POWER X- May 30, 2012

Once again, its time for wrestling manager and analyst Daniel Pollaski to go over the news, reviews, and previews of Femme Fatale Wrestling! All content is the sole opinion of the author and does not reflect the views of Femme Fatale Wrestling, its wrestlers, or administration. Or Wendy Briese, for that matter, so don’t go jumping her in the hallway if you get butthurt about this. Bitch.

The Power X’s Inspirational Thought of the Week:

God we look good going down in flames
a perfect design for shifting the blame
and I am the one, the one who's in trouble
this is the pill, the pill that we swallow.
The death of us all
the cash, the kill.
They're selling us off
to make the deal.
Are you ready to go?
Are you ready to know?
Then brace yourself, I'll tell you.
Love, it's ready for the taking
and the guns, I love the noise they're making
and the words, scare the god-fearing
but the drugs, the drugs,
they keep us all selling out
The bullets will fly, I'm caught in the game
I'm packaged, repackaged so what's in a name?
It's more than I thought but worse than I feared
to go first in anger and then with tears.
- “God We Look Good (Going Down in Flames)” The Exies

Hey kids!

As you could well expect, we’ve got a lot to cover coming out of one of the most anticipated and controversial wrestling PPV’s ever.  So let’s get right to it with the Four Corner’s, shall we?

1. WE WENT OVER THE LINE, AND WILL BE DAMNED LUCKY IF THERE’S NOT CONSEQUENCES
Two months ago, in my very first bit for the Four Corners, I said that the Main Event of Conviction was going to end up being detrimental to the company.  It was a controversial thing to say, but if you looked at the combination of personalities involved in that Hardcore War, it wasn’t hard to see that someone’s whims was going to take over, and leave our image with a black eye.

Well, I was right.  But I didn’t expect that person would end up being Samantha Star.  Although knowing all we know about her... I shouldn’t have been.

This isn’t a knock on the match itself.  It was a phenomenal contest fought by two great competitors who absolutely hated each other.  You have to give it up to Kaitlynn and Jennifer- they sure came up with inventive ways to cause each other excruciating pain. It was the ending that is going to remembered the most then- for all the wrong reasons.

In case you missed it, here’s what happened.  Jennifer Stryfe apparently started to realize that something was very wrong, and decided that she’d better get out of dodge before the shit hit the fan.  Unfortunately, she was too late, and was headed off at the top of the ramp by Tara Thunder, Caroline Dallins, and Shane Sanders.  She then climbed the video board to escape the inevitable beatdown- and was pushed off by Starla McCloud and Isabella Pazzini.  Samantha and her personal assistant Eden Chevalier came out, and voila, the Power Trip was reborn.

Well, it certainly got people talking.  Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE around the wrestling world has been talking about the ending to that.  Blogs, Twitter, Websites, everything has been abuzz about the ending to Conviction.  And that’s good right?  All the publicity we can get?

Not quite, because when you have a woman fall fifty feet and nearly die, combined with a man being shot in the chest earlier in the show, it tends to make people that we’d rather not be scrutinizing us start to scrutinize us.

The fact is, unlike similar combat sports like  boxing and MMA, we’ve been very lucky to avoid the brunt of government oversight, especially given that our sport tends to get even more violent.  Only a couple of states have athletic commissions for wrestling, where the rest, it’s basically up to us to police ourselves.  It’s a freedom we’re pretty damn lucky to have.

You think if every show starts ending up with two people in critical condition at the hospital, and the president of the company appears on Twitter immediately after to joke about it, that this freedom from oversight is going to continue?  You don’t think that even right now, in the Colorado legislature, there’s people who are sickened by what happened, and looking into ways to make sure it never happens in their state again?  You don’t think other states aren’t looking at it as well?

How much you think Samantha Star (and the rest of us) is gonna like it when every state soon has a wrestling commission telling her what kind of matches she can and can’t do in the ring?  How much money is she going to make when moralistic, busybody city council members who don’t like wrestling suddenly have all the ammo they need to convince their colleagues to block events from taking place in their city?  

You don’t think it can happen? Just wait.  This business has enough negative publicity as it is, and felonly investigations and near-fatal “accidents”, and jokes about them on Twitter are hardly the kind of logs that need to be added to the bonfire.  

We’re in trouble, folks, whether you want to admit it or not.  And all because, yet again, our short sighted owner put her personal whims ahead of common sense, and ahead of what’s good for our company.  It’s becoming too frequent an occasion.  

2. OTHER THAN THAT, MRS. LINCOLN...
… was that an awesome show or what?

I’ve already said, the Main Event of the evening was an absolute barnburner, marred by an unfortunate ending brough on by Samantha.  But the rest of the show.. dear God.  I don’t even know how the Denver fans managed to go so long screaming at the top of their lungs through all fourteen matches.

The show started off with a bang, with an all-time new record for quickest match in FFW history when Allison Wright kicked out the dismal Traci Loveheart in short order.  The Scarborough Fair made a memorable (albeit scandalous) in ring debut.  Caroline Dallins continued her meteoric rise up the ladder with a huge win over Jennifer Williams.  And by beating a very game Eileen Amaro, Tara Thunder may have cemented herself as the greatest Evolution Champion FFW has seen.

Two titles changed hands, and both times I thought the roof was going to be blown off the arena.  Wendy of course deserved a huge ovation after weathering another round of Starla’s bullshit (with a bit of help from yours truly), to win back a belt she never should have lost in the first place.  But the lasting memory of the show (positive-wise) will be Cara Stone stumbling to her feet before the ten count, the crowd screaming at her to get up, while Camilla laid on the ground nearby.  The Mile High Miracle, it’s being dubbed, and that’s as fitting a name as you could get.

Of course, there were other fan friendly results as well.  Scarlett finally getting her hands on Alyssa ended about as predictably as could imagine.  Less predictable was Summer, who handed Kelly McGuffin her first defeat in retaining the Television Championship.

Seriously, folks.  Don’t let the negative publicity overriding the ending of this show override what was an awesome evening, with so many great matches.  Which makes the aforementioned ending all the more tragic- Samantha damn near ruined a great night.

But she’ll really ruin it only if we let her.  And as the coming weeks will obviously show, there’s a lot of people who aren’t about to let Samantha ruin things.  No matter how hard she tries.

3. SOMEBODY’S GOT A KATBONER
So here’s some fun FFW trivia, gang.  When is the last time Katherine Stryfe has been victorious in a singles match?

If you guessed the October 20 Velocity, when she beat Kaitlynn Stryfe to retain the FFW Championship, give yourself a prize!

To be fair, in the meantime, Kat, with her now estranged partner Rebbecca Valentine, did manage two wins in tag competition, first over OMGWTF at New Years Retribution, and again at Byte This 3, when they and Tabitha Belmont beat Bounce & Pounce and Kara Harrington in a match most remembered for B&P being stripped of the titles immediately after thanks to Ignis’ drug charge.  

But here’s the kicker.  This woman, who again, hasn’t won a singles match in seven-plus months, suddenly once again finds herself one match from heading to the main event of the biggest show of the year to compete for the FFW Championship.

Anyone else wanna wonder why I laugh hysterically every time Stryfe whines that Scarlett Kincaid gets all the breaks because she’s married to our vice president?

I’ll say it straight out: there are probably about ten women in this company who deserve that chance more than Katherine Stryfe does.  And that’s taking out the women who are already in the Scramble, and anyone who holds another singles championship, since it’s vary rare other-division champions are allowed to pursue a second belt here.  

But the chance is Stryfe’s, thanks to someone in that front office who is somehow willing to look past all the evidence that she’s got no right to be here, and give her one more shot.  Chances are, its the same person who gave her a chance before Unstoppable last year.  And who was that again?

Oh yeah, Cody Kincaid.  You know, the guy who only unfairly promotes his wife over everyone else.  Anyone else see the irony here?

Of course, Kat has to beat that exact same woman to get there, and we all know that Scarlett’s been wanting Kat all to herself in a match for almost a full year now.  It’s going to be hilarious if Kat claims this match was just another setup by Cody to get his wife into the main event.  Because it’s far more than Kat even deserves.

At least once Scarlett wipes the floor with Stryfe, we’ll at least have THIS matter settled.


4. JENNIFER WILLIAMS HAS POTENTIAL
Well, this is one post Id never thought I’d see myself making.

Jennifer Williams’ tenure in FFW has been hit and miss thus far, and I don’t think there’s anyone who is going to deny that.  She was vastly overshadowed in Season 5 by Mel Avilo, Jodie Gray, and Cara Stone, and her first full months on the roster haven’t exactly been glowing as well. To be fair, she did win the Pick Your Poision Ladder Match back at Cold Blooded, but then turned around and picked someone so far over her head in Tara Thunder, which probably set her back more than the PYPLM pushed her forward.  After all, it’s never good when you lose to an opponent you hand picked yourself.

