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Racing Heart - Alex Morgan Imagine

A/N: For the purpose of this imagine, Alex has been de-aged to 21 years old. Everything else is the same.

Alex’s POV:

“This news coming days after Valtteri Bottas announced his return to Williams. It did not take Mercedes long at all to fill his position as they make history by announcing the rookie signing of 19-year old (Y/N) Harris. This marks the first time a female driver has been allowed onto the main roster of drivers.” Pinoe read out as Ashlyn had a scowl on her face. Ali just looked incredibly disappointed.

“This doesn’t make sense. Why couldn’t she have just told us about it?” Ash said crossing her arms.

“Maybe because she knew you wouldn’t approve?” Kelley said raising an eyebrow at the couple.

I glanced down at my phone when it buzzed indicating I got a text. It was a text from the girl in question asking me to meet her downstairs. She was here to surprise her parents, but she wanted alone time with me before she was to see them.

“I will be back in a little bit.” I said as everyone nodded. Ash continued ranting about (Y/N) becoming an official driver as Ali just had a somewhat sad and thoughtful look.

I exited the room as I made my way down to the lobby of the hotel. I smiled when I spotted my girlfriend looking down at her phone. I did my best to make my way to her before she could look up. I wrapped my arms around her as she jumped. She gave me a smile wrapping her arms around my waist.

“Hi.” I mumbled into her shoulder. She tightened her grip a little as she pulled away pulling me in for a kiss. I smiled letting myself be pulled into her. Everything about her was like an adventure.

“I missed you.” She said leaning her forehead against mine.

“I missed you too so much.” I said as I pulled away and pulled her towards the elevator. I was roomed with Pinoe who no doubt was going to stay with Ali and Ash right now. So, I felt pretty safe.

Once we snuck to my room, she picked me up and carried me to the bed. I laughed when we fell into it together. We laid there facing each other with soft smiles on our faces. There was really no one that I would rather be with than her.

“I should say congratulations on your new team.” I said as she rolled on her back a little with a slight chuckle.

“Yeah it’s insane.” She said with a dazed expression. I moved so I could lay on her chest. She brushed some hair out of my face as her hand caressed my face. “I know I made the right decision though.”

“Do you think that maybe you should have talked to your family first?”

“Probably. I meant to talk to them beforehand. I wasn’t expecting them to announce it so soon.” She said with a look of guilt. “Are they mad?”

“Definitely. At least Ash is mad about it. I think Ali is just upset that you didn’t tell them.” I said as she nodded her head.

“Yeah…it’s going to be such a great conversation.” She said sarcastically earning a small smile from me. “I don’t want to talk about that right now. I missed you and all I want is to be here with you.”

“I think something can be arranged.” I joked leaning up to kiss her. She smiled rolling us over, so she was on top of me. I wrapped my legs around her waist as she started placing kisses on my jaw and neck.

It wasn’t long before clothes started being shed and the feeling of her skin on mine. Every moment with her was like a bomb going off in my heart and the intimate moments that I got to spend with her were times I wish I could live in forever. The way she explores my body has always been one of the things I have loved the most about her. Every time she touches me it always feels like the first time. Like, she is exploring like she never has before. The way her touch sets my body on fire and the way the pleasure washes over us in waves. It is a feeling I will never get tired of.

I never thought that I could feel this strongly and passionately about one person until I met her. She came out of nowhere, but I was so sure she was the one I was meant to be with. Our relationship has always been one filled with passion and love. There has always been some sort of invisible pull between us. The not so great thing about our relationship is the secrecy and the hiding we do from those around us. She has been so nervous to tell her parents we are together, just because she thinks they are going to feel some type of way about us being together. I can’t say I disagree.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked me running her fingers up and down my spine. The activities from earlier long over as we lay in bed together enjoying the come down of the high we find with each other.

“You.” I said simply as she smiled.

“Good things I hope.” She said as I nodded my head.

“Always good things.” I said kissing her cheek. She smiled leaning back in to give me another kiss. She seemed ready to continue, but I knew the time we had left was limited.

“As much fun as this could be, you need to go see your parents. It’s amazing that they haven’t blown your phone up after the news they got today.

“You’re no fun.” She pouted as I rolled my eyes. I leaned in to give her a kiss before she stood up. I took a moment to check out her body before she pulled her clothes on. She turned back towards me bending down to give me another kiss. “I’ll see you later?”

“Of course.” I said as she smiled and exited the room.

(Y/N) POV Switch

I walked out of Alex’s room heading towards the room my parents were in. I felt very reluctant to part with my girlfriend just because of how much I missed her, but I was also super excited to see my parents. Despite the fact that they are definitely going to yell at me. I should have talked to them as soon as my signing onto Mercedes was done. It’s just my ma has made it known to me that she wasn’t a fan of my racing. Even though, it is the thing I am most passionate about. Racing to me is what football is to her.

It’s one of a few secrets that I am keeping from my parents. The other big one being my relationship with Alex. I know that Alex hates being a secret and I wish things could be different, but I know how my parents are and I don’t see them being okay with us. She is too close to them for them to not care. I love her though. I want to be with her all the time. In the good times and the bad times. At this point, I can’t see myself with anyone else.

“Here we go…” I mumbled to myself as I knocked on the door. I waited a moment before the door was thrown open.

“Oh boy.” Pinoe mumbled as she saw me. I shot her a nervous smile as she pulled me in for a hug. “Congrats. I hope they don’t kill you.”

“Me too.” I said as I stepped into the room.

“I just think it’s irresponsible and so shady that she didn’t just tell us the truth. Like…we are her parents-”

“Ash!” my mom interrupted my ma’s rant as they both focused on me.

“Tell me how you really feel.” I joked as my mom immediately crossed the room. She pulled me in for a hug as I buried my face into her shoulder. It felt good to be back in the arms of my mom. No one gave me comfort like her.

“My baby” she said as I smiled slightly. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“I know” I said as I turned towards my ma. She had a hesitant look on her face as she then walked towards me pulling me in for a hug.

“I am so angry at you.” She said as I nodded my head.

“I had a feeling you would be.”

“Everyone out. We need to talk.” My ma said as everyone left and the three of us were alone.

“What were you thinking? Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Okay let’s not throw a thousand questions.” My mom said as I took a breath and sat on the bed.

“I’ve always loved racing. You know that. I’ve never hid that.” I said as they both nodded. They knew I had a strong passion for it. “I’m good at it. I have some of the fastest times. If you give me a real car that I can race in, I can compete with some of the top drivers.”

“Why didn’t you tell us that you were looking into it?” ma asked with a irritated look on her face.

“Because I knew you would be unhappy about it. You have never hid your feelings about me racing, but it’s what I want to do.” I said crossing my arms.

“It’s too dangerous.” My mom said as I sighed. “You could die. It’s not like other sports where if you mess up then its okay. If you mess up during a race, the consequence could be death.”

“That’s an exaggeration. If you do it safely, then you’re fine.”

“No. It doesn’t matter how safe you are being, accidents happen and you could still end up dead.”

“There’s no guarantee though. I am with a great team who takes care of their drivers.” I defended as they both shout me doubtful looks.

“(Y/N)…it’s a no.” my ma said as I shook my head out of frustration.

“I already signed the contract. I am locked in for at least the next season which starts very soon might I add.”

“How long have you known?”

