Standard Singles Match with the Xcel Championship on the line!
Zahara Matisse vs. Constance Chapin [c]
As we come back, the lights go down in the arena and a pulse appears on the screen above the stage, one which reacts in time with the opening beats to the electronica-styled beats of "Melody Circus" by Savant. At every pause and subtle shift in the music, a strobe effect starts up, the first being placed at the top of the ramp upon a figure standing with their head bowed. The second time, the figure is already at the bottom of the ramp. The final shifts in the music come quickly, and the lights give off the image of the figure on each turnbuckle until the song kicks up full blast, with a spotlight on the last corner to show Zahara Matisse standing there, head down and wand raised high.
Jerry Heisenberg: The following contest is for the VoW Xcel Championship, and it is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, the challenger! From Atlantic City, New Jersey, weighing 143 pounds, she is the 'Magical Maiden'....ZAHARA MATISSE!!!!
She lifts her head and smiles at the cheering crowd, twirling her wand skillfully before pointing it at several points over the crowd in turn, sending out bursts of glitter, confetti and flower petals to drift over and upon them. The camera focuses on a little girl in a top hat, gleefully attempting to grab at the petals falling over her, before showing another, slightly older girl proudly holding up a sign reading 'I'M HERE FOR THE MAGIC SHOW.' Another sign, held up by a male in his mid-20s, proclaims that 'MATISSE = MAGIC'
While all this is going on, Zahara has continued her trek down to the ring. Undoing the front of her black jacket, she opens it wide and sweeps it off with a flourish before dropping it over the top rope. Dropping down to the mat, she tucks her wand under her arm, removing her gloves and hat, setting all three beneath the turnbuckles. All the while she's soaking up the crowd reaction and smiling brightly, yet her eyes are very much intense and locked-on. "Melody Circus" fades out, giving way to the crowd's deafening reaction for the Enchanting One.
Axel Reid: This crowd loves Zahara Matisse, and she has to be feeling the love here, on the biggest night of her life!
Ruby Parvati: Crowd love won't win you belts, Axel. She just needs to remember that. The greatest Champion in the history of our company never had any crowd love, and look what he achieved!
Axel Reid: Yes, and tonight, this young lady and our reigning Xcel Champion will be looking to top anything he has ever done while holding that title...
Ruby Parvati: Good luck trying, is all I'm going to say...
Before Axel or Ruby can say another word, the crowd – and Zahara – turn their attention back to the ramp, where another familiar theme song has begun to play.
Ain't you getting bored with these fake ass broads
I shows and proves, no doubt, how predictably so
Please excuse, if I come across rude
That's just meAxel Reid: And here comes our Xcel Champion!!
As the beat plays and the rhymes flow, the crowd starts to cheer as from behind the curtain comes the apathetic hipster herself, Constance Chapin. Constance walks toward the ring, making no rush to get there and making no acknowledgements towards the crowd. Her steps are quicker than before, moving in time to the beat; she'd be toe tapping if it wasn't such a tacky thing to do. Still she walks close to the sides, letting eager fans pat her on the shoulder or arm as she walks past them. Emily Darcy, walking by Constance's side as usual, seems particularly chuffed to be there.
Jerry Heisenberg: And her opponent, from Manchester, England, weighing 148 pounds, and accompanied to the ring by Emily Darcy...she is the reigning VoW Xcel Champion....CONSTANCE CHAPIN!!!!
The camera focuses on members of the crowd – mostly alternative-looking young men – holding up signs with sayings like 'THIS SIGN IS TACKY.' One bespectacled youth has combined a picture of Constance giving one of her patented glares with the words 'CONSTANCE DOES NOT APPROVE', while another has simply written 'CONSTANCE RETAINS. NO DIGGITY.'
Arriving at the ring, Constance takes the steps and then steps into the ring by going through the top and middle ropes. Inside the ring as the announcer is introducing her, Constance removes a pair of black finger-less gloves that are tucked into the waist of her bottoms and slips them on, preparing herself. In the meantime, the crowd lets her know exactly what they think of her, by giving her an only marginally smaller cheer than the one reserved for Zahara.
Axel Reid: An electric atmosphere inside this arena right now...the crowd loves both these women, and knows whatever happens, this could be the match of the night!