J-Will lost again at Conviction, this time to Caroline Dallins.  Which is hardly anything to be ashamed about- I expected Caroline to be considered in the running for the Evolution Championship, at least until she and Tara suddenly became bosom buddies in the Power Trip.  But you watch that match, and it’s obvioius  that Jennifer had a much better showing this time around than she did with Tara Thunder.

But where Jennifer is really starting to raise heads is over in Future Shock, where she managed to become the first person in Future Shock history to win the guantlet by defeating every single other woman in the competition.  And with Elizabeth Blackwell automatically eliminated this week thanks to not showing up, Williams suddenly finds herself the only Season 5 contestant left, and has emerged as a possible spoiler candidate in what has been a definitive two-woman contest all along.

What Jennifer lacks at the moment is focus.  Some of these distractions are self-inflicted (video games, an obsession with the most unhealthy soft drink on the planet).  Some aren’t (having a complete dick for a brother).  It doesn’t really matter.  She’s got to learn to get by them if she hopes to end up with a long and prosperous wrestling career.

But if she can, the potential here is very, very high.  And yes, I’m talking about moreso than her neurotic sister in law.  The only question is, can Jennifer get that focus, and maintain it?

If she does, hang on to your popcorn.  Shits about to get scary.


RANKINGS!
Heading into the Pay-Per-View, there were forty-eight eligible wrestlers on the list.  Coming out, theres forty-one, thanks to a whopping NINE dropoffs, and only two new arrivals.  This isn’t really a bad thing, most of the dropoffs were seldom used, and I’d much rather have forty women who compete on a consistent basis, compared to sixty women, many of which only are called upon once every couple of months, but that’s just me.

For the sake of posterity, those dropping off are: Arabella De Rossi (last ranked 26th); Elizabeth Blackwell (28th), Sarah Richardson (35th), Tabatha Belmont (36th), Kara Harrington (37th); Hanna Elliot (39th); Kendall Burke (43rd); Stephanie Sullivan (45th); and Whitley Mercer (46th).

Yeah, there’s like two names on there I’m gonna miss.   Anyways.. TO RANKINGS!

#41- TRACI LOVEHEART [+6]
Since she’s been released, it’s her final ranking.  But at least she’ll now always have a place in the FFW record books.

#40- SARAH PEEK [+8]
Moving up eight spots by sitting out a PPV might just be the greatest accomplishment Sarah’s ever had.

#39- ELIZABETH SHOWTIME [+5]
Now that Cheers and Jeers have been thoroughly dismembered thanks to Lightning...

#38- ALLISON DEAS [+3]
… they can try to pick up the pieces when they tangle with Spitfire on the next Breaking Point.

#37- ALYSSA FOXWORTH [+5]
Final ranking- has elected to retire in lieu of her marriage to Seth Star.  Presumably to make babies.  Cause that’s just what the world needs- more Stars.

#36- TRINITY [+4]
Enjoyed a nice couple weeks off, I hope.  Things suddenly get tough with Serafina standing before her.

#35- REBBECCA VALENTINE [-1]
Ever wanted to see Rebbecca punched in the face?  You’re in luck in two weeks on Velocity!

#34- JODIE GRAY [-3]
Mel left her by the wayside again, but all’s not lost.  She’s back in TV title contention!

#33- LIGHTNING [+5]
Now that she’s done with the cheerleaders, it’s time to start taking on the real athletes.

#32- RAQUEL FAIR [NEW]
Mark it down now- Scarborough Fair will have won the tag team titles by this time next year.

#31- MICKEY SCARBOROUGH [NEW]
...No matter how many damned broken guitars its going to take!

#30- ALLISON WRIGHT [+2]
Good News: Etched her name into FFW history.  Bad News: Will forever be linked with Traci Loveheart.

#29- LUMINA FERRARI [+1]
After sitting out Conviction, has a golden chance to get things back on track against Mel Avilo.

#28- JENNIFER WILLIAMS [+1]
If Jennifer wants to start living up to that potential, getting a win over Hate is a must.

#27- SABRA NICOLYEV [-4]
Somethings not clicking about Spitfire.  She and Jo better figure out what before Cheers & Jeers shows up.

#26- JO MCFARLANE [-4]
One of four redheads booked for the Puerto Rico show.  We could have FFW’s first ever “tapout due to sunburn slap”

#25- HAYLEY DARK [-4]
Cracks are starting to show in B&P’s foundation.  Hayley needs to get over herself, and fast.

#24- CRYSTAL HATE [=]
After a brief sabbatical, time for Hate to get back into the swing of things.

#23- IGNIS [-5]
No one else is gonna say it, so I might as well.  She looks cute knocked out.

#22- ARIANNA MILLAR [+11] *UNITY TAG TEAM CHAMPION*
Submitting Ignis going a long way of securing Millar’s legitimacy beyond riding Desi’s coattails.  Now to just keep from getting her ass kicked in bra & panties matches in SVW.

#21- KATHERINE STRYFE [-1]
Emma so thoroughly put her through the ringer, I’m shocked all the dye in her hair hasn’t squeezed out.

#20- CASEY ATHERTON [-1]
Strategic idea for Casey: Actually not try screwing with everyone for a Future Shock episode. They’d be so freaked out, they’d be completely off their game.

#19- JENNIFER STRYFE [-4]
Final ranking, due to obvious reasons.  We hope her recovery is swift and complete.

#18- CRYSTAL HILTON [-6]
“Dear Crystal: THIS is how you become an insufferable bitch.  Love, Shane Sanders.”

#17- SHANE SANDERS [+10]
Anyone who says you can’t polish bullshit needs rewatch Shane’s win over Crystal.

#16- EILEEN AMARO [-3]
Tough loss on a close call to Tara Thunder.  She’ll probably need a couple of wins to get back there, but another crack at the belt isn’t farfetched.

#15- MELANIE AVILO [+10]
Jodie likely won’t be making any claims about how it should have been her in the finals of Season 5 after that performance by Mel.

#14- KELLY MCGUFFIN [-3]
Couldn’t quite get it done against Summer, but is hardly out of the TV title picture.  She’ll bounce back.

#13- ISABELLA PAZZINI [-4]
Now that she’s back to suckling Samantha’s teat, Isabella’s back in the main event, next Velocity.

#12- STARLA MCCLOUD [-4]
Finally succeeded in “rallying her fans”, considering how loud it got when she tapped that mat.

#11-CARA STONE [+6] *ULTRAVIOLENCE CHAMPION*
Good thing she took a couple of warmup swings on Caroline, no?

#10- CAROLINE DALLINS [+6]
Then again, is Cara really prepared to face the music- or a pissed off Killer C?

#9- EMMA MACNAMARA [+5]
Has returned to main event form.  A good thing too, considering she’s in the Championship scramble.

#8- CAMILLA PAZZINI [-4]
Even with the loss to Stone, no question on her abilities.  Just the question of which division she’d like to destroy next.

#7- DESIRAE KAIN [+3] *UNITY TAG TEAM CHAMPION*
Is there a hotter competitor in all of FFW at the moment?

#6- SUMMER [+1] *TELEVISION CHAMPION*
Can’t spend too long admiring her big win over McGuffin.  A fatal-four way for the TV title looms at Unstoppable.

#5- KAITLYNN STRYFE [+1]
Also punched her ticket to the Championship scramble, with a lot of help.  But then again, she did make Jennifer Stryfe run in the first place...

#4- WENDY BRIESE [+1] *NO SURRENDER CHAMPION*
Right back where she should have been all along.

#3- TARA THUNDER [=] *EVOLUTION CHAMPION*
Is it just me or did she look a little more... happy at the PPV?

#2- SCARLETT KINCAID [=]
Beat up a hated rival in a cage without going overboard and nearly killing herself.  Scarlett’s growing experience is starting to pay off.

#1- STACEY MACKENZIE [=] *FFW CHAMPION*
With four challengers at Unstoppable, Stacey might just be in danger of losing for the first time.


And there you have it.  The post Conviction rankings!


INCOMING!
June’s finally here, so you know what that means.  FFW enjoys its third birthday, by kicking off a massive worldwide tour.  And for starters... we’re heading south!


