FFW Future Shock S17E3

[Adam Grant]

Artwork Courtesy of Cori

Femme Fatale Wrestling
Presents
A Shooting Star Production
FFW Future Shock All Star
Season 17 - Episode Three
February 17, 2015

The FFW logo appears on the screen with the world rotating behind it along with a “Happy New Year” underneath the image. And from there, we open inside what looks like a prison. The familiar lyrics of “All Star” begin to play in the background. An old and dilapidated prison at that, and as we see a guard passing by some cells, the camera peers into each cell as six women occupy them. Each of them are wearing black and white stripe prison jumpsuits. All of them watch as the guard passes by before Kate Steele hops up onto her bed and pushes a panel up in the ceiling to climb through. A tapping noise is heard before each of the other girls hear it, and do the same. Freya bounds up through the hole in the ceiling, as does Erica, Claire, Valentina, and Stacey. Single file, they crawl through some duct work apparently and end scaling down the side of the building to the ground. All of them run past a spotlight right before it sweeps past them and heads for the shore.

As they arrive, they find there’s only one boat. Each of them look at one another before a brawl breaks out. Kate and Valentina start trading blows, as Claire and Stacey trade shots as well. Erica and Freya shrug their shoulders, watching the other four fighting and take off towards the boat. They both dive in as Erica shoves Freya into the water, and starts up the motor. Freya pulls herself back in the boat soaking wet as the two start fighting. The four on the shore hear the alarm and dive into the water to swim after the boat before the guards storm towards the shore and see them escaping. One raises his gun, but the other guard pushes his hand down and points to a bottle with a paper in it at their feet. He removes the note and it reads “Future Shock All Star” before the logo switches to a huge banner hanging in the Future Shock Center. The camera pans the facility as the small group of fans make plenty of noise as they see the camera pass them by.

Mark: We welcome you back to the Future Shock Center here in the City of Angels! And tonight, we’re halfway to the finals of the All Star Season! It’s arguably the most important challenge of Kate Steele’s run, because if she gets voted out tonight, the amnesty card is gone and it’s wide open to the finals! Thank you for joining us. Mark here along with none other than Wendy Briese, as we prepare for what could be all important as the All Star season continues.

Wendy: As the field gets whittled down, these challenges become all the more important.  Everyone’s got to be impressive tonight, because if not, it’ll stand out that much more.  Hopefully everyone’s brushed up on their cardio and endurance over the past week… they could be wrestling THREE different matches consecutively!

Mark: It’s gauntlet rules with a battle royal feel tonight, starting with Claire and Valentina. And Wendy, you know what I know when I say Claire Black is nowhere near 100% coming into this match and having to start it, no less!

Wendy: Absolutely.  SHe just had a knock on drag out brawl with her sister in law just two days ago, and things got completely out of hand.  The fans loved it… but for the long run… it’s not the best thing Claire needs right now.

Mark: Claire is definitely the walking wounded tonight. But before we get to the match, we can’t ignore what happened this past Thursday night at Velocity to the man who founded this very show. If you didn’t see it, let’s take you back to Velocity and show you what we are talking about.

The show cuts to the clip from the previous edition of Velocity.

~ ~ ~

Courtesy of FFW Velocity - February 12, 2015

Cody: Well that’s not going to happen. You’re retired, remember? The fact is, Isabella, you can’t answer my point of view. Because deep down, you know I’m right. You know that all of this...for you...is for your amusement. For your entertainment. And you’re playing Russian Roulette with the lives of a lot of women in the back. The problem is a lot of them didn’t ask to play. Your in-ring career is over, finished. But that doesn’t give you the right to play God with someone else’s. And as long as I’m here, I will do everything in my power…

He looks towards the back, pointing at the locker room area before he happens to glance up and see the cage lowering in front of him. He turns back around with a confused look on his face before the Ultraviolence Commissioner blindsides him with a bell hammer shot to the head that puts him on the mat.

Zack: IT WAS A SETUP!! SHE JUST...GET SOMEBODY OUT HERE!!

