Midnight Movies: the Cradle Bay Bloodbath of 1997

Evening Friends,

Here's a bit of seasonal cheer to prime the pump for All Hallows Evil. What follows is a flashback match between one of the pillars of FAWN before she set foot in the fed and another newcomer who'd go on to become a legend of the indy scene. Fair warning, there's a bit more of the red stuff contained therein than I usually dole out, but I'd say it's mostly left to the imagination.

Hope you enjoy,

~RF

*******

The Hellhole, a few days before Halloween…



Lenore Lemarchand and Veronica Treymane had just wrapped an hour long submission drill when Sydney Deschain walked into the gym with a large cardboard box under one arm. “Where’s your fiancé hiding, Lenore? I’ve got a package of tapes from the Polaris Pro archive for him that weighs roughly five hundred pounds.”



“He’s been in the editing bay for the last day or so.” Lenore offered Veronica a water bottle, then ran a towel over her face before cracking a bottle of her own. “He bought something from an estate sale a little while ago and it just arrived, he’s been working on cleaning it up ever since.”



“A wrestling card?” Veronica asked.



“I don’t think so. He said something about a blood bath, so I’m guessing it’s one of those forgotten eighties slashers he loves.”



Syd set the box on the ring apron, looking thoughtful. “He said blood bath? It’s not the Cradle Bay Bloodbath, is it?”



Lemarchand snapped her fingers and pointed. “Yeah, that’s it!”



“Since when do you like scary movies, Syd?” Veronica said with a smile. Despite a few rather gruesome nicknames, the woman who founded the Hellhole much preferred historical dramas and the occasional dry comedy.



“Since never. But this isn’t a movie, it’s a match. More urban legend than holy grail as far as collectors are concerned. I know for a fact that it happened, but aside from a few black and white pics in some of the old wrestling magazines, it never reached a wide audience. If Kent tracked it down… well, it‘s a big get.”



“And now I’m intrigued.” Lenore replied. “Who’s in this match and why was it hidden away for…”



“More than twenty years now.” Deschain filled in for her. “As for who’s participating, she’s someone we know well, but I’ll leave it at that for now. Something tells me Kent will be more than happy to fill in the details sooner than later.”



Syd’s place, Halloween night…



November was a couple hours old but Halloween was still going strong even if the crowd of guests had dwindled to little more than a dozen that mostly consisted of Hellhole regulars, some friends and a few significant others. The serious carousing was done and the mood was mellow, almost introspective when Kent Allard spoke up during a lull in conversation.



“Friends, the hour has grown late, which means the time is right for a story. If anyone’s interested in finishing their night with the tale of the Cradle Bay Bloodbath, grab a drink and meet me in the theater. We’ll start in ten minutes.”



Cassandra Vale, who’d been tending bar on the other side of the room, noted, “Get those drink orders in now, people. I’m not missing this one.”



The merc’s apparent interest was enough to trigger a migration from Sydney’s dining room to the aforementioned theater, though most everyone present did indeed take time to get a last drink or, in the case of Maddy Crane, a few more chicken wings. All in all it took a little bit longer than ten minutes to get everyone filed in, but this didn’t bother the archivist at all since it gave him some extra time to make sure all the connections were good and the file was cued up.



Once everyone was settled in, he began to speak. “The year is nineteen ninety-seven, it’s late October and in northern Pennsylvania, a local promotion, Great Lakes Professional Wrestling is promoting a Halloween night card they’re calling ‘Snakes in the Garden’. Now this card, running at the Blue Ribbon Fairgrounds in the little town of Cradle Bay, is headlined by a steel cage match between their current World Champion, Blast Hardcase--”



“What a name!” Lily Burlingame couldn’t help but chortle.



Kent snorted, nodded his agreement. “Agreed. The impressively named Mr. Hardcase was defending the GLPW World Title against ‘Nightmare’ Nate Frakes in what was expected to be a pretty violent affair. And it was, Nightmare claimed his first and only world title win with a High Angle Senton from the top of the cage, but it was actually the match just before intermission that was quickly dubbed The Cradle Bay Bloodbath. That match was a falls count anywhere, no disqualifications affair for the GLPW Women’s Championship and it caused such an uproar among the morality police in the area that the promotion was never allowed to air it on their syndicated show or even sell it on video over concerns of having various local licenses rescinded. Thus the only copy available to the public was a boilerplate VHS edition that featured a couple references to the bout in question, but not a single frame of the match itself. Word got out to the world at large thanks to some fans that’d been in attendance that night, but other than a few pictures sent to the Apter Mags, the match was never screened anywhere, far as I know. Yes, Mads?”



“Ummmhh, is it ok for me to be eating while this is on screen?” the redhead raised a drippy drum-ette for emphasis.



“Wings should be fine, but I’d avoid anything with a chunky red sauce.”



Syd raised a finger.



“Yeah Boss?”



“How’d you get your hands on this, Kent? Fan bootleg?”



The archivist grinned. “Much better than that. I bid on a lot of tapes from the KTMA warehouse about a month ago when the station finally shut its doors. Most of it was early 90’s sitcoms, old game shows and some delightfully awful made for T.V. movies, BUT tucked near the bottom was a complete run of GLPW’s weekly show from nineteen ninety-six to nineteen ninety-eight, including an uncut copy of Snakes in the Garden. I have no idea how they got their hands on it, my guess is management sent this copy off to the station before the shit-storm hit, then sent an edited version afterward. However it happened, it’s part of our archive now and you all are the first to see it since Halloween ‘97... and me when I watched it earlier this afternoon, but solo viewings don’t count. Any other questions?”



“Who’s in the match?” Lenore called from a seat in the second row. “I’ve got some suspicions, but nothing concrete.”



“I think I’ll let them tell you, they‘re much better promos than I am, after all.” Kent replied as he hit a button to lower the lights. “Happy Halloween, everybody. Settle in, sit back and enjoy, our feature presentation is about to begin.”



********



Up on screen flat black gave way to the gaudy G.L.P.W. logo which slowly dissolved to a medium shot of an empty, rather forlorn cemetery on a late autumn afternoon somewhere in Northwestern Pennsylvania. At first the only sound was the sigh of the wind, but this was soon joined by the dry crunch-crunch-crunch of the cameraman’s feet as he navigated his way through the low rows of tombstones and small mausoleums that made up the cemetery grounds. This continued for almost thirty seconds before a voice from the left called out, “Where ya been, ya spaz? I expected you an hour ago!”



There’s a small gasp followed by a muttered curse as the viewfinder whipped in that direction. Not five yards away sat a woman with her back leaned against the wall of a columbarium. In her lap was a candy bucket shaped like a grinning green pumpkin and stretched out beside her was the GLPW Women’s Championship with its faceplate putting off a mellow glow in the slowly fading light.



Offering a smirk as the cameraman closed in, Clarissa Shivers asked, “What’s wrong, get lost on the way?”



“You never told me this place was in the ass-end of nowhere, Clarissa!”



“I didn’t tell you it’s supposed to be haunted either, shouldn’t have kept you from getting here on time.”



“Wait, what? This place is haunt--”



“Not important!” Shivers interrupted. “You’re rolling already, right?”



“Ummh, yeah.”



“Great! Bring it down in please, I don’t wanna get up just yet.”



There’s some shuffling as the cameraman went down on one knee to hone in on the dark-eyed brunette.



“Hi there boils and ghouls, this is a message from your favorite Happy Haunt, the Queen of Halloween… and current GLPW Women’s Champ, Clarissa Shivers. Ya know, it’s a little over two weeks to ‘Snakes in the Garden’ and I’m only just now learning the name of my challenger. Presently our locker room is full of talented ladies deserving a shot and I thought for sure it’d be someone like Dani Disaster, Mrs. Sinister or even that miserable little snot Alona Nightingale. So imagine my surprise when earlier this morning I find out that not only has GLPW ventured outside its own locker room to muster a challenger, they’ve gone all the way to Merry Olde England!”



Shivers trailed off as she reached into the pumpkin, pulled out a two pack of Sweet Tarts and tore it half before popping the contents into her mouth.



