Opportunity Knocks (Amber)

[Sonya Robbins]

The joint Season Finale would now get itself it's first taste of the Diamonds (in the ring at least) when the sounds of "Never Gonna Stop" began to play over the PA. Out from backstage now stepped the reigning Pearl Championship holder Sonya Robbins, in all of her glowing glory after another defense last week.

Rose: How about Sonya Robbins, huh? We've seen a true warrior evolve in the Diamond Division since she won that title months ago.

Lucy: Yeah, she's seemingly gotten better and better each and every time she puts the belt on the line! I mean, the chances of her actually winning that Fatal Four Way at Solstice was 3 to 1, but she finished the match on her own accord, and left the fate of the belt in nobody's hands but her own.

Rose: So then, here's a question for you...going on two years now has the Pearl Title existed. Is Sonya Robbins the best to hold the belt?

Lucy: Given the fact that she's faced stiffer competition this year, no offense to those who've held it in the past, I would have to say so. She's still the only woman to pin Jamie Fury one-on-one, and like I said, she's taken care of business like no other in that ring. Maybe one day we might see Sumya back in an XWA ring to really settle that issue, but right now it's the combo of Fury early on and now Sonya that has truly defined that title.

Well, another day another defense it would seem, right folks? Last week, I was in a giving mood. I gave Rachel Dawset a clean shot at this title, and then I gave her an "L" as in lesson. The lesson being not to judge a book by it's cover. I may be a dime *wink* , but that doesn't mean that I'm soft.

So now you fast forward to this week, and what a difference 7 days makes, huh? Devil's Night is fast approaching, and after that you have this GirlFight going down. Seems that everyone is knee deep in some kind of action right now...and that includes me.

Last week I got to thinking something. In Vegas, I successfully defended this belt against three very viable contenders. After that was done, one of them up and jumped into the Sapphire hunt, and then Rachel came for her one-on-one. That leaves one more person out of that little group, and her name happens to be Amber Gianni.

The roar of the crowd is enormous for the fan favorite.

I know that last week, you and the new girl had some words, but I've been wanting to have a one-on-one match with you for a long time Amber. The student of Sarah Warfield...the most popular female personality in wrestling today. You've got some rep backing you up there, and I'm ready and willing to give you the chance to add the word "champion" to that resume.

Now I know you're back there Amber. Here's opportunity knocking on your door. You win, you're the new Pearl Champ, you lose it's Girlfight for you. The way I see it, you really don't have much to lose...

She brushed the faceplate of the title off a little.

...but a whole lot to gain.

[Amber Gianni]

Amber's theme begins to play now. The fans come to their feet as she steps out to meet Sonya inside of the ring. It was a week removed from a brief yet interesting encounter with Baby, who appeared this week to be in the circle of one Robby Sylk...but at least for this moment, that was out of her mind.

Stepping into the ring with a mic in hand, the focus of her efforts was resting firmly on the champion's shoulder, and Sonya had a confident grin on her face that she was getting what she wanted.

You know Sonya, I kinda getting the feeling that tonight you decided to bait your hook and see if I bit. You know from the last time that all I want more than anything right now is to become a champion in the XWA, so I hope that you know what you're getting yourself into.

It doesn't matter whether it's tonight or whether it's at GirlFight...you're going to see an Amber that's more focused and more determined to succeed than ever before. An Amber that I have to give the devil it's due...that's a lot like you Sonya.

The camera showed the look of surprise on Sonya's face when she said that. Amber nodded to concur.

What you said earlier reminded me a lot of something that I said about you a few days ago over a phonecall with my man. I said that you might be foxy...and you are...but under the sultry exterior is a pitbull that's just getting more vicious every night. I know it for a fact from Solstice when you almost knocked my head clean off.

There are those who talk the talk but can't walk the walk...and Sonya...you are not one of those types of girls. You came in here and you made your own lane to roll through. There's no doubt in anyone's mind that you right now are one of the top Diamonds here in the XWA. Hell, you beat Jamie for that very title belt...and that's a pretty big freaking deal considering her track record this year.

Nodding again, Amber paused for a moment to allow the fans to give Sonya some added respect for her efforts.

I suppose it's clear that I've got lots of respect for you then Sonya, even moreso now than I did in Las Vegas, because you've held that belt with poise and moxy. You've been the fighting champion, you thrown yourself into odds that were against you and came out on top. That's the kind of opposition your putting up against me, so I know that I'm going to have to pump up the volume, and you better believe that I'm up to the task!