“A little while. Maybe 2 months. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but this right here is why. You’re proving my point. I have a chance to make a difference in the sport. Not just the team but the entire sport. If I can win the championship, I’ll make history.” I said as they both shot me soft looks. Though, they both looked furious still.

“I understand wanting to make history. It’s tempting. It’s not worth your life though and I can’t believe you knew for that long and never said anything.”

“Its not what you want, but I am not backing out. I’m locked into this contract and I am going to see it through. You won’t be able to change my mind. I really hope you change your mind though because I would love for you to come to my first race. Any races actually.”

“I am going to support whatever you do because you’re our kid. My baby. I just…I wish you had told us. I wish this was a decision that you had made while consulting us.”

“I’m not a kid anymore. I can make my own decisions.”

“You’re still our baby though.” My mom said as I smiled a little.

“I know.”

They pulled me in for a hug as I let myself fall into them. I wanted them to support me because it’s what I needed. I knew not everyone was going to be happy about Mercedes signing me. There was always going to be those critics, but I was sure that this is what I wanted.

After talking it out for a few more minutes, we eventually came to an agreement that I would be allowed to do my racing (which I was going to do anyway) and they would support me to the best of their ability. We then exited the room to go hang out with their teammates. It gave me the perfect opportunity to spend time with my parents as well as my girlfriend.

The rest of my visit with the team went just like that. I was with various members of the team and my parents. Every so often, I would sneak off to have some alone moments with Alex. She wasn’t saying it, but I knew the secrecy was starting to really bother her. I wanted to tell my parents but after the bombshell I dropped on them I thought better than to tell them that I was also dating one of their teammates.

After the trip though, time seemed to fly by as I started getting prepared for the upcoming season. The first race was going to be the Australia Grand Prix and my debut for Mercedes. A good portion of the national team was going to be there to support me so that was going to be very exciting. I was starting to get insanely nervous because I know how much is at risk if I don’t do well. Not only my own reputation, but Mercedes reputation as well.

“Are you nervous?” Alex asked me as we laid in my bed together. It was the night before qualifiers, and I was trying to keep my cool. Alex had managed to sneak away from her teammates so we could spend a little bit of time together. She always knew how to keep me calm and it’s exactly what I needed right now.

“A little. I had a pretty good practice session, but I need to be at the top of my game tomorrow if I hope to be in pole position. I have a lot of competition.”

“You got this. I believe in you.” She said as I smiled giving her a soft kiss.

“A lot of people are relying on me and I don’t want to let them down.” I said as she nodded her head.

“I’ve been there. It’s not easy having that many people needing you to succeed.” I nodded my head at her statement as I turned my body to cuddle more into her.

I was asleep not long after that moment. It felt nice to fall asleep in her arms. I don’t think I have ever felt as comfortable as when I get to do that. When I woke up, I was alone in my bed as I checked my phone. I had a text from Alex telling me she needed to get back to her teammates which I understood.

I got ready for the day as I departed my hotel with some of my team members. My main technician, Austin was explaining the changes they are debating for the car. The car I have is not as good as the car they have given Lewis, but I understand its because they are more worried about Lewis winning than me. Which is why it’s important for me to take pole position today.

It didn’t take long for us to get to the track and find my spot. I smiled as I got changed and made my way to my car. I climbed in and got myself ready to go out onto the track for qualifying. I did some last-minute checks before driving out. Qualifying seemed to fly by as I pulled into the pit lane to be pulled into the garage.

“Well done (Y/N). Pole position in your first ever qualifying. Something to be proud of.” Austin said to me as I grinned at him. I glanced at the overhead screen and saw that I had taken first with Lewis and Charles both behind me.

“I haven’t won anything yet.” I replied earning a head nod from the man. I went to go take care of myself getting changed back into regular clothes and cleaning myself up. I stopped to talk to Lewis and Charles and some reports before going to find my family.

“Well done.” Pinoe said as I stepped into the lounge that they were allowed into. I was engulfed into a hug by my parents who both squeezed me tight.

“How are you feeling? You look tired.” Ma asked me as I smiled.

“I’m exhausted but I am so happy. Hopefully, I’ve done everything I can for tomorrow.”

“You got this. Also, you didn’t look like you were going so fast, but then I looked out the window and saw how fast you were going.” Kelley said as I smiled.

“It’s a rush.” I said as she nodded her head at me. My eyes then found Alex who was sitting next to Allie. She had a soft smile on her face as I smiled back at her. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my arms but there were too many people around.

The rest of the day was more relaxed as I spent it with my family and friends. We went to dinner and hung out before I retreated back to my hotel room. It wasn’t long before someone was knocking on the door. I smiled knowing the only person it could be was Alex.

“I am so proud of you.” She said after pulling me in for a kiss. I had already closed the door behind her as I picked her up and carried her to the bed.

“I can’t believe I took pole position.” I said with a giddy smile on my face.

“I told you that you would.”

“I know but still…” I said as she smiled. We spent almost the entire night together before she had to leave again. I needed sleep for the race and her friends would come looking for her soon.

The next day I got up and I could already feel the nerves. This is it. My first race. I went through my pre-race rituals before it was finally time. I drove out on to the track and got into position. My team was doing last minute checks as I waited for the race to start.

“Now, it’s most likely that Lewis is going to box first.” Austin said as I shook my head.

“I should be boxing first.” I mumbled as he shot me a look. I was the rookie there was no way that they were going to box me first.

Everyone left the track as we got ready to start. We went through the formation lap before finally being set to go. I bit my lip in anticipation as I waited for the lights to go.

Once they went, I took off trying to put some distance between me and the boys behind me. The first corner was hell as I made my way around it. I came inches from hitting Lewis as I finally made it out in first. Over the next few laps, it was me fighting to put as much distance between Lewis and I considering he was going into the pits first.

One of the reasons I am so exciting to watch is how I race; I take the risks that other drivers wouldn’t dare to take. It’s one of the reasons my parents aren’t huge fans of my racing. I was told by my team that Lewis was pitting as I gritted my teeth just a little. I needed to win so I could prove that I am the driver they should be supporting more. Once he was done, they told me to box as I made my way around the track again. I pulled into the pits getting down to the regulated speed. They moved quickly as I was already making my way out of the pits. Once out of them, I radioed in to see what place I was in.

“Still in P1, there is a 2 second gap between you and Lewis.” I smirked to myself knowing he was probably bugged over that.

The rest of the race continued to be a dogfight almost as I entered the last lap. There was a 5 second gap between Lewis and I and there was no way I was letting him get in front of me. I couldn’t help but feel my eyes water as I crossed the finish line. It was official I had taken P1 and was now in the lead for the drivers championship.

I pulled into the pits and stopped my car as I climbed out. I stood on top of my car for a moment as I threw my arms up in the sky. Afterwards, I ran to my team. I celebrated with them knowing I couldn’t have done it without them. I took my helmet off as I looked around trying to hold back tears. I was pulled over for an interview as I smiled brightly. After that, I hugged Lewis and Charles as we headed back into the waiting room as I called it.

“Congratulations.” Lewis said as I grinned brightly at the man.

“Thank you, Lewis.”

After that we got to head to the podium as I was handed my trophy, we then did the champagne before finally being allowed to leave. I went out in search of my family as I was tackled into a hug by all of them.