BREAKING POINT- JUNE 9 from BAYAMON, PUERTO RICO
#24 Crystal Hate vs. #28 Jennifer Williams
TAG TEAM MATCH: Spitfire (#26 Jo McFarlane & #27 Sabra Nicolyev) vs. Cheers & Jeers (#38 Allison Deas & #39 Elizabeth Showtime)
#33 Lightning vs. #34 Jodie Gray
#16 Eileen Amaro vs. #17 Shane Sanders
TAG TEAM MATCH: Team Adonis (#12 Starla McCloud & #19 Casey Atherton) vs. Bounce & Pounce (#23 Ignis & #25 Hayley Dark)
WINNER GOES TO CHAMPIONSHIP SCRAMBLE: #2 Scarlett Kincaid vs. #21 Katherine Stryfe

Viva La Carribean!  FFW’s first stop is the sandy beaches and blue waters of the island of Puerto Rico, where we’ll be heading to Bayamon.  And while that sounds like a convention that Nick and Eileen might go hit up, its really a city of 200k on the northern coast, known as La Ciudad de Chicharron. Which literally translates to “The Porkrind City”

You know, I’m starting to like this place already.

All three singles matches on this show look to be extremely competitive.  While Puertoricana Crystal Hilton unfortunately won’t be competing at the show, her sister in-law will be, looking to bounce back from a Conviction letdown by taking on the always dangerous Crystal Hate.  Lightning takes on Jodie Gray in a match a slumping Jodie really needs to win.  Then Eileen finally gets her hands on Shane Sanders in a match that could bonafide steal the show.

Tag team matches are in the works here too, with the focus being on recently failed challengers Bounce & Pounce going up against Team Adonis.  B&P have shown cracks,culminating spectacularily in that blowup fight they had during their pre-PPV promo.  Hayley and Iggy better get it together, though.  Team Adonis bonafide hate each other, but that seems to actually ADD to their ability to work together.  And things really heat up as Spitfire tries to get on the same page, and get things to mesh against the Evil Cheerleaders of Doom.

The Main Event is one that most of us have been waiting for a while- as Scarlett Kincaid and Katherine Stryfe finally get to go at it! (Well, without that annoying Stacey around, at least).   Its a good prize on the line- a trip to Safeco and the main event.  Like I said before, Katherine far from deserves to be in this, but I suppose it’s worth it to finally see these two rip into each other.


VELOCITY- JUNE 14 from BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL
#35 Rebbecca Valentine vs. Claire Black
#36 Trinity vs. Serafina Reynolds
#15 Melanie Avilo vs. #29 Lumina Ferrari
#4 Wendy Briese vs. #7 Desirae Kain
#10 Caroline Dallins vs. #11 Cara Stone
#9 Emma MacNamara vs. #13 Isabella Pazzini

Second stop on the tour is the beautiful nation of Brazil.  But leave your beach gear at home for this kids- we’re heading inland to the city of Belo Horizonte, which means Beautiful Horizon.  Considering the city is completely surrounded by mountains, I’m going to probably bet they weren’t kidding with the nomenclature.  Just be sure to dress warmly- its winter in Brazil, which means temperatures could get as low as 50 degrees here

Fun Fact: One of Belo Horizonte’s sister cities is Newark.  So if you get bored, apparently you can play a rousing game of “Count the Snookis”

Claire Black makes her FFW return, after a long hiatus.  The SVW Pride Champion goes against Becca Valentine, who certainly wouldn’t mind taking out a champion from a rival company.  Then Serafina goes up against Trinity, in a grudge match stemming over from Future Shock.  Trinity better be careful, the Catholic Brazillian crowd might be having nun of her sister act.  Either way, Cupcake is more than happy to rip Trinity to shreds.  Mel and Lumina collide, in a match that’s between two people heading in opposite directions on the totem pole.

The other three matches are bonafide PPV quality.  From a technical standpoint, Wendy and Desi might be the best on the card, but considering both women actually like each other, all we’ll get out of this is a technical wrestling classic.  Fur will fly in the other two.  Caroline took some liberties with Cara after their first match, but Cara pounded Caroline with a chair at Conviction, so you know this has to be settled.  And the last time Isabella and Emma met, it was a Hardcore War for the FFW Championship.  After the Mackenzie Mafia’s mockery of Samantha, you can bet her pet will be looking to make Emma pay!

AWARDS!
So a few weeks ago, building up to the PPV, I asked for volunteers to help my write my pre-Conviction preview column.  And while I was grateful for the fourteen women who stepped up, I had to unfortunately turn down a couple guys who wanted their take put in as well.  I appreciated their willingness to volunteer, so I felt it only fair that I hand over awards duties to one.  That one being none other than Adam Grant, our hardworking webmaster (and Lightning’s boyfriend)

Take it away, Adam!

Match of the Pay Per View: Hardcore War
I have never in my life witnessed anything like what I saw at the end of Conviction. I have never seen the level of hatred two people could have, that neither of them even attempted a pinfall. I felt like one of those people who slow down as they drive by a car wreck. It was brutal, and while I may not be the biggest fans of either, I just hope that they both will be alright. Especially Jennifer, because I saw her as they brought her back after the show. And what I saw, I have never seen outside of a horror movie. People made a stink about there not being a FFW Championship match, nothing could have followed that. Not in my opinion.

Absolutely right on that front.  I mean, who would have even wanted to watch more wrestling after watching Jenny fall like that?  It sure cast a pall on the evening, that’s for sure.  Anyways- Runners Up!
- Cara Stone vs. Camilla Pazzini (Its not often that a match is so memorable it gets is own nickname, but after Cara’s huge upset to win the UV title, the Mile High Miracle sounds fitting)
- Tara Thunder vs. Eileen Amaro (This was by far the toughest defense Tara’s yet had, and she managed to hold off a very hard charging Eileen to nip out a win.  Hopefully we’ll get a rematch sooner rather than later)

Winner of the Week: Cara Stone
I can’t give Cara enough credit, because going into the match, it seemed like not many others did. I was beginning to wonder if anyone could stop Camilla’s massive reign. And it didn’t take a monster to do it. It just took one girl with all the heart in the world! I couldn’t have been prouder of her for doing it! Take that title, and take it to the next level, Cara.

Pretty much a no brainer here, IMO.
- Shane Sanders (Told you all the attitude change was going to pay off.)
- Wendy Briese (After gnashing her teeth for two months over the bullshit at Chaos Theory, it feels good to see her with the titanium back around her waist)


Loser of the Week: Alyssa Foxworth
She signed a contract to compete in this match. She asked for the original match. She ran like she had Montezuma’s Revenge before the cage match. I always thought Alyssa had a lot of potential, because well...beating Eileen isn’t exactly easy. But her cowardice and lack of heart made me realize she really was right when she called her FFW career a failed experiment. Time to go back to just being another rich girl. Also not a Lady Gaga fan.

A rich girl who’s still going to be married to the owner’s brother.  Even without competing, I have this feeling we haven’t seen the last of her.
- Jennifer Stryfe (I’m pretty sure this one doesn’t need explaining)
- Bounce & Pounce (This was supposed to be their moment, gaining back the titles they should have never lost.  Instead, Pink, Inc played spoiler.  That’s gotta hurt)


Douchebag of the Week: Life (substituting for Kelly McGuffin)
I’ve never been a huge Kelly fan, but watching what she had to say before her Television Championship match this week showed me a new side of her. Given everything that we know her boyfriend has gone through this week, I can’t think that things might have been different if the events in her personal life hadn’t happened. I love Summer, but it was obvious to me (at least) that Kelly’s mind was on Christian, whom lost his dad this past week. Sometimes life bites you in the ass at the worst time, and this was one of those times. I hope she gets another opportunity sometime at the title, because her personal life definitely was the douchebag in the leadup to the biggest match of her career thus far.

R.I.P. Eric Kincaid (1967-2012)

Considering all that went down at Conviction, it’s easy to forget that the Kincaids did lose their family patriarch in the days leading up to the show, and our thoughts and prayers go out to them.

But (and I feel like an asshole for saying this), it only cheapens things when it’s used as an excuse.  Part of this business is, as hard at it is, is you gotta go out and be focused, regardless of how life is going.  Kelly was hardly the first woman in FFW to walk down that ramp with a heavy heart.  Scarlett was in the same boat, and she wiped the floor with Foxworth.   But Adam’s dead right in that Kelly deserves another shot.  Remember, she’s eighteen.  She’s still new at this, and she’s still young.  She’s got some growing up to do, but everyone did at that age.

- The Power Trip (Again, not much else needs to be said here)
- The Scarborough Fair (I’m not sure if Lyn Dallins was watching his former students proudly, or banging his head against the wall after that trainwreck of illegalities)

ONce again, a big thanks to Adam Grant for his take on the awards this week!  

