FFW Future Shock - Episode 102

[Adam Grant]

  
Live from the Future Shock Arena in Boston, Massachusetts
August 24, 2021

The limousine pulls up outside of a bank somewhere in Boston before the driver opens the door to let Cait Flanagan and Kyle Kilmeade out. She takes his arm, and heads inside and is immediately escorted to a vault filled with stacks of money. But she notices one pedestal set aside for the title she wants most. “Legendary” by Skillet begins to play as someone dashes past the camera, and the pair look out to see whoever it is with the Future Shock Championship.

My heart bleeds adrenaline
The fire I breathe is where I live

It turns out to be Luna Cortez, who darts out of the bank and around a corner at top speed with it in her hands. She doesn’t get far before Anna trips her up, and takes the title away from her with a shake of her head. As she’s looking down at her sister with annoyance, the title gets lifted out of her hand before the woman holding it ducks into a parked car and starts it up. The driver is Jacqui Minogue.

Top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop
To the top, to the top
Ain't never gonna stop

Jacqui speeds through the streets of Boston till she runs into a familiar woman holding up traffic by standing in the middle of the crosswalk. Jacqui looks closer, and sees it’s Shaughnessy O’Neill who makes a beeline for her car. Minogue locks the doors and rolls up the window before someone else rises up from the backseat...that being Alessandra Esposito. She snatches the title out of the passenger seat, and bolts from the car onto the crowded sidewalks. She only gets so far before she’s spotted. Cait, Jacqui, and Shaw close in on her before a car honks to get her attention. She hops into the Italian sports car, leaving her pursuers in the dust.. 

Never gonna keep me down (never keep me)
Still the one that's standing now (never falling)
Destiny is calling me
Go down in history
Every day I'll fight to be
Legendary

Watching out the window of one of the nearby buildings at the plight of the would-be champions is a very amused Angelina and Arabella before the show cuts live inside the Future Shock Arena. The fans roar as the show goes live, and sparklers shoot around the stage all the way down the ramp until another burst shoots from the ring posts. The camera shows the Future Shock logo on the ring mat before cutting to Zack and Claire at ringside.

Zack: It’s good to be back home in Boston, not to mention being inside the Future Shock Arena. After a little fun in the sun at the pool party, the women of Future Shock get back to doing what they do best tonight with one of the most stacked cards I can recall. 

Claire: They had a chance for a little bit of fun in the sun, a few cocktails and a recharge of the batteries after an absolutely packed last couple of months but now the girls of Future Shock are getting back to the day job and making one Hell of an impact as they return to Boston.

Zack: Our main event will feature a first ever meeting between two women making their Future Shock debuts, which has never happened before. Valerie McFarlane goes one on one with Shaughnessy O’Neill in a match that has a lot of historical relevance between them.

Claire: Valerie was one half of the first team to ever beat the One Woman Show but since then Shaw continued to mark herself to be arguably the most driven and one of the most dominant wrestlers in FFW. Tonight, against the Final Boss, she could very well have met her match in a wily, experienced veteran who has a long history of taking cocky, confident, arrogant women down a peg or three in the middle of a ring.

Zack: A six woman tag team match has all the earmarks for a powderkeg as the Matriarchy meets the new Diamond Champion, River Campbell, and the reigning Future Shock Tag Champions, Arabella and Angelina! That’s a whole lot of gold on one side of the ledger, isn’t it? 

Claire: It sure is. The Sisters are going to want to both get themselves a measure of revenge on the Shaolin Belles for defeating them for the titles as well as press home their credentials for a rematch. River and Jacqui have a history going back even before Campbell had debuted and you can damn sure bet River holds a grudge and a desire to take down the recent Winner’s Circle victor. Of course that’s all easier said than done because the Matriarchy are three of the most dangerous women to have ever prowled the hallways of Future Shock and they damn sure have the power to back it up.

Zack: We’ll also see the return to the ring of Leighana, who has been away for a little while. She’ll have to escape the long arm of the law from New Mexico, namely Alejandra Garcia. And the sharpshooter has one dangerous desperado in front of her.

Claire: She’ll need to hit every bullseye tonight because in Leighana she’ll be facing a very talented woman and as we saw two weeks ago, one that has a come back with a very mean and very aggressive edge to her.

Zack: We’re gonna hear from the Nova Champion Luna Cortez. She’s had a grip on that title for nine months now, and the list of women who would love to get a shot at it isn’t exactly short. I’m sure she’ll have plenty on her mind.

Claire: I’m pretty sure mosts of what is on her mind is all about her, but I’m sure we’ll hear something about the Nova Championship, the long list of people lining up to challenge for it and probably a little bit about Luci  given the interest she seemed to show in it back in California.

Zack: All roads will lead to the Sydney Supershow on October 19th in the Land Down Under, an annual pilgrimage for the Future Shock roster. I suspect we’ll have some news on that show as it creeps closer. 

Claire: That’s another huge night in the Future Shock calendar, Zack. There’s huge expectations and I’m absolutely sure that we’ll go all out to exceed them and make this the biggest Sydney Supershow yet!

Zack: We may see more than all that before we’re done, so let’s get up to the ring with with electrifying exhibitionist herself. 

The show heads to the ring just as Zack requested, and Lexi is front and center in a short red dress with sequins. Listening to the crowd brings a smile to her face before she begins the opening match introductions.





Lexi: The opening contest of Future Shock is a singles match scheduled for one fall to a finish. 

Little Big Town’s “Tornado” comes out through the speakers. As the lyrics hit, Leighana stes through the curtains, a smile on her face and a leather jacket over her ring gear. Beside her is Christian Kincaid, who places a hand on her shoulder with a smile. The two then head down the ramp, where at the bottom, the blonde woman takes towards the ring, sliding on her stomach through the ropes.

Lexi: On her way to the ring, from Atlanta, Georgia, please welcome LEIGHANA!

Leighana reaches her feet and heads for a corner, where she jumps high and perches herself on the top ropes, looking out around her before jumping again, turning and landing on the middle buckle, and sits on the top buckle as the music fades out. Christian hops the apron and the two share words.

Zack: This is our first time seeing Leighana in the ring in several months. But if the pool party was any indication, she’s not lost any of the viciousness she is well known for. She wants a crack at Jamie Winters, mainly to get herself in line for a Diamond title shot.

Claire: She didn’t hold anything back when she was on top of the podium with that pugil stick. Alejandra is going to have to watch out for that as Leighana looks to get into place to challenge River Campbell.

Sirens start wailing and images of a horseback chase in a relentless desert flash in the big screen. The policewoman Alex Garcia shows up atop the entrance ramp, galloping into the arena on her dark horse, stopping at the top of the ramp and giving the people in the audience a nod and a tip of her marshall hat. As the beat of her song picks up for good, she dismounts the horse, allowing it to be brought back out of the arena, before the chorus of the song comes…

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! 
Vamonos, vamonos!
BANG! BANG! BANG! 
Vamonos, vamonos!

The lights flash brightly in white with each BANG, as Alejandra simulates gunshots with her hands. Once that part is done and the guitar solo starts, she tracks down the entrance ramp, smirking at the crowd as she makes her way to the ring. 

Lexi: And her opponent… From Las Cruces, New Mexico… “The Enforcer”... ALEJANDRA! GARCIA!!!

When she reaches the ring, she rolls in and immediately makes her way to her corner, removing her hat and dog tag before the action begins, allowing it to fall into the hands of a stagehand before the match is underway.

Zack: Alejandra came to Future Shock with a bit of fanfare around her, and she’s still looking for that elusive first win. But as anyone here will tell you, there’s no easy nights in a Future Shock ring. Tonight will not be an exception to that rule.

Claire: Alejandra has had a real baptism of fire having gone up against Raven Knight and Sienna Danger in her first contests in Future Shock. But on every occasion she’s given her opponents everything they could handle and shown plenty of potential.

After being checked for illegal objects on both women, referee Melinda Davis calls for the bell to start the match. Leighana heads out of the corner to the center of the ring, and encourages her opponent to come towards her. Not backing down at all, Garcia joins her and the pair lock up together. Leighana starts to push her backwards a couple steps until the sharpshooter surprises her with a drop toe hold to the mat. The blonde quickly gets to her feet, but finds Alejandra beat her to it. When she turned around, Garcia caught her with a bell clap followed by a belly to belly suplex. The blonde bombshell didn’t stay down long, but it still didn’t work out very well when Alejandra used a one-handed bulldog to put her down again.

Zack: Alejandra is taking the fight to Leighana right out of the gate, and doing a great job too. A win over Leighana could put her in line for the Diamond title. River doesn’t turn away challengers, no matter who they are.

Claire: River will fight anyone at any time and I don’t think she’d be all that bothered if Alejandra is next in line or not. And credit to Garcia for coming out of the gates hot and dominating the early exchanges here.

