John Carnaby vs Eliza Harenwood - The Challenge Ahead

Match Rules: Standard Rules
Fight takes place in a lavish ballroom at night with a wrestling ring inside it

John Carnaby:

John was the sort that didn't really pass up matches, being as he was it was always a unique experience whenever he went up against an opponent. Plus as a former title holder the artist would often be seen as a target for those who were up and coming in wrestling, fine by him. The artist would give them a go, then leave them in the dust after he used them as an example of why you shouldn't try to punch above your weight. If it was any other time than this John would say yeah he'd step into the ring and be up for it.

This time however, this was the one exception.

Eliza Harenwood was a person that John knew full well about, another Tension icon. Well known for her dynamic and explosive offence and submissions that left the men of Tension and even the women of Friction a crumpled heap, added by her polite and affable demeanour that melted the crowd and their hearts. She was one that even heels could respect in all honesty.

In retrospect, it was only a matter of time before the artist had to cross paths in the squared circle with the dancing passion. But times were a far cry from when John held the belts with his boss Ryan. Since coming back after Ryan lost his eye the former UK Elite were now the Warriors Without Borders, intent on raising hell in Tension and conquering it once again. The group eschewed the rules and had recently been outright vandalising the arena in Kyoto, Eliza bickered with Ryan on Twitter. John knew the history between the pair with his boss being an open book there. So Ms Harenwood has seemingly resolved to try and stop them, Ryan had been quiet about how he felt there strangely enough.

Save for today, where he instructed John that he had a match for tonight. Halloween, go figure. And it was against Eliza. Double go figure.

John drove up to some lavish dancing hall, he checked the time. Nearly midnight, he'd give Tension credit. They sure knew how to make something fitting. The scribe of the conquest was dressed in his ring attire already, save for the addition of a generic black and white skull face paint for the occasion. He felt his clothes were spooky enough as is with his black leather shirt and pants. The artist got out the parking lot and strode right to a pair of large wooden doors. Inside was a.......very lavish room to say the least. Complete with a wrestling ring and a refgirl already there.

Spoiler:

The artist nodded to the girl and made his way into the ring, there was a sinking feeling in the pit of John's gut. He knew full well what Eliza was capable of, it wasn't that he was worried he couldn't take her. Far from it, it was just that Ryan didn't even seem the little bit concerned about the fact that......

Sod it, John opened his phone and texted him.

"I'm here. Are you sure I have to do this? I mean I thought she was close to you at one point yeah?"

A minute later Ryan responded with

"At one point yes, but this John is a new age for us. We won't let anyone stand in our way, go prove this to her."

John gave a deep sigh, he'd follow his boss for sure. But even this was something he didn't expect. Regardless it wouldn't be long until Ms Harenwood showed up and then it'd be go time. John put his phone in his hip pack and slung it over the iron post then leaned against the turnbuckle pads, folding his arms. Inwardly in any other occasion he'd have been hyped to battle a renowned fighter like Eliza, tonight though? This would simply have to be nothing personal........

She really didn’t want to do this.

It took a lot of effort for her to actually accept the challenge and get ready for combat. It had all felt familiar to when she was just starting. The first match when she was in that old red leather corset. The nerves she had when she was about to pass the AFW curtain for the first time and step in the same ring as his ex-boyfriend. But such nerves would be complemented with enthusiasm, expectation and excitement to do battle.

And yet now, as the Dancing Passion stands in front of the tall mirror, the feeling was mostly negative. Halloween had just come, and management caught wind to a particular Twitter conversation which gave them the idea of setting a match. With no other way to bill what would have been a throwaway match, they decided to go all-in on this. Controversial but that is the game of management. Hence it is no surprise as to Eliza’s costume at the moment. Playing up as the dead bride, it blended the two concepts of showiness and practicality. It wasn’t any different to the corset that she wears, the usual stockings would be forgone with some white fishnets. Ballet shoes that she hasn’t worn in a while would mark the first time Eliza wore any footwear. But it had another meaning to it. They were the ones she used when dancing with Ryan one time. A fact John wouldn’t pick up as he wasn’t there. But she knew Ryan would be watching.

Glamorous as she looked, the lack of a smile was the only thing that was absent. In a way, it perhaps fitted with the costume. A massive contrast to the bold and confident Lady of War she has grown up to. By all accounts, it was terrible timing. The idea of duelling with John Carnaby, a good friend of Ryan, for the first time even was a prospect that she wouldn’t pass upon.

That was if it was back in those days when they were known as UK Elite. Times have changed since then, and they weren’t the same people the Aristocrat respected and held to a high standard. With all that had happened since their dramatic change of character, Eliza had enough. When she did those tweets, it was to put an end to this peacefully. However, words wouldn’t sway Ryan back from such a path, and there would be only one way to do so.

