Charlie Haines vs. Valley Doll - Tension Rising

Match Type: Standard
Victory Conditions: Pinfall, Submission, or KO

This was a bit of a surprise.

When Valley signed her AFW contract a few years back, she’d noticed a little thing near the back, tucked away between all the jargon and legalese, hidden where most potential Frictioners were less likely to see it. ‘The Tension Clause’, she’d called it. A little part of her agreement that stated management could, on their discretion, get her to compete in exactly two Tension matches of her choosing per year. Granted, they’d never acted upon that clause before, but she knew they would, one day. Now, apparently, that day had come.

That was why she found herself coming down the Tension ramp, doing her typical dance routine as Bad Company’s [url=https://youtu.be/Wp6UBRv9rug]Rock and Roll Fantasy[/color] came blaring out over the loudspeakers. The Tension crew had done a good job of hyping up this match in advance, heralding her mixed match debut, and she was glad for the fanfare.

To be honest, as weird as this was, it was exactly what she needed. With everything going on with Kaylee, she needed a distraction. A reason to get out of Tokyo, if just for a weekend, to help get her head straight.  A chance to hit the reset button on her brain, and make sure that she was ready when she headed back home.

That was why she accepted this match. That, and the fact that her request for an opponent had been answered.

So, when she came to the Tension ring for the first time, rolled under the Tension ropes for the first time, and danced on the Tension canvas for the first time, she had a big, bright smile on her face. She was going up against a man she’d been itching to take on for a long time, after all: Charlie Haines.

Charlie wasn't sure how to feel about this match. He was happy to get in the ring again, that was for sure. It had been a long time since he had a match. His injury, the stuff with Talia.... there had been quite a bit that had gotten in the way of his career. Now he was facing someone his close friend Alaina had failed to beat on two occasions. In a way Charlie wanted to get the win for her, not quite as a revenge thing but a sort of vindication thing. He knew how badly Alaina wanted to show that she could beat Valley, and how bad she felt for not doing so in an official match.

Now, he had a shot at it. However, Alaina was considered by nearly everyone to be superior to Charlie in the ring. If Valley beat her twice...

He couldn't think about that, not now. He had to get back to business and prove to himself that he wasn't wasting his time over here in Japan in the ring. He had doubts about himself for a while. The accident and near catastrophic injury. His very mixed results after. Everything. Today he had a shot to vindicate himself as well as Alaina. As his music played he came out and sprinted down the ramp, jumping up on top to the apron in one bound, and over the ropes in the other! He also was comforted knowing that his opponent wasn't a dirty fighter. This would be clean to the end. Charlie liked that. Charlie approached Valleyed extended his hand. "I've been looking forward to this match, but not in a creepy way or anything. Someone has to end your little winning streak against the San Diego Destruction League alumni after all ya know?" Charlie said with a nod.

Valley was actually a bit of a Charlie Haines fangirl, though she wasn’t about to let him know that right now. Granted, he wasn’t the best wrestler on the Tension roster. Not the strongest. Not the fastest. But he was definitely one of the nicest. Most of the Tension guys seemed like they were either out to make women into their punching bags or get used as punching bags themselves. It was nice to have a guy who was just out to compete.

Plus, he was easy on the eyes. Valley wasn’t on the market, but if she were, he’d be about her type.

She got her stretches in as he descended the ramp, and eagerly strutted his way while he came in the ring. Sure enough, Charlie was the consummate gentleman, and extended a hand her way, one that she was glad to shake.

”I’ve been looking forward to this, too. Also not in a creepy way.” She gave him a sly wink as she stepped back. ”Don’t get your hopes up about breaking the streak, though. I didn’t take the train all the way out here just to lose my first match.”

Charlie smiled and nodded as the bell rang. He began circling and trying to think of how to go about this. Alaina had power so that was her usual method of wrecking things. Charlie was all about speed and flying. Valley was as well, and did it better. Not to mention that her kicks were nastier than any of Charlie's strikes, coupled with her reach being better.

This was going to be tough. Charlie had to keep moving, and keep moving closer to her so her kicks weren't as effective. Today may be the day he tried to out-grapple and maneuver someone up close. First time for everything right?