Leighana got back to her feet in a huff, but she didn’t make it all the way before a running kneelift caught her on the head. It sent her staggering backwards off balance before Garcia darted towards her with a spinebuster to put her down on the mat again. The fans in Boston were making a lot of noise for her as she scooped Leighana up high overhead into a military press. She lifted her up and down multiple times before sending her hurtling to the canvas. 

Zack: Look at the power! She may not look like it, but New Mexico’s finest definitely has some power in that small frame. 

Claire: I’m not sure Leighana expected this right from off from the Sharpshooter but it’s what she’s getting and she has to find a way to combat this and to break up Alejandra’s momentum.

Leighana headed towards the ropes, seemingly to get out of the ring. But Garcia wasn’t allowing that as she grabbed a rear waistlock into a full nelson into a slam. The blonde bounced off the mat before Alejandra hit the far side, coming back with a basement dropkick to her chest. Leighana tried to get to her feet, but got scooped up over her shoulder before the brunette delivered a running powerslam. She got back to her feet to a pop from the crowd, which only served to fire her up even more.

Zack: Usually it’s Leighana that’s the aggressor in her matches, but not tonight! New Mexico is a long way from here, but she might as well be at home with the response this is getting. 

Claire: Unsurprisingly she’s got these fans right behind her and loudly. If she can keep up this focus and aggression then it’s going to turn into a really long night and really bad return to the ring for Leighana tonight.

She returned her attention to her opponent, but Leighana rolled out of the ring to the floor before her opponent could grab her again. She clutched her back, and headed straight for her manager as Christian started talking to her. She listened to him briefly before climbing back onto the apron, and telling the referee to keep the brunette back. But it was too late for that as Alejandra grabbed the top rope and used it to slingshot Leighana back into the ring. The blonde got back to her feet, and was immediately picked up into an inverted atomic drop that made her stand awkwardly before Garcia hit the near side with a running lariat and immediately into a cover.

Zack: This is incredible! Alejandra’s pitching a shutout! River, I think the challenger list is growing!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOO!!

Leighana got her shoulder off the mat, and shoved Alejandra away from her. The brunette rolled away and back to her feet, waving for the blonde to get up. When she did, Alejandra charged out of the corner with a Superman punch that floored her to the mat.

Claire: Whatever Christian told her, I hope it was more than just a plan B because Alejandra is already knocking that out of the park. Leighana’s got to find some way to turn the tide.

The brunette rallied the crowd as she watched Leighana beginning to get up again, this time near the corner.. The blonde faced the crowd and slumped over the corner as Alejandra waved her to turn around. The fans were loudly behind her. When the bombshell turned, Alejandra darted towards her. But Leighana caught her coming forward, scooping her up into a stun gun….across the top turnbuckle with no padding on it. The referee was furious as she noticed the padding on the mat, and Leighana dropped to a knee to recuperate as her opponent lay face down on the canvas.

Zack: Did she….Leighana removed that top turnbuckle pad, and Alejandra  went face first into it! The referee is livid!

Claire: That could be a knockout shot right there! If Leighana could make the cover, this could be over!

Leighana gathered herself for a moment, and glanced over to see her opponent still face down on the mat with her hands covering her face. A grin started to form as she got back to her feet, pulled the brunette’s arms behind her and started stomping the back of her head until the last stomp drove her face down into the mat. The ire of the crowd seemed to make Leighana’s grin grow. Davis picked up the pad to replace it, and Leighana pulled the ring apron into the ring with her to wrap around Alejandra’s neck and head. The officer tried to pull her hands free, causing Leighana to let go. But her head was still stuck under the apron, and Leighana dropped a leg across the back of her head before she could free herself. Davis turned back around, yelling at Leighana again as she returned the ring apron to where it was.

Claire: There’s that mean streak coming out and taking full advantage of a distracted official to use the ring as a tag partner.

Zack: I don’t think Leighana is interested in winning right now as much as she wants to make an example of this woman after the way this match started.

The blonde got back to her feet, hopping up onto the second turnbuckle from the inside. When Garcia rolled onto her back, she caught a knee drop off the middle from Leighana to the face. Pulling her back to the ropes, she draped Alejandra’s neck over the bottom rope and stood on her back to choke her again. Davis got to a four count before she stepped off. That was when the officer rolled out to the apron. 

Zack: Alejandra needs a moment, I don’t blame her for heading to the apron for a second. But the problem is Leighana isn’t going to let her stay there unattended for long.

Claire: I’m sure we’re going to see Leighana repay the favour from earlier and make sure that Alejandra doesn’t get any chance to recover and get back into this contest.

Leighana headed to the ropes as Garcia was trying to get to her feet. She pulled her head between the ropes and stuck it between her legs. Then she left her feet before driving Alejandra’s head into the mat through the ropes. The blonde bombshell made the cover quickly. 

Zack: That’s a pendulum piledriver, and I’ve never seen her use that before!!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEE-NO!!

Alejandra’s shoulder came up in time, and Leighana used her forearm to grind across her face for a few seconds before getting back to her feet. 

Claire: It almost nets her the three count but New Mexico’s finest just had enough about her to get her shoulder up in the nick of time! But she’s being made to pay for keeping this one alive.

Leighana headed towards the corner again, crouching down as she watched Alejandra start to move. The police officer started to get to all fours before Leighana bolted out of the corner, looking for a punt kick to her head. But the brunette swept her leg as she got within range, and sent her onto the mat with a thud. The Boston crowd was getting loud again as the brunette fought back to her feet with a look of anger building on her face. As soon as her opponent was back to her feet, Alejandra began throwing hands right at her head. She backed Leighana into the ropes, and then whipped her across to the far side.. The blonde rebounded, only to get scooped up over her shoulders with a Death Valley driver.

Zack: She’s running on pure adrenaline right now, and Leighana’s back on defense! Alejandra’s showing everyone what she’s made out of! 

Claire: It’s a mix of adrenaline, injured pride and sheer grit and determination to pick up that first victory and start the ball rolling towards River and the Diamond Championship!

Alejandra was more and more fired up as she hit the ropes again, this time coming back with a shining wizard that dropped Leighana back to the mat. Chrisitan had a clear look of concern on his face as he watched his client, while Garcia pulled her up into a powerbomb position but not before using the top rope for a slingshot into it! Leighana’s body bounced off the mat, and Alejandra went for the cover!

Zack: Good Lord, a slingshot powerbomb from Alejandra! I think she’s gonna put her away right now!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NO.

Leighana’s foot landed across the bottom rope, and the referee waved off the count. Davis pointed it out to Alejandra, who looked over to see it still there.

Claire: Excellent ring awareness from Leighana right there to get her foot out and over the bottom rope. Garcia’s gotta stay on top of her opponent and not give her a chance to rally or an opening she can exploit.

Garcia got back to her feet, and paced back and forth for a second. She was seemingly drawing energy from the fans before she went to grab Leighana’s feet to drag her away from the ropes. 

Zack: That’s where you want her, Alejandra! I might even go for the cover again if I were her!

Leighana began to get up before Garcia took off towards the ropes. She rebounded at top speed before leaving her feet for a jumping downward lariat that …..missed! 

Zack: GHOST TOWN GUND-----OR NOT!

The blonde ducked down, and let her opponent crash face first into the canvas. Leighana bolted towards the corner, and scaled it like a cat to deliver her moonsault senton followed by a cover!

Zack: FORCE FIVE!!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Claire: Leighana with impressive impact off that moonsault senton and after all the damage she inflicted earlier, it netted her the victory tonight against an incredibly impressive and hugely tough Alejandra Garcia!

Davis called for the bell, and Leighana sat up on her knees. She was trying to get her wind back and pull herself together before getting to her feet. Davis raised her  hand to no shortage of disdain from the Boston crowd.

Lexi: Your winner by pinfall…………….LEIGHANA!!!

Christian stepped through the ropes into the ring to congratulate his client. He also raised her hand once again as she told him she still wanted Jamie, albeit breathlessly due to the match. 

Zack: Leighana’s still looking to put a notch in the win column against Jamie to skip the line to challenge River. Looks like she’s picked up a few new tricks since she’s been away.

Claire: She definitely hasn’t rested on her laurels or lost a step during her time away from the ring and it just makes her all the more dangerous as she hunts down River Campbell and her first taste of Future Shock gold!

Christian held the ropes open for her before they both began to head towards the back. A commercial for the Sydney Supershow in October aired after that.



Sister Act

A clip from the pool party 2 weeks ago is shown, namely the tug of war contest between the McFarlane sisters and the Cortez girls. It also includes Luci unintentionally inciting Luna when she stopped to check out the Nova Championship. When the clip ends, we find the McFarlane girls with Sara. 

Sara: Tonight is certainly a massive night as Valerie McFarlane is set to make her Future Shock debut against Shaw in our main event. This marks the first time ever two debuting talents closed the show in the main event of Future Shock. I’ve got her and the first Diamond Champion here with me, Carys McFarlane. Thanks for giving me a couple minutes, ladies. 

