Post by the Unsound Sky on Jun 21, 2016 0:44:10 GMT -6
Xcel Rules Match
Constance Chapin [c] Vs. Zahara Matisse
(Xcel Championship is on the line!)
Constance Chapin [c] Vs. Zahara Matisse
(Xcel Championship is on the line!)
As we return from commercial, 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 is an Xcel Rules match scheduled for one fall, and it is for the VoW Xcel Championship! Introducing first, the challenger! From Atlantic City, New Jersey, weighing 147 pounds...the Magical Maiden...ZAHARAAAA 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 some of the recipients, most of them little girls in full Zahara cosplay, but also a few young men in magic-themed t-shirts.
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 and she backs into the corner, awaiting the start of the match.
Axel Reid: A very focus young lady, is Zahara Matisse here tonight...she wants to make the most of this second chance to capture the Xcel Championship against the same woman she almost stole the show with at Nothing Else Matters!
Ruby Parvati: ...speaking of whom...
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 me
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. By her side, Emily beams brightly, waving her arms like a maestro as she tries to get the crowd to chant. Constance puts an end to that with an elbow to the ribs, and Emily is seen glowering at her fiancee for a moment, as she rubs her sides. Constance, on the other hand, lets a smug grin broach her features as the two continue on their way to the ring.
Jerry Heisenberg: And her opponent, from Manchester, England, weighing 149 pounds, and accompanied to the ring by Emily Darcy...she is the VoW Xcel Champion...CONSTAAAANCE CHAAAPIIIIN!
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.
Axel Reid: I'll tell you what, Ruby. Constance looks no less focused than Zahara. She knows, if she retains her title here tonight, she could assert herself as a dominant Champion, and become one step closer to Ryder Blade's record-breaking reign!
Ruby Parvati: That reign will never be surpassed, Axel, but I agree – both women look ready to leave their mark here, on the greatest show of the year! Who do you got for this one?
Axel Reid: ...hard to say. I spoke to Zahara backstage, and she informed me she has a few new tricks up her sleeve...and I'm not talking about the magical kind...
Ruby Parvati: ...very funny...
Axel Reid: ...but I still have to give the Champion a slight advantage in this one. Emphasis on SLIGHT. But if Constance can take this match to her comfort zone, Zahara could well struggle!
Ruby Parvati: I guess we'll see...
As the two announcers give their views on each contender's chances, in the ring, the two stare at one another, but without so much as a hint of animosity. Rather, Constance is grinning benevolently at Zahara, who responds with a few playful words of warning before stepping forward for the mandatory handshake. Constance gladly responds, and a moment later, the two lock up, as the bell sounds!
Axel Reid: Here we go! Xcel Championship on the line, and remember, ladies and gentlemen, that this is an Xcel rules match. What this means is that each contender only has a limited number of rope breaks. After three rope breaks, submission attempts will have to be evaded, rather than broken. And this could well be a factor, Ruby, considering the Champion has a few submissions in her arsenal...
Ruby Parvati: That's right. Last time, rope breaks saved Zahara, but this time, she could well not be so lucky...
As the two announcers debate how the rules will affect the match, Constance has won the tie-up, and gone behind Zahara for a suplex!
Axel Reid: The Xcel Champion is not wasting any time taking this one where she wants it go!
Constance rolls through and goes to pick up Zahara, only to find the magician alert and ready to fight back! Zahara connects with several punches to the stomach, rocking Constance, then surprises her with a dropkick! The Champion careens towards the ropes, but manages to hold on, Emily motioning as if to prop her up on the outside. Zahara, meanwhile is already running, looking to connect with a clothesline. Constance ducks, however, and Emily is just about able to move out of the way as Zahara hits the floor! The fans gasp, and so does the artist, who fusses over the Magical Maiden. Zahara, however, indicates that she's all right as she gets to her feet and regains her bearings. Constance sportingly gives her her space, and the challenger is able to slip back into the ring without the Brit launching any sort of attack on the outside.