Charlie moved in, lunging and going low. He tried to swing his own legs around to catch Valley in the back of hers, attempting to go low for a leg sweep to get Valley off her feet. Keeping her grounded was key, and his best shot at walking away tonight with a victory! However he fully understood that his plan and strategy were far easier said than done.

Though it was unlikely the audience was aware, this wasn’t the first time Valley had taken on a male opponent. She’d dabbled with it back in her Slamazon days, during the occasional cross-promotion dust up, back when they were trying to compete with all the hype that Sex Wars was making over in Japan. She’d lost more often than not, but that was a younger, less-experienced Valley Doll.

This one was a little more confident, and that showed on her face as the bell rang and she started to circle. She remembered the rules, knew not to try and take Charlie head on. There were precious few men on this roster she could overpower, and she doubted he was one of them.

That wasn’t the route he was going for, anyway. Instead he came at her low and quick, trying to sweep her with an expert move, one that would’ve caught a slower foe off guard for sure.

Valley, however, was just nimble enough to leap over it and avoid the move entirely. She went on the attack the second her feet touched the ground, shooting her leg out forward and fast with a snap kick aimed at his chest, trying to catch him before he could fully rise.

Well so much for that plan. Charlie whiffed and was now in a horribly compromised position as Valley jumped up, and then quickly slammed him in the chest as he tried to rise back up to his feet. Instead, he fell back and was looking up at the lights. Not at all an ideal spot to be in.

Charlie quickly tried to correct this as he rolled backward to create as much space as he could. He couldn't wait or delay, so he knew he had to try something. As he rolled back and came to a crouching position, he sprang right at Valley instead of standing fully upright. As he lunged forward he then jumped straight up and led with his feet, trying to catch Valley with a running dropkick!

Here was where the male/female differences started to come into play.

Valley had just kicked Charlie to the curb with a well-timed kick, the sort of move that typically would’ve laid a female opponent out for a moment. Not Charlie. He was made of stronger stuff, and as such, was able to get back up and came her way a moment later.

That was fine, though. She was ready.

When the dropkick came her way, Valley deftly spun about, pirouetting to the side and nimbly avoiding the strike. She stopped with her back to Charlie as he came down flat, which meant she was in the perfect position for a standing moonsault.

She didn’t go for it. Not exactly. She did do a backflip, so that seemed like her goal for a moment, but instead of landing with her chest crashing into his, she opted to tuck in her legs to make it a moonsault knee drop instead, wanting to get in some extra damage. When it came to wrestling guys, every little bit helped.

As Charlie rushed in for his second attempt to deal some sort of damage to Valley Doll he ended up making his second miscue. Once more, nothing but air. Once more, he paid the price. He fell flat on his back and Valley was already in motion landing hard on Charlie as he knees hammered down on his ribcage! Charlie groaned and rolled to his side, wheezing and wincing in pain. Clearly, he was not getting anywhere with his strategy.

However, what other choice did he have? He wanted to fight through the pain and get up, trying again to take it to Valley. However, his body wasn't cooperating. He was damned if he was once more to be used as cannon fodder by the brass. He slapped the mat in frustration, trying to make it up to his feet, but progress was painfully slow.

The crowd cheered as Valley came down hard on Charlie’s chest, knocking the wind clean out of him. She was happy for that, but not too. This was a good start, but she was weary of rejoicing over. Guys were tougher. Guys could take it harder. That was why he was already starting to get up, when most female opponents in the same class would be pliant enough for a pinfall attempt. She had to keep piling on the pain.

So, when Charlie began to rise up, Valley popped to her feet and came after him, not wanting to give him more than two seconds to breath. She made her way to his backside while he pushed up to his feet, and that was where she struck, rushing to close the gap.

”Double!” She shot her leg out for a harsh soccer kick, targeting the small of his back, right on the spine.

”Tap!” And another harsh blow followed right after. Same spot, same force, same move, same pain.

Charlie was on his way up, knowing he had to try something to get back in this. However, Valley sent him right back down just as quick! He cried out in pain as he landed with a loud thud, laying on his stomach as his lower back throbbed in agony.

Despite his best efforts he wasn't anywhere near able to get up. Her kicks were too fast, too painful for him to recover quickly, or really even recover fully at all.