Shimmer Volume 23
Breyrn, IL

SHIMMER’s new correspondent-Amber Gertner-greeted us for this SHIMMER taping. Before she could continue, Amber spotted an arriving Annie Social. But Social isn’t a part of the roster. Social informs Gertner, and the viewing audience, that she is here to find a client to take to the top of SHIMMER.

Nikki Roxx vs. Cat Power
Cat was on the prowl as Dave Prazak introduced his new announce partner, Portia Perez. Roxx decided to tempt Power with some yarn. Cat isn’t falling for that again. Power pawed at Roxx’s hands when Nikki offered the test of strength. Roxx used this to her advantage as she stomped on the distracted Cat’s feet, outwrestling her until Power rolled to the floor, begging for a break. Nikki gave chase, faking Cat out by forcing her to reenter the ring before missing the elbow drop. Cat sidestepped the running yakuza kick, hanging Roxx in the ropes. With Nikki stuck, Cat used her claws to unleash a deadly back rake. Power knew what was working, using her claws and the canvas to wear out Roxx’s back. Power turned a jackknife pin into the stretch muffler. Nikki kicked her way out of it, but couldn’t stay off the mat for long. When Roxx got whipped into corner, it gave her the chance to recover and get some momentum going. A rolling elbow seemed to seal Cat’s fate, but Power was close enough to the ropes to save herself. Power reversed an Irish whip, side Russian leg sweeping Roxx for a two count. Power blocked the polish hammer, hitting a sick neck breaker. But Roxx refused to stay down. Roxx used a small package to lock Power in the Barbie Crusher, getting a well-deserved pin.

Amber O’Neal vs. Tenille
This is Tenille’s-an Australian native-debut. Amber was able to take Tenille down for a couple of kicks to the Australian’s lower back. But Amber opening attack only fired Tenille up. After knocking O’Neal to the floor, Tenille tried to pull Amber in; only to end up being pulled out instead. Tenille reversed an Irish whip, sending Amber back first into the guardrails. Amber clawed Tenille’s eyes, dropping Tenille across the top rope throat first when the action returned to the ring. Amber drove her knees into Tenille’s back before applying a figure four headlock. Even though Tenille made it to the ropes, the referee refused to make Amber break the hold when she pulled Tenille away. When Amber realized Tenille wasn’t giving up, she relinquished the hold so she could kick her in the back. Tenille ducked one of those kicks to her back, giving Amber a taste of her own medicine that ended with two dropkicks. Amber quickly recovered, putting Tenille in a hammerlock front guillotine. Tenille bounced off the ropes after the whip, using a cross body block to get a near fall. Amber kicked out, wringing Tenille by her neck with some suplexes. Tenille used Amber’s cockiness against her, hitting a downward spiral. Tenille took too much time to capitalize, getting face busted. Tenille ended up getting put in that bridging backslide, allowing Amber to pin the newcomer.

Amber Gertner was with the #1 contender to the SHIMMER title-and the future Straight Edge Society member-Serena Deeb. Deeb couldn’t help but be excited about her chance to change the landscape of SHIMMER by beating MsChif for the gold.

Daffney vs. Melanie Cruise
First Cat Power uses “The Pot” for her entrance theme. Now Melanie comes out to “Stinkfist”. Who knew about all these Tool fans? And did you know Daffney likes ice cream? Well, actually, she likes a plastic ice cream cone projectile, which stunned the much taller Cruise. Daffney tried to run through Cruise, but that didn’t work. But her trademark scream did, sending Cruise scurrying to the corner. Wait, can you trademark a scream? Cruise grabbed a fist full of tights, using them to sling Daffney’s face into the turnbuckles. Big sidewalk slam from Cruise. After being illegally choked, Daffney proclaimed her vocal cords are insured. As Cruise pulled back on Daffney’s arms, Annie Social came to ringside to take some notes. Daffney turned a sunset flip reversal into a series of right hands and chops. Melanie tried to power bomb her way out of the punches in the corner, but ended up getting sunset flipped. When Cruise kicked out, she ran into a series of knees that ended with the Daffknees to give Daffney the three count.
Afterwards, Social helped Cruise to the locker room.

The SHIMMER champion was with Valerie Malone to talk about her main event match tonight. MsChif made it short and sweet, proclaiming victory before screaming Valerie away.