Axel Reid: Always good to see a bit of sportsmanship...or sportsWOmanship, as the case may be...
Ruby Parvati: Let's hope it doesn't backfire...
That does not seem to be the case, however, as the two women once again begin to circle. A moment later, they tie up yet again, jockeying for position for a long moment. Constance wins out the exchange again, and goes behind once more, but this time, Zahara manages to reverse it! She goes for a Northern Lights suplex, but Constance reverses and gains the upper hand yet again! But Zahara reverses it once more, this time landing the Northern Lights suplex and transitioning into a bridge! The referee counts!
ONE!
TWO!
--NO!
The crowd applauds the amazing sequence as the two women roll through to their feet, both grinning widely.
Axel Reid: What a technical display from these two amazingly matched competitors! We really are lucky to see matchups of this calibre, Ruby!
Ruby Parvati: I agree. These two may be annoying, each in their own way, but they're amazing athletes. Any company would be lucky to have them, and we just happen to be the lucky ones!
The two athletes start over, and Zahara calls for a test of strength. Constance complies, and the two begin to measure forces. It is a close contest, but one that the slightly bulkier Champion is managing to win...until Zahara surprises her by leaping off the ground and, using Constance's grip for leverage, land a dropkick to her stomach! Constance lets go of Zahara's hands, surprised, and stumbles backwards, giving the magician an opening she is quick to explore! Zahara lands a beautiful dropsault, taking Constance down, then walks up to her, looking to apply a Fujiwara armbar. She notices Constance is too close to the ropes, however, and changes tack, landing a standing moonsault instead! Her positioning not being ideal for a pin, she then rolls off the top of Constance, leaning over to bring her to her feet.
It is the Champion's turn to fight back, however, as she suddenly reaches forward and grabs Zahara, throwing her into the turnbuckle with a release overhead belly-to-belly suplex, a variation on her trademark hold!
Axel Reid: That has got to have hurt for Zahara!
Ruby Parvati: Gotta hand it to Constance...she's smart. She saw her chance there, and pulled off a beautiful reversal!
Back in control, Constance pulls the still-grimacing Zahara to her feet and throws her over with another suplex, a standard release German variant this time. A moment later, the purpose of this becomes clear, as Constance walks over to Zahara and begins to set up a Boston crab!
Axel Reid: Uh-oh...Constance has reached into her book of submissions...and Zahara could be in trouble!
Indeed, the Brit is quickly going through the setup of the move, and it does not take her more than a few moments to profit from Zahara's grogginess and lock it in! The Magical Maiden is suddenly grimacing in the throes of the hold, but keeps her wits about her and begins trying to reach for the ropes!
Axel Reid: Zahara reversed this same hold at Nothing Else Matters, but she's choosing to play it safe here, and going for the ropes!
Ruby Parvati: That will only leave her with two rope breaks...
Even still, Zahara seems less than predisposed to repeat her feat from her previous encounter with Constance, choosing instead to spend one of her rope breaks on the deceptively close-seeming ropes. As she feels her quarry moving, however, Constance sits down on the hold, making it harder for Zahara to gain ground. Still, the spunky challenger keeps trying, and the tips of her fingers are now only an inch or so away from the safety of the rope break! The crowd get behind Zahara, giving her a cheer of encouragement as Constance seeks to once again pull her to the centre of the ring. She is successful in doing so, dragging Zahara further away from the ropes, but just as all seems lost, one last spurt of energy drives the Magical Maiden forward, and she is able to grab the ropes! The crowd cheer as the referee comes over to tell Constance to release her submission attempt, which the Mancunian sportingly does.
Ruby Parvati: One down, two to go...
Feeling her opponent release the hold, Zahara gratefully gets to her feet. Constance, however, knows better than to give her opponent any space, and promptly steps forward to continue her attack...
...only for Zahara to kick out at her, pushing her away!
