Message #22007

[Adam Grant]

We head back to the ring, and find someone else standing in the center rather than Gabrielle Crimson. Instead, it’s a shapely blonde who gets quite a response from the crowd as they recognize the host of Skyline.

Skylar: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and the Aspire Championship is on the line!

Zack: I guess we know what Skylar Rayner’s job is tonight, she’s the guest ring announcer for this championship match. She’s not the only guest out here, because I’ve been joined by a former Future Shock graduate and alumni, not to mention reigning Fast Track Champion, Lilly Arthur! How you feeling after your tag match Saturday, Lilly?

Lilly: A little beaten up… but Colin’s got magic fingers. Plus the win and the Global Wars points to take the lead at the top of the table ahead of the Pay-Per-View...it makes it all hurt a lot less.

Zack: How do you feel about this match? You got a pick for who’s leaving with the newly minted Aspire Championship?

Lilly:  Mara’s a real fighter, I’m sure she’s been in some real tough spots too. It’ll be a real test for Lydia tonight - but Lydia… yeah, she’s big and strong; a worthy Aspire Champion and she’s really determined to be the first to five. I think there’s an excellent chance that she achieves that too. She may have just a little too much for Mara tonight.

I'm only human
I'm only—I'm only—
I'm only human, human

“Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man starts to play over the soundsystem as the video screen shows a jail cell door sliding backwards and a pair of black ring boots with legs going all the way up to a simple blue skirt step out onto the landing only to suddenly stumble as if given a push in the small of the back from the man who appeared behind her in shiny black shoes and black pants.

Maybe I'm foolish,
Maybe I'm blind
Thinking I can see through this
And see what's behind
Got no way to prove it
So maybe I'm lying

As the pair pass by, the camera gets a shot from behind before it cuts to more grainy CCTV footage that shows the guard escorting the raven haired prisoner across a prison yard of patchy grass and into another building. There’s another cut as we see a shot of exposed midriff on the other side of a counter that has a pack of gum, some loose change on it and a hair bobble on it. A hand reaches forward, picking up a pen and signs a name quickly before scooping up the possessions as she stiffly pushed to move onwards.

But I'm only human after all,
I'm only human after all
Don't put your blame on me
Don't put your blame on me

There’s another cut; this time to show the back of the black haired woman as she reaches up to tie her long loose hair back with the bobble while still walking forward, coming to a stop in front of a large closed door. The camera cuts to the opposite side of the door and low door, watching as it swung open and the woman stepped out; only for the blazing sun to obscure her face and body; the video screens becoming a blazing yellow-white sun glare with a spotlight shining bright as the same woman has appeared at the top of the entrance ramp. The spotlight dims to reveal Mara Werth standing there in her black boots, blue skirt and white vest top.

Take a look in the mirror
And what do you see?
Do you see it clearer
Or are you deceived
In what you believe?

Sky: Ladies and gentlemen please welcome from Tuscaloosa, Alabama… MARA WERTH!!!

'Cause I'm only human after all,
You're only human after all
Don't put the blame on me
Don't put your blame on me

With a smile on her face she begins to head down the ramp to the ring, running up the ring steps. She moved down the apron, facing out to the crowd and threw her arms up into the air before she stepped through the ropes. Heading to the corner, the girl carefully stepped up onto the middle ropes, throwing her hands up into the air again before she bounced back onto her feet and stretched as she waited for the match to start.

Zack: Mara Werth ended the undefeated streak of a former Prospect, and proceeded to get herself a shot at the Aspire Championship. But I think she’s got the toughest challenge of her Future Shock career about to come out, Lilly.

Lilly: I completely agree. There’s not too many wrestlers around like Lydia but Mara has all the skills and abilities to answer the challenges Charisma will pose her and it wouldn’t shock me at all if she overcomes them tonight.

“Charisma” by W.A.S.P. fills the arena as up near the top of the ramp a fine smoke begins to pour out from both sides. Fragments of code begin running on the ground, but they slowly transform into... Music notes. The notes of green and purple begin to appear on the ground of the ramp towards the ring.

