FFW Future Shock - Episode 113

[Adam Grant]

   
Live from the Equidome Arena in Scottsdale, Arizona
April 12, 2022

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 Charlotte Harker, who darts out of the bank and around a corner at top speed with it in her hands. She doesn’t get far before Shaw trips her up, and takes the title away from her with a shake of her head. As she’s looking down at her former tag partner 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 Equidome 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 the last stop for the girls of Future Shock before we head for Global Wars in Lille, France two weeks from tonight only on FFW All Access. Welcome to Scottsdale, Arizona here at the Equidome Arena, where we have not only stars from this roster but also FFW on the show tonight. 

Claire: We’re certainly going all out for the final show on the road to Global Wars, with a hometown girl coming from FFW to issue an open challenge and two matches that are sure to have huge implications for Global Wars itself in just two short weeks.

Zack: Right you are. The reigning Diamond Champion River Campbell will have her second to last match in the Global Wars series tonight when she faces Sapphire Taylor. One last chance for River to get more points for the USA, and possibly get a feel for someone who may be challenging her if everything goes to plan for her and Sapphire at Global Wars.

Claire: River has been proud to represent Team USA ever since the call was put out by Adam last year and you know that she’ll be going all out tonight to get back on track after the tag match. Sapphire is going to prove a challenge for her but I’m pretty certain that this match is all River is thinking about right now and once it’s done, she’ll start working in earnest towards Global Wars and trying to be as successful as she possibly can.

Zack: We’ll also see Arabella Townshend in what will be her final match in the Global Wars series. She would love to scoop up more points for England, but given who her opposition is, I have to think there’s more on her mind than just points. She’ll be meeting Daniela Ruiz of Latina Heat in her singles debut. 

Claire: Francesca posed a couple of problems from Angelina two weeks ago and I’m certain Daniela will be looking to repeat that feat - if not go even further against Arabella. The Latina Heat believe that they’re the fans favourite tag team already and are looking to show they deserve to be with their performances in the ring. Even if they are crooks.

Zack: You hit that nail on the head. And for the first time in a long while, the “Lioness” Elizabeth Lannister returns to Future Shock in her hometown for an open challenge. Anyone on the roster is welcome to come try their luck with Elizabeth here in Scottsdale. Maybe Kyle learned from what happened when Bianca Reed did the same thing at Relentless, and made sure it was only people on the current roster rather than anyone.

Claire: Two days removed from dealing with Rebecka Hate at Breaking Point, The Lioness is rolling the dice tonight and she might live to regret it. The girls on this roster have proven that they are a match for the best on the FFW roster, let alone a technical superstar coming off a war a couple of days before. I’m looking forward to seeing this.

Zack: Speaking of Kilmeade, I’ve been informed he and the reigning Pure Champion will be addressing us tonight. We found out that Mila Martin chose to use her title match on Lilly Arthur and the No Surrender title. So that means Shaw’s next challenger isn’t set in stone yet. Maybe he’ll have another name in mind. Knowing Shaw, I can’t imagine she’d be worried regardless. 

Claire: I don’t think we’ve seen Shaw by anything but supremely confident in herself and her own abilities when it comes to stepping in that ring. Can you recall her ever suffering from any kind of self doubt? I don’t see any reason for that to have changed. She’ll meet whoever head on.

Zack: We’ll also hear from Fiona as well tonight. I’m not sure what’s on her mind, but rumor in the back is that she’s already decided that she’s going to be the next Nova Champion, Claire. I hope someone informs her that you have to get in the ring and prove you deserve the shot rather than just saying you will be the next champion.

Claire: She believes that she innovated the moonsault, Zack. I think she probably sees beating the current Nova Champion as a minor detail. Ask me, she’s spent too long out in the rain and has a little water on the brain but…that’s only a personal opinion, not a professional one.

Zack: All things considered, the last stop before Global Wars has all the earmarks of being a powderkeg. Let’s send it up to my broadcast partner on Breaking Point as well as Future Shock’s exhibitionist ring announcer, Lexi Carmichael.

The show switches to Lexi in the ring, as always, in a short dress. With a big smile on her face, she begins the introductions.





Lexi: The opening contest of Future Shock is scheduled for one fall to a finish, and it is part of the Global Wars series.

The loud strumming of a guitar could be heard across the Pa system. As it does we can see the silhouette of a woman on the tron strumming at a guitar. The woman tosses the guitar to the side and as she does she slowly emerges from behind the curtain. Sapphire smiles as she is in a blue glittery attire. She isn’t around as she is with best friend Emerald McAdams. The blue make their way down the ramp to the loud ovation of boos.

Lexi: Making her way to the ring being accompanied by Emerald McAdams, she is “The Shining Star” Sapphire Taylor!!!

Sapphire stops as she takes it all in. She cracks a very wicked grin before she sprints into the ring. She quickly makes her way to her feet where she does a backflip. The crowd just boos loudly as she does. She ignores them as Emerald tells them to be quiet. Sapphire smiles before bouncing about and waiting for things to get underway.

Zack: Sapphire has been kept pretty busy since arriving in Future Shock. On our last broadcast, she got the win over Aviva Miller ahead of their triple threat at Global Wars. But tonight, she’ll meet a woman who is the Future Shock equivalent to a wrecking ball when she gets in the ring. 

Claire: This is going to be a whole different challenge for Sapphire and she’ll need to step up and be ready for that. This is going to be more of an in your face, all out attack that she’ll see tonight. It’ll be interesting to see how she deals with it because you know Aviva and Kyle will be watching for anything that might give them a leg up at Global Wars.

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. She nods her head, reveling 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 133 lbs, standing 5’7” she is the reigning Future Shock Diamond Champion...RIVER CAMPBELL!!!

Zack: In just 2 weeks, River looks to have the night of her career when she hopes to win Global Wars. And if that wasn’t enough, she wants to retain that Diamond title against Nadia Beaulieu. And it’s fair to note, Nadia will be in her home country and I’m sure will be treated like the conquering hero when she challenges River.

Claire: River is certainly going to have to be at her very best. She’ll need all of her resilience and all the stamina she can muster in two weeks time because she has a mountain to climb. It’ll not phase her being something of an underdog but the physical demands of it all… Still, a win tonight can give her a huge shot in the arm.

Referee Melinda Davis waited till Lexi was out of the ring before she called for the bell to start the match. The fans immediately began showing the Diamond Champion their support as she headed towards the center, where she met Sapphire. At ringside, Emerald was trying to get a chant going for her protege without much success. The pair quickly locked up from there, and River showed her strength advantage as she backed Sapphire into the ropes. The referee got a clean break as River took a step back with her hands up. Taylor used the chance to deliver a kick to her stomach followed by two more before she hooked a side headlock into place and dragged River’s face across the top rope to blind her. A short knee to the body landed before Taylor snapped her out of the corner with a hair mare. 

Zack: No surprise seeing a Gemstone take a shortcut. I had a chat with DOC earlier today, Claire. And he informed me we may see some offense out of River tonight. 