Constance reels slightly, and this is enough for the Magical Maiden to capitalize; she springboards off the middle rope and catches Constance with a crossbody, which she promptly reverses into an armbar!
Axel Reid: What a transition from Zahara Matisse! I guess these were the new tricks she was talking about...
The fans give an ovation as, suddenly, it is Constance who finds herself in a submission predicament! The Mancunian tries to use her superior strength to roll over onto the top of Zahara, but she keeps the armbar locked in, making that mission difficult for Constance. The Brit, however, keeps trying, and is eventually able to roll onto the top of her opponent, forcing her to break the hold. She then promptly applies an armbar of her own on Zahara, turning the tables!
Ruby Parvati: Hoisted by her own petard!
The Fujiwara armbar has the challenger in dire straits, and Zahara casts a wistful look towards the ropes...only to shake her head a moment later, deciding not to waste a rope break on that. Instead, she begins trying to counter the armbar by rolling over onto her back. Constance, however, uses her slightly bigger frame and superior strength to grind down on the hold, making it almost impossible for Zahara to counter it that way. Once again, the magician looks towards the ropes...then shakes her head stubbornly, answering the referee's question with a determined 'NO!' She makes another attempt at gaining leverage, only for Constance to transition into a seated armbar. The magician grimaces in pain, as she realizes she has no other choice and begins to reach for the ropes.
Axel Reid: Zahara tried everything she could to avoid wasting another rope break, but it seems as though it's going to be inevitable...
Ruby Parvati: Yeah. There's being determined, and then there's being stupid. Zahara is annoying, but she's NOT stupid. She's going to need a rope break here. That is, IF she can get there...
Indeed, it is proving hard for Zahara to reach the ropes, as she is just far enough for a rope break to not be the easiest of things, particularly under pressure. Still, the magician keeps up her efforts, bucking underneath her opponent as she tries to gain those precious few inches. Constance continues to lean back on the hold, wrenching it tighter and tighter, but somehow Zahara is just about able to find an opening. She bucks forward and grabs the ropes, to the delight of the crowd!
Ruby Parvati: That's two! Only one more left!
Once again, Constance is sporting in releasing the hold, but wastes no time going for Zahara. Once again, however, the magician is alert, and manages to evade her opponent's grasp. She then pops up behind Constance and aims a kick at her back leg, sending her to her knees with a back leg sweep. She once again transitions this beautifully into a submission move, in this case, a crossface chickenwing! She adds a body scissors, just in case, and once again has Constance in unexpected trouble!
Axel Reid: Zahara really is showing her submission prowess here tonight! I wasn't aware she could grapple, Ruby...were you?
Ruby Parvati: ...not in the slightest!
Axel Reid: Our Xcel Champion now in trouble...and with that bodyscissors in place, it's quite possible that Constance is going to need a rope break of her own here!
That does, indeed, seem to be the case, as the body scissors prevents Constance from trying to stand up. Fortunately, even scissored, she is still in a prone position, so that she is able to stretch for the ropes, Zahara, however, is not making it easy, and applies pressure to Constance's face and chin as well as her neck and midsection. On the outside, the camera catches Emily yelling encouragement to her fiancee, before closing in on Constance's pained expression. Undaunted, the Mancunian continues to stretch for the ropes, and is just about able to graze them with her fingers, though not quite reach them. The crowd groans in frustration, and the sentiment is mirrored on Constance's face. Still, after steeling herself, she makes another attempt and – this time – is able to shift her weight just enough to reach the bottom cable, breaking the hold.
Axel Reid: Constance Chapin now also down a rope break. Two left for her, one for Zahara.
Ruby Parvati: Those ladies better start saving up rope breaks...
As Constance stands up, Zahara sportingly stands back, allowing the Mancunian to stand up. When she does, however, the Magical Maiden is quick to reach in and grab her. Constance is slow to resist, and Zahara is therefore able to apply a hammerlock scoop slam, taking the Mancunian back down. She then slips in beside her and applies another armbar, going right back to the submission well!
