I have seen the future and it is SIC

Greetings friends,

A little pre-PPV gift for you here to celebrate not just my birthday, but an honest to god nineteen years writing femfight stories. The match you're about to read is not actually set in FAWN proper, but is definitely in universe as it features a name you're quite familiar with battling a name that I hope you'll be familiar with sooner than later. Many thanks to Aly for collaborating on this with me, it's much appreciated.

That's enough out of me, hope you all enjoy.

~rf

********

The crowd in Brichester had been hot all night and for good reason. Not only was this the first AWE show the city had seen in almost a year, it was being headlined by a highly-praised up & coming talent battling an honest to goodness legend of not just English wrestling, but the international scene as well.



Now, almost three hours into a stacked card, the fans were as loud as ever when the Announcer stepped into the spotlight and proclaimed, “Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for our Main Event! The following contest is scheduled for one fall ('ONE FALL!' they echoed) with a sixty minute time limit. Introducing first, hailing from San Juan Romero in Coahuila, Mexico, she stands at five feet two inches tall and weighs in tonight at one hundred and thirteen pounds. This is SYLVIA IVELISSE CASTILLO!”



RED RIGHT HAND:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QZlUpgTRtg



A soft, somber combination of piano and drums filled the arena and was soon joined by emphatic boos from those assembled. No doubt some of it was due to her opposition this evening, but the bulk of it was solely due to the efforts of the woman who strode through the curtain in time with the first verse of Nell Smith & the Flaming Lips' cover of 'Red Right Hand'.



SYLVIA IVELISSE CASTILLO:

 



Sylvia paid the noise no attention whatsoever, instead letting her eyes trail back and forth across the space as if in search of some contingency or vector that needed factoring before she headed to the squared circle. Whether or not she found what she was looking for remained a mystery as the brunette started down the ramp without so much as a word.



A few word to the uninitiated on the young woman many in the UK wrestling press had recently dubbed a British Strong Style Anti-Luchadora. All of twenty years old, she'd arrived in England two years ago seemingly already well trained in the more grounded, submission based aspects of Lucha Libre. Complete immersion in British Strong Style followed, with Castillo adding a heavy striking element to her arsenal along with a meticulous focus on targeting a specific limb or body-part to better expedite her victory. Though she'd yet to claim any singles gold during this stretch, she'd quickly made a name for herself as one to watch and an extremely gifted technician. These qualities had endeared her to certain wrestling nerds, but not the general fans who came to loathe the ingenue's ability to ground, wear down and generally torment their lightweight favorites before knocking them senseless with a stiff Twisting Brainbuster she called 'Impending Doom' or forcing a surrender with half a dozen different submissions.



During that time she'd claimed some impressive names, but none so impressive (or as daunting) as the woman she faced tonight. If she was concerned it didn't show in her walk to the ring, the lithe little brunette was strictly business as she slid under the bottom rope and pushed to one knee. On her feet immediately thereafter, she strode to the far corner and mounted the second turnbuckle to a round of boos that grew all the louder when she raised an index finger to her right ear and tapped it ever so slightly.



For tonight's match against a veritable icon, SIC wore a classic fightin' burgundy one-piece with white accents and an additional cutout across her lower back and flanks that gave the impression of a two-piece from certain angles. Her pads and wrist tape were matte black and her boots were also black, though they were polished to a gleaming shine. Apparently unimpressed by the noise produced by the throng, Castillo brushed them off with the flick of a wrist, then hopped down and returned to the middle of the ring. The official came over to check her pads and boots and though Castillo made no efforts to stymie his efforts, she never once looked in his direction. The brunette's dark eyes were trained on the curtain and by extension the woman about to come through it.


And while Sylvia awaited the arrival of her opposition for the evening, thanks to the marvels of the modern narrative, a moment to catch the more FAWN-centric audience up with the exploits of one of that company’s foremothers. In the two and half years since she had been carried out of FAWN on her shield, Shea London had kept busy. While she had remained in America for almost two years working independent dates, when she got a call from this start up promotion looking to establish a foothold in the wrestling scene as a European major, she felt a certain obligation to take the offer.


It wasn’t that she needed the money; the Sensational One had always been remarkably responsible in that regard. Nor was it an appeal to ego; as much as she might want gold, and as much as she might even pursue it, Shea was pragmatic to know that, at 45 years of age, the days of her being THE woman a company built around were over. But her name, as well as her profile, still had value. And her presence in AWE these past six months or so had helped the company to build its credibility.


FAWN might be the goal for every woman in the business, but it was a very difficult one to achieve—especially for women from outside the United States. The business was better with further options, and if she could help to establish a viable option on this side of the Atlantic, she would be happy to do it.


Sylvia’s music had faded, but there was still an eager buzz running through the arena, as the crowd anticipated what, even today, remained possibly the most iconic question in the wrestling industry…


”Do you wanna get rocked?”



”LET’S GET ROCKED”:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO1Nae_EBvQ



It’s difficult to emage a more emphatic “YES!” than the thunderous roar that erupted in response. “And her opponent,” the announcer resumed, “hailing from Manchester, England… standing five feet four inches tall, and weighing in tonight at fifty-six kilos… she is THE Sensational One… SHHHEEEAAA LOOONNNDDDOOONNN!!!!!”


SHEA LONDON:






The living legend stepped out onto the stage, somehow spurring the house to turn up the decibel dial further still. The blonde Briton jogged down to the ring, slapping hands with the fans as she does, her usual million dollar smile on full display for the crowd. While the Sensational One had adopted a more conservative one piece look during her final FAWN run, since returning to the UK London had tended to favor a somewhat updated version of her classic Union Jack two piece: her top presented a white cross with the quadrants above in red and below in blue, and white trim leading into the shoulder straps. Her bottoms were primarily blue, save for the red, upside-down ‘V’ that started at each thigh and met at her waist, the waistband and bars both trimmed in white. Though in this case of this Union Jack, the image was broken up by an expanse of tummy—perhaps not AS tanned after six months back in England, nor possibly as much tummy being bared by these bottoms slightly higher waist. Still, despite that concession to the advance of the years, London still filled out her togs well. Her kneepads displayed the Union Jack in a much more traditional fashion, with white wrist tape and boots completing the ensemble.


The gorgeous blonde made a complete circuit around ringside, continuing to slap hands and accept the well wishes of her fans. Climbing the steps, Shea slipped between the ropes. Well aware that jumping an unsuspecting foe was a very popular method of making a name for oneself amongst youngster in the business these days, London fixed the diminutive brunette with just long enough of a stare to let Castillo know that she was aware of her—though it must be said, Sylvia hardly seemed to be even considering any sort of sneak attack. Claiming her corner, the Sensational One climbed onto the middle turnbuckle, rallying the crowd with a pump of her fist before hopping back and down and beginning to limber up.

For a venue that only held five thousand souls at maximum occupancy, the Severn Valley Auditorium sounded like Wembley Stadium when the official called for the bell. Shea couldn't help but smile. Even after twenty-five plus years in the business she still got goosebumps from the roar of a crowd. She took a moment to offer a smile and a nod for the unwavering support, though she was careful not to take her eyes off the brunette in the opposite corner. Because while London's expression suggested that she heard every bit of this delighted cacophony, Sylvia Ivelisse Castillo could've been in a sensory deprivation tank for all the attention she gave the crowd. No, the ingenue's dark eyes were trained on the Sensational One with an intensity which suggested that not only was she not experiencing any butterflies about facing a multi-time FAWN World Champion, but her internal temperature was so low those butterflies would never escape the cocoon, let alone thrive.


That odd thought was still foremost in the veteran's mind when Castillo pushed off the buckles and strode to the center of the squared circle. London hung back long enough to check for traps or a potential charge. Sensing none, she matched the brunette's pace and arrived mid-ring only a step or two behind. Aware of, albeit certainly not intimidated by the younger woman's chilly demeanor, Shea extended her hand to Sylvia and said, “Let's give them a show, shall we?”



A shadow of utter fury passed over Castillo's face so quickly London wondered if she imagined it. She must have, because Sylvia accepted the handshake and when she spoke her tone was nothing but cool civility. “I know everyone is here to see you.” she said with no trace of disdain. “And I have no interest of denying them the pleasure. But I also intend to ensure they go home speaking my name.”



Shea offered the brunette a competitive grin as they broke apart and began to circle. “C'mon then, luv. Let's make some magic.”



The invitation proved more than adequate for Castillo, who lunged forward and swept the Sensational One into a Collar & Elbow Tie-up so forceful it rocked London back a step or two before she could plant her rear foot to halt the brunette's progress. Shea's kickstand didn't seem to bother Sylvia in the slightest as she chested up on the Englishwoman in an effort to push her off balance, but London held her ground and shortly thereafter it was Castillo backpedaling as the blonde marched her toward the rop-- Sylvia torqued her hips to reverse their positions, the lithe little brunette forcing London's back and butt against the rubber-coated steel.



Instinct kicked in at once and Shea hooked a foot over the bottom rope to get the referee's attention. Before she could say so much as a word, Castillo shifted her left hand from London's shoulder and cupped that palm over her chin. Shea braced for a hard push and was somehow even more startled when SIC tapped her index finger against the veteran's lips in a soft, but undeniable 'shush' gesture. “This is between us.” Castillo's hand was already back at London's shoulder. “Let's keep it that way.”



Shea's eyes went from surprised to angry to steely in the span between heartbeats. Rather than offer a response with words or an answering shove, she pulled her foot clear of the bottom rope only to brace her heel against it before pushing off in a deft little hop that twisted her around Sylvia and whipped both wrestlers to the canvas in what was effectively an Arm Drag with the Collar & Elbow still intact! Castillo tumbled onto her back and London climbed aboard, the blonde quick to jam her knees into the smaller wrestler's flanks to keep her down for the...



