FFW Future Shock - Episode 106

[Adam Grant]

  
Live from the Future Shock Arena in Boston, Massachusetts
November 2, 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: After a historic night in Sydney where every title in Future Shock that was on the line changed hands, we welcome you back to Boston! You could almost call it Part 2 of the supershow, because all the champions who didn’t defend in Sydney will tonight!

Claire: That’s two titles up for grabs on tonight’s show. Two champions who are going to fight like Hell to change the script and make sure that Supershow Part 2 is as different as you can possibly get from the events of two weeks ago.

Zack: Two titles will be up for grabs on this show, and we’ll also see Sydney Christensen meet Victoria Havoc of the Matriarchy. Victoria, along with every Aussie on the active roster, had a damn good night two weeks ago. She may have the momentum in her corner.

Claire: They all enjoyed a heroes welcome on their return home and that definitely looked to have an effect as it inspired them all to great things...and saw Australia take a lead in the Global Wars series. Victoria’s certainly going to be on a high tonight but so is Sydney after learning she’ll get one heck of a homecoming herself in the New Year as she gets her chance to challenge for the Future Shock Championship in Calgary.

Zack: Carys McFarlane earned herself a Diamond Championship match in Sydney. And DOC says there’s no reason to make her wait, which means River will put her title on the line against the first woman to ever hold it in another defense where she’s gonna have to catch greased lightning.

Claire: Carys is quite unlike anyone River has faced before. As fast as they come. As experienced as you get. We’ve all seen how tough she is too, fighting multiple times in one night on a couple of occasions. And she’ll be more motivated than ever to become a two time Diamond Champion. River has a mountain to climb tonight.

Zack: Since practically the day she walked through the doors, Luci has had her eye on the Nova Championship. Tonight, she will either claim it for herself or Luna Cortez will complete one year as the champion before the end of the month. That’s a pick’em!

Claire: It certainly is. We know that Luci is as talented as they come, has all the potential in the world and we’ve been seeing that week after week since she returned. Luna, though, credit where it’s due. Like her or loathe her, she’s held the title for a year, turning aside all comers and when the belt is on the line it certainly seems to focus her mind completely on the task at hand.

Zack: We’ll find out who else Adam has chosen to face Shaw to be the Future Shock Representative in the Pure Rules series to crown the first inter-brand champion. Shaw seemed ultra confident when she found out, which surprises absolutely no one.

Claire: It’s certainly something that Shaw is never short of...but then can you really blame her? Given everything that she’s done and everything that she’s accomplished in her career. There’s no doubt that Shaw is going to be a huge obstacle for anyone wanting the Pure Rules Championship.

Zack: Whether we like it or not, Cait Flanagan will have a Championship Celebration Party to honor her….well, it was a heist really….when she became Future Shock Champion in Sydney. I’m not sure what to expect there, but after seeing how she and Kyle sent a cardboard cutout of her for the After Shock studio, I can only imagine.

Claire: Yeah. I’m sure before we leave here tonight we’ll all be sick to the back teeth hearing all the plaudits and self congratulatory measures that are about to get heaped upon our new Future Shock Champion. I’m sure it’ll really be something. Aren’t we really, very, very lucky, almost blessed to be here to witness it? Like going to a doctor’s appointment when he’s got freezing cold hands.

Zack: It is going to be one of the most packed nights in Future Shock history, and there’s no better time to get that ball rolling than by sending it up to Lexi in the ring.

The camera finds the ring, as well as the blonde bombshell herself in a blood red short dress, before she begins the introductions.




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

The sound of a guitar strumming subtly begins to echo in the arena, leaving those in attendance wondering what is going on. The angelic voice of one Lzzy Hale of the band Halestorm is heard next, her voice serenely starting the opening verse of “I Am The Fire.”

Am I brave enough?
Am I strong enough?
To follow the desire
That burns from within
To push away my fear
To stand where I'm afraid
I am through with this
'Cause I am more than this
I promise to myself
Alone and no one else
My flame is rising higher.

As the song picks up the tempo, her voice becomes more intense, kicking into the chorus.

I am the fire
I am burning brighter
Roaring like a storm

Midway through the chorus, the curtains part and out walks the pride of Calgary herself, Sydney Christensen.  She steps out to the middle of the stage and juts her arms out on either side of her, tossing her head back as the fans show their appreciation. She picks her head up and slowly brings her arms in front of her, her index fingers pointing down to the ring. Dropping her arms to her side, she begins her march towards the ring, nodding at a few fans along the way. Once she reaches the ring, she hops up onto the apron and steps through the bottom and middle ropes. Almost immediately, Sydney walks over to the ropes and raises her arms above her head, encouraging the fans as they cheer on the proud Canadian. Sydney then walks over to one corner of the ring and rests her back against the turnbuckle, awaiting her opponent as her music fades out on one poignant line of the chorus.

And I am the one I've been waiting for
Screaming like a siren
Alive and burning brighter
I am the fire!

Lexi: Introducing from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, this is…...SYDNEY CHRISTENSEN!!

Zack: Sydney looked positively over the moon when she found out Future Shock was visiting Calgary in the new year, and that was when she was getting her title shot from Global Wars. That’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.

Claire: Well, Zack, on the flight back from Australia I had a quick look through the archives and I think this might just be the first time FFW in any form has visited Calgary. So I don’t blame Sydney at all for being excited at the prospect of not only competing in her home city but also getting the opportunity to challenge for the biggest prize in Future Shock. Tonight she has the chance to start to build momentum...though it’s not going to be far from easy.

The lights go out...

The intro of music of “Giant Press” by Unknown Artist (NPJW) hits the arena, prompting the arena to erupt to thunderous reaction.

As the song begins, the spotlight is beaming on the stage where Victoria Havoc appears, arms positioned in a flex position with her sister Sienna Danger standing beside her, with her hands on her hips. Then Victoria stops posing, and the ladies show off their trademark triangle hand signal, to represent her faction. Victoria menacingly stomps her foot on the stage, causing the four corners of the ring to shoot out a blast of steam, accompanied by a thunderous booming sound. Just then, the ladies make their way to the ring.

Lexi: Making her way to the ring, being accompanied by Sienna Danger and representing The Matriarchy...standing 6'2 and weighing 200 pounds…from Melbourne, Australia…she is one half of The Doomsday Sisters…She…Is “The Lady Beast”…VICTORIA HAVOC!!!!!

Once the ladies get to ringside, they climb up to the apron of the ring and face the crowd, doing a little trash talking with the fans at ringside. After wiping their feet on the apron, the women step over the ropes to enter the ring. Victoria walks over to one of the corners, where she climbs up and poses, yelling back at the crowd at every chance. She then goes toward the opposite corner and does the same thing after climbing up. Meanwhile, Sienna stands in the center of the ring, pointing at her sister while doing some trash talking with the crowd herself. Then, after coming down, Victoria rejoins with her sister to her corner of the ring as she waits as they wait for her opponent (or for the match to begin).

