LadySports ::: nemesis_owenslett

'Hardcore' Heather Owens came to Thomasville, North Carolina on Saturday, April the 30th with the idea she was just going to make an easy match of Nemesis. The prize of course was the PGWA championship belt, and Heather would have loved to have taken it home with her. In fact, she couldn't think of any good reason why she wouldn't.

The blonde had made some pretty bold statements prior to this match with LadySports.com. Threats of kicks to the face, humiliation, and such things like that came out of her mouth earlier in the week. Admittedly, she does have a great sense of confidence, but Nemesis knew all of that was just trash talk, and was ready for a brutal battle either way. Having just beaten Tracy Taylor for the belt a mere two weeks before in Nashville, Tennessee, 'Big Mama' wasn't about to go down in history as the woman with the shortest title reign!

Nemesis, the larger of the two ladies, had some trouble at times as Heather had a great attack, relentlessly striving to punish the Champ.

One note of interest: Big Mama had the support of the fans for this one! It seemed as if the crowd instantly detected a sense of supreme arrogance with the challenger, and they gave their allegiance to Nemesis. This seemed to throw the Champ off of her game a bit at times; as one who is not only used to bearing the brunt of the boos, but who actively encourages it, to find herself suddenly cheered despite the fact she hadn't changed her own roughhouse tactics one bit was a disconcerting experience, to say the least!

For her part, Heather didn't seem to care in the least whether the fans liked her or not. She came to give her opponent one hell of a fight, and that's just what she did! There was some grumbling in the PGWA ranks that this newcomer to the league got a title shot so quickly, but Owens proved right from the very start of the match that she has what it takes to be a top contender. She came on strong and did damage... but then, so did Nemesis.

Ultimately, after an arduous battle, Big Mama managed to wear her challenger down, and kept her there for the pin.

Speaking with the press in the lockerroom afterward, Nemesis said, "I knew coming into this match that Heather was dead-set and mentally prepared to take my newly attained PGWA Championship title."

"I have no doubt that Owens intended to establish herself as a dominant force in women's wrestling and make a deep impression in the PGWA, but Big Mama Nemesis's will to prove to herself, the PGWA and, I suppose, the fans, that she attained this title for a reason was just as great. No... greater!"

"From the beginning of the match I was happily surprised to see the fans recognize the greatness in the ring in front of them as they happily cheered the new PGWA champ into the ring. They were clearly craving a winner, and I was going to be sure not to disappoint."

"Hardcore Heather Owens lived up to her name as we both came out strong, and at first it appeared that my taller, more muscular frame would get the best of her, but she seemed to have some tricks up her sleeve. I got a refresher course in Old School tactics from Heather as she managed to get the best of me for a few moments, I'll admit."

"But she soon saw just why Big Mama is a brawling, Old School powerhouse of a female wrestler, because I could not only return the favor, but I seemed to sense each and every time she attempted to 'school' me! I loved the look of pure panic on her face when she finally realized she isn't half the wrestler I am, and that she was going down to defeat."

"It was a brawl 'til the end, and the fans got to witness real championship athleticism... not like what they had to put up with when Taylor was the champ."

"As I told the PGWA when they booked Owens against me, I know you aren't happy that I beat your little Island Girl, and you can't wait until someone takes this ten pounds of leather and gold off of my waist. Well, Commissioner Susan Green and the PGWA Booking Committee and throw anyone they like at me... including Owens, who earned a rematch if she wants it. Big Mama Nemesis will pound and ground them all! This is my era, and to anyone who doesn't like that... ? Too bad for you!"

Photos for PGWA by Mary Haywood