Message #29486

[Adam Grant]

The show returns to the ring, where Kat Grayson is awaiting once again to begin the next set of introductions.

Kat: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is a #1 contender match for the FFW Championship!

Zack: It’s only been over the last month or so that we’ve seen Raven and Tara start getting in each other’s ways, including Cortez stopping her from setting Savannah Star on fire. We saw in the tag match two weeks ago that Raven has not lost an ounce of the viciousness we have long known her to have.

Gaby: One would be hard pressed to find reasons that would lead Tara Cortez to save Savannah Star other than… Please don’t set other people on fire, folks. Which lead us to the tag team match from two weeks ago in which, although Tara fell to the #1 contender for the FFW Championship who we’ll see later tonight in action, neither the Fiend nor the Immolator were looking like absolute winners, because that was a mess for everyone involved.

The lights go out completely as the opening of ‘Two-Faced by Shannon Taylor’ starts to play. A red spotlight hits highlighting the empty stage.

Just pull the trigger
I swear I'll never tell
I'm too sick for heaven, far too sweet to go to hell
These broken pieces just don't fit together well
I'm twisted, I'm wicked
Cursed by a double-sided spell

Smoke and pyrotechnic flames fill the stage before an unseen trapdoor in the floor opens and Raven Knight starts to rise up with her head kept lowered the entire time. Boos erupt from the crowd which just bring a smirk to the resident firestarter’s face, the expression made eerie by the light from the pyrotechnic flames giving her face a red, almost demonic glow.

But don't you dare say that it's
Too bad you're too two-faced to ever pick a side
And it's too bad you're too two-faced to make up your fucking mind
We'll split you down the middle
This will only hurt a bit
It's too hard being two-faced, isn't it?
(Too hard being two-faced, isn't it?)

Kat: Introducing at this time...from Providence, Rhode Island,--weighing in at one-hundred twenty pounds, she is the “The Dark Raven:” RAVEN KNIIIIGHT!

I'm seeing double, please God, let me go blind
I'm scared of nothing, it's from me my demons hide
Don't question me, my thoughts will leave you terrified
I'm psychotic, neurotic
And if I said I'm not, I lied

Raven suddenly snaps her head up, her smirk becoming a wicked grin as she surveys the booing crowd. She walks through the flames and starts to walk down the ramp towards the ring with her arms raised either side of her and her middle fingers extended towards the crowd. She speeds up as she nears the ring and jumps up onto the apron, sliding under the bottom rope and jumping to her feet in a quick fluid sequence. She raises her middle fingers to the crowd again before going back to her corner and laughing at the animosity she is getting from the crowd.

Zack: This will mark Raven’s first singles match since the ladder match she had with Kelly Kincaid this past April in Sweden. She wants the money that comes with holding that title, it’s what drives her most of all. History? She doesn’t care. It’s all about the Benjamins for Knight.

Gaby: And if she needs to go for the same well again and again for that, then why not? She came back to FFW after her injury hiatus with the absolute SAME mindset of when she left: I’m gonna light some fools up. Little did she expect, there was someone there who wasn’t just gonna watch the fireworks sitting back.

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 Tara Cortez struts onto the entrance ramp, with her manager Christian Kincaid right there with her. She stops right before the descent and pulls off a short dance move, crouching down only and taking a spin, proceeding to get back up, sliding her palms against her midriff before raising her hands up to her head… with a surprised look on her face when the Brooklyn crowd is somewhat torn between cheering and booing for her, which is definitely new. Instead of waving the crowd off, she strikes her pose, and then gives CK a sly smirk before strutting down the entrance ramp.

Kat: And her opponent, escorted to the ring by Christian Kincaid... The Fiend of Fort Worth… TARA! CORTEZ!!!

When Tara climbs into the ring, she makes her way to the ropes facing the hard camera, leaning onto them and posing for the audience, moving her arms much like in the same way she did earlier with her starting dance, raising her hands up high again, only to then wave the crowd off once again before she hops back down to the ring, making her way to her corner and sharing some last minute strategy with Christian.