“I've a breath in minds of men with the lies I breathe!
No man's ever ruled the world not knowing the curse of me!
I'm some of the seven sins, vanity in the lust of men!
I'm the Alpha-Omega man, I'll show you who I am!

Ohhhhhh, hypnotic charm, mesmerizing face, my soul has a dark embrace!
A magic tongue, I'll seduce you all ‘till I'm your king, ‘till ya know my...!
CCHHHHAARRRIIIZZZMMMMAAAAAAAAAA!!! DO YOU KNOW MY NAME!?
I’M THE GOD THAT YOU PRAISE, WHEN YOU WORSHIP MY NAME!
CCHHHHAARRRIIIZZZMMMMAAAAAAAAAA!!! ARE YOU IDOLIZING ME!?
I’M A DANGEROUS THING, AND YOUR NEW MESSIAH’S ME!”

Walking backwards through the smoke is Lydia Charisma with her back to the crowd. She rips the title from around her waist and acts as though she’s playing guitar on it! Charisma continues to play on the championship halfway down the ramp. She stops to look through the crowd and spots a young man in the audience on the way to the ring. Lydia taps her cheek, telling him to kiss it... Before doing the same to the girl nearby him.

Sky: From Sin City... Weighing in at 202 pounds... She is THE RAWK OF AGES, THE JUKEBOX POWERHOUSE, THE ONE WOMAN NIELSEN RATING... This is “THE SIX STRING SINNER” AND YOUR FUTURE SHOCK ASPIRE CHAMPION... LLLYYYDDDIIIAAA! CCCHHHHAAARRRIIISSSSMMMMAAAAA!!

“I'm a liar blinding your vision, vatican man!
Preachin' fear and using religion, with the Bible and Koran!
I wrap myself in the American flag, and tell people I'm for which it stands,
I'm comin' back till you know I'm God, ‘till you believe, till you know my...!

CCHHHHAARRRIIIZZZMMMMAAAAAAAAAA!!! DO YOU KNOW MY NAME!?
I’M THE GOD THAT YOU PRAISE, WHEN YOU WORSHIP MY NAME!
CCHHHHAARRRIIIZZZMMMMAAAAAAAAAA!!! ARE YOU IDOLIZING ME!?
I’M A DANGEROUS THING, AND YOUR NEW MESSIAH’S ME!”

With unfettered confidence she slides into the ring before stopping to crouch down and seemingly check her kneepads after handing the ref her title. Suddenly Lydia springs up and runs against the ropes, stopping in the center to crouch once more and flex her bicep. She kisses each once, posing for the crowd as her song fades out.

Zack: She’s oozing with charisma, and Lydia’s racked up some impressive wins too, most notably two victories over Gemma Pierce. And one win against her is a rarity, Lilly. If you’re looking for a catch as catch can classic, this isn’t the match for you. I think these two are gonna throw hands...and knees….and feet...and elbows and maybe rattle a few teeth before the final bell.

Lilly: This may not a technical classic or one for the purists highlight reel. And if it is a straight up fight, Lydia’s power edge is more likely than not going to prove to be the deciding factor. Rocky might’ve said it’s not about how hard you get hit...but there’s only so many howitzer like shots you can take before you can’t get up.

As Sky leaves the ring, Lydia hands the title to Jennifer Stringer. The official shows it to Mara, and then holds it over her head. She hands it off, and calls for the bell before Mara and Lydia meet in the center of the ring. The champion offers Mara a handshake, and the former convict obliges her. They lock up in the center, both jockeying for position as Lydia starts to move Mara back. But Werth digs in, and begins moving Lydia until Charisma muscles her into the ropes. The referee almost asked for a break before Mara turned it around and had Lydia against them instead. They traded positions like that along two sets of ropes before Lydia finally broke the tie-up and took a step back. She nodded towards Mara, who smiled slightly and cracked her knuckles.

