Rapid Fire Wrestling emanated from St. Louis, MO featuring the return of Cate Stiles, four first round matches in the MoW Wildheart Championship tournament, and more.
Cate Stiles Returns to MoW
The biggest news of the week was the return of Cate Stiles. Stiles has been out of action for a year after her leg was broken by MoW Champion Shannon Worth. Stiles confronted Worth at the conclusion of Final Round 2022 in November.
Stiles entered the ring to address the live crowd but became emotional as the crowd sustained an applause preventing her from being able to speak. After thanking the crowd, Stiles expressed her excitement about being back in MoW and recounted the grueling rehabilitation to get to this point.
“It took a long time to get here. Months spent in excruciating rehab trying to get my leg back to the way it was, dealing with setbacks, fighting my own discouragement. I had to sit at home and watch this place move on without me.” -Cate Stiles
Stiles admitted that she hurt a lot of people herself throughout her career and thought that Worth’s brutal assault was payback. Stiles said she could accept that, but she has no forgiveness for Shannon Worth. Stiles officially called for Worth to meet her in a rematch for the MoW Championship.”
“The truth is, I caused enough damage over the years that maybe I deserved what happened to me. Maybe. But while I can accept that karma got me back, I’m not letting this go. Shannon Worth. You bitch. I am back. I am here, in this ring, with a message for you. I want my MoW Championship back. I’m coming for it, and know this. I’m going to hurt you, bad, and I will take everything from you.” -Cate Stiles
Stiles tossed the microphone and left the ring with a rowdy crowd cheering her name.
Championship Dreams
Cate Stiles wasn’t the only one looking for gold. Ridge and John Austin Baker met in singles action. Baker overpowered the veteran high flyer but Ridge held his own throughout the match. Baker crushed Ridge with a lariat and covered for a pin but Ridge fought to get his shoulder off the mat. Ridge made a late match comeback and finished off Baker with a pin following a shooting star press.
MoW Correspondent Kimberly Kennedy met with Ridge at ringside for a post-match interview. Ridge acknowledged that after twenty three years in the ring, he understands the clock is ticking.
“I’ve been doing this my whole adult life. There are a lot of guys who hung up their boots at a younger age than me. But the truth is that I feel good. I’m in the best shape of my life. Most importantly, I’m still motivated to do what all of us here want to do. I want to be MoW Champion. Killer Malone, you have what I want. It’s time I step up and try to take it.” -Ridge
Ridge began his career in 2000 and, following a run in the inaugural season of NRWL, was a mainstay on the independent scene before coming to MoW. Ridge now waits for a response from current MoW Champion Killer Malone.
MoW Wildheart Championship Tournament Begins
Four first round matches in the MoW Wildheart Championship tournament were held on the show.
Tracy Blood and Siobhan Wild kicked off the tournament with a competitive match. Blood was focused on striking Wild’s legs in an effort of slowing her down but Wild found a chance to break the offense and come back strong. Wild caught the former MoW Champion off guard with a high speed offense. Despite a few near falls, Wild found herself victim to Blood’s head kick and Blood pinned her to advance in the tournament.
Mysterie and Kagero Sato had a hotly contested tournament match with numerous near falls. Mysterie was stunned when Sato kicked out of a pin following a top rope hurricanrana. Mysterie missed a corkscrew splash and Sato capitalized by throwing her with a series of suplexes. Sato forced Mysterie into submission with an octopus hold for the win.
Chez Everett and Paisley Alden clashed in a roughhouse match that favored Alden early on. Everett fought back, attacking Alden’s neck before finishing her off with a neckbreaker. Everett pinned Alden to advance in the tournament.
Mia Mercury and Carolina Deene continued their storied rivalry in the main event that saw Deene slowing down the high-flying Mercury with submissions and holds. Deene trash talked Mercury but the mind games proved to be ineffective. Mercury fed off the crowd support to build momentum and pinned Deene following a flying elbow drop. The win put Mercury into the next round of the tournament.
Tracy Blood, Kagero Sato, Chez Everett, and Mia Mercury advance to the second round. The remaining first round matches will be held on next week’s Rapid Fire Wrestling.
Ruslan Panov vs. Oleg Azarov
Ruslan Panov made his MoW debut against Oleg Azarov in a match that quickly devolved into a brawl. Both competitors tested each other’s toughness in the ring with hard hits and slams. Azarov clotheslined Panov over the top rope but found himself falling out of the ring with his opponent.
The referee counted as Panov and Azarov continued to trade blows outside the ring. The fight dragged out into the aisle way and the referee counted both men out, ending the match in a no contest. The fighting continued after the bell until Panov staggered Azarov with a right hook. Both men gave each other a long stare down before separating without further conflict.
Still Waiting for an Answer
Rex Anarchy once again called out Cole Arcane to get Arcane’s reason for turning on him at Final Round.
“You came out here and teased stepping into this ring but you backed off. I know you aren’t afraid of me, and for as much of a weasel as you turned out to be, I know you stand by your actions. So what is it? Why won’t you talk to me, man-to-man, and explain yourself?” -Rex Anarchy
Arcane’s music played and Anarchy waited for him to appear. Arcane snuck through the crowd and attacked Anarchy from behind. Anarchy absorbed some damage but fended Arcane off. The rivals battled in the ring until officials could break them apart.
Coming Up Next On Rapid Fire Wrestling
The second half of the MoW Wildheart Championship tournament first round matches will be held next week. Kassidy Fortune vs. Meghan DeWitt, Mary Jane Elder vs. Sheena, Kami King vs. Alexandra Morgan, and Annika vs. Aurora Starkey.
MoW Commissioner Tiger Johnson announced that Rex Anarchy and Cole Arcane will meet in singles action.
The Diamond Peak will be on next week’s show to respond to respond to their challengers.
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