Claire: They certainly like to follow their leader’s example don’t they? Whatever it takes to get ahead is a shared mantra for every single one of the Gem Stones.

Before the guitarist could sit up, Sapphire stepped on her hair and pulled her up by her arms to try to rip some of that hair out of her head. She did it twice more before measuring a standing fist drop into her face. She bounced off the near side with a leaping leg drop to her chest as Emerald applauded from ringside. The manager actually snatched the Diamond title off the table, and handed it to Sapphire. She thrust it over her head as though she had already won it, causing nothing but boos from the fans.

Zack: Talk about premature! Sapphire already posing with the Diamond title, and she hasn’t even won a shot at it yet. 

Claire: Not only is she wasting time, but you know this is going to get under River’s skin and motivate her to really go to town on Sapphire when she gets the chance.

Davis demanded she return the title, but Sapphire wasn’t eager to do so. She held it against her waist to see how it looked, getting more applause from Emerald at ringside. Then over her shoulder as she looked at the video wall to see how that looked. When she turned around to show the crowd on the opposite side how it looked, she found River back on her feet and standing in front of her. That’s when the right hands started flying as the champion connected with quick shots to her jaw, causing her to drop the title onto the mat. River fired her into the nearest corner, and started unloading with Mongolian chops across her shoulders to drive Taylor to a seat in the corner.

Claire: Sapphire just turned into a buzzsaw from River!! I hope Emerald was taking photos because that might be the only time Sapphire gets to pose with the Diamond Championship!!

Zack: If River wasn’t motivated before, she certainly is now! She just hammered her down, and here come the stomps!

Campbell grabbed the top rope with both hands, and began stomping away at Sapphire’s chest repeatedly. She took off for the far side, and came back with double knees to Taylor’s chest, crumpling her down onto the mat. The fans ate it up, and River doubled back to scoop her title off the canvas. She held it up for the crowd to get a very positive response before the referee asked her to give it back now.

Zack: I think the lesson to be learned here is keep your hands off the title unless it actually belongs to you. 

Claire: Some people are superstitious about picking up titles before they’ve won them Zack…for some they think it brings them all the bad ju-ju and jinxes them. Sapphire might be feeling like that right now.

River gave the title back to the referee as Sapphire was pulling herself back to her feet in the corner. The champion turned around and charged towards her, catching her with a running European uppercut to snap her head back. She then hooked her in a waistlock, and sent her up and over with a belly to belly overhead suplex..And with the crowd even louder behind her, River dropped down into her three point stance in the corner. 

Zack: Usually you get a meal when you fly like that! And the Diamond Champion says she’s ready to bring down the curtain right now!

Claire: She’s not getting paid by the hour. She wants to lay down a marker before she meets Nadia in two weeks and take the 3 points for USA and at least be at the top of the standings ahead of the triple threat finale.

Emerald shouted at her protege to look out as Sapphire was beginning to stir. She took her time about it too before she finally made it to her feet. Emerald was screaming louder now. And when her client turned around, she bolted to the left and out of the ring just as River was about to take off. The champion stopped herself after two steps, and rose back up while Sapphire was joined by her manager at ringside.

Zack: That’s the smartest thing she’s done all night. I think Sapphire might have milked that a little before she got up, and then got the hell out of the way.

Claire: Campbell was about to take her head clean off her shoulders if it weren’t for Emerald’s warnings at ringside. Can she turn it around with this little breather at ringside?

Emerald tried to share some advice with her client, though River didn’t want to wait for her to come back into the ring. The champion reached through the ropes, and pulled her onto the apron with two handfuls of hair. She peppered her with forearms before hooking her head for a vertical suplex to bring her back inside. As soon as she got her up, Emerald pulled her foot out and Sapphire landed on top of her for a cover while the manager held onto that same foot as the referee counted.

Zack: Wait wait wait!! 

ONE!!!

TWOO!!

River used her free foot to stomp at the manager’s hands, causing her to let go as she got her shoulder up off the mat. She shoved Sapphire off her, sat up, and reached through the ropes to grab Emerald. 

Claire: That might have been a mistake by Emerald. She might be about to take a beating…but at least it’ll give Sapphire a chance to get her wits about her once more.

Emerald tried to free herself from River’s grasp, while Sapphire was getting back to her feet. She looked a little dazed till she saw what was going on, and connected with a punt kick to River’s spine. The Diamond Champion was forced to let go, and Sapphire quickly fired a few more kicks into her back to keep her down. Campbell leaned forward before a baseball slide connected with her lower back. She fell backwards onto the mat just as Taylor was using the middle rope for a springboard moonsault into the cover. 

Zack: Emerald’s worse than Kilmeade out here, and Sapphire’s looking to vulture the win!

ONE!!

TWOO!!

The champion got her shoulder up again, and Sapphire quickly got to her feet. She pulled her to sit up by her arms so she could stomp her chest repeatedly before one face wash boot to the mouth sent River back down to the mat.

Claire: River can’t allow herself to get too distracted by Emerald’s antics on the outside. All it’s doing when she does is opening the door for Sapphire to beat her down and test her resilience.

Taylor began to use more of her aerial offense as she darted towards the corner,  scaling it like a cat before dropping backwards into a falling elbow drop to Campbell’s chest. She grabbed both of her legs, and used a catapult to send the champion chest first into the corner. River stumbled backwards holding her chest in pain before Sapphire darted behind her for a reverse rana into another pinfall attempt!

Zack: This is what she loves to do best! Taylor looking for a huge upset!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOO!!

T-NO!

River kicked out after the two hit the mat, and Sapphire got back to her feet. The Scottsdale crowd started chanting for the champion, trying to inspire her as Taylor measured her for something. 

Claire: River’s going to have dig down deep and channel everything that she learned defending her title against the likes of Carys and Jamie Winters to turn this around.

Finally, Campbell made it to her feet before Sapphire blasted past her and jumped onto the middle turnbuckle, only to twist off and go for a high cross body. But River caught her, snatching her out of the air and countering with a running powerslam. The fans loved it too. Campbell dropped to her knees, clutching her back though.

Zack: How impressive was that?! River snatched her out of the sky like King Kong with a helicopter! But she’s not able to follow up just yet.

Claire: You can see how much Sapphire’s offence has taken out of River and the damage it’s done to her back…but River has proven that she will fight through everything to try and be a success.

River finally got back to her feet, but so had Sapphire who was only a step behind her. The Diamond Champion went back to throwing hands, clobbering Sapphire with rights to the head before she whipped her across for the ride. Taylor rebounded into a pop-up European uppercut that dropped her like a rock. Campbell stumbled backwards, leaning against the ropes with one hand on her back as her opponent was face down on the mat. Then she looked towards the corner, back to Sapphire, and then headed towards the corner.

