One Giant Leap (Bull Nagano)

[Marisol Cardinale]

At last, the XWA was getting back to it's regular continuity, and the scene was now back in the US...Peoria, Illinois to be exact. Glitter back on the air now, and hot off the heels of some major shake-up within the Diamond Division.

Rose: We're back in action ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to XWA Glitter, home of the Diamonds...live from the sold out Carver Arena! Travis Rose & Lucy Black here, and Lucy...how much has the landscape of the Diamond Divison changed since we were last on the air?

Lucy: Dramatically. Right now the Sapphire Titles are half in possession of a woman in Kim Hunter who could best described as disgruntled...signing a deal with another company in fact while she's still a champion here! And speaking of champions...how about Bianca DiAnaco up-ending Tanden Fearse to become Diamond Champion for the very first time! Yes, I say that things are very interesting right now...

And as soon as Lucy words were heard, the sound of "Beautiful Liar" begins to play, and the Illinois crowd explodes as the show kicks off with the Columbian bombshell Marisol Cardinale.

Rose: And here comes a woman who made history at Mayday In Iraq! Marisol Cardinale is not only the only woman to be in two Boot Camp Matches, but she's also won both of her appearances! For the second straight season, Mari will have a free pass into the main event of XGAMES!

Lucy: If you've ready her interview by Fabiola though, then you know that she's not just content with that this time around. Marisol in her own words is more focused than ever before on taking her career to the next level.

And as she stepped into the ring where a mic awaited her, she would soon let everyone know exactly what that meant.

Everywhere I've been these last few days, I've gotten all kinds of congratulations for winning Boot Camp 3. Amber and I celebrated a very successful and fulfilling trip to Iraq...her defending her title again, and me earning the chance once again to be in the main event of XGAMES.

I have every reason tonight to be as happy as can be...but I'm not here to celebrate. That's all said and done now. Now, tonight is all about getting "back to business" for everyone in the XWA, and for me, that means one thing. A championship. Yes, I am guaranteed a chance at the Diamond Title once more, but it will be a long time before XG3 happens. I was content with biding time and focusing on honing my skills last year-I have Tiffany Masterson to thank for that in a way, but this time around I desire to demonstrate all that I've learned and all that I know, and there's one person in particular that I have my sights set on.

She's the current Onyx Champion, Bull Nagano.

Rose: Whoa...did she just drop Bull's name of all things?

There's a whole lot of hype about you and your supposed "dominance", yet...the only person who speaks of it on a daily basis is your interpreter. From what I've seen of you recently, I'm not buying it.

Sireena succeeded in showing that you do in fact have a "kink" in your supposed armor in Iraq. Watching that match made me believe that all your friend Ina says about you being unstoppable leaves a lot to be desired. You might be good, but you're not dominant. I'm surprised to say this...but I agree with what that Chao chica said about you...your blade is dull. All it would take in all truth is an opponent who is more relentless & more focused than even you.

That opponent...is me!

The fans were solidly behind Marisol as she made her pitch.

Let's call it like it is. I would be your toughest challenge to date since you've joined the XWA. I'm one of the most battle tested women in the XWA today. I've fought in and won some of the most grueling matches that Glitter has ever seen! Battle Royals, Ironwoman matches, Boot Camps. I've faced the best of the best, many times all at once in single ring...and won. More importantly, I am the sole student of a woman who it would be customary for both you and Inahime to bow in respect to. A woman who if not for her efforts and others like her, you probably wouldn't even be here!

You know this, whether it is that you choose to admit it or not. I'm not Japanese...but I am no "gaijin". Facing me Bull Nagano, is facing the spirit of the Tsunami herself...and that would be your ultimate challenge!

The time has come for you to prove yourself. Are you really as good as your friend says you are? I would like to be the judge of that.

[rbn]

Only seconds pass by before the entrance theme of Bull Nagano plays. As usual, she's flanked by Ina...the Onyx title draped over her shoulder. The two women make their way down to the ring.

Travis: I admire Mari's tenacity an guts like everyone else, but is this a smart move by her part? I mean, the two of them don't look pleased at ALL from their little trip to XCW. And we all witnessed what Bull did to Sireena. Sireena hit her with everything she had. Fitting that we were in Iraq, because Sireena unleashed an artillery strike on Bull, and it didn't "chink" her armor at all.

Lucy: I've been playing that match back one my Blackberry since we got back and I still can't believe it either. Mari is no sloutch, that's for certain. But you can't deny the fact that Bull Nagano is a question few have the answer for in a one on one match.

Ina & Bull now stood across the ring. Ina was handed a mic soon after...

