Virginia Dare
Charlotte, NC. Home of the greatest wrestler of the 20th Century. Home of the 4 Horsemen. This will be a heel crowd. My music hits and the chatter and scattered noise turns into a single unified sound of disatisfaction. I can’t let that get to me. Cena overcame it, so can I. I won’t have the crowd behind me this time. Maybe splatters of cheers. I’ve got to win them over. Like Tommy Dreamer won over the ECW crowd. I stand at gorilla and the guy looks at me like I’m a sacrificial lamb. “Tough crowd,” I say with a half-hearted smile. He just laughs and says, “You’re on babe.” I walk through the curtain...
I walk through the curtain and the boos burn up the room. I give the audience a sad shrug and smile. I walk down the aisle in my Evel Kneivel jumpsuit and cape. My ribs have healed, but not enough. I still need that tape around my midsection. A few well-placed strikes from educated hands could re-do all the damage these last few weeks have mended. I’m sure the Enforcer’s arm is in the same situation.
I get to the ring apron and swing myself up. Just a little pain. I don’t show it. I put my hand just below my neck and start the slow unzip of the jump suit, hoping that will win over a few of the unruly mob. No dice. A squad in the front wearing Red Enforcer masks from the merch booth start a chant: “YOU CAN’T WRESTLE!” I finish my little ritual and pull the jump suit off, revealing my shorts, sports bra, elbow and knee pads and tall silver boots. That gets a few disrespectful cat calls. I get into the ring. That chant has picked up. Way back in the crowd, I see a sign that says, “WE DARE TO BELIEVE!” Well, at least there’s one.
Red Enforcer
Here we go. It has been a few weeks, but it is all that has been on my mind. She made me submit. SHE made me submit. She made ME submit. She made me SUBMIT. I have bile in my throat as I remember you having me up in the air, yelling like a little bitch. That will never happen again.
I sit in the dark and take stock. This is my town, my people, my rules. Hair vs mask. A match I’ve never lost. My mask is my pride. I won’t let some Texas tramp come along and take that from me. But I’m not 100%. My shoulder is still not fully healed. While taped up, I still dont have full strength. But hee, in Horseman Country, I am going to show you what Horseman style is all about
I keep my eyes shut in the dark, listening, hearing your music and the crowd reacting to you like I knew they would. I bet that unsettles you, like you are in a parallel universe. Or Canada. I get myself mentally ready and I hear Simon Says by Pharoah Monce spin up. I’m ready.
As you look up the ramp for me, I haven’t appeared. Music is going. Crowd is chanting “Red is gonna kill you” but still I haven’t shown up. When I hear the rap part start, I make my move. I slide out from under the ring wielding a Singapore cane. I slide in behind you as you watch the wrong place. Dressed in my black trunks, black boots, black knee pads and red mask. Black tape on my right shoulder. I pull the cane back, feel my muscles in my arm ripple with anticipation and drive a mighty swing at your lower back, hoping I completely fooled you.
Virginia Dare
I hear the crowd start to cheer. You have to be around here som--KUUURACCK!
The pain that shoots through the small of my back is like a lightning bolt. It shoots through my muscles, down through my legs and up through my arms. My back arches, my voice cries out and I stagger forward. You can’t help but notice the long, blonde hair that falls down my back. The prize in this little encounter. I fall forward, falling to one knee. The crowd goes nuts. I can’t listen to them. Everything is backwards here. I have to get back up. Have to get...
Red Enforcer
I feel the satisfying thud of the cane slamming into your lower back. I see you arch so deliciously as I let the beast rise out a bit. I underestimated you in the first match, treated you with too much respect in the second. In this one, with my very identity on the line, there is no mercy. So the monster inside me is allowed to play.
I see your lovely long blonde mane flash back as you arch, licking my lips as I see my prize before me. The crowd wants you beaten and bald. The Time Warner Cable Arena echoes loudly with cheers, some of them very risque about you, but all wanting your defeat.
From the last match, I know I can’t let up on you, so as you stagger forward and drop to one knee, I step with you, drawing back the cane also and then swinging hard, like I’m trying to drive your spine over the right field fence for a home run. “Payback’s a bitch”
Virginia Dare
The second strikes hits even harder and this one puts me straight on my belly, sending fire all through my limbs. I can’t help but cry out and I see through blurred eyes front row fans laughing and pointing. I’m a WWE Diva. A swimsuit model who can take bumps. Their faces twisted in contorted laughter. That makes my fists clench. Makes my teeth grit. I reach out and grab the bottom rope. Then, I push on it until it gives, putting a little momentum behind me. I swing around, throwing a clothesline straight up at your chin just as another cane strike comes down at me. Maybe my momentum will carry it through and hit the cane back at you or maybe it will just shatter my elbow. Its too late to change direction now.
