Tension World Title Match: Reira Kirishima (C) Vs. Clyde Gastin (W/Eliza Harenwood) - (Complete)

Tension World Title Match
Standard Rules
One Fall: Win via Pinfall or Submission Only
No Count Outs
Stipulation: If Clyde Gastin loses, he retires from AFW Tension Pro

Backstage Clyde Gastin was pumped and ready, bouncing on the balls of his feet behind the curtain that led to the arena stage. The most important match of his career was about to start and he felt like he was going to be sick. He had a lot on his mind right now regarding Mercy, who was going to be ringside tonight. It only made him more nervous about screwing up but he did his best to ignore it and focus on the match ahead. There would be no room for screwing up. The years he had spent in AFW were all banking on this. From a little punk who couldn't wrestle, to a true athlete. He knew he had grown, but would it be enough against an undefeated veteran of wrestling? This wasn't going to be easy.

He took deep breath and turned to Eliza.

"You ready ta' do yer thing" He asked his lovely valet for tonight while tugging on his boots and cracking his knuckles. He was ready. Born ready. Tonight was the trial by fire. Do or Die.

Eliza knew that one day she'd find herself on this stage, ever since coming back from first year in Tension. Eliza too had improved over her time in Tension, going from one who looked beautiful but couldn't stay in the fight for long. To one who going up, up and up in both the eyes of the fans and in terms of wins.

The dancing passion was more than happy to accompany Mr Gastin into his most important hour, either it was the gold title. Or a departure, either the evening would end with a proud bang. Or a depressing whimper, however Eliza believed in the former. She had to, victory was the only option. The other was one not even worth thinking of, Clyde was one that Ms Harenwood owed a lot to. She had the chance to know him when she just started out in Tension, and in her mind was a respectful sort. Though she couldn't fight in this match, she could of course inspire the fans of Tension to rally for Clyde. Her mere presence could do that.

Eliza had gone all out for her attire, fans, a masquerade mask. Everything, even a dress that was far more fancier than usual. She spared no expense. Clyde asked if she was ready, in response the dancing passion nodded as she donned her mask. "Of course Clyde, as we said earlier I will go first and perform. It will of course be a short one, you can enter after I am done. See you shortly." Eliza said as she gave a small bow, with that she made her way to the entrance.

The crowd was waiting in anticipation of this title match, Tension surely had gotten quite good in this category. What with the UK Elite obtaining the tag titles and Carmen Rodriguez having the 24/7 belt, now a new world champ might be crowned. And Eliza would be there to see it. The lights dimmed and the crowd went silent, only to erupt into cheers when a spotlight shone on Eliza. Who stood with her fans unfolded and by both her sides, she looked straight up and smiled. As suddenly Baile De Batalla blared from the speakers with Eliza going into her practised routines with the familiar mix of Spanish guitars and dubstep.

As she expected the crowd was eating out of the palm of Eliza's hand, quite a few might have been surprised by the dancing passion's appearance here. Though Clyde had been ringside for her most recent match against Shido, once the song had gone for two minutes Eliza would shut her fans and spin 180 degrees in a flawless half spin before pointing at the entrance ramp. The appetisers had been given out, now it was time for the cowboy to make his appearance.

As the crowd roared and got revved up by Eliza, her theme would stop as white smoke filled the entrance stage while "No Compromise" by Rebel Meets Rebel began to boom through the arena speakers to a lively Kyoto crowd who rose to their feet as Clyde Gastin emerged from the curtain and walked onto the stage, clad in a denim vest over his ring attire consisting of long black wrestling tights, protective pads on his knees and elbows, tape on his wrists and black wrestling boots.

The cowboy looked on at the packed crowd and grinned before raising his fists to the people, turning his back on them, spreading his arms out, flexing his forearms before spinning around.

"LET'S ROCK, BABY!!" He hollered as he took big swaggering steps down the entrance ramp, joining Eliza, giving her a polite little bow to show her and the world he was thankful before he went on to high five the fans along the way, making his rounds along the ringside fans before he found himself staring at a certain pinkette.

"Heh." He flashed a grin and winked at her before he climbed the ring apron and hopped over the ropes to march to the farthest corner where he'd climb it and raise his fists to the roaring crowd, beating his chest before ditching his vest and tossing it aside.

He dropped down onto the mat with his back against the turnbuckle, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he eyed the entrance way with a hungry gaze. Finally, he made it and was ready to fight for the big one.

Mercy scowled daggers at Eliza during her entire performance. She crossed her arms under her chest and put on the iciest body language she could project at the dancing passion even as the rest of the audience whooped and hollered.