Zack: I’d have covered her right there, Claire! Was this what DOC was telling me about? River….she’s heading up! That’s not her wheelhouse up there…

Claire: I applaud the desire for wanting to show off what you’ve learned…but when you’re back’s on fire and you’re facing a high flier like Sapphire, going high risk like this is NOT a good idea.

Not being accustomed to it, River slowly made her way up to the top rope, albeit with her back causing her to stop once as well. Emerald got onto the apron as well, and caught a kick to the chest from River to send her back to the floor. When the champion refocused her attention, Sapphire was charging towards her. She ran up the corner and snatched the champion into a cyclorama. Both women bounced off the mat before Sapphire threw an arm across her for the cover. 

Zack: I don’t believe it….I don’t believe Sapphire is about to pin the Diamond Champion!

ONE!!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOPE.

River’s shoulder came off the mat as the referee’s hand was about to touch the mat. But Davis confirmed it was just a two when Sapphire looked up at her, causing her to shake her head as she struggled to get up to her feet.

Claire: Again River shows how tough she is after getting caught in no-man’s land. But she has to find a way to turn this around. The more she allows Sapphire to have the upperhand, the more she flirts with the possibility of an upset.

Sapphire grabbed River, and pulled her up to plant her head between her legs. She hoisted her up for what looked to be a running powerbomb, but River broke free and landed in front of her. Taylor tried to blast her with a backhand, only to have it blocked and River kick her in the gut to deliver a gutwrench powerbomb herself. She lunged across her for the cover.

Zack: River was ready that time, and Sapphire got planted! 3 points to the USA!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THRE-NOPE!

Davis held up two fingers after Sapphire’s shoulder came up. River sat up on her knees, one hand pressed against her back. When she made it back to her feet, she headed towards the corner and dropped into her three point stance….but all the damage to her back made leaning like that miserable for her and she had to stand back up.

Claire: We all know what River is thinking, but it doesn’t look like she can get herself set to deliver it the way she likes. She might have to go back to the drawing board and pull something else out of the bag here.

When Taylor was back to her feet, River scooped her up into a bearhug. But instead of squeezing her, she ran her into all four corners back first. By the fourth one, Sapphire was practically limp over her shoulder before Campbell turned it into a spinebuster. She rolled through with both legs hooked for the cover as Davis dropped to count.

Zack: Like a rag doll! I think River’s found the path to victory!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOPE.

As the referee’s hand was coming down for three, Sapphire barely budged her shoulder off the mat to stop the count. It only lifted a couple inches at most, and River sat up on her knees and leaned forward in pain. One hand was still pressed to her back as she looked towards the corner again.

Claire: I don’t like the way she’s looking to the corner, Zack. She got caught up there once before and her back doesn’t look like it’s gotten any better since her last climb.

River got back to her feet, and headed for the corner once more. She was even slower making it to the top rope this time, and Sapphire was still laying on the canvas. Campbell perched herself for a second, and immediately straightened up as it looked like a shock went up her back. She shouted at Taylor to get up, but the brunette wasn’t very quick to do so. Though she was starting to roll over on the mat.

Claire: You can see how much she struggled to make it up there Zack. This is the very definition of feast or famine for the Diamond Champion!

Zack: River in the high rent district for the second time, and I’m not loving her chances anymore than my broadcast partner!

Sapphire struggled, but got to her feet. As she turned around, River launched herself into a blockbuster that connected perfectly! She shouted in pain as her back hit the mat, but she rolled over on top of Sapphire with her teeth gritted!

Zack: She hit it that time! That may have hurt worse than anything Sapphire’s done!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

The referee called for the bell to a pop from the crowd before River rolled off the cover onto her side. That hand went right against her back again for a few seconds before she made it back to her feet to get her hand raised.

Claire:  It was hard fought but the Diamond Champion managed to pull an iron out of the fire tonight and heads towards Global Wars - one of the biggest nights of her career - with a little bit of momentum behind her.

Lexi: Your winner by pinfall….and scoring 3 points for the USA……RIVER CAMPBELL!!!

River’s title was returned to her by the referee, and she grasped it with gritted teeth. The points were added to the scoreboard. 

Zack: Sapphire gave River all she wanted, and I suspect Nadia may have learned a few things watching this match. But River comes out on top, and is now tied for first place with Jacqui in Global Wars at 9 points each!

Claire: River is going to enjoy seeing that up on the video wall. But she was pushed all the way by Sapphire tonight and I’m not sure what sort of condition her back will be in. Whilst Taylor has certainly given Aviva and Ashley something to think about with this performance.

Campbell gingerly exited the ring, still suffering from the damage to her back as she headed towards the ramp. And that was when the show cut to the back. 




Purely Shaw

Future Shock returns from the break to find the reigning Pure Champion in the back alongside her manager. Kyle look as though he’s in contemplation about something before he begins. 

Kyle: What can you do? A few weeks ago right here on this show, Shaw and I practically laid out the welcome mat for “Midnight” Mila Martin to use her prize to challenge for the Pure Championship. Did everything but send her an engraved invitation, maybe with a gift basket. And well…she decided to go after Lilly and the No Surrender title instead. 

He shrugged his shoulders with hands up for a second.

Kyle: Okay, cool. I can’t say I blame her. I get a tinge of remorse every time someone steps into the ring across from Shaw with their rosy expectations that it’s going to be them. That it’s going to be them who unseats the closest you can get to a sure thing in this business. I’ve watched them do it for years when she was a champion here, in FFW or SVW. They all step up, they all get knocked back. Like I say, I don’t blame Mila in the slightest. If you compare Lilly to Shaw, you’re asking too much of Lilly. Or anyone really. This is the ace in the hole. 

He started to rub Shaw’s arms.

Kyle: The ringer. This is the woman Adam knew would bring the Pure Championship to Future Shock first and foremost. This is the greatest FFW Champion of all time. This is the history maker. This is the brightest star in the sky. Your Pure Champion because she’s Purely in a class all her own.

The French Canadian nodded her head.

Shaw: Not a word of it is a lie or hyperbole either. Think about it. Every title, every accolade that I’ve ever wanted… I’ve won. My season of Future Shock way back when. The Unity Titles. Global Wars…despite only getting parachuted in halfway through with Canada dwelling in the basement. The FFW Championship. Now, the Pure Championship. I’ve shattered records. I’ve rewritten the history books and what people thought was possible in this company - Hell, the only person who has had the FFW Championship around the waist for more days than me? It took them five reigns with the title to do it. So like Kyle says, it’s hard to blame anyone for choosing NOT to face me - especially when there’s a title on the line. I don’t blame them for not buying a lottery ticket.

She took a deep breath.

Shaw: BUT…if you don’t buy that ticket, you don’t win the jackpot. I know I am fallible. I have days where I’m not… You can count them on the fingers of one hand, they are few and far between. But they still happen. There are still those chances to take me down. To beat me for a title. To write your name in the history books, to join the most exclusive club on the planet. Twelve men have walked on the moon…only a fraction of that have managed to beat in the ring.