“You guys ever heard of ‘Sensational’ Shea London? If you haven’t, remember the name because you’ll be hearing more of it soon. Not even nineteen and she’s already been on a tear through the UK scene and she’s just coming off a very successful tour of Japan. This is her first trip to the States and those in the know are already lining up to see her wrestle, and with good reason. She’s a brilliant grappler, her submission wrestling is top notch and her aerial game? Well, let’s just say they don’t call her Sensational for nothing. GLPW management was VERY excited to book her as my opponent for Snakes in the Garden and frankly, I don’t blame them. Yes, yes, this sort of line-jumping would usually piss me off, I did fight my way through the whole f*cking roster to earn my title shot after all, but for Shea London I’m willing to make an exception because it’s clear she’s on her way to being one of the very best in the world and that’s EXACTLY the caliber of talent that I want to defend this championship against.” she reached out and patted the faceplate for emphasis. “In fact, if I’m being honest, there’s only one part of this whole situation that rubs me the wrong way. Snakes in the Garden takes place on Friday, October thirty-first, a day I hold dear. Not in a phone in sick, take the day off sort of way, but in a sacred, put my best foot forward, give everything I have sort of way. I’m ready to bleed buckets come Halloween night and what’s GLPW management gone and done? Booked two of the hottest names in professional wrestling to square off for the first time… in a no-frills, vanilla-ass nothing-fest.”



Clarissa fetched a deep sigh and raked a hand through her hair. “Now, I get it. There’s going to be a Cage Match in the Main Event and they don’t wanna have to replace the canvas twice in a single card, but really, not even a single stipulation? Where’s the fun? Where’s the respect for the season? Where’s the… where’s the mischief? Could also be they’re worried about their insurance premiums going up, I mean, I wouldn’t want to have to pay Shea London’s bills if I got my hands on her in something like a No Count Out, No Disqualifications, Falls Count Anywhere match. And I certainly wouldn’t want to be responsible for derailing the momentum of such a promising star.”



Clarissa broke into a smile, popped a fun size Snickers into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully.



“But I think it’s a risk I’m willing to take. What about you, Shea? Management let you cut the whole roster for a shot at my gold, are you willing to put something on the line to give the GLPW fans a real Halloween Treat? I hope you are and I hope you won’t take long to answer me, but before you do, know this…”



Shivers grabbed the title, popped to her feet and draped it over her shoulder. “This is my very first Championship. I went through Hell to get it and I’ll go through worse to keep it. Be that in a straight-up goody two-shoes wrestling match, a no-rules street fight or anything in between. I’ll out-wrestle you. I’ll outwork you. I’ll outlast you. Hell,” Clarissa chomped down on a piece of Bazooka Joe, blew out a big bubble and popped it all in the span of about five seconds, “I might even embarrass you. In deference to the season of course. Nothing personal, even if it doesn’t feel that way.” she shrugged, reached down and picked up the candy bucket by its oversized plastic strap.



“Either way, you’re getting your match. And at Snakes in the Garden? Trick, you’re in for a treat. See ya there.”



Challenge delivered, the Queen of Halloween strolled out of frame and the feed cut out shortly thereafter.



********



Fade up from black to a shot of the sign out in front of the Blue Ribbon Fairgrounds. In big block letters almost a foot high it reads:



GREAT LAKES PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING PRESENTS:

SNAKES IN THE GARDEN!

HALLOWEEN NIGHT, BELL AT 7:00, DOORS OPEN AT 6:00!



With the pertinent details established, the camera pans down to the base of the sign to reveal a young blonde woman looking back with a patient smile. Armored against the October chill with snug jeans torn at the knees, a long-sleeved Clash tee-shirt and an equally scuffed leather jacket, the newcomer pushed offa the sign and strolled toward the camera.



“Clarissa Shivers, Shea London ‘ere. Apologies for making ya wait, I ‘eard ya ‘ad a challenge for me, but I didn’t get ta see it til after I landed in Philly last night. And since we’re a bit short on time, I’ll get right to the point. Yes, I accept yer terms. No count-outs, no disqualifications, falls count anywhere. Whatever you want, I’m game. It’s yer ‘ouse and I’m more than willing ta play by yer rules.”



Shea trailed off, turned around and looked up at the sign for several seconds before turning back to the camera. “From what I ‘ear, ya’ve got a bit of a problem with me challenging for the title. I understand that too. After all, I ‘aven’t spent any time in the GLPW locker room, so ya don’t know ‘ow I do things unless ya’ve read some magazines or seen a few boot-leg tapes. So yeah, I get why ya might be angry and don’t take it personally.”



London had seemed understanding, even sympathetic. Now her dark eyes went cold and she looked anything but.



“What I DO take personal is the tone ya chose ta adopt in issuing that challenge. I don’t mind a little brass when someone’s running their mouth in my direction, but ya didn’t even raise yer voice, girl. Ya suggested I was afraid. That ya thought I wasn’t woman enough ta accept yer challenge. But I know we both spoke ta GLPW brass. I know they told ya what I told them, which was that I’d face ya in whatever sorta match ya saw fit. Ya knew that Clarissa Shivers, yet ya still chose ta imply that I took the easy way to my shot for the GLPW Women’s Championship. Well let me tell ya something, duchess. I didn’t travel across the bloody Atlantic to contend for titles. I came to collect them. And yers is first on my list.”



Shea paused to let Shivers think about it, then went on.



“So go ahead and bring whatever ya want come ‘alloween night. Bring the ghosts, goblins, witches, werewolves and as much candy ya can carry. Bring all yer fans, bring the best ya’ve got, ‘ell, bring ALL ya’ve got. Because it still won’t be enough. Best possible outcome? Ya lose the title. Other end of the spectrum? Ya lose the title, some teeth, and those fans ye’re so eager to show off for? Ye’ll lose them too. It’s not all bad though. I may leave with the gold, but I’ll make sure yer pail’s fulla nice, soft candies. Can’t leave ya with nothin’, can I? Well I could…but I won’t. Probably.”



The blonde broke into a smile that suggested such an outcome wouldn’t bother her in the slightest.



“No ‘ard feelings though, right, girl? It’s all in the spirit of the season. And I ‘ope ye’re ready for what’s comin’ Friday night. Because ‘alloween this year isn’t just ‘appy. It’s Sensational.”



********



The sold out crowd at the Blue Ribbon Fairgrounds Pavilion was already in high spirits following the last match and their mood only grew more raucous when the Announcer stepped into the spotlight to exclaim, “Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a no count outs, no disqualifications, falls count anywhere match for the GLPW Women’s Championship! Introducing first, the challenger. Coming to us from Manchester, England in the united Kingdom, she stands five feet four inches tall and weighs in tonight at one hundred and twenty pounds. Please welcome Sensational SHEA LONDON!”



The Briton’s name was greeted with a round of cheers and applause from the fans that kept an eye on the international scene, but it didn’t really get LOUD until the scratchy PA system asked a rather simple question:



‘Do you wanna get rocked?



LET’S GET ROCKED:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkWyLZ3AaLU



SHEA LONDON:





Those in attendance on this brisk Halloween night most certainly did and they proclaimed as much as the top of their lungs in time with the beginning of Def Leppard’s ’Let’s Get Rocked’. This proved a perfect cue for the British Bombshell to storm through the curtain, London encouraging even more noise by throwing her hands high. Pleased by enthusiastic welcome, the teenage wunderkind pumped a fist for the throng, then strapped an invisible belt around her waist and started toward the ring, a journey that took a bit longer than anticipated only because she made a point of zigging and zagging across the aisle to slap every hand extended in her direction.



For tonight, her first chance at championship gold in North America, the Sensational One sported a dark blue sports bra and a pair of matching bikini briefs, the Union Jack in all its glory across Shea's brassiere, no mutiny for her bounty; the remainder of her outfit, a pair of stylish, red wrestling boots. Pausing when she reached the end of the aisle, London looked around and did a legit double take when she noticed a guy several rows back waving a sign that read:



‘KATSUMI DIDN’T STAND A CHANCE & NEITHER DOES CLARISSA!

WELCOME TO GLPW, SHEA!’



Feeling a weight come off her shoulders, she mouthed, ‘Thank you’, then planted a smooch on her fingertips and sent it fluttering his way before skipping up the steel steps to the apron. Once there she grabbed the top rope in both hands and vaulted her over in a single effortless leap that earned another cheer from the crowd. Much more relaxed now than she had been behind the curtain, London strode across the ring to the far corner where she took a moment to test the elasticity of the ropes before settling into some last minute stretches all while keeping a careful eye on the curtain.



Def Leppard had only just faded into the background din when the Announcer resumed his duties. “And introducing her opponent, hailing from 1313 Mockingbird Lane, she stands at five feet two inches tall and weighs in at one hundred and ten pounds. She is the current GLPW Women’s Champion and the All Time Queen of Halloween! Ladies and gentlemen, boils and ghouls, I give to you… CLARISSA SHIVERS!”



If the crowd had cheered Shea’s arrival they came unglued for Clarissa, the champion’s ‘Creatures of the Night’ bellowing their adulation over the twangy, retro opening of ‘Fast & Sweet’.



