WAYBACK WEDNESDAY #1: When Hardcore War Is Not Enough...

“Don’t mess with a man with a Wayback Machine, Dave.  I can make it so you were never born.” – Mr. Jimmy James, Newsradio

Welcome everyone to the inaugural edition of WAYBACK WEDNESDAYS!

FFW has, at current count, 1,229 matches in its illustrious four and a half year history.  That’s a lot of matches, and that’s a lot of moments, many of which have been lost and forgotten to the annals of time.  Sure, there’s the occasional recap show, but that’s what?  Five?  Six?  Out of over twelve hundred?  Yeah.  A lot of great moments buried in history.

So I say why not hop into the Wayback Machine and dig some of those up?

Anyways, 2015 will mark the first time in company history that there will not be a January PPV, which has sadly gone the way of the dodo.  It’s actually a good decision- with the emergence of the Future Shock discount PPVs, oversaturation is a concern, and so killing the January event, which traditionally sees the least build up due to the Christmas break, is the logical thing to do.  As is moving March’s PPV to February, but that’s a different day.

But it’s still sad to see the event known as Cold Blooded/One Night Stand be no more, so for the first few weeks of Wayback Wednesdays, we’ll be revisiting some historic matches from those shows, starting with the inaugural event in 2011, which is, incidentally, the only non-US/Canada PPV FFW has ever held.

And the rivalry that wouldn’t die.

It takes a special kind of rivalry to be at a point where Hardcore War is unable to solve it, but when it came to Emma McIntyre (now MacNamara) and Isabella Pazzini (now Mackenzie) and their fight over the FFW Championship, well, that was the kind of rivalry that simply wasn’t enough for even the most brutal match type FFW has ever had.   But then again, considering Emma mainly lost the match because she was RAN OVER BY A CAR- she had a legitimate claim for one more go-round, which happened two months later at Cold Blooded in a 30-Minute Ironwoman Match.

And given all that you’ve just read, does it surprise you that thirty minutes wasn’t enough to settle this either?

==============

COLD BLOODED 2011- SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA- JANUARY 29, 2011

As the show returns back into the arena, we see Ben Johns standing in the ring. A little smile on his face, he notices a few signs with his name on them and begins.

Ben: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is for the FFW Championship! And it will be contested in a 30 minute Ironwoman match!

MH: The stakes don’t get any higher than this, fans! The FFW Championship, that’s what every woman who walks through the door here aspires to hold. And if you don’t, then you don’t belong in the business!

SR: Absolutely right, my dear. When I win Future Shock, I plan to relieve whoever is the champion at that time of the title as soon as possible.

MH: Well good luck with that, you’ll have a chance to see two of the top names in the company fighting for it right now.

"No matter how many times that you told me you wanted to leave
No matter how many breaths that you took you still couldn't breathe
No matter how many nights did you lie
Wide awake to the sounds of the poison rain
Where did you go? Where did you go? Where did you go?"

"Hurricane" floats out of the speakers, and the lights change to blue ad purple as the piano comes over the speakers. as Jared Leto starts to sing, Emma McIntyre walks out from the back, looking out to the fans. Nodding her head, she starts her walk to the ring, catching hands with the occasional fan.

"As days go by, the night's on fire.
Tell me, would you kill to save a life?
Tell me, would you kill to prove you're right?
Crash, crash, burn!
Let it all burn!
This hurricane's chasing us all underground."

As the second verse starts, Emma climbs the ring steps, taking a deep breath as she walks along the apron. Stepping through the ropes, she walks over to her corner, jumping onto the middle turnbuckle and looking out at the fans before turning around on the turnbuckle and sitting on it.

Ben: Introducing first, she hails from Glasgow, Scotland! She is the number one contender to the FFW Championship! And tonight, she looks to begin her second reign as champion! Please welcome.....EMMA McIntyre!!!

MH: Emma McIntyre has basically told anyone who wanted to listen that what happened at Violent Night was a fluke! And honestly given those events, I don’t blame her for feeling that way. But tonight with every star and manager barred from ringside for this match, there will be no excuses. We are going to find out once and for all who is the rightful FFW Champion.

SR: Emma talks a good game, but that’s all it is, Mark. It’s talk. She would have taken the win any way she could have gotten it. The only part she’s miffed about is that she didn’t have her husband run Isabella down like a dog in the parking garage instead.

“Step Up” by Drowning Pool begins blaring over the PA system as the live crowd goes insane, screaming at the top of their lungs. A shower of sparks fall from the ceiling like rain as lasers etch the image of a man with long hair onto a hanging black cloth. The sound of a familiar voice is heard from backstage.

