(Amy and Josh were used with permission from their handlers)
The war was over, Jessie had defeated Melissa in the Chamber of Extreme to bring their feud to an end capping off a night that started with the wrestling veteran being inducted into the Hall of Fame! However Jessie wasn’t taking a break even after her Hall of Fame Induction because during the lead up to High Stakes XII Jessie had defeated Mercedes Vargas and Bea Barnhart to secure a #1 Contenders Match for the Bombshell Roulette Championship against Ariana Angelos on the same night as the Chamber of Extreme.
Jessie was presented with a choice by Christian, either have Ariana added to the Chamber of Extreme and have it made a Triple Threat Match for the Bombshell Roulette Title or delay the title match to the following Climax Control, Jessie, too the shock of anyone who had followed her wrestling career, opted to put off the title match and instead focus on resolving the issues between her and Melissa leaving Ariana to defend her title in a rematch with Seleana Zdunich instead! Ariana retained the title over the Swedish Bombshell and now they were set to clash at Climax Control! Can Jessie kick off her post Hall of Fame career with a title win?
Backstage at High Stakes XII, Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunday the 30th of October 2022, 18:00pm
Been a while since I cried like that.
I’m not afraid to admit that I was a bundle of nerves heading into the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the fact that Alex Jones was being inducted first (and inducted himself because off course the egotistical bastard did) did set aside some of my worries but when Amy was called up to the podium to induct me? Yeah, my nerves came back with force.
As for the speech itself? It was a rollercoaster of emotions, I laughed, I cried (a lot), I made the audience laugh a couple of times, it was definitely going to be the defining moment of my wrestling career! But it did leave me with one big question: what was left for me to do?
If I was part of the 2021 class that answer would’ve been a lot easier, set my sights on the World Bombshell Title, (hopefully) win it and call it a day on my career once the reign ended! I’ve spoken at length about the nagging injuries that I’ve accumulated over the past ten years so it’s not like I don’t have a good reason to call it a day.
There’s just one problem with that, I was going to retire after Into the Void XI, I was planning to announce it at that Climax Control and take on some kind of backstage roll in the company, then Mark Cross booked me in the Main Event of his King for a Day Episode in a Tag Team Match with the then newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion Matthew Knox, I’ve never been one to leave a partner high and dry especially when Mark’s partner was Levana “peaked at the BFTP Semi-Finals” Cade, and then I met a certain rookie called Melissa.
You should know the rest of the story by now, I’m set to take on Goth’s fiancé Melissa tonight in the Chamber of Extreme and in the intervening time I’ve joined UPRISING as a wrestler, someone who’s on the verge of retirement doesn’t join a new fed out of the blue like that so yeah, my story isn’t ending with the Hall of Fame induction.
As I said at the end of my speech, this isn’t the end of my story, it’s just the end of a decade long chapter!
“Take it from the person you inducted in 2015.” Amy commented as she walked up to me, the Hall of Fame ceremony was over and Belinda and Jason were running down the High Stakes XII card, I usually tuned out this part of the show by playing some music through my headphones but after my Hall of Fame induction I was too emotionally charged to even think about that. “Tonight’s a night that you’ll look back on for the rest of your career Jess.”
”At least until they get around to inducting the Metal and Punk Connection as a team, though I think Team Hero will get the Team induction first.” I responded with a grin before we slapped hands and Amy pulled my into a tight hug. ”Only two things left to do tonight, find Ari before her title defence against Seleana and beat Melissa in the Chamber of Extreme.”
“The card rundown just started; you’ll have plenty of time to find her.” Amy pointed out before Joshua Acquin walked up to us with a grin on his face. “Don’t worry Josh, you’ll get your Hall of Fame induction one year.”
“I don’t mind waiting if it means my friends get what they deserve.” Josh responded as he shook his head before turning to me. “And Jess? No matter what anyone says that Hall of Fame induction was well deserved.”
”At this point the only ones not saying that are Alicia Lukas and The Troll, Alicia’s so over the hill that I’m not even sure her sister takes her seriously and, well, The Troll’s just that, a troll, I just wish he had stuck to the YouTube Comment Section.” I added with a grin getting a laugh out of the two former SCW wrestlers. ”Shame that you’ve ruled out returning to SCW full time Amy, who knows? Maybe the Metal and Punk Connection will reunite in UPRISING?”