Zack: Two weeks ago, it was a damn good night to be from Australia and on this roster because they clean swept the Supershow. That included this woman regaining half of the Future Shock Tag titles with Sienna. Judging by tweets, she was pretty happy herself.

Claire: The Matriarchy got a hero's welcome and the Doomsday Sisters proved they were arguably the most physically dominant tag team in Future Shock history. Tonight Victoria has a chance to build on that victory and lay down a warning to anyone who might be thinking of challenging for the tag titles.

Sienna takes Victoria’s half of the tag titles as she hops down off the apron before referee Kevin Fisk calls for the bell to start the match. Danger gives her sister some encouragement as Victoria and Sydney meet in the center of the ring. The two women don’t say anything to each other at first before Victoria raises her hand up for a test of strength. Sydney shows no hesitation in taking her up on that, and reaches up to grab her hand. The other hand lifts, and Sydney slowly reaches up to take it as well.

Zack: I’m not sure who’s going to be the stronger of these two, Claire. Normally I’d say Victoria, but Sydney is strong as an ox herself. Height might be the determining factor here.

Claire: This might be a lot more even than Victoria is expecting also, you’re right about Sydney having a lower centre of gravity; that could really help her get an advantage and make the most of her strength against this Australian powerhouse.

With both hands locked, the test of strength began as the two women went chest to chest with Victoria trying to overpower Sydney. But it was far from easy as Sydney seemed rooted to the mat, and wasn’t budging. Havoc tilted her hands backwards though, and it gave her a little more leverage. Sydney only dropped to a knee for a half second before she rose back up, and started pushing the Aussie backwards for a step.

Zack: Sydney….she’s actually getting the better of this! They’re burning up a lot of energy doing this too.

Claire: They’re putting everything into this early exchange here as they both try to set the tone for what is yet to come. This could be a big mental advantage for whoever comes out on top.

Victoria started to dig in, and began to push the Canadian backwards instead. Sydney only got a step back before she dropped backwards onto the mat in a monkey flip that sent Victoria to the mat. Christensen flipped over on top of her, pinning her hands down to the mat as Fisk began to count.

Zack: Sydney’s just gonna hold her down, and there’s the cover! What power!

ONE!!

T-NOO.

Victoria managed to lift her arm off the mat, pushing Sydney’s hand up with hers. The referee stopped the count, and Sydney used a headbutt to her face to pin that hand back down again for another pin attempt.

Claire: Victoria’s met her match-AND what a headbutt! That’s gonna rattle a couple of teeth!

ONE!!

TWO!

This time, Victoria showed great neck strength as she bridged up on her head and feet with Sydney still on top of her. It stopped the count though before Sydney finally released her hands and got back to her feet. Havoc was right up behind her as Sydney went to take her down with a running shoulder block. But the Aussie didn’t move.

Zack: It’s like I said earlier, there’s no real strength advantage I can see. Both of these women are as powerful as they come, and this is just a test of wills now.

Claire: It’s like two big moose or elk coming together as they struggle over rights to territory. Neither of them are willing to five up a single inch to their foe.

Sydney hit the ropes a little faster this time, rebounding with another shoulder block that ran into a brick wall named Victoria. Because Havoc didn’t budge. She shook her head, and Sydney told her to try her luck. The Aussie smirked, and took off towards the ropes. She rebounded with a head of steam looking for a shoulder block, but caught a drop toe hold from Sydney instead that snapped her down to the mat and into a side headlock. The crowd appreciated that as the Canadian grinded her arm against Victoria’s head.

Zack: Victoria ran right into that one! Sydney has a few years on Havoc in experience, and she just snookered her right there. 

Claire: Sydney is using all of her experience to her advantage and she seems to have a slight technical advantage over the Australian too.

Havoc didn’t stay on the mat long, but Sydney kept the hold applied. As they got back to their feet, the Canadian started grinding her arm about 4 times faster against Havoc’s head. It caused her to drop to a knee, and Sydney continued to keep the side headlock applied for a few more seconds. When the brunette got to her feet, Sydney used a corner bulldog to drive her head into the middle turnbuckle, still not letting go before she snapped her over to the mat back into the seated side headlock.

Claire: For all aspiring wrestlers out there, take note. Sydney’s perfectly demonstrating the principle that where the head goes, the body will follow and is using this to wear down her foe.

Zack: Not to mention probably pissing her off too. When you’re that big, you don’t like being stuck in anything like this. This is also how wrestlers develop cauliflower ears as their career progresses.

Havoc started back to her feet again, and tried to push Sydney off into the ropes. It worked long enough for the blonde to grab her head, and pulled her right back into a standing side headlock. And Havoc was clearly getting aggravated now. The powerhouse lifted her off her feet for what looked like a back suplex. But the blonde landed on her feet, caught Victoria with an uppercut to the chin when she turned around….and snapped her back to the mat with that seated side headlock.

Zack: You can tell she’s getting frustrated now, can’t you? On top of that, Sydney has really set her mind to keeping this hold in place. Not counting the attempts to break it, Victoria’s been in this for well past a minute now.

Claire: You can’t fault Sydney’s strategy too much here. Victoria’s having to expend energy fighting to get out of this hold and is getting more and more frustrated which could potentially lead to more mistakes. Or to her going medieval on Sydney...but again, she’d need to get out the hold first.

Havoc fought back to her feet again. And when it looked as though Sydney was going for a second corner bulldog, she shoved her off this time. The Canadian stopped herself before hitting the corner, and turned around into a running boot to the face from Victoria that caused her to hang against the corner. The brunette’s face showed anger as she followed her in, and started landing right hands into her body one after another. Uppercut after uppercut to the stomach, the last two of which lifted Christensen’s feet off the mat before Havoc used a discus clothesline that sent her through the ropes to the floor. She was about to follow after her until Fisk got between her and the ropes, telling her to keep in the ring. Sydney used the apron to get to her feet before Sienna bounced her head off the apron and shoved her into the barricade before the referee turned around.

Claire: That’s the last place Sydney needs to be and that’s the reason why especially while Fisk has his attention diverted by Havoc inside the ring.

Zack: When you irritate one Doomsday Sister, you piss them both off. Sienna is more than happy to aide her sister in staying in control of this match.

Sienna went around the corner as the referee turned back to see Sydney leaning against the barrier and shaking her head. She finally came forward to the ring after the referee got to a six count, and pulled herself onto the apron. Victoria was quick to greet her by lifting her up by the neck with both hands and tossing her back into the ring. The Canadian attempted to get to her feet just before Victoria planted her head and drilled her with a ganso bomb before making the cover with both hands plunged into her chest.

Zack: Devastating offense from Havoc, and I’m not sure this cover is going to get the job done!

ONE!!!