Axel Reid: Zahara really is investing in submissions here tonight...a stark contrast to her usual style, but it appears to be working...
Ruby Parvati: It's the Xcel stipulation, Ax. With each of them having limited rope breaks, obviously you're going to want to force your opponent to spend all of theirs...so that when they need it, they're all out! It's what you call a strategy, my friend!
Axel's stunned silence as Ruby finishes her analysis speaks louder than words, as in the ring, Constance continues to fight her way out of the armbar. She once again tries to get on top, but this time, Zahara is ready; much like Constance before her, she transitions the hold to a seated armbar, bringing the Mancunian's efforts back to the start. Constance is seen grimacing in pain, but keeps her wits about her, and begins trying to make it to a vertical position. As she does so, Zahara wrenches in the armbar further, causing the Mancunian, who is just about scrambling to her feet, to slip back down. As she does so, however, Constance lunges forward and is just about able to snatch the ropes! The referee comes over and points at the occurrence, and Zahara nods, releasing the armbar and taking a step back.
Axel Reid: Only one rope-break left for each woman...they should use it wisely.
Ruby Parvati: When you're in a hold and everywhere is hurting, you're not always necessarily cerebral, Axel.
Axel Reid: You have a point...but hopefully, neither woman will squander their last rope break...
As Constance returns to her feet, Zahara, who is a few feet away, literally leaps into action, taking a running start and hitting Constance with the Trap Chamber, her trademark leaping reverse STO! No sooner has the Mancunian hit the mat than Zahara is right back to working on the arm, with yet another armbar!
Axel Reid: Zahara is targeting Constance's arm, just as she did at Nothing Else Matters...
Ruby Parvati: It was smart then, and it's smart now. If you take away her use of the arm, you take away half of Little Miss Suplex's arsenal.
Axel Reid: These ladies are each down to their last rope break...the Champion needs to find a way to get out of this without resorting to the ropes!
Constance seems to know this, as well, at least judging by how she is attempting to escape the armbar. This time, despite the magician's best efforts, she does manage to roll on top of Zahara, and reverse her armbar into one of own! Suddenly, it is Zahara who is underneath, and the grimace on the Magical Maiden's face tells the whole story!
Axel Reid: Fantastic reversal by Constance Chapin, getting herself back in control..and these two ladies seem to have energy to spare!
Ruby Parvati: On a night like this, a match like this, you find strength you didn't know you had, Axel!
Surprisingly, Constance does not keep the armbar locked in for more than a few seconds. Instead, she hoists Zahara up onto a seated position and quickly transitions into an abdominal stretch! The magician grimaces in pain as her midsection begins to get stretched by the Xcel Champion!
Axel Reid: Abdominal stretch locked in, and Constance is looking to wear down Zahara, perhaps so she can take things back to Suplex City...
Caught unaware by the abdominal stretch, Zahara nonetheless does her best to get out of her predicament. Using the fact that Constance is worn out to her advantage, the Magical Maiden manages to struggle to one knee, then begins attempting to gain a fully vertical position. Despite her tiredness, however, Constance is still stronger than her opponent, and manages to drive Zahara right down, forcing her to start over.
Axel Reid: Constance asserting herself there, as Zahara tries to escape...but listen to this crowd!
Indeed, as the commentators quiet down for a bit, the chant the crowd is gracing both athletes with becomes audible:
'DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIIIIC
IN A YOUNG GIRL'S HEART...'
Axel Reid: Our crowd appears to be getting behind Zahara here...and I think she can hear it!
Indeed, the camera captures a smile spreading across the youngster's face even in spite of the pain. The chant has its effect, too, as Zahara redoubles her efforts. Caught off-guard by the sudden spurt of energy, Constance takes a second to react, but then leans into the hold once again...