“Holy shit!” ma said excitedly as I grinned at her. “That was incredible. I am so proud of you.”

“We are so proud of you.” My mom said as I smiled so softly. “I was terrified the whole time.”

“I know, but I won.” I said holding up the trophy. I continued accepting hugs from everyone as I finally got to Alex. She hugged me as I held onto her tightly.

“Congrats baby.” She said quietly in my ear as I smiled at her.

“Thank you.” She winked at me before we all went out for celebrations. I had to stop to talk to Toto before we left. He had told me that collectively they were all proud of me. That maybe things will be different in the future if I can continue putting out results like that.

Over the next few months, that is exactly what I did. I took home P1 in Bahrain, China, Spain, Canada, France, England, Italy, and Russia. I’ve taken P2 in Azerbaijan, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and Belgium. I took P3 in Monaco and Singapore. I currently have 322 points. I am exactly 58 points from winning the title for the season. That means I only need to win three out of the five races that are coming up.

Up next, we have the Japanese Grand Prix and I am extremely nervous over it. This is one of the most dangerous tracks to drive on. It always has shit weather and so accidents are more likely to occur. One of the last major incidents in Formula 1 was when Jules Bianchi collided with a recovery vehicle. He died almost a year later.

I tried not think about that as I made my way through the lobby of my hotel. I was heading back to my room because some of my parents’ teammates were here to watch the race. They had also come out to support me, but Alex was going to come see me soon, so I was excited to go see her.

Things have been weird between us because I know she wants to tell people about us, and I do too….I just don’t want my parents to flip out. I love Alex though. She makes me extremely happy and I know she is the person I am meant to be with. I just don’t know that I am ready for them to know about that part of my life.

Alex POV Switch

I sighed to myself as I listened to Kelley talk about the games that we would be playing soon. It’s not that I wasn’t interested but I had other things on my mind. Like, my girlfriend is too afraid to tell her parents that we are dating so now every conversation I have with them just feels awkward. Everyone on the team found out I am dating someone, but they don’t know who. They have been breathing down my neck to try to find out, but I have managed to keep it a secret.

“You know I am starting to feel like you’re not actually listening.” Kelley said earning smiles from everyone around us.

“I’m sorry I just have a lot on my mind.” I said as she nodded her head.

“Everything good?” Ash asked me as I stared at her. I hate this.

“Yeah I just am thinking about stuff with my family.” I lied as they all nodded their heads. It wasn’t long after that we got to the hotel. Most of us were exhausted from the flight over so we went straight to our rooms. I was rooming with (Y/N), but they didn’t know that. I got my room key from the desk before heading to the room.

I walked in and saw her stuff around the room. I smiled setting my stuff down as the bathroom door opened. I turned and smiled when she stopped and looked up at me.

“I’m not gonna lie my heart dropped a little.” She said as I crossed the room pulling her in for a kiss.

We stood for a moment before moving to sit on the bed. She pulled me into her arms as she ran her fingers up and down my back.

“I missed you so much.” She admitted as I smiled. I am fortunate to play in Orlando with her parents so when she visits them, I can see her, but it’s not super easy.

“I missed you too.” I said looking at her with soft eyes. “Are you excited to race this weekend?”

“I’m nervous. The Suzuka circuit is no joke.”

“You got it. I have full faith in you. It’s three races that you need right?”

“Yeah.” She nodded as I admired her face and the way her features moved with each passing thought she had.

“Was the flight over bad?” she asked a moment later as I shook my head.

“No, I slept for most of it.” I said as she nodded her head. After laying with each other for a few more minutes, we both got ready for the dinner we were supposed to go to later.

The night passed pretty quickly. We were able to keep everything on the down low which was good. She spent most of dinner talking with everyone about the race.

“So, if you win this race and the next two races then you win the championship?” Kelley asked as she nodded her head.

“Yes. I would have enough points that Lewis and the others wouldn’t be able to catch up to me.” She said as everyone nodded.

“So, winning should be easy for you…” Ash said earning a grin from my girlfriend.

“I’m definitely going to give it my best shot.” She said as everyone laughed.

After dinner, we headed back to the room where we got to really enjoy each other’s company. Staying up too late wasn’t an option due to her having qualifiers the next day. We had gone to the track and were watching in the little lounge that they had set up for us. There are definitely some benefits to not only being VIPs but part of a driver’s family.

“She seems like she gets better every race.”

“Yeah it does nothing for my anxiety.” Ali said as Ash bit her lip anxiously when (Y/N) went into a corner too late. By the end of the race, (Y/N) was starting in fourth so I knew she definitely wasn’t going to be happy. When she came into the lounge afterwards, I could see the exhaustion on her face.

“You did good kid.” Kyle joked as she frowned at him.

“I’m in fourth.” She said with a slight scowl. “I’m gonna have to dogfight my way to the top tomorrow.”

“You can do it.” Kelley said as she sat down putting her face in her hands. Her shoulders were tense, and I wanted nothing more than to her go over to her and give her some comfort, but I knew it would only make things worse.

Once we were back at the hotel, I made my way to the room where I found her laying down. I smiled a little walking over and laying next to her.

“It’s okay. You can still win tomorrow.” I said softly as she scoffed.

“I’m in fourth Alex. Lewis, Charles, and Sebastian would have to royally fuck up for me to overtake them. I just know that Toto is going to give the edge to Lewis to, so I am just fucked.”

“Hey…relax…” I said as she shook her head. I sighed as she stood and started pacing. “Why don’t we talk about something else?”

“Like what?” she asked as I stared at her for a moment.

“How about telling your parents we are together?” She stopped and stared at me. Her eyes were tired as she came over and sat down.

“I’m not ready to tell them.” She said as I sighed.

“(Y/N) its been like almost a year…”

“I just don’t want them in this part of my life yet. I thought you understood that.” She said as I stared at her with disbelief.

“I have been the most understanding person. I have let it go for months but this is so tiring. Having to hide and be so secretive when I want nothing more than to everyone about how much I love you.”

“I love you too.” She said quietly “I’m just…I don’t want them to know yet.”

“I can’t keep doing this.” I said standing up from the bed as she gave me a shocked expression.

“I don’t like those words.” She said as I nodded my head.

“Yeah me neither…but I mean them. I hate ultimatums but I feel like that’s the only way to get you to understand that I am serious.” I said crossing my arms as she shook her head.

“Alex…” she said approaching me. “Don’t throw our relationship away because of this.”

“At least then you don’t have a relationship to hide from them.” I said out of frustration as she bit her lip staring at me.

“Don’t. Please…” she said as I shook my head again.

“I’m gonna give you some space.” I said walking over and grabbing some stuff before leaving the room. I made my way to Kelley’s room as the defender allowed me into her room.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as I wiped away some tears.

“I think I just became single…” I said as the defender wrapped me into a hug.

That night was probably the worst sleep I have got in a while. The next day already felt terrible as it was heavily raining. I was able to borrow some of Kelley’s clothes as we met up with everyone.

“Where’s (Y/N)?” Tobin asked as she looked around for the driver. My heart clenched at the mention of her name.

“She had to go to the circuit. We are going right now too. The rain is going to be terrible to drive in.” Ali said as we left the hotel. The circuit was packed with people as we made our way to the lounge. We were offered to go sit in the garage, but the rain was going to be terrible, so we opted to stay in the lounge.