TWOOO!!

Sydney shoved her hands off, breaking the cover as Havoc sat on her knees. She looked down at the blonde, and rained forearms against her head before yanking her back to her feet. She whipped her into the far side, and caught her on the rebound with a Polish hammer to the chest.

Claire: Sydney might be more technical, she might be just as powerful as her opponent but when Victoria is unloading with this sort of offence none of that matters. The Canadian is in big trouble right now.

A standing fist drop to the face followed before Victoria pulled her up again. She whipped her into the far corner, and followed her in with a running elbow smash to the mouth that popped her head backwards. Havoc scooped her to stand on the middle rope, and wrapped one hand around her neck for a chokeslam off the middle to the mat. Christensen’s body bounced off the mat on impact, and Victoria dropped to make a cover. This time, she loosely hooked the outside leg.

Zack: Victoria wanted a little extra height for that chokeslam, and planted Sydney!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!!

TH-NO.

Sydney got her shoulder up before the three, and rolled away from the Aussie. She grabbed the ropes to help her get up, but Havoc jumped on her back and sent her neck first across the middle rope to choke her for a four count. She stepped off and snapped the rope to send Sydney backwards onto the canvas again.

Claire: Victoria’s using her strength, her power and the entirety of the ring to her advantage and it’s really starting to take its toll on Sydney.

The Aussie headed for the corner, and started waving Sydney to get up again. The blonde didn’t oblige her too quickly as she was trying to get herself together. When Christensen finally got to her feet, Victoria charged her with a spear. But Sydney sidestepped her, causing her to stop herself before she hit the far corner. Victoria put a halt to her momentum just as Sydney displayed impressive strength by lifting her up onto her shoulders for an electric chair! 

Zack: Wow! I guarantee you no one has ever done that to Victoria! Sydney felt something big was coming, and she made Victoria pay for giving her time to get up for it.

Claire: Christensen knew she had to take the first opening that she got and that she had to make it count. That electric chair drop is certainly one way to do that!

Neither woman was quick to get up, but it was Sydney who sat up first. Havoc wasn’t far behind her, and was back to her feet before the blonde. The Canadian bounced off the near side, looking for a spinning backfist aimed at her jaw. But Havoc caught that fist, and spun her around for another hard uppercut to the body. It doubled the blonde over before she hoisted her up into position for her muscle buster finisher.

Zack: Sydney just had the wind knocked out of her again, and uh oh!! I’ve seen this move before!

Victoria didn’t waste a second as she immediately delivered her muscle buster finisher, driving Sydney into the mat before she hooked both legs this time in the cover.

Zack: That’s it...CODE RED!! 

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!

Sienna applauded from ringside before she climbed onto the apron. Victoria sat up, and got her hand raised before her sister pulled her back to her feet.

Claire: Devastating impact from the powerful Australian and after the high impact moves Sydney’s already been on the wrong end of, it was more than enough to secure the victory here tonight!

Lexi: Your winner by pinfall…………….VICTORIA HAVOC!!!

Sienna raised her sister’s hand again to boos from the crowd, and Victoria looked supremely pleased with herself as well.

Zack: There was more than one spot in this match where veteran experience won out, but in the final analysis, Victoria picks up one of her harder fought singles wins in Future Shock. Do you think she learned anything from this? 

Claire: To be honest, Zack, I think Victoria and Sienna learn something from every match they compete in; they’ve been getting better and better every week. Sydney came close, but next time she’ll need to come in with a different gameplan and some different wrinkles if she’s going to push Victoria to the limit again. 

The Doomsday Sisters exited the ring to the floor, with Sienna still complimenting and priding her sibling as they headed towards the back. The show then went elsewhere inside the Future Shock Arena.


Opportunity Knocks

The next image seen by the viewers finds Sara standing in the back with both halves of the Shaolin Belles. The fans in the arena give both women a very loud response before Sara begins.

Sara: I’m here with the Shaolin Belles, and before we get to some breaking news, I wanted to give you both a chance to discuss how things went in Sydney a couple weeks ago. Arabella, in particular, you seemed to be put off by the very pro-Matriarchy crowd during the match.

Arabella: It’s not often that I’m in that kind of situation, Sara. And to be honest, while I know they’re from Australia, they’re also awful people. So it doesn’t make sense to me how people could cheer for them.

Angelina: It’s like I told you, Bella. Even Sophia goddamn Pike would get cheered if we were in Seattle. Anywhere else though? No dice.

Sara: With that said, I do happen to know that opportunity is knocking once again for each of you. I was handed news just before the show began on a couple things. Let’s start with you, Angelina. I’ve been told that you will be competing at Crossed Out this year and challenging the winner of tonight’s Nova Championship match between Luna Cortez and Luci.

Angelina: That’s exciting! I’d love to be able to mix it up with Luci, because she’s great. But then I do also want another shot at Luna, so… I guess we’ll just have to wait and see who wins.

Sara: As for you, Arabella, you have been chosen to be part of the Pure Rules series to crown the first ever interbrand Pure Champion for both FFW and Future Shock. Not only that, but obviously that could help put points on the board for England in Global Wars.

Arabella: Yes, and since I’ve already missed my first opportunity, I don’t want to miss anymore. But Shaw is… a hell of a challenge, to say the least. She’s going to make me fight for my life out there.

Sara: You’ll be in the main event on the next show facing Shaw for the first time ever, and the winner will be the Future Shock representative who will ultimately meet the winner of Tara Cortez and Caitlyn Storm’s match on the upcoming Breaking Point.

Arabella: Either one would be a fantastic opponent for me, and I’m looking forward to seeing who wins across from me in the ring for the final match.

Sara: Like I said, opportunity is certainly knocking for both halves of the Shaolin Belles, and time will tell if they kick the door in like they are known to do. Thank you both for chatting with me tonight.

Sara shakes both of their hands before the show cuts to a commercial for Crossed Out.


Anarchy Attained

A highlight package from the Sydney Supershow aired some photos from the Anarchy Championship match two weeks ago that saw Charlotte Harker become the new champion in a match that went throughout the Qudos Bank Arena. As it concluded, we find the new champion with Sara once more backstage.

Sara: In one of the wildest matches in recent memory that you just saw pictures from, I have the new Anarchy Champion Charlotte Harker here. And I think the first thing that should be said is congratulations.

Charlotte: Thank you Sara. Madyson proved that she was a lot tougher than she looked and I think she showed that what she was able to do to Destiny wasn’t beginners luck or a fluke. It just so happened that I was tougher; that I was stronger; that I was more dangerous; that I was more experienced and that I was better. It took a little bit longer than I expected, but FINALLY, I have the Anarchy Championship in my possession. It looks good, don’t you think? Like it’s finally found it’s true home.

Sara: You took some pretty harsh offense from Madyson. I know it’s only been 2 weeks since Sydney, but how are you feeling? I assume the adrenaline of the moment didn’t wear off for a while afterwards, but I imagine you started really feeling it the next day.