Kyle: So I’m going to do something I have never done in nearly a decade of being a manager. And since Shaw and I are already going to be in Lille, France for Global Wars, I’m going to bring with me a contract for a Pure Championship match. No stipulations. No gotchas. Just an open contract, and we are gonna stand in that ring and invite anyone on the FFW or the Future Shock roster to walk their happy ass down to the ring and sign your name. It’s all you gotta do. A free shot at the champion. You just gotta come on down, like the Price is Right, at Global Wars and sign your name in the ring with us in front of the world on FFW All Access. 

Shaw nodded her head.

Shaw: Come on down. Sign your name. Buy a ticket. Get yourself a chance at writing your name in immortality. FFW or Future Shock roster, it doesn’t matter. Me and the Championship and a contract will be there right in the middle of the ring, waiting. Ready to fight whoever might walk on down the entrance ramp. We’ll even have the pen all ready and waiting. Literally all you have to do between now and then is focus on me, scout me, prepare to try and beat me. And then be the first to put pen and paper. With all the advantages that you could ever need, come, see if you can do what so few before you have managed.

The pair exchanged looks, and headed off camera. A graphic popped up on the screen advertising the new addition to the Global Wars show as the camera then spotted two women crouching in front of an open doorway down the hallway. It was Latina Heat. They were taking pictures of something until they heard the cameraman getting close, and darted away. 

[Adam Grant]

The show returns from the break, and we see a clip from the events of the last episode involving the match between Angelina Fantastica and Francesca Garcia. Then we return to live action with Lexi waiting in the ring.

Lexi: The following contest is part of the Global Wars series, and it’s scheduled for one fall to a finish.

Zack: This’ll be Arabella’s last chance to put points on the board for England before we get to Global Wars. Given how the last show ended, this one has the term ‘combustible’ written all over it. 

Claire: You’re not kidding. Daniela and Francesca have been poking Angelina and Arabella since the moment they turned up in the front row. Last week Francesca met Angelina and that devolved into chaos with the Nova Championship up for auction. Daniela might regret that tonight. Might regret it an awful lot.

The sounds of "Rebel Yell" by Billy Idol begin to play as purple strobe lights flash on the darkened stage. A woman starts to rise up from under the stage with her back to the crowd before looking over her shoulder with a smile. 

Last night a little dancer, came dancin' to my door
Last night a little angel, came pumping on my floor
She said come on baby, you got a license for love

The fans give her a very warm response as she bounces down the stage to the music, greeting several fans along ringside and even taking selfies with a couple before rolling under the bottom rope. She shucks off her ring jacket as the lights come up.

Lexi: Introducing from London, England....please welcome....ARABELLA TOWNSHEND!!

Arabella gives Lexi a little hip bump as she passes her, and climbs up onto the turnbuckle to rally the fans as her music fades out.

Zack: The question was put to Adam on Sirius radio who he thinks the pillars of Future Shock are. And I think Arabella has a hell of a case to be considered as one. As for tonight though, I think Daniela will find Arabella is a whole other kind of opponent from what her partner faced last show. She’s not gonna fly around the ring or be coming off the top.

Claire: Tonight is going to be about power rather than pace and Arabella could certainly cause Dani a lot of problems - not just tonight but also down the line with the way that she can muscle a person around and slam them into the canvas. I’m sure Arabella will use all of those tools at her disposal to pick up the points for England.

There was a burst of pyro immediately followed by the sound of Santana’s guitar as “Into The Night” started to play. The boos from the crowd began immediately as they awaited Daniela’s arrival. But as the song kept playing, there was no sign of her. The spotlight on the stage was empty. 

Zack: Well…this is unexpected. I know the Heat are both here tonight. I saw them earlier today, then we saw them a little bit ago peeking in someone’s door after we heard from Shaw and Kyle. 

Claire: Maybe they got delayed hotwiring a car in the parking lot? Given their antics…they may think it’s wise to have a getaway vehicle primed, ready to go and with the engine running. Especially with the way last week ended.

The music finally stopped, and Lexi glanced towards the back and over to the broadcast desk. She was as confused as anyone, and the boos began to get louder with no sign of Dani anywhere to be found. The Santana song started again as Lexi was ready to announce her….but still no Dani.

Zack: Arabella may just win these points on forfeit, Claire. She’s ready to go in the ring, but still no sign of her opponent. These fans aren’t overly enamored with Dani’s courage either.

Claire: I’m willing to bet that she claims they’re booing simply because they didn’t get to see her - the everyman’s hero, their new favourite wrestler. Or perhaps she’s just trying to build up her part a little bit and hope it’ll lead to a couple of mistakes by Arabella.

Referee Kevin Fisk says something to Lexi before she nods her head, and raises the microphone again.

Lexi: I’ve just been informed by the referee that if Dani Ruiz is not in the ring by a count of 10, she will forfeit this match and Arabella Townshend will be the winner!

Zack: That sounds fair to me, even if it isn’t a very popular decision. I’m sure the fans wanted to see this match, so did we. But if only one of them is in the ring, there’s not a lot of other options.

Claire: Arabella can’t really have a match without an opponent and we’ve given Daniela every chance in the world to make her way out here and debut. This could well be a lesson in punctuality learnt the hard way by the Latina Heat.

The referee began a ten count in the ring. As he got to three, the video wall started showing pictures. The referee, Lexi, and Arabella as well as the fans looked to see pictures of Arabella with her arms around someone’s neck, smiling at someone who had their back to the camera, and then one of her kissing someone in her ring gear that she was wearing at this moment. The next picture showed it was Jake Chandler, and Arabella became enraged before she bolted out of the ring and started walking with purpose up the ramp.

Zack: Wait a minute….was that what we saw them doing when they were skulking outside someone’s locker room? They were taking pictures of Arabella and Jake?! 

Claire: I guess it must have been. And Arabella… I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look more angry. If this was a cartoon there’d be steaming coming out of her ears and everyone would be diving to take cover underneath desks. Or in bath tubs. Or hiding inside a lead lined fridge.

The furious Brit picked up her pace as the cameraman followed after her as she went through the curtain and stormed past the gorilla position. The whole time, she was angrily talking to herself and shaking her head before she let out a scream of rage and started running. The cameraman was having a hard time keeping up with her.

Zack: Arabella’s privacy has been destroyed, and we’re….we’re gonna follow her apparently! Look at her, she’s beside herself! I’m not sure where….ohh, they’re in the production truck! That’s gotta be where she’s heading!

Claire: And if she catches up to them, well, the Latina Heat might not make it to Global Wars in two weeks time. Hell, they might not make it to Global Wars in two years time!!

The former Nova Champion was now sprinting through the halls, causing production staff to quickly get out of her way. She bolted at top speed before the camera changed to outside behind the arena. Dani and Francesca were heading out of the truck, clearly amused with what happened. The camera switched back as Arabella rounded a corner, still sprinting, towards the exit door. 