ONE...



Sylvia twisted loose and rolled to the top of the mount, though where Shea went for a straddle, Castillo wedged her right knee against the Briton's sternum and grrrrrrrroooooound down while the ref counted...



ONE...



London planted both feet and bridged up to send the brunette tumbling over top of her adversary. The Collar & Elbow didn't much resemble its original form what with both grapplers flat on their backs with the tops of their heads almost touching, but they were still clutching at one another which was why London was able to somersault through and land with her bum squarely on Sylvia's chest! The newcomer 'ooofffhed' and tried to push clear, but Shea had her covered nice and tight through...



ONE...

TWO...



Castillo whipped her legs up, threaded them under London's biceps and popped her hips to roll the Sensational One back onto her shoulders in an improvised Sunset Flip! Chest pressed tight to the squirming curve of Shea's glutes, SIC cupped the blonde's calves and pressed down hard to ensure she couldn't escape before the...



ONE...

TWO...



London escaped with another quick somersault that returned her to verticality while Sylvia was still seated. This proved a most dangerous arrangement as Shea exploded forward and pistoned her right knee into the point of Castillo's chiNO! Sylvia threw herself straight back to avoid the possible knock-out shot, then rolled onto her stomach and sprang to boot-leather while London was wheeling around to get the brunette back in her sights.



“Are you working this slow because you think I can't keep up?” Castillo murmured as she made a few quick adjustments to her togs. “Or have you lost more steps than I realized?”



Shea arched an eyebrow. “No one ever taught ya to respect your elders, is that it, kid?”



“I was taught to respect my betters.” the brunette answered at once. “Not my fault I've yet to meet anyone that satisfies such criteria.”



Shea rolled her shoulders, settled into a loose crouch and began circling her way toward the icy-eyed battler. “And 'ere I was 'oping for a nice, respectful contest with a talented up 'n comer.” she muttered. “Of course I draw another entitled brat with a chip on 'er shoul--”



CRAAACK! was followed by 'oooooooooohhhs' that gave way to resounding jeers when SIC darted in and put Shea's head on a swivel courtesy a massive Bitch Slap!



“Respect is earned, ma'am.” she hissed in the Briton's ear. “As is disdain. You've banked a great deal of the latter and absolutely none of the formNNNGGGHH!”



The women were too close together for Shea to manage the proper wind-up for a slap of her own so instead she hooked her left arm across the back of Castillo's neck and jerked her down so she could THWHAPher right bicep into the brunette's jaw with a gorgeous European Uppercut! Sylvia went backpedaling into the ropes and Shea went with her, the Sensational One driving a shoulder into the younger woman's sternum to make sure she didn't squirm free before London caught hold of one wrist and sent her to the other side of the ring with an Irish Whip. Shea waited a beat, then charged after her foe and took flight, the former World Champion meeting her foe at center ring where she THWHACKED her with a faceful of thigh!



LEG LARIAT:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVZpwK6xIh0



The Leg Lariat knocked Castillo to the deck though she bounced up almost immediately, albeit with one hand pressed to her throbbing jaw. Noise from the crowd told her London was closing in fast so the brunette crooked her right arm into a 'V' and whipped around in a Roaring Elbow aimed at Shea's mouNO! London saw it coming, dipped low and swung behind Castillo where she caught hold of a Waistlock and proceeded to PLANT the smaller wrestler on the back of her head and shoulders with a gorgeous German Suplex! Bridging up on her toes and the crown of her skull to keep SIC stacked as tight a possible, Shea made no effort to hide her smile while the throng counted out...



BRIDGING GERMAN SUPLEX:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfQh2QFtJPc



ONE...

TWO...



Sylvia twisted out just after 'TWO!' to prove to the blonde she was more than just the mouth and bad attitude she'd displayed thus far. “A little deference is gonna change your life for the better, luv.” London explained as she scraped the youngster off the canvas with a double handful of hair. “And even if it doesn't, it might save you from getting your arse kicked a few times. Won't 'elp tonight of course, but certainly somewhere down the line.”



Switching over to a Wristlock the moment Castillo was vertical, Shea stepped back and dropped a shoulder to send the brunette into the ropes with an Irish Wh-NO! Sylvia reversed the momentum, planted both heels and sent Shea to the strands in her place! Unfazed by the abrupt reversal, the Englishwoman threw herself into a deft handstand that saw her thighs and butt bounce off the top and middle strands with more than enough force to--THWHACK! London was upside down for no more than a second yet it proved more than enough time for SIC to skid in with a high-speed Baseball Slide Dropkick that smashed the soles of her boots into the veteran's face!



London crumpled in on herself, landing in an awkward pile sprawled parallel to the edge of the squared circle. Beside her, a grim-faced Sylvia snatched hold of the Sensational One's left wrist and ankle and draaaaaaaaaaaaaagged her deep into the center of the ring. From there she angled London's left shin into the pit of her right knee and folded that leg back to secure both stems in an unmistakable knot.



“Do you really think you're the person to offer me advice on the future?” Sylvia asked as she very deliberately gouged her knees into the small of her opponent's back. “After all, I have a great deal of future ahead. Plenty of time to learn, grow, even make mistakes. You however... mistakes at your age carry a much higher price.”



With that she cupped her left hand over Shea's chin and neatly rolled onto her back, which in turn flipped London off her belly and up across those encroaching knees in an exquisite application of London's Bridge! “Don't you dare scream for mercy, old woman.” Castillo threatened as she pulled down on Shea's chin and ankles while simultaneously jouncing her knees. “I didn't come all this way to battle a shadow of your former glory.”



LONDON'S BRIDGE:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRr1vBt99LQ



Shea gritted her teeth, determined to deny this young upstart the satisfaction of even hearing her cry out in pain, never mind beg for mercy. That wouldn’t be happening tonight, or any other night. Even when the official dropped to one knee beside them to check for a submission, London kept her teeth tightly clenched, responding with a guttural growl of unmistakable defiance.

As infuriating as it was being trapped in her own signature submission, it was hard not to be impressed with Sylvia’s hutzpah. Of course, as the premiere practitioner of the Bridge, the Sensational One knew better than anyone how dangerous the hold was. Not to mention how inescapable it was, so long as it was applied properly. Castillo’s application was splendid. Worthy of top marks, even…



… but it wasn’t perfect.



The further benefit of being the world’s leading expert on the Bridge meant that Shea knew exactly where to focus her efforts in securing her escape, without wasting any energy on less worthwhile avenues of action. They key was Sylvia’s grip on her ankles, and though it took some doing, eventually London was able to work her feet free of Castillo’s grasp, if only for a second. But that second was all the British blonde needed to roll to her right, tumbling off of the Latina beauty’s knees and collapsing across Sylvia’s chest. Having been perhaps seconds away from an early submission, the Sensational One now found herself potentially three seconds away from victory as she gathered up and hooked Castillo’s legs.



ONE…

TWO…

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Sylvia kicked out, with a full second to spare.



Neither woman wasted any time in picking herself up off the mat, or indeed wasted any energy exchanging further pleasantries. The moment she was vertical again, London charged at her younger rival. But Sylvia was ready for her, taking a step to the side and pressing a hand against the small of London’s back, giving the British blonde an extra boost of momentum as she headed towards the ropes. It might have seemed a superfluous gesture to the untrained eye, but nothing Sylvia ever did was superfluous. In an ideal world, forcing Shea to cope with that extra momentum could throw off her timing enough to prevent her from turning her back into the cables. At the very least, adjusting to make that turn on time might divert enough of London’s focus to keep her from being ready on the short trip back, when Castillo ducked down for a backdrop…



… only the wily veteran WAS ready. As Sylvia went low, Shea went high, diving over the brunette’s back and snaking her arms around Castillo’s waist as she flew overhead. The Sensational One landed on her backside, her thighs astride Sylvia’s upturned hips as the Latina found herself stacked up by a more conventional sunset flip than the one she had administered earlier.



But that’s when a memory suddenly flashed into the Sensational One’s mind…



A sunset flip on its own was unlikely to gain the British Bombshell a victory. Not this early. But for some reason, Shea found herself thinking back several years ago. Something she’d seen in a match once. In Mexico, of all places. Something that had even inspired her own arsenal, even without the sunset flip prelude…



Before the referee could slide down to check Castillo’s shoulders, Shea tightened her legs around Sylvia’s waist, applying a Bodyscissors. London then promptly rolled to her left, and KEPT rolling, trapping the young brunette in the spin cycle as she was alternately planted flat on her ass and then stacked up on her shoulders again. Eventually, the Sensational One completed a full lap around the ring, leaving them almost exactly where they had started—and with Sylvia’s shoulders firmly planted to the canvas, while Shea threaded her arms around Castillo’s left thigh…



LONDON ROLL:

http://instagram.com/p/CqRwhVcgtT3

ONE…

TWO…

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Sylvia bucked free, tumbling over to her stomach. The brunette managed to lift her head for an instant, before a wave of lingering wooziness dropped her gaze back down to the mat. But in that instant, in addition to the disorientation London spotted in those brown eyes, she could swear she also saw… rage? Not bothering to linger on the moment, the Sensational One stepped into a straddle of Castillo’s back, stooping down to gather up her opponent’s ankles. Stuffing Sylvia’s right boot into the pit of her left knee, the British blonde hooked Sylvia’s left boot around her calf before dropping to a seat beside her foe’s left hip. Reclining across the Latina’s back, Shea laced an arm around Castillo’s throat, trapping the brunette’s chin in the crook of her elbow as she locked in a modified STF.



MODIFIED STF:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=itdA8YP7eb4



“I’ll say this for ya,” the Sensational One muttered, cranking down on Sylvia’s noggin, “ya got some brass ones on ya, kid. I’m not gonna pretend ta not be impressed. I’ll even go so far as ta say it’s prolly been few an’ far between, tha times ya’ve found yer arse kicked inside these ropes. But trust me, I’ve fergotten more about wrestling than ya’ll EVER know. And I’m about ta give yer arse tha spankin’ a brat like you deserves!”