There was a nod of the head from the Buffalo native.

Charlotte: Like I said, Madyson put up one heck of a fight. She proved that she belonged in this division and yeah, I definitely felt the after effects for a couple of days after...and there might, just might still be a slight twinge or two right now. But taking that punishment, those sort of beatings, getting hit with anything and everything is all par for the course when you compete in the Anarchy Division. It’s all part of it’s charm. And holding this title belt? It makes it all worthwhile.

Sara: Now that puts the bullseye on you. Let me ask you as a competitor. When you see someone go through a match like that, does it inspire you more to want to dethrone whoever won? Or does it give pause and make you give it a second thought? I mean...you did nearly drown her in that match. 

Charlotte: I don’t think you can pause for a second thought if you want to hold this title. Yes, I almost drowned her but I did what I had to do in order to get the job done and I’d do it all again. Consider it a case of me laying down a marker. If you want this title, then you had better be prepared to risk everything. To gamble everything for the sake of glory. Now, personally, I hope it’s motivating people. I hope it’s inspiring them. I hope they want to step up to the plate and indulge their worst nature, their darkest instincts in an effort to dethrone me, because if they want this title, that is what they’re going to have to do.  Bring the fight. Hit me with your best shot. Try and beat me down to within a centimetre of my life but know that I’ll hit back harder.

The camera got a closer shoot of Charlotte with the title firmly gripped in her hands before the show cut to a commercial break. 

[Adam Grant]

Future Shock returns from the commercial break back to the ring, and Lexi is already prepared to begin the next introductions.

Lexi: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the Future Shock Diamond Championship!

Zack: It’s time for the first half of our championship double header tonight, and this is further proof that our Diamond Champion will face anyone at anytime. She nor DOC saw any point in making Carys wait for what she earned 2 weeks ago.

Claire: It’s certainly something to be applauded. River is determined to be a fighting champion and meet all comers head on. Tonight, though, that might come back to bite her and by the end of the night, she might wish that she’d taken a couple more weeks to prepare.

His frost performed its art
And it has stained my tainted heart
Just leave me to my solitude
It's where I feel at home
Since that cold night
When my love cried:

The synths give way to the heavier beats of Delain’s “Suckerpunch”, which brings a cheer from the crowd as the lights turn all colours of the rainbow. From the back steps Carys McFarlane. Stopping dead centre, she extends her arms out wide, spinning in a circle as pyro goes off around her.

Lexi: On her way to the ring, from Edinburgh, Scotland, weighing in at 130 pounds, please welcome “THE HUMAN PINBALL”, CARYS MCFARLANE!!

With the announcement out of the way, the young blonde takes off down the ramp, slamming her hands against the apron and using it to vault herself into a handspring and then onto the top rope, straddling it.

Would you fall, give it all
Would you give it all for me?
Suckerpunch the demons from my dreams
Would you fall, give it all
Would you give it all for me?"
Get out of my dreams!

She drops from the rope and heads to the corner, leaping onto the turnbuckle and shouting out towards the crowd, a huge grin on her face. She then takes to the top buckle and vaults backwards, landing on her feet from a backflip. Finally, she heads towards her corner, backwardly bouncing onto the turnbuckle, sitting on the top one and raising a hand in the air again as the music fades.

Zack: This is the first chance Carys has had to regain the Diamond Championship since she left it behind at Crossed Out last November. Nearly a year later and after coming back from a shoulder injury, she’s bringing ages of experience and breathtaking speed to the table to try to unseat River tonight.

Claire: And there’s the build up of emotion. The anger, the frustration, the sheer determination that comes with having had to wait almost an entire year for this title shot - injury or not. You know that’s all going to come to a head tonight; you know it’s going to power her on as she looks to pick up where she left off eleven months ago.

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. Entering the ring, the musician continues to play to the fans by standing on the middle rope and raising her hand in the air. She repeats this on all four sides of the ring before returning to her corner and waiting impatiently for the match to start.

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

Zack: River’s last defense was against Jamie Winters, a woman her opponent has a lot in common with when it comes to fast break offense. But the difference here is Carys is a veteran with almost a decade of experience in her corner. Do you think that ups the difficulty factor for the champion?

Claire: Almost certainly. Because it’s not just the speed working against her tonight. Carys knows when to use that speed to her advantage and when it’ll be most effective and she has almost a decade of facing people just like River; who fight in that smash mouth, tough, brawler-like style. Campbell will need to show something different tonight and even then it might only throw the challenger off her gameplan for a moment or two before she adjusts to it.

Referee Ashley Pruitt takes River’s title from her, and shows it to Carys. The Scottish lass touches it with a nod of her head, telling the referee she’s familiar with it before it gets held up high. Lexi takes the title with her as the bell sounds, and both women meet in the center of the ring for a handshake. They lock up from there, and River starts off by immediately transitioning into an arm wringer out of the tie-up. She gives a full twist followed by one more that causes Carys to kneel for a moment, and Campbell gives another full twist to bring her down to both knees now.

Zack: I’m used to seeing River brute force her way through matches, but we’re seeing a bit more technical prowess to start this off. I doubt Carys was anticipating that.

Claire: This is probably the tack River needed to take. Something just a little bit different to keep Carys guessing - though it probably won’t work for too long against someone as experienced as the Human Pinball.

Carys got back to her feet, and River yanked her forward into a shoulder block. Two more quick ones shook the veteran on her feet a moment, and River quickly pinned that arm behind her back for a hammerlock slam. The challenger quickly got to her feet, only to be approached from behind by River who grabbed another hammerlock before running her chest first into the corner. It knocked the wind out of Carys before Campbell snapped her down to the mat with a side Russian leg sweep. The former Diamond Champion started back to her feet again, only for River to catch her with a kidney punch followed by a short clothesline to the back of her head.

Zack: A little more technical wrestling from the Diamond Champion, and there we go! That’s the River we know! Big clothesline right to the back of Carys’ head, and the champion is dictating the pace here.

Claire: As a trainer, this is something that I really like to see, Zack. A diamond in the rough, like River, showing that she’s improving and integrating new techniques into her skill set and really develop as a competitor.

McFarlane made it back to her feet again, only to get run into the far side ropes before River tried to surprise her with an O’Conner roll for the cover! Pruitt slid into position immediately.

Zack: River’s looking for the element of surprise here!

ONE!!!

T-NO.

McFarlane was already out after the one count, shooting River off her with both legs. Campbell kept running though, and bounced off the ropes into a running kneelift into Carys’ face as she was getting up. It staggered the blonde backwards, and Campbell quickly scooped her up into a falcon’s arrow.

Claire: River’s not giving Carys even the slightest opportunity to start and use her speed to her advantage so far in this one. It’s an impressive performance so far from the Diamond champion...can she keep it up?