Claire: Oh Daniela. Francesca. If only you knew the freight train of anger and wrath that was heading your way right this instance you’d be running for your lives and going into hiding. 

Zack: We’ve known Arabella for nearly 3 years since she came to Future Shock, and I have never seen her like this! She’s infuriated! And there’s the door just ahead!

Arabella exploded through the door into the staff parking area, and caught Francesca with a spear to the ground. She started unloading furious right hands to her head as Dani grabbed her by the hair to pull her off her tag partner. Townshend turned towards her with a look of fury itself on her face, causing the Latina to let go. She backed up a couple steps with her hands up as her partner was getting her bearings and getting to her feet.

Zack: A spear to the asphalt! Look at that face! Dani tried to help her partner…well now she’s your problem!

Claire: This is not going to end well for the Heat. Look at Arabella…she looks like she’s going to rip them both in half! This is going to be brutal!!

Arabella grabbed Dani quickly, only for Francesca to blindside her with a forearm to the back. They both started firing off shots, trying to take her off her feet. It was working too as they pounded her down, but Arabella kept throwing hands from her knees until the Heat heard a whistle. They looked up to see Angelina dive into Francesca with a running shoulder block. The fists started flying again, now between them before Arabella got back to her feet and chased Dani, who was darting towards the production truck…only to find the door locked now.

Claire: Dani’s realising that they’ve bitten off way more than they can chew and isn’t going to find any sanctuary anywhere! Time for them to pay the piper!

Zack: We need some people out there pronto! Five minutes ago!

Angelina and Francesca traded blows until the Nova Champion got to her feet to try to get to her partner. Garcia made it back to her feet, and went after her from behind. A kidney shot followed by knee lifts to the body got Angelina down on one knee. Dani, however, couldn’t open the door back into the truck before Arabella bounced her face off the side of the truck, and used a running bulldog to send her into one of it’s tires. Security poured out of the back into the parking lot, and began trying to pull them all apart. They didn’t have much trouble with Latina Heat wanting to leave as the two girls made sure they were behind as many of the security force as they could be.

Zack: Good Lord! Dani and Francesca want all the human shields they can get right now! I’ve never seen a situation like this ever!

Claire: I don’t blame them either. Angelina and Arabella are out for Latina Heat blood tonight. I think the newcomers might just be happy to survive their time in Scottsdale after this brawl.

Angelina tried to grab her partner’s arm, but Arabella was trying to shove the guards aside to get to them. That’s when the Heat darted for the door back into the arena as Arabella screamed at them to come back as her partner was trying to calm her down and had a deathgrip on her arm.

Zack: Listen to Arabella screaming at them to come back! It’s taking all Angelina and these security guards can do to stop her. She’s incensed! 

Claire: It’s taking everything that they have to keep her back. But in two weeks time, the Latina Heat won’t have anywhere to run. If they were wise they’d miss their flight to France.

Next out the door was Jake himself, as he joined the girls and tried to calm Arabella down. It worked a little bit as she was starting to listen to him. Angelina was also trying to soothe her partner’s temper. 

Zack: Maybe cooler heads will prevail finally here. I’m not sure of that just yet. But I’m being told we’re gonna try to get a few words from the Belles after this break. Sara’s on her way out to the parking lot behind the Equidome Arena. 

Claire: She might just want to give them a couple more moments just to make sure Arabella’s as calm as she’s going to get tonight.

As things started to settle slightly, Future Shock took a commercial break just as Sara stepped out of the arena door.



Scenes From A Parking Lot

The show returned from the break to find the situation in the parking lot had somewhat calmed down, especially now with Latina Heat having taken off. Then we find Sara standing with a microphone trying to get a word with either of the Belles or Jake.

Sara: I’m being told that Dani and Francesca have left the Equidome Arena entirely after the altercation that we saw before the break. I’m here with Arabella and Angelina behind the arena, and I’m gonna try to talk with them.

She turns her attention to the team. 

Sara: I don’t think anyone has ever seen this side of you before in Future Shock, Arabella. Would you like to talk about it? You were a woman possessed.

Arabella: There isn’t much to talk about, Sara. What I thought was a private moment between myself and Jake ended up getting broadcast to everyone watching the show. So yes, I’m angry about it. Details of my personal life have now been exposed before I was ready to talk about them, because two sneaky bitches took it upon themselves to make that decision for me. 

Sara: That’s completely understandable. Jake, did you notice them at all? 

Jake: Well…no. I was focusing on Arabella, Sara. I guess they waited till Angelina walked out, and decided to do this. Because I know they wouldn’t have done it with both of the Belles in there. And like she said, I wasn’t going to say anything till she was ready about any of it. 

Angelina: Well yeah, cause you two definitely weren’t playing tonsil hockey while I was in there with you. Which, you know, thank you for not making me feel like a third wheel. Anyway. Daniela and Francesca have been fuckin’ around for entirely too long, and I’m hoping Adam gives us a chance sooner rather than later to have them find out what happens when you piss off the Belles.

Sara: It’s already confirmed. Two weeks from tonight at Global Wars, the Shaolin Belles against Latina Heat. 

Jake: It’s a shame they already left, we could have had it tonight.

Arabella: Perhaps it’s best for their physical well-being that they’re already gone. Besides, I’m not about to lose out on Global Wars points by getting disqualified. So we’ll see them in two weeks.

Sara: Fans, there you have it. Since the match didn’t start tonight, I don’t think it’s going to count for points for England. We’ll get that confirmed before the show is over, but these two teams will meet at Global Wars in what is now assuredly one of the most anticipated tag matches in Future Shock’s history. Let’s send it back inside.

On that visual, the show returns into the arena. 


Under Previous Management

The show returns to the back, and trails up the legs of a woman all the way to her head and upper body, that being the familiar form of Fiona O’Dalaigh. But unlike the last time we saw her, she’s now joined by Kyle Kilmeade. Neither of them get anything but boos from the Scottsdale crowd, though Fiona looks quite happy.

Kyle: Ladies and gentlemen, the deal has been made. The papers signed. The ink dried. Two weeks ago, you saw this woman right here decide to go after what she wanted. And that was to be managed by me…once again. And I’ve never been able to say no to such offers, and I’m happy to inform all of you that Fiona here is now under my management here in Future Shock. 

Fiona pops her umbrella open as she spins it around for a bit. A grin is planted firmly on her lips.

Fiona: I can personally say that it is a pleasure to have Kyle by my side once again. I know for a fact that the future is indeed bright. So brace yourselves because I sense a torrential downpour of reign, and I mean my reign over this entire company. I am that storm and with Kyle next to me. Nobody can withstand this huge gust of wind that will knock down anybody who dares to stand up to me.

Kyle: See what I mean? That’s the kind of enthusiasm I like to see in new..or in this case..returning clients. Fiona here didn’t just come back to give you all the pleasure of looking at her or hearing her voice. She came back to dominate, she came back to blow away the competition…like a tornado really. And this is usually the part of the interview…if there was an interviewer here….when they ask what’s next. And that’s simple.