We sat talking with each other until the race started. I was hoping it would fly by so I could go talk to (Y/N). I regretted leaving things so badly between us especially since today was so important for her.

The race started not long after and it was around the 34th lap that she was able to overtake Lewis and take P1. Things seemed to be going well until they weren’t. In the 46th lap, while going into one of the corners. Something seemed to happen to her car as she didn’t slow down and plowed right into one of the barriers. Her car flipped up and slammed down upside down.

“oh my god!” Kyle yelled as Ash stood. Ali’s hands flew to her mouth as I felt my heart drop.

“That is not looking good at all for driver (Y/N) Harris. Members of the crew scrambling to get to her. The safety car now being deployed as the worry sets in for the Mercedes driver.” We all sat in absolute silence as we waited to see if she was okay.

“It does not appear like Harris is moving at all.” The commentator said as the crew members were able to lift the car enough to get her out. Everyone let out breaths of relief when she was pulled up by one of the crew members. She was moving around just a little. She seemed to be walking in the direction of her garage.

I was the first to stand running out of the lounge in the direction of the garage. I could hear footsteps behind me as I assumed Ash and them were behind me. I got to the garage in time to see her throw her helmet to the other side of the room. Some of the medics appeared to be trying to help her as I beelined it right for her. Her eyes found me as she stopped and opened her arms. I walked right into her wrapping my self around her as much as I could. She winced a little which made me feel guilty, but I needed to know she was okay. Her eyebrow was bleeding so I knew she needed to get check out.

“I’m alright.” She said as I buried my face into her neck. “It’s okay love...I’m okay.”

“I swear to god…” I mumbled with tears in my eyes as I pulled away to look at her. Without thinking, I kissed her needing to feel her close to me. She kissed me back before pulling away. “Let them look at you.”

“I will.” She conceded as I moved to the side a little so the medic could look at her.

While they were assessing her, I turned towards Ash and them who had variations of anger and concern on their faces. I walked towards them with hesitation.

“Okay. Wait…” I said as Ash raised an eyebrow at me.

“Wait? You’re dating my kid? Are you joking?” she asked as I looked down.

“Yes I am. I am dating (Y/N). We’ve been dating for almost a year. I love her and nothing you say is going to change that.”

“Excuse me?” she said as I stared at her.

“Guys this is not the place.” Ali said taking note of all the cameras around. “We will talk later.”

I nodded turning back to see the medic still assessing (Y/N). They decided to take her to just look at some other things. We were told to head back to the lounge while we waited for her. It was completely awkward as we all sat there not speaking waiting for her to join us.

“I know.” I turned to see my girlfriend walk in talking to Austen. “You don’t need to tell me that. I just need it fixed. I trust you.”

He nodded his head before leaving the room. She turned towards us with a small smile. Her right side of her face was bruised a little as her eyebrow had been bandaged.

“I’m cleared. Just some bruises and stuff.” She said as we nodded. She came over to where I was sitting next to me.

“Okay. First of all, I am glad you’re okay. I would’ve killed you if you weren’t. Secondly, explain.” Ali said looking between us. (Y/N) sighed looking at me and then back at her parents.

“I am dating Alex. I have been for a while. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you inserting yourself or anything. I am sorry I didn’t tell you. I asked her not to tell you because I wasn’t ready for you to know.” She said as they stared at her.

“I don’t understand what your issue is with being honest with us.” Ash said crossing her arms. My girlfriend shrugged as she looked at the screen. The race was coming to a close as Sebastian was taking first place. For the most part, (Y/N) was still in position to win the championship but I could see the disappointment on her face.

“You’ll win the next one.” I said softly as she looked at me. She smiled leaning in to give me a kiss.

“I love you.” She said as I smiled.

“I love you too. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I deserved it. The world deserves to know how much I love you.” She said earning a small grin from me. I gave her another kiss as we seemed to get lost in each other.

“Okay that’s cute.” Kyle said looking at us. Ash and Ali both glared at him as he smiled at me. “You can’t deny that. Isn’t her happiness what matters?”

“Of course, but Alex is our teammate.” Ash complained

“Alex is only two years older than her.” Kelley commented as I nodded my head.

“Fine. If you break her heart, I’ll kill you.” Ash said as Ali nodded her head. I smiled and nodded my head.

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” I turned towards my girlfriend with a smile. “I love her too much.”

“I love you too.” She said giving me a kiss before Ash yelled at her to stop.

“We are still your parents.” She said with a disgusted expression.

“Yeah…okay leave me alone. I’m injured.” She said as I laughed softly at her.

They all continued arguing as I enjoyed the moment. Everyone knows now which means we don’t have to sneak around anymore. I’ll be interested to see how everything goes for us moving forward, but I know that as long as we continue to have each other nothing could break us.

The End.

#alex morgan imagine #alex morgan imagines #alex morgan #ashlyn harris #ashlyn harris imagine #ashlyin harris imagines #ali krieger #ali krieger imagine #ali krieger imagines #krashlyn #krashlyn imagine #krashlyn imagines

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reneeacaseyfl · 5 years

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If you hate the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup party, you’re a cop – ThinkProgress

On Wednesday morning, Megan Rapinoe, dressed in her “World Champion 2019” shirt, massive red-framed sunglasses, and her now-signature pink hair, was on a float in the ticker-tape parade in New York City, surrounded by teammates, fans, and, because nothing can be perfect, New York mayor Bill DeBlasio. She had been partying for three days straight with her teammates, ever since the moment they won their second consecutive — and fourth overall — World Cup championship in Lyon, France. But the party was far from over.

Her left foot was propped high in the air, putting her left knee about parallel with her shoulder. The World Cup trophy was in her left hand, and resting atop her knee. In her right hand, was a bottle of champagne. She turned to her friend, Ashlyn Harris — a back-up goalkeeper for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) whose documentation of the group’s post-victory celebration bender will go down in the annals of women’s sports history — and told the whole world through Instagram stories, “I deserve this. I deserve this. Everything.”

To some, this might be considered an off-the-cuff, light-hearted statement. But it was far from that. This was an earth-shattering declaration, a pointed rebuttal to everyone who has ever told women that their worth was tied directly to humility and modesty; a mantra for women everywhere who feel pressured to tone down their happiness to make others more comfortable, to turn down compliments or brush-off accolades. It was the opposite of, “thank you,” and a complete rejection of, “I’m sorry,” a phrase that most women utter, on average, 100 times a day, often to nobody in particular, as they merely move around the world.

It was a motto that summed up the entire World Cup run of the USWNT. Three months before the tournament began, they sued U.S. Soccer for equal pay, taking the fight for equality onto the biggest stage in the sport. Once in France, they smashed record after record and celebrated with abandon at every turn — drawing massive amounts of criticism for being too demonstrative about their happiness. They didn’t apologize; they just kept winning, and sipping tea. And then, when the last whistle blew in Lyon, France, to solidify their 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final, they kicked off a globe-trotting, ass-shaking, champagne-soaked, expletive-laden party, which the players — particularly Harris — shared with the public on social media.

Seeing these women cussing and pouring champagne on one another, holding signs asking for beers, unapologetically flaunting their drunken happiness in public — in a display that rivaled the shirtless shenanigans of J.R. Smith when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA championship, or the over-the-top water-fountain antics of Alex Ovechkin when the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup Finals last year — wasn’t just entertaining; it was down-right inspiring.