The cage lowers fully into position as Isabella stands over him, raising the hammer up and driving it into the back of his head as the fans in the arena are deafening in their boos. The next thing we see is Wendy Briese and Scarlett Kincaid and Caroline Stark taking off down the ramp towards the ring as Isabella spots them and drops on top of Cody, hooking his leg to count her own pinfall as her hand strikes the mat.

ONE!!

TWOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Erica: What a load of horse shit!

Wendy, Scarlett and Caroline start looking for the door to get into the cage, only to find there isn’t one before all three begin ascending the side of it. Isabella picks up a toggle switch from under one of the chairs and begins to raise it, waving to all three before they start to climb back down.

Zack: Isabella has destroyed the COO, and Wendy, Scarlett, and Caroline are furious!

~ ~ ~

We cut back to the live broadcast from there.

Mark: It doesn’t get any easier to watch the second time around, does it?

Wendy: No, it doesn’t.  I’m still furious about that, and anyone with any respect for this company would be too.  That man BUILT this house, and to be treated like… it’s appalling, Mr. Horton. It completely is.

Mark: I have a couple pieces of information to share with you. Earlier today, I spoke with Cody Kincaid’s physician over the phone to get an idea what condition he is in. And it’s not promising. He suffered contusions to his head, forehead and back of the skull thanks to that bell hammer. He’s been suffering dizziness, and has been recommended to move around as little possible. Just standing up apparently can be disorienting for him, and as a result, he’s suffered from quite a few headaches and is being told to stay off his feet for the next two or three weeks. However, it’s something of a minor miracle that there wasn’t worse damage done, courtesy of our Ultraviolence Commissioner.

Wendy: Well, please keep Mr. Kincaid in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers.  I know this company is a dimmer place with Mr. Kincaid around, and that he won’t be at Chaos Theory to reap the fruits of his labor is saddening.  But I know that he will make a  full recovery, and we’ll have one of the smartest, not to mention kindest and most dedicated, men to ever be involved in this industry back with us soon.

Mark: Here’s hoping. I also got in touch with a source or two within FFW headquarters here in Los Angeles. I asked to find out what kind of repercussions we could expect at Chaos Theory from the owner. And I got two bits of information there. One, this is unconfirmed but every source I spoke to indicates that they believe Samantha Star will fire Isabella in Portland. Furthermore and probably because she got the same rumor I did, it is suspected Isabella will be offering a public apology when we get to Chaos Theory on the 28th.

Wendy: Which won’t be accepted by anyone, because we all know any apology would be as hollow as the inside of a rotted log.  But being fired… that is definitely what needs to happen.  There’s lines you don’t cross, and she not only crossed it, but turned around and kicked sand on it.

Mark: If Isabella does apologize when we get to Chaos Theory, there’s no doubt in mind it is in an attempt to save her job. Because she showed no absence of malice and obviously put a lot of forethought into the steel cage trap she laid for Kincaid this past Thursday.

Wendy: Exactly.  You don’t go through the lengths to do something like that and feel sorry about it the next day.  And any apology Isabella attempts will simply be insulting all of our intelligence.

Mark: We’ll find out for sure what happens when we get to Chaos Theory in Portland on February 28th. But let’s send it up to the ring for our gauntlet!

The show cuts to ringside as Claire heads into the ring as Valentina is already there, discussing something with her bodyguard on the apron. Referee Melinda Davis calls for the bell just a second after Valentina immediately charges across and kicks the bottom rope between Claire’s legs as she gets into the ring. Davis immediately reads her the riot act, not that she pays attention to it as she starts with clubbing blows across Claire’s back over and over again. The Latin Goddess jerks her to her feet, and delivers a scoop slam to the mat. She quickly mounts her back and pulls her head up with one hand before unloading with forearm shots across her face with her free arm. The fans boo loudly as Isis remains on the apron watching as Davis chastises the Latin Goddess.

Wendy: Well, this is a shock.  Valentina cheap shots Claire right off the bat, and completely ignores Davis trying to call her off.