He pointed to the Global Wars poster set up behind them.

Kyle: We’re going to Global Wars two weeks from tonight in Lille, France on FFW All Access. And on that show, Fiona here has already set her sights on what she wants to accomplish first. As you might have guessed, it’s a title. Specifically she wants to be the next Nova Champion. And unfortunately, that means bad news for Angelina Fantastica.

Fiona smirks nodding with a grin.

Fiona: I came here to be a champion and I will do whatever it takes to be one. Being a champion is what I am accustomed with and the replica Adrenaline Championship on my wall… Ahem undefeated reign never ended, so I might as well showcase what a Nova is all about. Now a Nova is an event that leads to a bright new star being born, well what shines brighter than I do?! I doubt anything. So for Angelina I would say I would watch my back because you have something I want. It is as simple as that.

Kyle: Unfortunately we can’t make that happen at Global Wars, because she’s got a tag match on the card. I thought a title defense would have been a great debut, but this is how the cookie crumbles at times. That’s alright though, Fiona can be a patient girl. But with that said…she’s gonna be there. You’re gonna be there. Maybe she comes and says hi. 

He flashes a smile to his newest client, and then back to the camera. 

Fiona’s smile lights up the room.

Fiona: That's perfectly fine with me but I sense a hurricane is going to hit France in two weeks. Make sure you find a safe place Angelina because you will get rocked in more ways than one. You don’t have to be a meteorologist to be able to predict what’s going to come. I think seeing will make you a believer, and my predictions are usually one hundred percent fact. So brace yourself because things will be bumpy, it will be windy, and I will send the rain. Just wait and see…

The camera watches as she turns, and the umbrella spins before the show cuts away.

[Adam Grant]

Finally, the show returns inside the arena itself where the crowd is buzzing as they see what’s next on tonight’s card.

Zack: I have been able to confirm that Arabella’s fifth match in Global Wars will be the tag match against Latina Heat two weeks from tonight. I agree with management here. The match with Francesca never started. So she and River both will have one more match before the triple threat in 2 weeks while Jacqui gets to cool her heels and hit the ring fresh.

Claire: Assuming Latina Heat turn up given what the anger we’ve seen from Arabella tonight. They might decide it’s better for their health that they don’t turn up and face her - not if she’s in the mood that she’s in right now. If they do, Francesca and Daniela might want to make sure their affairs are in order. 

Zack: I gotta tell you Global Wars has taken on a whole new level of intrigue with these two final matches in the series, not to mention the main event and the battle royal itself. Our friends in France are in for one hell of a show. 

Claire: You’ve got to think that it puts Jacqui into pole position going into the finals. We’ve seen how effective she can be against two other women in Calgary. But, with everything the Latina Heat have done, Arabella could come into that final match all sorts of fired up and match Jacqui blow for blow. It’ll certainly be an interesting contest in France.

Lexi: The following contest is an open challenge match for anyone on the Future Shock roster. Introducing first……

As the fans sit in their seats in anticipation of what is to come, they are greeted by the lights dimming. A brilliant golden spotlight focuses on the stage as the opening strains of “Massive Addictive” by Amaranthe begin to play. Immediately, the Scottsdale crowd gets to their feet in a raucous welcome for Elizabeth.

“Give me purity, strength and affection
Give me lust to ignite my devotion for life
It's where beauty comes alive
Can't you see I'm a slave to the darkness
Cutting down
And I know I have done this before
As I stare into the wall
And now it's time to let it shine
Cause don't you know I'm addicted”

The curtains rustle a bit before the dapper figure of one Kyle Kilmeade emerges from the back, his ever present smirk etched on his face. He steps out onto the stage and glances at either side of the stage at the crowd before stepping to the side, holding out his hand to the curtain. Out from the back emerges the beautiful Elizabeth Lannister. Stepping out onto the stage, she takes Kyle’s outstretched hand and promptly twirls around slowly, showing off the intricate work on her robe. Dropping his hand, Elizabeth nods and starts to walk down the aisle, Kyle walking in stride next to her.

“Massive addictive
And suddenly I'm greatly affected
Like burning fire inside
My cyanide
Scared of losing my mind
Massive addictive
I'm totally completely afflicted
As I inspire the lie like a lullaby
Crawling around in my mind
My mind”

The pair slowly make their way down the aisle, Elizabeth’s gold and red robe flowing with each step she took, completely ignoring the fans on either side of her. As the pair walk, the spotlight changes so that the entire arena is soon engulfed in gold light.

Lexi: Ladies and gentlemen, making her way to the ring, being accompanied by her manager Kyle Kilmeade…..from right here in Scottsdale, Arizona…’THE LIONESS’ ELIZABETH LANNISTER!!

Once she reaches the ring she begins to climb the steel steps, with Kyle hopping up onto the apron and holding the ropes open for her. She carefully climbs through the opened ropes and steps into the middle of the ring, flipping her hair over her shoulders and sticking her arms out to the sides, her head tilted back, a confident smirk etched on her angelic features. She then returns her head to its normal position and unclasps her robe, shrugging it off as Kyle reaches forward to carefully hand it to a nearby stagehand. She then moves her arms back and forth to loosen up as the lights return to normal and the music begins to fade out.

Zack: Elizabeth Lannister made it clear she wanted to be part of this show since this is her hometown. Wish granted! We got a lot of girls back there who would be happy to make her return home less than memorable, Claire. 

Claire: It would certainly be a massive feather in the cap for anyone in the back to come out here tonight and beat the Lioness here in her hometown. That’s easier said than done, though, Elizabeth is a fine athlete, a world class wrestler and an accomplished technician. 

Zack: We’ve not been given any kind of word on who is going to accept the challenge. But like I said, there’s a lot of talented girls in the back who can give Elizabeth all she wants and then some. But I’m pretty sure we can rule out the Gold Standard taking it.

Claire: That’s a pretty safe bet. But there are still a lot of very ambitious women in the locker room who would love to make the most of an opportunity like this and really show off their talent and their heart. In a couple of moments we’ll see who is stepping up to the plate.

Lexi: Ladies and gentlemen, the woman accepting the open challenge will be making her Future Shock debut tonight! 

Zack: That narrows it down considerably to two names I know of….unless there’s been another new signing that hasn’t been divulged yet.

Claire: Given the way that Adam and Samantha have been handing out contracts in the first quarter of the year, it’s very possible that they might still have a surprise or two still to come.

The loud beat of “Get This Party Started” by Pink begins to blast across the speakers. 

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started
I'm comin' up so you better get this party started

As soon as the chorus hits is the moment that we see a woman wearing a beanie cap emerging from behind the back curtain. She is all grins as her long pink hair cascades down her back from underneath the cap. She smirks as she begins to dance the beat and actually begins to twerk her way down the aisle.