Carys: Hey, Sara! How’s tricks? VALERIE!

Carys gives her sister a sharp elbow, as the oldest sister had been trying to discreetly stretch beside Carys, which had evidently failed. Valerie, who had been standing on one leg, wobbled a little but steadied herself and put her foot back on the floor.

Valerie: Fine. Hi, Sara. It’s not a problem!

Sara: I had two things I wanted to discuss with you. Number one was the pool party a couple weeks ago. You both got to work together, and it was only an unexpected arrival that ultimately cost you the tug of war match. Did you at least have a good time? 

Carys: It was great! I got a few days away from the idiot I’m forced to call my father and not only relaxed a bit, but got to spend some time with a few friends. I can’t complain about that!

Valerie: I must agree. It was a wonderful couple of days. The ttug of war happened, and the three of us had a laugh about it after the show was over. It wasn’t meant to be as serious as wrestling normally is so no one was really upset over it. Though Luna looked quite pissy that someone was even in the vicinity of the Nova Championship.

Sara: The reason I brought it up is because you are both getting another chance against the Cortez Sisters. Except this time, no pool and no swimwear. You’ll both meet them in a tag team match two weeks from tonight. Not very often you get to see sister teams face off in this sport. 

Valerie: Absolutely not. People who love each other like sisters and I’ve seen a couple of teams of brothers, and of course brother-sister teams. They’re all things that happen, but where all four are actual sisters? Nah, you don’t see that and I’m looking forward to that idea already, much as I have bigger fish first in the form of Shaughnessy.

Carys: I’m not of the mind that it matters that we’re all sisters with our partners. The important thing to me is that we all know how our pattern works in ways that you don’t get with other teams. Anna and Luna get an advantage in the form of them being two of a set of triplets. But that’s not something that will always work for them.

Sara: They do tend to disagree and bicker a bit, judging from promos. But so do a lot of sisters. Do you think it’ll have a bearing on the tag match? Or will it be a non-factor since they have a manager who has been pretty successful with them working together in the past? 

Valerie: No. I don’t think it will. We’ve seen before that teams who fight or one wants to be in the spotlight more still do very well, because ultimately they chase the same goal. And they will be chasing the same goal. They’ll want to win no differently than we will. I’m not suggesting that it’ll definitely be a non-issue, but I’d make it a pretty good bet that what happens in the promo won’t affect the ring too much.

Carys: I mean you just saw me elbow Valerie in the ribs. Not the same as what the Cortez sisters do, but the point remains. Siblings fight, it’s a normal thing. If it ends up being that Christian is the reason they work well, then maybe the three of them should re-evaluate the entire thing. Doesn’t seem worth it.

Sara: Last question is for you, Valerie. Kyle said something on the pool party show that I think merits some response. He suggested that you being on this roster when you have had a hand in training so many of the women in Future Shock gives you an unfair advantage. Do you feel like you have a leg up on some of the girls here? 

Valerie laughed.

Valerie: I already addressed that in my piece for this match but the short answer is that Kyle has a habit of talking out the place where he’s supposed to defecate. If Adam and I agreed with that opinion, I wouldn’t be standing here.

Sara: Well the fact remains that you didn’t train Shaw at all. So should you get the win tonight, that will not be something he can bring up as a reason for the win. Good luck to you later tonight, and to you both on the next Future Shock.

Two graphics pop up on the screen, one reminding the viewers about the main event and the other about the tag match on the next show. Then Future Shock goes to commercial.

[Adam Grant]

The show returned from the commercial break to the ring, where we found Lexi once again ready to make the introductions.

Zack: Fans, we are about to see what I think is a recipe for chaos with this six woman tag match we’ve got coming next. I don’t envy the official assigned to this match, Claire.

Claire: There’s a lot of combustible elements in this. The Matriarchy who have a hair trigger even when they’re in a good mood going up against a team that dethroned them for the tag titles and River Campbell who has no love lost at all for Jacqui after getting her equipment trashed. That’s just simmered away through a previous six person tag and a Future Shock Cup match earlier in the year.

Lexi: The following contest is a six woman tag team match scheduled for one fall to a finish!

As the intro of “Pacific Rim (Main Theme}” by Ramin Djawadi (feat. Tom Morello) blares into the arena, a lightshow of blue and white lights ignites the stage area and ramp and flashes continuously across both areas, bearing a striking resemblance of a futuristic spaceship setting. At the same time, smoke emerges from the bottom of the stage and fills the area. At this point, the reaction of the crowd intensifies as they anticipate what’s going to happen next.

Then, as the song begins, The Matriarchy emerges through the smoke and stands upon the stage delivering strong & defiant poses while soaking in the electricity coming from the crowd in the arena; Jacqui Minogue is on bended knee with her arms extended outward and sporting a cocky demeanor as she looks ahead while the Doomsday Sisters, Victoria Havoc & Sienna Danger are standing on opposite sides of her with their arms flexed. Then the ladies stop posing and form their hands together in the symbol of a triangle, representing their faction. After Jacqui makes it to her feet, the women make their way down the aisle.

Lexi: Making their way to the ring, at a total combined weight of 530 pounds…from Melbourne, Australia…”The Perfect Storm” Jacqui Minogue, ”The Lady Beast” Victoria Havoc, & “The Python” Sienna Danger…They…Are…THE MATRIARCHY!!!!!

The ladies make their way down the ramp toward the ring sporting cocky demeanors as the crowd continue to shower them with their reaction. When the ladies the ringside area, Jacqui climbs the stairs while Victoria and Sienna choose a side to climb up the apron. The ladies then enter the ring and each go to a corner ring post, where they climb up and pose to the boisterous crowd and then shortly shows off their trademark triangle hand signal, to represent her faction, all while looking on with a smirk and posing to the crowd with complete confidence. She’s taking in the atmosphere while the crowd reaction continues and the cameras flashing.

After which, the ladies climb down and makes their way towards their corner of the ring as they wait for their opponents.

Zack: That is one imposing trio right there, Claire. There is no love lost between anyone on either side of this match. They all have some history together, and aren’t likely to be on one another’s Secret Santa this year.

Claire: I’m certainly hard pushed to think of three ladies I’d less like to meet down a darkened alley late at night. These are dangerous, deadly and powerful; they’re totally capable of dominating any match and any situation they might find themselves in. That might count double tonight - like you said they don’t much like any of the trio they’re going to be sharing the ring with.

The lights extinguish inside the arena only for a hockey style goal horn to sound; causing a spotlight to snap on and highlight the one, the only, River Campbell stood at the top of the stage playing to the crowd, waving her arms to get them to join in with the clapping and the opening “Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh’s…” of “The Enforcer” by Monster Truck. The title belt fastened diagonally across her body like a bandolier or guitar strap. She nods her head, revelling in it as the lyrics kick in.

“I'm not looking for a fight
If you come at me tonight
I'm gonna make you sorry.
Don't try my patience, son
There's a reason I'm the one,
People stand aside for.”

With a smirk on her face she sets off down the ramp, beating her chest as she does so. When she reaches the ring she climbs up the ring steps. Instead of entering the ring like normal, River paces back and forth on the floor as she looks up to the trio awaiting her in the ring.

Lexi: From New York, New York, weighing 143 lbs, standing 5’7” she is the reigning Future Shock Diamond Champion...RIVER CAMPBELL!!!

Zack: River’s making a very wise decision not to get in the ring with those three until her partners have arrived. We know the Matriarchy aren’t above trying to take someone out any chance they get. 

Claire: Yeah and that’s quite the show of respect, I mean we’ve seen River with broken ribs go toe to toe with a woman wielding a baseball bat. The fact she’s holding back shows that she’s well aware these three could tear her apart like a strongman would the yellow pages.

As the intro to Fall Out Boy’s “Immortals” hits, Arabella Townshend and Angelina Fantastica enter from opposite sides of the stage, meeting in the middle at the top of the ramp with a high-five that sets off bursts of pyro. The two of them then take off down the ramp, slapping hands with the fans as they approach the ring.

Lexi: Now making their way to the ring - the British Belle Arabella Townshend, the Shaolin Stunna Angelina Fantastica, from London to Staten Island to right here in Future Shock, they are the Shaolin Belles!

Both girls hop up onto the apron at the same time and they exchange a nod. While Angelina flips backwards over the top rope, Arabella steps through and joins her partner in the center of the ring. They go pick opposite corners of the ring, climbing up onto the turnbuckles and waving to the fans, soaking in the cheers before they head to their corner to get ready for the match.

Zack: Arabella and Angelina have shown they are more than capable of taking on the Doomsday Sisters when the sides are even. That’s how they got those Future Shock Tag Titles you see around their waists. Their rematch has been confirmed for those titles at the Sydney Supershow when the Belles defend against the Sisters in their own backyard. That’s gonna be like walking into the lion’s den. 