FAST & SWEET:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xkLoFFGpuc



CLARISSA SHIVERS:





Like the challenger before her, Shivers didn’t make the throng wait, she burst into view within seconds, the little brunette dynamo raising her trademark green pumpkin candy bucket with one hand while the other swatted the golden faceplate of the championship belt strapped around her waist. Grinning at the ‘SHIVERS!’ chant already echoing through the Pavilion, Clarissa lowered the bucket, reached in and removed a fun-size sleeve of Whoppers that she tore open with her teeth. Careful to tuck the wrapper into her boot after enjoying her snack, the Girl from Mockingbird Lane skipped her way toward the squared circle, Clarissa following a path similar to Shea’s, though she offered the aisle-side fans a treat from the pumpkin pail instead of a high five.



On tonight, the best night of the year, the GLPW Women’s Champion wore a black bandeau style top designed to look like a bat with spread wings. South of that her briefs were shiny orange vinyl with a grinning jack o' lantern face across the seat. Her look was completed with black knee & elbow pads emblazoned with a skull, and shiny orange boots with 'Trick' emblazoned on the left and 'Treat' mirrored on the right.



Making her way up the steps after a circuit around ringside to offer more candy, Clarissa dipped between the top and middle ropes and strolled by the official, handing him the pumpkin pail in the process. Dark eyes locked on Shea, Shivers reached to the small of her back, undid the title and raised it one handed. “You want it, babe?” she asked the challenger. “Come and get it.”



Shea most certainly did, though when she stepped forward it was to the champ herself rather than the gaudy gold strap. “Better ‘old it tight while ya still can, girl.” London told the brunette. “Or it’ll be mine before ya know it.”



Shivers smiled, lowered the belt and extended her free hand only to grab the title and raise it high, the Queen of Halloween swiveling her hips through a half circle that finished with her backside waggling at the Briton. Glancing over her shoulder, Clarissa tipped Shea a wink and chided, “That’s the only treat you’re getting tonight, cutie. From here on out it’s all tricks, all the time.”



“Ya’d be the one to know, that’s for sure.” answered a stone-faced Shea.



Clarissa only smirked and strutted to the opposite side of the ring, the brunette tossing her golden prize to the zebra as she did so.



The bell sounded, Shea came forward and Clarissa did the same. A bit hesitant to offer her usual pre-Lock Up handshake in light of the words exchanged during their staredown, London brushed the reservations aside and stuck out a hand for the approaching brunette. To her credit, Shivers didn’t hesitate for an instant. She took the blonde’s hand and gave it a single firm squeeze before breaking away.



“Protect yourself, cutie.” Clarissa suggested as she began to circle. “I’m coming to put you on your ass.”



Shea matched her step for step, the pair of springy lightweights almost seeming to float rather than stride as they closed on one another in an ever tightening gyre. “Then I ‘ope ya brought more than candy and tough words, girl.” London replied. “Because I knocked on yer door lookin’ for gold and I don’t mean to be den--”



Shivers lunged, caught the blonde’s right wrist and wrung that arm once, twice, three times to ensure it was properly tenderized when she dipped ‘round behind to turn it into a Hammerlo-- London twisted into the hold to relieve, then reverse the pressure with her own Hammerlock on Shivers’ right arm. Controlling the brunette at wrist and elbow, she cranked up to force Clarissa onto tiptoe, then broke her grip in favor of a snug Side Headlock. The effortless reversal earned a smile from Shea and a smattering of boos from the crowd, a reaction that might’ve thrown the Englishwoman for a loop if she hadn’t immediately whipped Shivers over her left hip and THUMPED the champion to the mat with a Headlock Takedown!



“Queen of ‘alloween, eh?” Shea cranked up on the Headlock to strain Clarissa’s noggin in the center of a triangle formed by the blonde’s bicep, forearm and breast. “Ya can rule that and every other ‘oliday for all I care, but ‘ere in this ring? I’m the only queen that mattHRGH!”



Clarissa curled in on herself, hooked a leg across Shea’s chin and forced her backward to break the Headlock with a Headscissors! “Not tonight, sister.” Shivers crossed her ankles and gave the teenager’s noggin a long squeeze. “This is my night. This is my court and maybe, if you ask real nice, I’ll grant you a spot therein. I have been looking for a jest--”



London shifted back onto her shoulder, raised both knees to chest-level and kicked her legs up to break free of the Scissors and kip to boot-leather in a single stroke! Clarissa was up half a heartbeat later, more than enough time for Shea to prepare the European Uppercut she CLAPPED off the brunette’s chin! Shivers staggered back a couple steps so London charged her down and went airborne, the blue-clad visitor threading her legs around Clarissa’s head just to whip down and around and thus flip the champ onto her back with an audible thud!



The Queen of Halloween landed flat, rolled through to one knee and was back on her feet in time to block the Spinning Crescent Kick Shea aimed at her face! Swatting the blonde’s leg down without a word, Shivers answered the Uppercut with a brisk Forearm Smash to the mouth, then snatched Shea’s wrist and sent her off to the ropes with an Irish NO! London reached the end of her tether, dug in her heels and reversed the throw to offer Clarissa to the strands in her place! Shivers accepted the swap without complaint, in fact she showed a wide smile while ducking the Clothesline Shea unveiled for her return. Whipping around on one heel to make sure Clarissa couldn’t take her back, London bent deep as Shivers made her second pass and strapped an arm across the American’s waist. Just like that she muscled the Happy Haunt off the mat and up under one arm for a Sidewalk Sl--



Cheers from the GLPW regulars when Clarissa spun free of the challenger’s grasp, clamped her legs around Shea’s head and hurled her to the mat via a Tilt-A-Whirl Headscissors! London landed in a neat tumble, rolled across the canvas and bounced to her feet at the exact instant Shivers did the same.



“Not bad, crumpet!” Clarissa admitted while she made a quick adjustment to her shoulder-straps. “But not good enough to swipe my belt, either. Not by a long shot.”



Shea snorted, ‘flicked’ her togs back into place. “Don’t kid yerself, girl. I’m just getting started. And yer barely keepin’ up.”



Shivers arched her eyebrows and put a hand to her chest like she’d been impugned by something scandalous. “Oh sweet cheeks, we’re neck and neck because that’s where I want us to be. Soon as I decide to hit the accelerator? Your candy bucket’s gonna be full of dust.”



“Ya gonna run from me, Clarissa?” the brunette had resumed circling so Shea did the same. “What kinda queen runs away when ‘er title’s on the line?”



“Got your directions reversed, baby. I understand though, you do drive on the wrong side of the road. I’m not running away from you. I’m running over you.”



“Well yer certainly runnin’ yer mouth quite a bit.” the blonde countered. “About what I’d expect from a girl who makes ‘er challenges by vid--”



Shivers lunged, hooked an arm under Shea’s bicep and laid out on her side to fling the challenger across the squared circle with a lightning-fast Arm Drag! Shea skidded to a stop near the ropes, sprang to her feet and raced back to meet Clarissa, who was already closing the distance. Their second skirmish saw the Sensational One erase her deficit by catching Everyone’s Favorite Ghoulfriend with a Japanese Arm Drag! Clarissa landed with a THWHAM but still managed to roll over and scramble to verticality less than a whisper behind her adversary.



No words this time around, blonde and brunette threw themselves into one another for a Collar & Elbow that had them pushing and shoving all over the ring. Shea’s sliver of a head start must’ve given her the tiniest edge because it was she who stuffed the champion against the ropes first, London brazenly tummying in on the American grappler to remind her who dictated ter--



“OW!” London yelped in surprise rather than pain (though it certainly didn’t feel pleasant) when Clarissa snatched a huge handful of blonde hair and used it to reverse their positions on the ropes! “‘Air! ’Air refNNGGH!” Shivers pumped a quick Broadside Kneelift into Shea’s tummy, then mounted the bottom rope and doubled down on the hair-hold to scrub her tits across the challenger’s startled features!



“No disqualifications, no count-outs, English!” Clarissa giggled. “No rope breaks either, though I could be persuaded to go easy on ya if OOOOWWWW!”



London got her hands on Shivers’ encroaching tummy and shoved her almost halfway across the ring. Left hand pressed to the swell of one breast, an incredulous Clarissa looked not to the ref, but to the GLPW fans. “Bytch actually bit me!” The regulars jeered this attack on their heroine, but the Queen of Halloween looked pleased rather than infuriated. “I knew even a bland-o like you could get into the spirit of the season.” she grinned. “You’re not gonna whine when I bite back, are ya?”



Shea scoffed in irritation. “Gonna ‘ave a rough go of bitin’ anything if I punch the teeth outta yer mouth, luv.”



“Oh please. I’ve seen your work. You don’t use a closed fist for anything other than pounding the mat.”



