Rival Angels

Great match, jpiv! And you're spurring a lot of love and support for Shannon. XD I look forward to the next installment.

love very good keep it coming

“Let her get out of the corner McCourt.” The ref demanded as the Minx cowered in the corner and the Professor showed no signs of letting her catch her breath. Stepping in between the two women, the ref again repeated his request. The Minx however was taking full advantage of the situation taunting away “Yeah teach, you know the rules. Don’t make him send you to detention.”.

Dawn: Looks like the Minx has had enough of Shannon in this encounter, she won’t get out of the corner to continue the match Jeff.

Jeff: That’s because the Professor isn’t showing any sportsmanship and giving her a chance to get back into things. I don’t know why the fans cheer such behavior.

Back in the ring the Minx again tried to throw a punch over the reef’s shoulder like she did in the earlier ropebreak. However the professor learned her lesson and was ready to block the punch before it landed. Now angry, McCourt began pushing towards the corner as the ref tried to hold her back. “Move it ref, this Minx needs to be spayed.” McCourt announced pushing the ref off to one side. At that moment the Minx made her move. With the ref’s back turned away from the shove, the Minx drove her knee between the Professors legs, causing her opponent to double over in pain.

Jeff: Impressive knee to the midsection by the Minx crumpling the Professor up like a tin can.

Dawn: Midsection? Are you blind Jeff?!? That’s a low blow! Cheap tactics by the Minx. If only the ref turned around in time that would have been an instant DQ!

Jeff: Hey Dawn if that was an illegal move the ref would have DQed the Minx. Since it didn’t it must have been legal.

Dawn: That’s because he had his back to it Jeff, try to watch all the action and not just the parts you like.

Jeff: Ooh this is gonna hurt.

Back in the ring, the Minx had the professor in a front headlock as she guided the still hurting Professor towards the center of the ring. “Hey what just happened Minx?” the ref demanded smelling something fishy. Smiling with an evil gleam in her eye the Minx replied “I’m about to win this match that’s what.” And drilled the Professor with a DDT face first into the mat. As the boos rained down from the crowd, the Minx paused holding up her hands shoulder high with her palms up in a ‘I can’t help it if I’m awesome’-like manner. Then her grin grew wider as the Professor groaned on the mat struggling to get to her knees. “Class is over teach.” The Minx said smugly and grabbed one of McCourt’s legs bending it backwards and then she laid down on top of McCourt and yanked the Professor’s head back with McCourt's chin in her arms and leaned back.

Jeff: That’s it this one’s over!

Dawn: The Minx has just locked in an STF on Shannon in the middle of the ring. All that earlier damage to the back must have been with this very move in line. Can the Professor find a way out of this or will the newcomer have the last laugh?

Jeff: I’m telling you, no one gets out of the Spinebreaking Total Fatality.

Dawn: The what?

Jeff: That’s what she calls this move, the Minx told me once she locks this in the opponent is dead to rights.

Dawn: Well whatever she calls it- and why she would bother telling you about it, it’s causing serious damage to Professor Shannon McCourt. Listen to those screams.

There were screams in fact coming from the ring but it was actually the Minx with a crazed look yanking her own body back again and again to increase the pressure yelling “SCREAM!” all the while. And the Professor did. Already weakened from the low blow and dazed by the DDT, McCourt had a tough time getting her wits back together. She tried reaching up to break the grip around her chin that was pulling her back putting the pressure on the spine as it bent the wrong way, but when she tried, the Minx shut it down by yanking backwards again. Seeing the futility of that, the Professor ?

Jeff: She’s trying to prove that she ain't no lady to mess with and to make the higher ups take notice of her of course.

Dawn: She won the match, what else does she have to prove to anyone?

Back in the ring the ref futilely tried to break the grip himself and finally he started yelling. “If you don’t break this hold Minx I’m reversing the decision. One! Two! Three! Four!! F…” When the Minx finally broke the hold as the crowd booed. Standing up over her fallen foe she looked out to the crowd and started blowing them kisses just as she did on her way to the ring to further boos.

The announcer's voice was then heard from speakers as the ref told him his decision and he announced, "The referee has declared that Professor Shannon McCourt is unable to continue. So here is your winner... The Minx!"