Indeed, it would be customary for us to bow to your Sensei Unenokoji-Sama. But make no mistakes, just because she trained you doesn't mean we need to respect you. SHE has accomplished a great many things in her illustrious career. YOU on the other hand have fallen short of her grace on numerous occasions. Failed attempts to capture the Pearl title in 2008, as well as the Diamond Title in 2007 AND XGames 2 don't exactly hold well for you being as "battle tested" as your say. Granted, you are now two-time Boot Camp Match winner. But I hardly consider catching as unseasoned a novice as Jenna Slade in a Hurracanranna Pin impressive. She probably doesn't even know how to get out of the move. Your victory, though a victory it was, didn't impress us. On one end of things, you had a novice wrestler with mere months of experience under her belt, and on the other side, no disrespect to out Black Diamond sister Helena, she was more focused on getting her hands on her sister Ashley Diamond. So sufficed to say in many ways, it was your match to win. And you won it. But the challenge you seek now is one that I doubt you're truly ready to undertake.

As Ina continues, Bull hikes the belt up on her shoulder.

To correct one of your comments, all you saw in Sireena hitting her cute little finisher and pinning Bull Nagano for our Sapphire Titles is what happens when two women focus their attack on wearing her down. That's the part everyone seems to so conveniently leave out. It took both the efforts of Sireena AND Kim Hunter isolating Bull Nagano to get her to that point. A veteran tactic it is, and one that essentially won them the match, but in Iraq I think Bull more then proved how things truly stand. Sireena fought with every ounce of her being. She poured everything she had in every punch, kick, slam and suplex, and it did...nothing. Sireena's best wasn't good enough. Just like Kim Hunter's best in the past wasn't good enough. Just like Sara Beck's best wasn't good enough. Just like Anjelyka's best wasn't. Just like Heather FIERHART'S best...wasn't. And a majority of the women I just mentioned are something you've yet to attain. Former champions. The elites of women's wrestling. And they all gave their best against her...and failed. Now tell me, how do you possibly believe that you can do what women who have more experience and skill then you...couldn't? Are you that blindly confident in your recent success to risk shaming your Sensei...but coming out here and making a challenge that you...and everyone in this building knows you have no business making?

Bull the sudden takes Ina's hand, positioning the mic closer to her and says...

Temae ansan ichyaku nimomou toshidoshi mou katte haisen ware.
(You are one hundred years to soon to ever think you'll be able to defeat me.)

With an agreeable smirk, Ina speaks in response.

I couldn't agree more, Nagano-San.

With that, the await Mari's retort.

[Marisol Cardinale]

It was a rare occurrence hearing Nagano herself speak. Though she couldn't speak the language, Mari could understand it. First she had this to say to Ina...

Recent success? Honestly Ina, you make it sound as if I'm some kind of rookie now. Or is it that you honestly think that because you or anyone else is a former champion, that it suddenly makes them better? Being elite is not in what you've done Ina...it's what you can do. It's what you're capable of doing. It doesn't matter how long you've wrestled or how many titles you've held that matters, it's what you do when the bell rings that matters, and what I do is find a way to succeed. The difference between then and now is that I can find a way to do it much easier, just like I'll find a way to "answer" you Bull.

Her attention now turns to the Onyx Champion.

I won't need 100 years to defeat you. It'll only take three seconds or one submission to do that, the same as it would anyone else in this business. That's the one truth that exists in this business no matter you or me or Ina thinks, and if you think that it's not possible to happen by my hand, then the truth for you is going to hurt more than your pride or your body when it's all said and done.

[rbn]

Ina assumes full control over the mic again as she responds.

Marisol, I would have at the least thought that Unenokoji-Sama would have taught one of the most important rules their is in combat. Know your enemy. We know all there is to know about you, Marisol. We've watched, and gauged your skill. We do so with all potential opponents, or...at least the ones who might marginally pose some form of threat. And had it not been for your obvious "American" over confidence, I myself might actually think you'd be somewhat of a worthy opponent. But it's a comment you made earlier that sticks out like a sore thumb. About you being Nagano-San's toughest challenge to date. What gives you the right to make such a claim? Because you've won a fair share of battle royals and multi-Diamond matches? Matches that we all know are crap shoots and more about being in the right place at the right time as opposed to actual skill and technique. Whereas it will take every skill set you have to defeat this woman. The Onyx Champion. Nagano-San has yet to face that toughest challenge, because only until now was she ever pushed to her limit. And it took Two women to do it. It's one thing to be sure of your ability. It's another thing to be way to full on your ability that it clouds your better judgment.

I don't quite think you grasp what kind of opponent you stand to face. She's a few steps up from the Barbie Twins you've been playing with in recent months. A rookie we know you are not, but your blind faith in your ability certainly hints towards overall inexperience. In essence, your comment was ill-placed. This...is a test of how far your skill has come. Nagano-San has already demonstrated what she's capable of without me on the apron. Dare I say in some ways dare I say, I hold her back in matters of Tag Team affairs. Hence is the reason I initially came to America merely to be her interpreter. Nagano-San is a force the likes has never been seen on these shores. A fact she has proven since the moment she set foot in an XWA ring. She doesn't have to prove a single thing. You do. And the only way I even see that possibly happening is for you to throw that foolish "Gaijin Pride" to the way side, and realize that is a fight for much more then the title on Nagano-San's shoulder. In fact, let's test if your ability exceeds your pride right here tonight, shall we? A one on one contest between you, and Nagano-San...fought under the rules of which the Onyx Title is defended...Pure Rules.