Voice: Ladies and gentlemen, this is.....MIIIIIIISTEEEEEERRR SHOOOOOOOOWTIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMMEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Mr. Showtime takes off at top speed down the aisle as more pyro erupts along the aisle way with each step. He hops onto the ring apron, grabs the ropes as the ring posts erupt with fireworks. Sliding under the bottom rope, he grabs the microphone away from Ben Johns and tosses it to the floor behind him. It is then that a bigger microphone descends from the ceiling into his hand as he holds it to his mouth.

Mr. Showtime: It is my pleasure to introduce to you....the 2010 Femme Fatale of the Year.....the EWC Hall of Fame member......former Legendary Champion......former Sirens Champion.......future FFW Hall of Fame member......best looking brunette on the roster........the greatest FFW Champion of all time..........and the only woman in FFW to be introduced by me......MIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSSSTEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR SHOOOOWTIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMEEEEEEEE!!

Ben Johns is seen rolling his eyes behind Mr. Showtime as he continues.

Mr. Showtime: Please welcome....the one.....the only......you thought I was done.......the hottest.....the sexiest......the most gorgeous girlfriend any woman or Robbyn Helmsley could ask for........’THE DIVA OF EXTREME’.......ISABELLLLLLAAAAAAA PAAAAAAZZZZZIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNIIIIIII!!

"Explosive" by Bond hits the PA, and the crowd erupts into vociferous booing, causing Mr. Showtime to look disappointed. Masses of pyro fireworks fly out from the stage for a good twenty second before Isabella walks out of the entrance way, smirking at the petty little crowd, before posing with her arms outstretched as Catherine-wheel pyrotechnics whirl and explode behind her. Isabella makes her way slowly down to the ring, with more pyro blasting from either side of the ramp way, before climbing up the steps and over the middle rope. Isabella twirls herself around Mr. Showtime, before walking to the far turnbuckle and outstretching her arms once again, as pyros fall like rain all around the ring. Mr. Showtime gives her a good luck squeeze before exiting the ring.

Ben just shakes his head and leaves the ring.

MH: God lord, if this had been Breaking Point, we’d have had to take a break before that was over! I get the sense Mr. Showtime may have put together this new entrance for her.

SR: I thought it was very captivating, and wasted on Isabella. When I join the roster after winning Future Shock, I’m going to have him make me an entrance but with more explosions, I believe!

The referee in charge of the match heads for Isabella’s corner, instructing Mr. Showtime he has to leave the ring. He doesn’t seem fond of the idea, but Isabella shares a kiss with him and talks to him as well before he hops down off the apron, and heads up the ramp, greeting some of the fans as he goes along.

SR: It’s such a shame that the official is making Mr. Showtime leave. He’s not someone who is going to get involved in the match, we all know that.

MH: Maybe so, but the edict was clear from Samantha. There must be a winner, anyone on the roster or managerial staff is not allowed at ringside. And that does include the Hall of Famer.

As Isabella smiled watching Mr. Showtime heading up the aisle, she turned around and caught a super kick right on the jaw! The champion dropped like a rock as the referee had a stunned look on her face.

MH: WHAT THE HELL?! ISABELLA PAZZINI JUST GOT RAPTURED...AND THE BELL HASN’T RANG!!

Emma yelled at the referee to call for the bell, which she ultimately did before Emma dropped into a cover!

MH: EMMA MCINTYRE IS GOING TO PICK UP THE FIRST FALL IN RECORD TIME!! MY GOD!!

ONE!!

TWO!!!!!!

THRE-NOOOOOO!!!

SR:Isabella got the shoulder up at about 2 and three quarters! She wasn’t expecting that, neither were we!

MH: Emma Mac came to play tonight, and she’s not taking any chances as a result! I would have sworn we would have had the first fall right there.

SR: Isabella was able to deflect some of it, I think.

Emma began firing right hands into Isabella’s head one after another, pulling her to her feet and whipping her chest first into the turnbuckle. As Bella stepped back holding her chest, Emma took off behind her and drove Isabella’s face into the mat with a running face buster. The challenger began to put the boots to the champion, before driving a few elbows into her lower back as well. Once more, she pulled her to her feet, bouncing her head off the top turnbuckle. And then fired her out of the corner with a snap mare takeover. Bouncing off the ropes, she hit a low dropkick to the back of Isabella’s head, sending her back to the mat.