Claire: Sienna and Victoria are going to be fired up in front of their hometown crowd and we’ve seen the sort of impact that can have on a match...from Valentina facing Amaro in Toronto, to the BSX and Brazilian Storm and even the boost the English girls got being at Wembley at Unstoppable 12. Tonight, both teams have a chance to gain a psychological edge and a little bit of momentum ahead of Sydney.

Referee Kevin Fisk made sure no one was hiding any illegal objects before he called for the bell to start the match. Both teams lingered in the ring for a moment to decide who would start first, and Sienna remained in for the Matriarchy. River stayed in for her team before the two met in the center. The Diamond Champion looked up to Sienna, and got shoved backwards for her trouble. River tried to do the same, but Sienna was like an oak tree and didn’t move hardly at all. Danger shoved her backwards again, this time harder and almost into the ropes before River bounced off them with a shoulder block into Danger’s body...that only moved River back a step.

Zack: I know River likes to throw hands and get into a brawl, but I don’t think she’s going to outmuscle Sienna in this situation. That’s like running into a brick wall right there. 

Claire: Yeah, she might need to fight smarter tonight. We know she’s tough but this is a flyweight taking on a heavyweight. River’s not gonna win.

River cracked her knuckles and took a step back. She shook her head, glanced towards her partners for a second and then surprised Sienna with a low dropkick to the knee. That caught Danger off balance, and River started throwing hands like she preferred to anyway. She wobbled the Aussie backwards on her feet, but didn’t take her down. Another dropkick to the knee put her down to one knee, and River rebounded off the near side with a high knee to the jaw. It rocked Sienna backwards on that one knee. The fans were getting behind her as she hit the ropes again, this time with a discus elbow that nearly toppled the brunette. But she still didn’t go down. Then River tagged in Angelina, each of them taking an arm for a double arm wringer. Danger got back to her feet, and got her arms in another wringer before the two used a double leg sweep to finally get her down. River left the ring, and Angelina used the ropes for a senton before getting back to her feet and tagging in Arabella. 

Zack: This match is barely a minute old and one team has already tagged in every member to this point. Here comes Arabella, and these quick tags are very smart.

Claire:  This has got to be one of the keys for victory for River and the Belles; quick tags, constantly keeping a fresh woman in as they isolate Sienna and wear her down.

Sienna got to her feet almost before Arabella began landing knife edge chops across her chest rapidly. Each shot reverberated through the arena, and kept Danger from getting back to her feet totally before the Brit hit the near side with a running boot to the jaw that put Sienna on all fours. Arabella tagged out to River, who made her way up top. Arabella got underneath her as Sienna was starting to get up, and then hurled her off the corner into a flying clothesline to the Aussie before River went for the cover, showing some tenacity in trying to hook one of her legs.

Claire: That was more like River using herself as an exocet missile and she’s toppled Sienna, but it might be a bit early for her to expect to pick up the win.

ONE!!

TW-NOOO!

Sienna shot River off the cover with a powerlift, and sent her rolling into the ropes. Campbell’s eyes widened at the move, and glanced over to see Sienna sitting up again.

Zack: My goodness! That wasn’t a kick out, that was a launch! River went for that cover pretty early, and Sienna wasn’t anywhere near ready to be put away.

The champion hopped back to her feet, and was about to take off towards her when Victoria grabbed her hair. That got her attention as Campbell turned towards her, and blasted her with a right cross, which gave Sienna the opening to mow her down with a clothesline to the back of her head. Sienna put the boots to the Diamond Champion before tagging in Victoria. The two pulled her to her feet, and shot her into their corner for a short Irish whip, but River came out fighting as she spun around in the corner handing out rights to every head within reach!

Claire: River’s turned into a whirlwind of fists! She’s hitting anything and everything that moves….but against the Matriarchy, I’m not sure those blows are having any real effect at all.

Zack: That’s the last place in the world you want to be in a match like this. But River’s got nothing but fight in her, and I don’t think she knows her own size sometimes.

The burst of shots was shortened when Jacqui wrapped the tag rope around her neck to choke her, while Victoria and Sienna pummeled her with forearms. The referee got to a four count before Jacqui let go, and Sienna returned to the corner. That’s when Victoria started using hammer fists to the top of her head to drive River down into a seat against the corner. The Aussie backed up a few steps, and charged in with a running face wash boot.

Claire: Absolutely the last place River wants to be. She’s getting mugged and beat down and the tag champions can only stand, watch and hope they get the tag.

Zack: The Matriarchy loves to get an opponent in the corner, because they can do their absolute worst to them if they get them there. And River’s getting triple teamed here.

Victoria pulled her back to her feet and kept her in the corner for a series of back elbows to the side of her head. She tagged in Jacqui next, who was already running her mouth by asking River if she wished she was playing in her band right now. Minogue followed that up with a trio of European uppercuts before backing up a few steps to deliver a corner clothesline. She continued running her mouth, and slapped River across the face. That turned out to be the wrong move as the Diamond Champion’s expression changed almost immediately, and she lunged out of the corner with a double leg takedown followed by mounted punches that excited the crowd as her partners were rallying them behind her.

Claire: Minogue just fired up her opponent there. Adrenaline is flowing and it’s powering River through here. She has to make the tag though.

Zack: We’ve said before that it’s never a good idea to slap your opponent in the face, especially when there’s a history of issues like there are between Minogue and River.

Jacqui was able to deflect a few of the shots by covering up, but many of them got through before she did though. River got back to her feet, and Jacqui wasn’t far behind her. When Campbell hit the ropes for some momentum, Sienna caught her in the back with a boot that stopped her in her tracks. Jacqui followed up with a running lungblower that propelled the Diamond Champion back into the Matriarchy corner. Minogue hung her upside down into a tree of woe, and then started arguing with the referee. Meanwhile, Victoria and Sienna dropped to the floor and pulled back on River’s arms as her body was being stretched against the corner without the referee’s knowledge.

Zack: The tree of woe is bad enough, but look at this! The Doomsday Sisters look like they are trying to pull River’s arms off with the help of the corner while Jacqui argues with the official.

Claire: The Matriarchy are a well oiled machine who are literally picking apart River in the corner here. I’m not sure how much more of this she’s going to be able to take.

River’s partners came to her aide though as they darted around the corner at ringside, and started firing punches at the Sisters. A brawl broke out between the four of them before the referee tried to restore order. River collapsed down to the mat, favoring her back as Jacqui went to get her. Minogue stomped away at her in the corner, while the tag champs and the number one contenders brawled on the floor. Fisk stepped out, getting between Arabella and Victoria and telling the Brit to return to her corner. As she protested, Victoria reached into her top and threw something to her partner. Sienna caught it, and blasted Angelina with whatever it was to drop her to the floor. 

Zack: What was that she just caught? I didn’t see a good shot of it, and the referee is trying to get Arabella back to the other corner… Wait, it was handcuffs!

Claire: Angelina just took a knockout shot from the cuffs too! The referee’s dealing with issues elsewhere and this is not looking good for one half of the Tag Champs!

As the referee escorted Arabella back to her corner, Sienna was shown to have a pair of handcuffs which she used to cuff Angelina to the neutral corner ring post. River got back to her feet in the ring, and greeted an oncoming Jacqui with a boot to the jaw to stagger her backwards followed by a tornado DDT that got her out of that corner. Campbell sat up on her knees, looking for her corner as Arabella looked for her tag partner….only to find Angelina attached to the next corner post. 

Claire: River caught Jacqui again!! She’s absolutely desperate for a tag here! She has to make it or this will all be over real soon with the punishment she’s endured!!

Zack: I don’t think River realizes what’s gone on just yet, but she’s definitely had her hands full. She’s found Arabella though, who is a little distracted herself. 

River started towards Arabella as Jacqui was getting back to her feet. She went to grab the guitarist, but Campbell lunged just in time to make the tag to Arabella. The Brit glanced over to her partner as she stepped into the ring, and immediately was glommed by Jacqui before the two started trading blows. Angelina had her foot against the post, trying to get herself free by breaking the handcuffs but it wasn’t working.

Claire: Got to admire Angelina’s tenacity and determination to try and get back into this one, but even as a high flyer I don’t think she’s got the strength in her legs to break the chain between the bracelets! We need someone with a key out here!!

Zack: Sooner than later, because right now, we have a handicap match on our hands. Obviously the Doomsday Sisters have the key, but I doubt they are going to offer them.

Arabella used a drop toe hold to send Jacqui face first into her team’s corner, namely the bottom turnbuckle. She pulled the Aussie up, but caught a jawbreaker for her troubles. The referee realized Angelina was handcuffed at this point, and demanded the key from the Doomsday Sisters. Victoria pulled it out of her top….and threw it into the crowd. Fisk then waved to the back for some assistance as Jacqui scooped up Arabella into a running Samoan drop.