Other elite female athletes acclaimed the champs.

“I’m kind of obsessed with them right now. I just can’t. Like, they’re so dope,” Ariel Atkins, a second-year player for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, told ThinkProgress. “They’re not trying to flex for the media and trying to be like, all preppy and professional all the time. I mean, they are who they are, And that is professionalism, being exactly who you are and showing people that athletes are humans too.”

Atkins admitted that like the rest of the world, she’s spent a lot of time over the last week watching Harris’s Instagram stories. So has Sophie Cunningham, a rookie for the Phoenix Mercury.

“They are so badass. Having them go out there and being feisty the way they have been, it has been inspiring to me. For them to go out there, to see them having fun, now I want to win a championship so this team can experience that,” Cunningham said.

“They’re not hiding who they are. They are themselves. I think that is so awesome for all women and men to see.”

This all began on Sunday, after the confetti was cannoned and the trophies delivered, when the players got back to the tarp-covered locker room, put on their goggles, turned up the music, and started popping bottles. We got to see what it looked like, in real time, as the weight of the world was lifted off of their shoulders, and the women began to realize what exactly they had accomplished. The early mornings and healthy eating, the skipped parties and long workouts, the time away from family and friends and all the doubts that this team faced when it came to France, it had all been worth it. Heck, the President of the United States had even come after Rapinoe during the tournament, after a clip of her saying, “I’m not going to the fucking White House” went viral, and the team only got stronger after that.

So of course they partied. Alex Morgan twerked. Crystal Dunn chugged beer. Tobin Heath sang, “We are the champions” at the top of her lungs. Harris documented it all, and then turned the camera on herself and said, in instantly-iconic fashion, “You’re fucking welcome for this content, bitch.”

Ashlyn Harris’ instastories are the best thing on the internet rn pic.twitter.com/JLDjftOSpj

— em (@East_From_Eden) July 7, 2019

After the locker-room celebration, the players went to an after-party, where they danced on the bar, took shots, and did a lot more shouting. On Monday, they took a chartered flight back to New York City, and when they landed, they were still singing and dancing and drinking. Tuesday, after waking up early to go to Good Morning America, they had a private roof-top player’s-only pool party, and then took the party to a Yacht in the East River.

Some how, on Wednesday morning, they were still standing and able to participate in the parade, which became about far more than their World Cup victory, and turned into a rally for equality. All along the parade route, fans held signs that read, “Equal Pay.” And the players — who, it must be stressed, were surrounded by the U.S. Soccer officials they are suing during this celebration — actually used their lawsuit as confetti during the parade.

When the players stood in City Hall — still drinking — and waiting to come out on stage for the speech portion of the program, Harris took to Instagram to show copies of the lawsuit in the trees outside, and strewn across the floor of City Hall.

“Our lawsuit is in the fucking trees,” Harris said. Moments later, as Allie Long literally ate the lawsuit, Harris added, “Pay us, bitch.”

Daddy will pay us. He loves his girls.

https://t.co/WuWyb9fnWu

— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) July 10, 2019

That afternoon, they got on a cross-country flight, received hair and makeup on the plane, and then took the ESPYs — a sports-centric awards show hosted by ESPN — by storm.

From Sunday morning to Wednesday night, every single thing these women did was about celebrating themselves. It was a flashy, raucous, attention-grabbing, euphoric, and often crude showcase of success. It was revolutionary. It was true equality.

Most of the time, female athletes either lack the time, resources, or platform to hold a celebration like this one — a celebration like we see male athletes have every single time a championship is clinched. Diana Taurasi, a guard for the Phoenix Mercury and the WNBA’s all-time leading scorer, said that because of the year-round demands on female basketball players, they never get the time to celebrate like the USWNT did this week.

“We usually win something, and we never get to celebrate it. We’ve won four [Olympic] gold medals, and the next day, you’re flying back to your WNBA team,” Taurasi said. “It’s like you don’t even get to enjoy winning.”

That’s a big reason why the USWNT’s drunken victory tour meant so much to women everywhere — because most of the time, athletes or not, women aren’t encouraged or even given the time to celebrate their accomplishments.

It’s also why so many pearl-clutchers expressed outrage at the audaciousness of the championship parade. Because the world never gets to see women let loose like this. Under every single social media post about these antics, there are floods of people calling the players classless, arrogant, and embarrassing, and scolding them for not being good enough role models for little girls everywhere. But the best part of the celebration was that is wasn’t about anyone else; this team has worked so hard, not only to be the best at their craft, but to fight for equal pay for the next generation, and to stand up for the rights of women, the LGBTQ community, and minorities. This party was about taking a moment to celebrate themselves. Because, as Rapinoe said, they deserved it.

“I mean, they’re just being themselves. I think that’s all you can do. Just be authentically you. They’re great people, and they’re great athletes,” said Mystics’ All-Star Kristi Toliver, who is friends with Pinoe and Harris.

“And you know, they’re about the right thing. So if that upsets people, [those people are] probably in the wrong.”

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robertlchapa30 · 5 years

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If you hate the U.S. womens soccer teams World Cup party youre a cop ThinkProgress

Other elite female athletes acclaimed the champs.

Atkins admitted that like the rest of the world, she’s spent a lot of time over the last week watching Harris’s Instagram stories. So has Sophie Cunningham, a rookie for the Phoenix Mercury.

“They’re not hiding who they are. They are themselves. I think that is so awesome for all women and men to see.”

Ashlyn Harris’ instastories are the best thing on the internet rn pic.twitter.com/JLDjftOSpj

— em (@East_From_Eden) July 7, 2019

“Our lawsuit is in the fucking trees,” Harris said. Moments later, as Allie Long literally ate the lawsuit, Harris added, “Pay us, bitch.”

Daddy will pay us. He loves his girls.

https://t.co/WuWyb9fnWu

— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) July 10, 2019

That afternoon, they got on a cross-country flight, received hair and makeup on the plane, and then took the ESPYs — a sports-centric awards show hosted by ESPN — by storm.

“And you know, they’re about the right thing. So if that upsets people, [those people are] probably in the wrong.”

Credit: Source link

The post If you hate the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup party, you’re a cop – ThinkProgress appeared first on WeeklyReviewer.

from https://weeklyreviewer.com/if-you-hate-the-u-s-womens-soccer-teams-world-cup-party-youre-a-cop-thinkprogress/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=if-you-hate-the-u-s-womens-soccer-teams-world-cup-party-youre-a-cop-thinkprogress

from WeeklyReviewer - Blog http://weeklyreviewer1.weebly.com/blog/if-you-hate-the-us-womens-soccer-teams-world-cup-party-youre-a-cop-thinkprogress

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velmaemyers88 · 5 years

Text

If you hate the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup party, you’re a cop – ThinkProgress

Other elite female athletes acclaimed the champs.

Atkins admitted that like the rest of the world, she’s spent a lot of time over the last week watching Harris’s Instagram stories. So has Sophie Cunningham, a rookie for the Phoenix Mercury.

“They’re not hiding who they are. They are themselves. I think that is so awesome for all women and men to see.”

