I want to start before the story by saying this is somewhat a small tribute to two women who sadly were taken way too soon. Both Candi (Kelli Thomas) and Santana (Tina Hollimon) were icons in our past time and will hopefully continue to get the recognition they deserve.
Retro Finds: Candi Vs SantanaSome days I wake up wondering what could have been. I know that sounds depressing but everyone will have those days in their live, like what if I took that job offer or I asked that girl out at the club, would things have been massively different for me?
In the catfighting world that question can sadly be asked about several figures within the industry. Some were owners we lost of companies, others were legendary fighters that lit up screens with their toughness and charm.
Looking on my wall I see a photo that I was sent from an old friend:
In the photo on the left is Candi, an absolute gorgeous blonde who had a heart of gold outside the ring or off the mats, to the right was another beautiful woman on the outside and inside in Santana. These were two of the biggest fighters on the circuit in the nineties, who just happened to have maybe the most exciting feud of the decade.
As I look at that photo I am mournful. Both were absolute warriors, lace a pair of gloves on them and they'd slug it out with any woman brave enough to box them. Put them on mats and tell them to wrestle someone, they would muscle them down and put them in brutal holds, revelling in their cries of pain, both would be seen as living legends and hopefully would either still have fights or would at least have stay within the industry to help the next generation.
The thing with them both was because of how tough and proud they were, naturally they became great rivals. To think them crossing paths would lead to some absolute gems of fights, going all the way back to 1993, Cal Supreme was the company that brought two young spitfires together in a gruelling wrestling bout. Ending with Candi winning their first ever clash but both pushed the rules, leading to ill feeling between them.
A few months later they would meet again, this time with the gloves on. Trading punches in the small room on the mats, it was clear pretty quickly that neither was holding back, the slugging shots cracked in, both fought their hearts out. Candi lost the bout as her nose was busted up, she had to quit and Santana looked to have her revenge.
Several months after as they headed into 1994. Christmas was coming up, yet neither woman was satisfied the grudge had been settled, my company was starting to do good numbers but still I was a little stunned to hear from both women just before Christmas.
I was told that they had discussed settling things in a more private setting on New Year's Day. they enjoyed my camera work and wondered if I would be willing to film what they assumed would be their final fight against each other (heads up it wouldn't be), while I couldn't believe what I was hearing, of course I agreed and we hashed out the plan.
Two weeks later on a chilly New Years Day. The studio I used was thankfully warm, with the white black walls I used along with black mats, the fighters themselves were always the stars that shined, the set only needed to be functional was my thought process, looking at videos like Ultimate Surrender and Evolved fights do, I do question that decision most days now.
Anyway the fight its self, well first I should explain as I grab the video and put it into my dvd player, this being the first video I converted when I left the old VHS tapes behind to go modern, this was to be a topless catfight. They had grappled and boxed, this was to settle who was the better woman. There were rules to be clear, both agreed to no punches to faces, though digs to bodies and kidneys were allowed, no low blows, except for wedgies, that was really the only rules they wanted beyond wanting their rival to have to submit to them, show the camera for all of time that they made the other admit they weren't woman enough to beat them.
As the tape plays, on the right side of the screen nearest the wall is Santana, the tanned beauty wore a red thong, her dark nipple's were hardened already, something neither fighter would outright admit but facing someone they hated, yet was so evenly matched with them made them both hot under the proverbial collar.
On the opposite side was Candi wearing a blue thong, her nipple's were also hard as she looked amazing as always. She promptly called Santana a bitch, with Santana replying "fuck you!" Waving Candi to bring it on as I remember grinning like a kid getting the latest toy at Christmas at the time watching them.
Next thing I knew was they were off, both swung in slaps, going straight to mark up faces, not a lot of slaps landed though. When they did there were cracks of flesh on flesh. Soon enough they decided to rip at their rivals hair, trying to drag them to the mats to fuck them up.
It is one of the most intense hair pulling duels I have ever witnessed in person, hair was being viciously yanked out, they engaged in a nasty tug of war. One would drag the other one way, then would be promptly dragged the other way, hisses and little cries of pain filled the area.
Bent over as both gritted their teeth, Candi was the first to use her right to slap around the shoulder and back of Santana. Who replied in kind before they straightened back up so they could stare right into each others eyes. Hands still firmly locked in hair, now nipple's fought as they wanted a moment to show the other they could take what they were dealing out and more, playing mind games.
Pushing apart tired of the stalemate, they locked up hands, then dug their feet into the mats. Wanting to prove they were stronger, biceps tensed up. I could see both had been working out over the holidays for this grudge fight. foreheads touched as they tried to force their opponents head back. Every inch they could gain was a big victory in this early going.
Even with the cold outside, both were starting to get beads of sweat on their heads, hair under their toes from what they had yanked out. Again they broke apart in frustration as their eyes were firmly locked, circling slowly with Santana hissing "that all you got blonde cxnt" with Candi snarling "come over here and find out bitch" both looked down at the others breasts at that moment.