Red Enforcer
Again my wrath in the form of the cane slams against your back. I know I’m hurting you and.I’m enjoying it. So are my fans. They are as bloodthirsty as I am. And you are the enemy. But you still fight. I know I have to do much more to put you down. As my third swing goes, I see you bound off the bottom rope and go with that damned rising lariat. I try to adjust my swing, but you hit the cane and the cane slams back. My right arm cibrates and makes my shoulder tighten up. Then the cane slams into me, smacking my head and driving me back towards the center of the ring, stunned. The crowd shocked that the Sports Illustrated cover girl is actually striking back.
Virginia Dare
My arm hits the cane... the cane hits your face... but that doesn’t change the fac that my arm hit the cane. The momentum carries me through you and I fall to the mat, clutching my right elbow. Something went wrong there as I feel a sharp pain stinging me up and down my arm. I try to get up, but I stumble back down, still holding the elbow. The pain in my back... the pain in my arm... the pain in my ribs... I have to make fast work of this. I have to end this NOW. Time for the atom bomb.
I’ve only used this move once and it was against Rowan. It’s dangerous. I keep it in reserve because I’m not here to hurt people. I don’t have to hurt people to win. But here... everything is against me here...
I see you stumbling, still shocked from the cane strike to the face. I move in fast, duck under your arm and put my head under you, trying to lift you into a reverse fireman’s carry.
Red Enforcer
I drop the cane and my body feels sluggish. My brain is screaming for me to be on guard, but I can’t respond as quickly as I’d like. As the cobwebs start to clear, I try to find you. I don’t see you when I feel you under my arm, shoulders in my side. What are you? Oh fuck. I saw this move. It’s your atom bomb. I have to stop you. You get me up off my feet and I struggle in your grasp, trying to shake free. I try to swing at your head or face, but my bad right arm just isn’t responding like it should. I’m up. You are about to punish me. Come on...Come On.....COME ON... I try my best to tip you or shake free or something. This is gonna hurt if you hit it.
Virginia Dare
Up on my shoulders, I feel you trying to break free. No dice. You pound my face and I ignore it. I leap up, throwing you over the side, sending your head and neck at exactly the wrong angle toward the mat. In Japan, they call this the Burning Hammer. In Austin, Texas, we call it the Branding Iron.
Red Enforcer
I can’t stop you. This is. You can’t be. No. Not this. Not like this. A Burning Hammer. No!!!! I see my career flash before my eyes. My legacy. All in the short space of time it takes me to flip over and pound my head and neck into the mat. My body spasms and I flop up and crash down onto my belly. The crowd goes silent. They recognize the move. They know what it means. Shockwaves go through all my fans.
Virginia Dare
When I hit the mat, the impact affects me, too. My arm stings, my ribs ache. Dead-lifting you was not easy. But I scramble to your still form and throw my body over it. I grab your knee and pull it toward me. The ref jumps down and starts the count. “One!” he shouts. “Two!” His hand raises up...
Rowan Chance
I see the Burning Hammer and that’s it. That’s FUCKING IT. I trusted you, Red. I fucking trusted you. I rush from the audience, run up to the ring apron. I grab the cane and when she’s on top of you, I slam it down on her back. (yt dare)
Virginia Dare
The referee gets to “TWO!” when I feel something slam down on my back. The count stops and the pain knocks something free in my chest. I roll off my masked enemy and clutch my ribs. The crowd goes nuts. I can hear announcers shouting, “What’s she doing here?!?!” There’s little I can do about that. I try to climb to my knees, but I know there’s more pain to come.
Red Enforcer
It’s over. I know it is. But before 3, you roll off. What? Why would you? And then I hear Rowan. I didnt expecr her here. I know she has a mad desire to see Jenny beaten but I nevee thought she would jump in. I reach up for the ropes and try to drag myself to my feet. The crowd and I both trying ti process what we’ve just seen.
Rowan Chance
I see the Burning Hammer and that’s it. That’s FUCKING IT. I trusted you, Red. I fucking trusted you. I rush from the audience, run up to the ring apron. I grab the cane and when she’s on top of you, I slam it down on her back.
I grab Dare by her pretty blonde hair and lift her up. I’m not gentle about it. Limp in my arms, I spin her around, catch her arm and give her the float over DDT she remembers from the days of old, sending her head straight to the mat.