“Stranger things have happened, especially since we own the Metal and Punk Connection trademarks.” Amy responded with a shrug and I nodded in agreement. “So, out of Seleana and Ari, who do you think you can beat for the title?”
”That’s a tough question, I’ve only beaten Seleana once and that was the match that got me my shot at Andrea at the start of the year, Ari would be a fresh opponent and we wrestle the same style but depending on what the wheel stops on it might not matter.” I responded with a shrug before getting my phone out to text Shane. ”Hey Shane, do you have the thing for Ari?”
“Thing for Ari?” Josh asked with a confused look on his face before he remembered what day it was. “Oh yeah, Ari’s birthday is tomorrow, isn’t it?”
”Yep, the kid’s turning twenty-two, depending on what the wheel stops on for her match she might be too sore to do much celebrating.” I nodded as Shane texted me back to confirm that he had it and was waiting for me to collect it in the arena’s cafeteria. ”Still wild to me that a girl who was a preteen when I made my SCW debut will potentially be defending the title I won a year after my debut against me at the next Climax Control! And I thought Cassie made me feel old!”
“If nothing else, it confirms that wrestling’s future is in good hands.” Amy pointed out and yeah, I couldn’t really argue with that, especially when I had an eighteen-year-old cousin training at Hero Academy. “Sure Cassie can be a brat at times but from what I’ve seen of her? That kid’s future is bright!”
”Trust me, I had a hand in Cassie’s early training, I know exactly how good she is and how bratty she can be!” I responded with a slight chuckle before motioning with my head to the hallway behind me. ”I need to go grab that present for Ari and Shane’s waiting for me in the cafeteria, want to grab something to eat whilst we’re there?”
“Sounds good to me.” Josh nodded in agreement before I lead them away from where we had met up.
Most wrestlers would likely call it a day on their career after getting a Hall of Fame induction, I know Keira was planning to at the very least but from what I heard she was planning that long before this year’s class was announced, not me though.
I still had plenty to give as a wrestler and only one goal left to achieve in my SCW career, it should be pretty obvious what I’m talking about, after all, it’s the title that led to me winning the Most Hated and Feud of the Year awards in 2018 but for now? I was content to give the Bombshell Roulette Champion a hall of a defence at the next Climax Control.
Whether that champion was a Greek American sweetheart who was one of the best highflyers of her generation or a Swedish Blonde Bombshell who I had clashed with in the past remained to be seen.
Jessie’s living room, Las Vegas, Nevada
Monday the 31st of October 2022, 11:00am
There are things life that’ll never get old, being greeted by your doggo every morning, the feeling after winning a title, seeing The Troll get humiliated in the ring for the 50th time this month, but as of this morning I can officially add another thing to that list.
After the Hall of Fame induction ceremony last night me, Alex, Keira, Griffin and Erick all received our Hall of Fame plaques in the backstage area, the same one that I had posted to Twitter after High Stakes XII went off the air and combine that feeling with the fact that I was done with Melissa after last night’s win in the Chamber of Extreme and I was feeling too emotional to put the plaque on the mantlepiece last night.
Okay granted, I was also sore as fuck following the Chamber of Extreme Match but I knew what I was getting into when I challenged Melissa to that match! Whether the same could be said for Melissa remained to be seen, especially since the rookie sensation had gone quiet on Twitter following her defeat but Goth’s fiancé was the farthest thing from my mind right now.
”Okay, just got to move the Most Hated Award from 2018 over to the side……..” I muttered to myself as I started to make room on the mantlepiece for my Hall of Fame plaque, Harper, Jake, Shane and Titan wee watching on from behind me and whilst the other humans in the room were all taller than me (Harper’s 5ft 5) but considering what this meant to me? Yeah, I wasn’t about to let anyone ese do this. ”May as well move the Feud of the Year award from the same year next to it actually, I mean they are essentially for the same thing!”
“Are you sure you don’t want our help Jess?” Shane asked as Titan let out a yawn before lying down on the floor next to my feet. “You are the shortest person in the room, and that’s not counting Titan!”