Ashlyn Harris’ instastories are the best thing on the internet rn pic.twitter.com/JLDjftOSpj

— em (@East_From_Eden) July 7, 2019

“Our lawsuit is in the fucking trees,” Harris said. Moments later, as Allie Long literally ate the lawsuit, Harris added, “Pay us, bitch.”

Daddy will pay us. He loves his girls.

https://t.co/WuWyb9fnWu

— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) July 10, 2019

That afternoon, they got on a cross-country flight, received hair and makeup on the plane, and then took the ESPYs — a sports-centric awards show hosted by ESPN — by storm.

“And you know, they’re about the right thing. So if that upsets people, [those people are] probably in the wrong.”

Credit: Source link

The post If you hate the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup party, you’re a cop – ThinkProgress appeared first on WeeklyReviewer.

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weeklyreviewer · 5 years

Text

If you hate the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup party, you’re a cop – ThinkProgress

Other elite female athletes acclaimed the champs.

Atkins admitted that like the rest of the world, she’s spent a lot of time over the last week watching Harris’s Instagram stories. So has Sophie Cunningham, a rookie for the Phoenix Mercury.

“They’re not hiding who they are. They are themselves. I think that is so awesome for all women and men to see.”

Ashlyn Harris’ instastories are the best thing on the internet rn pic.twitter.com/JLDjftOSpj

— em (@East_From_Eden) July 7, 2019

“Our lawsuit is in the fucking trees,” Harris said. Moments later, as Allie Long literally ate the lawsuit, Harris added, “Pay us, bitch.”

Daddy will pay us. He loves his girls.

https://t.co/WuWyb9fnWu

— Ashlyn Harris (@Ashlyn_Harris) July 10, 2019

That afternoon, they got on a cross-country flight, received hair and makeup on the plane, and then took the ESPYs — a sports-centric awards show hosted by ESPN — by storm.

“And you know, they’re about the right thing. So if that upsets people, [those people are] probably in the wrong.”

Credit: Source link

The post If you hate the U.S. women’s soccer team’s World Cup party, you’re a cop – ThinkProgress appeared first on WeeklyReviewer.

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torentialtribute · 5 years

Text

Cricket World Cup is washed out by its slavish devotion to TV demands

When Bangladesh versus Sri Lanka became the third World Cup game lost to the rain, the ICC was very quickly eliminated. Well, faster than they were planning the competition.

A statement from chief executive officer Dave Richardson was hastily issued with a summary of the many complexities of factoring in spare days.

& # 39; It would affect pitch preparation, team recovery and travel days, accommodation and availability of locations, tournament staff, voluntary and competition official availability, broadcast logistics and, most importantly, the spectators who have traveled in some cases to the game, & he said.

] ICC responded quickly when Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka rained out third World Cup competition

]

ICC responded quickly when Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka was the third World Cup game rained

& # 39; There is also no guarantee that the day will also be free of rain. & # 39; On the other hand, there is no guarantee that it is a hollow, so that is a debatable point. As is the case with spectators who are traveling to participate in a competition. There is no game. Just like there wasn't on Thursday. That is the problem.

So it really doesn't matter if they miss a re-shaded fixture, if that's what happens. They would not see a cricket, but this way someone would. And if they can afford to hang out, they can be it. But what about the rest? Places, recovery, travel, accommodation, staff and our old friend, broadcast logistics.

Well, it can't be such a problem, because later in Richardson's statement it all doesn't matter.

& # 39; We have charged reserved days for the knockout phases & # 39 ;, he admits. So if the semi-final and final can be rearranged without impacting on the logistics infrastructure, why not the previous competitions? & # 39; In the course of 45 group games, we have to play the great majority, & # 39; Richardson insisted

Exactly, so why the fuss? No more than two games had ever been lost during the World Cup, but now there are already four after the rinse on Thursday between India and New Zealand.

A group of fans from Bangladesh stand in the rain the remains remain this week <img id = "i-e760c7526c1b90e9" src = "https: / /i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/06/13/19/14755804-7138623-image-a-8_1560451221973.jpg "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i -e760c7526c1b90e9 "src =" https://dailym.ai/2F9AZ0V "height =" 423 "width =" 634 " alt = "A group of Bangladeshi fans are in the rain this weekend. <img id = "i-e760c7526c1b90e9" src = "https://dailym.ai/2F9AZ0V" height = "423 "width =" 634 "alt =" <img id = "i-e760c7526c1b90e9" src = "https://dailym.ai/2ZwWC31 -8_1560451221973.jpg "height =" 423 "width =" 634 "alt =" A group of fans from Bangladesh are in the rain. while the covers remain in Bristol this week

Even if that smiles, we're still talking to a handful of matches.

Actually, the fix does not have to include spare days for each game, just a short distance before the semi-finals. Maybe two locations close by: a festival within a festival. So far, four luminaires have to be reconnected: Bangladesh against Sri Lanka, South Africa against the West Indies, Sri Lanka against Pakistan, India against New Zealand. So those are two locations, two days, say Lord & # 39; s and the Oval, using the capital for the best chance of finding accommodation.

And if Sri Lanka has to play twice within 48 hours, whether it is. Better that, certainly than to shake hands and split the two points? Cricketers play five days of test matches directly, what is different about World Cup matches?

If the ICC is concerned about spectators, cardholders of the canceled games may be given priority for the re-scheduled games.

And how exciting was the place in the semifinals for these rearranged games, instead of missing a country due to an unfortunate weather pattern?

Thursday's match between India and New Zealand could have meant a lot. Now we will never know. What other international competition would your alluring event be?

England and Wales won this World Championship in 2006. That was more than 13 years ago to agree on a format that secured the maximum amount of cricket. It is not as if it is raining in an English summer.

This country has organized four previous World Cups and was lucky with the weather. Yet some of them had built in book days and the earliest contained only 15 games. But this time the organizers could not bother to anticipate the problems of a typical English June and to plan accordingly.

This is another example of an organized organization despite the interests of fans.

This is another example of a competition organized despite the interests of the fans

It is just another example of a major competition organized despite the interests of the fans, instead of around them. This only happens for two reasons. One is television, the other money. This is television.

The reason for the 10-team tournament has been dragging on for more than a month and a half, but apparently has no room for maneuver in its agenda because the ICC and broadcasters agree that, with a few exceptions, only one game will be played per day.

A block of reservation data should not last a long competition, as the ICC claims. They have already done so with their slavish dedication to the demands of television. Sri Lanka has now lost consecutive games to the weather, meaning that they have passed 11 days in between by Saturday.

Bangladesh has in the meantime shared points in a match of their coach Steve Rhodes to win & # 39; We have quite a bit of time in between games and we have to travel later in the day, so it is, & # 39; he said. & # 39; We're putting men on the moon, so why don't we have a reservation day when this tournament is distributed? & # 39;

But that would mean giving priority to fans and honesty. We know that Semenya is not a dope

Caster Semenya crossed the road to victory on a 2,000 meter meter

race in Paris this week. Then she appeared with a message for the IAAF. & # 39; They should focus on drug use, not on us, & # 39; she said.

I am not an idiot. Why should I use drugs? I'm a pure athlete. I'm not losing weight. I will never use drugs. & # 39; Of course, because that is not necessary. The testosterone levels that Semenya produces make cheating unnecessary.