MH: Emma hasn’t forgotten what a devious woman Isabella can be. I think she’s trying to pick up the first fall as quickly as possible. And I think that’s brilliant strategy.

SR: How so, dear?

MH: Because if she picks up that first fall, all she has to do is play keep away for the rest of the match. All you need is one fall to win a match like this!

Emma pulled Isabella up to a sitting position, planting her knee into her back and grabbing both of her wrists and pulling back away from her body in a surfboard style submission. Sliding her body in, she continued to pull harder against Isabella’s arms.

MH: That opening flurry was impressive, but Emma realizes she probably needs to conserve a bit of energy. So now she has this modified surfboard applied. Allows her time to catch her wind, and still manage to keep Isabella on the defensive.

SR: You’re probably right about that. I don’t really believe she anticipates a submission victory at this time. She’s biding her time, and just making sure to keep Isabella grounded.

Emma finally released the hold, pushing the champion forward and driving an elbow into her back for good measure. Rising back to her feet, she pulled Isabella up with her. Emma fired a few European uppercuts into her and backed her into the corner. She licked her fingers and then unloaded a knife edge chop straight across Isabella’s chest, causing the champion to scream in pain. Emma seemed to enjoy that, grinning a bit as she pushed her back up and did it again. She then fired her into the far corner, and took off after her. Emma left her feet, but Isabella ducked under her, with Emma catching herself on the top rope. But before she had time to turn around, Isabella did turn towards her and shove her off the top, causing her to go flailing and land neck first across the retaining wall around ringside.

MH: Crash and burn! Emma showing Spider Man like tendencies, catching herself when Isabella moved, but the veteran outsmarted her anyway and the challenger went flying!

SR: And of all the places to land, the guardrail is not the one I’d have chosen.

Emma hit the floor, choking and coughing as Isabella regained herself a bit in the ring before rolling out to the floor after her. Pulling her head up with both hands, she drove her neck across the guardrail a second time, causing Emma to collapse on the floor, still coughing. The look of disdain in Isabella’s face was evident as she pulled Emma up to her feet. She whipped across the ramp into the nearest retaining wall, following that up with a clothesline that took both women over the wall and out into the fans. Isabella jerked a cup from one of the fans’ hands, taking a sip of it and apparently finding it disgusting and then spitting it in Emma’s face before throwing the cup away. She tossed Emma back over the rail, climbing over after her and quickly sliding into the ring to break the count and roll back to the floor.

MH: I think we are going to owe a fan a beer here tonight! Obviously it wasn’t to Isabella’s tastes.

SR: Beer is disgusting no matter where you get it from. Remember, children. Don’t drink beer. Wine is much better.

Glancing around, Isabella hoisted Emma onto her shoulders and dropped her with a Snake Eyes on the ring apron before putting her back on the apron again. She positioned her with her head hanging off before climbing onto the apron and delivering a leg drop across her chest and neck, once again sending Emma into a coughing fit. Satisfied with her handiwork, Isabella slithered back in under the bottom rope, watching as Emma dragged herself back into the ring too. The champion rolled Emma over into a cover as the referee made the count!

ONE!!

TWO!!!!!

THRE!!NOOO!!!!!!

Emma kicked out as Isabella rose to her feet, grabbing Emma by her feet and dragging her towards the ropes. Positioning her just right, she hooked her feet under her arms and fell backwards, creating a slingshot which drove Emma’s neck into the ropes at a high rate of speed. The challenge was coughing severely as Isabella dropped to her knees beside of her and made a club with both hands and began pounding away at Emma’s ribs again and again.

MH: Isabella is determined to make Emma suffer every time she draws a breath! And I’d say she’s doing a damn fine job!

SR: So would I. Her strategy is sound as well. She has picked a body part, and she’s going to make Emma suffer for every second they have in this match.

The flurry of clubbing blows continued as Isabella pounded away at Emma’s ribs, whom rolled away from her to stop the attack. The champion got to her feet, giving chase and grabbing Emma by the foot. She grabbed the other foot, leaning down and giving Emma a verbal taunting as the challenger reached up and poked her in the eyes, causing Bella to step backwards.

MH: Emma’s trying to get some breathing room here! The last few minutes of this match has been all Isabella Pazzini!

SR: She’s also resorting to a slightly altered rule set as well. I kinda like it.

Ben: Ten minutes has elapsed in the time limit, ten minutes!