And once again folks, its time to say goodbye from another column.  Be sure to tune into the upcoming FFW broadcasts, and I’ll see you all in mid-June, ready to wrap up another round of shows!

Until that time... POLLA OUT!

Daniel Pollaski is an independent wrestling columnist, SVW wrestler, and the manager of FFW star Wendy Briese.  He has just discovered that punching Alex Adonis burns 600 calories an hour, and encourages everyone to participate in this fun, and extremely healthy activity!

The Power-X CONVICTION '12 Preview Column

Hey kids!

We’re just a bit over a week away from Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer in these here United States.  There’s going to be parades, fireworks, a few auto races, baseball games, barbecues, swimming, F-16 flybys.

Oh, and a little women’s wrestling PPV coming from Denver, Colorado.  

Thirty-two wrestlers will be competing across fourteen matches in this one, with five titles being defended.  Two matches will be rematches of Chaos Theory contests (not surprisingly, they’re the top two matches on the card).  Two are going to be no rules bloodbaths.  And countless scores are going to be settled.

So let’s talk for a second about what you won’t be seeing on May 26th: The FFW Championship.

It’s actually becoming some sort of a Conviction thing- so far the only two PPV’s (Byte These excluded) to not have the FFW Championship being defended have come in May.  But at least last year we still saw Scarlett Kincaid in the War Games match as Team FFW went toe to toe with their deadly rivals from SVW.  This year, if Stacey Mackenzie is showing up, it’s as a fan/interviewee/guest commentator/something else.  Because whatever Conviction 2012 is about, the FFW Championship isn’t it.

Seriously?  We’re gonna make people shell out fifty bucks for a show without our champion?  Are we nuts?

Nope.  Because anyway you slice it, it’s still a bargain.  Because there is enough going on in FFW to where it doesn’t matter who’s competing, which titles are being defended, even the match stipulations.   People are gonna pony up because this is the best women’s wrestling company in the world.  There’s not a single wrestler on this roster that’s putting asses in those seats.  It’s the name itself.

It’s not that we have 60 wrestlers on the roster.   It’s that we have the most insanely deep talent roster that can be found anywhere.  Seriously... in my opinion, the top 35-40 women on this roster have the potential to challenge for one title or another.  It’s that even with six titles, title shots around here mean something, and are not easily won.  Forget the FFW Championship, good luck winning the TV title.  

There aren’t many other wrestling companies period that can boast something like that, let alone one that restricts itself to one gender.  The gender misconstrued as being the ‘weaker’ one.

And that’s why I’m not shoehorning the preview for this shoe into a column that’s already running five thousand words.  It’s because Conviction (and admittedly all FFW PPVs) deserves a spotlight all to itself.

So here we are, the official Power-X Conviction 2012 spectacular.  All fourteen matches have been broken down and combed through by yours truly.  But I felt that even my own experties was inadequate for a show of this calibur, so it was my honor to call in backup.  Fourteen lovely ladies stepped up, each one offering thier input on an upcoming match at Conviction.  I had a kick out of reading them, whether I agreed or not, and I hope you all to.  And all fourteen ladies have earned my gratitude for their contribution.

So without further ado, I invite you to enjoy the rest of the column.  You won’t as much as the actual show itself, but with ten days left to go until the wrestling buffet opens, here’s some morsels to get your appetite whetted.



MATCH ONE: LITERAL HANDICAP MATCH

#32 ALLISON WRIGHT
Age: 26
Height: 5’6
Weight: 134 lbs
Hometown: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Finishing Maneuver: Seeing Clearly
Last PPV Result: lost to Emma McIntyre (pinfall) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

VS. 


#47 TRACI LOVEHEART
Age:  3 (Mentally)
Height: 5’8
Weight: 145 lbs
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Finishing Maneuvers: The Heartbreaker, One Night Stand, Crying Shame
Last PPV Result: Lost to Emma McIntyre (pinfall) at Unstoppable II
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: For this match, Traci will be both blindfolded and have both of her hands tied behind her back.  So pretty much it’s the modern day equivalent of feeding Christians to lions.

What they’re saying: So here we have it. The truest sense of a handicap match! Seems legit. Traci is blindfolded and handcuffed, and she faces Allison Wright, who is blind, and... not handcuffed. The thing is, Ali’s been doing pretty well against sighted competition lately, knocking off Arianna Millar a couple of weeks ago, and having a couple of good PPV mathces with Emma McIntyre, former FFW Champion. So even a fully functioning Traci Loveheart is no match for her really.

Some people call this match a mugging. Me? I call it hilarious.

Traci has plagued our screens for nearly two years ago with her fish face and logic bypass. She is one of the most sinfully annoying and vile people it has ever been my displeasure to meet. And what this is, my friends, is unequivocally, undeniably, the END of Traci Loveheart! And that is a reason to PARTAY!!! Allison to win. LOL!
- Lightning

What I say: It’s a shame that this is the last member of Twisted Path, because destroying them and ending their careers could have become something of a Conviction tradition (anyone remember Tiffany vs. Victoria Summers from last year?)  Either way, this will be an absolute destruction, and the only drawback is that the handcuffs will prevent Allison from locking some submission moves.  After that, it’s easy pickin’s for the blind wrestler, who will nab her first FFW PPV victory with flying colors.



MATCH TWO: TAG TEAM COLLISION

SPITFIRE
#22 JO MCFARLANE AND #23 SABRA NICOLYEV
Age: 20/22
Height: 5’4/5’10
Weight: 269 lbs combined (119/150)
Hometown: Edinburgh, Scotland/Flagstaff, Arizona
Finishing Maneuver: Knocked the Fuck Out, Lighter Fluid
Last PPV Result: Jo defeated Sabra (pinfall) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: Neither Competed

VS.

THE SCARBOROUGH FAIR
MICKEY SCARBOROUGH & RAQUEL FAIR
Age: 22/22
Height: 5’8/5’7
Weight: 287 lbs combined (147/140)
Hometown: Berkely, California (both)
Finishing Maneuver: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme
Last PPV Result: FFW Debut
Result at Conviction ‘11: Since I said this is their FFW debut, guess what...

What’s at Stake: Nothing too much in the way of rivalry here, especially since The Scarborough Fair is making their debut.  However, the result of this will go a long way in determining contendership in the Unity division.

What They’re Saying: What's better than two women in skimpy clothing grappling with each other until the other submits to the supremacy of the other? Four women... Both teams are fairly new, Spitfire has formed fairly recently and Scarborough Fair is a pair of fresh... very enticing faces in FFW... It is going to be an absolute delight to see these four women prove themselves to the fans... And I personally will be enjoying it VERY thoroughly...

Despite both teams being fairly new... I will give the upper hand to Scarborough Fair on grounds that they seem more like a team... while Spitfire seems to be just two women randomly slapped together...

So Scarborough Fair will snatch a big win on their debut...
- Elizabeth Blackwell

What I Say: Wow.  Only Elizabeth Blackwell could take a simple double debut tag match and turn it into something... creepy... yet strangely erotic.   Anyways,  Spitfire was originally supposed to face Pretty In Punk here, but they were forced to withdraw thanks to an accident to Whitley Mercer.  Which is ironic, because Whitley’s pretty much an accident herself.  Anyways,  definite interesting mix here.  Spitfire faced each other at Chaos Theory, with Jo winning, but these two actually do go back rather far, well before Sabra’s FFW debut.  The Fair, on the other hand, well, they certainly didn’t endear too many people with their debut.  Let’s hope they’re less of a one-note wonder than they were musically.  


MATCH THREE: GRUDGE MATCH

#38 LIGHTNING
Age: 25
Height: 5’8
Weight: 146 lbs
Hometown: Llanfair, PG Wales
Finishing Maneuver: The Shock Drop, Picture Perfect
Last PPV Result: PPV Debut
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

VS.

#41 ALLISON DEAS
Age: 19
Height: 5’4
Weight: 115 lbs
Hometown: Hollywood, California
Finishing Maneuver: Teenage Crush, Teenage Breakup
Last PPV Result: Finished 8th in battle royal at Byte This II
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: As far as title contention goes, both are pretty fringe to any belt at the moment, although Lightning is decisively closer.  This one’s all about pride and settling a grudge, given that both Lightning and Allison have gone after the same guy.  At least on that front, Lightning seems to be holding the advantage.