Zack: They’ll never find the key now, and hopefully we got some assistance on the way, maybe with some bolt cutters or something. Meanwhile, this handicap match...which is what it is now effectively...continues.

Claire: River and Arabella are certainly capable of pulling off an upset and beating the Matriarchy...otherwise they’ve got to be hoping to ride this out until Angelina gets free and can buy them a breather.

Jacqui scooped Arabella up onto her shoulders for a snake eyes in the corner. It sent her stumbling backwards before Minogue came off the middle rope with a double axe handle to the top of her head. She whipped Townshend across, and caught her on the rebound with a Polish hammer to the chest that dropped her before she made the cover.

Zack: That’ll stop your heart right there, and Minogue’s looking for the win!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

T-NOPE!!!

Arabella kicked out, and Jacqui dragged her back to her corner to tag in Sienna. The powerful Aussie stepped through the ropes, and right onto Arabella’s neck to choke her. Fisk counted to four before she broke, while Victoria hopped down off the apron and caught Angelina with a running lariat that left her hanging in the corner by her wrist...and then she returned to her team’s corner. Two members of arena security headed down the ramp next.

Claire: This is despicable and disgraceful. It’s already a handicap match and Sienna’s there taking shortcuts in the ring while Vicky takes cheap shots on the outside against a defenceless woman,

Zack: I hope River gets it together quickly, because if Arabella ever makes it back to that corner, she’s gonna need her more than ever.

As the two security teammates tried to free Angelina in the corner, Victoria pulled Arabella back to her feet and shoved her chest first into her team’s corner. A pair of shoulder thrusts landed into her lower back, buckling the Brit to her knees before Havoc dragged her away from the ropes. She scooped Townshend over her shoulder into a Canadian backbreaker in the center of the ring, while Sienna hopped down off the apron again as the security was working with Angelina. She delivered a running boot to the brunette’s body that sent her down again, and that’s when River went into action. The Diamond Champion charged down the apron with a meteora into Sienna’s chest and drove her down to the floor. She began unloading with right hands as the referee headed to that side of the ring to break up the fight.

Claire: You wanted River to get it together, well, she’s done just that. Unfortunately I think she made a bad decision here. The referee needs to focus on the ring and Campbell has to be ready to take the tag, this is just giving the Matriarchy an opening to do more damage.

Zack: Meanwhile back at the ranch, Arabella’s stuck in this backbreaker and has no help on the horizon at the moment. She’s gotta find a way out of this sooner than later!

The referee went to the floor, separating River from Sienna and telling her to go back to her corner. Sienna slowly got to her feet, and did the same as Victoria transitioned her submission into a crucifix powerbomb. Townshend bounced off the mat before the powerful Aussie made the cover and the referee dove back inside to make the count.

Zack: Massive powerbomb to Arabella, and getting Angelina free may be a moot point in a matter of seconds!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NO!!

River took the initiative once again, and delivered a curb stomp to the back of Victoria’s head to send her off the cover in time. Once again, the referee demanded River return to her corner as Arabella rolled to all fours and tried to find her corner. So far in the other corner, security was having very little luck in finding a way to free Angelina.

Claire: Given everything the Matriarchy have gotten away with, it might be a bit of bolting the door after the horse has bolted to insist River observes every rule religiously at this point.

River stormed back to the corner, and held out her hand for Arabella. She began stomping her foot, and the crowd went along with her as Arabella started to crawl in her direction. Victoria made it to her corner much more quickly, and got the tag to Sienna.  River implored Arabella to hurry as she saw Danger step through the ropes, and that’s what the brunette tried to do. But just as she got a fingertip away from River, Danger caught her foot and caused Arabella to get to her feet, hopping on one foot actually before she caught her with an enzuigiri to put Sienna on her knees. River was even more adamant about the tag now as she was bent over the top rope and standing on the bottom to reach her hand out towards Arabella. About that time, Jamie Winters appeared from the back and headed down the ramp. 

Claire: River is absolutely desperate for the tag. But can Arabella pull herself together after getting bounced off the canvas with that huge powerbomb?!?

Zack: I certainly hope so, for her sake. Arabella is in a bad way, and River doesn’t give a damn if they are down one woman. She wants to get in there and do some damage. Not sure why Jamie’s here though.

Arabella lunged into the corner finally and tagged in River to a pop from the crowd. The Diamond Champion quickly stepped through, and caught Sienna with a Thesz press to start raining haymakers down on her head. Victoria came in to help by pulling River up from behind, but she caught a stunner for her troubles. Campbell took off for the far side, and came back with a jumping knee strike to Sienna’s head to topple her back to the mat. She quickly made the cover after that.

Zack: River’s in, and hitting anything that moves! That could have been a knockout shot!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOPE!!

Jacqui interrupted the count by dragging River by her foot off the cover. The Diamond Champion got back to her feet, and started throwing hands with her rival next. Meanwhile in the corner, Jamie told security a magician always has a handcuff key and produced one to try to unlock Angelina’s cuff.

Claire: The numbers game stopped the count but River’s making sure Jacqui pays a price for that! Jamie might just be Angelina’s best friend right about now!!

Victoria pulled River off Jacqui with a rear waistlock into a German suplex. Campbell nearly rolled out of the ring when she landed. She popped back to her feet after a couple seconds just as Jamie’s key unlocked Angelina’s wrist from the corner. Fantastica let out a scream, pulled up the apron, and found herself a steel chair. 

Claire: Busine ss is about to pick up! Angelina’s free and she’s about to go all King Kong and three Aussie monsters!!

She bolted back into the ring as Jacqui was getting up again, and crashed it across her back to send her down. The fans roared in approval as she drove the end into Victoria’s calf. It staggered her before Fantastica threw the chair at her, which she caught before Angelina used a superkick to send it into her face as the referee finally called for the bell. That didn’t stop Angelina though who went for Sienna’s head before she ducked out of the ring to avoid the contact.

Zack: Like a bull in a china shop, Angelina Fantastica is a free woman...but a pissed off free woman! She’s beside herself!

Lexi: Your winners by disqualification…...THE MATRIARCHY!!!

Zack: You wouldn’t know it to look at them, because the Matriarchy are heading for higher ground. They don’t want any more of that chair or the woman holding it!

Claire: Angelina’s letting out an awful lot of frustration right now and she’s got three giant’s heading for the hills, deciding it’s better to retreat and live to fight another day than risk getting beaten and battered and further.

The referee raised the hands of the trio on the floor as Jamie gathered up all the titles. She handed the tag titles up to Arabella, and admired the Diamond one for a second before River took it back herself. 

Zack: You gotta give an honorable mention to Jamie Winters! She made for a great help to the team, and even got a close up of the Diamond Championship...until River reclaimed it. 

Claire: Jamie’s the hero in as far as she managed to release Angelina from those cuffs and even the playing field but she left River in no doubt that she wants that Diamond Championship.

Zack: The Belles and the Doomsday Sisters will meet again in Sydney with the tag titles on the line! And with the way Angelina’s feeling right about now, she’d probably ask for the match tonight. 

Claire: Yup and that’s only going to fester and ferment and simmer. If Angelina can focus this rage that she’s feeling right now in Sydney, then this could well have been one of the biggest mistakes the Doomsday Sisters could have made.

All three champions raised their titles for the fans, getting a loud response as the show cut elsewhere inside the Future Shock Arena.



A Difficult Experience

After a brief commercial for the Sydney Supershow on October 19th, we go back live into the Future Shock Arena and find Adam having just run into one half of the Laurie Jane Experience in the hallway. The camera moves closer as the chat begins.

Adam: Alright, Jane. I was just about to come find you. Glad to have run into you. Got some big news for you and Laurie. You can fill her in on it. You two up for a big challenge? 

Jane: Hey Adam. You know we are always up for a challenge. The bigger the better, you know. The bigger they are, the harder they fall and all that jazz. What have you got planned for us? What obstacle are you throwing in our path for us to overcome?

Adam: I’ll tell you. But I assume you just saw the tag team match a couple minutes ago with the Matriarchy and River and the Belles, right? 

She nodded her head.

Jane: Sure did and seems almost par for the course from the Sisters doesn’t it? Handcuffing a girl to the ring post and then running her over a couple of times before she can get free. Easy to play the big bad bitch against someone who can’t fight back isn’t it? 

Adam: I can’t argue with that. But the reason I ask is because on the next Future Shock in the main event, I’m booking the Laurie Jane Experience to face the Shaolin Belles. Since the Sisters have the next shot, I’ll make you and Laurie the next challengers after them if you two can get past Angelina and Arabella. That’s the big challenge I was referring to.

Jane: That’s awesome news! I know Laurie will be super excited when I tell her that we’re facing the Tag Champions and can become the next number one contenders if we can beat them. Obviously, we know it’ll be really tough against the likes of Angelina and Arabella. They’re two amazing wrestlers individually and they seem to have really gelled well as a tag team too. It’s going to be a real test to see how we stack up against them. Thank you for giving us the opportunity.