Smiling widely she looked down at the Professor as “Bring Me to Life” started playing over the speakers, McCourt was being looked at by the ref as she was slowly coming to. Rearing her foot back as if for a kick the ref saw it and said “Leave her alone Minx, I’m telling you I’ll reverse this if you touch her!” Feigning innocence the Minx replied “Who Me? I was just stretching.” And then made tiny kicking gestures a foot away from the Professor’s face.

Jeff: I love this woman, she’s kicking sand in the Professor’s face Dawn, just to remind her that the teach isn’t in the so-called student’s league.

Dawn: A low class act by someone with no respect for her opponents or the business.

Jeff: Hey you earn respect by winning. McCourt lost so why should she be shown any respect? She’s a loser here tonight which is what she deserves for trying to ruin the Minx's big moment here. The Minx is the one people should be showing some respect to.

Dawn: I just hope the Commissioner bans her from any future Rival Angels associated events. That kind of poor sportsmanship is a bad reflection on the sport as a while.

Jeff: Hey, your Professor lost, the fans hate it. This show’s getting off to a great start if you ask me.

Dawn: Nobody did Jeff.

The Minx slinked out of the ring, sliding under the bottom rope ignoring the taunts from the fans and she glided down the walkway into the back. There, she found, someone was already waiting for her.

<continued whenever- busy next couple week at work so only a short bit to finish the match for now. Next matchup coming in after the next post… I think- one planned post for this is now into post 4 already…>

booooo dont take to long

Great conclusion and great match. Definitely looking forward to more.

hm...yea good match

may be able to start back on this in the next couple days.

The Minx immediately recognized the well dressed blond haired man standing before her in the back, safely out view of the fans as she stepped behind the curtain. Michael was Commissioner Gabrielle Reni’s right hand man so it was going to pay to be nice to him. “Hey handsome what can I do for you?” the Minx smiled at him as he approached. Taken a bit aback at the apparent lack of concern from someone making her first appearance at Rival Angels, and not even as a member of the federation, Michael took a second to collect himself before answering. “The Commissioner wants to speak with you, now.”

“Oh ready to sign me up already is she? I understand how eager she must be to get me on the team, let’s go.” The Minx smiled again calmly linking her arm in Michael’s and waited for him to lead the way. Caught off-balance again Michael hesitated before walking the Minx down to Gabrielle’s office. “It’s not for me to say if she wants to sign you or not, maybe she wants to tell you never to show your face…er mask here again after what you did to the Professor. “ then Michael’s eyes widened briefly and he muttered softly “oh no not this again…”

“Is that Brooke Lennox over there with Amanda Breaker?” the Minx asked suddenly pointed to the duo just arriving. “Hey there!” the Minx said warmly to the two, waving as they passed by. For some reason Brooke seemed angry when she saw the Minx there but Amanda said something the Minx couldn’t hear and Aphrodite settled down some, though still glaring at the newcomer. In her distraction over the hostile welcome, the Minx only then noticed that Michael seemed to have picked up his pace at the sight of the duo. “Can’t keep Commissioner Reni waiting.” He muttered looking away from the two arrivals.

Shortly the Minx found herself led to a door with a sign stating simply “Commissioner” on it. “Well in you go.” Michael said with no apparent intention of coming along inside.

“Just me?” the Minx asked now a bit concerned for the first time.

“That’s what she told me. She wanted to see you alone.” Michael replied before adding. “Don’t worry she doesn’t bite.” Attempting to calm the cocky yet now worried newcomer a bit. “I have to run now, see you later.” He added hastily as he headed back where they had come from, a bit more quickly than when they had arrived. Now on her own the Minx took a deep breath and knocked.

“Come in.” said a calm voice from inside.

Opening the door, the Minx found herself looking at a nicely furnished room with the Commissioner herself sitting behind her desk. “Have a seat Minx.” Gabrielle said without preamble gesturing to the chair across from her. Nodding the Minx did as she was told and found the chair to be in fact quite comfortable.

“I suppose you’re wondering why I called you in here just now don’t you?” Gabrielle asked calmly.

“Well yes. I’d like to think it’s because you’re going to sign me right now after my big win tonight.” The Minx said trying to sound confident.

Smiling slightly Gabrielle shook her head in the negative. Seeing the Minx’s disappointment , she went on. “We don’t like to sign people after seeing only one match even if we have good reports out of their former organizations on them. However it was impressive to see you beat a veteran of Rival Angels like Professor Shannon McCourt like you did. Especially considering the abrupt nature of the match itself.”