Carys wasn’t as quick to get up this time, and River pulled her back to her feet anyway. She drove her back first into the nearest corner with a shoulder tackle. A hard Irish whip sent her into the far corner, driving her back into a second corner. River darted towards her, looking for a corner clothesline. But Carys hopped up onto the middle turnbuckle when she was close enough and avoided the contact by countering into a sunset flip powerbomb! Pruitt dropped to make the count.

Zack: Look at that! Carys looking to steal it right here!

ONE!!!

TW-NO!

River had way too much stamina left for that to work, and kicked out as the two was on the way down. Both women were back to their feet quickly, with River looking to land some quick forearms. But Carys blocked those shots, and fired back a few of her own that stumbled the champion backwards a step. River lunged towards her again just as Carys grabbed her head for a codebreaker.

Claire: The former Diamond Champion showing all of her experience here and she’s catching River with some big shots right now. What answer, if any, can River find?

The challenger got back to her feet, and was quickly trying to recuperate from River’s offense when she darted for the far side. Campbell was almost back to her feet by the time Carys rebounded, grabbing her head and delivering a springboard bulldog to the Diamond Champion. Carys scaled the ropes like a cat before landing a moonsault off them onto River before hooking the leg for the cover!

Zack: My goodness, an Asai moonsault off the top rope! She practically walked up the ropes!

ONE!!!

TWO!

River got her shoulder up in time as soon as the two hit the mat, causing Carys to roll away from her back to her feet. Carys was picking up the pace now, darting for the far side ropes this time. River made it back to one knee, which Carys used to deliver a step up enzuigiri. 

Claire: McFarlane’s speed is stopping River from even getting back to a vertical base here. Doing that stops her from mounting any of her normal offence here.

The champion fell forward onto the mat as Carys shook her head, still feeling the effects of the offense she had already absorbed. When she spotted the champion face down on the mat, she bolted for the corner. The veteran wasted no time as she left her feet with a leaping elbow drop in mind….until River rolled out of the way. Carys hit the mat like a ton of bricks, and now both women lay on the canvas with the champion holding the back of her head.

Zack: River definitely doesn’t want to fight this match at the challenger’s pace, and she just stopped her cold by avoiding that elbow drop. Now it’s a race to see who gets up first.

Claire: Real bad landing from Carys and it’s given River a chance but it’s only a chance right now. She has to capitalise on this opportunity that she’s been handed here.

Pruitt was up to five before River sat up. The champion glanced over to see Carys rolling towards the ropes, and holding her elbow. Campbell got back to her feet, and went to get her. As Carys finally stood up, River shoved her into the nearest corner and leaned back against her body to pin her there. And that’s when a barrage of back elbows from both arms landed on either side of Carys’ head before River stepped away from her. The former Diamond Champion stumbled out of the corner, and River planted her with a gutwrench suplex.

Claire: The one saving grace for Carys is that River’s offence doesn’t usually work the joints and arms all that much, so she’ll get a chance for that arm to feel better and use it - if River gives her the chance to, that is.

Zack: I doubt the champion is planning on that. That gutwrench is very much like the one Valerie uses, so River may have prepped for tonight by watching Carys’ big sister’s matches.

The champion headed to the farthest corner, and dropped down into a three point stance. But Carys rolled out of the ring, causing River to get back to an upright position. McFarlane was laying on the apron now, starting to get up again. River went to get her, and grabbed her head under one arm before scooping her up into a stalling brainbuster. But Campbell held her there, stepping backwards towards the center of the ring with Carys still held upside down until she finally spiked her into the mat and hooked the leg for a cover.

Zack: Have you ever seen someone walk around while holding their opponent up like that?! This could be over!

ONE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEE-NOPE.

Carys popped her shoulder off the mat in time for the three, and River got back to her feet. The earlier enzuigiri was causing her to hold the back of her head again for a moment as she gave the sign for her clothesline finisher.

Claire: River senses blood in the water but we’ve seen already that Carys has this well scouted. The Champion should probably consider taking a different tack rather than keep going back to the well.

Campbell’s foot pawed the mat like a rodeo bull waiting to come out of the gate. Carys was slow to move, and began to get to her feet finally with her back to the champion. That’s when River bolted towards, only for Carys to turn into her with a spinning knee strike to the jaw that dropped her to all fours on the canvas. McFarlane staggered backwards as she saw River on her hands and knees, and bolted towards her with a curb stomp to the back of her head before flipping her over to make the cover!

Zack: Right into Carys’ knee, and a curb stomp may be about to give us our first 2 time Diamond Champion!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEE-NO!

River’s shoulder came off the mat in time, and Carys rolled away from her towards the corner. The blonde was still dazed as she used the turnbuckles to help her get up, and then glanced back to River and then the corner as if debating to go high risk.

Claire: Gotta hand it to River, I thought she was done for right there and the knee strike was a knockout shot. Somehow she got her arm up but it might only be delaying the inevitable.

Carys finally made the call, and started her ascent to the top rope. As she was getting her foot up there, River popped up and darted towards her. She hopped up to the top rope with her for a half second before bringing her down with a flatliner that bounced them both off the mat. Both of them lay motionless beside one another, one face up and the other face down.

Claire: Both competitors have given it their all out there and they’d paid the price. From somewhere River got that burst of energy but she’s in as bad a way as the challenger after coming off the top!

Zack: I think River’s instincts facing high flyers has improved! She took a lot of lessons from dealing with Jamie, and we’re seeing what she learned against a woman with vastly more experience than either her or the “Magical Girl” in there.

The referee began another ten count on both women, and it was River who began to move and sit up first. It was obvious her back and the back of her head was bothering her after that impact, but she made it back to her feet. A quick glance to Carys showed her still face down on the mat, and the champion pulled her into position before she headed for the corner.

Zack: I don’t have a clue what River has in mind, but maybe she took a couple more pages out of the high flyer’s handbook than we knew! She’s heading up!

Claire: We’ve seen her roll out some new skills earlier in the match. Perhaps with the murderers row of speedsters and high flyers that have been jostling to get in contention she’s about to show us something else new?

River was almost to the top rope before Carys finally nipped up to her feet. The champion looked between her legs to see her just as Carys fired a superkick into her chin between those same legs. Campbell collapsed to the mat, and Carys hopped up to the top rope for a corkscrew moonsault that landed flush! She hooked the outside leg for the cover!

Zack: THAT’S NOT ONE KNOCKOUT SHOT….THAT’S TWO!!!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NO.

Campbell got her foot across the bottom rope near that corner, and the referee waved off the count. Carys sat up, double checking with Pruitt before the referee showed her two fingers and then pointed out River’s foot still on the bottom rope.

Claire: I can’t believe it! Carys can’t believe it!! If they were a couple of inches further away from the ropes, we’d be crowning a two time Diamond Champion right now!!