London rolled her shoulders, pushed off the ropes and replied, “I’ll make an exception for you, Clarissa.”



“And I’ll make an example of you, Shea.” Shivers answered with a taunting smile. “Teach you to strut into my house and try to beat me in MY ring on MY night? I don’t think so, cuteNNNGGGH!”



Boos from the vociferous crowd when London stepped up and clouted the brunette’s mouth with another European Uppercut! The pinpoint strike swung Shivers around in a half circle which allowed Shea to snatch hold of a tight Waistlock. Gouging her fists into the American’s navel, Shea muscled Clarissa off her feet, swung around and dropped to all fours to THWHUMP the champ onto her tummy with an emphatic Takedown! Shivers grunted, struggled to her hands and knees only to get forced flat when Shea climbed aboard and spun through not one, not two, but three, quick rotations, the nimble Briton showing off her speed, grappling skills and a strong dose of ‘tude in the tummy-on-back twirling that ended with her seated upon the small of her opponent’s back.



“What’s wrong, duchess? Can’t go anywhere?” London mussed the brunette’s hair with both hands, then grabbed hold and wrenched her head back at a sharp angle. “C’mon luv, you want me off, do something about it!”



Rather than allow her foe the opportunity, Shea flattened one hand into a paddle and swatted Shivers’ cheek close to a dozen times. In her previous experience, returning the favor on a chick who had roughed her up earned the Sensational One a hearty round of cheers so she was more than a little surprised (and a bit irritated) that fans peppered her with jeers before starting a ‘Let’s go Shivers!’ chant. Frowning, London doubled down on the hair-hold and THUNKED Clarissa’s forehead into the mat. “I see ‘ow it is.” Shea muttered. “Ya can fight as mean as ya want, but as soon as I treat ya to a bit of the same they’re gonna give me ‘ell for OOOWWW!”



Still facedown on the mat, the Queen of Halloween reached back, caught hold of London’s left wrist and tore it out of her hair so she could bite down on the challenger’s index and middle fingers! Abandoning the mount to free her hand, Shea scrambled to verticality and managed to drive a single stomp between Clarissa’s shoulders before she rolled away to one knee. “Hmmmmmhh,” Shivers made a show of licking her lips as she locked eyes with the blonde. “Vanilla. Of course you would taste like vanilla.”



“Gonna taste like champagne after I take yer title, girl.” Shea countered. “I’ll make sure management sends a tub of Double Chocolate Sadness to yer locker room. It’s the least I can--”



Clarissa bounced to boot-leather and came for the blonde, her hands raised to shoulder level to catch London in another clinch. Eager to do the same (and teach the brat a lesson about pulling her hair) Shea mirrored Clarissa’s stance and stormed out to meet the-- “UNGH!” Shivers fired a straight jab through the Briton’s hands to pop Shea right in the mouth! Now it was London stumbling away from the confrontation, the startled teenager instinctively turning her back to prevent Shivers from landing more bl-- “Eeeerrrrhhhhhhhh!”



Clarissa snatched the challenger’s left wrist, folded that arm up between her shoulders to secure a Hammerlock which she then used to bull-rush her taller opponent into the ropes. “Don’t you call for the ref, cutie. Don’t you dare.” Shivers yoked up on the simple hold to emphasize her point. “Squealing for the ref is like calling the cops in a slasher flick. It’s just gonna get you both killed. And didn’t you tell me you were ready for a fight?”



Without waiting for an answer, Clarissa halved her hold on Shea’s wrist so she could CLAP, then jostle and squeeze a great big handful of blonde buttock! This earned a raucous cheer from the crowd at the Blue Ribbon Fairgrounds Pavilion, indeed everyone in the stands seemed to be having a great time even as the tension in the ring began to boil over.



Not about to let Shivers show her off without paying a steep, painful cost, London raised her right leg and would’ve stomped down on the brunette’s toes if Clarissa hadn’t stopped her with a quick Kneelift to the buns! Shea yelped, then cursed as the Princess of the Pumpkin Patch caught hold of her dark-blue waistband and bared one cheek with a scintillating wedgie!



“Bytch!” London threw a Back Elbow, felt it hit nothing because Shivers pulled her head back. “‘Ow’d you actually win the title? In a wet tee-shirt contesTNNGHH OW! OW! OW! OOOOOOWWWW!”



Clarissa bolstered the Hammerlock with a stiff Headbutt between Shea’s shoulders, then used her free hand to force the Englishwoman’s upper body under the top rope. From there she snatched hold of hair and pulled her upright just to jounce her in place over and over and over again! “How’d I win this title, crumpet? I beat that beeyotch Alona Nightingale right here in the middle of the ring after almost thirty minutes of hell. I pointed her ass at the lights and I’ll do the same to AARRHH!”



Shea slammed a heel into Clarissa’s left shin and raked the bare skin twice before stamping on the champion’s foot! Doing so allowed her to wrest free of the Hammerlocks and the ropes, but she’d no more than turned around when Shivers pumped a Kneelift into her navel! London ‘oooofffh’ed’, tumbled into a clench and soaked up three more Kneelifts before Clarissa smudged her backward against the rubber-coated steel. Bracing a forearm against the blonde’s sternum to hold her in place, Shivers balled her free hand into a fist and started pounding away on Shea’s trim tummy!



“C’mon cutie, where’s the girl the wrestling rags can’t stop gushing over?” Clarissa paused her punching to reach up and muss London’s battle damp locks as revenge for earlier indignities. After that it was right back to belly punches and trash talk. “Is all your press British? Or did you just bribe them to leave out the part where you won your matches under Duchess of Queensbury HHHRRRGGGHH!”



Shea pivoted between shots so that Clarissa’s punch slammed into the point of her hip! It didn’t feel great for the Briton, but it proved just as painful for the Queen of Halloween and London took the opportunity to skewer her opponent’s gut with a Kneelift of her own! Swatting Shivers’ arm aside even as she powered off the strands, the Sensational One grabbed a handful of hair at the nape of Clarissa’s neck to keep the champion’s head in place as she THWHAPPED a handful of Forearm Smashes into her mouth.



This flurry took both ladies to center ring which wasn’t nearly as far as London wanted to go, so she traded her hair-hold for a controlling arm across the back of Shivers’ neck and pulled her forward and down to THWHAP her forearm against the American’s jaw with a trio of uncontested European Uppercuts. Each impact brought more boos and a few woozy steps backward for Clarissa, though she didn’t actually reach the ropes until Shea connected with a Broadside Kneelift that felt like a two-by-four wrapped in velvet! Filling her hands with the brunette’s dark locks as soon as Shivers’ butt settled on the middle strand, Shea shook her head back ‘n forth a few times, then jerked the champ forward while simultaneously DRIVING her forehead into Clarissa’s face!



The Headbutt proved stronger than Shivers’ knees and Shea’s grip, meaning the Queen of Halloween tumbled backward through the ropes to land in an awkward sprawl on the lacquered wood floor. Deeply satisfied by the heavy thud of her rival’s impact, Shea London braced her elbows on the top rope and leaned over to look down at what she’d wrought. “‘Ow’s that for Queensbury rules, duchess?” she taunted over the din of the crowd. “Now, are ya gonna come back of yer own accord or do I need to come out there and get--”



London paused, tasting copper. Confused, she put a thumb to her lip and found it came away red. A quick inspection revealed no cuts, which meant--a startled clamor from the GLPW regulars as Clarissa Shivers stood up and turned to face her challenger with a smile that dripped down her chin and stippled on her chest. “Nice shot, crumpet.” Clarissa ran her tongue over the nasty gash in her bottom lip. “Maybe you came to fight after all.”



“Fer Chrissakes Clarissa, get that checked out!” Shea almost shouted. “We can’t fight if you’re choking on--”



Shivers stepped up to the apron and very deliberately spat a disgusting glob of blood and phlegm on the Sensational One’s right boot. Training her gaze on the blonde immediately thereafter, Clarissa added, “Don’t make me tell you twice, crumpNNGGH!”



Reservations be damned, Shea grabbed the top rope in both hands, hopped up and swung her legs under the second strand like a pendulum to THUMP a Dropkick offa Clarissa’s chest! The truncated delivery didn’t lessen the force of the blow as evidenced by the way Shivers flew across the narrow ringside aisle to BWANG! against the guardrail!



Scrambling back to verticality after extricating herself from the ropes, Shea held her position long enough to confirm Clarissa was still upright, then did an about face and sprinted to the far side of the squared circle. Those gathered for Snakes in the Garden already had ample evidence that the visiting blonde was quick on her feet, but they hadn’t really experienced any of Shea’s much vaunted aerial offense. That changed in a big way when the Sensational One made her return and vaulted from the canvas to the top rope where she waited for a full two seconds before leaping into the lights to THWHAM-BWANG! Clarissa against the steel courtesy a flawless Spaceman Plancha!