Sara Del Rey vs. Madison Eagles
It’s wild to see a woman taller than Del Rey. It’s also crazy when Eagles is taller than everyone in the ring. When someone yelled in favor of Del Rey, Sara decided to warn that person that she would kill him if he didn’t shut up. Note to self: never cheer for Sara in person. Both women jockeyed for an advantage, but couldn’t gain one. Eagles was able to get a hold of Sara’s left arm, but the massive legs of Del Rey proved to be more powerful with the head scissors. Eagles countered, almost pinning Sara. When Sara’s arm got caught again, Del Rey went to the floor. Madison rushed her when Sara reentered. Sara countered, hooking Madison’s right leg.
Madison countered, putting Del Rey in an Indian deathlock, using her long legs to get even more torque on the hold. Del Rey bit Madison’s fingers to break Eagles’ grip. Madison recovered, front face locking Del Rey until Sara powered off the mat, using a chokehold takedown. Madison leapt over the incoming Del Rey, rolling her up. Del Rey kicked out, using Madison’s counter against her before executing a modified banzai splash to drive Madison’s air out of her. Sara easily knocked Madison off her feet before putting the pressure on Madison’s back. Eagles powered out of Del Rey’s clutches, but ended up getting kicked down. When Del Rey hit the ropes, she ran into a clothesline, then a hurricarana. The fans were behind Madison until she missed the clothesline in the corner. Madison turned the Royal Butterfly into a northern lights suplex that was unsuccessful in getting Eagles a pin. Sara showed her amazing strength, turning a tilt-a-whirl slam into the Royal Butterfly to pick up the one, two, three.

Kellie Skater hit the ring to inform us of who she is, and to challenge anyone in the back. That gives us…

Lufisto vs. Kellie Skater
A slap to Lufisto’s face ended her fun-having time, causing her start use a couple of big moves until Skater used a springboard back elbow. Kellie dropped Lufisto after a few unprotected knees to her face. Lufisto fired back with the forearm, then the cannonball in the corner. And that was a powerful cannonball. The cradle suplex didn’t get Lufisto the pin, so she decided to play with Skater’s hands while bending them backwards. Northern lights suplex by Skater after avoiding the running knee. Skater stopped the Burning Hammer, slamming Lufisto face first against the canvas. Lufisto easily stopped Skater with the Burning Hammer after recovering.

Daizee Haze vs. Nicole Matthews
Another tip for you readers: don’t take Matthews picture during her entrance. She doesn’t like it. This is the first time these two have ever wrestled. Daizee used Matthews’ arrogance against her, sending Nicole outside after a couple of arm drags. Haze decided to fend off the Canadian Ninja with some of her own ninja skills. Haze was able to hone in on Nicole’s left arm. When Nicole freed herself, they were going hold for hold. Nicole’s headlock almost got her pinned. Haze freed herself by going after the arm again. When they made it to their feet, Haze challenged Matthews’ ninjaness. Haze was one step ahead of everything Nicole had in mind. That all changed when Haze propelled off the ropes, right into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Haze recovered, but ended up getting dropped chest first across the top rope. Nicole dropkicked a running Haze before nipping up to show her agility. When Haze tried to fight back, Nicole thumbed her eyes.
Haze turned the tables on some chops in the corner, but ended up getting speared after trying to rally her fans. Daizee couldn’t fight off the abdominal stretch. But she did reverse it. Nicole’s strength won out, ending with Daizee hitting the turnbuckles. Once again, Daizee tried to fight back, ending with her on her back. Matthews got caught in a couple of pinning predicaments, using a clothesline when she got the chance. Nicole took too much time setting up a springboard maneuver, allowing Daizee to dropkick her to the floor. Haze followed up by diving on top of Matthews. Haze had the fans behind her as she chopped Nicole back in. Before Daizee could jump from the top again, Nicole pushed the referee into the ropes. With Daizee stuck on the top, Nicole used a superplex to bring Haze back to the mat. But Nicole lost too much time to take advantage with a pin. Daizee was able to get behind Matthews, German suplexing her for a two count. Matthews countered the Heart Punch, northern lights suplexing Haze in one swift motion. Missile dropkick from Nicole knocked Haze silly-but not silly enough to keep Haze down for three seconds. After the failed pin, we were informed that one-minute was left in the twenty-minute time limit. Heart Punch connected by Haze, leading to the Yakuza Kick. Somehow, Nicole kicked out. Nicole and Daizee were stuck in a rolling inside cradle, with neither getting a count before the time limit expired.
Haze and the fans wanted five more minutes. The referee would allow it, but Nicole decided to call it a day.

On Volume 21, Mercedes Martinez and Amazing Kong clashed for the first time in a four way that also included Cheerleader Melissa and Ariel.

