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Post by Senator Phillips on Jan 22, 2019 17:17:06 GMT
RNA
Ruthless Nicole Alger: That was satisfying. Getting a solid win. Hitting the Dangerous Kick, improving on the move my father taught me. But then that idiot had to ruin it. Kicks Candace after the match is over, which really pissed me off. So whichever one of you Sheridan idiots kicked her, she's gonna rip your leg off. And whoever the one I beat was, wanna try to fight me one on one? Come get some.
Felice
Felice Santana: That was an amazing match, I mean, it was really, really fun to have a match with someone who can go as quick as I can go, which isn't very often, but when it happens, that's when I get a chance to get better! But I lost to Rin, and while I don't like losing, maybe it makes me think that if Fresh Suzuki is too busy to keep Winter Fresh...what a funny team name! If she's too busy to team with Rin, then maybe Rin could team with me some day! We'd be like the fastest people around, unless Layla does a tag match, then she'd be just as fast, but she's only in singles, so we'd be the fastest team in all of Proving Ground!
Muscle Machines
Adonis Avery Alexander: Another day, another loss.
Gary Gear: I need more juice! I gotta get some more of the cream and the clear! Gotta cycle back on the serious stuff!
AAA: Maybe your damn roids aren't doing anything for helping you win!
Gear: Maybe you're too stuck up to do what you have to do to get ripped enough for greatness!
AAA: If you would just do a bit more cardio and speed training, perhaps that would finally make you a semi-useful tag partner, so you don't have to tag out every minute you're in the ring, and you could make a save for once.
Gear: I saved your ass tonight, too bad you blew it after that!
AAA: Whatever. But my point still stands. You have power. You maxed out your strength potential for your frame. Now take your blinders off and become adept at some of the other aspects of athleticism. Keep the power, add different elements to it to accentuate it. That's what the Builder Life is really about, reaching the heights of our physical potential, and while I admit that, in spite of my superior genetics, I have faltered somewhat in this pursuit, I believe that it is still a worthy path to take for those who are serious in achieving the pinnacle of human performance. And you can improve yourself too should you decide that you are ready to discard this foolish idea of training for power and size to the detriment of everything else.
Gear: More power! I'm gonna get even bigger and badder! BIGGER AND BADDER! FEAR GARY GEAR! GARAGHAGHAHGH
AAA: ...yeah, I'm going to get the hell out of here.
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Post by Firehawk on Jan 23, 2019 6:01:17 GMT
Schedule for the next couple of weeks:
Firstly, the Blackwood Academy presents their January live show, starting at 7PM Pacific on Saturday, January 26 (That's this Saturday.) Further information will be posted in the Academy thread, since the write-ups for the Academy are somewhat more involved, so I'd like to try and avoid cluttering this main thread with 'em. The main event this Saturday will be Leona Sterling making her first defense of the Academy Championship, as she takes on Iris Coleman.
Two days later, Monday, January 28, Phoenix Rising proudly presents the first anniversary celebration. Start time for that stream, I'm not sure yet, and it's entirely possible that I may wind up splitting the show into two nights (and expanding what I've got in the process!) but right now, I'm still mulling that possibility over. This show is likely to be headlined by Geese Walker taking on Firehawk Sentarl.
One week later, Showdown episode 26 takes place (that'll be February 4), as we return to our normally scheduled shows after the detour for the anniversary. Headlining this show will be a colossal rematch from a few months back: as Urani Whitemist is intent on reclaiming the World Championship, she's challenging the Black Dragon to a non-title rematch, en route to what she'll be hoping will be a resurgence, and in the end, perhaps recapturing the title she lost to the Dragon back in late October.
Thursday, February 7, Evergreen Wrestling returns with its second show of the year, headlined of course by the Evergreen Championship match already set up between champion Veronika Armstrong and challenger Mercy Devine, with Kevin Royce standing in as referee. This'll be a wild one, without a doubt.
Finally, Monday, February 11, Proving Ground episode 27 lands with ALL THREE championships on the line in a trio of main-event worthy matches: Layla Al-Amin will defend her Inspire Championship against Fresh Suzuki, Victor Kintelas defends the Top Prospect Championship against the woman who defeated him this past Monday, Elly Blackwood, and Pure Gold will defend the Proving Ground Tag Team Championships against the newly-formed, newly-named Avian Assassins, Pajaro de Fuego and Silver Hawk.
We've got a roadmap for the next few shows, headlining matches for each one, and one hell of a ride along the way. Here's to one year of Phoenix Rising, may it continue for as long as I can stand it.
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Post by Firehawk on Jan 24, 2019 1:16:01 GMT
Bonus announcement: The anniversary show is now going to be a two-night affair. Still deciding which two nights (Sunday/Monday vs. Monday/Tuesday), but this means the card is going to be expanded beyond what I already had. I'll be poking a few people about expanding their involvement.
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Post by Senator Phillips on Jan 24, 2019 2:06:21 GMT
I should mention here that in the last day, I saw a gym that had a big "Proving Ground" sign on the marquee, and a car today with an "Evergreen" something or something sticker on the back window. This could have been prefaced by "When you know you're too deep into Fire Pro."