Settle it in the ring.

The Dancing Passion thought she had the resolve, but her soul was conflicted. She wasn’t sure how to go about it, and while she had a gameplan, her mind was in no state to concentrate. Near on the verge of tears, the door would knock, taking her mind away from her internal thoughts: from a stagehand, no less. It must have been time to do battle. Then so be it.

Ms Harenwood would take a deep breath in, closing her eyes before exhaling. She grabbed her phone nearby on the dressing table, scrolling to an app before quickly typing. All the while, another knock would be heard. “In a bloody second!” Rather unbecoming for a lady, but what she wanted to do was important. And would only take a second. Once that was done, Eliza would move to the door to exit, leaving her phone there. She wanted to send a tweet—one before she would meet the artist.

The Tweet:

The orchestra complemented the setting with the lavish dancing hall, considering they didn’t have much time to set everything else up other than the ring. They began playing a tune that wasn’t the usual theme that John would be expecting. But rather something else. Filled with dread and sorrow. The Dancing Passion would come from the curtain, without a rose or a fan in hand. Dancing in a way that was unlike the passionate and soulful tones of flamenco. More a mix of ballet and contemporary, her movements telling a different story as she waltzes down the ramp. It showed the pain, affliction and struggle that was going on in her soul. All told in dance form, well documented than what her face would show. No words were spoken, letting the music and her practised steps convey the message. As an artist, John would know what it all means.

Sum vobis mortuus ei:

She would slide from under the ropes, her body looked like it was writhing in agony, before she would rise in a handstand, returning to standing position in short order. She stood in the middle of the ring, facing the man that she once held high regards. Eliza just stared at him, as if unsure as to what to say to him right now.

“John…” Was all that came from her lips.

John would have to say, this was one match he'd never have taken up on his own will. Even before the dawn of the warriors without borders. Because of how the artist had worried how Ryan would have taken the news that the artist was having to fight the dancing passion, this time he was surprised by the lack of concern thereof. Still a match was a match, you had to swallow your concerns and get into the ring. John was by no means a coward at any rate, he took a deep breath. Wouldn't be long before Eliza made her way to the ring, he was tempted to text Ryan and complain. But it'd have done nothing save for his boss telling him to get on with the task at hand.

Sure enough the band got kicked off, that surprised John briefly. How come he didn't get entrance music? Did Eliza rent a band or something? Heck she probably rented the whole place out in the hopes that Ryan would come instead, the artist regardless kept a cool expression on his features as he sized up what the dancing passion was doing. Her entrances were known to be grand and bombastic, instead however Eliza seemed to be more purposeful. Eliza's attire was also quite unique this time, swapping out her usual red and black for a bridal white outfit. Perhaps indicative of her feelings towards Ryan, or perhaps it was just cause of the season.

Finally Eliza slid into the ring and appeared to be having a sort of spasm if her muscles were anything to go by, John kept his distance however. It was the ref's job to do that anyway, Eliza rose up well enough though and simply muttered the artist's name. Acting as if they were close and buddy, John didn't recall any of that. Regardless......

The scribe of the conquest would fold his arms and say "Evening Ms Harenwood. Take it your ready tonight? I got nothing against you, but I'm gonna need to stop you here tonight......Just remember who picked this fight." John was never one for trash talking, but he was gonna lay down what he thought about tonight. The artist sized up Eliza now that she was in the ring, John had watched plenty of her matches in the past. However it didn't do her terrific thighs justice as he'd never seen Eliza in her ring attire in person, he'd need to watch out for them. That said Eliza had to know what the artist was capable of also..........

Once the bell rung and it was go time John would open cautiously, stepping forward with his arms outreached. He was well aware of the dancing passion's explosive offence that she so favoured, if Eliza was going to go for something here she'd have to be pretty crafty to get it in there......

For such a spectacle to take place on Halloween of all days, neither person in the ring looked like wanted to be here. There are many underlying issues beneath the surface that the moment Eliza and John meet, it created a bit of awkwardness. Both knew each other in the past, it was hardly the reunion that they had wished for. However, the Dancing Passion had to do this. Someone has to put a stop to this madness the WWB was causing. And it had to be her. Actions conveyed much more than what words can do. Her moves had a message. One that John would at least see. Ryan too. Of course, he would be watching this. Wherever it was here in this hall or on the T.V remains to be seen.

