then it wasn’t so fun anymore was it? No. You started looking in the mirror and seeing that same scarred and beaten little boy looking back at you. The reflection looking into YOUR eyes, your FATHER’S eyes and begging why.

Why, Daddy, why?”

Wendy’s lip begins to twitch, whether it’s sadness or rage beginning to build, it’s hard to tell. Wendy shakes her hair in front of her face and pulls it back.

“And then you saw your next opportunity. Titaness. Knowing what I know, let me see if the picture I paint is accurate. That win over Psycho made you a little bolder, you started to think to yourself. I conquered once, I have unfinished business. You felt it was time, and at Black Magic, you seized your opportunity. You broke Sam’s fingers, you kidnapped her, brought her to that boiler room to do what, talk? Doubt it. I think by the time you brought her down to the boiler room, the bold quote unquote new Ohio was gone. In that environment, in the lowest point of the building, it mirrored the lowest part of you and that little boy returned. You were powerless, you were impotent, and probably threatened Sam not to say anything hoping you still had some power over her left. I spoke to her yesterday, and to hear her talk, you may well have.

See, I know Sam. The woman can bend once in awhile but she does not break. Your issue isn’t with me. Well, wasn’t until I started exposing you. Thing is, Gabriel, you did succeed. You are a monster. Just NOT the monster you want everyone to fear.”

Wendy starts pacing around the area, before walking off-camera to pick up her ThrowDown Championship and put it over her shoulder.

“Actually, the more I think about it, you’re really not a monster at all.

Don’t get me wrong, Gabriel, you are an imposing force, and you won your chance to face me, but why me? I’ll tell you why. You know damn well Skrabz would beat you like you’re five years old again. Psycho, despite your last win, you know she’s figured you out and therefore the mind games wouldn’t work on her. And you couldn’t find a partner to go after the tag titles, so you figured you’d try your luck against someone unknown to you.

Someone you thought you could intimidate by your previous actions. And I’ll be level with you, I was convinced for a little while. I legit felt terror. I thought to myself how can I beat somebody who feeds off of pain and fear, and actually it was Sam who mentioned something that took me down a rabbit hole. Filled in some of the gaps of the investigation I ran after Black Magic. And it all made sense.

You WANT me afraid because you feed off that fear.

You NEED me afraid because you fight with your mind as strong as you fight with your body.

Unfortunately, Gabriel, once I figured it all out, it was all a lie. You, basically, became the Wizard of Oz. Oh sure, you look all big and mighty, but pull the curtain back, and the Wizard was just a normal man. And you, well, you never aged.

You’re still that sad, abused, little boy. Someone to be pitied, not feared.”

Wendy adjusts her title and wipes a tear from her eye, finally revealing what that twitch of her lip was holding back.

“What makes it harder is that you’ll hear it all, but never listen to a word of it. You’ll confer with your Coven brethren who’ll tell you it’s all mind games and you’re the big monster and go take the championship. You’ll remember that it was me who requested the match be last man standing, and again your Coven brethren will tell you I want to hurt you for what you did to my sisters. And you’ll be angry, call me a liar. You’ll believe them and try to use your mind games on me, but let me tell you something they don’t want you to know.

The Coven see you as nothing more than a whipped puppy.

They know what to tell you, what to show you, to get what they want. You’re a commodity to be used and discarded, that’s all you are to them. And yet, they’ll again tell you everything I say is a lie and convince you that I’M the one with the mind games. I mean, look at the one phrase I use often, what’s in your head? Even I would probably be convinced that somebody named Zombie was trying to fuck with me, but in this situation, I’m not.

The more I know, the more I understand, the more I realize all you KNOW is pain and misery, and anything I do in that match will only make it worse. And what kills me the most is that I know I’ll have to do the same fucking things everyone else in your life has done to you.

And you’ll be made to believe you have to do the same to me. Harder. More often. I know that feeling, all too well. It’s like a penance to be paid every time I step through the ropes hoping, praying, that somebody beats whatever demon lives within me. I know what my demon is, and I’m pretty sure I know yours as well.

Come ThrowDown, there will be a war. It’s inevitable. I know you’ll block out what I’ve said, whether on your own or with Jansen’s persuasion, but I want you to know one thing.

Whatever happens… I forgive you.”