Getting some of her attitude back the Minx replied, “Hey if you’re not ready for anything you shouldn’t be wrestling. Besides teach wouldn’t have had a chance to study me either so that gave me the edge in something like this.”

Nodding and speaking as to herself Gabrielle thought Understanding of the mental aspects of the sport as well as having a solid moveset and a connection with the crowd. This one definitely has some promise. To the Minx she said “That may be true but there was no reason to continue your attack after the match was over. You had already won.”

“Well sometimes I get carried away. Once I lock in the Spinebreaking Total Fatality, their screams of pain just inspire me to lock it in even tighter. I don’t even hear the bell ring.” The Minx admitted hanging her head.

“Well trying to cripple your fellow wrestlers doesn’t inspire anyone to want to sign you. I mean if you’re taking out the talent you’re taking money away from the organizations who are counting on those other wrestlers to put on shows in the future and to move their merchandise. After two years in the business I’d think you’d understand that.” Gabrielle stated plainly.

“I’m sorry, I’ll try to do better.” The Minx said worried that she was about to lose her chances at making the cut right there.

“See that you do.” Gabrielle replied sternly. “Now that just leaves us with one last issue we have to clear up before we go any further.”

“What’s that?”

“Your mask.”

“What about it?” the Minx asked worriedly her left hand instinctively reaching up to ensure it was still there.

“It’s quite simple really. Like in any sport, there are people who for one reason or another don’t cut it here at Rival Angels and we have to let them go. Or some who try out and can’t handle it for whatever reason. Some of those people disagree with my opinion and have in the past tried to sneak their way back by wearing a mask. So I’ve made it a rule that any masked wrestlers must unmask if they are to have any hope of competing here in Rival Angels.”

“But I can’t wrestle without my mask…” the Minx began her eyes widening in fear.

“No no, you misunderstand me.” Gabrielle said soothingly wondering why the thought of removing her mask frightened the Minx so. “You can still wrestle with your mask, but you will unmask to me right here and now so I know you’re not one of those people I’ve just told you about. You’ll give me your name so I know who to sign the checks to. I’m sure ‘the Minx’ doesn’t have any bank accounts to speak of. Is that acceptable?”

“OH ok, I just thought…. So no one but you will know who I am right?” the Minx asked seeking confirmation.

“Yes just me, that’s why Michael wasn’t invited to this meeting. So do you agree?”

“And you won’t tell anyone else right?”

“Just between you and me, and my successor if I’m ever replaced as Commissioner here at Rival Angels.” Gabrielle added.

“OK then.” The Minx repied. Taking a deep breath she lowered her head and began unfastening the back of the mask as Gabrielle waited with some curiosity. Finally it was done and the unmasked Minx looked Gabrielle in the eye.

“Oh my, this is unexpected.” Gabrielle said her eyes wide in surprise. “Why are you…” but got no further before she was cut off as the Minx quickly put her mask back on.

“Don’t worry about it. She doesn’t know I’m here and that’s how it’s going to stay until I decide otherwise.” The Minx said cooly. “And you can make the checks out to Allison Bates.”

“I don’t understand why you’d be doing this but if that’s how you want to be then fine, that’s how we’ll do it.” Gabrielle said still a bit confused as she pulled out her checkbook. “Obviously I couldn’t fill this out before since I needed a name to go with it, but here’s your pay for today’s performance. I expect we’ll be bringing you back again soon for a followup try out. You definitely have some talent… Allison, and if tonight wasn’t a fluke you might very well have a future here at Rival Angels. We’ll be in touch again soon.”

“Thank you Commish.” The Minx said, her mask back in place and her cockiness back as she realized that she was one step closer to achieving her goal to become an Angel. Gabrielle’s lips twitched slightly as if she was about to smile then stood up as the Minx did in as well and shook hands.

“Until then Minx.” Gabrielle said with a smile as the newcomer turned and slinked her way out of the office into the hallway where a wolf whistle could be heard down the hall a few seconds later.

I have no idea why she wants to do things this way but I’ll see how it plays out. It could be good for business after all when all the pieces come together.

<next- part 2...introducing ‘Electrifying’ Erin Erickson>

Very well done. Lots of good moments here, from Michael's intro, to Brooke/Amanda to the meeting, to the mystery behind the mask. The Minx is an interesting character and will be cool to keep up with her. I can't wait to meet Erin next!