The British Aristocrat’s face was solemn, unsure what to say to John. She at least considered him as a friend. But with all of this happening, everything was blurred. How should she feel towards him? As a combatant sure but as a hated foe? A friend? Well, from what John had spoken, he had given her his viewpoint towards the Darling of Tension. Blunt. Direct. Missing the point.

“…”

No words came out from Eliza’s mouth, but her eyes told a different story. They never left on John, even as her leg came back, drawing a perfect arc on the canvas with the toe. The Darling of Tension stood straight, readying herself for battle. While Eliza would usually be the one to throw the first strike, she dared not to. She knew John’s gameplan, after all.

Though there is another reason as to why she didn’t take the first step. As if she was trying to hold something back…

Truth be told John was surprised that Eliza wasn't taking to this match with more gusto, she talked a big game with Ryan over Twitter so here the artist was partially expecting her to be stomping over to him in the ring and trying to slap him across the cheek. But it seemed that even the bravest of actors would have butterflies in their stomach, John however didn't. At least nowhere near as much as the dancing passion seemed to have, the artist smirked as Eliza didn't even seem to bother retorting him when he said that she'd have to remember who picked this fight. John had a mission to do here, he wouldn't hesitate. He didn't hesitate when he won gold for the first time way back when, so there'd be none here from him either.

Eliza was often known for being explosive right out the gate in her matches, a well documented fact that even the most rookie of Tension wrestlers would know of. The scribe of the conquest was also known for his grappling prowess, clinging to his opponents like gum on a cola can. Perhaps it was this notion combined with Eliza's seeming hesitance that had her opt to be more conservative than usual. The stakes were high here tonight, so he'd figure the dancing passion would be screaming at him and running at him intent on punting his head off back to Ryan and have it land on his lap.

Fine by John, he'd have to take the start here tonight. He edged towards Eliza, who seemingly hadn't even made a step and delivered a harsh slap to her right arm. See if that got her going and motivated, otherwise she might as well just step out this ring and go home.

Frankly, there was so much to say. Especially to John with everything that is going on. It’s just that Eliza chose not to. It would be a waste of time doing so; nothing would have the Scribe change his mind. Regrettably, Eliza must fight the man who she always thought of as a friend. The Dancing Passion felt as if she must restrain herself, lest she lets her own emotions get the best of her. It had happened when Sin kept pushing her buttons to the point she exploded and consumed the Korean in flames. While one could argue the Korean did deserve that, a tiny part of her felt horrible. As if a beast was waiting to be unleashed, and it just needed the trigger. A newfound power within the Dancing Passion, perhaps?

Maybe she’ll find the answer here in this match. She didn’t fear that John would act unaccordingly and without honour. But this is not the same John Carnaby from UK Elite; this is different. Eliza must approach with caution.

Hence why she hasn’t made the first move. It was perhaps something John expected, a straight kick from the legendary legs of Eliza and catching them. She was as calm. Serene as the still water while John would edge in closer. Getting right into range, even more so that Eliza couldn’t make a swift kick from a reasonable distance. And then that arm came, the Darling of Tension quick to follow up on it.

A hand came out, Eliza snatching at John’s wrist, widening her stance a tad bit. Before John could react, the Dancing Passion twisted his arm to have him pitch forward. And if he’s not willing to comply, Eliza sought to swing that deadly leg in a low arc, aiming the tip of the pointe right to the tender part that is the back of John’s knee.

Something to prove that she’s motivated enough.

Nothing would change John's mind here, besides he actually had a small qualm to pick with the dancing passion. She had done little in terms of trying to speak to Ryan when he had lost his eye from what he knew, it was only when the Knight returned and sought to conquer Tension once again did Eliza actually seem to speak to them. In John's eyes that casted suspicion on the so called good nature of the dancing passion, it had been all over the news of what occurred with the Rebelling Paragon so she certainly should have seen it. Regardless John would make sure that she was reminded what happened when you lifted the sword here tonight, then he could go home and forget all about this.

Regardless Eliza's out of character option paid off here as she was able to counter John with ease, to be fair it wasn't as if John made his tell subtle or not. The dancing passion was prevented at least from opening with her explosive kicks, something that was best to avoid if you were able to. But Eliza had also developed a good grappling game herself, enough to at least keep up with the scribe. He was made to have his arm be dragged down, of course he wasn't going to comply.

Which prompted Eliza to use one of her lethal legs to smack the artist in the back of John's knee, a sensitive spot to anyone. Which made John give a yelp and force him to comply, this was annoying. Mr Carnaby was in essence being forced to bend the knee to the dancing passion, John responded with using his free arm to try and quickly claw at Eliza's hands and try and dig into one of them to try and force her to relent.

Hook, line and sinker.