She already has a huge advantage over which she and her opponents have no control. They should take drugs that suit her, or any athlete with her condition – hence the IAAF dilemma. Caster Semenya has a huge advantage over which they and opponents have no control "

] Caster Semenya has a huge advantage over which they, and opponents, have no control"

Caster Semenya has a huge advantage over which she, and opponents,

This was the summer to try something different with Harry Kane. Rest. Recovery. A break in his ruthless schedule.

Neither Tottenham nor England had a tendency to experiment. Tottenham faced the biggest game in their history, so Mauricio Pochettino's guess was at least understandable, even if it didn't pay. Still, there was no reason for Gareth Southgate to start Kane in the middle of the rubbers against Switzerland on Sunday.

If Southgate was of the opinion that it would be harmful to select his captain for the game after he had made himself available, he could have been with the team. But to play in a game so worthless, the bronze medals in England were as good as dumped in the dressing room by the organizers, why?

Now we are entering a new tournament owner in which Kane has seen the very last kick of the previous season. One day, a manager will be bold enough to deny him this slog and see if that brings the elevator that keeps him fresh through a season. In 2019-20, however, we will do it the old way.

This was the summer to try something different with Harry Kane – rest and recuperation "Harry Kane – rest and recuperation

Harry Kane – rest and recuperation

Will Giggs stick with rusty Bale?

Gareth Bale made his first competitive start since April when he played for Wales in Saturday's defeat by Croatia

Ryan Giggs, his manager, had already said that Bale was dropped by Zinedine Zidane in Real Madrid

This situation can only get worse if Bale is stubborn and Zidane has made it clear that he will not appear and Giggs has seen the impact that Bale & # 39; s game has. He needs football. He has to play. Posing Pogba puts a target on his back

Posing Pogba puts a target on z ijn rug

]

Paul Pogba maintains that he has become a scapegoat for the shortcomings of Manchester United; that in victory people see the team, while in defeat they look for individuals who are to blame.

Like Mario Balotelli who wonders & why I always? & # 39 ;, does this take little account of Pogba & # 39; s unceasing efforts to make himself the center of attention. The constant image changes, the attitude of the social media, the emoji's, the posing on the field, everything is about Pogba.

So when United is disappointed, is it a miracle that his performance becomes the focal point of the criticism that represents the separation between the player with the name of a big name and his value for the whole?

Paul Pogba (photo) insists that he has become a scapegoat for the shortcomings of Manchester United Paul Pogba (photo) stands that he has become a scapegoat for the failures of Manchester United "

Paul Pogba (photo) maintains that he has become a scapegoat for the shortcomings of Manchester United

Still, Vettel said Formula 1 had changed for the worse.

& # 39 "This is not the sport I fell in love with," he complained. & # 39; I came back on track, Lewis had to respond, but for me a lot of old drivers and people in the stands, that is & # 39;

Yes, it could be.

& # 39; I am very proud of my work and especially my state of di and failed to make mistakes, & Hamilton responded. The polite way to point out that the best racers of any generation can be found on the racing line, not the grass.

Fight for the right to party!

] If you score, then celebrate. If you score 13 times, then celebrate 13 times.

It is not the fault of the women's team of the United States that Thailand was bad opponents and five of the 24 places in the World Cup for the Asian Federation are probably too many. Thailand enjoyed two weak qualifying groups and had clearly deteriorated since 2015, when their passing statistics were the worst in the tournament.

They were absolutely surpassed by playing a first game against the favorites, but that can happen at international events. Germany's wife beat Argentina 11-0 in 2007;

Indeed, not celebrating would have been patronizing, it would not have been a matter for the United States, and people would not be required to do so. Did Hungary celebrate when it defeated El Salvador 10-1 in 1982? Who knows, what does it matter? Rugby World Cups bring multiple discrepancies, but achieving the goal of the game must always bring joy.

The United States stood in their right to all 13 scored goals to celebrate against Thailand

Probably Thai women celebrated their sixth goal against a clearly inadequate Palestine in the qualifying games. Let's hope so. Chris Froome will be responsible, sport will hit a person enough in the face to make the moments when it all comes together specially.

There is no shame that Dominic Thiem cannot beat Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open. His defeat was not the first, and this show probably won't be the last. Nadal & # 39; s 12 titles on Roland Garros are perhaps the most impressively dominant course of a person in any sport.

But Boris Becker has a moment when he talks about the younger players who have to leave. It is a significant failure that a player under the age of 30 has won a Grand Slam title since Andy Murray, then 29, at Wimbledon in 2016.

The next generation could learn from Murray's decision . Grand Slam tennis should not be a country for old men.

It is not up to UEFA or FIFA to re-organize their matches

The problems in Porto were as predictable as the previous problems in Amsterdam and now predicted when England entered October travels to Prague for a Friday night match against the Czech Republic

Now it is said that the FA is asking the governing bodies to look into future planning and kick-off times in England. They shouldn't do something like that. If the FA can no longer guarantee the English fans, they should not take tickets. This is an English problem and the solution is only for us.

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#Cricket World Cup is washed out by its slavish devotion to TV demands "

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grapsandclaps · 6 years

Text

GRAPS & CLAPS - THE GRIMSBY EDITION PART 2! (IT'S GRIM IN GRIMSBY).

Hello again. I am Chris Wilson, the official #GrimsbyGraps correspondent for Graps and Claps. Grimsby is quite a random place for dedicated coverage but until I can coax our Andy to visit the town with the third best football team in Lincolnshire (out of 3), someone needs to tell you how #GrimsbyGraps is taking over the world. Yes, really. Well, maybe.

It all started when some brilliant, creative genius invented the #GrimsbyGraps hashtag and-- Okay, fine, let's skip forward.

Since the last time we were here for BWR's Ignition, British Wrestling Revolution put tickets on sale for their next show, 'No Gods, No Masters'. It sold out in ten hours! This was for a bigger venue too: the first card at the prestigious - if a place for record, job and craft fairs counts as that - Cleethorpes Memorial Hall in 24 years. Unbelievable stuff. BWR then put tickets on sale for their April event also at the Memorial Hall, 'Dive and Kicking', possibly in hope of starting PROGRESS-style immediate sell-outs from now until the end of time. They have sold half their allocation so far. Pretty impressive for #GrimsbyGraps, but the difference between the two shows is one man alone. As discussed before on this blog, having the WWE UK champion Pete Dunne on the card guarantees an extra 80 to 100 ticket sales. He is a rare draw in the age of strongly-branded promotions themselves being the main attraction.

BWR stacked the card for 'No Gods, No Masters'. Suddenly, a snowstorm in March. BWR came out relatively unscathed considering OTT and Discovery Wrestling have cancelled their plans for this weekend. However, BWR announced the morning of the show that Kay Lee Ray, Big T, Big Grizzly, and Tel Banham couldn't make it. And later in the afternoon, the weather had held down and choked Bram in Birmingham, meaning five matches would not go ahead as scheduled. The good news, though: the two big contests remained in tact.

So, let's get on with the report.

Firstly, you can tell I'm not Andy Ogden as my pre-show drinking involved a bottle of water to keep myself hydrated, followed by a severely-diluted protein shake due to my next shipment of powder being stuck in a van somewhere on the motorway (wouldn't have happened if Amazon used Simon Morris Transport). Yes, instead of pub crawling, I was in the gym until 30 minutes before bell-time. And that's why I'm only allowed to report on #GrimsbyGraps.