Ruby Parvati: I seriously doubt it, Axel. Ry-Ry has already wrestled...
No sooner has Constance finished slipping her gloves on than Zahara steps forward, offering a handshake. Surprisingly, Constance has no qualms accepting it, and the clasping of hands is met with another huge cheer from the crowd – a cheer which only intensifies a moment later, when both women begin to circle!
Axel Reid: This is it, Ruby! Here we go!
Straight away, Constance and Zahara lock up. Being of similar size and build, the two women are predictably evenly matched during the tie-up, and a long moment of back-and-forth jockeying for position ensues. Every time one of the two women gains the upper hand, the other is right there with her, matching her step for step and evening the contest right back up again. The crowd, predictably, give both athletes a cheer, appreciating the evenly-matched show of sportswomanship. Neither woman, however, allows herself to be distracted by the crowd's reaction, as they both continue to vie for position.
It takes over half a minute for the deadlock to be broken, but eventually, Zahara Matisse comes out on top. She takes Constance's arm and twists it briefly, bringing her opponent to the tips of her toes. She adds a second arm, for leverage, and increases the pressure on the arm wringer, as Constance seeks to find a way to break free.
It is not until Zahara attempts to kneel and take the contest to the floor, however, that the Mancunian manages to wriggle her arm free. Reacting quickly, Zahara pulls Constance down into a series of arm drags, which help her maintain her advantage. Only after she has landed several does she let go of her opponent, allowing Constance to roll through to her feet. Zahara does the same, as the two women face off again.
Axel Reid: Smart strategy by Zahara, thinking on her feet, and maintaining the upper hand against Constance in the early stages!
Ruby Parvati: Let's see if she can keep it up...
The two women lock up again, but this time, Constance has a plan. She slips behind Zahara and lands a German suplex, keeping her arms locked in for a second, and a third! Only then does she let go of the Magic Maiden, who seems to have felt every impact!
Axel Reid: Constance is looking to take this one to Suplex City, and who can blame her?! In a match like this, you have to play to your strengths!
The suplexes seem to have given Constance a slight upper hand, and as Zahara returns to her feet she is met with a front suplex from the Mancunian. She goes flying overhead, and Constance calmly, methodically gives chase, making sure to be in position when the Enchanting One returns to her feet. She allows Zahara to regain a vertical position, with help from the ropes, but then immediately yanks her towards the center of the ring, by way of a headlock. She wrenches it in, as Zahara struggles unsuccessfully to escape. The Magic Maiden is, indeed, at the mercy of the Mancunian, who has all the time in the world to kneel and throw her over with a snapmare!
Axel Reid: Constance seems to have gained control of this one, and is currently showing why she was the one to end Ryder Blade's supremacy, and become the first new person in almost a year to wear the Xcel Championship!
Ruby Parvati: ...don't remind of that, Axel...
As Zahara returns to her feet, Constance once again tries to grab her in a suplex. This time, however, the Magic Maiden dodges, slipping in behind Constance for another arm wringer!
Axel Reid: Zahara seems to be trying to focus on Constance's arm...perhaps trying to nullify the Champion's main offensive strength, her suplexing ability...
Ruby Parvati: I'm not sure how smart it is to try and out-wrestle someone like Constance, Axel. It's as you said, you gotta stick to what you know. This could backfire pretty quickly.
As if Constance had heard Ruby, a moment later, the Mancunian's elbow comes crashing into Zahara's head. The Enchanting One reels, but manages to maintain her balance, and when Constance turns around, she is met with a dropkick!
Axel Reid: Now that's more Zahara's style!
The Xcel Champion is sent against the ropes, and Zahara quickly capitalizes. Taking a running start, she leaps at Constance, hitting her with a jumping clothesline which throws her over the ropes and to the outside! Zahara does not waste another second in vaulting over the ropes, hitting her opponent with a beautiful slingshot corkscrew crossbody to the outside! She crashes into Constance, and both women go down hard, lying sprawled across the concrete as the referee starts his count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOUR!
Zahara begins to stir, pushing herself onto one elbow!
FIVE!
Zahara pushes herself to her feet, as Constance begins to give signs of life as well!
SIX!