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Post by Firehawk on Jan 25, 2019 8:00:50 GMT
All right, I think I've more or less got the card for the anniversary show finalized. There could be one more match added somewhere here, but if that doesn't happen, then here's what we're looking at... Night One (Monday, January 28)GPC (Senator / Lightning Pro) vs. Blake Dynamite Mascara Ano 2018 (Sy) vs. El Evergringo Roy Carter (Lefty / Warrior Pro) vs. Kyle Anderson Tara Helmsley (Hana) and Trish Michaels (Mark Spirals) vs. Les Beautes Blondes (Angel and Elise) Kerry Texan (JJB/AAW) vs. Kevin Royce Mad Bomber (Denizen / ZIP Japan) vs. Binak Tonorian Urani Whitemist vs. Oshiro (Hana) Team Hawks (Firehawk Sentarl, Rilantha De Nav, and Hana Brightly) vs. The Amphibian Association (El Froggy Mask, Ribbit, and Kero Kero) Victoria Frey (Maikeru) vs. Shiana Sentarl Lance Marshall and Cassandra Marshall vs. Benji Hatfield and Jeremiah McCoy (Sy) The Black Dragon vs. Drakaina (Panda / Blackrose) Night TwoNina Armstrong (Mark Spirals) vs. Mallory Spaulding Hana Brightly (duh) vs. Kaelara Sentarl Chris Severla (again, duh) vs. Blake Dynamite Urani Whitemist vs. Drakaina (Panda / Blackrose) The Rising Storm vs. The Doogan Brothers (Denizen / ZIP Japan) The Black Dragon vs. Selene Ciel (Maikeru) Jennifer Phoenix (Panda / Blackrose) vs. Eri Sentarl Jessica Shields (Dawnbreaker) vs. Rilantha De Nav Lance Marshall vs. Cowboy Johnston (Senator / TIPWF) Tasharun vs. Machine Gun Mayhem (Lefty / Warrior Pro) Main Event: Geese Walker vs. Firehawk Sentarl Night one kicks off the only way it should: with the master of the opening match, the man taking Lightning Pro by storm, G. P. Christopher. His opponent? None other than Phoenix Rising's own five-star machine, Blake Dynamite, in what's certain to set the tone for the night of action: two skilled, agile competitors at the top of their game.
Mascara Ano 2018 was chosen out of the pack to come to this show (and while he wouldn't end up being the only one, he was the first to be picked). He'll be stepping into the ring against an Evergreen mainstay (despite there having only been a handful of Evergreen shows thus far) in El Evergringo, who's quickly made himself a fan favorite in his home fed: now he'll welcome his opponent and try not to fall victim to an "insigury" during the match.
Roy Carter is quite the force in his home fed of Warrior Pro, a presence that can't be ignored, and for good reason. Likewise, Kyle Anderson has gained a following of his own, despite his spotty record, simply through the sheer quality of his matches over the past year. This guarantees one thing for certain: this'll be a hard-hitting match that's going to likely be too close to call in the end.
Tara Helmsley recently joined up with the Blackwood Academy, invited to sharpen her skills, but she'll be coming to Phoenix Rising for one night only... and she won't be coming alone. Joining her, her partner in crime, Trish Michaels, and the two will be set to take on none other than Les Beautes Blondes... the original mix. Angel Leblanc and Elise Pichon are primed to put the brash, young team in their place... but can the Frenchwomen actually pull it off?
Just added to the card! Kerry Texan, the man of a thousand retirements (or, uhh, 14 I guess) comes to Phoenix Rising to take on Evergreen's owner and founder... Kevin Royce will be looking to step in against a tough-as-nails veteran, with only a little more than a week to go until his referee stint at Evergreen episode 4... along with a match on that very same card, rumored to be against the newcomer Julian Shepard.
The first guest appearance from ZIP Japan on the two-night event will be a massive clash of raw power and size the likes of which few have ever witnessed, as ZIP's resident monster, Mad Bomber, crosses the Pacific to take on Phoenix Rising's giant, Binak Tonorian. We've all seen what Bomber is capable of, we've all seen the destructive force that Binak can unleash... but only one of them will still be standing by the end of this titanic matchup.
The powerhouses don't let up after that, with Urani Whitemist stepping into the ring to take on the "Mountain Dragon", Oshiro. Likely Wrestle Parade's biggest and strongest woman, Urani's likely to have her hands full with a powerhouse she's never met before... it's bound to shake the arena, without a doubt.
The Amphibian Association is coming to town, and not just halfway: the entire trio has been signed for a match on this show, and their opponents? Well, none other than three locals: well, as local as it gets, anyway! Seattle residents Firehawk Sentarl and Hana Brightly join forces with Oregon native Rilantha De Nav, uniting under one force: Being the biggest damn Seahawks fans in wrestling, of course! It's Hawks vs. Frogs in trios action!
Victoria Frey arrives next, and has her sights set on nothing less than the biggest name in Phoenix Rising's women's division, Shiana Sentarl. While Shiana may not be quite the incredible force she once was, she's still not to be trifled with... Victoria will surely have her hands full trying to manage this one, especially in such a skilled veteran.
