Date: 08/16/2025
Location: Miami Beach, FL
We’re back for week two of our beachside summer tour! Miami Beach saw Rapid Fire Wrestling lighting up this festival hot and fast and we are following it up with an action-heavy show this week! I’m Shawn Roberts, the voice of RFW, and this is the Rapid Fire Festival!
Ridge vs. Kenneth Cobb
Our show kicked off with veteran wrestler, Ridge, who, by the way, is celebrating his twenty fifth year as a wrestler taking on one of RFW’s newest stars, Kenneth Cobb. The two fan favorites shared a handshake as the bell rang and this match was underway.
Ridge moved great throughout this match and his high flying style proved an advantage against the more grounded Cobb. Cobb found an opportunity to take Ridge out of the air and onto the mat. This one went back and forth a few times but Ridge ultimately succumbed to a sleeper holder, submitting when it was clear there was no escape.
Kenneth Cobb was the winner here but before he could celebrate the RFW Grand Champion, The Iconoclast, flanked by his colleague Dezzy Nightshade, stormed down to the ring to confront him. Cobb made his intentions to compete for The Iconoclast’s title known last week and stunned everyone when Nightshade’s dangerous purple mist had no effect on him. The Iconoclast demanded to know how Cobb shrugged off the poisonous mist.
“Once upon a time, I was controlled. I was compromised and I promised myself I would never let that happen again. I knew if I were to stand up to you I’d have to deal with her and I wasn’t going to let her toxin stop me. So I did my homework. I learned her poison and I started to ingest it to built an immunity. Neither one of you can make me stop. I am coming for the Grand Championship. You best be ready to defend it at your very best because your tricks won’t cut it.” -Kenneth Cobb
Cobb threw his microphone at the champion and left the ring. The Iconoclast and Nightshade were looking concerned here. Cobb understands them, and understands them well. That’s a dangerous threat!
Tag Team Tension
Our ringside correspondent Kimberly Kennedy stood on the sands with our RFW Tag Team Champions, The Navigators, to get their response to last week’s challenge from Lords of Chaos. The reigning champs sounded confident.
“Pete and I agree that a challenge from the Lords of Chaos is nothing less than a major threat to our titles. But we’ve been champions everywhere on this planet and we’ve been RFW’s tag champs for over a year now. Rex, Ruslan, we heard you and we are ready for you. You want a shot at these belts, you’re on!” -Aidan North
No time wastin’ on this show Lords of Chaos worked their way through the gathered crowd to step out onto the beach to confront The Navigators as they were about to leave. They weren’t even dressed for the beach with their leather jackets and jeans! What’s that about? I should also note that Rex Anarchy and Ruslan Panov were carrying metal pipes and looked ready to use them. We had a tense moment here between both teams but The Navigators didn’t back down from Lords of Chaos and Lords of Chaos never did swing those pipes. Sorry, Chekov. Lords of Chaos stepped aside, their message apparently sent, and The Navigators walked on by. This one is still heating up, folks, but I expect it to be red hot by the time the clash in the ring.
Marcus w/The Elements vs. Cool Spencer w/Lost Cause
I’m hearing Marcus asked for this match against Cool Spencer and I had a feeling this had something to do with Spencer’s buddy, Rus Samson, rejecting the offer to join The Elements. Samson and Paisley Alden were at ringside, but so was Tommy V and Shannon Worth. Worth came dressed rather, uh, suggestive which is unusual for her but when it was apparent that she was trying to get Samson’s attention it started making sense. Seemed to me that The Elements hadn’t given up on pulling Samson into their group.
Marcus and Spencer had a hell of a match here with Spencer really showing off some good mat skills and Marcus matching that style but eventually took control of this match midway through with more of a brawler style.
Meanwhile, Worth approached Samson and tried to get his attention. This got Alden questioning Samson about what was going on. Samson seemed unsure of how to respond to all of this. Back in the ring, it was lights out for Spencer as Marcus picked up the pinfall win.
That win should have been the end of this but Marcus wasn’t done with Cool Spencer. Marcus continued to rough up Spencer after the bell while Shannon Worth caressed Rus Samson’s arm as Tommy V grabbed a microphone.
“Come on, Rus. Look at him. Look at your partner. He can’t hang with the likes of us. Not like you can. Is this the future you want, teaming with this guy? Do what you know is right. Join us.” -Tommy V
Paisley Alden looked real confused here as Samson did not immediately run to Spencer’s aid. However, Samson did do exactly that by stepping into the ring and pushing Marcus away from Spencer. The Elements walked away but watched from a distance as Samson and Alden checked on Spencer with concern.