Zahara makes her way to the apron, Constance just pulling herself to her feet behind her!
SEVEN!
Zahara hoists herself onto the apron and rolls underneath it, breaking the count for herself!
EIGHT!
Constance reaches the apron and hoists herself up!
NINE!
As Zahara pulls herself to her feet, Constance rolls under the bottom rope, breaking the count for herself as well!
Axel Reid: Both women managing to beat the count here, and this match continues!
Returning the sporting gesture from earlier, Zahara gives the weary Constance the chance to return to her feet, keeping her distance as she calls for a tie-up. Once back on her feet, the Mancunian obliges, and the two competitors lock up once again!
This time, it is Zahara who manages to find an opening, driving a knee into Constance's gut after a long few seconds of jockeying back and forth. She follows this up with a second knee strike, throwing the Xcel Champion off balance, then jumps into a hurricanrana, throwing Constance back across the ring in the opposite direction! The Mancunian scrambles to her feet and seeks to go on offence, but Zahara is quickest; the magician springboards off the middle rope and launches herself into a moonsault, driving Constance back down to the mat!
Axel Reid: Zahara is really coming into her own here, after a rocky start to the match...
With her opponent grounded, Zahara is free to continue exploring her strategy of going after Constance's arm – namely, by way of a Fujiwara armbar. The fan-favourite therefore wastes no time wrapping herself around her opponent's limb, seeking to wear it down as much as the situation will allow!
Axel Reid: Zahara going after that arm again...and she really does seem to be trying to neutralize Constance's main strategy here.
Constance, however, is understandably not agreeable to her opponent's intentions. Spurned on by the encouraging cries of her fiancee on the outside, the Mancunian struggles to her knees, making the most of her time in a semi-vertical base to drag herself forward towards the ropes. Zahara attempts to put extra pressure on the arm, but – while successful at making Constance grimace – is nevertheless unable to prevent her opponent from continuing her march towards the ropes. Constance juts one foot forward, achieving leverage, then makes one final hurtle forward, grabbing the bottom rope. Zahara, sporting adversary that she is, promptly lets go, allowing the Mancunian a brief respite.
As soon as Constance lets go of the ropes, however, the Magical Maiden is back on offence, hitting her opponent's arm with a jumping double-knee armbreaker. Constance's cry of pain as she falls to one knee is audible, and Zahara seeks to resume the applying of the armbar.
Axel Reid: Zahara going right back to the armbar well here...
This time, however, Constance is alert, and promptly shakes her arm loose. She then brings herself to her feet with the help of the ropes, as Zahara elects to do the same. Once Constance is back on her feet, she turns around...
...right into a dropsault from Zahara...
...which the Mancunian dodges by hanging onto the ropes!
Axel Reid: Great ring awareness from Constance Chapin, but Zahara's still on offence...
Indeed, her plan foiled, the Magic Maiden changes tack, seeking to apply another running knee...
...only for Constance to spin out of the way!
Axel Reid: This could be the opening Constance needs!
Realizing what just happened, Zahara turns around...but too late. Constance is already scooping her up into a belly-to-back suplex, which connects with considerable impact!
Axel Reid: The Xcel Champion is back in this match with a shout!
Having regained control, Constance brings Zahara to her feet and applies an atomic drop. Then, as the Enchanting One tries to regain her balance, the Mancunian pulls her into another German suplex! The move connects, but as Constance gets back up, it is clear that Zahara's strategy has had some effect, as the Champion is clutching her arm.
Axel Reid: Zahara's strategy paying off here...
Ruby Parvati: ...is she going to wrestle on one arm?
Axel Reid: Her arm isn't completely useless yet, Ruby. But even if it was, stranger things have happened...
Seeing the Champion struggle with her arm, Zahara seeks to take advantage. She runs at Constance with a clothesline, but is dismayed to see the Mancunian dodge yet again. Chapin then promptly aims a stomp at the back of her opponent's knee, driving her down!
Ruby Parvati: That, Axel, is what we call a counter!
With Zahara down on one knee, it is not hard for Constance to drop down behind her and apply an abdominal stretch. Even with one arm somewhat diminished by the Magic Maiden's efforts, the Mancunian's attempt is still successful, and a moment later the cameras catch Zahara's pained grimace as she fights against the hold.