Despite Cassandra Marshall's earlier claims, she will indeed team up with her brother for this show (And this show only, she insists), as they prepare to take on a team that some in Phoenix Rising are already familiar with from last year's 49th Parallel Tournament: from Kentucky and West Virginia, Jeremiah McCoy and Benji Hatfield, looking to prove they've got what it takes to take on two of the toughest Texans in Phoenix Rising.
Concluding the first night, the World Champion steps between the ropes to square off with a familiar face: her Blackrose tag partner, Drakaina. As close as the two have become as partners, Dragon is certain not to back down against the woman she once held tag team gold with, as she is still the Phoenix Rising World Champion, and intends to remind everyone, including Drakaina, of that fact.
Night two starts with a bang, as two Denver natives clash in a battle of pure power. While Nina's quite the soft-spoken, friendly type, however, Mallory Spaulding is anything but... and although they may come from the same city, don't expect the Proving Ground tag champ to show any restraint.
A matchup that comes about for a few different reasons: after all, Hana Brightly is a close associate of Phoenix Rising's management, and she'll have already had a match the night before, teaming with Phoenix Rising's tag champions. Kaelara Sentarl has been adopting a lot of Hana's moves and mannerisms as of late, and this match almost feels like a chance to prove that she's earned them...
What more can be said about the third match of the night here? The always-solid Chris Severla, taking on Phoenix Rising's workrate god, Blake Dynamite. Blake may give up a bit of size to his opponent here, but that's never seemed to stop the man once known as "Mr. Proving Ground" before his promotion to the main roster.
Drakaina steps into the ring for a second one-on-one clash, this time taking on former World Champion and occasional tag partner to the Black Dragon, Urani Whitemist. Dragon's already a tough match for Drakaina, but does she have enough in her to take on Phoenix Rising's resident Titan?
The Rising Storm has always been willing to take on any and all challengers... man, woman, or otherwise. With a history of clashing with teams seemingly far stronger than themselves, Anahera and Xiu Mei Li have built a reputation on never, EVER being counted out of a match until the bell rings... and against ZIP Japan's Doogan brothers, they'll need to bring every last bit of that tenacity to the ring once again.
The World Champion returns for the second night as well, and this time, she may be taking on an opponent very much on her own level, or perhaps even further beyond. The 49th Parallel Champion, Selene Ciel, clashes with the Black Dragon, and by the time the dust settles, who knows how much will be left of either woman?
By popular demand, Blackrose's Jennifer Phoenix (albeit only having just returned to Blackrose) takes on the Little Phoenix, Eri Sentarl. Both are talented high-flyers in their own right, but Eri's proven time and again that she's not only stubborn, but fully capable of taking down anyone in her way. Does Jennifer have what it takes to push through Eri's high-octane offense?
You know this matchup well enough by now, there's no doubting it anymore. Rilantha De Nav steps into the ring against eternal rival Jessica Shields: the two have had countless matches in Space Mexico, but now the battle comes to Ril's home turf in Phoenix Rising. Will that be enough to tip the scales in her favor one more time?
Another legendary rivalry returns to the ring, as the two biggest Texans around clash once again. Lance Marshall, perhaps still Phoenix Rising's most popular man, takes on the incredible Cowboy Johnston... it's been a long time since these two have gotten the chance to go face-to-face, can they deliver yet another instant classic?
Warrior Pro sends one of its biggest, baddest men... and for good reason, as Machine Gun Mayhem will be taking on none other than the Demon, Tasharun. Two big men, facing off in the co-main-event, there's certain to be absolutely zero restraint here... and possibly, nobody left standing at the end.
Finally, the main event, the final match of the big two-night celebration: Geese Walker, runner-up in the 49th Parallel and living legend, finally arrives in Phoenix Rising to take on Firehawk Sentarl, in what the company's founder and part-owner has called an incredible honor. No doubt that this match goes down as one of the best that Phoenix Rising may ever see.
There may yet be one final match added to the card depending on what happens, but if not, then this card can be considered finalized. Here's to hoping it's a good one, and that everything comes off well! It's kind of a big deal, so I hope I'm not setting myself up for disappointment, here. |
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Post by joshthejerseyboy on Jan 26, 2019 15:39:46 GMT
Kerry Texan:
*Spits out chewing tobacco after seeung the card*
"What in tarnation? They left out the rowdiest and angriest fed in all of the FPW Universe? Im gonna have to change that "
*Picks up his rotor phone and begins to dial Firehawk Sentarls office*
"Hey there bud!! I believe you left AAW out. If you may kindly let us in for a match or two."
*A voice from the line can be heard faintly*
"Uh huh....uh huh...uh huh. Really?! Youre giving me him? This is a great idea!!! Im gonna put on my working boots for this!!! Martha!!! book us a flight to the Phoenix Rising Show!!!" Im heading there pronto!!!"
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Post by sofia on Jan 27, 2019 10:49:34 GMT
Victoria Frey speaks out on her challenge: The scene is a small, brightly-lit gym, the center of which is dominated by a beaten up ring in which a pair of trainees are practicing their chain wrestling. The camera, shaking about as if done on a portable camcorder, focuses on the wrestlers; the sound of their impact on the mat echoing throughout the room. The camera suddenly shifts over as Victoria Frey - an athletic woman with fair skin and wavy, blonde hair that reaches down just past her shoulders - comes into the gymnasium. Taking off a pair of sunglasses, she looks away from the camera, and towards the young wrestlers training. She addresses the cameraman - and viewer - with a posh accent.
