LadySports ::: Pippa's Stormin' Summer

by Mark Lockey

A glorious Summer's day in Manchester, with no threat of storms. The "credit-crunch" and current wave of cut-backs sweeping the UK was non-apparent at Stormin' Summer, judging by the excellent audience turn-out. Whatever the financial climate, most people are prepared to dig into their pockets if they get good value in return. This has ALWAYS been the case at The Wrestling Factory and it was proved once again today.

Referee : Ms Stacey Kay.
 
Mat Based Contest - 15 minute duration:
Roxi v Tori.
 
Today's opening bout featured the ever popular crowd favourite Roxi, immaculately attired as always, in a 
black 2 piece outfit. Her opponent, the first of today's debut girls - Tori. The attractive newcomer sought 
to turn her height advantage to her favour from the start.  The initial moves from Tori were counteracted by 
Roxi with a series of leg holds.
 Roxi began to use her experience and gradually looked to be taking control. Tori resisted her efforts by 
forcing her to the mat. A 2 count from Tori was then followed by the first pin after 5 minutes.
A second 2 count was spectacularly rolled out of by Roxi who responded with speed, applying her legs onto 
Tori's shoulders.
After 10 minutes of tense grappling, a series of 2 counts were made by Roxi, Tori kicking out each time.
Roxi, undeterred by the possible frustration of her close calls, dug deep and changed the emphasis of her 
offence by applying lots of leg scissors in an attempt to thwart the taller Tori.
The second submission of the match was gained towards the end of the bout.
A keenly fought and spirited opener.
 
Pro. Style Contest:
Mya v Bubbles.
 
The second match of today's show featured 2 newcomers to the Wrestling Factory.
First to emerge from the dressing rooms - Mya. A beautiful brunette who immediately gave the impression she was 
not to be messed with. This girl has attitude !!
Her opponent, a stunningly attractive blonde in a glorious pink outfit - Bubbles, from Grimsby.
The colourful Bubbles locked up applying a full-nelson, Mya reversed the hold and applied an arm lock and 
began antagonizing her opponent by ruffling her hair and exclaiming " what a pretty face " ...
The intense heat of the day did not seem to influence the proceedings of this intriguing encounter as time 
and again holds and counter-holds were demonstrated to the crowds' delight. We were witnessing 2 gorgeous 
girls giving their all !
Elbows, leg-holds and squeezing of the the waists were put upon each other, each instance being cleverly 
reversed. Good use of the ring was used by both as they began bouncing off the ropes to summon up more 
strength and speed to each offensive manouevre.
Bubbles dished out 3 fore-arm smashes, a 2-count followed, then, repeated fore-arms to Mya. Throughout 
the onslaught, Mya had the crowd in fits of laughter on one occasion as she retorted "I appear to have 
broken a nail".
Mya then resisted a potential suplex and both girls engaged in more use of the ring and collided with a 
double clothes line. Bubbles and Mya were both down, rising for a 9 count.
Mya was then on the receiving end of a 2-count suplex and roll-up.
This fast paced bout was decided by a 3 count pin.
A superb pro. battle from two very glamorous young ladies.
 
 
Mat Based Contest - 15 minute duration:
Pippa L'Vinn v Layla.
 
Britain's best, Pippa L'Vinn came to the ring adorned in a pink top and black briefs. A rousing welcome 
from the audience was given to many peoples' favourite wrestler (certainly mine).
Her opponent, Layla - a specialist in mat contests witnessed before at this venue. Pippa was surely 
going to have her work cut out today as Layla's weight advantage could prove to be the deciding factor.
Early resistance from Pippa was almost immediately turned around as she got into her stride. She forced 
a couple of 2-counts and began to take control of the contest.
Layla was soon on the receiving end of Pippa's experience in mat contests.
The first submission was won by Pippa but, undeterred, Layla fought her way back by gaining an equalizer.
As with the previous match, both girls all out offensives were not held back or restricted by the extreme 
heat. Pippa began to focus on Layla's legs and applied a series of takedowns.
This fascinating battle was eventually concluded with a 5-4 victory.
 
