Avalanche 2023: Rising Star Title Match: Maria Castillo (C) vs Piper Sherwood

Maria was in pain.

All her body was aching, and parts of her upper shoulders and chest were wrapped with medical tape, telling the sad story of a veteran champion. She knew taking the Rising Star title would put a target on her back, but the long list of backstage attacks, gym invasions, and straight up beatdowns, the poor woman was barely hanging on by a thread.

Still, Maria knew it was her duty to hold onto this championship as long as she could, and if that meant dragging her battered body to prove she still belonged here, then so be it.

Her music kicked off, with the champ raising the belt with a defiant yell! The crowd exploded in cheers, as the luchadora did her best to make her way to the ring, resisting the urge to wince every couple of steps

As the champ's music came on and the woman of the hour came out, it wouldn't be for long before someone joined her... Piper Sherwood, the young, hungry challenger, who after just one impressive showing in this company had finessed a match against the champ, was making the most of this opportunity. Especially given the myriad of targets across the damaged champ's body that Piper could expand even more. Coming from behind and slamming a elbow into the back of Maria's head Piper would grab her by the hair, pulling her down before turning and irish whipping the champ into the barricade! Immediately getting boos from the crowd Piper would do a slow turn, basking in them before focusing on Maria and dashing forward, leaping up to drive a dropkick aimed low, right at Maria's infamously previously injured leg!

Maria was waving to her fans when her opponent came out early, and as such she was unable to predict what was about to happen until a hand snagged her hair! The yank drew a surprised cry from her lips, before she was brutally thrown into the barricade! Her body audibly crashed into the metal, before slumping to her hands and knees.

Her torment didn't end there, with Piper's boots crashing into her surgically repaired leg from years ago! The pain made the luchadora scream, going down hard as her hands clutched at her limb! Nothing was broken....yet....but that fear suddenly became a lot more prominent as she struggled to stand back up

Piper smirked evilly as she rolled backwards from the dropkick and got back to her feet watching as her opponent started to stand back up with clear signs of difficulty as she did so.

"Hehe, sorry grandma, I got bored waiting in the back for you're slow ass to wrap up, but don't worry I'll be sending you to the retirement home to get that leg looked at lickity split!" Piper said mockingly as she approached Maria and grabbed her by the hair, forcing her up before turning and dragging the older woman with her before twisting sharply and sending her masked opponent careening headfirst towards the steel steps!

"Oops, what's wrong? You're old lady meds not letting you see straight?" Piper asked as she approached Maria again, this time making it a point to step on Maria's bad leg as she passed to end up at Maria side. Bending down and grabbing her again before lifting her up and pushing her back in the ring and following after so that the match could actually get started!