Ruby Parvati: I gotta give it to that girl. That was smart. Her arm is busted, so she gave herself some time to recover AND slowed down the pace. Both work against Harry Potter Girl. Well done.
Axel Reid: Zahara now in trouble from that abdominal stretch...but the crowd is getting behind her!
Indeed, as the Enchanting One wriggles in the hold, a chant has begun echoing across the WFCU Arena:
YOU-CAN-BREAK-IT! *clapclap clapclap clap* YOU-CAN-BREAK-IT! *clapclap clapclap clap*
Hearing this chant brings a smile to Zahara's lips, and causes her to redouble her efforts to get out of Constance's abdominal stretch. She painfully, painstakingly manages to bring herself up to one knee, but still Constance keeps the hold wrenched in enough that Zahara has a hard time breaking it
Axel Reid: Zahara is halfway there...
Ruby Parvati: ...but still livin' on a prayer!
Ruby's joke, however, fails to elicit any sort of reaction from Axel, who is still engrossed in the action in the ring. There, Zahara has, slowly yet painfully, dragged herself to an almost vertical position. Constance keeps up with her, and – when the Magical Maiden drives an elbow into her nose in an attempt to break free – simply transitions into a full nelson!
Axel Reid: From the frying pan and into the fire!
Zahara, once again caught in an unexpected predicament, seeks to exploit the damage her earlier offence did to Constance's arm. However, despite not being able to wrench the hold in as tightly as she might like, the Mancunian nonetheless applies enough pressure to have her opponent in dire straits.
It is not until another elbow smashes into her nose that the Mancunian lets go. Immediately breaking free, Zahara turns around...
...right into a belly-to-belly suplex from Constance!
Ruby Parvati: Didn't miss a beat! I'm almost impressed!
Rather than cover, however, the Mancunian instead drops down next to her opponent, grabbing her legs. Sensing what is coming, Zahara begins to buck and thrash, but Constance is nonetheless able to bend her legs at the knees and drape them over her shoulders. She then squats on top of the magician, locking in the Boston crab!
Ruby Parvati: Connie is killing it with the submissions, Axel! That other girl is going to tap out soon!
Axel Reid: Nah...Zahara is made of sterner stuff than that...
Indeed, while clearly in pain from the submission, the Magic Maiden still makes a point of struggling against it – a task in which she is, once again, helped by the crowd.
ZA-HA-RA! ZA-HA-RA! ZA-HA-RA!
Axel Reid: The crowd is getting behind Zahara here, but will that be enough?
Ruby Parvati: It's a long way to those ropes, Axel...
Indeed it is, and it seems as though Zahara may be facing an impossible mission. Still, 'quitting' is not part of the undefeated challenger's vocabulary, and the Magic Maiden bravely keeps up her attempts to reach safety. She does not, however, appear to be gaining a lot of ground, as Constance's hold on her legs is more than enough to cause her some problems.
Ruby Parvati: She won't make it, Axel. This one is as good as over...
Axel Reid: She still has one option, Ruby...she might go for that...
Indeed, seeing that trying to reach the far ropes is pointless, Zahara begins trying to wriggle herself into a position from where she can try to reverse the hold. Seeing this, the crowd go absolutely ballistic, all but redoubling their support for the Magic Maiden!
Ruby Parvati: She's not...!
Axel Reid: She is, Ruby! That's how much this match means to Zahara Matisse!
Ruby Parvati: She won't be able to!!
Axel Reid: Who knows?! Anything is possible when you're dealing with the Magic Maiden!
Ruby Parvati: Yeah, right! So, what? She's just going to magic her way out of that hold? Abracadabra, she's free? Is that it?
Just as Ruby is saying this, the crowd erupts once again, as Zahara manages to roll over onto her back and exploit Constance's damaged arm, performing a sort of leg screw which the Mancunian for a whirl and effectively frees her from the hold!
Axel Reid: ZAHARA MATISSE IS ON HER FEET! AND THIS CROWD CAN'T BELIEVE IT!
Indeed, the volume inside the WFCU Arena is deafening as Zahara legs it to the nearest ring post and vaults onto it. Constance, who was quick getting to her feet once her hold was broken, is nonetheless powerless to avoid the double rotation moonsault, which Zahara retrieves from her arsenal for the very first time in her career!