VICTORIA: ... It's been a while since I've been here... Not since I was still a teenager, learning this art for myself. ... You, on the other side of the Atlantic, no doubt haven't a clue of the significance of this place. Well, allow me to show you.
She walks around the gym, fingers trailing across the well-worn equipment circling the ring. A sand bag that is more duct tape than leather at this point... Weightlifting benches that have a patina of rust and tarnish from sweat and humidity hanging heavily in the air over the years... exercise bikes that look as if they're twice the young woman's age.
VICTORIA: This gym... This run-down looking training dojo... This is my father's legacy, the Wolf's Den -- the place where rough-hewn stones fresh out of high school became shining diamonds of British catch wrestling. Just as the Snake Pit was to Wigan, this school is to Devonshire. This is where I was raised, through the objections of my mother; through the reticence of the very man who trained me. Coming back here brings back memories, both fond and painful, of my failures and how I overcame them to become the woman I am today. Memories of my kid brother watching me get knocked down, over and over, only to get back, even as my lungs ache and I taste the blood in my mouth from biting my tongue or from deeper within. This is where I broke my first bone, and also broke the arm of a trainee who decided to take me lightly. It revives memories of my older brothers before they... Mm, let's say they strayed away from my father's ideals; when I still saw them as immaculate heroes and not victims of the brutality of the wrestling world.
The sound of a bell ringing can be heard in the background. The camera swings around to show an older man, his hair not yet turned gray and his figure thick with muscle and bulk that shows through his polo shirt and black slacks, ringing the bell and barking orders to the trainees. This is, evidently, Victoria's father, Eric Frey - a semi-retired wrestler seeking to train a new generation of wrestlers.
VICTORIA: I carry the Frey name with pride, because we stand out amongst the rabble of the rest of the British wrestling world as models of heroism and integrity. We never subscribed to the idea of treating this sport as a sham, nor did we indulge in the sorts of excesses and vices that corrupted the name of professional wrestling. That integrity is what separated Eric - Tyr Erickson, whatever you may wish to call him - from his contemporaries. And even if my brothers had, and still have, their flaws; our family's name remains untarnished. You may say we're British wrestling royalty... Although our kingdom, such as it is, has fallen into disarray over the years. But, you see... that's part of why I'm departing for America soon, namely to Phoenix Rising's anniversary show. Obviously, I wish to prove myself on a global stage; who wouldn't? But more than that... I have a message to send to the Sentarls. Just as we can be seen as wrestling royalty, they too stand as the ruling family of their own organization. However, while they have enjoyed growing success and notoriety in this barbaric world... My family's name has been forgotten as a relic of the past, a novelty act from a time when people still cared about pro wrestling in Britain. And it's time that we change that.
The camera focuses on Victoria's face. She has a determined, steely gaze in her eyes, her calm and neutral expression slowly turning into a smirk - not of bemusement, but more of barely-restrained arrogance.
VICTORIA: And that starts with Shiana, the matriarch of the family. I'm not going to look down upon you as some aging nostalgia act - I've watched you closely since your husband's company began its latest rise to prominence, and for me to come to that conclusion would be folly. No, you are a threat, as much so as your two daughters and son. So I intend to beat you - be it with my own techniques, or with the Kimura lock passed down to me by my father - and make a statement, both to your family and to the rest of the world of wrestling in general. That statement being: We're here. And we're going to take the throne that is rightfully ours, as the true Kings and Queens of this sport!
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Post by Firehawk on Jan 28, 2019 3:42:54 GMT
Todd Colton... "Someone better damn well explain this mess to me. Tell me exactly how the HELL you can justify leaving me off this show. You want the best possible show for this one-year deal, you don't leave off the best of the best, you don't leave out the undisputed BEST that you've had for this entire damn run!" Todd is, predictably, seething... seeing as he has, indeed, been left entirely off the anniversary card, and it doesn't appear that's going to change.
"Oh, keep bitching about it, I dare you. Keep going around and whining to anyone who'll listen, and maybe someone will finally give you what you deserve... sure as hell won't be a match on the card, though." Todd looks... quite annoyed with the interruption, and the familiar figure of Natasha Clover comes into the frame, and although she has to look up at the much taller Todd, it almost feels like they're face-to-face anyway. "I got left off, same as you, and you know what I've been doing? Focusing on what MATTERS. This whole thing's not about your dumb ass, and as much as I'd like to have been tapped for something, being who I am, that's not how it panned out. But you keep bitching and moaning about it like you have been all damn WEEK..."
"Yeah, what are you gonna do about it, Tasha?" Todd arches a brow, looking down at the fierce young woman. "Suddenly you're the one running your mouth-"
"I can change that in a hurry." Natasha cuts him off, a surprising menace in her voice. "You want a match on this thing so damn badly? Then why don't I fill the part. Every other match might be one of our people against an outside talent... but that doesn't mean I can't drag your ass out to the ring on one of these nights and beat your ass so badly you'll never complain about missing a booking ever again."