Zack: It’s still unnerving to me to hear some of the fans supporting Tara Cortez after all this time. In this case, it may be the lesser of two evils for them because Raven is even harder to like than Tara. Turns out trying to immolate people only appeals to a very small population.

Gaby: Tara herself said she cannot be trusted; she’s a snake. Not my words, hers! But we’re kind of in the same situation we literally just had with Scarlett Silver: when you’re faced with an even more hated enemy, you become the good girl in comparison. Whether Tara will use this chance to turn a new leaf or just enjoy being the enemy of their enemy, only time will tell.

Referee Stephen Wilson calls for the bell to start the match as more of the crowd seems to be behind Tara, which causes her to look around at them again. She flashed a grin towards her manager before she meets Raven in the center of the ring. Knight tells her that she should have stayed out of her business and that she wasn’t going to be a twin much longer. Cortez rolled her eyes before they locked up, with Knight immediately breaking that to deliver a knee into her abdomen. It stunned the triplet for a second before two more quick knees to the body doubled her over before Raven swept her legs to take her down to the mat. She quickly rolled Tara over, and began driving knees into her lower back before getting back to her feet for a double knee drop there as well.

Zack: Raven’s strongest asset is her striking game from years of being in brawls both in and out of the ring. Whereas Tara is more classically trained by Christian, and she has a repertoire available to her.

Gaby: Tara is a renaissance woman, stealing a little bit from every style she’s ever studied to add to her lucha libre-like arsenal. But when you have someone like Raven who can just knock you out of the sky with the hardest clubbing shot she can take, being a jack-of-all-trades won’t matter.

When Cortez tried to get to all fours, a pair of clubbing blows to her lower back stopped that before Raven bounced off the near side to deliver a running punt to Tara’s body. The triplet started to sit up on her knees until another kick to her back landed, causing Raven to drag her to her feet from behind and apply an abdominal stretch. Wilson moved around in front of Tara to check for a submission, but didn’t get one. And Knight punished her for it with a pair of sharp elbows to her exposed ribs as she kept the hold applied.

Zack: Raven’s looking to dissect Tara’s core, and is doing an excellent job of it so far. I don’t think I’ve seen her use too many holds all that often, she may have picked up a few things during her recovery time.

Gaby: And it’s the best way to keep Tara deactivated. It’s paramount to everyone wrestling a speedster, especially a technical speedster, like Tara: the longer they’re on the ground and struggling to get on the move again, the easier it is to dismantle their strat. I would know, as a speedster myself!

Wilson checked again, still getting the same answer from Tara. Christian shouted some advice to his client as Tara used her free arm to start driving elbows into the side of the firestarter’s knee. Four shots in a row broke Raven’s grip before a hip toss sent her to the mat. It didn’t keep her down for very long though as she popped back up and went back on the attack. But as she approached, Tara caught her with a kick to the stomach followed by a drop toe hold that sent Knight face first into the bottom turnbuckle.

Zack: Some innovative offense from Tara got her free, and Raven’s head snapped back when it hit that bottom turnbuckle! Ol’ “10 Star” has herself an opening here!

Gaby: As should Raven’s dentist have, because she went pearlies first into the bottom rung! And it’s Tara to make a choice between neutralizing Raven’s brawling with some technical wrestling, or if she wants to establish a distance and start bouncing around.

She favored her ribs with a grimace before dragging Raven out of the corner by her foot. Tara pulled her arms behind her as she was down on the mat, and started stomping the back of her head repeatedly. She finally pulled her to her feet with a rear waistlock before sending her to the mat with a German suplex. Knight rolled over to try to get back to her feet, but the triplet wasn’t having that as a knee drop to the back of her head landed on target. Another rear waistlock saw Tara lift her up into a belly to back suplex next.

Zack: Tara’s doing everything in her power to keep Raven flat on the mat, whether it’s face up or face down. That's a smart strategy. Brawlers like Knight do a lot better on their feet.

Gaby: And I’m sure Tara would love nothing more than to give Raven a masterclass on holds and locks, even if just to show off. Knight may have shown her technical chops just now, but Cortez is literally clapping back with a “hold my beer then”!