...but just a second too late. Zahara struggles to her feet, sends an elbow into Constance's face, and breaks free of the hold! She then hits a dropkick, staggering her opponent, and hits the ropes, to the delight of the crowd! She runs towards Constance, looking to keep up the momentum...
...only to be caught with a huge belly-to-belly from the Champion!
Axel Reid: What a reversal from Constance! The cover!
ONE!
TWO!
---Zahara kicks out!
Ruby Parvati: Not that time!
Constance does not lose her composure as a result of the nearfall; instead, she brings Zahara to her feet, and connects with a Russian legsweep!
Ruby Parvati: Oh snap...this could be it!
Indeed, Constance has dropped down behind Zahara and begun to wrap her legs around her own. The intent is clear, and the crowd reaches fever pitch as Constance locks in the reverse figure-four!
Axel Reid: CONSTANCE SORROW LOCKED IN!!
Zahara's grimace of pain as she struggles in the hold is more pronounced than ever, but the magician is not willing to give up quite yet. She slaps the mat, steeling herself, then begins reaching for the so-close-yet-so-far ropes. Her position is such that the nearest set of ropes is just out of reach, but she taps into her reserves of energy and, rather than tap out, continues to make an effort to break free!
Ruby Parvati: What is she doing? She needs to submit or risk damage to her legs!
Axel Reid: Not so fast, Ruby. Remember Zahara DID break this exact hold at Nothing Else Matters...she will be thinking she can do it again!
Ruby Parvati: ...well, maybe she can, but it's a longshot...
Axel Reid: It was a longshot last time, too. Zahara likes to defy the odds!
Ruby Parvati: Well, she better defy them fast, or she'll be minus a pair of legs!
As Ruby says this, Zahara is mere inches from the ropes. Her fingers can almost graze the bottom cable, and she looks as though she is going to break it when a spasm of pain causes her to momentarily drop her hand, as she writhes in agony. Still, she does her best to fight through the pain, and once again holds out her hand. She manages to get to within inches of the ropes once more, only to grimace in pain yet again. This time, however, her hand stays in the air, and after a moment, she reaches it out...
...and breaks the hold!!!
The Xcel Energy Center becomes unglued!!!
Axel Reid: SHE DID IT AGAIN! SHE DID IT AGAIN! SHE DID IT AGAIN!!
Ruby Parvati: Unbelievable...
As the referee comes around to tell Constance to release the hold, the Champion herself seems impressed with her younger challenger's resilience. Still, she does not let this get in the way of her urge to win, and once again lunges forward to pick up Zahara.
Axel Reid: May I remind you, ladies and gentlemen, that that was Zahara's last rope break, as per the Xcel rules. Our Champion still has one left.
Ruby Parvati: Zahara just put herself in a very delicate position there. If Constance catches her again, there will be no way but to reverse the hold. And that's difficult to do, isn't it?
Axel Reid: Indeed...but our challenger isn't giving up quite yet!
Indeed, when Constance steps forward to pick her up, Zahara responds with a kick to the gut, shaking the Champion away. Constance makes another attempt at grabbing her opponent, but Zahara moves quickest, literally leaping into action and wrapping herself around Constance's left arm. She then just as quickly rolls through, locking in her rarely seen cross arm breaker!
Axel Reid: THE CROSS ARM BREAKER IS LOCKED IN!!! CONSTANCE CHAPIN IS SPELLBOUND!!!
Emily Darcy is seen gasping, along with the rest of the Xcel Energy Center, as Zahara catches Constance with her arm breaker, just far enough from the ropes to put the Champion in dire straits. Still, the Xcel Champion does not lose her wits, and despite the pain translated in her face, begins to try to find a way out of the hold – all while the camera cuts to her fiancee at ringside, with a worried look on her features.
Axel Reid: Zahara may well have won it for herself here, but Constance, may I remind you, still has one rope break left...
Ruby Parvati: ...she may need to try and use it here, or her belt will go bye-bye!