Mark: And you got that bruiser in her corner too. Lozano is taking full advantage of Claire’s condition tonight, and as long as she’s in the match, Claire can expect it all night long.

Valentina gets back to her feet, pressing her boot to Claire’s face before dragging it across it a moment later. Claire rolls to her stomach and tries to get to her hands and knees only for the socialite to drive her foot with a stomp into her lower back to put her back down again. Lozano glances to her bodyguard, who finally hops down off the apron as her employer. Valentina drives a pair of knees into her back before she steps over her near the ropes, and applies a camel clutch. Davis moved in front of Claire, asking her if she wanted to submit but the boxer gave no indication of that. Lozano cranked back on her head and neck as Claire kicked her legs, one of them landing across the bottom rope though the referee didn’t see it for being in front of Black. The fans started pointing towards Claire’s leg as Davis raised her head up and crawled around just after Isis shoved her off of the rope when she passed by.

Wendy: Oh, for crying out loud.  Who’s idea was it to allow managers at ringside for this?  Isis has caused too much trouble already!

Mark: The fans were trying to point out to the referee, and Isis just stopped that cold! Meanwhile back in the ring, Claire is still being punished in this camel clutch.

Valentina demanded a submission from the boxer, but Claire refused as Davis moved back in front of her to ask if she wanted to continue. Claire kicked her leg out again, draping her foot across the bottom rope a second time. The fans once more started trying to point it out to the referee before Isis moved back around, and shoved her foot off a second time. This time, Davis saw her do it and called for the break immediately. Lozano let go at the count of four before the referee began giving Isis a verbal lashing as Valentina got to her feet. The Latin Goddess tried to find out what happened as Claire rolled her up from behind into a schoolgirl as Isis argued with the official, who was still looking at her while the fans counted to three! Davis finally got the message and dove into position for the count.

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOO-NOOO!!!

Lozano kicked out at two, starting to rise back to her feet with an angered look on her face.

Wendy: You can’t blame Claire for trying that.  She didn’t start 100%, she’s taken a beating already, and she’s still got to survive two more falls after this if she wins!  Brevity is her best friend here!

Mark: Isis continuing to be the difference maker in this season, Claire had Valentina for a five count there easily! Davis is taking her cues from the crowd tonight.

Valentina gave the referee a dirty look before she turned back around to pull Claire up. The boxer got jerked to her knees before Lozano whipped her across into the far side corner. Claire went back first against the turnbuckles as Valentina took off towards her with a lariat. But Claire ducked the contact before she connected chest first into the corner. And as soon as the Latin beauty turned, Claire rallied the crowd by starting to unleash with left and right hand combinations to the body. Ten body shots connected before Valentina stumbled out of the corner, only for Claire to turn her around and knock her cold with an uppercut to the chin! The fans were much happier now as Claire dropped to her knees, trying to collect herself.

Mark: Valentina went for a lariat, and the corner turnbuckles didn’t give a damn! What a combination of body shots and one big time uppercut...and I think she may have knocked her cold!

Wendy: And when you’re trapped in the corner with Claire Black, you’re in for a world of hurt.  Wrestling gives her advantages that regular boxing just doesn’t!

Claire crawled towards her finally, making the cover as Davis moved into position.

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THR-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Valentina got her shoulder up before the three as Claire sat up on her knees, still in obvious pain from the previous assault. Valentina caught her with a kick to the side of the head as she tried to stand, dropping her back to her knees before Lozano started back to her feet. She wobbled a bit after the uppercut before she pointed to the floor with a devious smile. She pulled Black to her feet and sent her in for the ride. Claire rebounded just as Valentina went for a clothesline, but the boxer dropped down and pulled the top rope with her. The Latin Goddess tumbled over the top rope as Claire rolled back into the ring. However, Isis caught her in both arms before she hit the floor and placed her back on the apron as Claire tried to recover, not seeing any of this.

Wendy: OH COME ON!  Valentina was on her way out, that would have been an elimination, and Isis caught her and is carrying her back to the ring like a baby!