A double stomp to her back landed after that before the Texan scooped her feet up for an inverted Boston crab with both of Knight’s feet under her arms. The referee was quickly into position to see about stopping the match, and Raven took a swipe at him just for asking. Tara kept the hold tightly applied as Christian gave her praise from the floor as he watched with approval.

Zack: There’s something new that I don’t remember seeing Tara implement before tonight. Looks like Raven isn’t the only one who’s been adding to her arsenal.

Gaby: That’s a move we don’t see often, because the pressure is safer when you have your back to your opponent. This inverted Boston crab works for Tara in the sense that she can see where Raven is going, and can work on keeping her from finding a break more easily.

Raven started clawing her way towards the ropes. She dug her nails into the mat as much as she could, but Tara only let her get so close before she walked her back to the center of the ring. Cortez released it long enough to stomp away at her lower back three times before applying it again. Wilson checked a second time and was well out of reach of Raven before she made it clear that she wasn’t quitting.

Zack: You tell me, Gaby. What’s the escape from this hold? I’m not seeing one so far. Raven got to the ropes, but Tara just used that to taunt her and pulled her back. Is she just hoping Tara gets bored?

Gaby: It’s definitely one way, but right now, Raven’s best weapon right now would be flexibility. The easiest way out of a Boston crab is if you can tuck your upper body in like you’re somersaulting; that’s gonna throw the assailant’s balance and grip out of whack, and Raven can just roll to safety before Tara even knows what happened.

Knight’s face showed the degree of pain she was feeling as she made another dash towards the ropes. Tara started to pull her back when she wrapped her hand around the rope in time. The triplet shook her head, and released the hold as Knight rolled out of the ring to the floor with one hand pressed against her back as she was having trouble standing up straight. Cortez took off for the far side, and came back with a baseball slide to her back that sent Raven into the barricade. Christian immediately began instructing her to get Raven back into the ring.

Zack: Knight’s back has to feel like it’s been wrecked at this point, and I fully agree with CK’s advice there. On the floor is not where you want to trade with a woman like Raven, hurt back or not.

Gaby: She can turn the entire ringside into a weapon, and many women with less patience have fallen into this trap! If Tara can keep her marbles together and be as cold and calculating as possible, and we KNOW she’s like that, it’ll do her wonders.

Tara listened as she went to toss Knight back inside the ring, but the brawler surprised her with an elbow to the body. It stunned Tara for a split second, allowing Raven to scoop her up into a spinebuster. That put a halt to Cortez’s plans as the pyromaniac rolled away, slowly getting back to her feet with a hand pressed against her lower back.

Zack: That was definitely not part of the strategy for Tara! It’s bad enough to get a spinebuster in the ring, which has a little give. But on this concrete floor… those mats around the ring are purely for aesthetics, fans.

Gaby: It does help, but not nearly enough, because it’s such soft cushioning, it still feels like you’re just being driven into the unprotected solid floor. This is a bad position to be for Tara, and Raven springs the perfect trap.

The referee was up to a six count in the ring before Raven rolled in and back out with a scowl on her face. She pulled Tara back to her feet, scooping her over one shoulder before delivering a running powerslam to the floor. The firestarter admired her handiwork before she dragged the former Future Shock Champion to her feet, and rolled her back inside the ring before sliding in after her.

Zack: Raven hadn’t done enough damage out here ringside to her liking, but it seems like she’s satiated now. Tara’s in trouble here.

Gaby: Like I said, when ringside can be a partner to your enemy, you don’t linger outside the ring for too long! And we can’t even say Tara pushed her luck; Raven was just that fast!

Tara started to crawl away with a pained expression as Raven followed after her. She pulled the Texan back to her feet from behind, measuring a kidney punch into her lower back. A tight grip of her tights kept Cortez from dropping back to the mat before Knight scooped her into an Olympic slam before darting across her for the cover with a leg hook. Wilson was in position quickly to make the count.

Zack: What impact from Knight! Tara’s body has to feel like it’s been in a car crash, and it may be over right here!

ONE!!

TWOOOO!!

T-NO.

But it wasn’t over as Tara got her shoulder off the canvas in time. Knight rolled her onto her stomach, and pummeled her lower back with elbows. She finally got back to her feet, and used an ax kick to her lower back to keep her down.