Ina lowers the mic.

[Marisol Cardinale]

So you want to know what gives me the "right" to say what I say? I suppose that I would have to break it down to you then, since it appears that you don't know as much about Marisol Mariposa de La Vega Cardinale as you think you do. I've beaten 5 other women in a single match, as in eliminated them ALL. I've traveled up and down this country and other countries all of last year battling a more than worthy adversary in Masterson who as I said pushed my limits to the maximum.

Marisol paused for a brief moment, wondering to herself why it was necessary even to try to appease someone who really had nothing to do with this match in the first place.

Ina, the only thing that it seems you're good at is making excuses. That and try to belittle what others have done, as if what you've done is so much more impressive. You've made excuses for your loss, you make excuses for my victories, and yet...for all of the talk about Bull supposed dominance that you continue to force down my throat, there's one glaring fact that will continue to make me believe otherwise, no matter what other excuses you think up in the next 20 seconds...that being the fact that your friend's only actually defended the Onyx Title since she's won it one time.

You want to talk about pride? You being the obvious "spin doctor" you've shown yourself to be would probably make another excuse for all the other Diamonds in saying that they're "scared of facing" Bull. A true champion though, a true fighter, warrior or combatant, doesn't sit back and wait for challenges to come to them. They seek out challenges for themselves. So yes, in that respect...your does friend has a lot to prove. I'M the one who came out to this ring to challenge Bull Nagano, and my goal tonight is not to impress you. My goal is to defeat you...and that's what I intend on doing.

It's a very simple situation here, tonight we will have our first encounter and then you can REALLY see everything there is to know about me. Then, if when the dust settles Bull Nagano is still the Onyx Champion, maybe then I might say that you deserve a little of your press.

Until then Ina, how about you let her actions try...as difficult as that may be...to speak louder than your words. As I said before, I...and I alone tonight will be the judge, and she will have a better idea of who she's up against than your supposed "scouting". Does that sound like a plan?

[rbn]

Shaking her head, Ina replies yet again.

Thank you so much for showing me that you're as misinformed as all the rest of the foolish Diamonds in regards to the Onyx Title. Because if you at all paying attention to the title, you'd know that Nagano-San won it by defeating Anjelyka at Xgames 2, the END of the 2008 Season. Her one defense was against Liberty Marin at Madness. It's hard to have more then one defense when you've only had one challenger. So thank you so much for proving the fact that the only reason you wish to challenge for the Onyx Title is because you want to pad your own lacking resume and because you don't want to take on your good friend Amber for the Pearl Title, NOT because you actually know, or even value this title's history. The more you speak, the more our mutual respect for you dwindles. I'd go as far to say you don't even know the title's lineage even. It makes sense that you'd try to make an example on something you don't even know about. We're pretty much used to having to deal with misinformed, absent minded women. It seems to be the sad trend in the Diamond Division. Everyone so far up there own asses that they know nothing of whatelse is going on around them. Yet here you stand, challenging for a title you practically know nothing about about. It's lineage. Who's held it before it's inception in XWA, who's held it in XWA. Nothing.

Visibly disgusted at this point, Ina shakes her head once again.

I grow tired of this exchange, and I speak on behalf of Nagano-San as well. Because we know how much you Gaijins value having the last word in everything, feel free to as you say "get your rocks off." We officially have nothing more to say to someone who clearly seeks nothing more then her own personal self gratification.

[Marisol Cardinale]

Misinformed you say?

Mari now shakes her head.

I know all there is to know about that title's "lineage" Ina...and I know enough to know that all that it's stood for in the past means nothing compared to what it can stand for in the present. Your telling me that you couldn't have found someone...ANYONE...between XG2 and now for her to face off with? Well then, it's a good thing that I came along now isn't it?

Now, as for personal gratification? You've pretty much demonstrated that much on your own with just about every word that's come out of your mouth tonight. If you really have nothing else to say, good...because pointless ranting is about all that you seem to be good for. There's a whole lot of "last words" that I could come up with, but I unlike most people...present company included...don't stake my career on attempting to make myself sound superior to others. Nothing that you say is going to take away the fact that tonight I'm going to give her the fight of her life.

There was a burning glare of determination in Mari's eyes that was unphased by Ina's hype. The only thing that mattered to her was stepping in the ring and doing what she sought out to do.

The only "personal gratification" that I seek will come when the bell rings and I show you the meaning of the word "challenge". After that, your "services" won't be necessary Ina. Nagano-san will have already gotten the message loud and clear.

And with that, there was no more verbal messages that need be said as she lowered her microphone. Only a few words were said by the announce team as this scene drawed to a close...

Rose: What I make out of this is that Marisol isn't the least bit intimidated going into this match. That kind of confidence may just be what she needs to pick up a victory!

Lucy: It'll take more than just being confident to win, Rosie...and it'll take more than just intimidation for Bull to win as well. I know Inahime would loathe me saying this but...this IS going to be as much of a challenge for Nagano as it will be for Mari. The unyielding spirit versus the immovable object. This will be a good one...