Virginia Dare
My head hits the mat and for a moment, I’m completely vertical, my feet above my head. A bomb goes off in my skull, a thunderbolt down my spine. Then, I fall forward, landing flat on my back. I’m motionless, my arms and legs splayed out, my eyes shut, my blonde hair falling over my face.
Rowan Chance
I look at you flat on your back and I’m laughing. That dark, wicked laugh that always made you so angry. That mocking laugh. I slide up without using my arms, a serpent uncoiling. I look at Red and point down at your motionless body. “Finish her,” I say. “Finish the job I had to do for you.”
Red Enforcer
I nod at Rowan, seeing the bloodlust in her eyes. My hands go to your hair and drag you near the ropes before jamming your head between my legs. You are wobbly, but I hold you up as I wrap my arms around your waist and grunt, hauling you up on my shoulders. You rest there, hair spilling over your face as I turn towards the ropes. I lift you up higher and instead of slamming you to the mat, I aim your body over the ropes, looking to drive your body down to the harsh floor below.
Virginia Dare
I feel myself lifted high up. I’ve felt this before. I know the pain about to hit me. But my head is still full of fog. I just have to take it. I can take it. I can...
And then, the fall. The long, long fall. I steel myself for the impact... but it doesn’t come. I keep falling. Keep falling... when will I...
Then, the impact hits. All the way from the top of the ring to the floor. No protection, no give. My flesh and bones against the concrete, and I learned in Funk U what happens when flesh and bones meet concrete. My insides explode. But I don’t scream. I don’t arch my back. My body hits the concrete and that’s it. All dark, no stars. (yt R)
Rowan Chance
I look at Red. “You know what to do, you dumb brute. Now go do it.”
Red Enforcer
I slide out of the ring and grab you by your hair again. A normal person would roll you into the ring and pin you. But Rowan wants more. And I’ve agreed to her terms. Your head goes between my legs again. And you go up, again. As you sit on my shoulders I say “this is what you get for coming here and trying to embarass me. I dont know if you can hear me, but you better wake up and submit soon” chuckling I drive you down, but onto the apron. Much like you did to Rowan. I wonder if you can even feel the pain as I slam you down with all the hate in my black heart.
Virginia Dare
The darkness that surrounds me swirls like a black smoke. Then, the black smoke grows teeth and pounces. It pulls me up and out of unconsciousness and I feel every ounce of pain that hits me, crushing my spine. I remember what I did to Rowan and I think, “Is this what she felt? How did she take this? How did she survive this? How did she feel the strength to...” It’s too much. Too much... And unconsciousness can’t save me. I hear the ref ask me if I want to quit. I won’t give Rowan the satisfaction. Won’t give YOU the satisfaction. I won’t... I won’t...
My lips tremble. “n-no...”
Red Enforcer
A cheshire like grin splits my lips. My teeth shine bright white in contrastto my mask. “Oh yes.” I relock my arms around you and peel you off the apron. With a great show of strength I haul you back up into the air. I feel your weight on my shoulders and take a moment to run my hands along your thighs. Then suddenly, my arms snap and dig into your waist and hips and drive you downwards. Intense speed forcing you down, only to stop suddenly when your damaged back meets the solid mass of the apron. The crowd cheers the loud crash.
Virginia Dare
When I feel the impact, I scream out loud, my back arching, my blonde hair falling over my face. And again, I remember when I was on the other side of this, punishing Rowan’s spine. She was in the hospital for six months. When she came back, she was Aika. Could that happen to me? Could the pain and agony in my body drive me over the edge? I don’t... i can’t... I reach forward and grab your mask under the chin with my left hand. “NO!” I shout at you. “F-FUH-”
Then, holding your mask with my left hand, I slap you hard with the right. “FUCK YOU!” And suddenly, the crowd cheers. And that old adrenaline fills my blood. I clench my fist and punch you in the head. Again... again... again...
Red Enforcer
The crowd is hot but you surprise me and them by cussing and by firing punches. Some of my fans even start cheering you. I stagger a bit as you punch me. But then the beast flares up. “No you damn bitch. Fuck you!” I cry out as my arms lock down hard on you. Squeezing your body enen as I jerk you up into the air. Once more I lift you up off my shoulders and my arms piston downwards, taking your body and speeding it towards rhe apron. A sick laugh escaping my lips as I focus on breaking you, on snapping your sexy body in fucking half. Whatever it takes to drive that fight right out of you.