What They’re Saying: This is definitely going to be the sleeper hit of Conviction. On one hand you have Lightning, one of the most electrifying women in professional wrestling (no pun intended) and on the other you have Allison Deas. I've had my eye on the rivalry between these two women since they first faced off way back in February (if that wasn't their first meeting, I apologize big time as it's the only one I remember). If memory serves correctly, the initial dislike between these two spawned over Allison's advances on Adam Grant— the FFW Webmaster and Lightning's boyfriend.

We seem to have a couple instances of people fighting over guys in our ranks and I think it's just silly. I don't really get what all the fuss is about. Sure, Adam is alright looking, but Allison is gorgeous and actually somewhat talented. She could have any man she chooses so why chase the taken guy?

Alright, back to the match and the tale of the tape. Just last Velocity, we saw Lightning completely dismantle Allison's tag team partner and BFF in Elizabeth Showtime, sending a clear message.

I'd like to say this match could go either way, but I'd be giving too much credit to Allison that I don't think she's quite due. It's possible she could prove me wrong, and if she does, kudos to her. While it's true that she's definitely managed to distance herself from the stigma the Deas name carries in the wrestling industry, she does still come off a little inconsistent. On the last edition of Breaking Point she lost to Sabra— not that there's any shame in that. Sabra is a beast, but Allison has to be feeling that defeat going into this grudge match. That's never a good place to becoming from, believe me.

Lightning wants this win if only to silence Allison once and for all. I'd wish her luck but I don't think she'll need it. They say lightning never strikes in the same place twice— let's hope for Allison that's true.
- Summer

What I Say: Summer’s got it wrong.  Allison Deas IS consistent.  But so’s her sister, if you get my drift.  And we really haven’t seen much of Lightning, but if she’s anything like the other Leavenworth sisters, she hasn’t even come close to peaking yet.  Cheers and Jeers fans, I think it’s time to be disappointed.


MATCH FOUR: FUTURE SHOCK COLLISION

#16 CAROLINE DALLINS
Age: Unknown
Height: 5’7
Weight: 131 lbs
Hometown: Tampa Bay, Florida
Finishing Maneuver:  News At 11, In Cold Blood
Last PPV Result: PPV Debut
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

vs. 

#29 JENNIFER WILLIAMS
Age: 26
Height: 5’7
Weight: 127 lbs
Hometown: Long Island, New York
Finishing Maneuver: Mountain Dew Rush
Last PPV Result: lost to Tara Thunder (submission) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11:  Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: Caroline is quickly establishing herself as a threat to the TV, or perhaps even Evolution division.  Jennifer Williams has become a threat to the insulin supply at the local diabetes clinic.   In truth, she’s a fringe TV title candidate at the moment, after being decisively beaten by Tara Thunder at Chaos Theory.

What They’re Saying: This is a match I’m going to be paying close attention to as I might well find one or both of these as soon-to-be-failed-future-contenders to the FFW Television Championship that I’m going to win later that same night. Williams has tried to enlist the help of Cara Stone as a training partner going into this match, though I question the logic of asking a multiple time failure for help - least of all when she was dominated by Killer-C a few short weeks ago. I guess this is why no-one has ever accused J-Will of being a genius though. On the opposite of the ring is Caroline Dallins with a brand new, driven and some would say very aggressive attitude. She’s a woman who seems to be training like her life depended on it and has obviously had her Grey’s Anatomy book open - or her House DVD boxset playing on a loop - when she isn’t, saving the trainers the job of diagnosing the injuries she’s going to inflict. Jennifer Williams has surprised on PPV before when she won the Pick Your Poison match, but the only surprise at Conviction could be if she walks out.
- Kelly McGuffin

What I’m Saying: Holy shit, I actually have to agree with most of this, although I wouldn’t exactly call Cara Stone a failure.  Although it has to be thrown in that unless Jennifer Williams is throwing a rope-a-dope (which makes no sense because Caroline’s not one to back off), J-Will isn’t even taking this match seriously, electing to sit around playing video games and drinking Mountain Dew instead of busting her ass in the ring.  And while I want to be surprised by that, this is the Williams family we’re talking about, where nothing’s made sense for the better part of the last year.  Jennifer better get it together... that “Killer C” nickname Caroline’s sporting is hardly hyperbole.


MATCH FIVE: FUTURE SHOCK COLLISION

#25 MELANIE AVILO
Age: 20
Height: 5’7
Weight: 139 lbs
Hometown: Rio De Janiero, Brazil
Finishing Maneuver: Didn’t See It Coming
Last PPV Result: lost to Lumina Ferrari in a Fatal-Four Way Match also involving Jodie Gray and Crystal Hate (Did Not Take Fall)
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

VS.

#31 JODIE GRAY
Age: 20
Height: 5’3
Weight: 110 lbs
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Finishing Maneuver: Check Mate, Level Up!, Star Power
Last PPV Result: lost to Lumina Ferrari in Fatal Four-Way match at Chaos Theory.  Melanie Avilo & Crystal Hate were also in it (took fall)
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: Both are definite TV Title contenders (Mel a bit closer to the belt than Jodie at the moment).  But this one is all about pride between the two.  As much as I love Jodie, her fascination with Mel is kinda borderline creepy.  I think Mel just wants to be rid of her.

What They’re Saying: This is one of the most interesting matches on the entire card, because there’s some real bad blood between these two. The only thing is, it’s difficult to work out why. Neither of these women is particularly nasty or anything. It just seems to be a dramatic clash of personalities. Still, both women have shown a good degree of skill inside the ring, so it should be a fascinating contest.

Jodie Gray put in a real MVP performance in the Capture the Queen match that opened Future Shock’s seventh season last week, despite coming out in a losing effort, being pinned by Jo McFarlane. If she can put in another solid showing here, there’s a decent chance she can knock off the Brazilian, and really stamp her place on a future Television Championship match. But Mel didn’t become the Future Shock Season Five Champion by going down easily, and has shown a level of consistency one would expect from a champion; one also shown by the likes of Desirae Kain and myself. I like both these girls (though I don’t have any type of “Melboner”) and I think, whomever wins, it will be a great contest for the fans to enjoy. I’d put Mel as slight favourite here, but Jodie seems to do best when the odds are against her. So it could really go either way.
- Sophie Richards

What I Say: I’ll say this: if ANYONE brings up Jodie being some sort of ‘liar’ because she had a bit more in ring experience than we thought, I will take a whiffle ball bat to them.   Both girls are well respected up and comers, so it’s kind of a shame that there’s so much bad blood between them.  Either way, it’ll be settled at the show, and if Jodie can overcome Mel’s size advantage, and the stigma she’s gotten about choking in major matches, she can pull this one off.


MATCH SIX: SPECIAL ATTRACTION

#12 CRYSTAL HILTON
Age: 24
Height: 5’5
Weight: 120 lbs
Hometown: Los Angles, California
Finishing Maneuver: Lights, Camera, Action; Perfection Never Fails; Shattered Reflection
Last PPV Result: def. Isabella Pazzini in a Parking Lot Brawl (pinfall) at Cold Blooded ‘12
Result at Conviction ‘11: with Wendy Briese & Kassandra, def. Ariel Shadows, Gretchen Donimari & Destiny Loveheart in a six woman tag match for the First Round of the Chase for the Crown (did not get fall)

VS.

#27 SHANE SANDERSAge: 29
Height: 5’6
Weight: 139 lbs
Hometown: Canton, Texas
Finishing Maneuver: Beauty In Chaos
Last PPV Result: lost to Kaitlynn Stryfe (pinfall) at Byte This III
Result at Conviction ‘11: Lost to Rori Snyder (pinfall)

What’s At Stake: Don’t let my rankings fool you, both women are actually outside contenders for the FFW Championship if they can get the right win streak going.  Other than that, this is more just a match of two women who deserve to be on the PPV competing rather than anything that’s been brewing for a while.