Trying desperately to get her wind back and to quell her coughing, Emma headed for the ropes and moved away from Isabella. Managing to get there, she pulled herself up to her feet, turning to see the champion coming at her again. But the Emma was wiser in this exchange as she ducked the blow. And as Isabella spun around, Emma caught her with a kick to the gut and then spiked her with a DDT in quick succession.

MH: Emma has finally stopped Isabella’s momentum, but right now she needs a cover.

SR: I think she’s still trying to get her coughing to stop.

That was indeed the problem as Emma pulled herself into the cover, draping an arm over Isabella’s chest as the referee dropped for the three count.

ONE!!

TWO!!!!

THRE!! NOOOOOOO!!!!

MH: Emma didn’t get the cover fast enough, Isabella managed to get the shoulder up in time. But the challenger is still coughing badly in this thing.

SR: I don’t think Emma can hold her liquor.

Trying her best to regain her composure, Emma pulled Isabella up and pushed her back into the corner before kneeling and lifting her onto the top rope. Another fit of coughing took place, making her take a few steps back. And as that cleared, she took off at top speed racing up the turnbuckles like a cat as she wrapped her arms around Isabella and throwing her with a release overhead German suplex!

MH: BREATHTAKING!! EMMA MCINTYRE WITH FELINE INSTINCTS WENT UP THOSE BUCKLES LIKE YOU AND I GO DOWN THE STREET!!

SR: AND ISABELLA WENT FOR A FLIGHT!!

MH: BAD RIDE, WORSE LANDING!! THAT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MOVE!!

Isabella’s body crashed into the canvas as Emma rolled to her hands and knees, crawling towards the champion and hooking a leg when the referee dropped for the count.

MH: First fall belongs to Emma!

ONE!!

TWO!!!!!

THREE-----HA!!!

Isabella kicked out of the pin, as Emma looked down at her with a bit of confusion and then to the referee.

MH: How in the hell....did Isabella kick out of that?!

SR: Fashionista’s instinct?

MH: Your guess is as good as mine.

Emma shook her head, climbing to her feet and heading for the turnbuckle. She began to ascend it, perching only for a split second as she reached the top.

SR: Not sure what Emma has in mind here, but if she hits it, I think she can clench this first fall!

MH: Honestly, I think both of these women are ripe for the pickings! Emma’s in the high rent district, what is she planning up there?

The fans were solidly behind her as she held her arms out to her side in a cross before launching herself with a diving headbutt off the top. As her flight reached its peak and she began her descent downward, Isabella held up her arm and Emma’s face hit her fist!!

MH: DID I HEAR A BONE SNAP?! EMMA WENT FOR THAT DIVING HEADBUTT, BUT BELLA GOT THE FIST UP AND I SWEAR TO YOU I THINK I HEARD SOMETHING SNAP!!

Emma clutched at her face in pain, shrieking as drops of blood began to drip onto the mat from her hands.

SR: That bone you might have heard was Emma’s nose, It’s gotta be broken, Mark.

MH: You’re damn right it is! Emma’s nose has to be gushing, and now she has an even bigger problem! Choking and coughing is one thing, but if her nose is broken, she also can’t see a damn thing but crimson right now!

Isabella pushed herself up to her feet, getting her bearings in the ring as she looked to see Emma writhing on the canvas. A sadistic smirk on her face, she crawled towards her and pulled at her hands to move them, revealing a gushing mess in the center of her face before she began repeated elbow strikes right into the bloody volcano that had become her nose. McIntyre howled in pain as Isabella leaned back on her knees, admiring her handiwork for a moment.

MH: This is like Jaws! Emma’s blood is in the water, and the role of the great white is played by an Italian bitch! She’s animalistic in her savage attack on Emma’s nose.

SR: Well Emma went for a high risk. And while it has high reward, it has equally high repercussions.

MH: How well can a blind woman do in an Ironwoman match? We’ll find out before the last bell rings tonight!

Emma immediately rolled away from Isabella, and fell to the floor as she grabbed the ring apron, trying to wipe the blood out of her eyes and nose onto it. Isabella rolled out after her, the same sadistic grin on her face.

MH: Look at the champion, I think that bitch is enjoying this!

SR: I’m positive of it myself!

The champion grabbed Emma’s head, pulling her up as Emma swung wildly in any direction trying to get her to back off. Bella delivered a kick to her ribs and bounced her face off the apron of the ring, sending her back to the floor still holding her nose.

Ben: Twenty minutes have elapsed in this contest, twenty minutes!