Gaby: Raven’s caught on to Tara’s gameplan right quick, and now she’s aiming at the core and the lower back. Tara can’t keep up with the techie goodness when her lower spine’s toast.

She dragged the triplet to her feet, pelting her with forearms to the side of her head before she whipped her across for the ride. But Tara grabbed the ropes rather than rebound, and Knight charged towards her. Cortez ducked a clothesline, scooping her up instead and falling backwards with a stun gun across the top rope. That brought the crowd back to life as Knight clutched her throat, only to turn around into a double underhook DDT followed by a cover with a hook of the leg. The referee bolted into position.

Zack: Look at that! Tara turned it around on a dime, and she’s gonna be the #1 contender in about three seconds!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOO!!!

THRE-NO.

Knight got her shoulder up just before the three, and Tara rolled away from her to get back to her feet. Still favoring her back, she pulled Knight with her and whipped her into the far corner. She charged after her with a running boot to the jaw before scooping her to sit on the top turnbuckle with a pained expression on her face.

Gaby: Looks like she doesn’t care about the pain! Whatever the hell is Tara planning on doing, it’s gonna take away from her just as much as it hurts Raven!

Tara climbed up with her slowly, clearly looking for a superplex. But Raven surprised her with a headbutt to the face, stopping that progress before sliding between her legs back to her feet. As Cortez tried to get her bearings on the rope, Knight grabbed her legs and drove her down to mat with a powerbomb before stacking her up for the cover! The referee dropped down to make the count!

Zack: No superplex tonight for Tara, but a ring-shaking powerbomb! Raven’s gonna burn the FFW Championship picture to a cinder in three!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEE-NO!!

Tara’s shoulder came off the mat in time, and Raven stood up slowly and gave the referee a frosty reception at the fact he didn’t make it to a three count. She leaned back against the ropes, trying to pull herself together as she watched Tara begin to stir on the mat.

Gaby: When was the last time we saw Tara Cortez struggle for balance? We’ve seen her take her beatings, sure, but I think this is the first time the Fiend of Fort Worth is letting her battle scars show so unabashedly!

The triplet started to push up to her feet slowly near the ropes before Raven went to get her. She quickly hooked her head, looking for her facebreaker knee smash. But as she executed it, Cortez hooked the top rope with her arm and let Knight crash to the mat all by herself. Christian became more animated at ringside now as he was steadily talking to Tara as he stood on the floor looking up at her.

Zack: Brilliant counter by Tara! Raven was looking for KNIGHT FALL, and Tara had that one well scouted! She’s gotta follow up though quickly!

Gaby: This may be the only chance she gets! She either puts this match to bed now, or Raven’s not gonna waste another chance!

Knight rolled over and began to get up, holding the back of her head before Tara snatched her from behind. She went for her tiger driver, but Raven broke her grip. Knight spun into her and landed her front headlock driver before quickly rolling her over and hooking both legs as Wilson slid into position.

Zack: Tara’s going for the TEN STAR PLU–no, she’s not! Knight had it scouted, there’s KNIGHT TERRORS!!

ONE!!!

TWOOOOOOO!!!

THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Gaby: And there it is! There are traps you just don’t get up from once they’re sprung on ya!

Wilson called for the bell to boos from the Brooklyn crowd as the firestarter slowly rose back to her feet and got her hand raised. Raven jerked it away as her music began to play again.

Kat: Your winner by pinfall and the new #1 contender to the FFW Championship…RAVEN KNIGHT!!

Zack: Raven has cemented herself as the next mandatory challenger for whoever leaves Brooklyn tonight with the FFW Championship. Whether it’s Vivi or Savannah, I don’t envy that woman in the slightest when they have to meet her!

Gaby: FFW’s arsonist proves again that she’s one of the most dangerous women in FFW, and the FFW Championship dance card stays like it is! No room for more players, Tara, sorry!

She rolled out of the ring, still worn down and beat up from all the offense she had taken. Raven headed towards the back with nothing but boos from the Brooklyn crowd before we go to a video package showing the issues between Crystal and Kyle Kilmeade’s clients throughout 2024.