The Moment You Realize Winning Isn't Everything.

I had my first experience in the ring, but it still wasn't my first solo match.

Solo matches are harder because they have a time limit that you HAVE to fill, which average is 12-20mins. Really just depends on what the "booker" decides. And you have to get with your opponent to see what they are comfortable doing.. (which should be everything) but some people do have their preferences though. And you don't know what kind of wrestler they are.. you can studying their matches but you don't know how hard or soft they hit. Really when taking a match, you run the risk of getting anyone, but for starters, any time in the ring in better then none at all.

It had been a week since I got my first exposure as a wrestler, and then I got the phone call. 

You see these things happen faster for women. Mostly because there are fewer of us in the wrestling world, and anytime a new name pops up everyone is eager to book them.

My phone rang and it was my friend Kat. She said that Laredo Wrestling Alliance wanted to book us for as the pre-main event Saturday afternoon at the 'Tamale Fest' Laredo was hosting.

WOAH. 

I immediately said yes and was SUPER NERVOUS. For the first time I would be in my own match and getting paid for it. I was being paid to travel to another city to wrestle. 

This match is still my favorite match ever. 

When we got to Laredo there was SO MANY PEOPLE THERE. 

Since we weren't established wrestlers here, I played face and Kat was heel. This was also super great for me because I got to be on the crowds side for once, and got them interacting with the match.

At the beginning of the match Kat was outside of the ring talking smack to the crowd, so I started the "We Will Rock You" sounds by stomping in the ring.

Embarrassing right? I was running the risk of the crowd not knowing what I was doing, but after a few rounds of me doing that, they caught on and little kids were joining me saying "We Will Rock You" along with clapping their hands. This warmed my heart. It was the first time the crowd was on my side and it meant a lot to have the crowd get involved. It meant I was doing my job.

The match went on and even though I lost, the crowd cheered as I got up and walked out.. I even had parents stop me to take pictures with their kids. It was the greatest feeling. And that was the moment I realized winning isn't everything.