It was almost like Carys had heard Claire. Because when she made it back to her feet, she grabbed River’s arm and leg and pulled her about two feet away from the ropes. She stepped over the champion, and headed back to the corner once more as the fans in the Future Shock Arena were on their feet.

Zack: Nobody but Carys knows what she has in mind, but either she heard you or you two are thinking the same thing. McFarlane’s heading up again, and River won’t find any ropes this time!

Claire: High risk from Carys here. She’s giving River time to recover but it might be moot after the last two shots the Diamond Champion has taken!

Carys didn’t waste a second of time as she scaled the corner, and immediately came off with a corkscrew shooting star press! The impact was seen and felt ….but only by Carys when River rolled out of the way. The challenger’s stunned body only got to its feet for a half second before River blasted towards her with her clothesline finisher that flipped Carys in midair before she made the cover!

Zack: She missed! Carys missed the corkscrew, but Campbell dam sure didn’t miss with the RAGIN’ RIVER!!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Pruitt called for the bell as River rolled off the cover, and came to lean against the bottom rope. Her mouth open as she looked exhausted and was taking in deep breaths as Lexi made it office when Campbell got her hand raised.

Lexi: Your winner by pinfall and scoring 3 points for Team USA…...AND STIIIIIIIIILL FUTURE SHOCK DIAMOND CHAMPION…...RIVER CAMPBELL!!!

Claire: Third time lucky for River but she finally connected with the Ragin’ River and it paid off for her!! Carys gave her the fight of her life and was literally just inches away from becoming a two time Diamond Champion. This match is going to go down as a classic.

The scoreboard ticked 3 points next to River’s name, now tying her with Jacqui for the lead. River looked up to it as she got back to her feet finally, and was handed her title by the referee. 

Zack: There’s a tie for the lead in Global Wars tonight between the USA and Australia, and River has chalked up two successful defenses of the Diamond Championship. But hell’s bells, I think this one might rank as one of the toughest matches she’s ever had, title or not. 

Claire: No argument here, Zack. River was put through the ringer by one of the most experienced and talented wrestlers in Future Shock and survived by the skin of her teeth. I’m sure it’ll be made all the sweeter taking those three points and moving to the top of the Global Wars leaderboard and getting off to a good start in the Series.

River helped Carys back to her feet, shaking her hand just as they had before the match began. She stepped out to the floor, raising the title in one hand and pointing up to the scoreboard with the other. That’s when the show went to a commercial for Crossed Out.



Cait Is Money

After the commercial break, the show returns inside the arena amid a deafening chorus of boos directed at Kyle Kilmeade. The manager is found standing in the ring before taking the microphone from Lexi. 

Kyle: Two weeks ago tonight over halfway across the world, Future Shock history was made when we crowned a new Future Shock Champion. Since that point, I’ve heard a lot of naysayers and critics running their mouths about how things were done to achieve that goal. And I only have one question for all of them. Have you been paying attention? I don’t get why you’re upset or angry when you were told from day one that Cait will go to whatever means needed to get what she wants. So if you’re upset that she did….exactly what she’s been saying from the start, then you’re obviously deficient in some way. But this moment is not about those people...or any of you honestly. It’s about the woman I’m going to introduce. It’s about the NEEWW reigning FFW Future Shock Champion…….

The opening of Madonna’s “Material Girl” begins playing as Cait Flanagan steps out onto the ramp. With a wink, she licks her index finger and touches it to the ground and as she passes the spot, flames shoot up behind her. She reaches into her tights and pulls out a wad of cash, fanning it out for the crowd to see.

She tousles her hair and fans herself with the money, then shrugs and tosses it behind her, letting it get eaten up by the flames. Cait puts her hand up to her mouth as she seems to realize what she’s done, but then she shrugs her shoulders and cackles.

[You know that we are living in a material world, and I am a material girl…

Still laughing, Cait skips the rest of the way down to the ring, tossing her hair over her shoulder and blowing mocking kisses to the men in the audience. She ascends the steps and ducks through the ropes, and embraces her manager.

Kyle: CAIT FLANAGAN!!!

In her hands is the Future Shock Championship, which she raises over her head to boos from the fans until her music fades out. 

Cait: Oh, how I’ve missed the sweet sounds of the Boston crowd yelling at me because they can’t do anything to change what’s happened. All I can say though is get used to it, because this title isn’t going anywhere!

Kyle: With that said, I did prepare a couple surprises to make this place more befitting a woman such as yourself. In a way to remind people who is on top of this entire brand.

Kyle snaps his fingers as a couple large banners drop from the rafters to hang over the ring featuring posted photos of Cait with her title.

Cait: These are even better than the mockups you showed me! I look amazing with this title belt, don’t I?

Kyle: Oh, we’re not done yet. I want to give everyone here in this arena a little something to take home with them tonight to commemorate this occasion. Like your Twitter name says, Cait is money, so...

He snaps his fingers again as million dollar bills featuring Cait’s face start falling from the rafters onto the crowd.

Cait: My own million dollar bills? Kyle, you shouldn’t have!

Kyle: One last surprise for you. As you can tell, I went all out for this. If you’ll stand right over here with me…

He holds out his arm for her to take before they move to one of the corners. The arena darkens as a spotlight shines on the mat….of Cait’s face.

Kyle: We’re going to call that the “Million Dollar Spotlight” right there. 

Cait: You’ve really outdone yourself, Kyle. And you know what? The more they boo, they more that locker room bitches about it, the more I’m going to shove it in everyone’s faces that the Million Dollar Baby is now your Million Dollar Future Shock Champion, and there is nothing any of you can do about it. So learn to love it, or shut up. 

After she finishes and the crowd is making almost deafening boos at this point, the show cuts to a commercial break.

[Adam Grant]

The show returns from the commercial break back to the ring one more time this evening, and finds Lexi ready to begin once again as she teases the crowd a little in her dress.

Lexi: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is your main event! And it is for the Future Shock Nova Championship!

Zack: One thing I think we can both agree on is that the Nova Champion for the last couple years has been notated for long reigns, Claire. Tonight marks a chance for the champion to achieve a milestone with that title that no one else has achieved.

Claire: We’ve sat here and we watched Mikayla put together arguably the definitive Nova Championship reign...only for Luna to come back and one up her as she heads towards the one year anniversary of reclaiming that title. Though I’m sure if you ask Luna she’ll tell you that she’s well past that milestone because she never actually lost the title in the first place, regardless of what the record books might claim. 

“All of the kings have their queens on the throne
We will pop champagne and raise a toast
To all of the queens who are fighting alone
Baby you’re not dancing on your own”

Ava Max’s “Kings and Queens” comes out over the speakers, bringing a cheer from the crowd in attendance. The Australian wrestler steps out from behind the curtain, with Vincent by her side. She stops in the centre of the stage to take it in, looking around her with a smile on her face.