What They’re Saying: This could prove to be one of the more talked about matches of the evening. Hilton obviously has an awful lot of talent - she came into FFW and went on an absolute tear winning seven straight, picking up the Evolution Championship from the highly respected Wendy Briese in a match of the year candidate. She’s also not shy about bringing her acting skills to the ring (see the epic faked injury that picked her up the first fall in best two out of three falls match against Wendy Briese). Crystal also comes in hot after an incredible performance at the last Velocity in the eight person tag match that saw her pick up the victory. Shane Sanders though has also picked up her fair share of headlines in recent weeks following the (re-?) emergence of her bad girl attitude, cutting loose her family, driving Eileen Amaro’s head through a chair and then giving Stacey Mackenzie one hell of a headache as she seemed to join forces with Isabella Pazzini - the presence of Eden Chevalier suggesting the presence of Samantha Star’s fingerprints on that alliance. Shane’s only problem is consistency - one night she can beat a hot Colleen, on another she’ll fall against a streaking Emma McIntyre. It’s what makes this match so intriguing. On the one side we have Crystal, who likes to bring the fans out of their seats with the high risk moves that could cost her if she gets caught, while on the other side it all depends exactly which Shane Sanders turns up. And let’s not forget the potential x factor in this match. Rori Mackenzie. She currently has her sights set on Hilton but after two hellacious matches in the middle of last year, there’s certainly no love lost between Rori and Shane. This is definitely a toss a coin and pick ‘em match up that could make a compelling case for one or both of them to book their place in the Scramble at Unstoppable.
- Scarlett Kincaid

What I say: Pretty much spot on, but if we see Rori here, it’ll be to screw with Hilton.  Given that the whole Shane/Rori thing stemmed from Nick’s breakup with Scar, and Shane’s wanting nothing to do with Nick anymore (not to mention she’s pretty much thanked Rori for changing her perspective...).  I’m gonna agree here, it’s all going to depend which Shane and which Crystal shows up.  If both come out flat, this will be by far the worst match of the evening.  If both come out fired up, it will be one of the best.  And if one does, and the other doesn’t?  Well, God help them.

MATCH SEVEN: TELEVISION CHAMPIONSHIP

#7 SUMMER (Defending Champion)
Age: 20
Height: 5’6
Weight: 143 lbs
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
Finishing Maneuver: Falling Starr, Summer Solstice
Last PPV Result: def. Sophie Richards for the Television Championship (pinfall) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

VS.

#11 KELLY MCGUFFIN
Age: 18
Height: 5’5
Weight: 108
Hometown: Coney Island, New York
Finishing Maneuver: Three Ring Circus, High Flying Trapeeze
Last PPV Result: def. Jo McFarlane in the Prison of Punishment (pinfall) at Cold Blooded ‘12
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: The Television Championship.  Also, Kelly is undefeated, but on a “Little Sisters of the Poor” quality strength of schedule.  

What They’re Saying:  God, of all the matches for me to be assigned, I had to be given this match.  I plan on showing my displeasure to Pollaski when I see him again.  Whatever, I will do my part as I did sign up to preview a match.  

This match is nothing more than two bitches who think that they are better than they really are.  This match will be a dud as Summer and Kelly couldn’t carry a match if it had handles.  This will be a match that the fans will be able to take a bathroom break and not miss a damn thing.  Summer was able to catch lightning in a bottle twice against Sophie Richards and myself, becoming the champion.  Her match against Lumina was so boring I fell asleep.  

Of course, the challenger is no better as Kelly hasn’t as no one has seen her in the ring since there was actually snow on the ground.  She has yet to do anything of substance in the ring against anyone that is major league in the company.  Yes, Kelly has an undefeated streak in FFW which I will applaud her for but it is against the likes of Hanna Elliot, Sophia Black (who was fired right after the match), etc.  

With that all said, I feel that Kelly will squeak away with the win and the title.  Summer is a good wrestler but when put under the hot lights of a PPV title defense, will choke and prove that she was not deserving of winning the title in the first place.

Prediction:  New Television Champion, Kelly McGuffin
- Crystal Hate

What I Say: Honestly, this match is a pure toss-up, if but for the fact that I don’t think we’ve gotten clear pictures of what each woman’s capable of yet.  Summer’s is a bit clearer- her rise to the TV title was meteoric, and she just avenged her only defeat to Lumina.  And of course, she beat longtime champion Sophie Richards.  Like I said earlier, Kelly’s undefeated streak has been thus far marred by a hardly jarring opponent quality (Jo McFarlane is by far her best win), and her almost painfully sporadic schedule.  If Kelly pulls this off, start calling her legit, but until then...


MATCH EIGHT: EVOLUTION CHAMPIONSHIP

#3 TARA THUNDER (Defending Champion)
Age: 22
Height: 5’6
Weight: 136 lbs
Hometown: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Finishing Maneuver: Down and Dead, Who’s The Bitch Now?
Last PPV Result: def. Jennifer Williams in a Pick Your Poison Cash-in (submission) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

VS.

#13 EILEEN AMARO
Age: 23
Height: 5’8
Weight: 131 lbs
Hometown: Ocean City, Maryland
Finishing Maneuver: Wipe-Out; Midnight Runner; The Apocalyptica
Last PPV Result: def. Casey Atherton in an Evolution #1 Contender’s Match (pinfall) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: The Evolution Title, something Tara has held for a while, and Eileen’s been aiming for for almost just as long before finally getting her shot.

What They’re saying: Hey, Care-Bears, so Dan asked me to give my preview of the Evolution Championship match between Eileen Amaro and Tara Thunder.  Now, this one's a toughie, literally about as close as they come.  Now, I can't kid around here, Tara is dominant.  Period.  I mean, that woman is a Jerkface, don't get me wrong, but she's scary in that ring, there's no getting around it.  However, Eileen is plucky.  And awesomesauce.  And even though she has some issues finishing the job once in awhile, she does have a tendency to come through in the most important matches.  Just ask Casey Atherton.  Also, Eileen's quick adaptive style which allows her to fight both technically and with speed might give her a slight advantage against Tara's slower impact based style.  That said, if Eileen lets herself get caught, Tara could end it with one Down and Dead.  I expect a really good back and forth here with these two, but if I HAD to make a prediction...I'm going to go with Eileen.  I love a good underdog.  (Wonder why.)
- Cara Stone

What I Say: Random trivia: Who was the last person to beat Tara Thunder (clusterfuck tag matches notwithstanding)?

If you guessed Hanna Elliot, go buy yourself something nice.

The point is, Tara Thunder’s not unbeatable, even if it hasn’t happened in a good six months.  And the Elliot win was certainly all about overconfidence on Tara’s part... she destroyed Hanna on the second go-round.  After that, the last person to pick up a win against Tara was Wendy Briese, and that was a ladder match.

Long story short, this is a tough girl to beat we’re talking about.

Unfortunately for Tara, Eileen is the kind of plucky person who can whether the Thunderstorm and pull through in the end.  Hell, I don’t even want to call her the underdog here- Eileen’s been someone capable of the Evolution Championship (or more) since the day she arrived, and despite a few hiccups, that hasn’t changed.  Expect this to be a barnburner of a match, but don’t be surprised if Tara’s impressive reign comes to an end on the twenty-sixth.

For the record, I love that picture of Eiley.  Is there a better ‘bitch, please’ expression out there than that?



MATCH NINE: UNITY TAG TEAM CHAMIONSHIP

PINK, INC (Defending Champions)
#10 DESIRAE KAIN & #33 ARIANNA MILLAR
Age: 22/27
Height: 5’2/5’9
Weight: 261 lbs combined (116/145)
Hometown: Eze, France/ Charleston, South Carolina
Finishing Maneuver: Pink Express
Last PPV Result: together, def. The Violent Femmes and The New York Crew in a Triple Threat Match for the Unity Tag Team Championships (Millar pinned Sullivan)
Result at Conviction ‘11: Neither Competed

VS.

BOUNCE & POUNCE
#18 IGNIS & #21 HAYLEY DARK
Age: 21/20
Height: 5’3/5’2
Weight: 235 lbs combined (119/116)
Hometown: Llanfair, PG Wales/ Leeds, England
Finishing Maneuver: Make A Wish
Last PPV Result: Together and with Kara Harrington, lost to The Eternal Flame & Tabatha Belmont in a six woman tag match (Ignis took fall) at Byte This III
Result at Conviction ‘11: Ignis Didn’t compete.  Hayley technically didn’t either, but she ate Belladonna’s face with a beautiful Boing Blaster (and you all booed that!  for shame!)

What’s At Stake: The Unity Tag Titles, held by Pink, Inc after they beat the New York Crew and the Violent Femmes at Chaos Theory.  Bounce and Pounce defeated Pink, Inc. for the titles at Cold Blooded, but were stripped of them less than a month later due to Ignis failing a drug test.  After being reinstated, they earned their shot by beating the New York Crew.

What They’re Saying: The Unity Championship is on the line between two very impressive teams. Bounce & Pounce are looking to reclaim the titles they never lost in the ring, with Pink Inc. look to solidify themselves as the top team in FFW. I personally know first hand just how tough Desirae is, and Arianna while not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer... has shown great chemistry with Desirae. On the other hand Hayley and Ignis...I really do not like them. Ignis is so full of herself that only the existance of Lightning prevents her from being the worst sister... she is still intolerable, and Hayley... somewhat talented, yet none too impressive. It will be a great match regardless... as titlematches always should be.