Lexi: Introducing to the way from Toronto Ontario Canada but representing La Paloma’s Wrestling School in Mexico City, Mexico. Weighing in at 115 pounds, she is the perfect score, 4.0 Ashley Whitmore!!!!

Ashley smirks as she continues to dance to the beat. She smiles as she stops in the aisle as she spots fans all holding up score cards with the number 4.0 on it. She smiles giving them a hi five before she quickly sprints inside the ring. She chuckles before she does a cartwheel followed by a front flip before leaping into a backflip. She screams to the audience out of excitement.

Ashley smiles as she throws her cap to the side as she bounces around a bit waiting for the match to get underway.

Zack: It’s Ashley Whitmore! Boy, she really wants to jump right into the deep end, Claire. We just met her on the last show as she was in a hot air balloon. And now she wants to debut here against the “Lioness” in her own backyard.

Claire: Ashley gets the opportunity to make one heck of a splash tonight against a highly accomplished veteran of Future Shock. But she couldn’t have asked for a much more difficult debut tonight. She is definitely going to have to be as near to perfect as possible against someone as cold, calculating as and with the killer instincts of the Lioness.

Elizabeth looks around the arena as she hears a “Welcome home” from the fans, which brings a big grin to her face. Ashley, meanwhile, is bouncing on the balls of her feet in the other corner and loosening up, focusing on her opponent and not letting the crowd response get to her too much. Referee Jennifer Stringer calls for the bell to start the match, and the “Lioness” is still soaking up the response of the crowd in her corner.

Zack: How many years have we seen Elizabeth around Future Shock and FFW? Because this is the first time in all that time that she’s gotten a reception like this! As our fans know, this is not the typical reception for anyone Kyle manages.

Claire: No, not at all, but that’s all part and parcel of coming home. The fans love their hometown heroes and this has got to feel good for the Lioness and it has to be a motivating factor tonight - to want to send all these people home happy.

The blonde moves out of the corner, and waves Ashley forward. The pink-haired wrestler obliges her as they lock up in the center of the ring, and it’s Elizabeth who shows the aggression as she pushes her back into the corner. Stringer calls for the break, and Elizabeth gives it to her and even ruffles Ashley’s bright pink hair with an amused look on her face. Ashley, however, was not amused by the slight. And as Elizabeth looks to the crowd, she catches a backhand to the jaw before Whitmore grabs her head and starts slamming it against the top turnbuckle. She whipped her across to the far side for a back body drop before executing an elbow drop to her chest. As soon as she got her back to her feet, she fired her across again looking for a hip toss on the rebound. But Lannister blocked it, caught her with a forearm to the jaw and followed that with a deep Japanese armdrag takedown into a wristlock.

Zack: Elizabeth was trying to get under Ashley’s skin, and it worked. But the “Lioness” managed to reassert herself. I didn’t expect Whitmore to start off trying to go hold for hold.

Claire: Against someone as technically adept as Lannister, it’s probably a mistake to try and go hold for hold with her right off the bat. She is the type of wrestler that makes you earn the right to try and outwrestle her.

Elizabeth kept the pressure applied as she twisted the arm, keeping Ashley on one knee. The debutant finally got to her feet, but was bent forward to alleviate some of the pain. Lannister transitioned into a hammerlock, and kept her head low when Ashley tried to grab her head with the other hand without success. Whitmore tried to grab her head again with the free hand, but didn’t get far until she managed to reverse it. Now with Lannister in the hammerlock, the blonde responded quickly by running towards the corner and reversing it mid-stride to send Ashley chest first against the turnbuckles. She followed up with a German suplex into a bridge for the pin!

Claire: Excellent counter wrestling and look at the neck strength from the Gold Standard member in the bridge here!

ONE!!!

T-!

Ashley quickly kicked out, and rolled back to her feet. But the “Lioness” was back up almost as quick, and caught her coming forward with a discus elbow to the mouth. It staggered the newcomer and Elizabeth hooked her head for fisherman’s suplex into another bridge for the pin.

Zack: A little premature there for that cover, and here we go again! Elizabeth’s putting on a show here!

ONE!!!

T-!!

Again, Ashley kicked out and rolled out of her reach. The “Lioness” popped back to her feet, and waved Ashley to come at her. And when she did, Whitmore surprised her by dashing towards her and using a baseball slide between her legs to pop up behind her. When the blonde turned around, Ashley delivered a codebreaker to send her to the canvas.

Claire: That might be the best strategy for Whitmore right here - use her speed, try and stay out of her opponent’s reach. Hit her hard and fast to keep her off balance.

Whitmore grabbed both of Elizabeth’s legs for a double leg drop between them, and quickly was back to her feet again. She pulled the “Lioness” up with her, and started laying in forearms to the side of her head. The pink-haired wrestler fired her across to the far side, and popped her up into the air for a double knee gutbuster on the way down. It folded the veteran into a ball before Ashley went for the cover with a leg hook!

Zack: That was incredible, and it looks like Ashley is more than capable of going hold for hold after all. There’s the cover!

ONE!!

TW-NO!

Elizabeth kicked out as the two was coming down, and Ashley got back to her feet. The blonde clutched her abdomen in pain, which allowed Ashley to execute an Olympic slam that spiked her onto the mat.

Claire: Whitmore looks to have added a little bit of power to her game since the last time she was in FFW. Certainly a little more than above average now against one of the better wrestlers in the company.

Elizabeth got back to her feet, and received a trio of kicks to the body that caused her to double over in pain. Ashley took off for the ropes, and rebounded by rolling over the blonde’s back and falling to the mat to deliver a throat thrust into her neck. The Future Shock alumni stumbled backwards holding her throat before Ashley lunged towards her to use a headscissors DDT before going for the cover again.

Zack: My goodness!! This is what happens when you throw out open challenges, you never know who it’ll be…and what they bring to the dance! Whitmore looking for the upset!

ONE!!!

TWOOO!!

The blonde kicked out in time before the three, and Ashley nipped up to her feet. She had seemingly won over a few of the fans in the crowd already, but the majority were still behind Elizabeth.

Claire: This is turning into a very impressive debut for Ashley tonight and Elizabeth might be regretting this just a few days after facing Rebecka Hate on Breaking Point.

She watched as the “Lioness” began to get to all fours before hitting the ropes again. She went for a somersault leg drop across the back of her head, but Lannister avoided the contact. Ashley landed hard on the mat, and Elizabeth got to her feet and began firing stiff kicks into her chest in a flurry before a spinning back heel kick to the jaw put her back on the canvas. She glanced towards Kyle, who encouraged her to press the attack before a knee drop to Ashley’s head landed.

Zack: Elizabeth tends to carry a very high opinion of herself, and maybe she thought she was going to breeze through whoever came through the curtain. This may have caused some second thoughts on that.

Claire: I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. With Kyle’s encouragement we’re seeing her start to take this match a lot more seriously which is something of a compliment to the debuting Whitmore.

