LadySports ::: SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS

Shelby Beach vs Germany's Simone

by Shiai Mata

In any modern educational system, there comes the time when the student must take all that they have learned and apply it in a final examination. With such exams, it is not enough to simply parrot back what has been instructed…the student must apply critical thinking and demonstrate that they truly understand what has been taught them.

For months now, British wrestling superstar Pippa L’Vinn has played mentor to a talented young German girl named Simone. Through the course of that instruction, Pippa schooled her protégé in a vast array of Judo, mat grappling, and pro wrestling holds and maneuvers.

Now, at long last, the time had come to see if Simone has truly learned the lessons taught to her. L’Vinn knew she had to give the German grappler as serious a test as possible, one that would tax the pupil’s abilities to their utmost.

Simone fully expected to have to face her teacher on the mat. But Pippa knew that she would not make for the best challenge, as Simone’s respect and reverence for her instructor might interfere in her performance. No, Pippa knew she had to give her protégé as rough a challenger as could be found, someone who would hold nothing back, but who would also spur the German to give her absolute best. And only one woman came to L’Vinn’s mind for that task.

To say that Shelby Beach was more than a little surprised to answer her ringing telephone and find Pippa L’Vinn on the other end is more than an understatement! Beach and L’Vinn are more than rivals…they are sworn enemies. Their ring and mat battles are legendary for their intensity, in no small part because of the sheer hatred they fell for one another. Were they to pass one another on a city street, there’s every chance a full-blown brawl would break out!

The reason for Pippa’s call was bluntly stated: Would Shelby be willing to wrestle Simone?

The blond readily agreed. Her motive was simple…to not only beat the German, but to destroy her thoroughly. In that way, Shelby knew she would humiliate Simone’s mentor, Pippa. Such a triumph would give Beach another notch on her belt in the ongoing war between the two nemeses.

L’Vinn knew that as well, which is precisely why she wanted Shelby to battle Simone. Beach would battle relentlessly, thus giving Simone all the challenge she could handle.

Several days later, the two combatants found themselves facing one another in the ring at L’Vinn’s Manchester training center. Shelby, the veteran of countless matches, had self-confidence to spare as she strutted to the center of the ring, hands placed defiantly on her hips, and she smirked at her smaller opponent. But Simone did not give up an inch of ground, stepping right up to the blond, crossing her arms unflinchingly, and locking eyes with Shelby in a staredown. The very air around the ring seemed to crackle with electricity!

The match that ensued was literally an exhibition of the finer points of grappling! If there is a woman in Britain who could be said to be in L’Vinn’s class as a technical fighter, it is Shelby Beach. Yet Simone’s name may soon be added to that distinction, as she battled with a skill and creativity which amply proved she had learned her lessons well.

There were moments in the bout when Simone was in total control, and the look on Shelby’s face spoke volumes: It ranged from shock that this youth could be giving her such trouble to fear that the pupil of the hated Pippa might actually defeat her. That fear spurred Beach to call upon every bit of knowledge and experience she had. And that, coupled with her size and strength advantage, ultimately scored the win for the veteran.

But it was a hard-fought victory, and Simone was most certainly not “destroyed” in any sense of the word. Indeed, in many ways, the German girl could claim this loss as a triumph.

And Pippa? She was pleased and proud of her apprentice…and more than a little proud of herself as well. For Simone is but the first step in the Mancunian Maiden’s plans to develop a dynasty which will dominate wrestling in Europe for years to come.