Lexi: On her way to the ring, for Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, please welcome LUCIIIIIII!

Still smiling widely, Luci heads down to the ring with Vincent beside her. He overtakes her near the bottom, and ascends the steps. Reaching down, he helps his wife to the apron, then pulls the ropes apart so that she can step through. Once there, she goes to her corner and hops onto the middle turnbuckle, throwing her hands into the air and grinning. As she comes back down the music fades out.

Zack: Momentum is definitely in Luci’s corner. She hasn’t been defeated in the ring since she arrived in Future Shock. I have a feeling she’s going to pose all kinds of problems for Luna, and could well be the biggest threat she’s faced for the Nova Championship.

Claire: I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. Luci has long been regarded as one of the most underrated wrestlers in the world; as someone with World Championship and Hall of Fame potential and we’ve been seeing it every week she’s stepped into the ring. She might not have the accolades yet, but it’s only a matter of time and opportunity till she does. 

Look out, they're closing in on you now
Wake up, or you’ll wake up six feet down
Nobody's got your back in this town
Knock 'em. In the. Teeth. NOW!

The intro to Set It Off's "Killer in the Mirror" starts on the sound system, and lights start blinking in random colors as Luna Cortez walks onto the entrance ramp. She's soon joined by her manager Christian Kincaid, as he stands right beside her to show her off for the crowd. She stops right before the ramp, taking a spin and stopping in a particular pose, winking for the cameras before turning on her heels and running her hands up her slender body and then bringing them above her head, only to then point to the ring... and then wave off the booing audience. Shaking her head, Luna then starts strutting down the entrance ramp, rolling her eyes at the fans in attendance as she makes her way to the ring.

Lexi: And her opponent, escorted to the ring by Christian Kincaid... From Fort Worth, Texas... She is the reigning and defending Future Shock Nova Champion…...LUNA CORTEZ!

When Luna climbs into the ring, she makes her way to the ropes facing the hard camera, stepping onto the second rope and sitting on the top rope, her back turned to the hard cam and the audience, as she makes a pose similar to the one she did atop the ramp, winking at the cameras before she waves the crowd off once again and hops back down to the ring, making her way to her corner and sharing some last minute strategy with Christian.

Zack: Tonight marks 347 days in the reign of Luna Cortez, Claire! She is the longest reigning champion in the history of this brand for any title. While Luci may have momentum on her side, Luna has record-setting history on hers.

Claire: Holding that title certainly seems to focus her mind and she has managed to pull it out of the bag and find a way to win everytime that it’s been on the line. Tonight she might well do that again BUT she’ll have to dig down deeper than she ever has and I think will really have to pull out all of the stops to retain the title tonight.

Referee Malcolm Parks asks Luna for the title, but as usual, she’s not ready to hand it over yet. Instead, she climbs three of the four corners to show it to the booing crowd and then gets into Luci’s face and shows it to her. Luci remains fairly stoic as she looks back at the champion until the referee asks for the title again. Luna backs away from the official, and finally hands it over to him so he can show it to the crowd and call for the bell. That’s when the two women start to circle in the ring, and immediately tie up in the center. Due to a height advantage, Luna pushes Luci backwards into the ropes. She gives a clean break, while Luci holds up her hands...and then shoves the Aussie through the ropes onto the apron. As the champion backs up, Luci looks at the crowd for a second and nods her head as she climbs back to her feet. She doesn’t make it entirely before Luna rushes the ropes, and clobbers her with a forearm to the head that sends her to the floor. She lands on her feet, and holds her jaw while Luna goes to the far corner and stretches out across the top rope.

Zack: It’s too early to be sure, but part of Luna’s plan here seems to involve pissing Luci off. Nothing she’s done is gonna retain the title for her, but it’ll certainly get under the challenger’s skin.

Claire: There’s an element of playing with fire about this strategy too. We’ve seen what Luci is capable of in that ring and giving her even more incentive to show it again does not seem all that wise to me. Still, Luna’s got the 347 day reign...maybe she can make this work.

Luci headed back into the ring as Luna hopped back down to her feet. They locked up a second time, and Luci immediately fell to her back to monkey flip Luna over onto the mat. She popped up quickly back to her feet, and blasted Cortez with a running knee to the body as she was getting up. Two more short knees to the body landed before Luci used a shoulder tackle to send her into the nearest corner. The Boston fans were right behind her as she climbed the corner, and dropped ten elbows into the top of Luna’s head. Cortez stumbled out of the corner, and Luci bounced off the near side to catch her with a yakuza kick to the chest. Then it was Luci who stretched herself out across the corner as she waited for Luna to get up.

Zack: Luci’s giving Luna a little bit of her own medicine. So far, it’s been a game of one upmanship here, Claire.

Claire: The woman from New South Wales certainly gave better than she got in the early exchanges. I’m sure that’s going to focus Luna’s mind a little bit more at the task on hand.

Luci immediately hopped back to the mat as Luna was getting up, catching her from behind with a high knee to the back. It sent the brunette forward, and the Aussie followed up by spinning her around and launching her with a t-bone suplex. The champion got back to her feet, and was pulled into a second t-bone. When she got up a third time, Luna spun away when she saw Luci going for it again. Instead, the challenger grabbed her arms behind her and delivered a full nelson suplex instead. Cortez reeled on the canvas, and immediately rolled out of the ring when the challenger went to get her again. The Nova Champion rubbed her back as she went towards Christian for some discussion.

Zack: Luci was popping out those suplexes like candy from a Pez dispenser. I don’t blame Luna for taking a hike, and reconvening with her manager.

Claire: It’s a good way to break up the momentum Luci was building and if she actually listens to Christian’s advice then there’s a good chance that she could maybe turn this around and get back on top.

However, the discussion was short-lived as Luci used a baseball slide into Luna’s back that nearly sent her into the barricade. The champion stopped herself before she collided with it, and Luci grabbed her head to send her back into the ring. Luna was tossed in under the bottom rope before Luci used the top rope to slingshot herself into a leg drop across Cortez’s chest before hooking a leg for the cover.

Zack: Luci’s brought her A game, and looking for the Nova title in three!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!

Luna kicked out as the two hit the mat, and Luci was quickly back to her feet. She pulled the champion up with her, and shoved her back into the nearest corner. A quartet of knife edge chops landed across Luna’s pale chest before the challenger whipped her across to the far corner. She followed her in with a jumping knee to the jaw and a belly to belly overhead suplex to send Luna sprawling to the mat.

Claire: Luna fired Luci up early on in this one and now she’s paying the price. The challenger isn’t letting her get any chance to catch her breath with this barrage of offence.

The fans were much louder now as Luna crawled towards the ropes to help her get up. Luci headed for the far side and measured the champion for a moment, waiting for her to get back to her feet. And when she did, the Aussie barreled towards her and went for a codebreaker. But Luna hooked both of her arms around the top rope, and let Luci land on her back and head. The blonde rolled to her side, holding her head as Luna took in a few deep breaths and started to get herself together.