“Oh, you’ve forgotten a lot indeed,” Castillo managed to hiss in rebuttal. “Dementia’s a serious issue for your age bracket, I know. But trust ME when I say, you’re a lesson tonight about the dangers of forgetfulness.”



Shea’s only response was to torque on Sylvia’s captive skull, eliciting an anguished grunt from the young brunette. But she offered no other vocal protests. No pleas for release. Not even any acknowledgment of the ref’s entreaties about submission. Instead, Castillo wormed her way around on her belly, until she could reach a hand to slip her fingers around the bottom rope.



And sure enough, in line with her earlier instructions to the Sensational One, she made no demands that the official order a break.



Still, he did his job, and London extricated herself from the hold as promptly as circumstances allowed. Peeling Castillo off the canvas, the Sensational One lined her foe up with the far corner, and set her feet for the Irish whip. But Sylvia proved resilient enough to reverse it, launching Shea toward the buckles instead. Righting herself after sending the British blonde on her way, Sylvia waited for the ‘THWUNK’ of London’s back striking the buckles… but it didn’t come. Rather than turn into the impact, London simply reached out, grabbing the top rope with both hands on either side of the top turnbuckle to halt her momentum. With only the slightest hint of a snarl, Castillo then charged in after the veteran, only to eat a back elbow to the jaw for her troubles, that sent the brunette staggering away.



Shea turned back toward the corner, climbing onto the middle buckle before launching herself at the reeling Castillo, catching the brunette’s arm and using an arm drag to deposit the Latina to a seat on the mat. The Sensational One was back on her feet in a flash, displaying still impressive quickness as she sprinted into the ropes facing Sylvia. Allowing the cables to shoot her back at the seated brunette, London dove toward her, landing her knees atop Sylvia’s shoulders, the Brit’s momentum driving Castillo down to the mat—and sending Shea’s pert backside SLAMMING down across Sylvia’s sternum.



LONDON BLITZ:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz8J3yQNO94



Shea bounced away from the landing, but quickly spun and scrambled back to cover the brunette, hooking a leg to score the…



ONE…

TWO…

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Castillo kicked out.



Climbing back to her feet, London hauled the brunette up onto rubbery legs, and once again attempted to launch her into the far corner with an Irish whip. This time, Sylvia went off on her less than merry way without incident, swiveling to meet the buckles with her back. The Sensational One charged in behind her, lowering a shoulder…



… but that’s when Sylvia demonstrated some impressive hops for her diminutive frame, gripping the top rope with back hands and kicking her legs into the air, clearing the path for Shea to charge shoulder first into the ringpost. Flying out of the corner, the brunette dove into a forward roll before springing back to her feet and turning back to the corner while a groaning London sunk to her knees. Sylvia followed up that display of impressive agility with impressive speed, charging back toward the corner in a full sprint, leaping to DRIVE her knees into the Brit’s back. Castillo bounced away from the impact, landing on her feet as a moaning Shea slumped over to recline against the buckles… but Sylvia wasn’t done. Seemingly without even breaking stride, the brunette charged into the ropes off the Sensational One’s right flank, rebounding off the cables to deliver a MASSIVE running back elbow to London’s noggin.



EXISTENTIAL DREAD:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIYWM0sc2pY



Dragging the Sensational One to her feet by a healthy helping of hair, Sylvia led the blonde away from the corner. Shifting her grip to the British beauty’s left wrist, Castillo transitioned a Wristlock into a Hammerlock, nudging her head up and under Shea’s right arm as she wrenched London’s captive left wing up behind her back. Stepping her left leg in front of Shea’s right, Sylvia launched herself into another forward roll—only this one with the Sensational One in tow! As both women came to a halt seated on the mat, the brunette threaded her right leg behind Shea’s head, her thigh forcing London’s gave down toward her own rack, one arm still laced around Castillo’s neck, the other still cranked painfully up her back, and one leg ensnared by one of Sylvia’s gams.



SIC B!TCH:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLB3bObufkc



“Did you see that, old woman?” Castillo taunted, using blergh her leg to keep the pressure on Shea’s neck. “That was your one chance, flying out the window. From this point on? First, I’m going to wear you down. Then, I’m going to punish you, until there’s NOTHING left in your tank. And then? I’m not going to pin you. I’m not going to submit you. Only then will your humiliation begin. And it won’t end until you’re BEGGING me to put you out of your misery!”



Shea’s normally beautiful face was twisted into a masque of agony, but even so, she managed to hiss, “Big… unnnhhhhh… big words, kid. I’ve…. Ngggghhhhhh… I’ve ‘eard ‘em all before. From far, FAR better than yooooAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!”



Castillo cranked on the hammerlock, while simultaneously pushing down even further with her thigh. But those were the only direct responses to Shea’s defiance. Instead of answering that with words, the Latina simply carried on. “You know why I feel comfortable telling you EVERYTHING I’m about to do to you? Because I know you can’t stop me. Not this version of you, anyway. Maybe if there was a way to bring the 1998 version of you into the present…”



Shea scowled, from both agony as well as confusion. 1998? What an oddly specific year to reference…



As bound and trussed up as she was, London at least had one leg free to use, and the Sensational One strained to find the bottom rope with her toetips. Alas, the youngster had displayed some veteran savvy, applying the hold too far away for a rope break. Instead, Shea’s only option was to lean back into the hold. And while that increased the strain of the knot she found herself in, it also gradually forced Sylvia’s shoulders closer to the mat, until finally…



ONE…

TWO…



Castillo gave up the hold, kicking Shea away.



London was loathe to admit it, but Sylvia was right about one thing. The 2023 version of Shea London couldn’t go 60 minutes with any woman on the planet the same way the 1998 version of Shea London could. The longer this match went on, the more the advantage would tip away from the Sensational One’s veteran wiles and tip toward Sylvia’s superior cardio. She had to get back on her feet, and get back on the atta…



“Unnnnnggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!”



No sooner had London rolled up to one knee did one of Sylvia’s knees SMASH into her face, right between the eyes, knocking the British blonde flat on her back—the back of Shea’s noggin smacking off the canvas hard to supply a double whammy to Castillo’s SIC Kneelift.



SIC KNEELIFT:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIYvemAgrgQ



The crowd groaned as London sprawled to the deck with the overhead lights in her eyes and it urged her to roll to one side in case the methodical brunette sought a cover. But this proved a colossal waste of oxygen because Sylvia did not even attempt a pin. Instead she circled around to the Englishwoman's head, bent down and helped herself to a double handful of hair. Tugging London's blonde locks brought the legend to one knee and the ref sniffing around looking for something to whine about, so Castillo switched to a grip across Shea's chin to return her to full verticality. From there she spun around so they were back to back with the back of the Sensational One's head resting awkwardly against the point of Sylivia's right should-- Castillo kicked her left leg up and laid out on her back to THWHAM London down on the back of her head and shoulders with a textbook Neckbreaker!



T'was nothing fancy but the jolt through Shea's frame confirmed it was quite effective and the brunette found a way to make it her own by maintaining the grip on her foe's chin as she rolled onto her knees and stood up. Where the head went the body soon followed and Shea London was no exception. Clambering along a half step behind the lissome red-clad lovely, she balled her right hand into a fist and pounded a couple punches into Castillo's flank only for the other wrestler to answer with a stern Kneelift to the belly. Soon as the rebellion was quashed Sylivia arranged them back to back for the second time in well under a minute and DROVE Shea back to the canvas with an identical Neckbreaker!



NECKBREAKER x2:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX-qSXII4-E



Shea bounced unpleasantly and tried to roll away, but Castillo rolled with her, the brunette doggedly clinging to her rival's noggin as they fought to their knees. Drawing London into a Front Facelock in the midst of regaining her feet, SIC abruptly grabbed hold of the blonde's left wrist and yanked that limb snug across her throat half a heartbeat before she twisted over and came down on her back to THWHUNK Shea's head with the nastiest Neckbreaker yet!



BAD LUCK COMES IN THREES:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7QJOFAB1do



The terrible trifecta left Castillo in great position to go for a pin but again she bypassed the opportunity and circled back to London's feet. Taking possession of the Briton's right ankle with no noticeable resistance, Sylvia stood up and tucked it under one armpit to better flip Shea onto her belly. What looked to be a Single Leg Crab became a well Shea had already visited earlier in the match and those assembled at the Severn Rivery Valley Auditorium couldn't help put voice a scandalized 'ooooooooooohhhhhhh!' when the insidious ingenue scissored Shea's lower leg between her own, then dropped down atop the blonde's six and snaked her right arm across London's face to craaaaaaaaaaaaaank back on a STF of her own!



STF:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwemWuu7ce4



“HHHHRRRGGGHHHHHHHHH!” Shea didn't actually scream, though her distress was clear to all within hearing, especially once SIC began to grind the bony ridge of her forearm back and forth across the veteran's cheekbone! Understandably concerned by the noise (not to mention the unpleasant angle of her neck) the referee hurried over and hunkered down by the action only for Castillo to warn him off with a single withering glare. “The woman's wrestled on six continents over the course of three decades.” she growled. “You'll know if she decides to tap. Isn't that right, ma'am?”



Shea hissed, waggled a finger 'no' to confirm her tormentor's assertion. “Chuuuhhhh... cheeky little brat, aren't ya?” she groaned. “Didn't your mother ever NNNNNGGGGHHHHHHH!”