Keira Ryan vs. Mia Mercury
Mia Mercury and Keira Ryan touched for the first time last week during the RFW World Championship contender’s match and both asked Commissioner Aurora Starkey for a one-on-one match. The Commish was happy to oblige and I was happy to see this match on the card!
Mercury and Ryan bumped fists before kicking off this match. They started slow, testing each other, but Mercury started revving into higher gear and Ryan showed impressive skills by tearing Mercury right back down to the mat. Mercury broke through Ryan’s offense with a surprise flying lariat.
We were treated some close finishes, some high impact moments perfect for our highlight reels but it was Mercury who landed a flying elbow on Ryan to secure the victory by pinfall.
Mia Mercury was the winner of this one but Keira Ryan showed why she was brought in to compete at the Rapid Fire Festival. She has something special and she showed that to everyone here tonight.
Climbing Back up the Ladder
Our girl Kimberly Kennedy is getting her exercise. We found her up on the boardwalk, surrounded by fans, standing next to the former RFW Wildheart Champion Meghan DeWitt. Kennedy asked DeWitt what was next for her in RFW.
“I think I’ve come a long way here in RFW, Kimberly. It’s been six years and I had to climb, slowly but surely, to get where I’m at now. I’m proud of what I accomplished with the Wildheart and it was absolutely heartbreaking to lose it. I had a good cry about it, yeah, but that was yesterday. Today, I work my way back up. And tomorrow, I intend to carry gold once more.” -Meghan DeWitt
The gathered crowd got quiet as Yurei pushed her way through to confront DeWitt. Yurei looked up and down DeWitt from head to toe and smirked.
“You cry? You lost your precious belt and had a nice cry? I’m so happy for you. But you make me sick! You aren’t a champion. You are just weak.” -Yurei
DeWitt said she didn’t need to prove anything to Yurei but said it would be a pleasure to fight Yurei and show her what she’s made of. Yurei laughed and walked away.
Kelsey Adams vs. Lucia Mendez
We caught a conversation with RFW Commissioner Aurora Starkey and Lucia Mendez who was adjusting her ring gear in preparation of a match.
“As you know, we’ve got ourselves a wrestling school now and I thought the Rapid Fire Festival would be a great opportunity to show our students’ progress. I asked Mike Blood and Rand Wolfe to sent a student for a showcase opportunity and I have her heading to the ring now. She’s waiting on you. Give me a good match.” -Aurora Starkey
With that, Mendez headed to the ring to square up with newcomer Kelsey Adams. A bit of background on Adams: She had about a year of experience in the OWA indie scene before RFW picked her up for the wrestling school. In the months since, Adams has really upped her game. I found this young lady to have an infectious personality and a strong foundation of mat skills. So, how’d she fare against Mendez?
Pretty well! Mendez was in control of this one from the start but Adams broke through the offense and started coming into her own. Adams appealed to the rowdy beach crowd surrounding ringside and fed off their energy.
Hector Diaz appeared in the crowd with some kind of icy cocktail in hand to get a closer look at the match. Diaz watched as Mendez forced Adams to submission with a triangle hold to win the match.
Lucia Mendez had little time to celebrate this one because Hector Diaz got assaulted from behind by Andre Jordan! Jordan stomped on Diaz and began burying his face in the sand. Mendez saw this from the ring and ran to chase Jordan off. Mendez screamed at Jordan to back off while Jordan pointed at Diaz and told him to stay away from her.
Andre Jordan’s broken relationship with Lucia Mendez has changed him. This guy is not thinking clearly anymore.
The Company Champion and the Self-Centered Challenger
The sun began to set as Jessie Vega triumphantly marched to the ring dressed every bit the pop star as Lee Lee Hunt followed just a few steps behind glowing with admiration for her client. Vega, now the number one contender for the RFW World Championship, is closer than ever to conquering the wrestling world. Say what you will about Vega and the choices she has made in her personal life and her career but she has been at this for a decade now. She’s put in the work.
Hunt tried to speak to the beach goers on Vega’s behalf but the crowd expressed their feelings for her very, very loudly. This is an outdoor show, folks, so there’s no ceiling to echo that noise. Miami Beach booed loudly enough that we probably were heard in Pensacola. Hunt’s shrill voice eventually did break through.