I still think Pink, Inc has what it takes to come out on top, they got a point to prove more than B&P and Desirae is riding on a nice high at the moment...
- Jennifer Stryfe

What I Say: This has match of the night potential written all over it.  By now, Bounce and Pounce have got to be salivating over their chance to regain the belts back, and I’m sure Ari and Desi are sick to death by now of hearing everyone talk about how they never had to beat B&P for the titles.  As far as I’m concerned, it is what it is.  Ignis’ suspension was bullshit, but sometimes that happens, especially when a woman like Samantha Star runs things.  The fact is, this was a rematch that was gonna happen sooner or later anyways, the only difference is that the belts are on the team we didn’t expect to have regained them at this point.


MATCH TEN: NIGHTMARE, INC EXPLODES!  GUEST REF: VALERIE BELMONT

#14 EMMA MCINTYRE
Age: 22
Height: 5’6
Weight: 134 lbs
Hometown: Glasgow, Scotland
Finishing Maneuver: Back to Hell; Fall From Grace
Last PPV Result: def. Allison Wright (pinfall) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

vs. 

#20 KATHERINE STRYFE
Age: 27
Height: 5’5
Weight: 111 lbs
Hometown: London, England
Finishing Maneuver: Say Hello to the Sandman; Robbed of Innocence, TTFOB
Last PPV Result: w/ Tabatha Belmont & Rebbecca Valentine, beat Bounce & Pounce & Kara Harrington in a six-woman tag match (did not get fall) at Byte This III
Result at Conviction ‘11: with Rebbecca Valentine, lost to Angelic S&D in the finals of the Unity Tag Team Tournament (did not take fall)

What’s At Stake: Since both women are former FFW Champions, the winner would emerge one step closer to contending for that belt, but both are in positions to where they’ll likely need a lot more than just a win here to get on that shortlist.  So that leaves us with bad blood.  Lots and lots of bad blood.  Probably all over the ring by the time this is over.

What They’re Saying: Tag teams. When you’re in this business as a tag team, you do a lot together. You travel together, laugh together, cry together, sleep in the same bed because the hotel has no heat and cuddling up close is your only option, fight the scum of the earth or worthy adversaries together, and grow together. You also know in the back of your head that one day you will face off against them. That thought never goes away. It’s always there. Always in the back of your mind, like the devil on your shoulder. So you prepare for ‘when’ and the ‘where’. You prepare for the worst.

At least, assumed that was on Katherine Stryfe’s mind. Always prepare for the worst. Lost your tag-partner because they had personal stuff? Get a new one. That one mouthing off and thinks she needs to ‘get out of your shadow’? Hell with her. As far as I can tell, this match will prove who carried Nightmare, Inc. Haven’t been here long, but I know a ‘who was really carrying our team’ match when I see it. This isn’t about making each other upset, hanging with cool kids or loss of mental capacity. This is ego. Who is the bigger name, Emma McIntyre or Katherine Stryfe? As for the winner, I for one think that--

....Oh. Valerie Belmont has been appointed by Samantha Star to be the guest referee. Well. Haven’t the faintest idea what that’s about. Should be called right down the middle. Nothing to see here people. Move along to the next preview. Killer C out.
- Caroline Dallins

What I Say: Yeah, the Valerie Belmont officiating thing makes me scratch my head too, but no one’s ever accused Samantha Star of making sense.  And for all that I take the piss out of Kat, this is the kind of match we’ll see her get up for.  This could very well be the most emotional of the evening, as two women who were like sisters at one point tear each other up.  I said before that this could steal the show, and I’m standing by it.  Now lets just hope our redheaded vampire returnee doesn’t fuck it all up on her part.


MATCH ELEVEN: LAST WOMAN STANDING MATCH FOR THE ULTRAVIOLENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

#4 CAMILLA PAZZINI (defending champion)
Age: 27
Height: 5’6
Weight: 196 lbs
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Finishing Maneuver: Now That’s How You Do A Spear; The Big Squeeze; Absolute Destruction
Last PPV Result: beat Rose Jenkins in a Last Woman Standing match to defend the Ultraviolence Title (Knockout) at Cold Blooded ‘12
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

VS.

#17 CARA STONE
Age: 26
Height: 5’7
Weight: 135 lbs
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Finishing Maneuver: Down From The Sky
Last PPV Result: lost to Alysson Gardner in a Three-Way TLC match for the Ultraviolence #1 Contendership.  Rebbecca Valentine also participated
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: The Ultraviolence Championship, which Camilla has now held for the better part of the past year.  Alysson Gardner was originally slated for this match, but was removed upon her termination from FFW.  Stone became her replacement after beating Rebbecca Valentine in a first blood match.  Camilla has claimed her lack of title matches recently was due to her violent nature jeopardiing the safety and career of any prospective challenger.  Make of that what you will.

What They’re Saying: I'm not one to usually pay attention to the Ultraviolence Division, simply because I find that sort of glorified violence to be a mockery of the skill and technical prowess required to actually succeed in this business. Any idiot can wallop someone over the head with a chair. Any moron can dive through plate glass and bleed all over the place. But there are only two women on the roster who are shining examples of skill sets that far outweigh the barbarism of this pathetic division.

Camilla Pazzini is a freight train. She's one of the fiercest and most driven women in professional wrestling and I've seen her destroy men twice her size without batting an eye. She should be going into this match as fresh as a daisy, having last wrestled against Shane Sanders way back in March. Not to say that Camilla isn't a fighting champion, or that she wrestles more infrequently than I do. I didn't actually have to say it because the facts speak for themselves. With that much time off to recover between violent bloodbaths, it's no wonder that she's been able to maintain such a stranglehold on the division title.

Yet that string of luck might be changing come Conviction— the event that's never been more aptly named than when it comes to Cara Stone, Future Shock graduate and possible future SVW Tag Team Champion. I was completely and utterly blown away by the knock-down/drag-out fight between "Killer C" Caroline Dallins and "Hurricane" Cara in which Cara lost. The loss wasn't embarrassing. The fact that Cara had to take the post-matching whining to Twitter made me think that she's just as pathetic as Katherine Stryfe and the rest of the hypocrites. Perhaps she absorbed some of that when she defeated Kat's cardboard cutout clone in Rebbecca. Cara certainly has the motivation to win this match, especially with the fire that's been lit under her courtesy of Ms. Dallins.

But, and this is a pretty big one— maybe even as big as the caboose on Cammie from sitting around on this title unchallenged since September— but Camilla has the experience in the ring. She has the wrestling chops to anticipate everything in Cara's bag of tricks. I predict this title remaining around Cammie's waist when the dust settles. Cara can move on to something bigger and better (or she can go back to beating her fists ineffectually against the brick wall that is Killer C).

What I Say: Nail on the head Kitty (hey, there’s an idea for the Main Event!).  And that’s the scary thing about Chunks, when it all boils down to this. Unlike so many Ultraviolence specialists, Camilla CAN wrestle, and she’s damn good at it.  And yes, Cara can wrestle too, there’s no doubt about that.  The issue is if Cara’s developed the hardcore chops necessary to keep Camilla down for a ten-count, someone that the much more brutal Colleen was unable to do.

But here’s the kicker that I think is being overlooked.  Cara is right up there with Scarlett, Wendy, and Eileen in terms of pure heart.  That’s the one thing Rose Jenkins, and even Raven Wicked never really had.  And this is cliche, but when there’s a will, there’s a way.  If it is physically possible for her to get up, she will, and this match will keep going.  And there won’t be a one shot knockout for Cara, but all she needs is an opening, and a way to capitalize on it.  

In short, throw the paper away here, kids.  This one’s gonna be a LOT closer than you think.


MATCH TWELVE: STEEL CAGE MATCH

#2 SCARLETT KINCAID
Age: 22
Height: 5’6
Weight: 117 lbs
Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Finishing Maneuver: Kincaid Cascade; Louisiana Leglock; Scarlett Fever
Last PPV Result: lost to Stacey Mackenzie in a match for the FFW Championship (pinfall) at Cold Blooded
Result at Conviction ‘11: with Isabella Pazzini, Miss Demeanor, Robbyn Helmsley &  Stacey Mackenzie, beat Team SVW in the Wargames match (did not get fall)

VS.

#42 ALYSSA FOXWORTH
Age: 28
Height: 5’7
Weight: 133 lbs
Hometown: Manhattan, New York
Finishing Maneuver: Beautiful Dirty Rich
Last PPV Result: def. Eileen Amaro (pinfall) at Cold Blooded ‘12
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: If Scarlett loses this, she can kiss any hope of rematching for the FFW Championship goodbye.  Other than that, it’s all about bad blood, stemming from an incident at a New Years party nearly a year and a half ago.  Although much fresher in everyone’s mind is the first match between these two, when Scarlett won by countout after Alyssa ran away.