Suddenly cries rung out as they each had the same idea, grabbing a tit with their left, slaps were thrown with their right hand, cracking cheeks as heads got whipped around. Santana sick of that grabbed Candi's other breast, then rolling to her back, she put her right foot into the blondes stomach. Candi crying out as she finds her world turning upside down, onto her back she goes after being hit with a monkey flip. Back slapping onto the mats.
Candi groaned as she rubbed her back. Santana not letting her get much respite, moving over to get at Candi, yanking her hair as she mounts her, pounding her head into the mats. Teeth bared as she grits them, Santana really wants to hurt her bitter enemy.
The answer from the blonde to that? She grabs the sides of Santana's thong, yanking it up to make the tanned fighter cry out. Santana grabs at the hands on her thong, looking to get them off as the material was buried between her impressive buttocks. Santana soon finding herself bucked off by Candi, who has shook her head to clear it of cobwebs.
Breaking apart after Santana kicks her rival off, Candi pushes to her feet with her hair looking absolutely wild. Meanwhile Santana pulls her thong out her backside, hissing "I fucking had you." As she flexes her fingers, looking at Candi's thong with clear intention to pay her back, first she has to close in on her opponent to get there.
Feinting at each other till they both thud into their rival, chests bashing together with a wet slap. Hands again go for thongs, this time matched up together as they both feel the burning sensation of the material digging into bums and pussies. Eyes watering as they rest their heads on the others shoulder, snarling insults through pained lips.
Santana takes the lead as she drives her feet forwards. Pressing back Candi to the nearest wall, making Candi cry out as she feels Santana's breasts press deep into her own. Tits fighting for space in such an tight spot. Santana spits into her ear "submit bitch, I can feel your tears on my shoulder," making Candi bare her teeth, she then bites the right shoulder of Santana. Causing Santana to cry out in shock as she instinctively takes a small step back.
Enough for Candi to ram her right foot down onto Santana's left, causing Santana to snarl "fuck" as Candi uses the momentum to drive her down onto her back with a wet slap on the mats, air driven out of Santana's body as Candi lands on top of her. That was a hell of a sight as Santana's tits gave way to Candi's enough to make her scream.
Grabbing Santana's breasts in greedy fingers as she changes ploy, Candi really digs her nails in deep. Making Santana kick the mats as she has tears running down the sides of her cheeks. Mood not helped by Candi taunting her by saying "oh are these that soft that I could turn them into putty you weak slut?" Yanking Santana's breasts to either side to make her point as another scream escapes the lips of the pinned fighter.
Santana didn't get her own reputation by quitting so easily. As she bucks up slightly, she reaches up at the same time to grab Candi's own tits. Taking her off to the side, Candi though shakes her head as if to say "fuck that!" Leading to both locking up legs. Santana on her right side, Candi her left as they get into a catball.
I have seen how cruel these can be, this was a great example as both women really bore down on the others boobs. Candi had gotten a good start on that front. Still Santana dug in as she looked to take the fight back to her bitter enemy.
Foreheads touched as they looked through half open eyes. Lips quivered as they both looked close to quitting, their proud tits were reddening. With neither looking ready to let go till they heard those magic words. sweat coated the mats where they lay as all I could think was that both were fuelled by pure hate.
Needing to change things up, Santana grabbed again at the thong of Candi with her left. Dragging it up deep into the crack of her rival, making Candi tilt her head back and give a sound like a wounded animal. Their nipples slashed together in this tight catball.
Soon I heard a whimper. That spurred on one fighter as I saw their grip grow stronger. Then came the "oh fuck!" Scream from the same person. My eyes scanned who was making those noises, clearly at breaking point. Ready to be pushed over the edge.
"Christ! I submit... You fucking win... Get off me!" Pleaded Candi, the dual attack had clearly broken her. Whether Santana didn't hear or didn't care. She kept the grip on the thong and boob a little longer. Candi cried out "I submit... Fucking her off me!!" Leading to Santana finally letting go with a shove to the beaten woman.
Both panted as they lay on their backs. Candi holding her pussy as tears streamed down her cheeks to the mats. Santana wasn't too much better, she held onto her tits as she was crying herself. Both looked like they had possibly lost the fight if you walked in the room at that moment.
I shut off the camera and rushed to get a first aid kit, along with two ice packs. Candi put her ice pack between her legs. Santana onto her boobs. Soon both pulled their thongs off as they sat up. They were drenched it seemed in more then just sweat down there, I didn't mention it to either as they sat staring with a hint of the fury that had for them into fighting to begin with.
I thought as they moved to their knees that they could be hearing up for another go at their rival. Instead both gave the other a firm nod. I helped them to their feet before they went their separate ways to their changing rooms. Using the showers in them before leaving.
I'd find out later in the way that they buried the hatchet. Talking at another job where they would fight, unlike the first three fights it went without much drama. A firm handshake after the bell but neither swinging in fists. Where thankfully neither seemed to feel ill will about their rival.
Both of course would go on to have many more legendary wars with other top fighters. They had a full career is how I should feel when I think about them, still you will always think about what could have been. I just thank my lucky stars I got to see them battle. They will be missed always.