SPACEMAN PLANCHA:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvqIUPvqwj0



Previously a united front with the champion, the crowd abruptly found itself roaring approval for the Englishwoman when London popped up and bellowed, “C’MON!” As bolstered by the support as she was steeled by the persisting boos, Shea grabbed a double handful of Shivers’ hair, hauled her upright and then bounced her forehead against the top of the guardrail once, twice, three times! Clarissa groaned as she sagged against the steel, alas she found no reprieve there because London slapped on a tight Waistlock and gave it a ragdoll shake.



“Oi, this is falls count anywhere?” Shea barked to the ref as she wrestled Shivers away from the guardrail. “Then get yer arse out ‘ere!”



Trusting the zebra wouldn’t need to be told twice, the challenger dipped low, then popped her hips to snap Clarissa up, over and down, the back of the brunette’s head and shoulders just THWHUNKING against the wooden floor! Up on tiptoes to keep the bridge high and tight, Shea London bore down on the champ’s ribs while the ref and the fans counted off…



GERMAN SUPLEX:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Py8G33sf1w



ONE…

TWO…

THRNOOOO!



Relieved cheers from Clarissa’s Creatures of the Night when their heroine twisted loose of the pin with half a second to spare. Shea didn’t bother to question the official, every instinct told her the GLPW Women’s Title wouldn’t be hers until Shivers had absolutely nothing left. To that end she helped herself to another double handful of hair and hauled her up alongside. “Let this be a lesson, girl.” London huffed to the bloodied brunette. “Mouthin’ off to me is a good way to get it spread all over your faNNNGGGHH!”



Clarissa cut her off with a STIFF Bytch Slap that surprised and stung in equal measure.



DON'T SASS THE CHAMP!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZijT0UU4qc



“You think busting my lip would break my spirit?” Shivers snickered. “I’m sorry, you must be mistaking me for another of your prissy little English princesNGH! NGH! NGH!”



London let loose with a barrage of Forearm Smashes, each doing a little more damage to the champion’s already bleeding mouth! Quite unconcerned about the red smear on her bludgeonin’ arm, Shea backed her adversary into the nearest ring-post where she grabbed a handful of hair and BWUNKED the back of Clarissa’s skull against the heavy steel. This was followed by three quick Slaps, each aimed at the American’s mouth.



“Ya better learn ta watch yer mouth, chav.” she hissed. “Otherwise there won’t be any teeth left in it when it’s time ta kiss my prissy Enlish arse!”



A Broadside Kneelift ensured the Queen of Halloween was nice and docile when Shea turned around and jogged to the corner at the far end of the aisle. Pumping a fist to rally the fans she’d won over, London charged the vulnerable brunette and threw herself into a gorgeous tumbling handspring that ended with her right elbow BWUNKING against the ring-post when Shivers dipped out of the way!



“AAAAAWWWW F*CK!” Shea wailed, all thoughts of gold dismissed by the bolt of anguish running the length of her throbbing arm!



“What’s wrong baby, tweak something?” Clarissa sounded sympathetic, but her smile was anything but when she plunged her claws into Shea’s hair. “Lemme see if I can fix it!” London didn’t want anything but separation from the Queen of Halloween at the moment, unfortunately Shivers’ grip ensured she didn’t go anywhere except face-first into the unforgiving steel! Baring her teeth at the sound of Shea’s skull colliding with the solid post, Shivers bounced her noggin a couple more times, then let loose and stepped ‘round to the opposite side. “Gimme that, crumpet.” Clarissa reached over the bottom turnbuckle, grabbed hold of Shea’s right wrist and took a giant step backward to DRIVE the challenger’s shoulder into the post!



“BYTCH!” Shea braced her free hand on the apron and tried to pull herself out of the hellish trap. “LEGGO OF MY BLOODY ‘ANDNH! NGH! NGH! NNNGGGGHH!”



Shivers raised a foot, planted it on the ring-post and eased the pressure just enough to BWONK Shea’s shoulder no less than half a dozen times! “Ask her!” Clarissa demanded of the ref after the latest round of impacts had Shea twitching and groaning against the steel. “She submits, she can have her arm back!”



“What do you say, Shea?” the black & white asked her. “Have you had en--”



“NO!” the challenger roared. “I’m not through with her yetHHHNNNGGGHH!”



Shivers dropped her foot, allowing Shea to step away until Everyone’s Favorite Ghoulfriend YANKED her into a final concussive collision with the gunmetal gray ring-post. “Let’s tuck this away for safekeeping, ok?” Clarissa grabbed the ring skirt, pulled it away from the apron and neatly slipped London’s wrist into the gap. “Bedtime’s ten o’clock sharp, money for pizza is on the table!” Shivers called to her challenger as she strolled toward the corner on Shea’s six. “And don’t watch anything too scary, you know how you get nightmares!”



Shea didn’t answer, she was far too busy trying to work the very worst of the aches from her arm while also struggling to free her hand from Clarissa’s damned trap. In hindsight she probably should’ve been more concerned with Shivers’ plans, but it was just such a relief to rest without the crazy bytch trying to-- the clap of footfalls and the roar of the crowd caused London to look over her shoulder which meant she caught just a glimpse of Clarissa’s boot as it flicked up and THWHACKED offa the side of her face!



The force of the Yakuza Kick whipped London’s head to the side and a secondary impact with the goddamned ring-post. Shea felt warmth at her hairline and then her legs gave out and she collapsed to all fours. Understandably dazed by the brutal strike, the Sensational One didn’t realize she was bleeding until she heard it pitter-pattering on the floor a moment before Clarissa grabbed her by the nape of the neck and hauled her to her knees.



“Hey, now we match.” Shivers said in apparent appreciation of the crimson mask covering the right half of Shea’s face. “You still wanna fight, don’cha? I’d hate to hear the Announcer say you lost via ref’s stopp--”



Shea drew some blood into her mouth and spat out a passable Jackson Pollock impression on Clarissa’s tummy. “Puuuhhh…piss off, chav.” she grunted over the cacophonous cheers of the fans. “I’m takin’ yer title and there’s nothing ya can do about NNHHHH!”



Shivers clouted the un-bloodied side of her foe’s face with a quick Hip Check, then yanked London up and into a Side Headlock and squeeeeeeeeeeeeeezed for all she was worth. “Remember that line from ‘When A Stranger Calls’, cutie? The Babysitter asks the killer what he wants and he says, ‘Your blood all over me.’ Who knew it would feel so good?”



“Eeerrrhhhh…you’re f*cking sick.” Shea was trying to fight her way free of the Headlock with no real success. “And I’m gonna make you ‘urt for--”



Clarissa took off a sprint with Shea forced to trail along on her wake! Picking up speed as they approached the steel steps, Shivers took to the skies a few steps removed and ultimately came down on the top step while poor Shea was BWAAANGED forehead-first against the rough steel! The Queen of Halloween released on impact, leaving London to bounce away from the steps like she was wearing moon boots. Her landing on the floor was much less floaty, the heavy THUMP of it earning sympathetic groans from the GLPW faithful impressed by her fearless performance thus far.



Of course that didn’t stop them from bellowing ‘SHI-VERS! SHI-VERS!’ as Clarissa rose to her full height atop the steps and cupped a theatrical hand to one ear.



“What’s running up and down her spine?” she called to the throng.



‘SHI-VERS!’



“Who’s stomping her pretty blonde ass?”



‘SHI-VERS!’



“And who’s the goddamned champion?”



‘SHI-VERS!’



Galvanized by the echoing response, Clarissa hopped from the steps to the apron and raced down the narrow ledge at full speed only to leap off into the void less than halfway down! There was no crash-pad to break her fall, only the beleaguered Briton who didn’t realize she’s accepted the position until Shivers DROVE the point of her right elbow into the Sensational One’s Sternum! London jolted like she’d been touched by a defibrillator, but it wasn’t enough to get her out from under the brunette before Clarissa hooked the far leg and pointed her butt into the rafters with a Back Press good for the…



APRON ELBOW DROP:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i24GTbQzWZ8



ONE…

TWO…

THRNOOOO!



More recruits for Shea’s ranks as the challenger twisted free of the pin with half a second to spare. Clarissa sat back on her haunches, took a deep breath and let her hands rest on her thighs as she looked over the sweaty, aching topography of Shea London. “You ready to quit yet, good girl?” she asked. “Tell me you want to quit and the bleeding can stop.”