Zack: Look at that little smile on Mara’s face. I think she’s showing Lydia she’s got some power too. I don’t think I’ve seen a tie-up go across half the ring like that either with both of them trying to gain the advantage.

Lilly: Like two moose or two buffalo fighting for supremacy. It’s impressive that Mara was able to match her. That little smile, that may just be Mara trying to get inside Lydia’s head a little.

The pair lock up again, and Lydia shows a small burst of power as she drives Mara right back into the corner. The referee calls for a break, and gets it before Lydia steps back with her hands up….and then right back in with a back elbow to Mara’s jaw. She leans against her in the corner before she begins firing back elbows from both arms in both sides of her head. Five of them connect before Lydia uses a strong Irish whip to send her into the far corner. Werth almost crashes chest first as Lyda barrels in behind her. But the convict climbs onto the second turnbuckle and kicks her feet out to land behind Lydia before she hits the corner. Before the champion can turn around, Mara cinches her up and launches her with an overhead belly to back suplex. Lydia sat up, and looked over to Mara, still smiling.

Lilly: Mara might need to pull out more moves like that float over to win this contest. Lydia might have a slight power advantage, but you’d say Mara’s probably ever so slightly more agile perhaps.

Zack: The challenger’s having a good time clearly, and why wouldn’t she? She’s done one hell of a job of surprising Lydia so far, and it’s working like a charm!

Lydia starts to get back to her feet as Mara charges towards her. The champion swings with a clothesline to try to catch her, but Werth ducks underneath it and hits the ropes behind her. When the champion turns around, Mara runs her over with a running shoulder block. Charisma pops back to her feet, and turns in time to catch a second one as Mara is still hitting the ropes. The champion climbs to her feet a third time before Mara ducks down into a three point stance and sends her down a third with a flying shoulder tackle!

Zack: I think Mara must like watching the NFL, because that’s the only place I’ve seen tackles like that! Lydia’s like one of those punching clowns that pop up after you hit them, and Mara’s doing an excellent job of keeping the champion off balance.

Lilly: I think both of the New York teams would love to have someone who could deliver a shoulder tackle like that. Hell, the Jets’ll probably have a contract waiting in her locker room.

Mara doesn’t wait for her to get up this time before she pulls her to her feet, and whips her across for the ride. She catches Charisma on the rebound with a spinebuster that plants her where she stood. Werth quickly rolls to her feet, and takes off for the far side. Lydia starts to rise a second time, and eats a running kneelift to the face that sends her reeling backwards. Mara cut that short though when she scooped her up overhead ...high overhead with a gorilla press and slammed her to the canvas.

Zack: Mara’s a runaway train right now! And oh my….look at the power! Not many women in Future Shock or anywhere else are gonna do that to the “6 String Sinner” but Mara Werth can!

Lilly:  It’s a whole new experience for Lydia to get thrown around like this and she might not have been expecting this gameplan at all from the former convict!

Lydia started back to her feet again before Werth grabbed her around the waist, and spiked her with a gutwrench powerbomb! She stacked her up and held her down for the cover as Stringer slid into position.

Zack: A mat-shaking gutwrench powerbomb! I’ve not seen Mara do that, and she may be about to run the table!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

TH-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Lydia got her shoulder up, and caught Mara with an elbow to the top of her head before she could break the cover. It sent Werth back a step as Lydia got to her feet, and took her down with a short arm clothesline.

Lilly: Lydia’s got Mara down and maybe bought herself a second with a perfect short arm clothesline. She might be thinking about switching to plan b - if she’s got one.

Lydia held her lower back in pain as she leaned over for a moment, trying to collect herself until she saw Mara beginning to get up again. She caught her with a running forearm to the mouth when she stood up, and immediately scooped Mara over one shoulder to deliver a snake eyes in the corner. Werth’s head smacked the turnbuckle, and staggered her out on wobbly legs. Charisma ducked her head between her legs, and lifted Mara up long enough to bring her down with an Alabama slam.