When Clyde finally appeared, she wanted to scowl even harder. She wanted him to know that he was in deep trouble with her, but... As Clyde began to slap the hands of the fans and to see how excited he was...

When he stopped in front of her, she smiled shyly and gave a cute wave back. "Good luck, Clyde..." She whispered quietly as he turned and hopped into the ring.

Eliza had looked around the arena, taking the chance to admire her handiwork. It was something she often did before her matches, and after it when victory had been achieved. She smiled as she assessed the facial expressions of those at the front row, her rallying routines had worked as intended. Pretty much everyone was now behind Clyde, thanks to the presence of one of Tension's most beloved women.

That said Eliza had seen Mercy's scowl, and the British woman had frowned. But it was concealed under the mask that she had, nevertheless it had gone once Clyde had greeted Ms Wrenn. Good, every bit of morale boost would be well appreciated in this coming battle. Eliza would walk around the ring, a fan covering the bottom of her face as she winked at a few of the men present.

She then effortlessly entered the ring and walked to the centre before giving a small bow, Eliza would then walk to Clyde and give him a smile and nod before motioning to the entrance ramp with her head. The dancing passion knew she'd have to exit the ring shortly, but would remain till she was prompted to do so. Only a matter of time before the enemy entered now......

Backstage, Reira Kirishima, Tension World Champion, sat in a chair, looking at the title belt in her hands, staring down at it as the world moved past her, stagehands and production members running by as various music played not far off, her opponent and his friend heading out to the ring, as Reira sat in an isolated part of the hallway, staring at her belt and thinking.

Being "Good Enough"...that was something that mattered deeply to the woman.
When she was a child, she wasn't considered "Good Enough" by her father to earn his affection. She wasn't considered "Good Enough" by the JNDF to join their ranks. She wasn't considered "Good Enough" by Wrestle Angels to be promoted and pushed as a fighter, despite her skills.

Even when she came to AFW, she wasn't really seen as "Good Enough" to be given a spot on the roster. But she showed them. She showed all of them. The second she had been given so much as a small chance at success, she had taken it and ran with it, becoming Tension World Champion, and holding the belt now for a year straight.

Nobody could stop her, nobody could come close to her, everyone who had tried to step up to her, she had left crushed beneath her heel, undefeated in the league so far. Now though? Now she faced, of all people, Clyde Gastin.

Reira's intense hatred of Clyde that had been on display recently wasn't entirely targeted at him. On his own, Reira didn't hate Clyde, or at least, didn't hate him anymore than she generally hated everyone else. She certainly didn't see Clyde as a legitimate threat to her title. After all, how could she? He was a dumb cowboy known more for his failed exploits in romance and getting beat up in Friction than he was for his in-ring skill. As far as she was concerned, he was a buffoon!

But that was just the problem.

That buffoon had gotten himself a title shot, and no matter how good Reira considered herself, no matter how much she berated and beat Clyde down, no matter if she stomped him flat...there was a chance, a CHANCE...that Clyde could somehow win. Somehow pin her, or, kami forbid, make her tap out.

If that happened, if she lost this match, her title, her winning streak, to a worthless cowboy buffoon...then what good was she at all?

not "Good Enough", that was for sure.

Finally, Malignant Narcissism began to play, and Reira stood up, holding the belt on her shoulder before heading out onto the entrance ramp, the crowd united in their loud boo's of the champion as she was announced.

Rather than her usual taunting of her opponent and the crowd, Reira stayed quiet as she marched down the ramp and slid into the ring, simply walking up to Clyde and holding the shiny gold belt up in the air for the cowboy to see, the simple gesture saying everything that was needed to say for her.

She was champion, Clyde was not. She was the best, Clyde was not.

She was "Good Enough"...Clyde was not.


Satisfied he got the message, or whatever passed for it under his hat, Reira handed her belt to the referee and moved to the corner, pacing back and forth as she waited for the bell to ring, ready to fight!

Eliza kept her focus on the entrance ramp, it would only be a matter of time before the enemy revealed themselves. Inwardly the dancing passion questioned if Reira would actually show, Reira in Eliza's mind hadn't exactly done much to show she was a good example of a champion. Sure she won clean recently, though it wasn't much considering that Reira's fellow Tension champs had done so in the past.

But as it turns out, the enemy showed themselves. Eliza knew she wasn't fighting tonight, but nevertheless removed her masquerade mask. So that the dancing passion could clearly reveal her contempt filled expression, she considered herself an even tempered woman. Thanks to her years in the British nobility it took a lot to earn her personal ire, but congrats to Reira. She just earned the solid gold kewpie doll!