Axel Reid: DELIGHTFUL DEVASTATION connecting...and I don't think we've ever seen Zahara use that, have we, Ruby?
Ruby Parvati: I'm not sure...but here's a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THR---NO!!! FOOT ON THE ROPES FROM CONSTANCE!!!
Axel Reid: The first cover of this matchup almost ended it, but Xcel Champion Constance Chapin survives!
Ruby Parvati: She was lucky the ropes were so close...
Axel Reid: Good ring awareness from our Xcel Champion, but Zahara Matisse finally has a window of opportunity...
That is, indeed, the case – and judging by the look on the Magic Maiden's face, she is not going to let it slip away. Displaying remarkable resilience and patience, she brings Constance to her feet and prepares to start over. She pulls the Mancunian's injured arm into a hammerlock, and follows it up with a scoop slam!
Axel Reid: Zahara Matisse, willing to do anything to come out on top in this match...on the most important night of a short yet extremely impressive career...and so far, she has been showing why she was deserving of Sky Sangue's trust as an Xcel Championship contender! I daresay these two could steal the show here tonight!
The crowd seems to whole-heartedly concur, as – as the two women start over – they grace them with a hearty cheer. Zahara is on jelly legs, and Constance is once again clutching her arm, but the two nevertheless grin at one another as they once again prepare to take on one another!
This time around, Zahara strikes first, looking to maintain her momentum. Constance slips out of the suplex attempt, however, and locks in one of her own. Using her quickness, Zahara is similarly able to slip out of that, but Constance proves just as quick, and the Magic Maiden finds herself in a cobra clutch predicament! She struggles to break free, but is powerless, and Constance takes her down once again!
Axel Reid: Constance Clutch connecting, and a cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THRE---NO!!!!
Axel Reid: Last second kickout from Zahara Matisse! What resilience from this young woman!
Axel makes a pregnant pause, as if expecting Ruby to offer some sort of rebuttal, but none is forthcoming. In fact, his announce partner admits to the exact opposite!
Ruby Parvati: ...you won't hear ME deny that, Axel. I may not like these women much, but they deserve respect. They've been giving it their all here tonight!
In the ring, the two participants in this landmark event continue to trade moves. After the pin, Constance brings Zahara to her feet and connects with a backbreaker, before bringing her back up and slinging her over her shoulders for a fireman's carry gutbuster attempt. The Magic Maiden, however, is quick on her feet, slipping out of it and landing a kick to the back of Constance's leg, just like her opponent has done to her a moment ago. She then unleashes a barrage of subsequent kicks, hitting Constance over the chest and shoulders, before sending her to the mat with a hook kick to the back of the head!
Ruby Parvati: Huge kick to Constance, and she could be out cold from that, Axel...
Axel Reid: Zahara Matisse completes the sequence she likes to call the Shimmerstep, and here's another cover!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE???
NO!!!!!
Axel Reid: UNBELIEVABLE!
Ruby Parvati: I thought that was a three, Axel! How is that woman still conscious?!
The crowd seem to be asking themselves the same question, as a noise somewhere between admiring and disbelieving runs through the stands. Zahara herself shakes her head in consternation, but manages – as usual – to keep a smile on her face and a patient demeanour, as she tries to figure out her next move. She picks the barely conscious Xcel Champion up and brings her to her feet once again, only long enough to perform a Northern Lights suplex! She bridges the pin, and the referee once again drops down for the count.
ONE!
TWO!
THREEEENOOOO!!!
Axel Reid: ANOTHER KICKOUT from the Xcel Champion!
Ruby Parvati: She has to be kicking out reflexively at this point. HAS TO!
Reflexively or not, the fact is, Constance has kicked out of yet another VERY close nearfall. The crowd let out a collective breath, as Zahara rolls to her feet and prepares to start over yet again. A brand new idea seems to come into her mind as she regains a vertical position, and a somewhat devious smirk broaches her lips. She looks towards the turnbuckle, then the crowd, and the turnbuckle again.
Axel Reid: What is Zahara Matisse thinking here?
