The Ultimate Challenge (Fury)

[Marisol Cardinale]

As XGAMES3 continues, the sound of Shakira & Beyonce's collaboration "Beautiful Liar" fills the arena and the Miami crowd roars as moments later, the lovely Marisol Cardinale steps out from the back. She smiles and slaps fives with the fans along the aisle as she made the trip down to the center of the ring where she was to address the fans and her opponent for the evening.

First of all, I have to say to all of you that Miami has always been a second home for me. Back in my modeling days, this is where I lived when I was here in the US...so standing here in front of all of you is something of a homecoming for me!

This statement gets an instant pop from the fans. She smiles as they start to chant "Mari! Mari!"

Tonight though is easily the biggest moment in my career thus far. Tonight, I stand in this ring opposite one of my best friends Jamie Fury with the Diamond Championship on the line.

Another pop for the triumphant champion...

Tonight, I don't see her as my best friend though. I see her as my ultimate challenge. A woman who may very well become the most dominant Diamond Champion of all time. She proved that she can overcome adversity at Devil's Night an she proven her entire career that when she's on, she's very tough to beat.

That is exactly the kind of challenge that I want to face. I've spent two years training in Japan with the goal in mind of reaching that "next level" that separates the good wrestlers from the greats. In order to be on that level though, I have to prove that I can hang with the best. That is you Jamie Fury...so tonight, you can expect my best coming right at you!

Seconds later, the sound of Fury's theme begins to play...

[Jamie Fury]

The crowd's cheers continue on as Jamie comes out to the sound of her theme. She has the title belt held onto her shoulder with her hand and with the free one, much like Marisol, she high fives the fans that've been so supportive of her throughout her career. Once she steps into the ring, a crew member hand her a mic from ringside.

Mari, Mari, Mari. You sound like you're ready for this, and that's just the sound I wanted to hear. I know more than anything that you've put yourself through physical torture almost to make yourself a better competitor, and it's shown by the fact that you're the one who's standing here at the season's end with a chance to win this title.

Jamie's lifted the belt from her shoulder now and looked for a brief moment at the centerplate.

There are a lot of women that want to get their hands on this title, and you already know why. It's because it represents excellence in what we do for a living. If you're the Diamond Champion, then you can say with no ego that you are the "best of the best". We Diamonds are the cream of the crop in women's wrestling today, and the Diamond Champ is the benchmark of those ranks. I think back to all the other ladies who've had this title, and all of them...even the ones who weren't as popular with the fans as most...had one thing in common. They proved to the world and to themselves that they deserved the honor of being a champion.

At Devil's Night, I joined that list by walking in champion and walking out the same. As amazing as that was...it's all in the past now. Now, we stand here in the present, here in Miami, and it's you who gets the next chance to join that list. I know better than anyone that you have all the skills to do it, Mari.

No matter which one of us comes away victorious, this title will be in good hands.

[Marisol Cardinale]

As Jamie spoke, one thing stood out in Marisol's mind as the moment drew closer. History was not kind to her in title matches in the XWA. Every time prior she was in a title match, she had not succeeded. Deep in the back of her mind this fact leered it's head into her thoughts, but she was determined not to let it phase her.

You're right...and that's the way that it should be. The Diamond Championship is the greatest prize in women's wrestling today, and every woman on the roster strives to hold it. Just getting the chance to wrestle for that title is an honor of itself, and winning it something special. You should know that feeling well Jamie. Will I? I suppose we'll have to see tonight if I'm good enough.

No matter what though, my friend...I'm honored to be in this ring with you tonight. I just know that we're going to put on a show for all of these people!

She smiled and extended her hand to Jamie in an act of respect and friendship.