Sylvia reefed back on the STF again and let Shea suffer for several seconds while she ground the point of her chin into the crown of London's skull. “You claim to have forgotten more than I'll ever learn.” Castillo murmured while the veteran tried to rally for a trip to the ropes. “But I think you know more than you let on, old woman. Let's take a trip back in time, shall we? It's the summer of 1998. You'd made your first trip to the United States late in '96, but this is your first trip to Mexico. You've already wrestled dates in Mexico City, Tijuana and León, and now you're in a dumpy little pit on the north edge of Guadalajara wrestling a one-off appearance for a fat, wheezing bag of shit named Salazar. Do you remember him, ma'am?”



As a matter of fact, Shea did. Ernesto Salazar had been a disgusting tub of a man that made no effort to disguise the fact that he was undressing her with his eyes when they'd first been introduced. Most of London's contacts had warned her about taking a booking with Salazar, but she'd been in the area with plenty of friends and wanted to make as much of her trip as she-- “RRRRHHHHHH!”



She'd been so focused on dragging herself to the ropes and thinking about that old trip to Mexico that she'd forgotten to answer Castillo's question and the brunette made her pay by mashing her forearm against the underside of Shea's nose! “I asked you a question, old woman.”



“I remember!” the veteran barked. “Man was a pig. But I was gettin' low on money, the pay was good and it was a one time deal. I never saw 'im again after that!”



“Must've been very good money for you to put your hair on the line.” Sylvia murmured. “Burgeoning international star like you, a gringa puts her lovely blonde locks up as collateral against the masked ruda that's been terrifying the--”



London lurched forward, grabbed the bottom rope one-handed and gave it a violent shake. “BREAK!” she shouted over the cheers of the crowd. “Break the 'olEEERRRRHHHHHHHH!”



Sylvia released her grasp on Shea's head only to slip a pair of two-tined fishhooks into the corners of London's mouth to pull her hips back in a horrifying grin! “Did you know?” Castillo hissed to the wailing Englishwoman. “Did you know what he had planned, you miserable old relic?”



The Sensational One didn't get a chance to answer because the ref reached 'FOUR!' on his count and SIC was forced to abandon the hold entirely or risk disqualification. Mercifully free of the younger woman's clutches, London pulled herself under the bottom rope and struggled to one knee on the narrow ledge of apron. Hooking one arm over the second strand to keep her anchored in place, Shea massaged her throbbing neck while trying to work the kinks from her jaw.



“Whuh... what are you even on about, kid?” she rasped to Castillo, who was pacing back and forth near the center of the ring. “I took that match with about a day's notice. The girl I replaced got injured two nights before, Salazar offered me five times my usual rate because it was 'air versus mask. I only took it because 'e promised me it wouldn't be a full shave if I lost and 'e didn't want to postpone the retirement of 'is top 'eel.”



“LYING BITCH!” Sylvia dipped around the ref and rushed forward with a boot aimed straight for the blonde's face, but London lunged to one side and caught hold of the brunette's ankle before Castillo could withdraw it from the ropes. On her feet shortly thereafter, the Sensational One twisted to one side and dropped from the ledge to snap the inside of Sylvia's right knee against the rubber-coated steel with an audible twaaaaaaang!



Cursing as the Dragon Screw breathed fire from her ankle to her hip, Castillo pulled that leg free of the strands and doubled over to inspect the worst of the damage. An understandable reaction of course, yet one that proved most costly as Shea skipped back onto the apron, took the top rope in both hands and vaulted her way into the ring. Sylivia remained none the wiser up until the moment London caught her in a quick Front Facelock and laid out to THAWHONK the brunette's pate into the deck courtesy a beautiful Slingshot DDT!



SLINGSHOT DDT:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCYtoN0hoeU



Castillo got planted like a tent spike only to slop over onto her back where Shea promptly took a heavy seat on her chest and hooked that tweaked right leg in a Half Matchbook good for the...



ONE...

TWO...

THRNOOOO!



Sylvia grabbed a double handful of the blonde's waistband and yanked it north by several inches to force a break with half a second to spare!



Scowling as she took a moment to undo the wedgie, London quickly made her way back to Castillo and delivered a quick stomp to the younger wrestler's fluttering stomach. Sylvia huffed and swatted the Englishwoman's boot away, so Shea stomped her two more times, then bent down and buried a hand in the brunette's hair.



“Ya seem ta like takin' pages outta my playbook, duchess.” the Sensational One grumbled after she'd reeled SIC into a Front Facelock. “'Ope ya don't mind me takin' some outta yours.”



No response from Castillo, so London slung the brunette's near arm across her shoulders, then grabbed a handful of waistband and popped her hips to THWHUMP Sylvia to the mat with a Snap Suplex. Hooks still set after the throw landed, Shea kicked her legs up and rolled over onto her belly to ensure Castillo did the same. A little bit of work got both ladies back on their feet, whereupon reaching London popped her hips to deliver a second Snap Suplex! If two was good three was certainly better, so no one was really surprised when Shea kicked her legs up and out to roll them onto their stomachs again. But instead of completing the trifecta, London relinquished the Front Facelock once they were upright so she could slip around behind and pin Sylvia's arms over her head in a Full Nelson.



With Castillo's chin wedged into the northern swell of her modest decolletage, Shea muscled the youngster off her feet, then dropped to a seat to THAWHAM! Sylvia down on her tailbone with a massive Full Nelson Atomic Drop! Quick to thread her legs around the brunette's slim waist, London broke the Nelson so she could tumble over onto her stomach and in so doing roll SIC onto her shoulders for a count of...



FULL NELSON BOMB W/ PIN:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3qGsUrFWlM



ONE...

TWO...

THRNOOOO!



Sylvia twisted over onto her butt to escape the pin, but it didn't free her from the Scissors which were still cinched tight around her waist. She'd just balled her hands into fists with every intention of pounding away at London's thighs but Shea put a stop to that by reapplying the Full Nelson with neck-wrenching interest. Ankles locked tight, London stretched out flat on her back to pull Castillo into her lap only to roll forward and THWHUMP her butt against the thinly-sheathed plywood with a heavy Keister Bounce.



“Don't know what your problem is, kid.” Shea muttered as she stretched out on one side with SIC stretched and groaning in the Full Nelson / Bodyscissors combination. “And I sure as 'ell don't know why you're so interested in a trip I 'adn't thought about in more than twenty years, but I DO know ya don't 'ave what it takes ta call me a bitch, let alone a liar. Now why don't you tap out so I can go catch a shower and you can go to yer room and think about what you've done!”



FULL NELSON & BODYSCISSORS:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=btga2NP5Y2c



“What do you say, Sylvia?” the official asked, but before the groaning brunette could manage an answer, Shea—feeling more than just a little vindictive after all the liberties this impudent little brat had taken in this contest, never mind with her attitude—gave the nelson a little jostle.



“Don’t bother askin’, ref,” the Sensational One answered on her opponent’s behalf. “Duchess ‘ere is far too stubborn ta give up ta somethin’ like this. Besides…”

London jostled her prey one more time.

“She still needs a lil more time in time out, don’tcha think? And if she STILL doesn’t mind ‘er manners, I’ll just ‘ave ta sling ‘er over my knee and give ‘er tha spankin’ ‘er mother should’vaaaaAAGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!! ‘AIR, REF!!!!”

London had never been known as a powerhouse, but even as much deceptive muscle as Sylvia had packed into her diminutive frame, she wasn't strong enough to break the Briton’s Nelson. But she could reach back, and coil her fingers tightly around the Shea’s flaxen locks. London hissed sharply as Castillo tugged down with all the might she could muster… and perhaps something else. With over a quarter century’s experience in the wrestling business, the Sensational One had lost count of the number of times she’d had her hair pulled a couple of decades ago. But there was something… odd… about THIS time. Something different. Something hard to articulate, but Sylvia wasn’t just pulling her hair out of desperation, or frustration, or even with the urgency of someone needing to escape…

It was like, she was pulling with a thirst for… vengeance.

“LET HER GO, SYLVIA,” the referee demanded, but Castillo paid him no heed. With no other recourse, he began a count…

“ONE!

TWO!!

THREE!!!”

Finally, the burning in her scalp proved too much. London’s scissors relaxed, and her fingers unlaced from behind Sylvia’s head, breaking the Nelson…

… but the Latina’s death grip on London’s locks only tightened.

“GUUUYYYYHHHHHH,” Shea moaned. “OFF THA ‘AIR, BYTCH!!!”

“FOUR!!!!” the official shouted… and at long last, Castillo let go.

Relief flooded through Shea’s scalp, and while refreshing, it wasn’t so consuming that it stopped the Sensational One from punishing Castillo’s misbehavior with a clubbing forearm to the back of the brunette’s noggin. Rolling back, the Sensational One sprung back to her feet deftly, sinking into a loaded crouch as Sylvia picked herself up as well. And the moment the brunette turned to face her, London caught the lovely Latina flush under the chin with a beautiful Super Kick!

To her credit, Castillo stayed on her feet, drunkenly spinning away from the impact. But giving your back to Shea London was one of the worst things anyone could do inside a wrestling ring, and the British blonde was ready. Leaping at her adversary, the Sensational One grabbed a shoulder with each hand, drew her knees up and under Sylvia’s shoulderblades and fell back, BLASTING the air out of the brunette’s lungs with a textbook Lungblower. Castillo shot away from the rocking crashpad London’s body had become, spinning back to face the Brit before sinking to her knees, and finally flopping over to her stomach. London shoveled her over and wasted zero time in administering the lateral press.

LUNGBLOWER:





ONE…

TWO…

THRNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Sylvia got a shoulder up.

In her heart, London knew it was likely going to take a little more than that to put this rugrat down for good. Even so, she couldn’t stop herself from casting a side-eyed glance in the official’s direction. “Sorry,” the ref sighed, more than a little sheepish. “Just two.”