Virginia Dare
All of this feels like an echo full of agony. I remember sending Rowan’s back into the side of the ring over and over again. It was merciless. It was brutal. And now, I realize... it was evil. Me. There isn’t a single atom of my body that doesn’t feel that slam. Just like Rowan felt her spine SNAP, I know I feel that same sensation. My arms fall to my sides, my head falls forward, my hair falling forward over my eyes.
I’m gone. I’m finished. There’s nothing but darkness behind my eyes. The referee asks me if I want to continue. I say nothing. He asks me again. Nothing. I’m limp. Helpless. I can’t protect myself. Whatever you do next... The ref tells you, “I’m calling it. She can’t continue.”
Rowan Chance
The referee calls for the bell and my eyes go wide. “NO!” I scream. “NO! SHE HAS TO QUIT! SHE HAS TO QUIT!” I jump down, grabbing her lifeless chin in my hand. “YOU HAVE TO QUIT! YOU HAVE TO BEG!” The ref pulls me away, but I shove him down and grab Dare’s face, screaming into it. “QUIT, YOU BITCH! QUIT!”
Red Enforcer
I find myself warring within. Red wants to stop. It’s over. Take her hair and go. But the beast. The beast wants what Rowan wants. Wants her to submit like she made him, wants her to feel as weak and helpless as he did up in her chicken wing. And there is only one way to do that
Red Enforcer
“Wake her Rowan” and she keeps screaming, slapping at the heroine's face. The crowd is now very uneasy with what they are seeing. Once a flicker of your eyes lights, I grab your hair and pull you off the apron. Your head once more between my thighs. This time I take your arms and cross them in front of you, feeling the heat and hammering of your heart in your chest. With a loud grunt I heave, lifting your battered body up in the air. And then just as speedily, I shove you forward, pushing against your own wrists as I drive you onto the apron once more, but with my patented straightjacket bomb to add to the impact.
Virginia Dare
I sit high above you, my arms locked tight. I see Rowan smiling, giving you orders. There’s no escape from this. I have no choice.
Just before you send me into the ring apron, I summon my broken voice, my body shuddering with pain. I have to. I have to. Tears stream up into my eyes. “y-yes...” I whisper. “i quit...”
Red Enforcer
I am prepared to drive you completely through the apron with all the power I have. Just as I get my swing going, I hear those two words. I stop myself. “Say it louder. For everyone to hear. Or I finish this”
Virginia Dare
I try to breathe, but it burns. I know why this is happening. “Y-you-re ju-just R-Rowan’s BITCH.” I look at Rowan. “I QUIT, YOU SICK PIECE OF CRAP! I QUIT!”
Rowan Chance
“YES!” I shout, jumping up and down. “YES! FINALLY! YOU BIMBO! I MADE YOU QUIT! I MADE YOU QUIT!”
Red Enforcer
Instead of slamming you into the apron, I push you through the ropes, tossing you to the middle of the ring “Yes, lets finish this.”
Rowan Chance
Red rolls your motionless body into the center of the ring. He goes to the time keeper and grabs the clippers. Then, he rolls in. But I roll in, too and I snatch the clippers from his hand. “You dumb oaf,” I snarl at him. “I’ve been waiting for this for years. Did you honestly think I’d let you do it?”
I get behind you and pull you into a sitting position. “I’ve waited for this for a long time, Dare.” The crowd suddenly starts booing. Maybe they remember me. Remember what I said about their mothers. I don’t give a single fuck. This is the revenge I’ve been waiting for. And now, Dare... now... it’s going to be mine.
I slam my knee into your back, pull your hair back. Finally. Finally.
Red Enforcer
I move in front of you, kicking your legs so they spread wide. Then I grab your wrists. “No stopping this Jenny. Time to go bald.” I jerk on your wrists a bit harsher than necessary to remind you of the damage you did to my shoulder.
Virginia Dare
Tears well up in my eyes. But I bite my lip. I stare at you, Red. “This was supposed to be your victory, Red. You’re letting her take it from you?”
Rowan Chance
“Shut up, bimbo.” I look at you. “Don’t listen to her, Red. Just do what you’re told and hold her still like a good mercenary.”
Red Enforcer
I meet your eyes and something stirs in me. The beast is quiet. Rowan has taken away all that rage. I find myself wondering what I am doing and why. I just. I can’t look into the eyes of someone who has gone toe to toe with me and shown herself to be an able competitor and worthy opponent and see that hurt, that fear, that pain as she is helpless before her hated rival. Dammit Red, you know what you are throwing away? “Yes.” I mutter
Red Enforcer
I release your wrists and stand up. I move around behind you and beside Rowan. “We’re not doing this.” I grit my teeth and make my stand.