"You? Against me? Look, I don't think you quite get what you'd be-"
"Shut up and listen, you neon dumbass. You take this challenge. You stand face-to-face with me on Tuesday night. And after that..." She reaches up, tugs off her sunglasses, and smirks up at Todd. "Well, that's when we figure out where the night goes. Long as you quit acting like a jackass for two seconds... maybe, just maybe, you might get something out of this whole deal." Having stunned Todd into silence (amazingly enough), she replaces her sunglasses with a grin, pats him on the chest, and walks away... will the match really happen the way Natasha's proposing? |
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Post by NSL on Jan 28, 2019 6:53:09 GMT
The Addition: (The Indomitable Wrestling Institute, downtown Jersey City, NJ. January 24th.
NorthStarLion has gathered Mascara Ano 2018 and two more prospects together outside the entrance of the gym, with their bags and belongings.)
NSL: "So, I received an additional two invitations from Phoenix Rising for their Anniversary. They've decided to extend it to two days, which means more opportunities for everyone involved."
(NSL hands off two more envelopes with the Phoenix Rising logo to the talent, Benji Hatfield and Jeremiah McCoy.)
NSL: "Phoenix Rising have actually requested for you two, Benji and Jeremiah, to face the Marshalls, Cassandra and Lance. I've no doubt you two will do fine out there, Along with Mascara Ano 2018."
MA2018: "YEEEEEEET. BIG MOODS."
(Jeremiah and Benji approach the camera as NSL signals Mascara Ano to leave the shot.)
JM: (Smirks) "Didya hear that, Benji? We got chosen! We. Got. Chosen."
(Benji nods with a light smile.)
JM: "That's right." (Tilts head) "Me an' you are gonna face the Marshalls."
(Benji closes his eyes and slowly nods, absorbing the news.)
JM: "See lemme tell ya somethin'. I did a lil' bit of studyin' before NSL got us out here.
(Benji stops nodding for a moment, as if to question Jeremiah's studying habits.)
JM: "Don't gimme that look, Benji. Anyway, everybody knows Lance. But, ya see, that Texan hoss is gonna wrestle in both shows. Y'know who he's gonna fight in Night 2? Cowboy Johnston, an' everybody know they gonna pay attention to that match."
(Jeremiah scoffs and quickly looks away before his eyes focus back on the camera)
"Y'know what? I think Lance is actually looking past us, Benji. Looking past my Run n' Gun. Looking past your COUNTRY. BOY. MOUNTAIN. STRENGTH."
(Benji quickly flexes a bicep)
JM: "Cassandra, listen up. I don't care about what your relationship with your brother is. I know you can wrestle in that ring, and if you're facing us, you and your brother are gonna be in for a long, long night."
(Jeremiah smirks)
JM: "LANCE! BOY. YOU BETTER NOT LOOK PAST US! HATFIELD AND MCCOY ARE COMING FOR YA!"
BH: "Y'all better be ready."
(Hatfield and McCoy leave out the frame. Fade to black.)
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Post by sofia on Jan 28, 2019 9:19:28 GMT
Selene Ciel, on her 49th Parallel tournament win and challenge to Black Dragon: MONTREAL, QUEBEC - Squared Circle Insider columnist Dave Alvarez sat down for a short interview with Selene Ciel, the young champion of 2018's "49th Parallel" tournament, an invitational featuring 64 stars representing the United States, Canada, and North American territories. Born and raised in Montreal, Ciel's style represents a mixture of her traditional kickboxing training and a wide array of pro-wrestling disciplines. Although she is barely even old enough to be a university graduate, she shocked the wrestling world by not only holding her own against the legendary "Orochi" Geese Walker, but even managing to defeat him.
Ciel met our insiders at a Montreal-area coffee shop to discuss her career so far, how she felt going up against such an infamously dominant superstar of pro wrestling, and her plans for Phoenix Rising's anniversary show in January.
DA: First off, let's talk a bit about your inspirations as a professional wrestler. Who did you look up to as role models?
SC: Oh god! Where do I even begin? Um, honestly, I'd been watching digital copies of all the tapes from the 90s as far back as I can remember! But I think my biggest heroes growing up, at least from the other side of the Pacific, were people like Bull Nakano and (Shinya) Hashimoto. Nakano could do everything, and even though she was, uh, kinda husky, everyone gave her respect and admiration and I guess I kinda wanted that for myself too! And, um, Hashimoto was like the ideal of a whole wrestling philosophy and I wanted to model myself like that, a fighter who represents like Strong Style. I remember reading translations of old Japanese wrestling mag articles about how his kicks were like being hit by a car -- like they literally measured that using impact sensors and stuff -- and since I was training in kickboxing I totally wanted to be like that. Those are probably the obvious ones, right? I can't even pretend that I haven't modeled my style off of both of them.
In this part of the world, uh, like any good Canuck (even if a lot of Canadians think us Quebecoise are snooty and uppity), I loved the Harts. I never got to really see any of Bret's matches live - I think I was in pre-school or something during his most famous title reign - but if I didn't have respect for them I'm pretty sure someone would tell me to go live in freaking, like, Maine or something. I also, incidentally, remember watching a bunch of Geese (Walker)'s matches when I was in middle-school and being impressed with how he weaved judo into pro wrestling so effortlessly. Seeing that when I heard all the people online going, "pro wrestling and martial arts don't mix!" taught me that you shouldn't listen to people on internet forums (laughs). I guess someone would point out that my use of stiff knee strikes is sort of like Kenny, but no, that's just me drawing on my own training in stand-up kickboxing fights.