“Just two,” Shea muttered, frustrated but undeterred. Picking herself up from the mat, she dragged Castillo up as well, lining her up with the far corner. “Off ya go, kid,” London said, setting her feet as she took the brunette’s hand. “It’s getting’ well past your bedtiiaaayyyyyyyeeeeeeee……”

Before London could complete the whip, Sylvia dug in her heels and reversed it, sending the Sensational One off for the ride. Shea hadn’t even finished her second stride toward the corner when Castillo let out an absolute shriek of rage, taking off toward the blonde just as Shea turned her back into the collision with the buckles. London let out a grunt as the shock of impact rocked through her, but she was a veteran, with enough savvy to be braced for it and enough awareness to be ready for a rookie who was beginning to let her emotions get the better of her. As Castillo drew closer, the British Bombshell raised her feet to meet the oncoming Latino’s chest…

… only to have her ankles caught. Apparently Sylvia had a tighter rein on her emotions than London had expected.

In the blink of an eye, Castillo tossed Shea’s luscious legs away, sending them sailing through the gap between the middle and top rope and causing London to swivel away from the buckles. Now basically sitting on the middle cable and deprived the support of the buckles against her back, the Sensational One had little choice but to grab hold of the top rope with both hands. Otherwise, she would soon find herself spilling to the mat, the back of her head all but ensured of a wicked collision with the canvas. But with her hands thus occupied, the Brit’s chest was left defenseless against the forearm shiver that Castillo drove into it, knocking London backward, until the blonde’s left arm fell outside the ring over the middle rope on the opposite side of the buckle.

On the plus side, Shea at least now had support for both her upper and lower body from the cables. But on the minus side, she was left tied in an ungainly heap as Castillo delivered a vengeful slap to the blonde’s vulnerable tummy. Sylvia sauntered back toward the middle of the ring, but then abruptly turned back, surging in and LEAPING at the suspended Shea. Swiveling away from the British Bombshell, the Latina DROVE her taut backside into London’s sternum with a hip attack.



CORNER BOUND HIP ATTACK:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOEBa3fOp1c



The impact dislodged Shea from the confines of the corner, sending the suddenly breathless blonde collapsing to a heap in the corner, mewling softly as she fought to recover her breath. Turning back toward her wounded prey, Castillo bent down, and once again plunged her hand into the Briton’s locks. She YANKED a dazed Shea back to her feet, the ring legend once again struck by how much animosity her foe could pack into such a simple act…

… but she didn’t get much time to dwell on it. Castillo used that white knuckle grip on London’s tresses to send her out of the corner, depositing the Sensational One on her rump with a cruel hairmare. The Latina then pivoted away from Shea, heading into the ropes behind the seated Brit. It only took a stride and a half before she returned, connecting with a brutal running knee to the back of the living legend’s noggin that set Shea pitching forward. The blonde absolutely ATE a faceful of canvas, the impact sending her flopping over to her back, leaving her in a splayed starfish, ready to be pinned…



RUNNING KNEE:

youtu.be/k-aiPYdVROI?t=965



… only again, Castillo abstained.

Instead, she stooped down, claiming Shea’s right wrist and lifting her arm. Raising the wing to London’s head, she forced her foe’s arm back at the elbow, pressing the back of the blonde’s hand down to the mat on top of a few strands of hair, just off the Brit’s ear. Sylvia then stepped down on Shea’s fingers. Not with her full weight, but just enough to keep the Sensational One’s hand pinned…

… and for the pain to bring a sliver of awareness back to the beleaguered blonde.

“This is where other women… you know, all the ones you said were much better than me… this is where THEY’D tell you that it’s over,” Castillo sneered. “But I’m not them, and this isn’t over. This, old woman, is only when you BEGIN to start paying!”

And with that, Sylvia jumped into the air. Not with anywhere near the height that the Sensational One could manage. But she didn’t need that height. All she needed to do was get enough elevation to STOMP down on the British blonde’s upturned elbow.



DEMON STOMP:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBA2A-1td_U



There was no question of trying to restrain the cry of pain spawned by the Demon Stomp. Shea felt like her elbow EXPLODED. Screaming in angush, London shot up to a seated position, drawing her wounded wing up to her chest, cradling it against her bosom as her head slumped forward, eyes screwed tightly shut against the searing pain radiating from her elbow.

Shea was still coaxing the worst of the hurt from her wounded arm when Sylvia twined implacable fingers in the blonde's hair and dragged her to verticality in a jolting series of fits and starts. London made her pay for the brazen encroachment with a stern elbow to the belly (using her left arm to do so, of course) but Castillo quickly responded with an elbow of her own, one that gouged into the nape of her opponent's neck! Taking possession of the Briton's left wrist before Shea even realized it was gone, SIC stepped back and twisted the exposed limb through a full circle before deftly tucking London's forearm in the pit of her right knee in the split-second before she hooked that limb over top of the veteran's left thigh. Once Shea's good arm was secured, the brunette wasted no time glomming onto her foe's right wrist to yank that arm backward and pin it beneath her own right bicep.



ARM TRAP ABDOMINAL STRETCH:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOLTklwaFuo



“Hhhrrrgghhh... rrrrrrgggggggghhhhh!” London ground her teeth and managed to not shriek aloud when Sylvia wrenched backward on the modified Abdominal Stretch, though the growing strain in her midsection (and the steadily raging inferno that was her right arm) suggested it might be a losing battle if she couldn't engineer an escape sooner than later.



“You must've been really hard up for money.” Castillo's voice was once again calm, cool, and collected as she demonstrated her submission wrestling bona fides for the Sensational One. “Desperate to the point of stupidity, really, not to wonder just why the hell a miserable slob like Salazar would pay so much for a one-off from a woman on her first tour of Mexico. And in mask versus hair, no less. Even a pasty-ass gringa such as yourself would've known that's not a stipulation you tack onto a throw-away house show contest between two women who've never shared a ring before.” Castillo paused, looking thoughtful.



“Did that cross your mind, ma'am?”



Shea shook her head 'no', both to keep the official away and to answer the upstart's question. “Not even once.” she huffed. “I needed the money and I was willing to risk a bad haircut. Salazar 'ad the money and needed a way to write off La Novia Roja before she retireAAAAAHHHHHH FAAAAAAAAAHHHHK!”



Sylvia shifted her restraining arm to so her bicep was snug against Shea's vulnerable elbow and craaaaaaaaaaaaaanked back like she meant to take it as a trophy! “So you remember her name all of the sudden?” the brunette hissed. “Then maybe you also remember that she WASN'T retiring. She'd just signed a multi-year contract with AWWE in Mexico City. That she was about to become one of the biggest rudas of her generation and all without the help of a pig like Ernesto Salazar. Maybe you remember how he plotted to ruin her career by ensuring she lost her mask before she reached the national stage, but there wasn't a woman in the locker room who would participate in his shitty little plan. And maybe you ALSO remember how he had to drop a bag of money at the feet of some hot-shot English gringa to finally get the job done. Of course if you remembered all that just now I'd be willing to bet that you never actually forgot because YOU WERE IN ON IT THE WHOLE FUCKING TIME YOU DECEITFUL PIECE OF SHIWHOOOAAAAAHHHH!”



Shea London's right arm felt like a live wire and her midsection ached something fierce, but her legs were still going strong and she proved as much when she gathered her reserves and muscled the startled Latina up across her shoulders in an awkward sort of Fireman's Carry! Utterly consumed with halting Castillo's momentum even as the brunette's accusations echoed in her ears, London turned toward the nearest corner and broke into a sprint only to dive forward and down to THWHUMP Castillo to the canvas with a Finlay Roll!



London tumbled through the landing, bounced to her feet and grabbed onto the top rope with both hands to provide a suitable anchor when she hopped onto the bottom rope. Another jump put her on the second strand, a third put her in the high rent district and a fourth sent her into the lights, the former FAWN World Champion effortlessly dialing back the clock as she floated through a gorgeous back-flip that brought her THAWHAMMING down on Castillo's vulnerable tummy!



FINLAY ROLL & MOONSAULT @ 2:37

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XURInPrbWYo



The aftershock from the Moonsault bounced Shea back on her haunches so she swung a leg over the brunette's torso and sat down hard on her chest before hooking one leg in a Half Matchbook good for the...



ONE...

TWO...

THRENOOOOOOOO!



SIC twitched a shoulder off the canvas with half a heartbeat to spare, much to the disappointment of everyone in the Severn River Valley Auditorium.



Count Shea herself among that number, though the combination of her injured arms and Castillo's explanation did an excellent job of keeping it off her face. “Didn't... didn't know.” she muttered in the midst of burying her left hand in the younger wrestler's hair to haul her to verticality. “Don't know what you've 'eard, kid. What sort of lies people 'ave poured into your ear, but I wasn't part of any conspiracy against the Red Bride. I was just short on money and in need of a--”



“MORE LIES!” Castillo screamed like a banshee as she tore her way free of the Briton's grip! Snatching hold of London's right arm at wrist and bicep, she angled it tight across her own midsection and would've delivered a vile Single Arm DDT if London hadn't flattened her left hand into a paddle and CLAPPED Sylvia across the face as hard as she could!



Knocked from her course by the ear-ringing blow, SIC released her foe and stumbled away in search of a reprieve only to yelp in startled dismay when Shea came in low on her six and forced her head between the youngster's thighs! Cinching her aching arms around Castillo's upper thighs, London stood up and earned raucous 'ooooooooohhh's!' for muscling Sylvia into the Electric Chair. Any other night, any other adversary and the Sensational One might've taken some time to show off her vulnerable prey, tonight however she'd grown painfully aware of just how time was working against her, at least as it related to Sylvia Ivelisse Castillo. To that end she shifted her hands to the brunette's butt, then went up on tiptoes and shoved Sylvia out of her seat while simultaneously dropping to her butt to THA-WHAM Castillo down flat on her face, chest and belly!