 
 
Mat Based Contest - 15 minute duration:
Sue Scarlett v Kirsty Lopez.
 
Next up, another Mat encounter with 2 girls returning from the September Sirens show, last year.
Sue Scarlett appeared first. It's always a pleasure to watch this lovely lady perform. A real professional
 who has given so much to the sport and, and who is in my opinion, very underrated.
Her opponent, Kirsty Lopez made quite an impact at her previous show and will be familiar to fans of the PGWA.
Sue, who admitted to me that she had not wrestled for some time was still in fabulous shape. Her recent 
jogging and charity 10K run with Pippa, has kept her in tremendous condition.
Both girls launched themselves and left nothing to chance as some severe holds were commited to one another. 
Sue beginning with some tight scissors holds to Kirsty's waist. These holds were to become a feature of the match. 
Sue's favourite application was proving a real test for Kirsty.
This highly intense affair was maintained at a frantic pace throughout and the audience enjoyed the 2 
combatants constantly seeking to outdo one another.
A final 3-2 win was gained in this superbly sporting contest. 
 
 
Pro-Style Tag Contest:
Shelby Beach & Stacey Kay v Roxi & Bubbles.
Referee  Pippa L'Vinn.
 
Pippa entered the ring in traditional referee's attire and immediately moved to the neutral corner. This was 
certainly the finest and most glamorous figure ever seen in a referee's uniform !
Shelby Beach appeared to rapturous applause for her first contest of the day, supported by her tag team partner, 
the hard working Stacey Kay - the referee for the previous bouts.
Their opponents : Roxi, teaming with Bubbles.
Shelby faced Roxi initially and applied a wrist lock - countered cautiously by the lovely Roxi. Shelby, fresh on 
her first match today, began to take the offensive to Roxi and appeared to be gaining control. Roxi though, is 
well experienced and should never be underestimated as she called upon her vast repertoire of holds to successfully 
thwart any threat that was forthcoming from the blonde bombshell. A series of arm-drags followed before Bubbles 
was tapped in. The lively newcomer, resplendent in her beautiful pink costume locked up with Shelby. Bubbles was 
on the receiving end of 2 vicious cradle holds before Stacey came into the mix and faced the returning Roxi. 
It was this point that Pippa's refereeing was severely put to the test as, Shelby interfered and Roxi had the 
full force of the 2 girls upon her with Bubbles literally screaming from the turnbuckle, fearing the worst 
for her unprotected partner.
Stacey now tagged in Shelby who almost immediately structured a spectacular aeroplane spin, brilliantly 
offset by Roxi.
Again, questionable tactics were on show as Stacey interfered after Pippa was cleverly distracted.
Roxi was certainly being put to the test and kicked-out just in time after a being slammed by Shelby.
This very entertaining match was concluded with a vital pin, just within the time duration.
 
Interval
 
Pro. Style Contest:
Kirsty Lopez v Mya
 
Next up, another pro-style match with Kirsty facing Mya.
The early pressure was exerted by Kirsty with a head-lock. Mya responded with a couple of throws to the mat.
Mya, as with her previous match made for Kirsty's hair ...this only succeeded in her opponent intensifying her 
attacks. Kirsty began to put a series of holds into place in an effort to wear out her opponent.
There was clearly no love lost between the two as this classic blonde v brunette battle became more and more 
intense.
Mya was on the receiving end of 4 2-counts, and camel clutch, before dissing her opponent and calling her 
" a blonde bimbo"...
Kirsty was not having things her own way as Mya gave her a fore-arm smash and piledriver.
This fierce contest rocked back and forth before finishing with a successful pin.
 
 
Special Champion's Challenge:
Shelby Beach v Jackie McCann.
 