“Nuuuhhh… not on yer life.” the blonde groaned after she’d rolled to her stomach. “Gimme yer worst, duchess. Gimme yer worst so there’s no question who’s better when I TAKE yer titlNNNGGGGHHH!”



Shivers buried her hands in Shea’s hair and simply THWONKED her head against the floor! “You won’t though.” Clarissa shifted a knee to the side of Shea’s head and bore down to grind the bloody side of the challenger’s face against the cool wood floor. “I didn’t drop out of high school and live in the back of my car for two f*cking years just to drop my first title to a Gladiatrix puff piece like you.”



Shea had no cogent response to that, so Shivers made her carry her weight for a few more seconds before she grabbed a handful of London’s dark blue bottoms and hauled her to verticality. Clarissa’s control of trunks and tresses ensured Shea went exactly where the champion wanted, in this case that meant under the bottom rope to return their conflict to the squared circle. Shivers followed in shortly thereafter, the Princess of the Pumpkin Patch making a point to ‘snap’ her own briefs tight across her cheeks before delivering a condescending smack to Shea’s partially bared backside.



London hissed, reached back to defend against further encroachment and got a single cheeky pinch for her efforts! “Blood on the floor is nice, don’t get me wrong.” Clarissa explained to the challenger in the midst of scraping her off the mat and into a Front Facelock. “But it’s also very easy to clean, like, to the point that you’d never know it was there. “Blood on the canvas, though? That leaves a mark. It lets everyone know you were here. And that you lost.”



Tossing London’s near arm across her shoulders, the Queen of Halloween went back to the distended side of Shea’s bottoms and hooked ‘em nice and tight so there was no escape when she dipped her knees and muscled the challenger directly overhead. The ease of Shivers’ technique suggested she could keep the Sensational One in place for as long as she damned well please, but the brunette hadn’t upended her adversary with the intention of letting the blood rush to her head. Instead she stomped to the ropes and slung London down gut-first atop the rubber-coated steel!



Shivers’ patented Stomach Pounder did all that and them some, the nauseating maneuver folding Shea in half just to jounce her back into the ring, the usually nimble lightweight crashing down on her butt with an audible PLOP! More than a little scrambled following the bloodletting on the floor and her rough return to the ring, it’s understandable that Shea wasn’t thinking about anything more than rest as she scooted along the strands to the closest corner. “Ropes. Ropes.” Shea croaked, hopefully loud enough for the official to hear her. “I’m in the ropes, keep her awOOFFH! OOFFFH! OOFFFHH!”



Clarissa, who had most definitely not forgotten ropes and corners would bring no relief, hurried over to Shea and booted her belly three times in rapid succession, the brunette making a point to drive her heel into the bright pink line left by Shea’s meeting with the top rope.



“You’re bloody, begging off, looking for a place to hide.” Shivers’ back was to the Englishwoman, not that Shea knew it at the time. “Tell ‘em you quit, cutie! Tell ‘em it’s over!”



“Piss off!” Shea barked. “I’m no quittMMMRRRPPPPHHHH GGGUUUUUUHHHFFFFGGHHH!”



Arms hooked snug over the second strand, Clarissa Shivers settled into a deep crouch and energetically scrubbed her jack-o-lantern sheathed-glutes across Shea’s shocked, protesting mug! Absolutely hating the pitiable sound of her own squealing, London had little choice but(t) to endure an extended remix of Clarissa’s Pumpkin Song, the driving beat carrying on for nearly forty-five seconds, every bit of which was spent with the challenger’s nose slotted between those orange-armored cheeks.



PUMPKIN SONG:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGYTjpbxatg



Shutting it down only when Shea’s wails faded into nothingness, Shivers grabbed the Briton by both ankles and draaaaaaaaaaaagged her out to the middle of the ring where she promptly transitioned to a Reverse Matchbook / Reverse Face Sit combination that salted the Sensational One away for the…



ONE…

TWO…

THRENOOOOOOOO!



Clarissa sprang to her feet with a yelp, the brunette’s confident smirk replaced by incredulous anger as she pressed one palm to the stinging crescent that now marred her glutes.



“That’s the second time you bit me tonight, crumpet.” Shivers muttered to the woozy blonde. “There won’t be a third.”



Filling her hands with Shea’s hair, Clarissa hauled the other wrestler to verticality, then switched over to a Wristlock and took a giant step back to send her burden to the ropes with an Irish WhNO! Rather than release, Clarissa dug in her heels and jerked Shea back the way she’d came to ‘smeck’ her hands down atop the Briton’s chest in a greedy Double Claw. No mere squeeze was this as Everyone’s Favorite Ghoulfriend hoisted London skyward for a gruesomely emphatic Second Base Bo-- Shea brought her legs up, clamped them around Clarissa’s head and popped her hips to fling the GLPW Women’s champ to the deck with a Hurricanrana from deep in left field!



Shivers landed high and tight on the back of her head and shoulders, rolled through to boot-leather and came up so fast she swooned, the brunette doubling over to keep from crashing to the-- London sprinted over and took to the skies in a vertical leap, the apex of which saw the Sensational One drape her right leg over the nape of the champion’s neck and ride her all the way down for a THAWHAMMING face on canvas collision!



ROCKER DROPPER:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=awRtKim7B2c



The Rocker Dropper bounced Shivers onto her back, unfortunately for London she was so spent she couldn’t get herself into position for a cover before the brunette barrel rolled her way to the rop--“NO YA DON’T!” Shea scrambled after her rival and snatched a massive handful of hair to ensure Clarissa couldn’t escape to the floor. “Sit up!” the Brit barked. “Sit yer bloody arse up!”



Forcing Shivers to do exactly that, London slung her opponent’s arms over the bottom rope, then pressed her right shin across Clarissa’s throat and leeeeeeeaaaaaaaned in with every bit of her weight pressing down tight! Her neck trapped by the rope on one side and London’s knee on the other, a thrashing Clarissa Shivers reached up with both hands and began to rake and tear, not at Shea’s knee, but her bare thigh. It burned something fierce, yet the blonde endured it because she had both hands wrapped around the top rope to better force her weight upon the champion.



Such a tactic would’ve earned a swift rebuke from the referee any other night, but the strands offered no sanctuary on Halloween which meant Shea was perfectly justified when she looked to the zebra and demanded, “Ask ‘er! Looks like the little candy fiend is ready ta go ta bed!”



“What do you say, Clarissa?” the ref echoed. “Need me to call it? Just say the word!”



Shivers burbled something unintelligible, though her actions suggested something other than surrender as she struggled to pull Shea’s kneepad down to her shin. She might’ve succeeded if the Englishwoman let her work unopposed but London wasn’t feeling nearly so generous after having the champ’s ass mashed in her face so she pulled away from the throttling and quickly drilled that knee into Clarissa’s chest! Grabbing a handful of hair to keep Shivers seated, Shea wrenched the brunette’s head backward as she ran her other hand across her own blood-slicked face. Refusing to consider how she must look in this moment, London flattened that hand into a paddle and CRACKED Shivers across the cheek with a Bytch Slap that left a very different, very obvious red mark.



“There’s something for yer candy basket, duchess.”



Without waiting for an answer she released her grip on Shivers’ hair and spun on one heel to race to the far side of the ring. She was back in a matter of heartbeats, not nearly enough time for Clarissa to get out of the way of the Knee Strike London THWUNKED between her eyes!



PANIC ATTACK:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0iUyGLrWcI



Shivers’ head whiplashed violently, however the impact didn’t knock her from the squared circle or even out of her slumped seat. Whether this was a show of stubborn resilience or simply a result of Shea threading her arms over the bottom rope no one knew, but the Queen’s continued semi-verticality didn’t seem to bother London in the slightest. She just took a step back to confirm her angles, then raised an index finger to the rafters to rally her new fans. Doing so earned her what the blonde was *fairly certain* was her very first ‘F*ck her up, Shea!’ cheer, and the Sensational One was more than happy to oblige.



Another trip back and forth across the ring followed, this one even quicker than the last because Shea took wing from several feet out, the pissed-off highflier skimming dangerously close to the ground for the pinpoint Basement Dropkick she THWHACKED against Clarissa’s reddened mouth! Even the snug tensile strength of the rubber-coated steel wasn’t enough to keep Everyone’s Favorite Ghoulfriend in place now, as Shea’s maliciously delivered strike knocked the brunette halfway through the gap between the middle and bottom ropes!



ROPE LEANED BASEMENT DROPKICK:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_i2qwl2UdA



Shea had made no move to get Clarissa away from the ropes after the Knee Strike, but now she snatched hold of the brunette’s boots and draaaaaaaaaagged her into the middle of the ring. Once there she dropped to the mat, wedged her shoulders into the pits of Shivers’ knees and surged forward to fold the GLPW Women’s Champion in half with a Matchbook Pin that earned her an emphatic…



ONE…

TWO…

THRENOOOOOOOO!