Adam: I admit I didn’t realize the chemistry they were going to have when they first teamed together, but they certainly have it. In either case, you’ll be the mandatory next challengers for the titles if you make it past them. As a matter of fact, that might be our feature match for Crossed Out later in the year, but don’t quote me on that.

Jane: Just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

The girl grinned.

Jane: That’d be a huge opportunity to be the featured match on Crossed Out at the end of the year and to be challenging for the Future Shock Tag Team Titles too. But...first things first. Two weeks. And a match with Shaolin Belles...after all if we don’t perform there, if we don’t win that, then we can forget all about any possibility of Crossed Out. And it’s going to be a really stern test that we’ve got in two weeks, we’ll have to be at our best and we’ll have to show why we’re former Future Shock Tag Team Champions. I’m looking forward to it.

Adam: Then I’ll see you right back here in 2 weeks for the main event. Good luck to you and Laurie both.

He shakes hands with the blonde before heading off camera, and then Future Shock goes to a commercial break. 



Luna Gets Her Gloat On

Recorded 2 weeks ago at the Future Shock Pool Party….

The pool deck at the Ritz Carlton was picturesque behind the reigning Nova Champion Luna Cortez in her still not-wet bikini as well as her sister, Anna. Christian stood between them in a pair of trunks and sunglasses with one hand on each of their shoulders. 

Christian: Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you your 2021 Tug of War champions of Future Shock. That would be the most prolific Nova Champion ever, Luna Cortez, and the aerial assassin herself, Anna.

The difference in stance between the two sisters was brutal: while Anna was already dressed in some kind of jacket, had her glasses on and seemed apparently chill about something, Luna seemed to be fired up beyond comprehension as she clutched the Nova Championship belt close to her (and was still using her bikini which seemed to be tighter than necessary around her chest in order to make her boobs look better).

Luna: I guess you could say the Cortez Clan has a lot of talents, but I’d wager to say the main one is NEVER giving up on what we want. We were here before, one year ago, and because of technicalities, we lost the tug o’ war contest.

Anna: … technicalities, right.

Luna: But we just showed that there’s nothing we can’t do. Oh, sure, of course people were like, “wow, what’s gonna distract Luna this time? Is Anna gonna set her beautiful sister up for failure? Are the Cortez Sisters on good terms with one another?” And what nobody seemed to expect was us pulling through and proving - AGAIN! - that were just drop-dead prodigies.

Christian: Don’t forget you did so against two women who have accomplished a lot. 

He mostly told that to Luna, humoring her. 

Christian: Both of them former world champions and Hall of Fame talents. And here you are only about 2 years or so into your pro career, and look at you overthrowing them...in tug of war. 

Anna was CLEARLY holding back a good chuckle, as she could see CK’s attempt to pad Luna’s ego with the dumbest argument on purpose. Luna seemed unshaken, though.

Luna: Yeah, see, I think we’ve proven we can do everything we set our minds to, and today was no different. Which, humorously enough, brings me to something else I heard a lot while in this little getaway of ours.

Luna makes the Nova Championship belt on her shoulder pop up.

Luna: “Hey, Luna, why did you bring your championship belt to a pool party? Don’t you think it’s a little bit excessive?” Not gonna lie: yeah, maybe it is a little bit excessive, but after all the bullshit I heard about my DESIRE and my GREED to be a champion and stay a champion, this right here is the biggest “fuck you” I can give everyone that has ever doubted me.

She shakes her head with a venomous smirk.

Luna: But it’s not like people are ever gonna be satisfied, is it? I’m fighting to become a champion and all I hear is, “Luna isn’t good enough to do this!” Then I GET the belt, and then they’re like, “Luna isn’t worthy of this!” I’m removed from the competition by forces outside of wrestling, and all of a sudden, “Luna couldn’t handle the pressure of being a defending champion!” But WAIT! I came back to get MY belt back, and now people are questioning if rubbing this goddamn belt all over your faces ain’t EXCESSIVE?! I’ll tell you guys what’s excessive, aside from the obvious double- or triple-standard on display here: the amount of crutches I’m gonna have to use to smack some bitches up the head, since I already need to use them because I just can’t fucking STAND YOU!

Anna: Well--

Luna: AND THEN! There’s Future Shock 100, the show of shows! All the titles on the line, every champion in the brand being tested, and how did it end like? “Congratulations to Madyson and River and Alessandra, that was a great display, just fuck the other girl in particular,” right? The ONLY champion to defend at Future Shock 100, when the pressure ws on and the lights were at their brightest, was the DUMBASS who got her passion and her willpower questioned at EVERY turn! So yeah, I guess you could say Luna Cortez is A LITTLE fired up over all this crap!

Christian: Well let’s save a little bit of the fire. I found out that your next match is a rematch from the pool party. Just...not in a pool or swimwear. You two will be facing Valerie and Carys in the ring this time. And….

He glances to the Nova title for a moment and back to Anna and then the camera.

Christian: I won’t let anyone get too good a look at the title this time, I promise. 

Luna: No, it’s okay, they can look. That’s why I carry it around, see, because this is the image I want engraved in people’s minds. I want people to look at the Nova Championship belt, and think Luna Cortez, PERIOD. By the by, Luci? You wanna inspect my hardware? Come by when I’m next to it, and not when I’m supposedly “distracted” with something else! As a matter of fact, if you want a piece of this, we can arrange a date or something and-- oh! See this, right here?!

Luna slides a finger over the nameplate on the belt.

Luna: See this name right here? Yeah, it’s the one I’m imprinting on your face when I rub this all over it, so people will know right away when they look at your face that you’re Luna’s BITCH!

Only then does Luna seem to get a little appeased, as she steps back and scoffs. The malicious smirk doesn’t vanish though.

Luna: I can’t wait -- I can’t! Wait! -- for the usual BS. “Yeah, you beat them in the tug o’ war, but it’s two former World Champions across the ring from you, it’s gonna be a long night for ya!” Yep, sure, you can say that. But when it’s all said and done, I’m gonna have a whole lot of fun watching some folks moving the goalposts again while I celebrate our victory over an FFW Champion and an SVW Champion. I don’t expect people to quit their BS any time soon, but boy is it gonna be fun to see it all happen. Isn’t it, Anna?

Luna turns to Anna… who isn’t even on the frame anymore. Anna checked out of the segment some time into Luna’s fiery rant, having rolled her eyes and just peaced off to one of the pools where she could just chill.

Luna: … huh. Well, I’m gonna assume she agrees.

Christian: To kinda put a cap on this bottle, I’m sure Valerie nor Carys are going to make the mistake of underselling what the Cortez girls have accomplished, no matter what roster you look at. And when they meet in the ring rather than over the pool, I’m not suspecting any different hands to be raised when it’s all said and done. 

He looked back to Luna, and rubbed her shoulder that wasn’t covered by the title. 

Christian: C’mon, killer. Let’s go get something to eat.

Luna just nodded, before patting the plate of her belt and smiling proudly, walking out of scene along with CK, leaving us with the scenic poolside before coming back to the live show.


Luci’s First Dance

The camera catches up with Vincent Belmont, peering over his shoulder almost as it gets close to him. He glances to see it, and then joins his wife, Luci. Vincent has a sheet of paper in his hand as he moves next to her. 

Vincent: Someone here is about to make their debut as part of Future Shock, according to this schedule. And not in a bikini this time. 

He tells her before folding the paper up and putting it in his pocket. 

Vincent: Two weeks from tonight, no less. 

Luci: Well it can’t be you, I’ve seen what’s under your pants! But I’m glad to hear that it’s finally happening! You gonna tell me what it says? Or who it says, to be more precise.

Vincent: A very….unique woman, to say the least. You’ll be making your debut against Destiny Campbell. 

Luci: Huh.

She nods her head slowly.

Luci: The former Anarchy Champion. Well, it’s definitely one way to make your mark!

Vincent: It certainly is. Ms. Campbell is a very different kind of opponent. She clearly doesn’t…..see the world the way everyone else does. And she also brings along her...I’m not sure what to qualify her as….so I’ll leave it at Nyx. But I don’t want to overshadow the fact that my wife has been eagerly anticipating getting into a Future Shock ring on a full time basis. And I don’t think all that anticipation and excitement will bode well for Ms. Campbell, no matter how….different she may be.

Luci: I believe that being in this business requires a level of instability. It just so happens that the onus is mostly on how it manifests itself. Clearly with Destiny it does in a way that likely requires some medication. As to Nyx...well, she exists, I suppose. But you’re right, I have been looking forward to this for a very long time and can’t wait to get started.

Vincent: I’d also like to weigh in on a current situation that was discussed on After Shock. Mr. Grant has been offered the job of head of talent relations for the entire company, not just FFW. And if he takes it, he would have to leave his role here to Miss Singer. I have no issues at all with Miss Singer, and I'm sure she’d do an exemplary job. But to be honest, I hope he chooses to remain in his current role. 