The old travel alarm beeped insistently inside the Dodge Caravan parked outside the Angel Dome. Stirring slowly, Erin Erickson fumbled around trying to find and silence her tormentor. Finally succeeding, her hand lingered on the alarm clock before she suddenly sat up with a start from the twin mattress she had stuffed in the back of her van. Oh no not again. Please tell me I didn’t miss my match, please. Phew. Erin panicked briefly until she saw she still had an hour before the show began. Still that was cutting it close.

I can’t be late, not today. Good thing I made sure I set the alarm just in case. I hate falling asleep on a dime all the time. Necrowhatits the doc said. Look what’s it’s done to my career. Erin thought as she started stuffing her wrestling gear into one of the duffel bags she had tossed to the other side of the van. Maybe this will get things going right for me again. I’m due for some good luck one of these days aren’t i? she thought to herself.

Erin, under the moniker of ‘Electrifying’ Erin Erickson, had been wrestling in the indies for nearly four years now and early on was thought to have a solid career in the making. Then just under three years ago everything fell apart. First she had broken up with her boyfriend/agent/manager and then only weeks later found herself the victim of identity theft. Buried under bills run up by the thief that wrecked her credit standing and put her way into debt. Trying to pay everything off over the next year nearly bankrupt her with late fees and the like though she had managed to cancel the cards in order to keep anything further to be added to her burden. Now her sole remaining card had a measly $200 limit on it. But it was the only one that would accept someone with her bad credit.

Perhaps triggered by the stress of the theft, the narcolepsy started in the middle of all this. She parked outside a store one day to get some groceries and then suddenly wake up to find three hours had passed. At first she thought it was just fatigue, until it started happening more and more often forcing her to go to a doctor who told her what appeared to be happening. Fortunately for whatever reason it never happened while she was driving or walking around, or in the ring so she never was hurt by these attacks. But when she’d sit down to relax or even lay down briefly she was more than likely to find it many hours later when she awoke. This played havoc with her career as she began to miss shows giving her a bad reputation among various promotions and money grew tighter. Her family had practically disowned her when she decided to skip college and become a wrestler so there would be no help there. In fact they’d support most anything that got her out of that crazy sport- even physical illness.

Forced to live in her van now for the past year, showering at the gyms she trained in and living a mostly hand to mouth existence, she slowly began to get things together. Aware of the problem she never went anywhere without several travel alarms all set for important times in the day when she had to be awake. Desperate enough to take a low paying per appearance contract with the Ladies Northern Wrestling Alliance, she managed to not miss a single booking and began to get some success in the ring. When other groups happened to tour the area she would often spend what little money she had to appear at the shows, both to get some face time with the group and to study the moves of the other wrestlers since she was always open to new ideas in the ring.

After a few months she had impressed the higher ups enough to get signed to a regular contract. The pay wasn’t that good but at least now she knew she’d have money coming every other week instead of showing up and hoping she might get used each show. Trying to show them they weren;t making a mistake, Erin’s high flying style won over the fans and eventually got her into a title match with the guitar swinging Rockin’ Robbyn. In what was both a major upset and the biggest win of her career, Erin won the belt with her top rope finisher the “Viking Hammer”.

The next two months was almost perfect as Erin defended the belt each show and managed to hold onto it. Rumor had it that scouts from larger organizations like Rival Angels had sent people down to take a look at her. But then it all came to an end when SHE came to the LNWA. Big Betty, standing 6’0” and weighing 305 pounds, Betty had destroyed almost everyone set before her working her way through the indies until she came to the LNWA. Once there, Betty continued her path of destruction beating everyone set before her in under three minutes and demanded a title shot. The LNWA officials agreed and one months ago the title match took place. Not used to Betty’s size and strength , Erin was soon at a disadvantage as she tried to get too technical with Big Betty which meant she found herself in arm’s reach of the huge grappler. And Betty made her pay dominating the match just like the others and the fact that Erin actually managed to survive just over three minutes meant nothing as she dragged herself off the mat to see Betty celebrate with the title.

Upset with the loss she was surprised to run into the promoter, Alexis Collins a former wrestler in her day from Quebec, Canada who used her wealth to start up the federation.

“Got some good news for you, not so good for me Erin.” Alexis had announced.

“What are you talking about?” Erin asked in confusion as she tried to stretch the soreness out of her aching back.

