The Final Detail (Sarah Cross)

[Jennifer Drew]

The APW fans were struck by the opening chords of “For the Workforce, Drowning” by Thursday, meaning that their Rose Champion was on her way to the ring. You could see the excitement as well as the confidence in her demeanor as she walked to the ring interacting with the fans the way she always did. Part of it also had to be that fact that she knew everyone, especially her opponent, was on the edge of their seats waiting to hear what she was going to do for her first title defense.

Milking the last few seconds of suspense for all she could, she pauses in the center of the ring and holds the belt over her head for a moment before she grabs her microphone.

Thank you APW.

She draws another big round of applause and adulation with that line and takes some time to enjoy it before shushing the everyone.

I’m going to keep this short and simple. Last Saturday at Overdrive I beat Sarah Cross. If anyone else was the champion right now that would be the end of the story, her lame music would play and she'd be walking out of here right now. But I said that no matter what, Sarah would be getting her shot at the Rose Title at Full Throttle. The papers have already been signed, the slow motion video packages are airing, your bookie is taking bets on the Cross Drew match as we speak. Now, that brings me to why I’m out here now, this is a champion’s choice match. I can do this any insane or illegal way I want and I’ve done some thinking and I’m ready to tell you how this is going to happen.

So, Sarah Cross, will you please report to the ring?

With that she takes a seat on the middle rope making a nice little entry point for the challenger.

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

Sarah had waited patiently for this moment to arrive. The final confirmation of the proposed match type the champion wanted to make her first official defense in. It doesn’t take long at all for Sarah to make her way for the entrance ramp, as the opening notes of her theme music hits the arena with the usual explosive nature. The fans erupting into cheers throughout the arena, as she wastes not a second in beginning her way down to ringside…The entire time her vision was locked upon the eyes of the current Rose Champion, seemingly holding the ropes open for…Her?

She continues her trek towards the squared circle, her arms extended out as far as they could reach making as much contact with the fans as possible the entire way down. Her steps slowed little by little with each step it seemed, her thoughts of course on her coming opponent for the next Full Throttle show. Within moments she had arrived at ringside, stopping only a few feet away from the ring it self, glaring up into Jennifer’s eyes, still holding the ropes open for her. She stands motionless for a few moments, her head on a swivel seemingly, surveying the crowd’s reaction over the good sportsmanlike gesture. Her vision once again falls upon Jennifer, as she slowly and tentatively approaches the ropes, climbing up on to the ring apron, and slowly entering the squared circle, her eyes once again never leaving Jennifer’s. Her feet touch canvas as she slowly backpedals her way towards the opposite side of the ring, turning just long enough to raise an arm to the fans, erupting into more cheers as the sounds of Coheed & Cambria’s Ten Speed continues to blare throughout…Each side of the four sided structure is visited briefly, as always showing as much appreciation to her fans as possible. A smile had formed on her face by now, as she turns making eye contact with Jennifer once again. She could see clearly that the champion was all about business tonight, so she thought it only right to not leave her waiting any longer. She turned towards the commentators table, reaching over as a microphone was handed to her quickly, shining a bright smile to the ringside stage hand who had delivered the device to her seconds ago. Once again, her eyes met those of Jennifer’s as she made her way back towards the center of the ring, raising the microphone to speak just as the music was beginning to die down finally. Seconds later the sounds from the PA system had all faded, leaving only the sounds of the reactions of the APW faithful here tonight, clearly excited about the forthcoming match up. They knew the magnitude of this coming bout would be potentially one of the better deciding title matches of the inaugural season. Not wasting any more time, Sarah finally spoke into the microphone, as she attempted to allow for Jennifer to hear her over the crowd noise in the arena…

“…Finally huh? I was getting a bit worried you had forgotten all about lil’ ol’ me Jenn. I almost felt a bit hurt over it. But I see…You kept your promise that I’d be receiving the next shot at your Rose title. So…The whole family’s here now. So what exactly kind of punishment do our bodies have to look forward to this weekend Jenn? Hope it’s a good one because these fans want their money’s worth…And I aim to give it to them one way or the other. Win or lose. So?”

[Jennifer Drew]

After Sarah made it into the ring Jen got up and watched her make her grand entrance from the corner, only moving when Sarah decided to climb that turnbuckle. After she finished Jen circled the ring a little as she started speaking again.

A good one? No, I can honestly say that this idea isn’t a good one, it’s a great one. Like I said, I went home and thought about it all week since you made the challenge I watched old tapes, I read books, I made stuff up that would probably put APW out of business and I decided there was only one answer, one way for me to feel like I accomplished something out here. I know it’s a gamble, but I gotta say I feel pretty damn good about it.

She stops and gives the crowd a smile and a nod savoring the last second of excruciating anticipation before she looks over to Sarah.

So, at Full Throttle, I want to find out first hand why they call you the Iron Rose.

The crowd exploded. They loved this idea, the champ brazenly stepping into the challenger’s domain with everything on the line. Jen tilts her head to the side and puts her hands out as if to say "Well?" as she continues her eye contact with Sarah.

[Sarah Andrews-Cross]

A look of genuine shock crossed Sarah’s face instantly, just as the crowd erupted into cheers hearing the “news” from the Rose champion’s mouth. Her mouth instantly agape over hearing the match for the coming title match. Her eyes locked intently with Jennifer’s for a few seconds before raising the microphone slowly, attempting to speak on the matter. Nothing. She was speechless. Motionless. To say she was at a loss of words at the moment in time would be a gross understatement. The microphone was once again lowered to her side, as she took a few steps back from Jennifer, glaring at her coming opponent for Full Throttle. She too had done her research. She watched new and old footage of Jennifer’s as well as her own matches, thinking of every possible or conceivable match that could be selected by the champion for her first defense. And truthfully and honestly, this was the ONE match that never once crossed Sarah’s mind. Ever. Finally gaining what composure she could seem to muster at this moment in time, her steps bring her closer and closer to Jennifer once again, seeing her awaiting eyes. Moments later the microphone was raised once more to her lips, finally addressing the champ…

“Well Jennifer to say that I am shocked…Would be…An understatement in itself. I have to hand it to you Jenn. I have to. I never…Never saw this one coming. Not for one second even. I can see you’ve for one thought about what could possibly give these fans the highest amount of entertainment for the title match as well as…What would cement you even more so as one of the top female competitors in this business should you retain that title. Defeating your opponent in their own “specialty” match?....That’s good Jenn. That’s damn good. Well…How CAN I argue with that choice at this point in time. Most would kill to be in a position like this so…I say let’s give em’ a show like they’ve never seen. All that's left to do now is name the amount of time we're agreeing on beating each other into unconsciousness and May the best Rose win.”

Her last words offered, she extends her hand towards Jennifer, in her attempts to officially seal the deal.

[Jennifer Drew]

She steps forward and grips Sarah’s hand firmly and pumps a few times without hesitation or the classic check with the crowd movr she still knew this was a good idea. Jen releases the grip but maintains her position in the middle of the ring and her gaze at Sarah as the crowd feeds off the excitement and the tension between the two. The deal was done and she had nothing more to say, she had dropped her bombshell for the night and everyone knew she was going to do everything short of suicide to hang on to the Rose title. As the staredown continued, Jen just studied her opponent preparing for any surprise or misdirection.