Mark: Isis is causing all kinds of problems out here, and the sad fact is Claire doesn’t know Valentina’s not been eliminated yet!

Lozano got back to her feet, circling around behind the hurt boxer as she gave the sign for the bicycle kick. The fans booed even louder as Claire started to push up to her feet.

Mark: Valentina’s gonna knock Claire out with the Priceless Kiss, that bicycle kick of hers! And the prizefighter doesn’t even know it! She thinks she eliminated her!

Wendy: Come on, Claire.  Keep your head on a swivel!  You didn’t hear the call for elimination or the bell, your next opponent’s not coming out… details like that you gotta keep track of to realize something’s wrong!

Claire used the ropes to help get to her feet as Lozano charged towards her. Valentina left her feet for the bicycle kick, but Claire ducked it and she landed across the top rope instead. Lozano’s jaw dropped in pain as she straddled the top rope before Claire delivered a picture perfect dropkick that sent her the rest of the way over to the floor before Isis could get there to catch her in time. Davis called for the first bell, signalling the elimination as the fans roared in approval!

Wendy: HAH!  Toodle-loo Valentina!  And go teach your bodyguard about keeping her hands to herself!

Mark: Valentina’s gone, Claire felt it coming! And then there were two, who’s out----What is this?!

Isis stormed the ring at this point, mowing down Claire with a lariat that almost turned her inside out. The redhead scooped Claire up and delivered a running powerslam into the turnbuckles as Claire crumpled to the mat before the bodyguard began putting the boots to her. Valentina came back into the ring to join her, both stomping away at the fighter before Isis scooped Claire up and dropped her with a brainbuster into the canvas!

Mark: Lozano’s eliminated, and it pissed Isis off! And now it’s a two-on-one mugging against an already hurting Claire!

Wendy: I should have known that Valentina and Isis couldn’t accept losing with grace and dignity.  And with any justice, this pathetic display will secure HER elimination next week!

Isis went to the floor, jerking up the ring apron and retrieving a chair before she came back into the ring. Valentina continued to stomp away as Isis set up the chair on the mat. The boos only got louder until the next entrant hit the ring! Kate stormed in, and caught Isis with a flying forearm to the head that rocked her backwards. Steele began firing right hands at the bodyguard rapid-fire, sending her back into the ropes.

Mark: Here comes Kate! She was the next entrant, and she’s fighting off that she-beast! Valentina’s getting the chair though, and Kate is fending off Isis!

Wendy: ‘Attagirl Kate!  Who’d have thought Kate Steele would be the one out here showing Sportsmanship and keeping these two idiots from brutalizing Claire- even though they’re technically facing each other now!

Valentina wound up the chair, and as she was about to strike, Claire pulled it away from her from behind. Black threw the chair to the mat, and decked Lozano with the right cross and dropped her! The fans rumbled in approval as Kate turned back to see what was going on. The redhead nodded in approval as Claire started rolling the Latin Goddess out of the ring. Isis scooped up the chair from a moment ago as Claire pointed behind Kate as she got back to her feet. Steele spun around and right into a violent shot from Isis that laid her out on the canvas.

Mark: A sickening chair shot right to the head, and Kate’s been laid out! And on top of that, she’s busted open!

Wendy: Oh, that’s DISGUSTING!  This is absolutely appalling!   Valentina and Isis have wrecked this match, and all because she’s a sore loser!

Security poured out of the backstage area, dragging Isis and Valentina away from the ring as Kate lay in a heap on the mat, with blood pouring from her head. The fans booed the Latin Goddess and Isis as they were forcibly escorted from the ring, while both women were on the canvas with Claire only moving a little.

Wendy: Well, both women are battered now, which benefits Claire, because she was already severely beaten to begin with.  But… just frustrating to see.

Mark: I don’t think Steele’s moved a muscle since Isis laid her out with that chair, and Claire’s not really all that mobile either! We have to have this match, and Davis...she’s starting a ten count! If these two can’t get up by ten, Wendy, Erica’s gonna win on forfeit!