Luci: Could not have said that better myself. Of course, what happens is ultimately Adam’s decision and I don’t think he’d be leaving Future Shock in unsafe hands with Brianna. And it would be good for him to have other avenues to go down. But selfish interest says I want him to stay.

Vincent: Given that Future Shock is filled with women in various stages of their career and from all over the world, it’s clear that talent relations is something to which he excels. And I don’t blame Miss Star for giving him the opportunity. That was a very logical choice. But with that said, I feel this is, for all intents and purposes, his home.

Luci: No matter what happens though, I’ll have his back. And he’ll be brilliant no matter what he does or where he goes. Not bad for someone who started out in the photography department!

Vincent: Fully agreed. As for the next show, Ms. Campbell will require all of her faculties against Luci. 

Luci: I’m sure she’ll have them, my love. Regardless, I’m coming and I am very much looking forward to it.

And on that, the show heads to a commercial break.

[Adam Grant]

The show returned from the commercial break to find Lexi back in the ring for the final time this evening. She flashed a smile to the camera, and began the introductions.

Lexi: The following contest is scheduled for one fall to a finish, and it is your Future Shock main event!

Zack: Hell, this could be a pay per view main event, in all fairness. That last match was pure chaos, but I have a feeling we’re going to see a clinic about to take place.

Claire: I think you might be right. We have two women with a lot of ranging skills here. One highly experienced, the other arguably the most successful wrestler in company history.

The lights in the arena give way to a familiar purple strobe lighting, floating around the stage as keyboard, followed shortly by the floaty vocals of a female. As Beyond the Burning Skies kicks into full gear, the crowd cheers as Valerie McFarlane bursts from the back, through the curtain in a flip, landing on her feet and straightening to the noise coming from the crowd.

Lexi: On her way to the ring, from Edinburgh, Scotland, by way of Los Angeles, California, please welcome to the ring VALERIEEEEE MCFAAAAAAARLANE!

On cue, Valerie takes off at a sprint, through the bottom rope and straight back through them on the other side. She makes a point to go around ringside, slapping hands with fans as she goes around. Once having made a full circle, she gets back into the ring and heads for the turnbuckle, where her hands go above her head with a shout. Bringing her hands back down to her chest, she flips backwards off the ropes again, landing on her feet, but purposefully dropping to a knee. The camera catches her, she grins down it. Getting to her feet, she removes her leather jacket and settles herself in the corner.

Zack: Much like her opponent, Valerie McFarlane came to Future Shock because she had accomplished everything she wanted to do in FFW. She has been a champion in more promotions than you can count on two hands. And there is no question in my mind that while she didn’t train Shaw, she plans to teach her a few things here.

Claire: If there’s anyone that could it’s Valerie McFarlane. Like you said, she’s been a champion pretty much everywhere she’s wrestled. She’s seen and experienced and done almost everything there is to do in wrestling. Tonight, she’ll pose a whole load of questions of Shaughnessy O’Neill inside a Future Shock ring.

The crowd gets plunged into darkness. The silence gets broken by John Youle as he starts to make the introduction.

Lexi: Hailing from Sherbrooke in the province of Quebec, Canada. She weighs in at 142lbs and stands 5’8” tall. This is the… “ONE WOMAN SHOW” SHAUGHNESSY O’NEILL!!!

Alice Cooper’s Poison begins to play as the video wall shows close ups of different parts of Shaw’s face before finally cutting to a live feed of the young woman as the spotlight hits her in the middle of the stage. Kyle joined her as she started to nod her head along to the beat of the music, the young woman heads down to the ring, the spotlight following her all the way to the ring, ignoring the boos of the crowd. Rolling under the bottom rope Shaw kipped up to her feet and stood in her corner, checking everything about her ring gear is in position as she waits to start the match. On the outside Kyle gave her some last minute advice before trying to rally the crowd behind his client.

Zack: Brimming with confidence and no reason not to, Shaw has set records again and again in this sport. Just like Valerie, she’s never competed in Future Shock in its current form. But for her, it’s a new world to conquer and that starts with the Hall of Famer already in the ring.

Claire: That’s the thing about Shaw. Her confidence - her arrogance - might very well rub you the wrong way but you have to give her credit and you have to give her respect. She’s proven at every hurdle and every obstacle that she can back all of her talk up. I’m sure she’ll be looking to do that once more in Future Shock.

Referee Jennifer Stringer checked both women for illegal objects, and found none before she called for the bell to start the match. Valerie and Shaw looked across at one another from their corners before meeting in the center. Neither of them said anything to each other, but their eyes remained locked on one another. The noise from the crowd caused them both to look around at the crowd for a moment, and then back to each other.

Zack: You can feel the tension inside the Future Shock Arena, and there’s a big fight feel that we usually feel on the big shows. But you’re getting it for free tonight.

Claire: This match could main event any show anywhere in the world. These are two of the best and most talented women in the world. This could easily be one of the best matches in Future Shock history.

The women lock up in the center, and Valerie quickly transitions into an armbar to cause Shaw to lean over a little. But the brunette didn’t stay long before she spun into her, and applied her own standing armbar. As Valerie leaned over, she used a standing sidekick to catch Shaw in the stomach. McFarlane jerked her hand free, and spun into her with an elbow to the jaw. It spun Shaw around, and Valerie fired a knife edge chop across her back. That froze the brunette up, and Valerie fired off two more across her back that sent the brunette forward before using a rear waistlock into a German suplex with a bridge.

Zack: Valerie with chops...to Shaw’s back, and she’s looking to set a record for the fastest match in Future Shock history!

ONE!

Shaw was already free of Valerie’s grip as the one hit the mat. She got back to her feet, and found Valerie was already up with her. Shaw turned into another chop from Valerie, causing her to turn to the side before Valerie landed another chop across her back. 

Claire: McFarlane looks to be targeting the back with those chops and it could be a smart move. There’s not a lot of muscle or fat back there to provide cushioning and there’s no way Shaw can cover up to try and stop them from finding the target.

McFarlane lowered her shoulder, and charged Shaw into the far corner chest first. A trio of shoulder thrusts landed against her lower back before Valerie pushed her head forward, and laid in an open hand slap to her back. The sound resonated throughout the arena, and Valerie followed up with a backstabber before flipping on top to make the cover.

Claire: Still going after the back but after last time, this cover still feels like it’s come a little too soon to put away a competitor like Shaw.

ONE!!!

Zack: Another one count, and I think Valerie may be trying to catch Shaw off guard...or just irritate her. 

Again, Shaw was free of her grip. As she got to her feet, there were reddening areas on her back where Valerie had already struck her. The redhead was up quickly to grab her from behind again, but Shaw caught her with a mule kick that stopped her in her tracks. The brunette spun into her, and delivered a ripcord knee strike to her jaw. It brought the lass to her knees, allowing Shaw to bounce off the near side with a running knee trembler. McFarlane nearly fell over, but ended up on all fours instead. As she started to rise, a running kneelift caught her flush before Shaw grabbed her head into position for her piledriver. But the veteran didn’t stay there long, and shoved the brunette backwards immediately. 

Zack: Shaw went for the piledriver early, and Valerie said “No thank you!” and got out of that. Might have been a little too early to attempt that.

Claire: McFarlane has that well scouted but it’s a mark of respect in some ways that Shaw was looking to end this early and not give her opponent too many chances to do damage to her the longer this goes on.

Shaw immediately came forward as Valerie raised her head, looking for a clothesline. But McFarlane ducked underneath it as Shaw passed her, and immediately fired another knife edge chop across her back. Shaw’s face tensed up as she absorbed the blow, and McFarlane rebounded off the ropes in front of her with a running clothesline to take her down to the mat.

Zack: I’ve never seen a strategy like the one Valerie’s brought to this match. You see people work the back all the time, but Valerie seems like she’s trying to cause some lacerations. 

Claire: It’ll certainly slow Shaw down if she can open up her back. Hell, if she can bruise it up she can make life pretty damn difficult inside the ring for the Quebecois combatant.

Shaw got back to her feet again, and Valerie went for another rear waistlock. But the brunette stopped her cold with a trio of back elbows to the side of her head. It rocked the veteran backwards a step, and she was scooped over Shaw’s shoulder into a backdrop driver. She didn’t let Valerie get up this time, and immediately applied a crossface with both hands cupped under her chin. Stringer dropped down to check for a submission, but didn’t get one as Shaw tried to add more pressure to the hold. 

Zack: Shaw’s got the veteran grounded now, and that’s where she does some of her best work in the ring. I think she’s setting up for her piledriver, while Valerie has been preoccupied with her back.

Claire: Whilever Shaw has Valerie down on the mat and is controlling her head she’s limiting the amount of damage that can be done to her back and spine. This is a pretty smart strategy to negate the Final Boss’ strategy for this contest.