Zack: That’s what you call ring generalship. Luna knew exactly where she was despite all she’d been absorbing, and Luci paid for a miscalculation right there.

Claire: A rough landing for the Aussie but you can see how much all those suplexes have taken out of Luna right now. She’s needing every second she can get here to pull herself together.

The champion moved forward, and started stomping her head repeatedly. She pulled Luci to her feet long enough to send her head first into the middle turnbuckle. It dropped the blonde to her knees in the corner, and the Nova Champion pressed a boot into the back of her head to smother her face against the bottom turnbuckle. Parks got to a four count before she stepped off….and back on again for another four count. Cortez dragged her out of the corner by her feet, and applied a camel clutch. The referee dropped down in front of Luci to see about a submission, but the challenger refused.

Zack: Luna’s looking to drain as much of Luci’s energy as she can here, and do more damage in the process. I talked with Christian earlier, and he says he’s taught Luna a new submission. So we might see that tonight too.

Claire: This also gives Luna a chance to recover and pull herself together a little more. This is the benefit of Christian’s mentorship on clear display here - whether we see that new submission move or not.

Vincent tried to encourage his wife from the outside, and waved the fans to get louder as they were trying to will her out of the hold. Luna actually tightened her grip when she used one hand to grab the wrist of her other hand instead of just holding Luci’s chin. The Aussie’s face clenched and darkened in color quickly as Luna clutched her own wrist under Luci’s chin. Parks checked again, and still didn’t get a submission out of the challenger.

Zack: I’ve never seen that variation of a camel clutch, but you can see how much more pain it’s inflicting on the challenger. Luna has brought this match to a crawl, and she’s thriving.

Claire: She’s taking all of the fire out of the challenger right now and this is pretty much the ideal situation for her to be in right now. She’s in charge and Luci’s not really got anywhere to go.

Finally, Luna released the hold and got back to her feet. The champion was feeling much more confident now as she smiled at her manager, and moved behind Luci as she was starting to rise to her feet. She waved her to hurry up, and immediately snatched both her arms behind her for her finisher as she lifted her off the mat.

Zack: She’s looking for the LUNA ECL---NOT YET!!

Luci freed her arms and spun into a rollup on the champion instead. The referee dove into place to make the count!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOO!!

TH-NOOO!!!

Luna managed to kick out in time, and checked with the referee to make sure it was just a two. Luci headed towards the ropes to get up again before the champion made a beeline for her with a running forearm to the back of her head. A backstabber put her back on the mat after that.

Claire: Near fall but Luci’s being made to pay for it with a couple of real big blows from Luna right there! The Champion is looking to stay in control and put this one to bed!

Luna seemed offended Luci countered her finisher as she pulled her back to her feet again. She tried to hook her arms a second time, but Luci felt it coming and quickly fired two back elbows into her head that wobbled her where she stood. The Aussie then left her feet, and delivered her spinning knee strike that floored the champion….and her to the mat.

Zack: SHATTERED out of the blue! If Luci can cover her, we got a new champion!

Claire: That’s a big if though Zack! Luci looked like she hit out of a mix of instinct and desperation and can’t make it pay off right now!

Luna and Luci both lay on the mat, and Christian moved around to the spot closest to his client and tried to revive her as best he could verbally. Luci was the first to move though, and glanced over to see Luna face up on the canvas before she threw an arm across her for the cover. 

Claire: Luna could be out cold!! We could be three seconds from a new champion!!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEE-NO!

The champion’s shoulder came up before the three landed, and the Aussie rolled away from her and struggled to sit up straight. Her upper body was clearly worn down and sore, proven by her wincing as she got back to her feet again.

Zack: Luna got the Eclipse countered twice, Luci hit her finisher but couldn’t capitalize! These two have punished each other just for the right to call themselves the Future Shock Nova Champion.

Luci finally was on her feet again, and glanced over to see Luna starting to do the same. The champion was a bit wobbly after eating her finisher, and Luci darted towards her with an axe kick to the back of her head before she got up all the way. The Boston fans were chanting Luci’s name at this point, which seemed to be helping her. Cortez struggled to her feet again, and Luci scooped her over her shoulders to deliver a GTS before falling across her for the cover.

Zack: Sleep well, Luna! New Nova Champion in three seconds!

ONE!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NO!!

Luna got her shoulder up again, and her manager looked immediately relieved on the outside. Luci checked with the referee as she got to her feet slowly once again.

Claire: I don’t think we could have gotten any closer!! Luci a heartbeat away from picking up the win and look at the relief on Christian’s face!! He knew this should be over!!

Luci gathered herself, and moved around behind the champion as she was starting to get back to her feet. The Aussie patted her knee, waving for the champion to turn around as the crowd got much louder once again.

Zack: Luna got up from one of these. I’m not sure she’ll do it twice though!!

Luna turned to find her opponent just as Luci left her feet. She went for her spinning knee strike again, and nailed it perfectly! The fans came to their feet as Luci dropped into a cover with a leg hook before Parks made the count.

Zack: For the second time in this match,, Luna gets SHATTERED!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

The referee called for the bell to a roar from the crowd as fireworks erupted along the rafters. Vincent immediately joined his wife in the ring, congratulating her as the referee raised her hand and then handed her the title.

Claire: Huge knee strike!! The third knockout shot Luci landed and it sees her pick up a massive victory tonight. Tell ‘em Lexi!! 

Lexi: Your winner by pinfall….AND NEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWW Future Shock Nova Champion………...LUCI!!!

Luci took the title, and looked at it as she clutched it face up in her hands. She finally started to smile, and thrust it into the air as the fans continued showing her love.

Zack: The 347 day reign of Luna Cortez came to an end right here, and a woman who could be considered a phenom in many respects made it happen! Congratulations to Luci on a massive victory!

Claire: We’ve long described Luci as one of the most talented, most underrated wrestlers in the world and tonight she proved it, ending the reign of one of the longest reigning Champions in history!

Luci looked positively elated as she looked at her reflection in the title as her husband seemed just as proud as she was. Meanwhile, Christian pulled Luna to the apron to check her over.

Zack: No matter how you feel about her, Luna Cortez was one helluva Nova Champion. She made history holding that title as long as she did, a record that’s gonna be hard to break. But tonight, Luci proved she’s every bit as good as we say she is! And just like we said in Sydney, it’s still a damn good night to be from Australia in Future Shock. 

Claire: Luci’s momentum is building and building and tonight she picks up one of the biggest wins of her career. Luna certainly pushed her all the way but Luci dug deeper, landed the Shattered and finally it was enough to put the triplet away.

Luci laid her new title over her shoulder as she left the ring with Vincent. The camera got a close up of her and the Nova Championship as Future Shock faded off the air.