“You may not like it but Jessie Vega will be World Champion. She has earned the right and as a pop culture sensation her rise to the top of the world is an accomplishment that very few people could even hope to achieve. Nobody knows who Kassidy Fortune is outside of this wrestling business. The world knows who Jessie Vega is. Being World Champion will raise her stardom even further. We aren’t being cocky, just confident. This is Jessie’s time.” -Lee Lee Hunt
Is it? Kassidy Fortune had some thoughts about that! The RFW World Champion arrived at the Rapid Fire Festival to confront her challenger. Hunt may have called Fortune a nobody but she sure didn’t look like a nobody. Our champion carried herself like a megastar, dressed to be noticed, and looked over her challenger. Fortune’s message made it clear how she sees Vega and what is at stake in their match.
“Jessie, while you have flip-flopped on whether you want to be a wrestler or a singer, I’ve been nose to the grind from day one to be the very best wrestler in the world. I’ve beaten the best here. I made the Wildheart Championship something to be desired. I beat one of the best wrestlers RFW has ever seen, Cate Stiles, someone you know very well, to become World Champion, and I’ve carried this title with pride ever since. Maybe my approach alienated some fans over the years but for as much as I’ve strived for personal accomplishments, my heart has always been with this business and as RFW’s top star I use this championship to make RFW better, not to boost my celebrity status.” -Kassidy Fortune
Vega called Fortune’s virtuous speech a lie. Fortune promised to dim Vega’s star. Keep an eye on this one. It’s heating up, fast!
A Championship Offer
Kimberly Kennedy caught up with an upset Lucia Mendez. Despite her victory, Mendez was in a sour mood and explained to Kennedy that she is frustrated with Andre Jordan continuing to try and be in her life. The fiery Mexican continued to vent to Kennedy until Claudia Winter and RFW Wildheart Champion Alexandra Morgan approached.
Winter and Mendez are no strangers and long time fans of RFW may remember a time when Mendez and Jordan were managed by Winter. Mendez looked defensive but Winter assured her she and Morgan were not there to cause her any more trouble.
“You and I may have a rocky past but I’m willing to put that aside. You see, Alexandra needs a challenger for the Wildheart Championship and I see you looking to finally get out from the shadow of your time with Andre. Alexandra and I agree that you’d make a great challenger for the Wildheart so what do you say? Lucia Mendez vs. Alexandra Morgan. Title on the line.” -Claudia Winter
Mendez was confused by Winter’s gesture but accepted the challenge.
Tracy Blood vs. Phueng Ahunai
The sands cooled off, the stars were out, and the lights shined down on the ring for our main event. Tracy Blood, competing for the first time since last year’s Final Round, stepped up to face Phueng Ahunai who has made quite the impression since debuting in RFW earlier this year.
This one was anything but friendly as this got aggressive almost from the start. Blood looked strong here and battered Ahunai with kicks though Ahunai found a way through the offense and began to bring the fight right back to the veteran kickboxer.
A dropkick from Ahunai sent Blood to the outside where this match continued outside the ring. The crowd got really into this as both women traded blows and slammed each other into sand. Blood kneed Ahunai in the midsection and gut wrench suplexed her onto a beach chair.
It wasn’t looking good for Ahunai as she was dragged back into the ring but what nobody noticed was the handful of sand she grabbed. Blood was continuing to gain momentum and I thought she was wrapping this match up but when Ahunai found a brief moment when the referee looked away, she flung the sand in Blood’s eyes. This left Blood vulnerable to a flipping neckbreaker and Ahunai was able to secure a pinfall victory.
Phueng Ahunai was quite pleased with her win here and celebrated her win as Tracy Blood recovered outside the ring. Ahunai smirked as Blood finally got the sand out of her eyes and looked at her with a look of irritation. Is it over between these two? I’m sure it’s not. This show is over for us, though. We’ll be back with week 3 of the Rapid Fire Festival next week! See you then, Rapid Fire Fanatics!
Fireside Chat
The Elements sat around a campfire on the beach. Marcus and Tommy V fed wood splits into the fire, watching the flames quietly. Shannon Worth chucked an empty bottle into the ocean and walked back to the fire with a look of defeat.
Shannon Worth: It didn’t work. Why can’t we get this guy?
Tommy V: Stubborn. Although, he didn’t reject our offer with much conviction. I think we’ve got him nibbling on the hook.
Marcus: I don’t know. It’s possible. Or maybe Rus Samson is more fried than we thought he was. Maybe there’s not much going on upstairs.
Shannon Worth: He’s not a dimwit. Maybe Tommy’s right and we do have his attention.
Marcus: What about our other… path forward, Shannon?
Shannon Worth: Well, I – Worth’s phone buzzes – Hmm. Timely.
Tommy V and Marcus huddle around Shannon Worth and look over her shoulders as she begins typing something on her phone.
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