DA: Since you brought Geese up, you sort of came out of nowhere among the wrestlers signed on for the 49th Parallel Tournament. There'd been rumblings of your reputation, even as young as you are, of being a fearsome power fighter in the women's division, but nobody really expected you to go into inter-gender wrestling and, on top of that, make your way to the finals. What was it like standing opposite to someone who is arguably a legend of wrestling at this stage in his career?
SC: I know you did some independent wrestling a while back from listening to your podcasts, and stuff, so ... like, do you remember what your first ever live match in front of a crowd was? Because it felt like that! I couldn't hear anything but my own heart beating outta control in my ears. I couldn't see the crowd around us, or the referee, or the ring ropes and cornerposts. I only saw Geese himself and I swear I could see the sheer ferocity of his mind and spirit flaring up from his shoulders, like something out of a comic book or a video game. I could barely focus my eyes, I couldn't feel my fingers or toes, all I thought was, "Oh my god, this is really happening!" I barely even remember much of the match now -- and it's not because of a concussion or anything, it's just that I kinda tapped into like, the instinctual lizard brain and stuff, and just let my body move on its own.
I remember winning, somehow, even though every bit of my body hurt like I'd been thrown into a washer and dryer full of rocks or something. I can't even say it was because I was the better wrestler or something, because I wasn't - I was just lucky enough to get one step ahead of Geese, and if we faced off again, I'm sure the result would be different. Maybe I'll get another chance to face off with him again... Someday! Maybe if there's another 49th Parallel?
DA: Until then, it seems like you're taking more outside dates than you used to!
SC: Right. So I debuted as part of a wrestling company called the Athena Wrestling Project, which is kind of a mix of a wrestling academy and a touring promotion, and for the last 4 or 5 years I've primarily wrestled other trainees and veterans working with AWP. But I've been trying to expand my horizons, and stuff! So one that's coming up is the Phoenix Rising anniversary show... One of the wrestlers in their Proving Ground tours is an AWP star herself, Fresh Suzuki, and my bosses have been working with Firehawk and Shiana to help her get more experience. So I wanted to try my hand at working in Phoenix Rising too! Right now it's a one-night thing, though.
DA: Oh, right, we reported on that a while back! But we hadn't heard anything of your involvement...
SC: So, um, I put in a request to face off against The Black Dragon...
DA: A real face-off between two of the strongest women in the world today?
SC: Right, right! Both she and Urani are two of the craziest girls I've seen around! And Laenara, too. I wanna test myself against her, and put on a really crazy fight! Even if I'll need a while to recover after it. She and I are kind of on a similar trajectory, you know? Though she's a few steps further along than me. So I guess, for now, I'm chasing after her shadow. So we'll see if I can eventually run neck and neck alongside her across the wrestling world! And if I lose... well, I guess it's a humbling experience to remind me how far I have to go!! So it's a win-win for me, I guess (laughs).
DA: Is there anything else you'd like to say?
SC: I know it's easy to get cocky when you've gotten sudden success! But I'm trying to avoid becoming that person. It was something hammered into me when I was a kid learning martial arts. Never in a million years did I think I'd be a successful pro wrestler. After my leg got messed up in high school, I was happy to just go to uni, get a normal degree and find a normal office job, but I'm glad that I decided that my dream was worth following. That dream's just begun, though, and I'm gonna follow it to the very end. More than anything, I wanna find stronger people to look up to, instead of being complacent in the skills I have now. I guess that makes me sound like I'm from some bad Japanese cartoon, huh... But, it's true! The women's stars fighting in the world title division in Phoenix Rising are all people I can aspire to be. |
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Post by Senator Phillips on Jan 28, 2019 20:54:43 GMT
GPC
G.P. Christopher: This is the sort of match that I live for. This is the sort of match that someone like me was born for. A chance for me to show a national, international, global audience what GPC stands for, why I am the fastest rising star in all of professional wrestling. If you're not a fan of GPC before this, if you're not a fan of Blake Dynamite, you will be once our match is over. Phoenix Rising didn't call my number by random, and they didn't choose Blake as my opponent randomly. We're workrate monsters, two birds of a feather. I respect the hell out of Blake, he gets it like few others do. And we're going to make the best match of these two nights take place in the most important spot of the week; the opener. So, if you don't know who I am, you best realize. You best put some respect on my name, on Blake's name, on the Preliminary Main Event. Because I'm not just GPC. I'm the King of the Openers. I'm the First Attraction. I'm the originator of Philly Strong Style. And I'm the Ronin of Destiny. But don't take me at my word. Watch me go. You'll get it.
El Froggy
El Froggy Mask: It is time for the Amphibian Association to leap up! We are here to celebrate the Phoenix! And we are here to paint the ring green! Our opponents, they are all big fans of the football team in Seattle. They may be proud of their football, but we have the strongest kicks of all! We will score the goals and we will run the pitch! Haha!