Wendy: This is just frustrating Mark.  Across two companies, we’ve seen too many good matches get ruined by horrible people over the past few weeks..

The referee began her mandatory ten count, trying to be very lax with the count to give both women a chance to recover. As she made it to six, both began to stir a little more. At eight, Claire was up with the help of the ropes, and Kate fell into the ropes on her knees at nine before Davis waved it off and gave the sign to continue. The live crowd was equally divided amongst both women as chants for each could be heard. Kate stumbled back to her feet and met Claire in the center as Black clocked her with a right. Kate staggered and fired back with a right of her own. Claire hit a second, another stagger and return fire. The fighter wobbled on her feet as the two exchanged haymakers with the fans solidly cheering both of them!

Mark: They are fighting as hard as they can! And Kate’s not going to win a slugfest with Claire! Both of them have been destroyed, and they still want to keep going! You want to talk about guts, heart, and determination!

Wendy: Yup, and this is what seperates them from women like Valentina, who always have to take the easy way!  But you have to credit Melinda Davis… she did everything she could to keep this match alive, and she managed to do so!

Kate blocked one haymaker, instead grabbing Claire’s arm and sending her in for the ride. The prizefighter hit the far side ropes as Kate delivered a mule kick into her abdomen to double her over. Steele grabbed her head and utilized a tornado DDT to spike Claire’s head into the mat. The bloody redhead crawled towards her and threw an arm across her chest for the cover.

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Davis was about to call for the bell when she saw Claire’s foot under the bottom rope. She immediately waved it off as Kate sat up on her knees, weakly raising her hand as blood poured down the side of her face.

Wendy: Good call by Davis!  Claire’s foot slipped under just before three, and that breaks the fall!

Mark: I don’t think Kate knows that just yet. After that chair shot, I don’t think she’d know if she was in Los Angeles or Laredo! Davis is trying to explain it to her…

Kate staggered back to her feet, using the referee to help her get up as Davis explained that Claire’s foot was under the bottom rope. Kate held up three fingers as she dropped to her knees and fought back to her feet again. But the referee shook her head, telling her she didn’t see the foot till after the count and the fall wasn’t done yet.

Mark: Kate’s brains have been scrambled, and Davis is trying her best to explain to her why that three count didn’t amount to a win.

Wendy: It’s a tough pill to swallow, but Kate has GOT to regain her focus here, and get back on Claire.  She’s got her down, she just needs to put her out!

Davis reminded Kate once more, watching as the blood stained almost half of her face. And as the redhead finally understood in her current state, she turned back towards Claire, only to find her back on her feet before Claire decked her with the right cross!

Mark: LONERGAN’S LIGHTS OUT!! Claire with a knockout shot!!

Black collapsed on top of her as Davis dove into position.

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

The referee called for the bell this time as both women lay on the canvas, Claire still collapsed on top of Steele.

Wendy: Well, that’s two down for Claire, but credit a bit of that to Valentina- she and Isis roughed Kate up, and I don’t think Kate would have left herself that open if her head was clearer… but you still have to admire Claire’s heart.  She’s persevering.

Mark: They’re still out, Wendy! Claire hasn’t budged, and Kate’s not doing a lot of moving either.

Medical staff headed towards the ring to check on both women as they pulled Claire off, checking on her while others tended to Kate. They got the redhead out of the ring as the doctors checked over the prizefighter. Erica slowly made her way to the ring, watching intently as she got in before the referee told her to stay back for a moment.

Mark: Our medical staff is trying to help Kate out, and checking to see if Claire is able to continue. Meanwhile, my wife is fresh as a daisy and ready to go. But you know like I do, this isn’t how she wanted this to take place. This has just become Erica’s match to lose!

Wendy: None of us wanted things to happen like this, Mr. Horton.  But, let’s hope Kate is okay.   Remember, Claire is a registered boxer, she’s got knockout power on her own volition, and combined with a couple brutal chair shots… that’s a dangerous scenario.