MH: With ten minutes in change and not a single fall between them, Isabella Pazzini is in the catbird seat and I think she’s just going to enjoy torturing this woman.

SR: Isabella wants no excuses this time! That title has been her singular focus since FFW opened, and she’s not letting it go without a war!

Isabella jerked Emma back up, rolling her back into the ring as the referee headed straight for her to ask likely if she wanted to continue. Isabella slithered under the bottom rope, looking down at the referee as he checked on Emma. The champion took a bow as the fans showered her with hatred. Emma had managed to get up to her feet, leaning against the corner as Isabella grinned looking over her shoulder at her. The champion backed up to the far corner and sped towards the challenger, when Emma jerked the official in front of her as Isabella hit a big splash into the back of the official, squashing her and sending her to the mat.

MH: Did Emma just sacrifice the referee right there?! I’m not sure what we are seeing, but all night, I’ve gotten the sense...something has changed inside that woman.

SR: Maybe she’s starting to realize to beat a bitch, you have to be one too.

Isabella glanced down to the fallen referee, only to turn her attention back to Emma as she fired out of the corner and took Isabella down with a spear. She rolled off of her, still rubbing at her face as the blood seemed to be flowing not quite as strongly as before. Emma surveyed the situation, looking from the referee to Isabella and the look on her face was one of anger and disgust as she crawled towards the champion and began raining fists down on her again and again with repeated right hands. Pounding the mat, she got back to her feet. And she headed for the top rope, wasting no time in taking off and landing her high angle senton bomb!!

MH: CLEARING THE HAZE!! WHAT AN APPROPRIATE NAME!!

SR: SHE’S GOT A COVER!!

MH: BUT WHAT GOOD DOES IT DO?! THE OFFICIAL IS OUT!!

Emma pounded the mat, basically making her own three count as she hit the mat three times. The referee was still not moving much as Emma began to reach over and jab her when the fans caught sight of another official taking off towards the ring.

MH: ABOUT DAMN TIME!! THE FFW TITLE IS ON THE LINE, AND FINALLY WE GOT ANOTHER REFEREE ON THE WAY!

SR: Looks like Nick Sanders to me!!

Emma crawled back over Isabella as Nick dropped down for the count!

ONE!!!

TWO!!!!!!!!

THREE!!!!!WAIT!!!!!

Nick saw Isabella’s shoulder seem to spasm off the mat, stopping his count. Emma screamed that wasn’t a kick out, but he made the call stand.

MH: Emma’s arguing that wasn’t a kick out, can’t say I disagree with her! I think Isabella just had some kind of spasm! She’s damn sure unconscious right now!!

SR: Sanders is erring on the side of the caution. The stakes couldn’t be bigger, he can’t be making questionable calls!

MH: I think he just did!

A couple trainers came out to help the fallen official from earlier to the back as Nick told Emma to continue the match.

Ben: Twenty five minutes have elapsed in this match! There are FIVE MINUTES remaining!!

MH: It’s time to go for broke! Less than five minutes to go, and there still hasn’t been a fall! Nothing’s worked! They both want..need....crave the win...and more importantly, the FFW Championship!

Emma’s anger was obvious still at the call as she began dragging Isabella back to her feet, she pulled her up to her feet and backed her into the ropes. She fired her into the ropes, and as she rebounded, Isabella ducked the clothesline. And when Emma spun around, Isabella left her feet and wrapped her legs around Emma’s head before driving it into the mat!

MH: BELLACANRANA!! FROM DAMN NEAR NOWHERE!!

SR: WOW!!

The champion collapsed back to the mat, her eyes looking at the fallen Emma but her body seemingly unwilling to do anything about it.

MH: ISABELLA CAN’T FOLLOW UP!! HER BODY IS SPENT!! HELL, SO IS EMMA’S. SHE’S BARELY STIRRING HERSELF!!

SR: That usually can score a pin fall, something much needed right here!

Isabella’s body seemed willing now as she managed to start crawling towards Emma. She threw her arm over Emma as Nick dropped for the count!!

ONE!!!

TWO!!!!!!!!

THREE---FUCKING NO!!!!

MH: MY GOD....WHAT DO THEY HAVE TO DO?! WE’VE SEEN IT ALL IN THIS DAMN MATCH, AND STILL NO FALLS!!

SR: THE BELLACANRANA DIDN’T GET THE JOB DONE!!

Bella’s mouth just lay open as she looked down at Emma, gasping for breath. Taking great time, Isabella rose to her feet finally. It was obvious she was winded when she leaned down to pull Emma up. And with no warning, she landed her moonsault side slam!!