EFM: Yes, that is not their football that they are fans of! But we all know that the Sentarls will be tough. They will be very good! This is their home! But we are the Amphibian Association, for us, all the world is our pond! May the best team win!
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Post by Firehawk on Jan 29, 2019 6:24:08 GMT
The first night has wrapped up, and nothing on the card disappointed. There were some downright vicious brawls in this one, and maybe one of the most intense tag matches ever seen in a Phoenix Rising ring. Twitch: www.twitch.tv/videos/371648641Youtube: youtu.be/kXq65X9pWmUQuick Results GPC def. Blake Dynamite
El Evergringo def. Mascara Ano 2018
Kyle Anderson def. Roy Carter
Les Beautes Blondes def. Tara Helmsley and Trish Michaels
Kerry Texan def. Kevin Royce
Binak Tonorian def. Mad Bomber
Oshiro def. Urani Whitemist
Firehawk Sentarl, Rilantha De Nav and Hana Brightly def. The Amphibian Association
Victoria Frey def. Shiana Sentarl
Lance and Cassandra Marshall def. Jeremiah McCoy and Benji Hatfield
The Black Dragon def. Drakaina Write-ups  True to GPC's word, this was every bit deserving of being called a "Preliminary Main Event", as one of the hottest matches on the card. Blake and GPC didn't let up for a second, delivering everything they had in their respective arsenals (along with GPC landing a Dynamite Cutter of his own!) before a Roninmaker would finally set this one to rest, giving Lightning Pro's resident five-star machine the first win of the night.  Quite fast-paced in its own right, Evergringo and Mascara Ano 2018 didn't let up on each other either. Although 2018 landed a fair few of his "insigurys", it was Evergringo that won the day, taking flight on a massive diving headbutt, and landing a standing SSP to finish things off. The Evergreen mainstay suddenly looks solid going into next week's Evergreen show... could this sway Verde's opinion of him any?  This turned into a brawl in short order. Kyle showed how good he is as an all-rounder, while Carter kept pounding away with vicious strikes, aiming to keep Kyle grounded. But after being perched on the top turnbuckle and driven down with a massive chokeslam, Carter couldn't muster anything more, and Kyle Anderson would come away with a big win, after a very hard-fought contest.  The time-tested duo that is Angel and Elise kept rolling along in this one, handling most of what Tara and Trish could throw their way. It was Elise that mostly carried the day, though, ultimately picking up the victory over Trish with her familiar Au Revoir Bombe, and Les Beautes Blondes score yet another signature victory.  A potential candidate for match of the night, without a doubt. While the two had to work within the constraints of normal Phoenix Rising rules (perhaps a miscommunication ahead of time), it didn't stop this match from going absolutely wild, with Kevin trying everything he could to keep the old veteran Texan down. But it was the Spinning Toe Hold that finished the job for Texan, giving him the win, and giving AAW something to brag about over Evergreen.  A near-apocalyptic brawl between two giants from both sides of the Pacific. Bomber broke out damn near every powerbomb in his arsenal against Binak, who responded in kind with his own impressive offense, but it was the Ax Guillotine Driver that finally ended this colossal match, Binak standing tall as the better giant on this night.  The powerhouses didn't let up in this one, with Urani Whitemist, the Titan, stepping into the ring across from Oshiro, the Mountain Dragon straight from Wrestle Parade. And for perhaps the first time in her career, Urani met a woman fully capable of matching her raw power. Oshiro was a force of nature here, and ultimately, a similar powerbomb to Urani's own Whitemist Bomb would defeat the former World Champion, a stunning result that Urani clearly wouldn't have expected herself.  Team Hawks! A loose affiliation here, the only real connection of the trio being their mutual homes (well, Ril lives in Portland, Oregon, but shhhhh.) The Seattle team took it to the Amphibian Association without much hesitation, and it'd be Ril that finished the job after a wild trios match, locking in the Anaconda Vice on Kero Kero for the win.  Victoria Frey came to this show to prove a point, and she did so emphatically. Shiana struggled to keep up with the younger woman, couldn't bring her dangerous kicks to bear for long before Frey had control of the match once again. And one final, crushing suplex said volumes: Victoria can absolutely back up her words, and definitely didn't hesitate to here.  One of the most hotly anticipated matches on the card was also one of the best ones. The Marshalls, making a rare team-up, gave and took with McCoy and Hatfield, the match swinging wildly back and forth for its entire length. Cassandra held her own whenever she was in the ring, but it'd be Lance, throwing out everything he had at their opponents, that finally ended things, having to fall back on one of his less-used moves to finish the job... the Cattle Drive simply wasn't working tonight, to the shock of many.  Tag partners or not, these two didn't show any restraint against each other here, with Dragon trying to overpower Drakaina, while Drakaina sought to stay one step ahead. A few close calls on either side, though, would finally lead to Dragon catching Drakaina in a bearhug, finally forcing a hard-fought submission, and the World Champion gets through the night with a big win. Cassandra Marshall "Ya' hear 'em out there again? Same as every week. Every match. Every time they see me out in that ring, it ain't about what I'm doin' to my opponent, it ain't about my talent, it ain't about anything but 'look at the girl that fucks her brother'. Week in, week out, no matter how much I deny it, no matter how much Lance denies it... broken record, it comes back time and again. So I'm gonna be blunt about it one more goddamn time: It never. Fuckin'. Happened. No matter how much ya' try to push it, no matter how much ya' WANT it to be true... you're fuckin' disgustin', and I ain't gonna put up with it anymore. We're havin' the fuckin' match of our lives, the best one of the night, and that's all you're able to talk about. I got news for ya'... here goes, ya' wanna know what he's doin' in his free time? Who he's interested in?