The staff asked Claire if she wanted to continue, and she nodded her head. Even the referee double checked with her before the medical team finally exited the ring. Claire used the ropes to help her get back to her feet, weakly waving for the referee to ring the bell. Davis asked one last time, telling her to make eye contact with her before she called for the final round. Claire lay against the corner, waving Erica forward as she looked mostly out on her feet at this point.

Wendy: Well, Claire’s punch-drunk, and Round 3 is coming up.  If she can survive this… it’ll be a miracle. 

Mark: Claire says she’s ready to go, even if her body language says otherwise! And if I’m Erica, I’m not going to take Claire up on that invitation! I wouldn’t want to be in any corner with Claire Black!

Erica cautiously stepped towards her as Claire lunged forward with another right cross, but the broadcaster ducked out of the way and fired back with her own shots. Erica and Claire traded blows in the corner before Black spun her into the corner and then went to work with left and right hand combinations to the body and finishing it off with a spinning backfist to Erica’s jaw. The blonde stumbled out of the corner as Claire loaded up the right cross again and went for it. Erica ducked and countered with a spinebuster that drove the prizefighter into the mat before she clutched her body in pain from the punches.

Mark: Claire went for that knockout shot twice, and Erica had it scouted, Wendy. And one big time spinebuster puts the fighter on her back, and Erica’s body is already hurting after that combination.

Wendy: That punching power of Claire is a huge equalizer, and Claire needs all the equalizing she can get! 

Erica pushed up to her feet, still favoring her ribs. Claire started to stir as well before Erica took off towards the ropes. As Black rose to a stand, Erica rebounded and delivered a flying headscissors before turning it into a huracanrana, driving Claire head first into the mat. She reached across and hooked the leg for a cover.

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOOOO!!!

Claire’s shoulder came up and dropped back to the mat as Davis held up two fingers. Erica still held her ribs in pain as she got back to her feet, pulling Claire up from behind into a rear waistlock. She looked to be going for a belly to back suplex, but Claire grabbed her head and dropped into a stunner that sent the blonde backwards to the mat!

Mark: STUNNER!! Claire felt something coming when Erica grabbed her from behind, and did she ever put Erica’s plans in the deep freeze right there!

Wendy: I don’t know how she’s doing it, Mark!  Claire’s operating in some sixth sense at this point!

Mark: Never let it be said that Claire’s wrestling skills haven’t matured significantly since she started competing! It’s almost hard to believe she was trained by Ignis’ husband!

Wendy: Yeah.. let’s not remind her of that right now…

Claire rolled over and crawled towards the blonde, weakly hooking one leg as she went for a cover. Davis fell into position.

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOO!!

Erica got her shoulder up in time before the three as Claire pushed up to her feet. Davis signaled it was just a two as the fighter staggered, pulling Erica up with her. The blonde spun her around, and delivered a jumping double knee backbreaker into Claire’s body! The prizefighter hit the canvas hard as Erica’s fans were getting louder!

Mark: That’s her finisher!! Erica hit it, cover her!!

Wendy: Does she have enough energy to cover her!  Claire did a number with that initial onslaught!

Erica crawled towards Claire slowly, lunging across her body and making the cover. The referee slid into position to make the count.

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NO!!!

Claire got her leg across the bottom rope yet again, causing Davis to wave it off. Erica looked up to the official, who showed her Claire’s leg before it slid off the rope to the canvas. The blonde’s face looked more than a little crestfallen.

Wendy: Oh, what a heartbreaker for Erica!  That was by MILLIMETERS! 

Mark: You’d think the finals were tonight! Both of them are leaving it all in the ring, especially Claire who came into this match already in a bad way!

Erica pushed back to her feet, dragging Claire with her. She went for a right hand to the jaw but Claire ducked under it, catching her with a roundhouse kick to the jaw that sent Erica over the top rope. But the blonde grabbed onto the top rope, dangling in place before she pulled herself back onto the apron. Claire spun around and went to clothesline her off, but Erica blocked it and caught her with an European uppercut that wobbled her. Erica hooked her head for a suplex as she stood on the apron with Claire in the ring.