ELECTRIC CHAIR FACEBUSTER @ 00:10

www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_YXXuXndb8



Sylvia landed hard and bounced to all fours before clambering to boot-leather (albeit a groggy, doubled-over approximation thereof) while Shea did much the same a short distance behind her. Closing the distance in the blink of an eye despite all the punishment she'd absorbed, London approached from the brunette's right and THUMPED a heavy Kneelift into the pit of her stomach. Castillo 'ooofffhed' and strapped both arms across her tummy, meaning her head was otherwise defenseless when Shea charged and leapt, the Manchester native hooking her left leg across the nape of SIC's neck to THWHUNK her to the deck with a beautiful Rocker Dropper! Sylvia tumbled onto her back in a glassy-eyed sprawl and London was right there to secure a Lateral Press that saw her hook both legs to point Castillo's tush toward the sky for a count of...



ROCKER DROPPER:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyZForHuOeQ



ONE...

TWO...

THRENOOOOOOOO!



Sylvia fought loose of the cover, the red-clad brunette twisting onto her shoulder and hip by the slimmest of margins.



She hadn't moved much beyond that when London pressed a boot to the small of her back and nudged her onto her belly. Thunderous cheers from the crowd as Shea knee-walked over and set about collecting her foe's ankles for what had to be the first legitimate application of-- London grimaced, dropped the captured limbs, then spun around to the opposite side and went about redoing the knot with her left hand. Normally she'd have locked Sylvia's stems and held them in place with her right hand, but that arm had endured so much punishment she wasn't confident in her ability to keep the trap in place. Even the Chinlock wasn't gonna be easy with her arm throbbing so badly, but that didn't stop her from hooking the brunette's chin as she braced the points of her knees against the small of Sylvia's back.



“Nuuuhhhh... not lying to you, kid.” Shea muttered as Sylvia began to squirm and wriggle. “You can interrogate me all ya like and I'll tell ya what I can, but it's gonna 'ave to be after the match is over.”



With that she grit her teeth and rolled to her back while pulling the brunette up into the spine-wrenching arch that was London's Bridge! Hooks set at both ends, the blonde pulled as hard as she could while jouncing her knees over and over again. Above her, Castillo bared her teeth and shook her head 'no', the youngster replying with defiance even before Shea could say, “Give it up, dammit! It's over and ya know NGH! NGH! NNNNGGGGHHHHH!”



SIC crooked her left arm into a 'V' and proceeded to jab that elbow into right bicep over and over again! Give the Sensational One credit, she maintained that white knuckle clasp through half a dozen shots before her grip gave out and Castillo rolled away to safeNO!



Sylvia caught hold of Shea's right wrist and rolled onto her back to stretch the arm out full length while the blonde scrambled to her feet in search of a quick exit. No such luck, Castillo hooked the top of her right boot against the back of the veteran's bicep while she braced the sole of her left boot against Shea's wrist. Applying just enough pressure to send a chill down London's spine, Sylvia locked eyes with Shea and murmured, “I discovered your role in all of this years ago, ma'am.” The last word was barely out of her mouth when Castillo yanked her right foot forward and kicked her left foot out in an awful jerking motion that set off a bomb in London's right elbow!



TRAPPING STOMP ARMBREAKER @ 1:46

www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUQyaZn7QU4



Rising to her feet as Shea crumpled to the mat with that devastated right arm held tight against her chest, Sylvia added, “Tonight was never about uncovering some hidden truth. Tonight was about making you pay for your part in ruining the Red Bride. So please, allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Sylvia Ivelisse Castillo, only daughter of La Novia Roja. You unmasked my mother and for that you will suffer.”



Bending down, La Novia Roja’s only daughter helped herself to one more handful of Shea’s hair, yanking the wounded Briton up as far as her knees. London didn’t bother answering Sylvia’s introduction with words—actions would speak louder, and time was absolutely of the essence, given the current state of her right arm. Before Castillo could bring her any further than her knees, the Sensational One pulled her left hand away from her throbbing right arm, balled that fist, and drove a punch into the vengeful Latina’s stomach…



But again, it was worth repeating: Shea London, even her prime, had never been noted as a powerhouse. Fatigued from the toll of what she now knew to be a grudge match, reduced to needing to use her off hand because of the damage done to her dominant limb, and Castillo’s deceptively sinewy abdominals, Sylvia didn’t have much difficulty in shrugging off the effects of the punch. She DID concede a small gasp and a half step back. But the moment she righted herself, the brunette claimed a second handful of Shea’s flaxen locks, using her now duel fisted grip to hold the Brit’s head steady as she RAMMED a knee into London’s forehead not once… not twice… but thrice!

The third Kneelift struck with such force that Shea was sent toppling to her back, despite the fact that Sylvia had only barely relaxed her grip on the blonde’s tresses—some of which were STILL left in her grasp when the Sensational One’s back landed against the mat. With Shea left blinking up at the lights, the bells ringing in her head loud enough to nullify at least some of the sting from those ripped away locks, Castillo allowed herself to regard first the strands of hair that remained in her right hand… followed by the ones in her left…

… and her lips curled into a cruel, yet somewhat satisfied half smile as she let those locks fall to the mat.

“Only a down payment,” Castillo muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, the comment aimed more at herself than at the dazed woman laid out at her feet. “There’s still twenty-five years worth of interest…”

Approaching Shea from the Brit’s right, Sylvia hopped into the air—just far enough to extend her legs out in front of her, as she dropped her right thigh across the Sensational One’s upper sternum. Even without journeying to the top rope, the significance of subjecting London to a leg drop—even if it WASN’T quite as Sensational as the one that had cost her mother her mask—was unmistakable.

Castillo was back on her feet in an instant, this time to the left of the fallen Briton. Spinning back to face her foe, Sylvia jumped up a second time, this time dropping her left thigh across Shea’s throat. As the Sensational One’s legs kicked into the air, the raven haired Latina was springing back to her feet once more. And once more, after turning to face her prey, Sylvia jumped up—and this time dropped BOTH legs across the blonde’s midsection.

Sylvia rolled away from her nemesis, providing the Sensational One enough space to roll over to her stomach, the reeling living legend attempting to push up to her hands and knees…

“Gyyyuuunnnnnhhhhhhh,” London moaned as a wave of electric agony shot through her right arm, dropping Shea to her chest and knees instead, the Sensational One cradling her aching wing against her gulping belly.

Castillo sauntered over to her, moving with precision as she settled just short of the kneeling blonde’s noggin. Leaning forward, she reached underneath Shea’s midsection, extracting the veteran’s arms from underneath and pulling up on them as she stepped forward, settling into a standing straddle with London’s head residing between Sylvia’s knees. The brunette took another step forward, forcing Shea up to a seated position, the back of the Brit’s head coming to rest against Castillo’s glutes as the Latina continued to crank up on the Sensational One’s arms, forcing them up behind Shea’s back in an unnatural angle…



ARM PUNISHMENT:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOYpCCcWPvM



“C’mon, Shea,” the official urged her. “Just say the word, and I’ll ring the bell.”

“GYYYAAAAGGGHHHH,” Shea cried out, as Sylvia chose to punctuate the ref’s entreaties with another crank of her hold. But, as best she could with her head nuzzled in against the underside of the brunette’s undercarriage, the Sensational One shook her head. “Nuhhhh…. Never… gonna… ‘apppennnnNNNNNNNNGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!”

London bit down on her bottom lip as Castillo punished her defiance. “Your stubbornness will only hurt yourself, old woman,” Sylvia sneered. “Which, to be perfectly clear, I have no issues with at all. I can do this all day. YOUR day, on the other hand?”

The brunette gave those trapped wings one more savage jerk.

“Is drawing to an ignominious close.”

Shea drew in a sharp, hissing breath as she tried to push the searing pain out of her mind. “If… if only… yer mouth would ever clooooOOOAAAGGGGYYYYUUUUAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

While Shea was still cogently expressing her thoughts, Castillo tossed away the blonde’s left arm, stepping back with her right leg. Sylvia still retained control of the Sensational One’s punished right arm, however, and she used that grip to hold London steady as she flattened the Brit to the canvas with a swift, stiff kick to the chest. And while STILL maintaining her grip on Shea’s right hand, holding that arm aloft, the younger woman stepped over that limb, nudging her boot under London’s back just below the shoulder. Castillo then dropped to her knees, rolling the British Bombshell over to her belly as she pulled London’s captive arm on top of the Latina’s calf.

Sylvia then released Shea’s hand, but not before she had trapped that arm between her calf and thigh. Having done her best to render London a one-armed woman, Castillo now seemed intent on making her a one-legged one as well, as she gathered up the blonde’s right ankle, lifting up on that stem, and started SLAMMING the Sensational One’s knee into the canvas, again and again…

… and AGAIN…

… and AGAIN!

Finally, Sylvia stopped pummeling the Brit’s knee. Instead, she stuffed London’s boot under her arm and fell back, damn near reclining atop the back of Shea’s head as she added a vicious half crab to the vice grip Castillo’s gam had on Shea’s arm.



TENEBROUS LOCK @0:32:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyoxFhi_DH4



Shea couldn’t help herself. She SHRIEKED in anguish, her trapped elbow feeling like it might explode at any moment, and now the ligaments in her knee and the soft tissues of her hamstring starting to burn under the strain of the half crab. Her eyes starting to well, London’s free hand lifted into the air… hovering over the mat…

… trembling…

… but REFUSING to come down, the Sensational One whipped her head side to side in a show of determined defiance.

“Am I supposed to be impressed with your resilience, ma’am?” Sylvia chided her. “Because I’m not. Or am I supposed to be frustrated with your insistence on delaying the inevitable? Because that doesn’t bother me, either. I’ve spent my entire life waiting for this moment, visualizing each and every manner in which I intended to punish you for what you did to my mother. You could hold out for a whole week, and we won’t have even scratched the surface of everything I’ve imagined doing to you…”

Castillo abruptly reefed back further still.