Eliza wasn’t usually one that would bait out an opponent’s offence. Usually, the Dancing Passion would be the aggressor early on and have people reeling from a well-placed kick famed all over Tension. Even John Carnaby knew that he must avoid getting hit. Otherwise, he would be in whole new worlds of trouble. But while that is the reason for Eliza’s success and stardom, it was a curse. People will become wise to your strategy, and they will take advantage of one’s pitfalls. And the Scribe wasn’t one to be forgiving when it came to mistakes. His grappling is still a threat, and Ms Harenwood can’t afford one of, if not both, her legs being captured.

This is why the Darling of Tension laid the bait and remained patient. Let John come to her instead. And once his guard is down, attack.

While the arm twist is slightly out of character, even though Eliza took Self-defence classes, the kick to the knee wasn’t. Eliza didn’t twist the arm too hard, but enough that he’d feel discomfort. Enough for the joints to creak. Eliza didn't hate John, but she has to do what she must to stop him. He's that blockade that is stopping her to get to Ryan. And regrettably, if she must strike him down, then so be it. The Undead Aristocrat could only hope that fire doesn't consume him too...

The Dancing Passion would not play to his assumptions, pulling the carpet from under him and taking the Scribe down. Bringing him to kneel. Right in front of the Aristocrat. It would have incensed many who held pride within themselves, having been brought to a lowly position.

But John wasn’t going to simply kowtow to Eliza. And she was banking on it. Seeing that hand reaching up towards her, Eliza raised her knee straight up towards his chin, just to stop any sort of ideas he had in mind. On the decent, Eliza sought to stomp John’s hand down to the canvas before another knee came up to the jaw. Seeking to get him loopy enough for Eliza to lift that leg up high, almost coming up to her body before dropping it down like a guillotine and driving him down to the ground.

John learned one thing, that he was starting to dislike the dancing passion more and more every second now. If it wasn't her self righteous demeanour it was the fact that she was hard to get a hold of already, he considered himself an even tempered person usually but this was already starting to grind his gears. He sought to try and reclaim the situation and establish grappling dominance here, but Eliza was already launching her counterattack having caught onto John's subtle movements of his free arm. Ms Harenwood slammed her knee right into John's jaw, which produced a hard crunching noise and a numbing feeling into him. Fuck she had already delivered a hit with those lethal legs of hers and John hadn't been tensed up for it and paid the price for it.

Eliza was putting her well known legs to good use as she followed up with a hard stomp to John's hand, that arguably didn't hurt as much. After all John had the rough hands of a wrestler and had damaged them before in his art pursuits, still he'd have winced if he wasn't trying to handle that shot to the jaw. Which Eliza felt apparently spiteful enough to deliver a second one, the double whammy was fuelling John's desire for payback. But it also left him stunned and forced to go along with the dancing passion's holier than thou whims.

She concluded her establishment of dominance by dropping her lethal leg down like a guillotine and smacked John down hard onto the mat, if John wasn't a former champion he'd have likely been out of it already by this point. But he retained enough awareness to continue for sure, heck he even managed to mutter out ".......damn it.....not done......" he'd make sure that Eliza wasn't gonna be walking properly by the end of this tonight he reckoned.......

She didn’t wish to hurt the man, but she must. After all, this was to test her resolve enough to take on her former flame, her ex-boyfriend being Ryan. Of course, in normal circumstances, John would have felt the full force of her devastating strikes. Taking control, giving him no quarter, is the only way she could keep her dominance going. Rocking his head a few times with those knees before that educated leg swung down onto his neck, sending him crashing down to the mat. It was quite like her High Note move, one she used on the King one time. Striking the gut before clonking him behind his head. There were many dangerous manoeuvres that Eliza has never gotten the chance to pull out; perhaps they could come out in this match. Time will tell if she needs them.

“Of course you’re not.” She said matter-of-factly. The Dancing Passion knew this wasn’t going to take him out. John was more substantial than most; Eliza knew that more than anyone. Which means she has to do all that she could to wear him down. As much as the British Aristocrat has gotten much better with her potent kicks, she has still never forgotten her ground game. Submissions used to sap their energy more to further hack away at them with her kicks.

And for a grappling scion like John, something simple wasn’t going to cut it.

Eliza moved over him, bringing one of his legs between hers as she sought to wrap those lethal legs around John. Making sure that he would end up with one arm and leg trapped between the crushing pressure of the Aristocrat’s Vice Grip. Not to say the other leg would remain free, the Undead Ballerina wrapped her arm and pulled it towards her, adding a stretch to the equation.

Making John Carnaby into a human pretzel. Which, funny enough, is what the position is called.