Mark: Erica…..she’s gonna suplex her from inside the ring to the floor!!

Wendy: I don’t know about this!  This is going too big and too risky!

She hoisted Claire up, but the prizefighter wiggled free and landed on the apron beside her. The two glanced at one another before Erica delivered a stinging chop to her chest. Claire fired back with one of her own. Erica did the same. The pair exchanged six chops as the fans counted along with each one!

Mark: They are both on the edge of elimination, Wendy! Erica and Claire are chopping each other relentlessly!

Wendy: Both women acting like they’re fighting for their Future Shock Lives here… and they might just be! 

Mark: You can hear the slap of skin as these two are literally tearing into each other, and it’s not even the finals!

Claire landed one more chop before Erica caught her with a kick to the gut, doubling her over. The blonde hooked her head under one arm, looking for a DDT. But Claire used a back body drop, causing Erica’s back to smack the apron and start to fall. Erica grabbed the middle rope as her feet dangled precariously, one foot actually touching the floor as she tried to get her body back up onto the apron without the other foot touching!

Wendy: It’s gotta be both feet!  Erica’s still alive, but she’s hanging off a cliff!   Claire’s just gotta push her off!

Mark: There’s not a single person sitting in the Future Shock Center right now, and you can count me among them! Erica’s gotta get her body up on the apron!

She reached up with her other hand, and pulled herself to a seat finally on the apron, causing applause from the ringside fans.

Mark: YES!! Erica got back up on the apron, we’re not done yet! But they are both still hanging off a cliff here!

Wendy: My heart’s pounding, Mark!  Both women showing such will to survive!  They both want this, they both want this BAD!

Mark: It’s gut check time, who wants it more?!

Erica climbed back up to standing on the apron as Claire caught her with an uppercut to the chin that sent her backwards. The broadcaster stumbled back against the corner and nearly toppled over again before Claire charged towards her down the apron with a clothesline! Erica ducked her head and used a backdrop to send Claire over the ring post! Black grabbed the ropes on the other side to stop herself from hitting the floor as Erica raised up with her back to her, raising her hand with a smile on her face.

Wendy: WHAT A GRAB BY CLAIRE!  And… Erica!  No!  Turnaround!  It’s not over!

Mark: Erica...she didn’t go down!! I don’t believe this… this is amazing!

Davis pulled her arm down, shaking her head. And as Erica turned towards the referee in the ring, Claire connected with a right cross to her chin from around the corner and dropped her! Erica toppled over backwards, catching the shot as she was about to get back into the ring and literally hung by her leg over the middle rope upside down! Her hands were touching the floor as she frantically tried to pull herself up!

Wendy: OH GOD!  Erica’s practically in a handstand!  How can she pull herself into that ring?  And can Claire finish the job before Erica figures out how?

Mark: Erica hanging literally by one leg off the middle rope, she’s gotta move quick!

Claire moved back into the ring finally as Erica began flailing her body, trying to grab the bottom rope with either hand before she swung her other leg around the middle rope, getting a slightly better grip. And with teeth gritted, she did a sit up basically and pulled herself up and wrapped her arms around the top rope as she sat on the middle. The crowd roared in approval at her display!

Wendy: SHE PULLED HERSELF UP!  That’s an AMAZING display of strength and flexibility, and Erica again SURVIVES!

Mark: I’ve never seen anything quite like this in Future Shock! They are showing you why this is the ALL STAR season!!

Erica wrapped both arms around the top rope as Claire charged with a clothesline, sending them both over the top rope to the floor, seemingly at the same time. Both of them collapsed on the floor as the fans were on their feet in a roar. The referee on the floor hopped onto the apron, conversing with Melinda Davis about the decision.

Mark: I don’t….I don’t know who hit first! The only one who knows is Kevin Fisk, because Davis doesn’t have a clue! Claire and Erica both are down there on the floor ringside, they have to be exhausted!