MH: THAT WAS FOR THE FOUNDATION!! THIS HAS TO BE IT!!

SR: I’M EXHAUSTED JUST WATCHING THIS MATCH!

MH: THIS MATCH IS NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING! I’VE NEVER SEEN TWO PEOPLE LEAVE IT IN THE RING QUITE LIKE THIS!!

Isabella slowly laid her body across Emma’s as Nick fell into the count!

ONE!!

TWO!!!!

THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOO!!!!

As Nick was about to call for the bell, he noticed Emma’s leg under the bottom rope and waved it off. Isabella saw it too, dropping to her knees in almost tears.

SR: NOW YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT LUCKY!! EMMA’S LEG HAPPENED TO BE UNDER THE ROPE, BECAUSE SHE DIDN’T PUT IT THERE ON PURPOSE!!

MH: THERE MAY BE AN ANGEL ON EMMA’S SHOULDER TONIGHT!!

Ben: TEN.....NINE.......EIGHT........SEVEN...........SIX............FIVE..........FOUR................THREE............TWO............ONE!!!!!!!

The bell rang as Nick looked back to Ben.

MH: I’m not sure what this means! We went a half hour, no falls!

SR: Good question!

The fans began to boo in the arena as Samantha Star appeared on the video wall.

Samantha: Oh no! That’s not the end of the match! Nick Sanders, I am ordering this match to continue in sudden death overtime! I promised a winner, and there’s going to be one!!

MH: The first ruling Samantha’s made that I agree with!

SR: Sudden death overtime?! But they are totally spent!

MH: I agree, I’m not sure if they have anything left in them.

Nick followed orders, restarting the match as Isabella began dragging Emma away from the ropes. She then headed for the corner, slowly but surely making her way up. Closing her eyes for a moment, she left her feet and hit a picture perfect double moonsault!!!

SR: MY GOD...A DOUBLE MOONSAULT OFF THE TOP!!

MH: FLIGHT 1782 FROM PALERMO JUST SHOWED UP!!

SR: WE GOT A COVER!! IS THIS IT?!

MH: FOR FUCK’S SAKE, WHAT WILL THEY DO IF IT ISN’T?!

ONE!!!

TWO!!!!!!!!

THREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MH: I DON’T BELIEVE IT!!

SR: ME EITHER!!

MH: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE HAVE WITNESSED AN EPIC!

Nick called for the bell as he raised Isabella’s hand in victory, her body still laying over Emma’s.

Ben: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match...AND STILL FFW CHAMPION....ISABELLA PAZZINI!!!!

The crowd showed their obvious dislike for that as Mr. Showtime took off down the aisle and slid into the ring. He helped Isabella up, pretty much holding her up actually as he raised her hand in victory. Offering her the title, Isabella weakly took it.

MH: Like her or not, I will be the first to say Isabella earned that damn title tonight! She damn sure proved something to me! I may not be a fan of her morals, but in that ring, there are few that do it better!!

SR: I will concur, I haven’t seen her go through such an arduous match that didn’t involve a weapon.

MH: An early candidate for Match of the Year, if I have seen one!

Mr. Showtime helped her out of the ring, heading up the ramp as we head elsewhere into the arena.

==============

This remains just one of two Iron Women matches in FFW history, with the other being the submission-only battle between Caroline Stark and Tara Thunder at Chaos Theory 2013.

Sadly this would be the closest Emma ever got to reclaiming the FFW Championship, as she would go down to Stacey in the Femme For All Semifinals the next year.  She’d receive one more crack at the title at Unstoppable III in a five-way scramble match, but struggled, taking more falls than anyone else in the contest.  She would eventually drop down to the Ultraviolence Division, collecting the title from Cara Stone at One Night Stand 2013, and has been a mainstay there ever since, including just recently losing a chance to reclaim the Championship in a flaming tables match against Destiny Campbell.

Isabella would only hold the title for two more months, before losing in controversial fashion to Scarlett Kincaid at Full Frontal.  She’d reclaim the title twice more, once when she returned to Sydney for the most epic of screwjobs, and again several months later by besting longtime rival Kincaid, which culminated in a record-setting eight month reign.  She retired from wrestling after Unstoppable IV in 2013, and now serves as the Ultraviolence Commissioner.

Ironically, after torturing each other through two extremely brutal matches, Emma and Isabella would eventually end up in the Power Trip together, after Emma decided to join the faction, although the two never teamed together on an official level.