Clarissa bucked her off, earning an uproarious cheer from her followers in the process.



Fighting down pangs of anger, frustration and disappointment, Shea mopped a forearm over her brow (it came away red, no surprise there), then held up three fingers for the ref. “C’mon, that was three, dammit!”



“Sorry Shea, she’s still in this thing.”



“Not for long.” Fingers twined in Shivers’ dark hair, London got to her feet, dragged the champ to hers, then tucked her head and wedged the crown of it against Clarissa’s busted mouth. The fans thought they knew what the challenger had in mind, though they didn’t actually believe it until Shea went up on tiptoe and dropped to her knees!



Traditionally the Jawbreaker was used as defensive tactic, one designed to create much needed separation during the heat of battle. Yet the astute observer had already noticed Shea’s placement of her own head, which made the maneuver more Mouth Smasher than Jawbreaker. Thus it came as no surprise when London maintained her Clarissa’s hair despite the violent shiver that rocked the brunette’s frame on impact. Scrambling to verticality in the blink of an eye, Shea went up on tiptoe and dropped to her knees just as quickly!



Clarissa’s muffled moan and the warmth spreading in her hair told London all she needed to know, which was apparently that Shivers needed one more taste. Back on her feet shortly thereafter, the Sensational One leapt into the air and dropped to her butt to THWUNK Clarissa’s mashed lips with the nastiest jolt yet! Shea released upon completion of her trifecta, allowing a rubber-legged Shivers to stumble away with both hands pressed to her mouth. Her gait steadying out after several steps, the Princess of the Pumpkin Patch lowered her hands and glared at Shea with all the fury of a vampire interrupted during its latest meal.



“I think this is gonna need stitches, crumpet.” she growled. “Guess that means the gloves are NNNNGGGHHH!”



Shea stutter-stepped forward and lashed out her right leg in a Super Kick that THWACKED against her opponent’s chin! She’d expected Clarissa to go down like a ton of bricks but the force of the blow actually launched her backward, the brunette sent sprawling into the shadow of the corner where she absently crawled into a lolling seat against the bottom buckle.



London noted the arrangement and paused, considering something. After a quick glance down at her trunks (they were only stippled with red, which was far better than could be said of her top, the right half of which had gone a damp, ugly purple.) she nodded and muttered, “Real glad I decided against white tonight.” On that note she sprinted to the corner opposite Clarissa, jumped onto the middle buckle and immediately pushed off so she could return to the canvas at a dead run. Clarissa saw it coming and shook her head ‘no’, a defense that was about as effective as you might expect. Leaving her feet in a low, gliding hop, London spread her legs in a wide ‘V’ and THWHUMPED every bit of her hundred and twenty pounds ass-first into Shivers’ sternum!



BRONCO BUSTER:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v81JyqwTOM8



Of course the initial impact was just that, initial. Gripping the top rope in both hands, Shea treated Clarissa to a Bronco Buster from the other side of the Atlantic, the Sensational One just bouncing and jouncing in place to smash the champion’s chest with her arse and her mouth with her undercarriage! Remembering how her time spent nose-deep in Clarissa’s glutes seemed to grind on forever, Shea made it a point to return the favor with interest and then some, the usually even-tempered blonde busting out some decidedly sultrier moves as she ensured Shivers got the grand tour of those dark blue briefs. Eventually the bucking and grinding began to wear on her shoulders, so the Briton stood up, delivered a final Butt Bomb, then dismounted and helped herself to Clarissa’s ankles and hauled her to the middle of the ring cavewoman-style.



Sinking to her knees once they were in place, London collected both legs in a snug bundle and folded Clarissa Shivers in half with a Back Press that had everyone at the Blue Ribbon Fairgrounds Pavilion shouting out…



ONE…

TWO…

THRENOOOOOOOO!



The Queen of Halloween lived on, shooting a shoulder into the air to beat the count by the slimmest of margins. But the strength of her escape tumbled the brunette onto her stomach and that was a most dangerous place to be, especially with Shea London in her current mood. “Ya led me on a merry chase, girl.” the challenger muttered as she grabbed hold of the brunette’s ankles. “But it’s over now. Just a quick trip over the Bridge and ye can rest.”



Posted up on the brunette’s left side, London angled Clarissa’s left shin into the pit of her right knee, then folded that leg up to keep both limbs locked up tight while she planted her knees in the small of the champion’s back. Jouncing in place to force Shivers’ head off the mat, the blonde slipped her left hand under her opponent’s chin and-- “AAAARRRRHHHH!”



Shea yowled in pain when Clarissa grabbed the Briton’s left wrist and jerked her hand close enough for a Romero-worthy bite on her thumb! Refusing to let go despite Shivers’ hateful chewing, Shea leaned forward and then rocked backward to draw Clarissa onto her upturned knees for London’s BridNOOOO! The Queen of Halloween slipped her feet free of Shea’s grasp and tumbled through into an awkward Crossbody, Shivers hooking the near leg for an abrupt…



ONE…

TWO…

THRNOOOO!



London kicked free, scrambled to verticality and skewered Clarissa’s navel with a Toe Kick as the GLPW was trying to do the same. “What were ya sayin’ earlier?” Shea asked as she treated herself to a double fistful of dark hair. “Blood on the canvas leaves a mark, right? And it says ya lost!”



The Sensational One sprang straight up, kicked her legs apart and-- Clarissa pressed her palms together, slipped her hands between Shea’s forearms and prized them apart to break London’s grip on her hair. Doing so cost her several strands thereof, however it also ensured she remained upright while Shea landed flat on her butt! The jolt up her tailbone had Shea reaching for her tush, which meant her head was effectively defenseless when Clarissa hopped up and THWHACKED a Basement Dropkick into Shea’s bloody forehead!



Knocked flat by the heavy strike, London was too woozy to roll out of the way or raise a knee before Shivers crashed down on her with a quick Splash! Grinning like a maniac as she felt Shea’s tummy give way beneath her own, Clarissa caught both of Shea’s legs in a snug bundle and pointed her rump toward the rafters keep her down for the…



ONE…

TWO…

THRENOOOOOOOO!



London kicked out and slopped over onto her tummy, the stunned Briton grudgingly giving up her back to make sure the champ couldn’t try another pin. Clarissa looked like she might try to roll her over just for the hell of it, but after a moment’s pause she plunged her hands into Shea’s hair, then stood up and stuffed the other wrestler’s head between her thighs. “You’re right English, this IS almost over.” Shivers confirmed as she wrapped up the blonde’s gulping waist. “It’s just not the ending you wanted!” On that note she dipped her knees and hoisted London up onto her shoulders for a Powerbo--“NGH! NGH! NGH! NGH!”



Shea balled one hand into a fist and began to HAMMER on Clarissa’s forehead! “Yer wrong, ‘oney.” Shea barked over the sound of her knuckles striking Shivers’ skull. “This is EXACTLY what I wantWHOAANNNGGGHH!”



With the Powerbomb thwarted, Shivers put both hands against London’s backside and shoved her off her shoulders while simultaneously going down on one knee to THUMP Shea’s crotch with an Inverted Atomic Drop!



The challenger folded over in gut-shot nausea and she might’ve collapsed to her hands and knees if Shivers hadn’t slapped on a Front Facelock. Tossing London’s left arm across her shoulders half a second before she yanked her left leg up in a snug cradle, Clarissa muscled the Sensational One most of the way overhead then broke the Facelock and swung the Brit back the way she’d came and sat out to THAWHAM Shea against the deck with a beautiful Graveyard Smash!



GRAVEYARD SMASH:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaLjZhQ8YYE



London hit full force, bounced to a seat and stayed there because Shivers reached out and hooked on to her shoulder-straps. Supported by the whole of the GLPW faithful, Clarissa scrambled to her feet without letting Shea do the same, then twisted around behind the blonde and dropped to one knee, which she jabbed between London’s shoulders. Shea’s hands shot up to ward off an invisible attacker only to run into a much more tangible threat when the Princess of the Pumpkin Patch reached around and captured the teenager’s left wrist in her right hand and vice versa. In the next instant she pulled the straightjacket tight and dropped to her butt, Clarissa leaning back to welcome Shea’s head between her le-- “HUURRRGHHHH!”



Shivers crossed her ankles and began to squeeeeeeze, the Double Stuft Headscissors actually bearing down on London’s crisscrossed arms, which in turn put even more pressure on the teenager’s skull! “GOTCHA BEEYOTCH!” Clarissa shouted over the roar of appreciation for her signature submission. “TAP OUT BEFORE YOU BLEED OUT!”