”Considering Titan’s a puppy, the runt of his litter and can’t jump as high as other dogs of his size because of his legs? I’d be worried if you were counting Titan!” I responded before I reached down to grab the Hall of Fame plaque as Harper passed it to me. ”Besides, considering what this means to me? I’d much rather do this myself!”
“Keira wasn’t kidding when she described you stubbornness.” Harper muttered to herself and I gave my younger cousin a playful glare as I started putting the Hall of Fame plaque into place, as for why Harper’s here and not at Hero Academy? Even if Keira and Roxi weren’t recovering from their match at High Stakes XII Hero Academy was closed for some renovations today and tomorrow and Harper literally showed up asking if there was anything she could do to avoid dying from boredom. “And hopefully I’ll be able to put my own plaque up someday.”
”I’ve heard nothing but praise from your trainers at Hero Academy so it could happen.” I responded before I adjusted the plaque a bit so that it looked just right, Harper grinned broadly when she heard that and once I was happy with how the plaque looked I stepped down from the stool that I was using to help get myself up high enough whilst being mindful of Titan’s paws and tail. ”So what now? Anyone have a good horror movie we can watch since it’s Halloween and all?”
“We could try the Saw franchise.” Harper suggested with a shrug and I rolled my eyes, I was going to have to introduce the kid to some 80s slasher flics at some point! “Those are my usual go to on Halloween!”
”I said GOOD horror movies, not an overly complicated franchise dedicated to torture porn!” I corrected Harper and the teenager grinned sheepishly as Titan went off to start eating his puppy food. ”Between that and your love for Deathcore I’d almost ask how we’re related Harper.”
“I’ll turn you on to that genre eventually Jess!” Harper responded with a grin and Jake shook his head with a chuckle.
“Trust me Harper, we’ve tried! The only Deathcore act she likes is Brand of Sacrifice.” Jake responded and I rolled my eyes in response. “Even when Deathcore acts have played at Bloodstock she always insisted that we check out a band on the New Blood stage instead!”
”And we’ve discovered some killer bands through that stage.” I countered before I turned to Harper. ”Speaking off, if we ever go back to Bloodstock we definitely need to take you.”
“As great as that would be, I’d rather focus on my training for now.” Harper responded and I nodded in understanding, at least the kid had a good head on her shoulders for now. “Anything else we can do today? You already said that your too sore for training.”
“We may a well see if there’s anything worth watching on Shudder.” Jake responded and we nodded in agreement as we went to the TV room to see what was on.
Jessie’s home gym, Las Vegas, Nevada
Tuesday the 8th of November 2022, 15:00pm
Considering that I’m a newly minted Hall of Famer? This past week has been pretty quiet, not helped by the new Hell’s Kitchen episode being delayed by a week because of the World Series.
The other thing that didn’t help? UPRISING not booking me for my second match at one of their shows again already reminding me of my first few weeks as an SCW Bombshell back in 2012! Granted that was a four-week waiting period instead of a few months but I digress! I at least know what I’m doing for my next SCW match and, well, I’ve known that for weeks! The only thing I didn’t know was who I was challenging for the Bombshell Roulette Champion.
Well, I didn’t know that before High Stakes XII aired, and my match against Ariana was still going ahead.
All in all High Stakes XII proved to be a very successful night for me and my friends, off course it started off with my Hall of Fame Induction but at the end of the night? Myra Rivers remained the only Bombshell to ever beat me in the Chamber of Extreme, Krystal defeated Mercedes in a brutal grudge match and of course, Ariana retained the Bombshell Roulette Title over Seleana Zdunich in a Spider Web Match.
Ariana was proving to be a worthy Roulette Champion, but now that the match had been made official there was one thing that had me concerned, Melissa, apparently she had raised a stink over the officiating in the Chamber of Extreme Match and was looking for a rematch, possibly for the title.
Melissa was back in action as well taking on Diamond Steele later in the card, combine that with the returns of O’Malley and Matthew Knox and the Bombshell Internet Championship being on the line against Mercedes (and not Krystal for some reason) and it seemed the bosses were going all out as they headed towards the end of the year.