'No Gods, No Masters' began with the ring announcer's opening spiel. Apparently "we're not jobbing to a snow storm" (actual words), and he used a variation of "the weather's cold outside but the action inside is RRREEEDDD HOT". Pop.

Out came Reese Ryan, doing his Nathan Cruz circa 2012 'Hollywood-with-a-thick-northern-accent' shtick. His advertised Blockbuster Announcement was in two parts: not only has he released Big T from his security detail and replaced him with evil choir boy Will Kroos, but he introduced the Real Wrestling VIP Championship. In wrestling, it seems you can bring your own title and it's legitimate. Jonny Storm appeared unannounced and challenged Ryan for the belt. What followed was a ten-minute bout in which Storm outclassed Ryan in between the referee somehow failing to notice the large evil choir boy attacking Storm. Kroos entered the ring and planted Storm with a DDT to ensure Ryan retained his "title".

Next, the Korn-dubstep antics of Guilty By Habit transcended Southside Wrestling as Robbie X and SUUUUUUUUPERTWAT Kip Sabian (replacing Big Grizzly) defeated The Proven's Caz Crash and Sam Wilder. This was a top-notch contest. I love how X and Sabian don't get along, as though they're only in GBH together because their mates are mates. An added bonus too: the match ended with a CHEEKY ROLL-UP and a CHEEKY HOLDING ONTO THE TIGHTS. #MyGraps.

Lana Austin was up next, accompanied by Eliza Roux and Jami Sparx. With Kay Lee Ray "too scared" to show up, Roux offered an open challenge on "her best friend Lana's" behalf. Little Miss Roxxy made her BWR debut by accepting. Although the crowd took a while to get into it, Austin and Roxxy put in quite a shift until everyone was emotionally invested. Roxxy finally gained momentum once Roux and Sparx were kicked out for their extra-curricular activities and hit a springboard knee-faceplant for the win. Roux and Sparx reappeared and left Roxxy laying on the canvas.

Before intermission, we saw the much-hyped hardcore match between Jimmy Havoc and local hero/silly boy Tyler Devlin. There were no pretences here: both men introduced every weapon they were planning to use from under the ring before the bell rung. Devlin's antics were mercifully less of his own doing this time, but he still managed to get thrown onto a ladder, bounce off a guardrail he had balanced from the ring, eat pins, get curb stomped onto pins, and falling after Havoc's rainmaker onto, yup, pins. Silly boy. Rewind a bit: the ultimate silly boy-ness came moments before when he executed a Jeff Hardy-style senton bomb from a ladder through a table outside the ring... and missed. It was the sickest spot I've seen in person since Death House. Silly boy. Havoc won with that aforementioned rainmaker. After the match, he got on the mic, said he was impressed with Devlin, "but you're just a Jimmy Havoc knock-off". Cue a kick to the nads. Bit harsh from Havoc. I'd say he's more a Clint Margera knock-off.

Intermission. £1.10 for a can of Fanta Lemon went down very well considering I didn't know Fanta Lemon was still a thing. Meanwhile, the raffle was £1 PER NUMBER. Related note: Cleethorpes voted Tory.

After a forty minute break for some reason, we returned with Tyson T-Bone coming out. Originally he was meant to face Bram. His new opponent was... Gabriel Kidd. Every time I go to a show where someone pulls out, Kidd is the replacement. 3CW in November, PROGRESS Sheffield in December, now this. Never mind "Life Boat Man", he should be called "Answers The Phone Man".

Tyson T-Bone versus Gabriel Kidd sounded terrible on paper. Already in my head, I was going to dismiss the match. So, obviously, they fucked with me by having a blistering, hard-hitting brawl that went around the ring - including a sweet knee drop by Kidd onto T-Bone as he hung over the guardrail - and delivered more chops than a vegan's nightmare. It helped how the crowd were RRREEEDDD-HOT for this (take note, Sheffield Southside). T-Bone hit Kidd with a piledriver for the victory and both men were applauded. If it wasn't for the main event, this would've been my match of the night. Strange times indeed.

Next: Scotty Rawk, Cole Quinzel, Matt Myers, and Kelvin Kayton defeated Jimmy Mcilwee, Harry the Hammer Winston, evil choir boy Will Kroos, and (despite being fired in November) Simon Lancaster in a "Get the Lads on the Card" match. The crowd love Mcilwee's homeless, can't-get-a-BWR-contract-even-though-he's-on-every-card gimmick but there was nothing else noteworthy here.

El Ligero versus Tom Weaver versus Robbie X doing double-duty in place of Tel Banham. In a confusing series of events: the ring announcer said the following was a triple-threat match, Robbie X attacked Tom Weaver during his entrance, and he interjected himself into the match to make it... a triple threat match? The announcer tried back-tracking by saying he "suddenly understood" the original third participant couldn't be there, but it was a bit contrived (sorry, readers). This was another excellent contest. Weaver hit a shooting star press on X for the victory before Ligero approvingly shook his hand. I hope they find something substantial for Weaver - as a local lad, he deserves more high-profile fights at these bigger shows than winning throwaway - albeit great - triple threat matches.

In the main event, WWE UK champion Pete Dunne faced the World #GrimsbyGraps Champion Joseph Conners for the latter's title. With this being the third high-profile match between the two in seven weeks (PROGRESS, TNT, here), a friend joked they are this generation's Jonny Storm versus Jody Fleisch. And you can't help but admit they work really well together, telling a well-told story of the cocky AF Dunne stretching Conners as the World #GrimsbyGraps Champion got the crowd (who were evenly split) behind him to make his comeback. I admire how Dunne never half-arses a match, pulling out the same flips and top-rope stomps and high-octane brawling as seen in Fight Club Pro. Together they brought out a big match feel likely never seen in Grimsby/Cleethorpes. It's a massive credit to both men. But...

...let's quickly talk about Dunne's WWE UK title. I can't believe this has never been angrily discussed on Twitter. Can you name me one time other than PROGRESS Ally Pally where the current UK champion has taken a pinfall or submission loss at a non-WWE show? It's as though there's a contractual obligation or something. To be fair, I believed for a couple of near falls that Dunne would become the World #GrimsbyGraps Champion, even if I never believed Conners would cleanly retain the title. Here came the bullshit finish: Tyson T-Bone ran in and attacked both men. No contest. Conners and Dunne chased off T-Bone. Then Conners challenged Dunne to continue the match, only for Dunne to kick him in the nads and leave. Conners got on the mic again and teased a rematch between the two down the line to end the show. Finish aside, this was easily the best match in the era of #GrimsbyGraps to date.

'No Gods, No Masters' as a whole, putting aside my local pride, was a top-shelf show. They overcame the weather and delivered one of the stronger cards I've been to for some time. The crowd was well up for the action, while the wrestlers brought their A-game. Cleethorpes Memorial Hall is a cracking venue for the graps too. Definitely worth the visit if you're coming from out of town. Just, you know, avoid going out in Cleethorpes afterwards if you enjoy your health and wellbeing.

Here's hoping the momentum continues into 'Dive and Kicking' on April 20th. This event will feature a tournament to crown the first-ever BWR Cruiserweight champion - an odd choice for a division given all but three guys are cruiserweights, but there we go. Of course, your #GrimsbyGraps correspondent will be there in person, so I'll see you back on Graps and Claps on the 21st.

Until next time!

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