What They’re Saying: Let me make this perfectly clear...Scarlett Kincaid is the most overrated, overhyped wrestler in FFW - in fact ANYWHERE - EVER. Period. No question, no argument. It’s pure cold hard fact. I don’t care that Dan has turned his little column into some form of shrine to her, I’m here to put the record right. Proof:

Exhibit 1) The only reason she ever won the FFW Championship was because of an obviously crooked referee, biased against the then champion Isabella Pazzini because of past issues.

Exhibit 2) Her husband goes on sabbatical, can’t bail her out and she loses the title in the Elimination Chamber. She’s been slipping ever since. Rori dominated her from bell to bell, against Kitty she needed Cody’s physical involvement to pick up the win and then two big losses against Stacey Mackenzie.

Contrast that with Alyssa Foxworth. Sure she doesn’t have the sob story that Scarlett can bore us all with for the nine billionth time, but believe me, life is just as difficult for Alyssa - she’s overcome just as many trials and tribulations as Scarlett - if not more as she’s had to deal with that red headed, ungrateful superior bitch steal her boyfriend and rub it in every chance she’s had. With the training she’s had from the Legendary undefeatable Samantha Star Alyssa will bring that snivelling little Cajun brat down a peg or two, before taking time off for what I’m sure will be the wedding of the millenia.
- Starla McCloud

What I Say: I’m not really sure if I’d say long lines at the stores on Fifth Avenue are trials and tribulations, but hell, Starla’s entitled to her opinion.  Anyways, most of us are expecting to see a bonafide ass-whipping as Scarlett does to Alyssa everything she couldn’t do to Rori.  And with Alyssa trapped in that cage, unless she can think of something really really clever, that’s exactly how this is gonna go.



MATCH THIRTEEN: NO SURRENDER CHAMPIONSHIP

#8 STARLA MCCLOUD (Defending Champion)
Age: 25
Height: 5’9
Weight: 127 lbs
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Finishing Maneuver: Diagnosis: Psychosis; Sweet Sedation; Stockholm Syndrome; Freudian Slip
Last PPV Result: beat Wendy Briese to win the No Surrender Championship (bullshit) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: lost to Sophie Richards in a fatal-four way match for the Television Championship, with Michelle Taylor and Belladonna also competing (Did Not Take Fall)

VS. 

#5 WENDY BRIESE
Age: 30
Height: 5’8
Weight: 132 lbs
Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana
Finishing Maneuver: Vortexinator; Emerald Cyclone; Banshee
Last PPV Result: lost No Surrender Championship to Starla McCloud (Alex Adonis’ delusions) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11:  with Crystal Hilton & Kassandra, def. Ariel Shadows, Gretchen Donimari, & Michelle Taylor in a six-woman tag match for the first round of the Chase For the Crown

What’s At Stake: The No Surrender Championship.  Starla beat Wendy for the belt after guest referee Alex Adonis claimed Wendy submitted, despite her being fully conscious the entire time, neither tapping nor nodding, her lips not moving, and no audio being heard of saying “I Quit”.  I’m sure Alex being Starla’s husband was a mere coincidence and not in anyway additional evidence that Wendy got screwed.

What They’re Saying: Ever since its inception, the No Surrender title has been an interesting concept – matches that can only be won by submission, a titanium title belt rather than gold or bronze like they seem to be done for the most part and as the tournament to crown the first ever No Surrender champion occurred, we’ve been seeing some of the absolute best technical wrestlers in our sport go at it. Wendy Briese won that tournament and lo and behold, thanks to our “esteemed” owner Samantha Star appointing Alex Adonis as a special referee for Wendy’s defense against Adonis’ first wife Starla McCloud at Chaos Theory and you knew the deck was stacked.

Through circumstances that makes this previewer sick to her stomach, Starla won the No Surrender title via crooked referee and Wendy’s cashed in her rematch clause. She also cashed in her fist upside Starla’s jaw and the hussy deserved every second of it. This rematch has a LOT of bad blood in it and to be honest, it could be the first time in which we see Wendy Briese – to put it in layman’s terms – “fuck a bitch up.” She has all the reason in the world and unlike last time, Starla won’t have her husband as the referee to bail her out. At the same time, besides being a decent technician in her own right, Starla is the kind of woman who will fight dirty if the situation calls for it. This will be a test of endurance, skill and will for both of these women and hopefully it’ll be shenanigan-less. Hopefully.
- Eileen Amaro

What I Say: Nothing.  Anything that Eileen didn’t say in that wonderful piece, I’ll let Wendy say next week.  

MAIN EVENT: HARDCORE WAR

#6 KAITLYNN STRYFE
Age: 31
Height: 5’5
Weight: 137 lbs
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Finishing Maneuver: Kiss Of Death; Vixen Driver
Last PPV Result: def. Jennifer Stryfe in a Falls Count Anywhere Match (pinfall) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: def. Valerie Belmont (pinfall)

VS.

#15 JENNIFER STRYFE
Age: 25
Height: 5’5
Weight: 154 lbs
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Finishing Maneuver: The Crowning; Enter the Machine
Last PPV Result: lost to Kaitlynn Stryfe in a Falls Count Anywhere Match (Pinfall) at Chaos Theory
Result at Conviction ‘11: Did Not Compete

What’s At Stake: Um... everything?  Considering all the circumstances, this might be the most important non-FFW Championship singles match in company history.  Both women hate each other, and both are being championed by men who are absolute cancers to the wrestling industry.  Add in that the winner is going to be a clear cut frontrunner for an FFW Championship opportunity, and that anything goes in this match... holy shit.

What They’re Saying: So I get this one?  Weird.. because I’m still debating whether or not I’m even going to watch this.  Seriously, Dan.  Did you draw these assignments out of a hat or something?

I hope neither Kaitlynn nor Jennifer are offended that I might not watch.  I know they’re great competitors, despite whatever my personal opinion of each might be.   But that’s just it- both of these women are at peak condition, in the prime of their careers, and they’re heading into a match where they’re going to be blatantly encouraged to, not wrestle, not even fight, but pretty much commit attempted murder on each other.  This is the closest we’ll (at least hopefully) ever get to the old days of gladiatorial combat in the colosseums.  

Who am I kidding?  I’ll watch, even though I know I’ll be cringing all the way as these two women do things to each other that would be illegal in any other situation.  Heck, we’ve seen a preview already, involving chairs, spiked gloves, and car batteries.  If that’s what they’re going to do when they’re not supposed to do anything, what’s going to happen once they’re turned loose?

I’m not going to call a winner- I have no idea which of the two will have enough hate, rage and vitriol to win a match like this.  I’ll just say that I can’t shake this feeling that something really bad is going to happen here, and we’re all going to be forced to watch as it unfolds.

I’m sorry, I’m really not being much for hyping this up, am I?  I’ll shut up now.
- Wendy Briese

What I Say: Bullshit, Wendy.  The colosseum was free, including the concessions (unless you hated bread).  We’re charging fifty bucks for this, plus at least another twenty for the pizza.  Although I guess since the first match was essentially a lion feeding, and the main event a deathmatch, a colosseum reference isn’t completely out of line..

Seriously though, the word “war” is applicable here.  Kitty ‘won’ the first two contests, both thanks to Alexander Stryfe (once getting knocked out preventing the match from reaching an official ending, regardless of what Kitty might claim.  the other he pulled Jenny off of a pin, enabling Kitty to rally and beat her again.).  In between the two have been in at least three brawls on television,

Ultimately, this one could go either way.  The only prediction I’ll make is that for better or for worse, we’ll be remembering this one (and the consequences pertaining), for a long time to come.



And there you go, folks.  And a big final thank you to all fourteen women who took their time and energy to write up little blurbs hyping up someone else’s match.  Seriously.  Hat’s off to all of you.

And if this hasn’t convinced you to order Conviction 2012, I don’t know what the fuck will.  Anyone who knows anything about wrestling can easily find at least six or seven matches that are going to be worth the fifty dollars.  So do yourself a favor and click that buy button.  You won’t regret it.

And we’ll see you all in Denver.

POLLA OUT.



OOC: Super special thanks to the following.  I hope you all had as much fun with this as I did reading them.
John (x3)
Johni (x2)
Tirri (x2)
Lisa (x4- Double for doing it short notice)
Cori
Chris
Tim
Jon