Hell, he's had his eye on a few people, if I'm bein' honest. And I got no problem with him pursuin' what he wants t' do. All I know right now is he's gotten t' be good friends with Allison Avery, and Veronika Armstrong both. Are they gettin' together? Maybe, I ain't pryin' into that. Hell, there's probably others he's gotten to be friends with.
But I sure as hell ain't doin' him myself." |
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Post by sofia on Jan 29, 2019 6:52:43 GMT
Victoria Frey: After her match with Shiana Sentarl, Victoria Frey makes her way to the back for some post-match comments. Wiping away the sweat from her brow, she is all smiles - though the smile is hollow, barely masking the snide arrogance underneath her expression. She takes the tie and pins out of her hair, letting it fall back to just past her shoulders, as she turns to the cameraman, chuckling softly.
"Hah, I told you... I told all of you that I was coming to America with a mission to accomplish. I told ALL of you that there was a statement to be made here. I'm sure everyone else in the locker room merely wanted to treat this show as an opportunity for a friendly spar, but no - not me. I said it loud and clear before I made my flight out across the Atlantic - Shiana Sentarl was a threat, one that needed to be neutralized, so I could show all the people in the United States and across the world that the Frey family was not to be taken as a forgotten relic of another era! And what did I do? Tell me, little boy behind the camera, what did I do? I took her out like a hitman takes out its mark! I have to assume she and the rest of her family will have some explaining to do to all of their fans, an excuse to throw out for her defeat at the hands of British wrestling's cream of the crop. And if they do, I will take that as an implicit offer for a rematch. And I will say, loud and clear, right here and now - that I accept it, regardless of where and when she wishes to schedule it!
"So, while you're icing down your neck after taking the impact of the Bifrost Suplex; while you're feeling the after-effects of all those blows rained down upon your face; as you count the bruises one by one when you look in the mirror, Shiana Sentarl... ruminate on what transpired tonight, and choose your next course of action wisely... I shall be awaiting your response."
She walks away from the camera, pushing the off-screen boom mic aside nonchalantly on her way out. |
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Post by NSL on Jan 29, 2019 9:53:32 GMT
Hatfield & McCoy: (Both Benji Hatfield and Jeremiah McCoy were approached by a camera crew, and asked to reflect on their match against the Marshalls.)
BH: (Interrupts what Jeremiah was going to say to lead off when he gestures that he'd have the first word) "Lemme start off by saying thanks to Phoenix Rising for givin' us this opportunity tonight. I think J an' I put in the best match of the night." (Nods as he gives the floor to Jeremiah)
JM: "What did I say, huh? We were comin' for 'em! We got their attention. We told them weren't gonna be overlooked. Cass an' Lance gave us gave us a fight, an' we tol' 'em it wasn't gonna be easy. That crowd seemed a lil' weird about them, tho'."
Interviewer: "Jeremiah, you got up almost immediately out of three of Lance Marshall's Cattle Drives. Your thoughts?"
JM: (Light smirk) "Call it adrenaline, call it nerves, call it what ya want. I really wanted to prove we weren't backin' down, 'specially against someone like him. We wanted to beat 'em so bad, we kept trying to take the fight to them, an' we ending up losin' in their corner by a split second." |
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Post by Firehawk on Jan 29, 2019 21:31:09 GMT
Shiana Sentarl responds to Victoria Frey: "Victoria Frey talks about making excuses. About trying to explain how I could've lost that match on Monday night, how I could've been taken down like that just as she said would happen. If you're looking for an excuse... I don't have any. Nobody does, and nobody should.
The fact is, I'm not who I used to be, and that's been obvious to all of you since I returned from my defeat at the hands of Alexandria Kirison months ago. I came back changed, not the same person I was before, stronger in some ways... much weaker in others. I came back, knowing I couldn't be who I used to be, not if I wanted to keep coming out here and doing what I love.
What I was told when I took time off after losing that title: that if I continued what I was doing, I'd have to retire before the end of this year. My body couldn't take it anymore, couldn't take the constant jumping off the top rope, couldn't take the intensity, the pace I'd worked that you know so well. I had to slow down, had to stop taking those risks so often, had to change who I was...
It's not easy to change, this late into your career. But I don't see that as an excuse. I have nothing to say, other than that... I lost. I couldn't keep pace with Victoria Frey. But you're opening the door for a rematch... and you'd better believe I'm willing to take that match. You're very welcome to return and face me again... but when we do meet again, I wouldn't expect it to go so smoothly for you a second time. You showed me what needs to happen if I'm going to keep my career going... and I swear, I will earn my way to the top once again, before it's all over." |
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