A highly anticipated match-up next with the return to the ring of UK legendary wrestler Jackie McCann !!
Jackie has not stepped through the ropes since 1989 and was returning today to take on Shelby Beach.
If Jackie was nervous on her return it certainly didn't transmit to an eager audience. Looking fabulous 
in her pink leotard and black tights, she gradually began to dig deep into her vast  experience from yesteryear 
to give Shelby a hard fought contest. Shelby tested her older adversary with an early boston crab, then gained 
a 2-count near fall. Jackie countered well and was growing in confidence as the bout ran its course. She body-slammed 
Shelby with ease at one point and then it looked to all of us as if her return had ran its course... she slumped 
to the mat, clearly distressed, clutching her knee. As Shelby approached her downed opponent Jackie conjured up a 
slap to a vulnerable part of Shelby's anatomy. Jackie had been using clever tactics to fool us all, including the 
lovely Wigan blonde!
Both girls really went at each other, Jackie body-slammed Shelby, followed by a painful looking choke-hold and even 
connected with Shelby's forehead with her "injured" knee!
Such was the enthusiasm and enterprise shown by Jackie, one can only hope that she continues to further her wrestling. 
This may have a knock-on affect with, perhaps, other ladies from that wonderful era donning their costumes once more 
and getting back in the ring - we can all hope.
To see the conclusion of this fascinating clash I suggest you check out the download/DVD of the show very soon, 
when it becomes available.
 
 
Mat Based Contest - 15 minute duration:
Sue Scarlett v Tori
 
Experience v new girl in the penultimate match of the day. Sue in her regular "scarlet" leotard faced off against Tori, 
also making her second appearance of the day.
Sue sprang into action and applied her favourite scissors to Tori.
A quick fall was acquired by Sue.
Keen to compound her early strike, Sue Scarlett continued with some powerful take downs, severely testing Tori's strength. 
Tori, to her credit, slowly but surely responded favourably to the initial breakneck severity of Sue's holds.
Sue continued with good use of her strong legs around her opponents neck and head, forcing a near pin with a 2-count.
The match progressed with Sue attempting to dominate her younger opponent. Tori though was determined not to be outdone 
and came back strongly to gain a pin herself.
A highly charged and energetic contest resulted in a win by the score of 4-2.
 
Pro. Style Contest: 6 girl Rumble.
Participants in order of appearance : Pippa L'Vinn, Roxi, Kirsty Lopez, Mya, Shelby Beach & Jackie McCann.
 
The final match of today's epic show featured a Rumble with Pippa taking on Roxi initially, further wrestlers 
came into the ring at regular intervals. No pins - the only way to defeat an opponent is by throwing them out 
of the ring, over the ropes.
A rousing and lively finale was played out with, at times, allegiancies being formed, and then broken, ever 
changing as each girl was determined to outwit any antagonist that may have come her way...
The match came thick and fast and produced a worthy winner !!!
 
 
Summary :
 
Another stunning event in incredibly hot conditions. The duration of the show just flew by - a sure sign of 
enjoyment. A perfect balance with the intensity of the mat contests complemented by the lively pro-style matches.
Newcomers - Mya, Bubbles, Tori and the versatile Stacey (doubling as a referee and wrestler !) excelled and 
impressed a privileged  audience.
Regulars - Shelby, Roxi, and Layla and returning Ladies Sue Scarlett and Kirsty Lopez always deliver the goods.
Jackie McCann made a very impressive return after an absence of nearly 20 years - fantastic to witness.
Above all, Pippa L'Vinn - the hardest working lady in the sport, whose wrestling skills, knowledge, expertise 
and pure entertainment value, surpass all others.
Even though a busy and potentially stressful schedule is put upon Pippa on show days, she always makes time 
for her many fans.
A charming host and a lovely person.
A special Thank You to her and all the girls who performed today along with Pippa's hard working team, who 
always ensure that everything runs so smoothly on the day.
 
The DVD and individual downloads from "Stormin' Summer" will be available very soon.

Please check Pippa's website at pippalvinn.co.uk and 
thewrestlingfactory.com for all updates, 
news and future show details, DVDs/downloads.

Next Show scheduled for October 2008