Ashley was a little slow to get back to her feet before Elizabeth began driving her backwards with one knife edge chop after another. Whitmore was pushed back into the ropes as a result before coming forward into a reverse roundhouse kick to the jaw that flattened her to the mat. She immediately made the cover with a leg hook.

Zack: KINGSLAYER…she could’ve knocked Ashley out cold!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

T-NO.

Ashley got her shoulder up in time, only for Elizabeth to mount her chest for a flurry of punches. She finally got back to her feet, and took off towards the ropes. Whitmore had just gotten to her feet when a bicycle kick sent her into the turnbuckles where she collapsed in the corner.

Claire: We’re seeing more of the vicious, violent streak from the Gold Standard member here. The Lioness senses that her prey is weakened and there for the taking right now.

The “Lioness” backed up to the other corner, and charged towards her with a running knee to her jaw. She then went to the next corner, and returned once again with a face wash boot that had Ashley slumped over the bottom rope. She dragged her by the feet out of the corner to the center of the ring, and darted for the far side to rebound with a phoenix splash followed by a leg hook.

Zack: A phoenix splash…that’s something I’ve never seen her use! That could be it for Ashley!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOO!!

TH-NO!!

Once more, the Future Shock debutant got her shoulder up in time before the three. Elizabeth pulled her up with a headlock, and lifted her overhead into a falcon’s arrow. And as she got back to her feet, her hometown crowd was giving her nothing but support.

Claire: Ashley is in big trouble here as the hometown hero is rolling towards victory and bringing out the offence that the Perfect Score couldn’t possibly have scouted ahead of time.

Ashley began to move, but was pulled up again by Elizabeth. The blonde fired her into the far corner, and framed her with her hands before she bolted towards her. Elizabeth left her feet as she approached the corner, going for a hurricanrana to snap Ashley to the mat…but Whitmore grabbed the ropes with both hands and let her crash onto the canvas instead. Lannister landed on the back of her head, and Ashley gave herself a couple seconds to pull it together.

Zack: Elizabeth gave her a second too long, and Ashley showed some veteran instincts right there. I gotta hand it to her, Ashley has improved dramatically since the last time she was in FFW.

Claire: She certainly has but she can’t afford to take too long to get her bearings here, not if she wants to take the fight to Lannister and stand a chance of picking up a huge win on her debut.

Ashley pushed out of the corner, and lifted Elizabeth into a tree of woe in the corner. She bounced off the far side with a meteora into her chest as Lannister hung upside down, and a few stomps to her body connected after that. And with the blonde hanging upside down, Ashley climbed that same corner. Elizabeth started to pull herself up until Ashley connected with a double stomp to her chest that snapped her down to the mat. She immediately went for the cover!

Zack: She may have cracked some ribs, and we’re gonna see one hell of an upset!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOO!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOPE.

Elizabeth’s foot was across the bottom rope as the referee’s hand was coming down. When Ashley glanced up, she saw Kyle in the vicinity and shot him a glare. It only made him smile as he said he didn’t touch her. But it didn’t look like Ashley believed him.

Claire: Veteran instincts from Elizabeth to keep this match alive, though I don’t think anyone can blame Ashley for being suspicious of Kyle given his track record.

Zack: We didn’t have the right angle to be positive, but Ashley’s not buying it, that’s for sure.

Whitmore got to her feet as Kyle backed away with hands up, and was soon joined by Abigail Lindsay as she headed down the ramp. He told Ashley to try her luck if that’s what she wanted, and Elizabeth surprised her next. She’d had time to get back to her feet, and scooped Whitmore into an electric chair driver. The blonde sat up, holding her ribs as both Kyle and Abi looked on from ringside.

Zack: We’ve seen Abigail pop up whenever Kilmeade might be in trouble, and Ashley has to remember her match is in the ring…not on the floor. Kyle bought Elizabeth plenty of time.

Claire: It’s a lesson that Ashley is learning the hard way right now. In this company you’ve absolutely got to focus on your opponent and can’t allow yourself to get distracted because everyone you might face is more than capable of turning the match around in a heartbeat.

Elizabeth pulled Ashley’s head between her legs, and delivered a Gotch-style piledriver. She swiftly rolled over her to make the cover with an outside leg hook. 

Zack: Vicious piledriver! That’ll knock anyone out!

ONE!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-NOPE.

Whitmore got her shoulder off the mat at the last second, and Elizabeth slowly got back to her feet. It was clear her abdomen was still hurting her though as one arm was held tight against her ribs. 

Claire: Somehow, someway Ashley has stayed in this and you can see the toll this match has taken on the Lioness. At this point she has to find a way to put Whitmore away sooner rather than later.

She watched as the pink-haired wrestler was trying to get to her feet. When Ashley finally made it, she followed Elizabeth’s actions from earlier and waved her forward in a show of physical toughness. Elizabeth obliged her too as she came forward, and looked like she was about to deliver her reverse roundhouse kick again….but she stopped short when Ashley ducked her head to avoid it. And that’s when Elizabeth grabbed her head for her jumping swinging DDT that planted the newcomer into the mat before she made the cover.

Zack: Elizabeth with a brilliant feint, Ashley fell for it…and then the RAINS OF CASTAMERE!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Stringer called for the bell, and Elizabeth got back to her feet to a pop from her hometown crowd. Kyle and Abi applauded from ringside as she climbed the corner for a moment to raise her hands after the referee had already done so.

Claire: That was what she needed - that half opening to spike her down on the top of her skull. Three seconds later and she’s sending this crowd home happy. Though, credit to Whitmore, that was one heck of a debut tonight.

Lexi: Your winner by pinfall……………’THE LIONESS’ ELIZABETH LANNISTER!!

Zack: I think Ashley may have given Elizabeth more of a challenge than she might have expected, but the “Lioness” got the win in the end. 

Elizabeth rolled out to the floor, and was congratulated by her manager and his bodyguard. They both raised her hand in victory to the delight of the crowd before they started to head towards the back. Ashley started to sit up next, clearly exhausted. And the fans started to give her her due as well as they applauded her.

Zack: Well deserved right there. Ashley Whitmore came back to this company a whole lot better than when she left, and she’s getting her due from this very partisan crowd. And I’m sure fans watching at home are just as impressed with her tonight.

Claire: Ashley has improved a Hell of a lot since she was last here. She showed tonight that she will definitely be a challenge for anyone that she might face inside the ring. This was an exceptional showing from her as she went against one of the best in FFW.

She got to her feet, and thanked them for the response before heading for the ropes to get out of the ring to return to the back.

Zack: Just goes to show you that even when you lose….sometimes you win.

Claire: This will certainly have opened a couple of eyes, turned a few heads and the resiliency we’ve seen tonight should definitely put the entire roster on notice. Whoever faces Ashley are going to be in for a long night.

Zack: Two weeks from tonight, it’s Global Wars only on FFW All Access! If you haven’t subscribed yet, now’s the time! We’ll see you in France!

As Ashley headed towards the back, Future Shock faded off the air from Scottsdale, Arizona.