Constance herself seems acutely aware of this, as despite her unfavourable position, she continues to flail and writhe, attempting to reverse or slip out of the arm breaker. Her attempt to reverse the momentum and get on top of Zahara is almost successful, but the magician shifts her position so that Constance is forced back down and once again taking the brunt of the move. The Mancunian holds up her hand, seemingly ready to submit, and Emily is seen gasping yet again.
Axel Reid: This could be it, Ruby...
Still, Constance's hair stays up...as Zahara wrenches the hold in...
...Constance's body shifts ever so slightly underneath the Magical Maiden...
...the crowd holds their breath...
...and the referee comes over to tell Zahara to break the hold!!!
For a moment thereafter, the magician is as stunned as the crowd, blinking at the official in confusion...
...until he points to the ropes, onto which Constance has just about managed to hoist a foot!!!!
Axel Reid: ROPE BREAK!!! THIS MATCH CONTINUES!!!
The Xcel Energy Centre breathes out a sigh, a mixture of frustration and relief. At ringside, Emily exhales, while inside the squared circle, Zahara lets her frustration show briefly on her face.
Axel Reid: Zahara Matisse letting her feelings show there for a moment, and who can blame her?
Ruby Parvati: Still...they're back on equal footing...neither has any rope breaks left. We're officially into sudden death here, Axel!
Axel Reid: Indeed...and the fans know it as well!
In fact, the Xcel Energy Center has begun simmering in a low boil, as they know both women are now out of ways to break free of submission predicaments in a match which has so far been rife with them. As such, a hum descends upon the stands as Zahara rolls off Constance and prepares to continue to work on her. She brings her opponent halfway up to her feet, then delivers a double-knee armbreaker, making Constance let out a very audible scream. Zahara almost immediately begins attempting to set up an armbar again, but this time, Constance is able to slip her arm out of the move before it is properly locked in. The Mancunian then slips to the outside, where she shakes her arm, trying to revive it.
Axel Reid: Constance's arm seems worse for the wear after Zahara has spent so long targeting it...
Ruby Parvati: It was a surprisingly smart strategy from Harry Potter Girl, I have to admit.
Never one to walk off on a match, or even stall for time, it does not take long for the Xcel Champion to slide back into the ring. Zahara, herself worse for wear after the gruelling confrontation, has made no attempt to go after her, instead taking the few seconds' respite to pick herself up and pull herself to a vertical position. As she does, she looks up at the stands, which give her a huge round of applause. For the first time, she plays to them, pretending to twirl an invisible wand and cast a spell towards a section of the crowd, and promptly causing a chant to break out:
'IT'S A KIND OF MAGIC, MAGIC, MAGIC...'
Axel Reid: ...I love it!
For the second time that night, a smile spreads across Zahara's lips as a result of the crowd's antics. She does not have long to enjoy their initiative, however, as she soon spies Constance rolling back into the ring, and walks over to meet her. She brings Constance up to her feet and sets up an Exploder suplex...
...which the Mancunian reverses into her patented fireman's carry gutbuster!
Axel Reid: WAIT A MINUTE!!!
Zahara's tactics, however, have paid off, as Constance's weak arm falters before she can deliver the move, and Zahara is therefore able to slip out. Before she can go any further with her intentions, however, Constance reverses the momentum herself, setting up for a German suplex!
Her grip fails yet again, however, and Zahara is able to slip behind her!
The Magical Maiden attempts a standing crossface!
Constance throws an elbow into the side of her head to break the hold!
Zahara goes hurtling backwards towards the ropes! Constance spins around to face her, and rams her through with a clothesline! Zahara goes down! Constance halts her own momentum, turns back around, and reaches in to pick up her opponent! Zahara attempts to put up some resistance, but Constance manages to fight through the pain in her arm just enough to trap her opponent in a Cobra Clutch. She then quickly applies a legsweep, completing the move known as Constance Sorrow!
Axel Reid: Constance Sorrow connects...and now...is she...