There wasn’t much chance of such dire circumstances actually coming to pass with Shivers bearing down with all her might, but sinking into unconsciousness? That was a very real threat. Unable to shake her head ‘no’ for either Clarissa or the ref, London barked out a denial and began rocking from side to side while valiantly twisting her wrists in the confines of Shivers’ grasp. If she could get her nails into the undersides of the brunette’s wrists she could make her break the straightjacket and the Scissors would follow soon thereafNO!



Clarissa yoked back on the blonde’s wrists and angled her left leg up under Shea’s chin so that ankle was snug in the pit of her own right knee. “I SAID TAP!” Everyone’s Favorite Ghoulfriend let loose of Shea’s wrists but the straightjacket didn’t go anywhere with the Figure Four holding it in place. “TAP OUT, SHEA!” Shivers caught a double handful of hair, swept it into a red top-knot and pulled as hard as she could!



“HHHHHRRRGGGGHHHH AAAAAAHHHH NO! NO YA SADISTIC SCAG, I WON’T NGH! NGH! NGH! NGH! NGH! NGH!”



Shea’s struggles reached a higher gear when Clarissa halved her grip on the hair-pull, balled that hand into a fist and began to pound unrelenting Hammer Punches into the Briton’s gashed forehead! Her pulse thundering almost as loudly as this newest flurry of head shots, London set both heels against the mat and tried to back up enough to stack Shivers on her shoulders and force a break. For a moment it seemed to be working, but then the Queen of Halloween popped her hips and THWHUMPED the flailing blonde down fla--



“AAAAAAAAARRRRRHHHHH F*CKING STAAAAAAAAAAHP!” Shea screamed to the rafters when Clarissa began to rake and gouge at her forehead!



“SAY IT!” Shivers bellowed. “SAY IT! SAY IT! SAY--”



“GIVE!” London wailed. “I BLOODY GIVE YA BYTCH, SO LEGGOOOOOO!”



The bell sounded and Clarissa did as bade, the exhausted brunette releasing all at once to flop over onto her stomach while Shea rolled to one side and curled up an exhausted ball. Aware that doing so would very likely make her swoon, the Queen of Halloween took a deep breath and scrambled to boot-leather to ensure she was vertical when the Announcer called, “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner via submission and STILL the GLPW Women’s Champion… CLARISSA SHIVERS!”



The sound of her own name did what rising had not, a wave a lightheadedness forcing Clarissa to grab the ref’s shoulder to steady herself until the feeling passed. “You ok, Clarissa?” he asked once she’d let go.



“Gimme my gold and I’ll be perfect, bub.”



The zebra offered Shivers her favorite treat and she hoisted it two handed for a crowd that hadn’t even started to quiet down. Forgoing her usual hip shimmy for fear she might swoon, Clarissa strapped the belt around her waist, then limped over to the challenger and sank to one knee. “You good, cutie? Not gonna pass out from blood loss are ya?”



Still fighting to steady her respiration, Shea took several deep breaths before clambering to a seat. “If… if anything’s gonna put me out, it’s that mouth of yers. Don’t ya ever shut up?”



Shivers smirked, ran the tip of her tongue over the cut in her bottom lip. “Not when I win, babe. You want peace and quiet? You’re gonna have to put me out. You’re welcome to try again, if I haven’t scared you off.”



“That an offer for a rematch?” London asked.



“Call it a standing invitation. You ever get homesick in this neck of the woods, just give me a call and I’ll take your mind off it with a right and proper arse kicking.” she said ‘arse’ in an exaggerated cockney accent that earned an eye-roll from the Briton.



“Best be careful with such a generous offer, girl. Might cost ya some gold if yer not careful.”



Clarissa stood up, swatted the belt’s faceplate, then offered that hand to Shea. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take, cutie. Now stand the hell up and let the crowd give us our due. Or are you so well off you don’t need to sell some tee-shirts and eight by tens when this is over?”



London most certainly did, so she accepted Shivers’ hand, got up and saluted the crowd with a pumped fist. The insensible roaring soon gave way to a ‘PLEASE COME BACK!’ chant followed by ‘SHE IS HALLOWEEN!’, the differing halves not so much dueling as paying respect to champion and challenger.



“C’mon,” Clarissa swatted her shoulder after they’d each mounted a couple corners, “I gotta get this stitched up before I can sneak a beer from Hardcase’s cooler and you look like you’ve lost a bar fight.”



“Yeah, but ya should see the other chick.” Shea answered.



“Bet she’s hot.”



“She’s fine, if ya like ‘em short.”



“That’s how it is? I was going to let the doctor see you first, but now I’m invoking champ’s privilege.”



“Fine with me. I’ll numb the pain with that candy pail of yers.”



“You wouldn’t dare.”



“Try me, luv.”



And so it went, blonde and brunette exchanging taunts and jokes even as they leaned on one another for support after exchanging the ring for the aisle. Blood loss alone assured it wouldn’t go down as the best Halloween of Shea London’s life, but the cheers coming from the Blue Ribbon Fairgrounds Pavilion told the Sensational One her first trip to the States was off to a memorable start and tonight that was more than enough.



********



Murmurs and clapping when the lights went up in the small theater, those assembled enthusiastically discussing what they’d just seen. Pleased with the response (he’d been worried about horrified gasps or worse yet, crickets) Allard got out of his seat and would’ve made for the kitchen if Veronica hadn’t stopped him with a question.



“Hey Kent, how old were they when this went down?”



“Shea was about to turn nineteen and Clarissa had just turned twenty.”



Treymane whistled and shook her head. “Damn. I was working retail and going to community college at eighteen.”



“I was doing 450’s off a trampoline into the pool.” Lily added.



“I was taking advanced calculus and beating up girls on the water polo team.” Lenore frowned when she noticed the glances from Cosmic Noir. “What? I was! I never gave anyone the crimson mask, though!”



Sidling past the talkative trio, Cassandra Vale walked by the archivist and patted his shoulder. “Good on ya, digging that one up, Allard. Shivers had told me about it a couple times, but you know her, girl loves to exaggerate.”



“So I’ve heard. What do you think, did it live up to the hype?”



“I’d say this is one instance where she’s guilty of understating how it went. Those girls left a lot of blood on the mat.”



“Yes they did. And despite what Clarissa expected, they didn’t actually change the canvas during intermission. Makes the stains that show up in the edited version all the more unsettling.”



“Why didn’t she ever come to FAWN?” Maddy asked after dumping a small plate in the trash. “Or Rival Angels for that matter. Clarissa, I mean. She’s got a helluva look. Can’t believe there wasn’t interest from a national promotion.”



“There was.” Sydney answered since Kent was confirming some of Lenore’s college curricula for Lily and Veronica. “I know the front office tried to recruit her at least half a dozen times, but Clarissa always turned them down. She never had anything bad to say about the big players, she just liked life on the indy circuit too much to trade it in for something steadier. Girl’s always been a nomad.”



“You ever tangle with her?”



“Handful of times. Even tagged with her in Maine for about six months. What you saw in the promo and the match? That’s Clarissa Shivers morning, noon and night. She’s always on and for her it’s always Halloween.”



“She’s not kidding.” Kent noted as he rejoined the conversation. Nudging Maddy with an elbow, he said, “Ask Syd about the one Christmas she and Ellen Cresswell--”



“The Silk Strangler?” Crane interrupted, her eyes going wide.



“Lord Kent, don’t talk about Poughkeepsie.” Syd groaned.



“What happened in Poughkeepsie?”



The archivist couldn’t help but grin. “Deschain, Creswell and Shivers teamed up for a six woman tag against the Travis Triplets--”



“Nasty bytches.” Sydney muttered.



Crane was practically bouncing in place. “C’mon, c’mon, c’mon! What happened in Poughkeepsie?”



Deschain sighed heavily, finished what remained of her wine in a single gulp. “We *MIGHT* have spent a night in lock-up for violating local decency laws as it pertains to damaging a nativity scene. Of the six of us, only I am blameless. Mostly it was Clarissa‘s fault.”



“And where’s THIS tape? More importantly, why aren’t we watching it now?”



“I burned them all.” the Mangler explained even as Kent shook his head and mouthed ‘no she didn’t.’



“That’s a hell of a tease, Allard.” Crane grumbled after Deschain took her leave.



“Too late for a double feature tonight, I‘m afraid. And despite Clarissa’s participation, Poughkeepsie IS a Christmas story.”



“So we’ll see it in December, is what I’m hearing?”



“Only if Syd’s gone to bed or I’m tired of being alive. Don’t fret, Mads. I’ll tell ya all about it one of these days.”



********