Farewell tour

[alundra]

Overload returns from commercial break. As it does, Bite To Break Skin by Senses Fail cues over the PA, the entrance theme of Alundra Jade. The XWA fans give her a standing ovation as she makes her 1st appearance of 2010.

Tony: The most decorated female competitor in XWA, dare I say...in women's wrestling period, Alundra Jade!

Travis: Even some of the fellas could stand to learn a few things from this woman. It's great to have her back.

Alundra makes the walk to the ring, greeting the front row fans along the way. As she climbs the ring steps, a mic is provided to her. Inside the ring, she stands and soaks in the adoration of the XWA fans for a moment before speaking.

Tonight holds a very special meaning for me, ladies and gentlemen. 19 years ago today, I wrestled my 1st professional match. It was for a company called Mallicious Intent Wrestling. I ended up losing that match, and the next six thereafter before I got my 1st win. During that time span, I questioned if I made the right choice becoming a wrestler. I mean, here I was, a Samoan girl living all alone in Sydney, Australia. It wasn't until I got took under the wing of my mentor "Magic" Momoko Hayashi that I saw not only did I make the right choice, but this was something I'd build a legacy in. And 19 years later, here I stand. In a sport where the shelf life of most female wrestlers is 8 years at best, I've lasted almost two decades. That's almost as long as most of XWA's Diamonds have actually been living. I started in this business when most of my fellow Diamonds where still in grade school. There's only one other female wrestler who even comes close, and that's the late, great Fabulous Moolah. A woman who I myself idolized as a child.

I've had a long, successful career. I've done everything you could possibly imagine as a wrestler. And I'm grateful for it. Grateful to have been able to showcase my skill in front of great wrestling fans for as long as I have. Grateful for all of the wonderful people I've befriended along the way. But like all things, it's gotta end sometime.

A hush comes over the crowd. Shots of concerned fans in the stands are seen.

Over the last two months, I sat in my home in Japan and mulled this over with my Husband and two children. It's a decision I haven't looked forward to making, but I knew had to be made sooner rather then later. And...well...the decision was made. July of 2010 will be my final month of competition as a professional wrestler.

Travis: I...I'm stunned! Shocked! Alundra's just...announced her retirement at the end of the month!

Tony: The end of an era. She's an icon in every sense of the word. I hate to see her go but, like she said...it's a choice she knew she had to make.

Alundra takes a deep breath and continues.

Like I said, I'm grateful for everything I've gained from being a wrestler. But...I have nothing left to prove, and nothing left to give to this industry. And much rather then be one of those leaches who tries to exceed their expiration date, I feel it's time for me to move on. To go home to Japan and be a loving wife to my Husband again, and a mother to my two beautiful children. I've passed my knowledge on to one of the greatest competitors I've ever had the privilege of knowing, as a student and a friend, Ashley Diamond...who's become like a daughter to me in the time we've known each other. I've had a career that people dream of having, and I'm choosing to bow out on my own terms rather then be pushed out or phased out. But I'm not done...not yet. I've still got one order of unfinished business. And that business is with YOU, Lakoda Rose.

Baited anticipation mounts in the arena for what Alundra would say next.

A year and a half ago, you tried to end my career. And you almost succeeded. You left me in a pool of my own blood backstage in Staples Center, and robbed me of my chance to be Onyx Champion for a 2nd time. I don't forget when someone's crossed me, Lakoda. And you crossed me in the worst possible way. I know you've been overseas wrestling in NEO Joshi Wrestling, but I also know through a reliable source that you've made the trip here to Vancouver with the rest of the roster. Well Kodi, it's time to face the music. Because my last act as a professional wrestler, is going to be kicking your ass once and for all. So you've got two choices, sweety. Come out here and accept my challenge, or I'll come back there and make you accept it by force.

A stern, determined gaze emanates from Alundra. She trains her focus to the stage and awaits for Lakoda's arrival.

[emma]

To the stage moments later comes Lakoda Rose. As she makes her way down to the ring, he eyes are firmly fixated on Alundra in the ring.

Tony: And here comes Lakoda Rose. One of the most imposing women in the game today. Look at her, Travis. She looks chiseled out of stone.

Travis: There might not be a more complete female competitor in the sport. Power, speed and athleticism is what she brings to the ring. I give Alundra all the credit in the world, but after the last time they faced each other, I'd expect her to want no part of that amazon.