Lydia: CHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAARIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAA!!!

Fans: DO YOU KNOW MY NAME?!

Zack: They know her name, no question about that. Lydia’s back is giving her some trouble for obvious reasons, but she’s starting to build a rally here.

Lilly: She’s really feeling the effects of Mara’s early attack, but that’s going to lessen as the adrenaline gets flowing. It could spell an awful lot of trouble for Mara.

She pulled Mara up into a fireman’s carry, and then stepped up onto the middle rope into a rolling slam. Mara crashed into the canvas before Lydia dropped down to make the cover with a hook of the leg before the referee went to count.

Zack: That’s the CHARISMA CRUNCH!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THR-NOOOOOOOOO!!!

Mara kicked out after the two, causing Lydia to get back to her feet. She glanced over to see Lilly in the booth before she darted towards the ropes. And when Mara began to rise up, Lydia borrowed a page from the Fast Track Champion with an axe kick across the back of Werth’s head.

Lilly: Would you look at that?!? The Jukebox Powerhouse is playing one of my greatest hits here!! It may not be quite enough to put away Mara right now though.

Mara was even slower moving at this point, and Lydia pulled her up to her feet. She leaned back, and blasted her with a right cross to the mouth that reeled Mara. But the challenger stayed on her feet, and fired one right back to her! Charisma stumbled a second, and nailed her with another haymaker….to which Mara clobbered her with one as well. Both women staggered slightly, got their bearings again, and then started unloading on each other with rapid right hands that brought the crowd to their feet.

Zack: It’s a war of attrition as Mara and Lydia are trading those haymakers! But nobody’s going down, and----it’s a brawl now!

Lilly: Mara might know exactly where she is, but she knows she’s getting hit and firing right back. If Mara’s going to give up any ground then she’s going to make Lydia earn each inch the hard way.

Lydia was starting to get the better of the exchange though, causing Mara to stumble backwards. The champion grabbed her arm, and whipped her across for the ride. She caught Werth on the rebound, and popped her up into the air….only for the challenger to grab her head on the way down for a tornado DDT. It stood Charisma on her head for a half second before she hit the mat, and the challenger dove across her to make the cover.

Lilly: TORNADO DDT!!!! She stood the Rawk of Ages on her head and that could be all she wrote!!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOOO!!!!

Lydia’s shoulder came up off the mat, and Mara rolled off the cover. Both of them lay on the canvas, trying to recuperate as the referee began a mandatory ten count.

Zack: You’d think they hated each other, but they don’t! And they have damn sure beaten the bejeezus out of one another all for the Aspire Championship! Now it’s a race to see who gets up first.

Lilly: There’s a lot of respect here and out of respect they’re making sure they leave it all out in that ring. Whoever leaves here tonight with the Aspire Championship will certainly have earned it.

Mara was the one who sat up first, a look of pain etched across her face as she started to get back to her feet. Lydia starts to do the same, but Mara catches her with a running forearm that spins her around to hang over the middle rope. The challenger nods her head, and takes off for the far side. She comes back quickly with a 619 in mind…..but gets caught by Lydia who manhandles her  as she gets back to her feet. Charisma hoists her over her shoulders, and drills her with a Death Valley driver! The champion collapses to her knees for a half second, and crawls over to make the cover.

Zack: She caught her!! She caught Mara like a small child, and one Death Valley Driver later….Charisma’s going to light up another notch on the title!!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!! NO!!

Stringer waves it off, and shows Lydia that Mara’s foot is across the bottom rope even though the rest of her body is motionless. The champion glances up to it and shakes her head before struggling to get back to her feet.

Lilly:  So close...I’m not even sure Mara knew she was that close to the ropes!!! Had to be instinct to kick the foot out and hope that it caught the ropes!!

Fans: CHHHAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSSSSSSMMMMMMMAAAAA!!

Lydia: D…...DO…...DO YOU KNOW MY…...NAME?!