“… OR EVERYTHING YOU DESERVE!!!”

“FFYYYYUUUUUUAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” London screamed, but somehow STILL kept her hand from slapping at the canvas.

Despite the brunette’s insistence to the contrary, there was a look of disgust evident on her face as she tossed away London’s gam and relinquished the Tenebrous Lock. Climbing to her feet, Sylvia hair-hauled the Sensational One back to hers as well—London very clearly lifting her right foot off the mat to prevent her throbbing knee the strain of supporting her weight as Castillo nudged the blonde’s head under her arm. Threading her arms underneath the Brit’s, Castillo clasped her hands together behind Shea’s back, popped her hips, and muscled the slightly bigger woman off her feet with surprising ease. The Latina drove London’s back to the canvas with a butterfly suplex—only instead of breaking the underhook after impact, Sylvia floated over her, popping back to her feet and (thanks to the sustained double underhook) pulling Shea back to hers as well.

Another pop of the hips, and another Butterfly Suplex drove the Sensational One’s spine into the thinly sheathed plywood—and AGAIN, Castillo floated over her! Dragging the increasing dead-weight of her adversary up onto rubbery lugs, Sylvia popped her hips once more, delivering ANOTHER Butterfly Suplex to what was left of Shea London!



BUTTERFLY SUPLEX SYMPHONY:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTITd4Pes7Q



… and STILL Castillo floated over!

Only this time, the brunette broke the double underhook, allowing Shea’s glistening, boneless body to melt against hers as she threaded her left arm around London’s neck. Grabbing a handful of the Sensational One’s waistband, Castillo again popped her hips, muscling her cargo into the air, until the Brit’s body was parallel to the canvas…

… at which point, Castillo corkscrewed her body, falling to the mat and SPIKING London’s skull into the mat.



IMPENDING DOOM:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtoAGL_Fo2o



Shea flopped over into a lifeless, jellied heap as Sylvia threaded her right arm under the Brit’s slumbering noggin as she reclined against London’s torso, forgoing a leghook. Not that one was needed; it was clear that the referee could count to one hundred following the devastation wrought by Castillo’s Impending Doom, even though circumstances only required…

ONE…

TWO…

THRENOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Sylvia sat up, peeling the shellshocked remains of the Sensational One off the mat, and drawing a rebuke from the official.

Castillo just ignored him as she let Shea crumple back to the canvas, the brunette rolling over to her knees. The outcome no longer in any doubt, at least in her mind, Sylvia allowed herself a moment to glare down at the nearly insensate husk of the woman she hated most in the world. “I can pin you any time I want,” she muttered. “Such a pity for you then, ma’am, that I have less than zero interest in pinning you. This doesn’t end until you BEG.”

Sylvia found herself practically salivating at the prospect.

“First, for mercy. Then, for forgiveness. And finally, for oblivion.”

Shea offered no response to this promise, but that was fine. That was as it should be. Rising to her full height, Castillo took a moment to 'flick' her togs into place against the slim curve of her glutes before working the toe of one boot under the blonde's ribs so she could shovel London onto her stomach.



The crowd, which had threatened to bring the roof down with their jeers following Sylvia's aborted three count, started to get loud again when the brunette moved around to Shea's feet and took an ankle in each hand. Swinging around so that her heels were braced snug against London's inner thighs, Castillo threaded the Sensational One's boots between her planted legs and angled them so her shins were wedged tight against the younger wrestler's calves. From there she dropped into a tense crouch and then reached backward to deliver several sharp slaps to Shea's defenseless flanks. London moaned but showed no other signs of life and the referee was seriously considering checking her wrist when the blonde lowered her hands in hopes of creating some semblance of defense. Unfortunately those hands were exactly what SIC wanted and she snatched the Englishwoman's wrists in a flash! In the next instant she'd rolled onto her back and kicked both legs straight up, a twist that turned Shea over before stretching her in a hellish, near vertical bridge that left her stacked up on the crown of her skull!



SAN JUAN ROMERO STRETCH:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=086klgw4OlY



“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH FAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHK!” London's previously feeble groans returned at maximum volume as the San Juan Romero Stretch wrenched her knees, stretched her shoulders and put incredible strain on her neck.



“What do you say, Shea?” the ref knelt beside the action in a trice. “Just tell me it's over and I'll--”



Castillo tugged on the Briton's wrists and jostled her legs to earn another loud wail of anguish from her captive. “He's lying to you, ma'am.” she murmured. “I'm the only one who can end this now and I'm far from satisfied. Unless you're willing to start begging, that is.”



“Nuh—never!” Shea had to bark it because it was almost impossible to shake her head in this agonizing arrangement. “You can be mad all ya want, but I won't plead for a conspiracy I 'ad no part NNNNRRRRRGGGGHHHHHH GAAAAAAAAAAWWD!”



Sylvia puuuuuulled back on those captured wrists and streeeeeeeeeeetched her legs as far as they could go to wrack the former World Champion even tighter.



“BEG!” she demanded in a tone that brooked no insolence.



Yet London refused to say another word and though Castillo was far from finished with her prey, she chose to relinquish the stretch before Shea could grow too familiar with its particular brand of anguish. “Do you really think I'm going to let you deny me?” Sylvia asked as she went not for the blonde's hair, but her right wrist instead. “I've already demonstrated there's not a thing you can do to stop me, and I promise--” Castillo stepped back and twisted that damaged limb in a smooth circle that forced London to bite back a shriek as she regained her footing. “--that I won't get bored waiting for you to comply.”



“Yuuhhh... you'll get old, then.” She rasped. “Waste tha best years of yer career waitin' on something you'll never HHRRRRRHHH!”



Sylivia stepped back, dropped a shoulder and slung London toward the ropes only to dig in her heels and yank the Sensational One back the way she'd came so she could wrap both arms around her torso and spin her around two-hundred and seventy degrees before dropping to one knee to THWHUMP London's spine across her thigh with a Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker!



TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajgYYTqtXto



Shea shuddered from end to end and she should've slopped from Castillo's knee to the canvas but the brunette glommed on at shoulder and thigh and used those grips to turn Shea over onto her belly. Curling her right arm over the vulnerable wrestler's lower back to keep her from squirming free of the trap, SIC let her middle and index fingers 'walk' up the slope of the Union Jack stretched over London's backside as she mused, “Let's see, you started wrestling in... nineteen ninety-seven, I believe? My, what a distinguished career you've had! No real downtime or significant injuries, so you've been working steadily for what... goodness, twenty-six years! What say we honor those two and a half decades with a proper celebration?!” she punctuated this proposal by helping herself to a gaudy, possessive handful of the blonde's bum.



Shea reached back, feebly trying to knock the brunette's hand away when Sylvia squeezed a little harder. “Don't... don't you dare, brat.” she huffed. “If anyone around 'ere needs a spanking it's NGH!”



Sylvia's left hand shot up and whipped down to CRACK! against those defenseless buns! This was greeted by resounding boos from the decidedly pro-London crowd, yet some of the blaggards in attendance couldn't help but start counting when Castillo just kept going, her arm stretching and flicking like a whip to lace into those quickly-reddening buns for each year of Shea's legendary career. Or rather, MOST of that legendary career. Because Castillo paused at 'TWENTY-FIVE!' to shake the worst of the sting from her own pink palm. Some of Shea's most ardent supporters were starting to think the worst was over when SIC hooked her fingers in one leg hole and YANKED up to inflict an ignominious half wedgie that meant even more skin-on-skin contact for the final CRAAACKING delivery!



London rolled away like, well, like her arse was on fire, but instead of making an effort to soothe the burn she sprang to verticality and rushed straight at Castillo who lashed out with a Haymaker that—NO! Shea dipped low, whipped around behind the youngster and slapped on a Waistlock that was really just an excuse to catch hold of Sylvia's left wrist in her right hand. Pain be damned, the Sensational One pulled the ripcord to spin Castillo around and-- the only daughter of the Red Bride sprang up, caught Shea's noggin in a Three Quarters Facelock and laid out flat to THWHAM Shea down on her face, chest and tummy with a blink and you'll miss it Ace Crusher!



ACE CRUSHER:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOO6naUxeTA



London bounced over onto her back but Castillo didn't even pretend to go for a cover. Instead she buried her hands in the blonde's hair and hauled her to all fours so she draw her into a Standing Headscissors. Cinching a grip around the Briton's waist while the crowd was still processing what'd just happened, SIC muscled London up onto the point of her right shoulder and settled into a crouch that let her brace Shea's shins against her upper thighs. In the next breath she hooked her arms around the blonde's biceps and locked her hands to put some awful strain on London's shoulders.



“Smile for your fans, ma'am.” Castillo chided as she turned in a slow circle to better show off the suffering legend. “Offer them some bland, reassuring platitudes before you surrender what's left of your pride to beg for--”



“Kiss my arse.” Shea spat. “You can threaten all you want, little girl, ya still won't get anything from me. I don't quit. I don't grovel. And I sure as 'll don't BEG some sadistic little brat like GGRRHHH AAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHH!”



The smile that'd been curving Sylvia's lips disappeared in an instant as she clasped her hands tighter and practically doubled over to put even more pressure on Shea's shoulders and knees. “WHO DO YOU THINK YOU'RE TALKING TO?” she roared at the Sensational One. “DO YOU REALLY THINK ANYONE IN THIS BUILDING CAN PEEL ME OFF YOU IF I DON'T--”



“Save your threats, mama's girl.” London hissed. “I've 'eard 'em all before.”



Sylvia had to give the crone credit, in her fury she almost released the Gory Special. In the end she caught herself and drew in a deep breath before letting it out slow. “Maybe you have.” she said softly. “Yet something tells me you're putting to much stock in what you've already experienced. The REAL question you should be asking yourself is this: how much time do I have to experience everything else?”