Lakoda enters the ring and calls for a mic. With a piercing gaze, she responds.

There'san old saying that goes "Fortune favors the brave". I'm not to sure that saying applies here, because while you are quite brave calling me out here, I don't know how fortunate you'll be in your quest to avenge the punishment I've given you. But, I have to thank you none the less. You've just given me ample opportunity to finish what I should have done at XGames 3. Ending your career. I beat you in the match. But you and I both know you weren't 100% yet. 80% at best, maybe. But at your best? Not a chance. I could have said no to the match, but then what would that say of me? It might count as a win in the record books, but to me personally, it was a no contest. This all started from me jumping you from behind and sidelining you for months. But truth be told, I doubt I even needed to. Facing you at XGames 3, I realized something that you yourself would never admit to. You've lost a step. A few steps actually. The fact that you were still harboring an injury in that match, but pressed on told me that you still had fight left in you mentally, but physically...you've been done a long time now. And here you are, finally at 100% again. But at 100% of what? Certainly not at 100% of the legendary wrestler who's dominated the world over. No, no, no...that Alundra Jade is long gone. I would have killed to face you in your prime, but I guess facing you as you are now will have to do.

She pauses.

It amazes me how dramatic you've decided to make this. You come out here and announce that this will be your final run. Challenging me to an end all showdown. It's an honor really. Of all the many rivals you've had in your career, defeating me comes down to being your defining moment. But I hate to break it to you, a fairy tale ending isn't how the story climaxes. You envision standing over me with your hand raised high in victory at Ring Rage, capping your career by finally defeating the one female who in 19 years of competition did something no other has, chipped your almost invincible armor. But it's not going to happen like that, Alundra. You don't have the tools to beat me. Hardly anyone does. I choose not to compete regularly in XWA because there's hardly enough competition worthy enough for me. I can count the number of females wrestling for this company who could actually make me break a sweat on one hand. Two of whom I've already beaten, one being you, the other being Kim Hunter. Ending your career has been the one reason I've even stuck around in XWA. To be known as the person who ended the career of a living legend is a feather in ones cap any person would dream of. And my dream will come true soon enough. As a matter of fact...

A devilish grin crossed her lips.

...So confident am I that I'm going to beat you, that I've come up with an idea. Three shows, three matches. If you can beat me at least two out of the three, I'll leave XWA for good. No jumping over to Takedown, I will walk up that ramp, disappear and never show my face on XWA programming again.

Tony: Did I just hear that right? She just...well...offered her XWA career in exchange for nothing. I know she's a confident woman, but this is kinda iffy if you ask me.

Travis: Good thing I didn't ask you then. Lakoda is a fearsome a competitor as they get. This heaps all the pressure on Alundra. She's the one who has to win twice. It's a brilliant plan.


She lowers her mic and waits for the response of Alundra.

[alundra]

Alundra takes a deep breath, mulling over what she'd just heard. She raises her mic to reply.

That's a bold thing to do, Lakoda. XWA is a very, very big organization. One of the most prominent wrestling bodies in the world. Careers have been made here that far exceed what's been done elsewhere, bar none. Having faith in your ability is one thing, but throwing away your livelihood because of overconfidence is another. I know you compete in other organizations, and have world wide acclaim as a competitor. But giving me two wins to see you exiled from this company might not be very smart, sweety. I can understand your logic. Raising the stakes a bit because I'm on my way out regardless. Or trying to build your own legacy at the expense of my impending retirement. If you think for one second that it's going to make me do anything beyond my norm...

...you're absolutely right.

Cheers from the fans follow.

Maybe exile from XWA will do you some good. It'll teach you the value of respecting those who paved the way for you to even be standing here. You tried to make your career on taking me out. I intend on repaying the gesture. Under normal circumstances, forcing someone out of the door is the last thing I'd ever want. But for you, I'll make an exception. Consider your terms excepted. If my legacy has come down to this defining moment, I'll take the challenge like I have every other I've ever faced. Head on, with no regret and no excuses. If you can beat me two out of three times, you deserve to gloat about it. But like you yourself said, Lakoda. I might not be 100% of what I was a decade ago, but I am 100% of what I was the last time we met in this ring. I think that's more then enough to do the job right.

Lowering her mic yet again, Alundra awaits Lakoda's reply.