LadySports ::: Nikki Roxx vs Christie Ricci...

Two Women… One Belt… And A Night Of Fury!

by Shiai Mata

Nikki Roxx, the Professional Girl Wrestling Association Champion, had heard the whispers in the locker rooms, and read the callous remarks on the Internet: Sure, the ‘experts’ were saying, she was a good champ… but that would all change when she finally met Christie Ricci in the ring.

Ricci had been the Sword of Damocles hanging over the champ’s head since she had won the PGWA belt months earlier by beating Pippa L’Vinn in Manchester, England. Roxx had gone on to wrestle virtually full time across the United States, as well as in Mexico and Japan, and she had beaten some of the best women in the sport. And yet, the conventional wisdom seemed to be that Christie Ricci was the one obstacle she could never overcome. Perhaps the cruelest observation was made by a fan who said that Nikki was “only keeping the belt warm” until Christie could claim it.

If such comments stung, Roxx didn’t outwardly show it. Instead, it seemed to steel her resolve to finally face Christie in a title match, and to prove once and for all just who deserved to wear that ten pounds of leather and gold.

For Christie Ricci, the path to a PGWA title match has been slow and torturous. From her very debut in 2002, when she beat her mentor, the legendary Leilani Kai, Christie was hailed as the Next Big Thing in women’s wrestling. A string of victories in America and Asia, as well as a championship run in Mexico, only seemed to reaffirm the conventional wisdom that she was destined for greatness. Yet, what she seemed to want most of all… the PGWA crown… eluded her.

After many months of requests, Christie was finally granted a title shot by then-champ L’Vinn… but the wily Brit then managed to trick Ricci by showing up at another card which Christie was working the night before, and challenging the Belle of Biloxi to a match then and there. Through blatant rulebreaking, Pippa won that fight… and then declared that this was their title match! Having had the gold at her fingertips after so long, Christie was naturally furious and frustrated to have had it cheated away from her. L’Vinn quickly retreated to England and refused all demands for another match with Ricci… or any other woman in America.

By the spring of ‘05, one woman decided that if Mohammad would not go to mountain, the mountain had better book a flight to Manchester. And so Nikki Roxx found herself in England, demanding a match with the champ. L’Vinn, confident that this impudent Yank… whom Pippa had only barely heard of before… would be no match for her, she consented. And Pippa L’Vinn was not the only person in the world shocked by Nikki’s victory in the match that ensued.

But from the moment that the belt was first wrapped around her waist, a confrontation between Nikki and Christie seemed inevitable. Both women knew it, but the opportunity for a title match never seemed to correspond with their busy schedules.

But the stars were aligned for a meeting to finally occur on Friday, December the 9th of 2005. That it would take place in Nashville, Tennessee… Mississippi-born Ricci’s adopted hometown… didn’t deter Roxx. Win or lose (a draw was unacceptable), Nikki intended to make her stand in Music City and prove one way or the other that she deserved the PGWA belt just as much as Ricci does… if not moreso.

It’s not hyperbole to say that there was electricity in the air the night of the Best of Three Falls match. The packed house would bear witness to the battle which fans the world over were obsessed with. It promised to be a titanic struggle between two of the best young women in the sport… and the ladies did not disappoint!

The first fall saw them putting all of their technical abilities on display, demonstrating conclusively that these are two of the best-skilled women in the sport today. Their pent-up tensions spilled over into some verbal warfare as they fought, but the action never wavered. Finally, the first fall ended when Christie managed to put Nikki’s shoulders down to the mat for the three count… which the ref made, despite the fact that Nikki’s feet were in the ropes! The champ was decidedly unhappy with this result, and more than convinced that Ricci had intentionally distracted the official so that he would not see it and order the pin broken.

Knowing she could afford no more mistakes or bad luck, Roxx made the conscious decision to do whatever it took to win this match. Although now a fan favorite, Nikki had begun her career as a rulebreaker, and she knew how to fight dirty. The smug look on Christie’s face as they prepared for the second fall only reinforced the champ’s determination to do what it took to wipe that smile from Ricci’s lips.

With the sound of the bell, Nikki charged her opponent and speared her hard. From that moment on, the second round was less a wrestling match, and more of a brawl between these two warriors! They exchange punches and chops, slam one another from pillar to post, and hold nothing back. Christie seems to have victory within her grasp as she snares Nikki in a Sleeper, but Roxx is able to power out. Then, going for a pin, the champ cannily plants her feet on the ropes for leverage, preventing her foe from kicking out! The match is tied up at one fall apiece. More importantly, in Nikki’s mind at least, she has balanced the cosmic scales… although to the fans, she has blatantly cheated and robbed their heroine of her rightful triumph.

The third and deciding fall unleashes Armageddon in the ring! Roxx and Ricci punish one another with everything in their arsenals, and push themselves past the point of exhaustion. At one point, both have collapsed to the canvas, and neither is able to rise until the referee counts to nine, narrowing avoiding a Double Countout. There are multiple attempts at pins from each wrestler, with hair’s breadth escapes each time.

Christie finally seems to be taking control of the match with a Belly Claw and Belly-to-Belly Suplex which leave Nikki badly weakened. The crowd… and Ricci… can sense it: Victory is near! Only Roxx seems to have a dissenting opinion.

Unfortunately for Christie Ricci, the champ’s opinion still counts for something. Calling upon the last dregs of her strength, Nikki suddenly grabs her adversary in a Bearhug… but then hoists her up into the air. Before Christie can fathom what is going on, Roxx brings the brunette down HARD with an Inverted Atomic Drop!

Barely left conscious from the force of the cruel maneuver, Christie offers scant resistance as Nikki pins her and claims the match.

Although few were happy with some of the tactics she used, all of the spectators are in awe of the tremendous effort Nikki has made, and their ovation blows the roof off of the arena! Roxx proudly stands on unsteady legs, blissfully clutching her championship belt. This is her moment, the one she has waited for since she first won the title.

Unfortunately, the moment is short-lived. Rushing from backstage is Passion, a leading contender for the title. Charging into the ring, she blindsides the champ, pummeling her and leaving Roxx helpless on the canvas. Angrily, Passion taunts Nikki...“Your belt will be mine!”

Now, at last, Nikki Roxx realizes her true destiny as the Champion: It is not to face any one woman. Rather, it is to meet the challenge of a neverending sea of challengers. Yet, having overcome the threat of Ricci, Nikki is ready and eager to meet Passion and any other woman bold enough to step between the ropes to face her.

And Christie? She has remained silent since her loss. This defeat must certainly weigh heavily upon her. But she is not merely some “phenom,” a flash-in-the-pan. She has proven herself in the past to be of championship caliber. And she knows that there will be other opportunities for a title shot in the days ahead.

Two women with two destinies… and Fate must surely decree that their paths will cross again someday.

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