Fitting, because it seemed like I was going to have to go all out if I wanted to beat Ariana for the title.
”Harper, Cass, take five.” I called out to the two teenagers as I came down the stairs, Cass was getting some training in ahead of her upcoming PPV debut against (and I shit you not) Magical Cosmic Princess YUYU and Harper? She may have been an American Cass with a talent for submissions but the kid had literally just started her training and still had a long way to go before she was ready for prime time. ”Managed to convince an old friend of mine to help with the training.”
”And this old friend would be who exactly?” Krystal, who had been keeping an eye on the two girls whilst I was upstairs, asked as she leaned on the ring apron. ”Because that covers a lot of Bombshells, including from back in the day when these two were still preteens!”
”Gee, thanks for making me feel old Krystal!” I responded as I rolled my eyes before I finished my descent down the stairs and the three younger women saw that Amy was with me. ”Now where did I put that “I’m In My Prime” gif.? Anyway, Amy was in the neighbourhood and she felt like helping you girls train.”
”You didn’t tell her about my bad leg, right?” Cassie asked with a concerned look on her face, I had heard of an incident at Hero Academy involving Cassie and Harper from, well, Harper but Harper didn’t really elaborate on it and Cassie didn’t seem that forthcoming with information either. ”Other than that, it’ll be good to have a different sparring partner.”
“Yeah, I can only stretch Cass out for so long before it gets boring.” Harper teased the older teenager and Cassie gave her a playful glare in response. “So how are we deciding who gets first crack at Amy? Because it think we’d be here all day arguing over that.”
“As flattered as I’d be to have two young wrestlers fighting over who gets to train with me, I don’t mind either way.” Amy chuckled in response as she came up to the ring alongside me and I joined Krystal at ringside, I had noticed that the Aussie clearly had something on her mind but whatever it was she wasn’t telling. “Hell, I’ll even tango with Krystal if she’s up for it.”
”If you don’t mind we wrestling in my street clothes, I wasn’t anticipating getting to train today so I didn’t bring my gear.” Krystal responded with a shrug before Harper and Cassie talking it out for a bit. ”Almost a year since the whole Matthew Kennedy debacle started, where does the time go?” Krystal asked herself as Harper and Cassie had a quick game of “rock, paper scissors” and it was decided that Harper would get first crack. ”I’d almost say that Cassie made that whole mistake worth it but even that’s debatable.”
”Gee, thanks Krystal!” Cassie responded as she rolled her eyes before the teen rolled out of the ring to join us. ”Besides, it hasn’t been that bad, you at least got to cross off a few more names from the bucket list since you lost the Bombshell Roulette Title to Keira.”
”True but at least Ari’s thriving as champion.” Krystal pointed out before the two Aussie women turned to me. ”Though I think it’s safe to say that Jessie will be Ari’s toughest challenge yet.”
”Ari’s proven herself to be a worthy champion but if I have anything to say about it? Ari will learn that nice girls finish last on Sunday.” I responded before I glanced over at Harper and Amy, Amy seemed to be in control of the match as they traded submissions, nothing too fancy considering Harper’s experience level but it was well executed on both sides. ”So, what happened between you and Harper at Hero Academy Cass?”
”It’s a long story.” Cassie said dismissively but when she saw that I wasn’t going to back down Cassie sighed. ”Me and Harper had a sparring match under Keira’s supervision, Harper quickly took control of the match thanks to my lacking submission skills and it ended after Harper got my bad leg in a nasty submission.” Cassie explained before she let out a dep breath. ”And then I learned that Keira had told Harper about my bad leg and, well my frustration with being made to run laps for every funny tweet I post probably would’ve reached a boiling point if not for a heart-to-heart chat I had with Keira in her office.”
”Keira showed me the tape of that sparring match, Cassie isn’t kidding when she called Harper’s submission nasty.” Krystal chimed in as we watched Harper use her amateur wrestling skills to take control of the match from Amy. ”I mean, Cassie’s ego did need to be brought down a bit but I don’t think I would’ve gone that far!”
”Hello Mrs. Pot, I want you to meet Mrs. Kettle, she wants to talk about how black you are.” Cassie muttered under her breath but before Krystal could retort I directed their attention to the ring where Amy and Harper were exchanging kicks. ”I see you haven’t lost your touch in Muay Thai.”
