Post by Samantha on Oct 8, 2022 19:38:17 GMT -5
"Why? A question as old as time itself, and one that likely gets, simultaneously, tons of speculation and just as many incorrect answers."
Samantha Tolson is in her private gym inside her home in Las Vegas, wearing a set of her PLMM Fitness gear, hair back in a ponytail with a towel over her left shoulder. She is looking at her trophy case as she speaks, and it's chock full of different title belts from her career thusfar.
"When I got into the sport, at first it was strictly for the glory and notoriety that is earned over time, and with success. I don't make a secret of that. I love being noted as a champion, and I'm addicted to those moments we all talk about when an announcer, after a hard-fought match, begins his or her sentence with either the words 'And New' or 'And Still'. It's a very unique type of euphoria, a very addictive drug."
"Admittedly, it's a drug I still crave, one that has a grip on me that I pray is never released. I've long said, and firmly believe, that if you're not trying to be one of the best, quit wasting your time and everyone else's as well. If you don't want to be one of the best, find another vocation."
"But for me, the question of why changed around two weeks after winning my first championship."
Samantha opens one of the sliding glass doors and lovingly takes out a belt. She smiles at it, letting the memories rush over her like a heavy rainfall before turning to the camera. She slides the belt over her right shoulder like an old friend.
"This is the Wildkard Championship from The Pitt. Sadly, the place is gone, but the memories, and the best of us who fought there, remain. This, however, is what changed my reason for being a professional wrestler."
"More to the point, the extra money I made while holding it. Let me explain."
Samantha wipes her sweating face with the towel, breathing out a heavy sigh as she finishes.
"I'll start by saying this, I'm barren. I can't have children naturally. As a young girl, my chosen game of softball, and my desire to win at it, cost me that ability. I overheated while catching both ends of a doubleheader in the Missouri summertime heat, and, at the risk of being a bit gross, cooked my ovaries."
"That is the Cliff Notes version, which should be enough, for now."
"But it's necessary to know it, because without it, the question of why cannot be properly answered."
"Two weeks after I won this title, I received my first stipend check as a champion. It wasn't anything huge, no mind-blowing amount…but it triggered a thought. What if I could earn more checks? What if I could, as my mentor advised, invest them and grow them?"
"What if I could generate enough of a cushion to fulfill the dream taken away from me, that of being a mother?"
"This trophy case is not only a testament to things like skill, desire, passion, and excellence. To me, it represents so much more."
"Through these, through the time and dedication I've put into wrestling, I've been able to generate enough wealth to reach that goal of motherhood through adoption."
"Someday. When I have time to devote to rearing children. That's not now, but there will be a day that changes, and because of all my efforts to be one of the best in the world at this sport, the future is secured. The financial responsibility that comes with raising kids will never be an issue."
"No judge can deny me that opportunity based on finances. Other things, maybe, but that is no longer in doubt."
"So there you have it. The answer to why."
"I want children. This is the way."
"This, or more to the point these…"
Samantha holds up the title from her shoulder.
"...are my path there."
"I will always push harder than most to be excellent, to be a fighting champion who will give everyone a hard, but clean, bout. I have a code of ethics in the ring, and I'll never violate that."
"But why do I want to be a wrestler?"
"Because I want to be a mother…
Samantha puts the belt back in the case and slides it shut, running her fingertips over the glass as she speaks one final phrase.
"...and NO ONE will ever, ever stop me."
Samantha Tolson is in her private gym inside her home in Las Vegas, wearing a set of her PLMM Fitness gear, hair back in a ponytail with a towel over her left shoulder. She is looking at her trophy case as she speaks, and it's chock full of different title belts from her career thusfar.
"When I got into the sport, at first it was strictly for the glory and notoriety that is earned over time, and with success. I don't make a secret of that. I love being noted as a champion, and I'm addicted to those moments we all talk about when an announcer, after a hard-fought match, begins his or her sentence with either the words 'And New' or 'And Still'. It's a very unique type of euphoria, a very addictive drug."
"Admittedly, it's a drug I still crave, one that has a grip on me that I pray is never released. I've long said, and firmly believe, that if you're not trying to be one of the best, quit wasting your time and everyone else's as well. If you don't want to be one of the best, find another vocation."
"But for me, the question of why changed around two weeks after winning my first championship."
Samantha opens one of the sliding glass doors and lovingly takes out a belt. She smiles at it, letting the memories rush over her like a heavy rainfall before turning to the camera. She slides the belt over her right shoulder like an old friend.
"This is the Wildkard Championship from The Pitt. Sadly, the place is gone, but the memories, and the best of us who fought there, remain. This, however, is what changed my reason for being a professional wrestler."
"More to the point, the extra money I made while holding it. Let me explain."
Samantha wipes her sweating face with the towel, breathing out a heavy sigh as she finishes.
"I'll start by saying this, I'm barren. I can't have children naturally. As a young girl, my chosen game of softball, and my desire to win at it, cost me that ability. I overheated while catching both ends of a doubleheader in the Missouri summertime heat, and, at the risk of being a bit gross, cooked my ovaries."
"That is the Cliff Notes version, which should be enough, for now."
"But it's necessary to know it, because without it, the question of why cannot be properly answered."
"Two weeks after I won this title, I received my first stipend check as a champion. It wasn't anything huge, no mind-blowing amount…but it triggered a thought. What if I could earn more checks? What if I could, as my mentor advised, invest them and grow them?"
"What if I could generate enough of a cushion to fulfill the dream taken away from me, that of being a mother?"
"This trophy case is not only a testament to things like skill, desire, passion, and excellence. To me, it represents so much more."
"Through these, through the time and dedication I've put into wrestling, I've been able to generate enough wealth to reach that goal of motherhood through adoption."
"Someday. When I have time to devote to rearing children. That's not now, but there will be a day that changes, and because of all my efforts to be one of the best in the world at this sport, the future is secured. The financial responsibility that comes with raising kids will never be an issue."
"No judge can deny me that opportunity based on finances. Other things, maybe, but that is no longer in doubt."
"So there you have it. The answer to why."
"I want children. This is the way."
"This, or more to the point these…"
Samantha holds up the title from her shoulder.
"...are my path there."
"I will always push harder than most to be excellent, to be a fighting champion who will give everyone a hard, but clean, bout. I have a code of ethics in the ring, and I'll never violate that."
"But why do I want to be a wrestler?"
"Because I want to be a mother…
Samantha puts the belt back in the case and slides it shut, running her fingertips over the glass as she speaks one final phrase.
"...and NO ONE will ever, ever stop me."