The crowd holds their breath as Constance once again drops down next to her opponent...but not, as one might expect, for a cover. Instead, Constance leans back so that she is resting on her hands...
Axel Reid: Wait a second...
...wraps her legs around Zahara's own...
Axel Reid: ...WAIT A SECOND...
...and wrenches in!!!
Axel Reid: CONSTANCE SORROW!!!! CONSTANCE SORROW!!! CONSTANCE SORROW!!!
Ruby Parvati: Zahara has no more rope breaks!!! This could be it, Axel!!!
The crowd know this, too, and reach fever pitch as the Magic Maiden finds herself trapped in her opponent's signature submission for the second time that night. Still, never a quitter, she promptly begins trying to roll over, hoping to reverse the momentum of the hold and therefore break it. The crowd holds their breath as the Magical Maiden is somehow able to turn over onto her side.
Axel Reid: She's going to break it, Ruby!
Ruby Parvati: No way!
Axel Reid: I'm telling you, she's breaking it”
Ruby Parvati: If she does, I'll be very impressed...
The crowd get firmly behind Zahara, as a chant of 'BREAK IT, BREAK IT, BREAK IT' erupts from one section and makes its away across the arena. Buoyed by this, Zahara redoubles her efforts to turn over, and manages to get herself almost entirely onto her back...
Axel Reid: SHE'S DOING IT!!!
The crowd hold their breath, ready to explode...
...time stands still...
...Zahara attempts to turn over the last inch or so to break the hold...
...and...
...Constance wrenches it in, causing the Magical Maiden to let out a yelp and all her work to become undone, as she immediately slumps onto her belly again.
Ruby Parvati: I told you...
Axel Reid: SO CLOSE!!! Come on, Zahara!! You can do it!!!
The crowd join Axel in encouraging the young challenger, with a chant of 'YOU-CAN-BREAK-IT!' now making itself heard. The camera closes in on Zahara as she looks up at the stands, only to immediately grimace again a moment later. Still, undeterred, she goes to make a second attempt at reversing...
...but finds her legs too weakened, and the pain too much to bear. With no rope breaks left, there is only one option left to her; and indeed, a moment later...
DING DING DING DING!!
Ruby Parvati: Wait...did she tap?!
Axel Reid: I don't think she tapped...
Ruby Parvati: I don't either...but the bell went...what happened?!
A moment later, Jerry Heisenberg clarifies the announcers' – and the crowd's – doubts, as he takes to the mic:
Jerry Heisenberg: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match through verbal submission...and STILL your VoW Xcel Champioooon...CONSTAAAANCE CHAAAPIIIINNN!!!
Emily Darcy leaps up in joy, applauding enthusiastically. The fans, too, release their tension, both cheering for the increasingly fan-favourite Constance and commiserating with the now twice-unlucky Zahara.
Axel Reid: So THAT was it!!! Zahara submitted verbally!!!
Ruby Parvati: With no rope breaks left, it was all she could do, really...
Axel Reid: Well, there was a moment of confusion there, but in the end, our Xcel Champion retains yet again! Yet another hard-fought contest, with both women giving their all, but in the end, luck favoured the Xcel Champion! Third time lucky for Zahara, perhaps...?
Ruby Parvati: Could be, Axel...but I heard she has other plans...
Axel Reid: Either way, ladies and gentlemen, what a fantastic match, on a night full of them! Ryder Blade and Casanova English will have some big shoes to fill!
Ruby Parvati: Oh, they'll fill them. Don't you worry about that!
As the two announcers give their reactions to another show stopping match, in the ring, Zahara reacts rather more subduedly than last time. She once again shakes Constance's hand, but forgoes the hug, instead choosing to just applaud the Champion. A moment later, she shows herself out of the ringside area, leaving the retaining title-holder to have her hand and title raised by the referee and her fiancee.
And this time, it surprises no one to see Constance smile. We fade to commercial.