Valerie’s face started to darken in color as Shaw cranked back on her head and neck. The referee asked again, still getting a “No” from the McFarlane. Shaw told her she could do this all night, and tried to add even more pressure. Valerie got her arm behind Shaw, and managed to roll over with Shaw’s shoulders pinned to the mat. 

Zack: What a counter!!

ONE!!

Claire: Another one count!! You’ve got to give credit to Shaw for her awareness here. She’s not letting herself get caught out or surprised.

Shaw kicked out again, and got back to her feet. She shook her head, and looked back at Kyle. Her manager encouraged her to calm down, which she seemed to heed. Her attention went back to Valerie as she was beginning to get up again. Shaw whipped her across to the far side, and caught her on the rebound with a scoop slam. O’Neill bounced off the near side, and delivered a leaping knee drop to the back of her head. She headed for the nearest corner, and was halfway up before Valerie swept her feet out from under her, causing Shaw to faceplant on the top turnbuckle before landing on the mat in the corner.

Zack: I’m not sure what Shaw was heading up to the top rope to do, but it’s a moot point now. She got a face full of turnbuckle for her troubles.

Claire: It was not a good landing for O’Neill! God knows if she has any idea where she is and Valerie can declare open season on her foes back if she wants!!

Shaw dropped to all fours on the mat, once more exposing her back before Valerie brought a huge clap down across her shoulders. Shaw’s back was getting more and more red, and the slap made her grit her teeth. A second slap landed on the other side, and made the brunette yelp in pain. McFarlane then grabbed her feet, and flipped her onto her back...and started dragging her across the ring. Shaw’s back scraping against the mat was excruciating, causing her to try to grab the ropes and then prop up on her elbows without much success. 

Zack: I have never seen anyone use the mat the way Valerie is doing here. She’s opened up Shaw’s back, and just pulling her along the canvas is making the “One Woman Show” feel like her skin is on fire!

Claire: The canvas in there isn’t smooth by a long shot...it’s not quite sandpaper but you’ll get something similar to carpet burns if you get dragged over it for long enough. It’s not a pleasant sensation even when your back hasn’t been viciously chopped all night long.

Valerie started to drag her to another corner, but Shaw brought her knees and pulled the redhead close enough to start firing right hands into her face. Several of them landed, and caused Valerie to collapse to the mat. O’Neill immediately got to her feet, and the camera showed how red and lacerated her exposed back had become. Shaw quickly got back to a vertical base, not allowing Valerie to do the same before she bounced off the ropes for a curb stomp to drive her face into the mat. But hitting the ropes made the French-Canadian freeze up again when the top rope touched her back. 

Zack: Shaw borrowing a page from the FFW Champion right there, and has Valerie back on the canvas. But did you see how just bouncing off the ropes made her hurt all over again?

Claire: I saw. If nothing else, I can promise you that she’ll have a real difficult time sleeping tonight with how sensitive her back is. Hell, when she puts her shirt on it’ll probably hurt like Hell anywhere the fabric touches her back.

Valerie was slow to move once again, and Shaw looked to keep the advantage. She fired her into the nearest turnbuckle, and sat her on the top rope before climbing up with her. Valerie’s face was pelted with right hands before Shaw grabbed her around the waist, and executed a gutwrench suplex from the top rope. Valerie’s body bounced off the mat, and Shaw froze up again when her back hit the mat before she went for the cover. 

Claire: HUGE impact...but look at how it’s affected Shaw, just slowing her down and stopping her from making this cover the way she would normally.

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

TH-NOPE.

Valerie kicked out in time before the three, and Shaw got back to her feet. She was still squirming as her back looked like meatloaf practically. The brunette backed close to the ropes without touching them, and waited on Valerie to get up before delivering a running forearm to the back of her head to put her down again.

Zack: Shaw’s coming with the heavy artillery now, and it’s reminding me of when she faced Valerie’s sister last year. But Jo never took this strategy with her!

McFarlane started back to her feet again, only to catch a running knee to the back from Shaw that sent her forward a couple steps. The brunette immediately delivered a full nelson facebuster before rolling the redhead over for the cover. Stringer fell into position to make the count.

Claire: Shaw has a lot of different strings to her bow. If nothing else, you have to applaud her for constantly looking to improve herself and add new wrinkles to her offence.

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THRE-NO!

Valerie got her shoulder up again as Shaw sat up, questioning the referee about it being three. That gave her opponent another chance as she raked her back with all ten fingers, causing Shaw to shout in pain.

Zack: Shaw was asking the referee about the three count, and ended up getting ten fingernails right down her back. Good Lord, Shaw’s shoulders look like ground beef!

But the shot only seemed to fire up Shaw more, causing her face to turn angry. She dragged Valerie back to her feet, and sent her into the far corner. A running mid-air knee strike collapsed the lass to a seat in the corner before Shaw began unloading relentless knee strikes into her face. They were a constant barrage, and the referee had to count to four before the brunette backed away with her hands up.

Zack: What we thought might be a technical masterpiece has now turned into Shaw wanting to make Valerie suffer for what she’s done to her back. She almost got disqualified for not letting her out of the corner.

Claire: I get the feeling Shaw just wants to end this now and get out of there and is ready to do whatever it takes to get her hand raised.

The tenured Hall of Famer slumped against the corner, still very much dazed after the barrage of knees to her face and head. Shaw hopped up onto the second rope for a basement dropkick into Valeire’s chest before she dragged her out of the corner and made the cover with both legs hooked.

Claire: That might do it right there!! Big time dropkick right to Valerie’s face, snapping her head back like a Pez dispenser!!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

THREEEEEEE-NOPE.

Once more, the redhead rolled her shoulder off the mat in time. And Shaw got back to her feet with a scowl on her face. She planted Valerie’s head between her legs, once again setting up her finisher. But the redhead stood up, and countered with an Alabama slam. The impact bounced Shaw off the mat, and made her shout in pain when her flesh struck the mat.

Zack: A brilliant counter from Valerie right there. The impact did the damage, but that scarred up flesh on her hitting the mat had to be just as intolerable!

But the redhead couldn’t follow up too quickly, due to all the damage she had taken. As Valerie gathered herself, Shaw was beginning to get up again. The redhead drove her backwards into the corner, causing Shaw to tense up again when her back touched the corner. A volley of forearms landed against the side of her head before Valerie hoisted her onto her shoulders for a fallaway slam that sent Shaw rolling a couple feet. She froze up each time her back touched the mat, while McFarlane waved for her to get up.

Zack: This is one of the most gritty matches I think I’ve ever seen, much less between two women who have all the history behind them as these two do!

Claire: As much as there’s some history between the pair, there’s also a whole lot of pride and competitive drive and determination spurring them both on. They’re both absolutely determined to win their debut tonight!

Shaw started to rise finally as Kyle was shouting advice to her. It wasn’t clear if she heard  him though before Valerie grabbed her, and pulled her back to the center of the ring. She hooked her around the waist, and the fans came to their feet.

Zack: They know what’s coming...and so do I!!

Valerie cinched Shaw up, and almost lifted her before Shaw swept her legs out from under her. McFarlane hit the mat, and quickly got up but was pulled between Shaw’s legs before she quickly landed her flip piledriver! The brunette went for the cover, gritting her teeth as her back was pressed against Valerie as she hooked both legs!

Claire: O’NEILLS OBLIVION!!! Shaw’s go to move!! The one that has brought her every success and every title she’s ever won!!
ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Stringer called for the bell before Shaw pushed herself away from Valerie. She rose back to her feet, and leaned against the ropes facing the crowd. Kyle joined her as the referee raised her hand.

Lexi: Your winner by pinfall……………………’THE ONE WOMAN SHOW’ SHAUGHNESSY O’NEILL!!!

Zack: Shaw picks up her first win since coming back to Future Shock, and she looks and feels like she just went through a meat grinder. She damn well earned this one!

Claire: The Quebecois has gone through Hell tonight, but once more she’s proven her toughness, her resilience and that she’s every bit as good as say she is. A well deserved debut win for her tonight. 

A trainer came to the ring, and handed a cold towel up to Kyle. He began to gently apply it to the blood red marks across Shaw’s shoulder blades. She grimaced in pain, and looked back over her shoulder with a scowl towards Valerie.

Zack: Shaw may have won, but that look kinda gives me the impression she may want to redo this match again. No one has ever gone after Shaw like this in a match.

Claire: It’s been a big win for her, but I don’t think anyone has tortured and tormented from bell to bell quite the way Valerie has done tonight. O’Neill will learn from this though and if they have a rematch, McFarlane is going to need to come up with another strategy to keep the Quebecois guessing.

The French-Canadian gently eased herself through the ropes to the floor, and was soon joined by Kyle. She raised her hand again with gritted teeth in victory before Future Shock faded off the air.