See, you're a tough one because I honestly don't think you're doing anything glaringly "wrong". You're a pretty competent writer who I think has had the misfortune of going against some serious heavy hitters in a very competitive fed.

If I had to hit on something, maybe it would be to tune up the trash talk a bit? Really incisive, biting trash talk is absolutely a talent (although I'm not sure everyone is capable of it at the highest levels to be honest). I think with the general level of skill you show you could tune it up a bit, really go for the throat more. Other than that, I don't really know what to say.