Rowan Chance
What the fuck is this? Red telling me what we can and can’t do? I don’t think so. “Red, have you forgotten our... agreement?”
Red Enforcer
“No. I haven’t forgotten. I’m just adding a few addendums, provisos and one huge quid pro quo.” I grab Rowan by the shoulder and spin her to me, my boot quickly following up and slamming hard right into those abs she is so proud of. The clippers fall to the mat near Jenny and my hands go deep into Rowan’s tresses. I jerk her head towards me and stuff it between my thighs, bending over and crossing her arms and grabbing her wrists.
Virginia Dare
I’m only barely able to discern what’s happening. Did the Enforcer just... what’s going on? Is he... ? I fall to the mat, face first, still unable to move, unable to defend myself. The clippers are within reach... if only I knew to reach for them.
Rowan Chance
WHAT THE FUCK?!!? WHAT THE FUCK?!?!? “RED! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? DON’T RUIN THIS! REMEMBER WHAT I PROMISED YOU! SHE MADE YOU QUIT, RED! YOU CAN TAKE HER! BREAK HER IN HALF! HUMILIATE HER IN FRONT OF ALL THESE PEOPLE! DON’T THROW IT ALL AWAY, RED!”
Red Enforcer
“Sorry Rowan. I guess I do know the meaning of respect. “ My arms tighten around you, crushing into your sides as I secure this. I have one brief moment where I doubt what I’m doing, but it is gone in a flash as I grunt and haul Rowan up in the air, settling her on my shoulders and then turning, facing the ropes. Then, like I am trying to dispose of every vile thing about me, I raise her up and then just haul off and throw Rowan down towards the concrete.
Rowan Chance
After all the manipulation, all the veiled promises... all the unveiled promises. You lift me up on your shoulders and there’s a single moment I get to look you in the eyes. “You’ll pay, Red,” I tell you. Then, there’s a rush of movement, a roller coaster descent and then, just pain and darkness.
Virginia Dare
I’m only now beginning to realize where I am and what’s happened. I look around and see no Rowan. Only Red. And the clippers are within reach. I take a deep breath. Then, I get on my knees, trying to ignore all the pain in my body. In my chest, in my back... I sit on my knees and look up at you. “Go ahead,” I say. “I lost. It’s your right.”
Red Enforcer
I turn and see you still in the ring, in obvious pain. But you sit there, trying to be brave and you tell me to go ahead and take my spoils of victory. I walk over to the clippers. The crowd hushes, like they are collectively holding their breath. I turn the clippers on and move towards you, watching your brave face. The fear and anguish I saw earlier gone. Replaced with a serenity of sorts. You’ve accepted that I won and are willing to go through with this. I move in behind you, gathering your hair in one hand, clippers in the other. You don’t even flinch.
Red Enforcer
The sound of the clippers is very loud in the arena. Everyone is waiting to see it. To see the heroine pay the price for her hubris and be shamed. I move the clippers closer to your head, the sound very loud in your ears.
And then. Then, I cut them off.....
The clippers. The silence is deafening in the arena. I finally find my voice. “No. I don’t want this. Take these things.” I hand you the clippers and just stand there. Still not sure what I’ve really just done. I feel....different. I don’t know how to describe it. I just know an opponent like you doesn’t deserve to be shaved bald. I just stand there in silence.
Virginia Dare
And just like Cena walking into a Chicago show, half the crowd cheers and half the crowd boos. (The cheers are much higher pitched.) The clippers are in my hand. I don’t know what to do. I agreed to this when I signed for the match and I always keep my word. With the clippers in my right hand, I bundle up my long blonde hair in my right, making a long pony tail. Then, I run the clippers through them, cutting the pony tail, leaving the rest.
Virginia Dare
Now with a rough pixie cut, I have that long pony tail in my left hand. I tae a deep breath and turn to you. I offer the pony tail to you. “You earned it,” I say.
Red Enforcer
I just look hard in your eyes for a moment. I shouldn’t be surprised that someone of your ethical nature would live up to the terms of the match. But still. It does surprise me. I’m speechless as you offer your pony tail to me. I hesitantly reach out for it and grasp it in my hand. I know what it meant for you to cut your hair and to then present it to me. I just stand there silently until my brain kicks on long enough for me to eek out in a volume slightly above a whisper, “thank you”