However Eliza wouldn't in her mind lower herself to vocalise this to the champ, instead she folded her fans and nodded to Clyde. "Be strong Clyde. Dethrone this tyrant, I believe in you and god-speed." Eliza muttered with a smile as she left the ring, she had no place in this battlefield. Now it was time to bear witness to what might occur, and Eliza hoped to god it would be in the favour of Clyde T Gastin.

Clyde scowled at the sight of Reira, the champion of Tension Pro. He could practically feel the mark the title belt left on him after being struck with it last week.

His eyes were locked on her as she made her way down the ramp with the world title draped over her shoulder. Clyde was breathing heavy as he felt the tense atmosphere weigh on him.

She raised the title and all Clyde could do was look at it. His journey from a punk kid to a true wrestler was complete and tonight he had the chance to finally become the champion he knew he could be and stuff all the doubts down Melissa's throat. The only thing in his way was this angry red head. She might have been a prolific wrestle angel, but she was still a veteran and very powerful.

Clyde snapped out of his hard gaze when Eliza addressed him, he turned his head and smiled at her words before nodding at her. "Thanks, Eliza. I ain't gon' let 'cha down." He said before fixing his eyes back on Reira.

"Just you and me, Red." He said with a confident smirk as the announcer took to the mic ast he referee raised the world title above her head, facing it towards the cameras.

<"THE FOLLOWING CONTEST IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL AND IT IS FOR THE AFW TENSION PRO, WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!"> Cried the announcer before looking over to Clyde.

"Introducing the challenger! From Liberty, Texas! Weighing at one-hundred forty pounds! Clyde... GASTIN!" Said the announcer in perfect english as the cowboy raised his hands in front of a roaring crowd.

<"Introducing his opponent! From Yokohama, Japan! She is a former Wrestle Angel and the reigning AFW Tension World Champion! REIRA.... KIRISHIMA!!!"> Roared the announcer as the capcity crowd booed their champion.

The lines were drawn and it was time to fight.

The title was handed off outside the ring and the ref looked to both combatants before yelling. "Ring the bell!" and the match was under way!

"IKUZO!!" Clyde hollered with a raised fist before moving to the center of the ring with his hands up.

Reira smirked, enjoying the overwhelming chorus of boos coming from the crowd at the mention of her name. Fuck them. Let them cheer the cowboy if they wanted. Not a damn one of them would get in her face though, would they? No way in hell.

Outside the ring, some bitch that had came down the ramp with Clyde was clapping him on, showing support. Clyde sure had a way with nosy bitches. Seemed he came around with a new one every time she saw him.

With the bell rung, Reira got her arms up, circling around Clyde as he stood in the middle of the ring, the two of them appearing to feel each other out before locking up, Reira throwing the odd jab out, not trying to connect, just trying to keep Clyde on his toes as she moved around him, waiting for the right moment.

It came after a good minute of circling, as Reira finally tensed up...and ran away from Clyde, sliding under the ropes and onto the floor, right in front of Eliza, who Reira quickly charged at, swinging her arm, looking to Lariat the girl out of her boots!

liza was watching this match, there was no need to perform rallying routines at this point. It had only just begun after all and the crowd had made their voices clear, the young woman simply remained where she was. A light sway in her hips and her feet, she knew she couldn't run in or anything like that. Nevertheless Eliza's very presence served to entice the Tension crowd.

Something that Reira seemed to be keenly aware of, as she got out the ring and proceeded to attack the dancing passion. Eliza strangely enough......didn't dodge the lariat, most people who knew the dancing passion were aware of her keen reaction times. So why remain in place where she could easily have easily dodged it by going into say the splits?

Two reasons, first if Eliza dodged Reira may have given chase. Which could have consequences, Clyde could win via countout but wouldn't get the title. Eliza recalled something similar happened to the UK Elite in their title defence last year, though it ended in way that was not a countout but they still kept the belts.

And the second, it would serve to rally the crowd more against the champ. And if Eliza had to make herself into a martyr to do then it was acceptable in her eyes, so she braced herself for the impact. Besides if Eliza dodged she might out of instinct strike back against the enemy, which would lead to a DQ. Thankfully Ms Harenwood didn't take a massive injury upon landing, but it had served it's intent of striking down the dancing passion.

Even so Eliza knew that in long term this would serve to work against Reira, or at least the young lady hoped so. The hopeful reassurance did little to soothe the pain that was apparent in the body of the dancing passion, she simply hoped that setting this example would spur the crowd to request the cowboy avenge her.