As the magician seems to make up her mind, the crowd offer encouragement, in the form of a deafening roar. They seem to want Zahara to do precisely what she is thinking of doing, and – faced with such vehement encouragement – the Enchanting One is loath not to comply. After making sure her opponent is still nowhere near recovering, she begins to climb the turnbuckle, amid the cheers of the fans. Getting to the top, she takes a moment to wave at the adoring crowd, before taking off in an imploding 450 splash!
Axel Reid: DELIGHTFUL DERVISH!!!
Ruby Parvati: BUT NOBODY HOME!!!
In fact, a split-second before Zahara makes contact, Constance is able to just about roll out of the way, ensuring the Magic Maiden connects with nothing but canvas! The crowd lets out a groan of sympathy for Zahara as she remains face down on the mat for a long moment, inert.
Axel Reid: Zahara Matisse crashes and burns, and Constance survives yet again!
Ruby Parvati: That extra second or two at the top cost her... That'll teach her not to pander to the crowd!
The Xcel Champion seems acutely aware of her situation at the moment, however, and makes a point of crawling over to the ropes to exchange a few words with her ringside advisor. Despite the concerned look on her features, Emily does her best to offer genuine advice, as well as encouragement. Judging by the small smirk on Constance's face, captured by the camera, whatever she says appears to have an effect.
Even still, the Xcel Champion is unable to immediately return to her feet. The long and gruelling bout has taken its toll, and -with her opponent not much better off – Constance takes the opportunity to have a few moments' respite, in which to recompose herself and think up a new gameplan.
Ruby Parvati: What is she doing? She needs to cover!
Axel Reid: She barely even knows where she is, Ruby...give her a minute, for Pete's sake! She's earned it! They've BOTH earned it!
The crowd, once again, seems to whole-heartedly concur with the announcer, as they make a point of telling the participants in the match their feelings.
THANK-YOU-LA-DIES! *Clapclap clapclapclap*
WHAT A MATCH! WHAT A MATCH!
This fresh surge of support apparently breathes some life into Zahara, as the challenger – who has been motionless for over a full minute at this point – slowly pushes herself to her knees. It is clear she is struggling, but her body language also indicates she is not ready to quit, that she will go on fighting until her heart stops if she has to! The fans know this as well as the enchantress, and reward her attitude with another huge cheer!
Meanwhile, a few feet away across the mat, Constance is also bringing herself to her feet, with the help of both the ropes and Emily. As the Mancunian regains a vertical position, it is clear she, too, is nowhere near ready to call it a day – even despite the damaged state of her legs and the nagging discomfort in her arm as a result of Zahara's early offence.
Ruby Parvati: The Champion is still feeling that arm...and if that other girl gets her cross arm-breaker to connect, Axel, we could be seeing a new Xcel Champion crowned!
Axel Reid: There is a good chance Constance could end up being Spellbound...and may I remind you, Ruby, the Seeing Stars itself involves the arm, so Constance could suffer from that, too.
Right now, however, neither woman seems to be thinking about her injuries, as both hobble to the center of the ring and prepare to, once again, take one another on!
Axel Reid: What determination from both these women. They are making history here tonight, they know they are, and they're proud of it!
Indeed, the look on either woman's eyes indicates they are prepared to go hell for leather, though in the most respectful of ways. And, a moment later, they set about doing just that...for the umpteenth time in this match!
This time, both women are tentative, each keeping their distance, not daring to make a move, and waiting for the other to take the initiative.
Eventually, however, Zahara's impatience and desire to give the crowd what they want ends up getting the best of her, and she lunges forward seeking to engage Constance once again. She is halfway to the Mancunian, however, when the latter unexpectedly drops down! Zahara is caught off-balance, and the drop-toe hold connects!
Ruby Parvati: Wily manoeuvre from our champion, and now...yes! There it is! Constance Sorrow is locked in!
Indeed, Constance has wasted no time applying her patented reverse figure-4, once again leaving Zahara in dire straits. The camera catches the magician's grimace of pain as she writhes in the throes of the hold, and all seems lost for her.
Ruby Parvati: Tap! She needs to just tap! She'll be better off!
Axel Reid: She won't tap! This match means too much to her! It's too important to give up on!