“Seems Rival Angels has offer you a tryout match in three weeks. So if you catch on there then it’s good for you. But I lose one of my more popular gals so not so good for me eh?” Alexis explained with a faint smile.

“Rival Angels? Me? But Big Betty’s the champ now.” Erin spluttered in confusion.

“Maybe, but at least I won’t be losing my champion then eh? Besides, I’ve watch how hard you’ve worked here. You deserve a chance to make it big if you can. If not you’re still welcome to come back. Big title rematch.” Alexis added. “You give it a try eh? Show them Angels what the LNWA is all aboot.”

Erin had stayed with the LNWA for another two weeks to finish her bookings then with some trepidation, she headed off to the Angel Dome where her tryout was going to be. Arriving early she decided to catch a quick catnap to settle her nerves at least before the match. Of course it turned into a sounder sleep than planned but she was prepared.

But now here she was, as she was shown the way to the dressing room by one of the stagehands. I can’t believe I’m really here. Gotta get ready and do some stretching. I don’t even know who I’m supposed to be fighting. Need to be my best today. This could finally be my moment to make it in this business and be able to live in a real apartment again. No more freezing in the back of my van in the winter and broiling in the summer heat. I have to win today. I can’t take living like this much longer!

Her ring attire was rather simple. A sky blue, one piece swimsuit with white lightning bolts running up and down the sides before criss-crossing across her chest. She was also barefoot as she always felt she could get a better grip on the ropes than she could with her boots so she abandoned those years ago. It did make things a little painful if someone got a chance to stomp on her feet but usually she was moving too fast for that to happen.

“Nervous?” asked a woman standing in the doorway as Erin was stretching, asked with a understanding smile on her face.

“Yeah you could say that.” Erin replied going through her routine as she talked.

“The first time at Rival Angels always brings the butterflies. I’m Marina Ortiz by the way.” The woman said extending her hand.

“Hey nice to meet you. I’m Erin. Erin Erickson.” Erin replied shaking hands.

“I know. I just came by to wish you luck. And just be yourself out there, don’t try too hard or you’ll just end up making things worse for yourself in the end.”

“ Thanks I’ll do my best.”

“That’s all anyone wants from you. Do the best you can. But I’ve taken up enough time. You’re up in fifteen minutes.” Marina said as she waved a goodbye.

The fifteen minutes were by in no time and soon enough Erin found herself bouncing back and forth on her feet as she waited for her music to hit. Erin always liked the energy of the Ultimate Warrior’s theme and with her then boyfriend they remixed a slightly less guitar heavy, more drum heavy version of the theme for herself. Then it began
“BOOM! BA-DA-BOOM! BA-DA-BOOM! BA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DA-DAA-BOOM!”

Sprinting out to the ring smiling widely to the crowd who were only politely applauding this stranger to the Rival Angels scene, Erin slid under the bottom rope before bouncing to her feet, running up to the top rope and doing a backflip into the center of the ring which brought her a bit bigger reaction from the fans who were impressed by the acrobatics. Then she waited for the announcer to do his thing.

“In this corner, she stands 5’4” weighing 108 pounds, she is Electrifying Erin Erickson!”

Dawn: Well Jeff it’s great to see how the Commissioner is bringing in all this new blood to Rival Angels. Electrifying Erin Erickson from what I’ve heard is a descendent of the great Viking explorer Leif Erickson.

Jeff: If she is, she didn’t spend much time in line for the tall genes Dawn
.
Dawn: Stop it Jeff, she’s not even here for two minutes and you’re already taking shots at her? She’s reported to be quite the high flier so maybe we’ll see some of that today from her if her entrance is any indication.

Jeff: I guess you have to be if you need a step ladder to see over the top rope.

Back in the ring Erin was getting excited as she tried firing up the crowd, a difficult task given her newcomers’ nature but she needed to impress people and so she kept at it, not even concerned just then at who she’d be facing. Then suddenly she froze as a loud GONG! Was heard from the back. Though she knew the Hells Belles used that in their music only one person used the single gong. GONG! It went again and she didn’t need to hear the announcer to know who she was facing. Walking down the walkway with a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon was Big Betty herself. Not her, not here, not NOW! Erin looked back her smile gone and fear in her eyes as her opponent reached the ring.

Jeff: Oh my. Only got one thing to say to Erin here Dawn.

Dawn: What’s that Jeff, dare I ask?

Jeff: BETTY’s GONNA KILL YOU!

<to be continued>