With that, Castillo unhooked Shea's arms while still retaining possession of the right via a stern Wristlock. Holding the ruined limb in a death-grip, she carefully drew it out from behind her head and stretched it out against her own chest so she could snake her right arm around Shea's throat and then—Sylvia hunkered forward to CRAAAAAAAAAAANK Shea's spine with hellacious stretch known as El Ramo Sangriento!



EL RAMO SANGRIENTO:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeLoTZ8-vKA



“HAVE YOU SEEN THIS, OLD WOMAN?” Castillo bellowed into Shea's flushed features. “CAN THOSE TWENTY-SIX YEARS SHOW YOU HOW TO GET OUT? SHOW ME HOW TO ESCAPE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BEG!”



“Nuuuuhhhh... nuuhhhh.... NO!” London wailed. “I DON'T BEG! I DON'T SUBM--”



Sylvia straightened up and swooped back down, no less than half a dozen times, each new plunge putting more and more pressure on the Englishwoman's neck. Her left hand kept clutching at Castillo's elbow through all of this, but after three more it slipped loose and dangled in such a way that her knuckles brushed the canvas. The ref saw this and rushed in to check only to freeze beneath a death glare from the brunette. Shifting her attention back to the blonde when the ref stepped away, Sylvia hissed, “What was that, ma'am? You look like you have something to say.”



Shea's brow furrowed, whether from the pain of the hold or the word threatening to escape, it was impossible to say. “Puuuuhh.... please...”



“Please WHAT?”



London reached up, tried to grab hold of Castillo's elbow again. “Stop. Please stop--”



“NOT GOOD ENOUGH!”



SIC resumed the vile up and down motion only this time the official didn't clear off. He observed the action from as close as he dared, in particular the rubbery, flailing motion of London's left arm. Satisfied by what he saw (or rather, didn't see) the zebra turned away from his charges and rushed over to one corner where he threw a sign to the Timekeeper. Immediately thereafter the bell CLANGED and a concerned sounding Announcer confirmed, “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner via referee's stoppage... SYLVIA IVELISSE CASTILLO!”



Sylvia tossed the Bloody Bouquet at the sound of her name, but she didn't raise a hand in victory, instead she stormed over to the ref and got up in his business. “What do you think you're doing? She didn't submit! She didn't tap out!”



“No, but she passed out.” he replied. “She couldn't defend herself, so I stopped the match.”



Castillo looked like she was about to spit nails before she nodded and put her hands on her hips. “I understand, you were acting in her best interests. I wonder who they'll send to act in yours?”



Just like that she spiked the poor dope with a Toe Kick, caught him in a Front Facelock and snapped back to the canvas to PLANT the crown of his skull with a DDT! Sylvia sat up beside him, raked a hand through her hair and looked around at the fans before she rolled to one knee.



“More than twenty years ago, Shea London kept her hair while my mother lost her whole career. Tonight.... that receipt finally comes due.”



With that, Castillo stood up and made her way to the ropes where she slipped through the ropes and dropped to the floor beside the steel steps. Dropping to one knee, she flipped up the apron and drew out a toolbox left there by a member of the ring crew she'd bribed earlier in the day. The 'clank' of the box's opening was almost lost in a massive upswell of crowd noise triggered by Sylvia raising a menacing pair of scissors for all to see.



Lips curling in a sneer as she 'snik-snakked' the blades several times, the brunette slid under the bottom rope, rose to full verticality and strode over to the defenseless blonde. Planting a foot on either side of the veteran's hips, Castillo sank into a seat on London's lap, then reached down and helped herself to a massive handful of hair. The scissored opened and slid into place as the crowd roared for someone, anyone to thwart the inevitable shearing. Alas no one rushed to the Sensational One's rescue, but after several tense seconds, SIC pulled the blades back and tossed them aside.



“No.” she said to no one in particular. “Scissors are too easy. An electric razor is too easy. And hair grows back sooner than I'd like, even for a deceitful old woman like you.” Sylvia sighed, hands on her hips as she contemplated the situation. “But recompense is owed. Is necessary. To that end, I believe the solution is not in the amount taken, but the manner in which it is taken.”



No hesitation now, the victorious brunette braced her left hand against Shea's cheek and pushed it to one side while her right selected a long lock no wider than a pencil. Quick to wrap the battle damp tresses around her index and middle finger, Castillo pushed down with her left and abruptly YANKED up with her right!



London yelped and jolted to life beneath the younger woman, one hand flying to a freshly-bare patch of scalp smaller than a dime. Ignoring the trophy for now, SIC cupped her left hand over Shea's mouth and nose and squeezed until the Briton was forced to make eye contact. “You may not believe this,” Castillo murmured after she'd leaned in so close their foreheads were almost touching, “but I am genuinely sorry knowing that so many years separate the high points of our respective careers. In a perfect world I would sleep far better knowing I had a full quarter century to dominate and embarrass you however I saw fit.”



Sylvia touched her lips to Shea's stinging scalp in a surprisingly gently kiss. “La Novia Roja sends her love, ma'am.”



Shea mumbled something beneath that smothering palm, but Castillo had already dismissed the Sensational One in favor of hoisting her golden trophy for the jeering throng.



The first totally genuine smile of the night graced the face of one Sylvia Ivelisse Castillo as she got to her feet and planted a boot on Shea London's chest. “She couldn't stop me.” the brunette said of the legend pinned beneath her sole. “Not tonight. Not tomorrow. Not ever. Because Shea London is only getting older. And I'm only getting better.”



Later that night...



Freshly showered and luxuriating in the full body warmth that only comes in the wake of a hard-earned victory, Sylvia listened to the voice on the other end of the phone as she sat down in front of the battered mirror that was somehow older than the dressing room itself. When the caller paused for a response, Castillo said, “Hold on a moment Ms. Christian, I'm going to put you on speaker for a moment, I need my hands free.”



She did just that and set against the bottom right corner of the mirror. “Can you hear me?”



“Just fine, Sylvia.” replied the FAWN commissioner. “As I was saying, I've already spoken to Anciline and Edward. We're all in agreement and a contract will be overnighted the moment I hang up. I believe you'll find the terms most satisfactory.”



“Oh, I'm sure I will.” Sylvia replied at once, though her attention was focused on the blonde hair stretched between her fingers. “You generosity will not be forgotten, nor will your assistance in helping set-up tonight's match.”



She could hear Bethany's smile through the phone. “Believe me, it was my pleasure. Some pictures are just starting to hit social media. Tell me, did she actually beg you to stop?”



Castillo's dark eyes went hard with disgust. “She pleaded.” the brunette growled. “I could've made her beg with another ninety seconds, but the gutless official called a stoppage the instant she passed out.”



“Disappointing.” Christian replied. “Would you like him fired? Blacklisted perhaps? I have plenty of contacts in the UK.”



“No need.” Sylvia answered at once. “If anything I should probably send him a thank-you card. His overly cautious response left that egotistical bitch with just enough doubt to will herself into asking for a rematch. She probably won't, the lesson I imparted tonight will no doubt last for the rest of her career, but there's a reason they call her 'Sensational' and not 'Sensible'.”



Freeing a lock of her own hair so it hung down the right side of her face, Castillo smoothed it out, set her prize beside it and went to work with quick, yet meticulous fingers. It was delicate work, but she didn't falter. She'd been practicing for this moment since she was sixteen.



“I'm not sure that's something you have to worry about.” Bethany said after a moment's pause. “You put her through a torture test tonight, Sylvia. And much as I hate to admit it, Shea London in her mid-forties is still world's better than most women in their twenties.”



“She is.” Sylvia agreed without hesitation. “Her resilience is startling, to put it mildly. But mere resilience isn't enough against me, Ms. Christian.”



“Clearly.” the executive concurred. “It's been a long time since I've heard Shea London wail like that. And on that pleasant note, can I tell Anciline and Edward to expect you for Summer Swelter?”



“There's some things I need to resolve over here before I can relocate to Orlando full-time.” the brunette replied. “Trying to get finished here and settled over there beforehand would be pushing it and considering the numbers you've offered, I don't feel right giving you less than my best. Red, White and Bruised on the other hand... that sounds perfect.”



“Excellent! I'll get the video team working on some introductory packages first thing in the morning. We'll start filming as soon as you're settled in and ready to go.”



“Wonderful.” Castillo answered Bethany, though she could've just as easily been speaking of the miniature braid inexorably binding her to Shea London. “Ms. Christian?”



“Yes?”



“If you were impressed by London screaming through your phone's speaker, I'd invite you to sit front row for my debut. The effects I can coerce from the unwary are... let's just say they're far more thrilling in person.”



“I'll reserve a seat now.” Bethany replied with a malicious delight that Sylvia appreciated. “But I've taken enough of your time, Ms. Castillo. Congratulations on an exquisite night's work and I look forward to shaking your hand when you arrive in Orlando.”



“Thank you, Ms. Christian. I look forward to doing awful things to the whole of the Lightweight roster.”



Bethany signed off with a chuckle, leaving Sylvia alone in the silence of her dressing room. After a moment she flicked through a few screens on her phone, found the file she wanted and tapped 'Play'.



A SIC MANTRA:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGSIo50NHkY



Synthesizers filled the small space and gave way to a surprisingly low-key Alice Cooper deep cut more than twice her age. It was way too soft to work as ring music, but it was one her mom's favorites and it'd become one of hers once she'd decided to carve the swath stolen from the Red Bride all those years ago. Bobbing her head along with the music, Sylvia Ivelisse Castillo mouthed the words, but didn't actually sing along until Cooper reached the first chorus.



”Take a look at my face, I am the future.

How do you like what you see?

Take a look at my face, I belong to the future.

And you belong to me.”