Indeed, the magician's continued attempts at reversing the hold seem to indicate she is not ready to go down just yet – let alone by submission. As Constance wrenches in the hold, the usual apathetic expression back on her features, Zahara desperately looks for a way out of her predicament – preferably one that does not involve tapping!
Axel Reid: How will Zahara get out of this one? She has reversed a submission hold earlier tonight already, but this is Constance's speciality...
Ruby Parvati: Only way is to tap, Axel...
The enchantress, however, does not seem willing to do that, and her efforts once again gain her the support of the crowd.
YOU-CAN-DO-IT! *clapclap clapclap clap* YOU-CAN-DO-IT! *clapclap clapclap clap*
Bolstered, yet again, by her fans' support, Zahara takes a moment to assess the – now relatively short – distance between herself and the ropes. Then, grimacing in pain, but using the last of her strength, she seeks to cover the final few inches separating her from a lifeline...
Axel Reid: She's going to make it!
Ruby Parvati: She isn't!
Axel Reid: She is!
Ruby Parvati: She isn't!!
She DOES!!!!
The WFCU Arena explodes!!!!!!!
Axel Reid: SHE'S GOT THEM! SHE'S GOT THE ROPES! ZAHARA'S GOT THE ROPES!! THIS MATCH CONTINUES!!!
Ruby Parvati: WHAT?!?!? How did she...?!
Axel Reid: That's Zahara, Ruby! She has that spirit, like nobody else in VoW!!! What a match, ladies and gentlemen, what a match!!!
Constance's look as Zahara reaches the ropes betrays her disbelief, but the Mancunian seeks to shake it off as she releases the hold, on referee's orders, and prepares to start over. At ringside, Emily takes it a little less well, and her groan of frustration is heard over the audio feed.
Axel Reid: Frustration for Emily Darcy there, but this match continues regardless...
Both women are all but stumbling as they use the ropes to hold themselves up, but both make their way to the center of the ring, ready to continue.
Axel Reid: Ladies and gentlemen, we are looking at more than two women...more than two athletes...we are looking at two WARRIORS. And this could be the final battle of the war they have been waging for the best part of over half an hour at this point...
Both women seem to know this as well as the announcers, as their approach is once again tentative. Constance feigns lunging forward a couple of times, and so does Zahara, but neither woman engages the other for a long moment...
...until the challenger suddenly pounces!
Axel Reid: What the...!? ZAHARA MATISSE! DOUBLE KNEE FACEBREAKER! AND...YES!! TRAP CHAMBER STO!!!
Ruby Parvati: ...where did she find the strength?!
Axel Reid: The cover!!!!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE???
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Axel Reid: CONSTANCE CHAPIN!!!!
Ruby Parvati: This is getting ridiculous!
Axel Reid: WHAT A MATCH!!
Letting her disappointment show just a little, Zahara nevertheless endures. She gets to her feet, and goes to pick up Constance...
...only for the Mancunian to pick her up herself!
Axel Reid: Constance Chapin back on offence, and what does she have in mind here?!?
Whatever it may have been, Zahara puts an end to it by moving quickly and getting into a position from where she can reverse the momentum, turning Constance's offensive attempt into a leg trap sunset flip powerbomb of her own! She holds on to Constance's legs at the end, picking up another pin predicament!
ONE!
TWO!
THREEEEEEENOOOOOOO!!!! CONSTANCE GRABS THE ROPES!!!
Axel Reid: AGAIN!!!!
Ruby Parvati: ...we're going to be here all night, Axel. Cancel the Main Event. It's not happening.
Zahara once again grimaces, in a mixture of frustration and resignation, as she rolls to her feet yet again. The look on her face is one of sheer determination as she drags up Constance by her injured arm, scissors it with her leg and hits her patented DDT!
Axel Reid: CONSTANCE CHAPIN IS SEEING STARS!
Ruby Parvati: FINALLY! THIS IS OVER!
The referee drops down for the count!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!?!?!?!?!??!
?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!
Axel Reid: NEW XCEL CHAMPION! NEW XCEL CHAMPION! NEW XCEL CHAM---
….......................................................
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!
The words die in the announcers throat as a gasp from the crowd reveals the inevitable: Constance Chapin has kicked out...AGAIN!!!