Zack: Lydia and Mara have taken a hellish toll on one another, and you can tell the champion’s been pushed to her limits already just as much as Mara! She’s trying to find that second gear right now!

Lilly:  The fans are certainly getting behind Lydia and cheering her on, but I got a feeling Mara’s gonna have a lot more fans after this showing too.

Lydia dragged her thumb across her throat, and looked over to see Mara starting to get up again. She shook her head, and went to get her. Mara looked almost out on her feet as she leaned against the ropes for a second.

Zack: Lydia’s looking to end it right here! I’m not sure Mara Werth knows what’s coming or even where she is at this moment!

Before Mara has a chance to to respond, Lydia quickly snatches her into position and delivers her spinning double leg facebuster that bounces the challenger off the mat. She quickly rolls her over, and hooks both legs tightly for the cover!

Zack: OCEAN’S ELEVEN!!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Stringer calls for the bell as Lydia rolls off to lay on the mat, taking in deep breaths as her music begins to play. When she finally sits up, she gets her hand raised in victory.

Sky: The winner of this match…..AND STILL FUTURE SHOCK ASPIRE CHAMPION……….’THE RAWK OF AGES’ LYDIA CHARISMAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Zack: You can look at Lydia’s face and body language and see what she went through tonight to retain her title! She’s absolutely spent, and there’s no shame in Mara Werth’s game!

Lilly: Mara’s gave Lydia the fight of her life tonight and was just seconds away from sending Lydia home empty handed. But somehow, someway, Charisma found a way to retain and I guarantee that she’ll be feeling tomorrow.

Lydia struggled to her feet, and was handed her title back. She raised it over her head to a pop from the crowd before she leaned down to offer Mara her hand. The former convict slowly reached up to take it, and was pulled to her feet.

Zack: A whole lot of class right there! Lydia knows how close she came to leaving the Garden without her title, and I’m positive Mara will be right back in the hunt for that championship!

Lilly: If nothing else, Mara’s proven that she’s gotten a bright future in this business and is certainly taking full advantage of the second chance that she’s been given.

Lydia and Mara both exited the ring, one arm over the other’s shoulder as they walked to the back together. We then cut to a video package for the main event.



Another Girl’s Night Out

The show returns to the backstage area, and we find a brunette talking with Adam. She’s not on the Future Shock roster though. He shakes her hand as she approaches, and then looks to the camera.

Adam: Two weeks from tonight, Future Shock is going to host another theme show. You guys remember the pool party we did back in June? Of course, you do. Well December 4th, we are doing it again. Not the pool party, because well...it’s not really in season. But we are going to be hosting a special we’re calling Girls’ Night Out.

A little graphic appears on the screen in the top corner showing the logo.



Adam: Trust me when I tell you it’ll be a unique show. I’ve also got a few special guests lined up for the show as well. And one of them is this lady right here. For those of you who don’t know, this is Riley Savell. Welcome to the pay per view!

He turns his attention back to her.

Riley: I’m looking forward to being a part of it, it’s been a while since I had some fun at a show; I think I’m due.

Adam: Now this show won’t require you to bring any ring gear. As a matter of fact, there won’t be a match on it. But we are going to be taking over the Tunnel nightclub in Boston. So instead of your gear, I suggest bringing a dress.

Riley smiles, taking a pause before she nods in agreement.

Riley: I think I might have something, you know… just lying around.

Adam: I think you’ll have fun, and I’m sure turn a few heads as well. After all, it is a nightclub and I’m sure a night off from fighting and answering perverts on social media would be a welcome distraction.

Riley: You mean nobody is going to ask me about my bathroom habits? I’m shocked, honestly… shocked!

She breaks into another smile.

Riley: But really, I’m looking forward to it.

Adam: Since you’re here, why don’t I go introduce you to a few people and show you where you can kick back and enjoy the rest of the show?

Riley: Lead the way.

Adam heads off with Riley as the show heads back to the ring.