“Harper’s submission game is good for her experience level but I want to see how good she is at striking.” Amy responded as they moved on from kicks to strikes and Harper did seem to have some martial arts training as she was able to keep up with Amy, after a dew minutes of that Amy called time on the session. “That was fun but I think Cassie’s waiting long enough!”
”No argument from me!” Cassie responded before she rolled into the ring, Harper left the ring to allow Cass enough room to spar with Amy and it was a much faster paced affair considering Cassie’s faster paced style.
Between Ariana, Krystal, Cassie and Harper, the future of women’s wrestling seemed to be bright indeed.
Jessie’s home gym, Las Vegas, Nevada
Tuesday the 8th of November 2022, 18:00pm
*promo time*
From one youngster to another.
”Throw your soldiers into positions from which there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight.” I opened the promo with yet another historical figure quote as I shook my head. ”I can’t even say that I googled that Sun Tzu quote, I first heard it through the Sabaton song “The Price of a Mile” which is easily the most harrowing Power Metal song I’ve ever heard, but at High Stakes XII Melissa found herself in such a situation when I had her beat, either submit or risk permanent damage as I stabbed her with that broken kendo stick! Just remember Melissa, you agreed to that match, you knew what you were getting into and yet you still had the nerve to criticise the refereeing? Focus on trying to get back on the winning track before you come after me or Ariana! You do have a match against Diamond Steele this week after all! Speaking of, now that High Stakes XII has passed I can finally have my title match against the young Greek upstart so, let’s jump right into it, shall we?”
Youth is wasted on the stubborn.
”I’ll admit Ariana, when you won the title at Violent Conduct VIII I had my doubts about you as a Roulette Champion, after all, a total sweetheart like you carrying the flag for the Bombshell Roulette Division? Either you were going to learn the hard way that it’s a dog-eat-dog world in the Bombshell Division’s title scenes or you were going to thrive.” I commented as I leaned on the ring ropes with a grin on my face. ”Seleana was not you’re your first test as champion but your first defence to boot, you passed that test with flying colours, Melissa was up next and she took the fall for you in your second defence, literally! And if it weren’t for that Chamber of Extreme Match, I would’ve been your third challenger at High Stakes XII but instead, you got a rematch with Seleana and, well, the fact that I’m promoting a title match against you and not Seleana says it all, doesn’t it?”
And that brings us to this match.
”You’ve defended your title against a variable who’s who of the Bombshell Roulette Division Ari, even Melissa managed to turn a few heads when she won the title on her first try, but you still have a lot to learn about this business kid.” I added as I brushed some hair over my shoulder. ”As of last Monday, you are the same age I was when I first signed with SCW ten years ago so the comparisons between us are even more apt, wouldn’t you say? But as good as Seleana is and as ruthless as Melissa can be, something we can both attest too, you haven’t faced someone with my experience level in a Bombshell Roulette Title match yet and trust me Ari, I’ve been around long enough to see it all.”
And done it all for that matter.
”Hell, I was there when the division started, I saw the early defences of that title first hand and I’ve seen a lot of stipulations come up on that accursed wheel, from the relatively benign to the kind of matches that could only come up during a drinking session featuring Mark Ward and Christian Underwood! If you’ve you got a better answer for how something like the Karaoke Catastrophe Match come about, I’d love to hear it!” I added as I paced around the ring. ”But if nothing else Ari, you’ve proven that you can and will adapt to any match that is thrown at you, Submission? Use a few pointers you picked up from Fenris to get the win, Falls Count Anywhere? Fight back and take the match title quite literally to get the win, Spider Web Match? Easily your most unorthodox title defence to date but you still thrived and you still retained, what will it take for the cracks in the armour to appear Ari? Because if nothing else, you’ve proven that Gabriel and Odette were right on the money when they started training you.”
Youth vs. experience.