Wendy: I think Erica might have hit first, but… I certainly wouldn’t testify to that under oath!

Mark: We’re going to an instant replay and see if we can find out who won this.

The replay is from the exact same position as the fans already watching saw, and both women drop behind the apron out of sight in slow motion.

Mark: That’s the same camera angle we were watching, and that’s inconclusive! I understand we are racking up another angle from the floor in just a moment. It’s gonna be a photo finish!

Wendy: They say wrestling’s a game of inches, and no more is that the truth than right now! 

Fisk moved around to both women as they tried to pull themselves up. He grabbed each of their arms between them as the fans watched to see the decision. We then cut to another replay from a different angle as both women spill over the top rope. This angle is from the floor, but it’s around the corner from when they tumble over. The camera speeds towards and around the corner, but they are already both on the floor when it gets there! We cut back to live action.

Mark: That angle didn’t help at all, the camera wasn’t in position to catch it!

Wendy: Oh, come on.  We have like twenty cameras here.  Surely ONE of them can give us the correct angle!

Mark: We’re going to another one, I don’t think Fisk knows! He’s looking up at the big screen on the wall!

The next replay starts rolling as this camera is on the side of the ring where they went over. Claire connects with a clothesline, sending them both over the top rope as Erica lands on the floor a split second in ultra slow motion before Claire connects, literally a second between them before we go back to live action. Fisk raises Claire’s hand in victory to a roar from the crowd!

Wendy: CLAIRE WINS!  And it’s the right call… but oh what a heartbreaker for Erica!   For the second week in a row she comes so close and.. she just can’t BUY a challenge win!

Mark: I’m not gonna lie to you and say I’m not gutted right now. I really am, but the video shows it. It was literally one second...ONE SECOND...of difference between them! But Claire Black survives and picks up her first challenge victory here tonight!

Erica looked obviously disappointed as Claire moved towards her, giving her a hug and whispering something to her before she raised both of their hands in victory. That got a loud reaction from the fans in attendance as Claire shook Erica’s hand before medical staff returned to help both women.

Wendy: What a match!  Claire just...she just beat ALL THREE REMAINING WOMEN!  If that doesn’t punch your ticket to the final three… I don’t know what does!

The fans applaud both women with a “Thank You, Erica! Thank You, Claire” chant rumbling through the center before the cameras go back to Mark and Wendy.

Mark: I haven’t seen a challenge like this in a while! Claire Black survives by the skin of her teeth with two top rope eliminations and one pinfall. The co-holder of the Unity Championship proved a whole lot about herself here tonight, Wendy. And so did Erica, as far as I’m concerned!

Wendy: She did!  She may have come out last, but she took EVERYTHING Erica could throw at her, and then some!  And if physics had worked out a little different, she might have won!

Mark: Fans, it’s your call now. Head to the FFW website and cast your vote for who you want to see eliminated! Who do you want sent home? Kate or Erica or Claire or Valentina? I don’t know about you, Wendy, but I know who I’d send out of here...and it doesn’t take much thinking either.

Wendy: Valentina tried to ruin this challenge, and she was elminated first. That just screams ‘buh-bye’ to me.  WE had an entertaining night, in spite of her, not because of her!  We said toodle-loo tonight already, and with luck, we’ll be saying it again in a week!

Mark: Kate still has amnesty. If she doesn’t go out this week, she is a lock for the finals no matter what happens afterwards! Wendy, how do you vote against either of the three of Kate, Erica, and Claire? All three of them, especially the last two I mentioned, put on career-defining performances as far as I’m concerned.

Wendy: They did!  Well, Valentina’s performance was career defining too… because what we saw sums up her career pretty nicely!

Mark: That’s gonna do it for us here from Future Shock! We’ll see you back here next week to find out who you are sending home….and whether we already have one half of the season finale locked in. Thank you for joining us. Congratulations to Claire, and Erica, I’m proud of you and I love you! Good night from Los Angeles!

Claire and Erica are helped by medical staff as we see the replay of the deciding footage before Future Shock fades off the air.