[Sonya Robbins]

And that right there is the kind of opposition that I want you to put up against me.

Sonya's next move was fairly bold. She took the Pearl Championship off of her shoulder and she threw it down to the mat in between them.

But Amber, don't get blinded by the gold and platinum. You don't even need it honey! Your track record speaks for itself. You've got the kind of success in this buisiness that doesn't even need to be validated by a championship.

That's a claim right there that nobody else in the Diamond Division, hell, nobody else in the entire f**king industry today can say. You Amber, if it wasn't for you a lot of girls out here wouldn't be getting half as much attention as they do. Half of them wouldn't even have jobs right now. It was watching you in Ohio back in the day that made me realize as I was working up and down the east coast at indy shows that I don't need to be what others want me to be. That I could be myself, be true to myself and still be successful. The lane that I'm rolling down right now is one that you help guide me down.

She stopped for a moment, looking just a little bit shy before saying it.

I guess what it is that I'm saying here is...well...I've always been a big fan of yours, Amber. You wouldn't know it, but you're really the reason why I didn't quit wrestling two years ago altogether...so you could say that you're the reason why I'm standing here right now. There's quite a few girls back there who could honestly say the same damn thing, but their probably too stuck up or naive to do that. Not me though...I respect this game.

As she spoke, she lifted the title back up from the mat.

I respect it enough to know who're the ones who paved the way for me to walk. In all honesty Amber, you're just as important to this business as your mentor. That's the real reason I'm giving you this opportunity. It's not so much about the Pearl Title...this here is just an added bonus. It's about stepping into the ring with a woman that I see as one of the greatest this business has ever seen!

[Amber Gianni]

That glimmering shower of admiration was definitely not what Amber had expected from Sonya's lips. She actually started blushing.

Really? I had no idea...

Sonya nodded in response, totally agreeing with every word she spoke.

That's...that's pretty awesome there Sonya. I honestly never really saw myself in that kind of a light before. You know my whole career I've had to deal with people who were either trying to change me or people who were trying to be me.

Suddenly, she felt an extra boost of confidence in her belly.

I've always been working hard, trying to stay at the level I always am...because you never know when someone is going to come around and try to challenge you. I guess being on the defensive for so long didn't make me see that maybe there were actually people in this business...WOMEN in this business...who looked up to what it was that I was doing. I figured most of 'em were just jealous haters.

If a girl like you though, who's done so much in so little time could be inspired by all that I've done, I guess I must be doing something right, don't you think so people?

The Texas crowd vividly answer her back with a resounding "YEAH!!!" that brings a smile to her face. She looks out to the masses first, and then she turns back to Sonya.

It sounds to me like this match means a lot more to you than just a title defense. It just started meaning a whole lot more to me as well. Whether I win or I lose, I'm going to show you and everyone else that same heart, that same drive and that same passion that's been what's carried me all of this time. I'm going to show why it is that I am Amber Gianni...and why that's a name that will always be spoken with the respect you have for it...whether they like me or not.

Amber extends her hand to the champion.

The name Sonya Robbins is one that deserves respect too. Let's make sure that the rest of the Diamonds understand why!

[Sonya Robbins]

Oh, don't you worry about lil' old me...anyone who doesn't respect this red-head will get it beaten into them.

Sonya smiled and shot off a wicked grin as she met Amber's hand and they shook.

Tonight though, it's all about you and me. I wish that I could come up with something cool to say to finish this off, but I think I'll just leave it at "good luck" and "show me what you've got!"

[Amber Gianni]

Show you what I've got?

She grinned and looked just a little briefly at her cleavage.

I would, but not in public, sweetie. Besides, I don't wanna make Syrus jealous. ;D

And as her theme began to play again, they both shared a coy smile towards each other as Amber stepped back out of the ring.

Rose: God she just makes that look so easy to do. She's like the queen of innuendo...not that I'm complaining.

Lucy: I'd hit it.

Roach: I guess someone's gotta be the straight man here...what would this place be without me...this will be the third chance at the Pearl Title this year for Amber, up against one of the toughest Diamonds on the block. There's some mutual respect between them though, so I think this is going to be a classic battle...so all you old school fans out there will enjoy this one.

BuZZ: I'm just going to enjoy it cuz it's Amber Gianni & Sonya Robbins rolling around in a ring together.

Roach: Am I the only professional in this group?

Tony: I ask myself that all the time, man...

END