”If I have anything to say on the matter? Then your first ever title reign won’t even make it to a hundred days Ari.” I commented as I folded my arms. ”Don’t feel too bad about it kid, my first reign didn’t even get past the first defence all those years ago, circumstances surrounding that defence aside off course, you’ve already lasted longer than any of my reigns as champion, something that I’ll look to rectify when my reign starts on Sunday but I know that you won’t give up the Bombshell Roulette Title that easily, so I’ll be in for a fight, that much is obvious, but I do have a question for you Ari.” I stated as I flipped some hair over my shoulder. ”How ruthless can you be?”
Good question.
”If you want evidence of how far I’m willing to go to win a match, just look at the Chamber of Extreme Match at High Stakes XII, or any of the Chamber of Extreme Matches that I have taken part in since I started doing them, I did you a favour by opting to delay the Roulette Title Match I earned in that Ladder Match until this week’s show because I spared you from that match’s brutality.” I said before leaning on the ring ropes. ”But in doing so, it forced me to ask that question because so far Ari? It seems the Roulette Wheel has taken it easy on you, the harshest title match you’ve faced is a Falls Count Anywhere match, something that’s practically a staple of the Roulette Division, you haven’t truly been tested yet and I have a feeling that that will change soon, I guess that brings me to something you brought up in your first promo as champion.”
Using her words against her? How quaint.
”Will you continue to soar higher or be shot down in flames after four defences? That’s the question you asked when promoting your first match against Seleana and I think it’s apt considering that you’re up against one of the original Roulette Champions.” I frowned to myself as I thought back to my early SCW career. ”Granted when I won the title for the first time, I was the 7th ever champion, not even among the first five names to hold that belt, but everyone starts somewhere, right Ari? I mean, our first meeting wasn’t exactly friendly and look at where we are now, proof that time heals all wounds and all that! But this Sunday our friendship will have to go out the window, both if you wish to continue your reign and if I want to start my first title reign since the dark days of 2020, I can set aside friendships for the sake of winning a title, can you?”
The million-dollar question.
”I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, you are too pure for this fucked up business Ari, but the thing is? I think that will be the cause of your downfall as champion!” I stated plainly as made a belt motion with my hands. ”As your friend? I want to be proven wrong! I want to see this young upstart continue to thrive as her first championship reign continues into 2023! But as your challenger and opponent? It’s been too long since I held a title and if I have to exploit your kindness to take that title from you then believe me, I will! Sorry kid, it’s nothing personal, just business! But all the same? I hope you keep that phrase in mind when we clash on Sunday night!”
Why?
”Because wrestling is a cutthroat business and those who thrive often have to leave their friends in the dust at best, stab them in the back at worst! And I stand by my opinion that you are too kind to even think about that!” I said as I folded my arms. ”And you know what? I’m going to do something that I rarely do for my opponents, I will dare you to prove me wrong Ari! I dare you to show that under your nice, bubbly and sweet persona, you can be a ruthless bitch if you put your mind to it! I fare you to look at whatever the wheel throws our way and say that you can match my brutality strike for strike! I dare you to prove once again that you are not a fluke champion and that you earned that title at Violent Conduct VIII because believe me kid, I will make you fight to retain that title on Sunday!”
It’s that simple.
”When I said that the Hall of Fame induction was just the closure to a decade long arc for me, I meant it! And unfortunately for you Ari? The story ain’t over!” I said before I left the ring and walked up to the camera. ”You’re a good kid Ari, big heart, bigger upside, massive amounts of potential and talent all contained in that little body of yours! But you have a lot left to learn and I teach at the School of Hard Knocks! This Sunday I will give you a lesson in violence that will make Violent Conduct look like a regular PPV because you need to realize that the nice girl act won’t save you forever kid! And who knows? Maybe you’ll realize that just in time to save your title reign?”
And with that I decided to wrap things up.
”Or maybe my decade of wrestling experience will prove to be too much for you to handle? Only one way to find out I guess!” I added as I flipped my hair over my shoulder. ”Ari, be ready! Be ready for the fight of your life! Be ready for me to bring brutality that you have yet to deal with in an SCW ring no matter what the wheel stops on! And be ready to fight back if you want to retain that title because I am hell bent on ending this two-year long title drought! And most of all? Be ready to be struck by Blood Lightning when I take the Bombshell Roulette Title from you on Sunday! See you then kid!”
I left my home gym as the scene fades.