Axel Reid: CONSTANCE CHAPIN KICKS OUT OF THE SEEING STARS DDT!!! THIS MATCH CONTINUES!!!
Ruby Parvati: What... in the... f--
Axel Reid: WHAT THE FRIDGE!?!?!?
THIS time, Zahara can barely believe it, and it takes all of her stage training and mental toughness to keep her from snapping. Doing her best to retain her composure, she once again looks towards the turnbuckle – a gesture which is met with another deafening reaction from the Ontario crowd.
Axel Reid: NOW she wants to finish it! She HAS to finish it!
After casting one last glance to make sure Constance is both within range and firmly down for the count, Zahara once again begins to scale the turnbuckle. This time, however, there is no wave to the crowd upon reaching the top – Zahara's sense of urgency overrides even her natural showmanship. As such, no sooner has she reached the top turnbuckle than she once again launches into Delightful Devastation. She swoops beautifully through the air in a double-rotation....
...straight onto the shoulders of Constance Chapin!!!
Axel Reid: WHAT?!?!?
Ruby Parvati: WHERE DID SHE COME FROM?!?! She was...down...just now...down....
Axel Reid: ...well she's not down now...and...YES...FIREMAN'S CARRY GUTBUSTER!!! CONSTANCE CHAPIN HAS TURNED THIS MATCH AROUND!!! AND NOW THE COVER!
ONE!!!
TWO!!!
THREE?
!!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
DINGDINGDINGDINGDING!!!
A volcano erupts inside the WFCU Arena, as the crowd get on their feet as if on a spring, completely drowning out Jerry Heisenberg's confirmation:
Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen...your winner...and STILL YOUR VOW XCEL CHAMPIOOOOONNNN....CONSTAAAAANCE CHAAAAPIIIIINNNNN!!!
Axel Reid: UNBELIEVABLE!! UNBELIEVABLE!!
Ruby Parvati: IT'S FINALLY OVER!!!
Constance barely has time to have her hand raised before she is being tackle-kissed by Emily! As for Zahara, her eyes are wet with tears, but she makes good on her promise, stepping forward to shake Constance's hand – a shake that is duly returned by the Mancunian. Zahara then joins Emily and the referee in raising Constance's hand, her whole body now convulsing with sobs, before unabashedly pulling her opponent into a hug. Constance seems uncomfortable about this for a moment but, prompted by Emily, eventually ends up complying, and returns Zahara's gesture in kind, to an ovation from the crowd!
Axel Reid: Ladies and gentlemen, we have just been informed of the official time for this match...and it took these women THIRTY-EIGHT MINUTES to end their war of attrition!!! That is a VoW record, and this match, ladies and gentlemen, is certainly one for the books! Zahara and Constance wanted to steal the show, and by God did they do it!
Ruby Parvati: For once, Axel, I agree with you. These two women deserve all the accolades, and a place in VoW history. They did Ry-Ry proud.
Axel Reid: They did EVERYONE proud!!!
In fact, judging by the volume of the chanting inside the Ontario arena, Axel's surmise is not far from the truth. Even a full minute after the bell has rung, the crowd remains on their feet, chanting and clapping for the two Xcel contestants.
THANK-YOU-LA-DIES! *clapclap clapclap clap*
YOU-GIRLS-ROCK! YOU-GIRLS-ROCK!
V-O-W! V-O-W! V-O-W!
To the amusement of at least one person in the ring, a section of the crowd breaks into a rendition of Metallica's 'Nothing Else Matters', effectively serenading the wrestlers – a fitting ending to an epic hour of wrestling!
Axel Reid: Ladies and gentlemen, we have witnessed history here tonight, as well as what could be the beginning of another memorable Xcel Championship reign. It's certainly off to the best possible start!
Ruby Parvati: Indeed. That's going to take some beating – but ladies and gentlemen, I hope you've made an appointment with your cardiac specialist, as there is still the Main Event left here tonight.
Axel Reid: And that is a highly emotionally charged match in and of itself! Stacy Jones takes on Winter Pine to avenge her friends, and to achieve some personal closure! And that is coming up NEXT!
Right before fading away, the camera closes in on the flustered face of retaining Champion Constance Chapin, to catch that most elusive of things from the Mancunian...
...a smile.