Amazing Kong vs. Mercedes Martinez
Even though Kong powered Mercedes around the ring with ease, she had a hard time hitting her. But Martinez didn’t have a hard time getting a headlock on Kong. It wasn’t until Mercedes was on Kong’s back when everything went downhill. Kong crushed Mercedes between herself and the corner before clotheslining Martinez. To add insult to injury, Kong sat on Mercedes while biting her boots. Ewww, Kong spit! And an avalanche splash is just as disgusting for Mercedes body. After a leg drop couldn’t get a pin for Kong, Kong tried to camel clutch Mercedes. Martinez used a jaw breaker to free herself before unleashing some strikes and knees to rock the roped Kong. Mercedes momentum ended with a Mongolian chop, followed by a thrust to her throat with the pointy nails.
Mercedes avoided the running big splash, regaining her wind as Kong did the same. A running dropkick knocked Kong down for a two seconds. The next two dropkicks only angered Kong. The series of forearms didn’t help Mercedes either-running into the Implant Buster for her trouble. But Mercedes refused to say die, turning the Amazing Bomb into a face buster. After a couple of seconds, both women rose. Martinez avoided Kong’s attack, using a few of running kicks to wobble the much larger athlete. Fisherman Buster on Kong! What strength by Mercedes! And for the first time in SHIMMER history, someone kicked out of the Fisherman Buster follow up pin. Kong also turned the tides, Amazing Bombing Mercedes. But Martinez was close enough to the ropes to stop the three count. Mercedes ducked the spinning back fist, Saito suplexing Kong on her head. Kong jumped to her feet like it didn’t even hurt her. Another Amazing Bomb ends this contest.

At Volume 22, Portia Perez wanted to attack a pregnant Allison Danger.

Allison Danger came to the ring to talk with Amber Gertner after congratulating Danger on the birth of her baby girl. Danger promised to make Perez pay for attempting to harm her then, unborn baby. Speaking of Perez, here she comes. Portia was upset over the fact that she couldn’t stop Danger from having that baby due to her actions. Danger said something before Portia spit her cookie in her face. This led to a huge, locker room pull-apart brawl.

On Volume 18, Ashley Lane and Nevaeh beat the Minnesota Home Wrecking Crew. At Volume 20, Rain and Jetta avenged their lose with a handful of tights of a cross body. But at Volume 21 was their biggest encounter, ending with the International Home Wrecking Crew getting eliminated out of the Shimmer Tag Team title tournament.

SHIMMER Tag Team title 2 Out of 3 Falls match: Ashley Lane & Nevaeh (c) vs. International Home Wrecking Crew
Rain and Jetta made sure they were detoxified from the Swine Flu.
1st Fall: The challengers jumped the champions during their intros, but their attack backfired when Lane and Nevaeh tossed them to the floor. When the referee forced some order, Rain gained a short-lived advantage on Nevaeh. The reason it was short lived is due to Rain’s cockiness costing her, allowing the champs to double dropkick Rain for a near fall after Lane tagged in. Rain fought back with some knees. Nevaeh countered the suplex, putting Rain in a small package. Jetta yelled at the referee, distracting him so someone could run in and put Nevaeh in the pinning predicament instead of Rain. Wait, that someone is Lacey! Lacey is back to manage the current incarnation of the team she and Rain made famous. Oh, and Rain got the three count off the assist, giving the challengers the first fall.
2nd Fall: Ashley forearmed the incoming Jetta, only to get tripped and arm barred. A drop toe hold by Jetta left Ashley down for Rain’s elbow drop, and a two count. Rain’s knees were lethal here. Lane was able to kick out of Rain’s follow up pin, only to get tossed to the floor so Lacey could get some shots in. Jetta came in, yanking Lane from the corner before slamming the back of Lane’s head against the mat. Jetta used Ashley’s hand to force tap out, but the referee didn’t recognize that as a real submission. Leaping back rake from Rain got a big smile from the challenger. Lane turned the Rain Drop into a victory roll for a close two count. Before Lane could use that STO, Lacey jumped on the apron. Nevaeh ran in, knocking Lacey to the floor. This distraction allowed Lane to roll up Rain to tie this match at 1-1.
3rd Fall: Rain was not pleased, sending Lane into the challengers’ corner so everyone could do some damage on her. Rain locked Lane in a Japanese stranglehold that looked plain vicious. When Lane wouldn’t give up, Rain used a modified curb stomp to dribble Lane’s face. Jetta came in to follow up on Rain’s attempted facial mutilation. Rain wanted to clothesline Lane, but ended up getting neck broken instead. Lane tagged out as Rain did the same. Nevaeh was a house of fire, peppering Jetta with forearms. Swinging neck breaker on Jetta got Nevaeh a near fall. Nevaeh blocked the Stranglehold Lung Blower, face busting Jetta before German suplexing Rain. Rain decided to hold the referee hostage so Lacey could toss Jetta a chain. When Nevaeh hooked Jetta for the STO, Jetta chain punched her. And with that knockout shot, we have new Tag Team champions. But wait, another referee comes out to tell the original referee what happened. Lacey accidentally lost the chain, leaving the evidence in view. This fall will be restarted. Lane and Nevaeh tossed Rain and Lacey to the floor before unleashing that STO/Yakuza Kick combo on Jetta. The pin fall was elementary, and Lane and Nevaeh are still the SHIMMER Tag Team champions.

Courtesy of ChickFight, we get some highlights of the previous battles between Cheerleader Melissa and Wesna Busic. One of those amazing highlights involves the two fighting in front of a building near a busy street. I would’ve loved to be driving down there during that.

Cheerleader Melissa vs. Wesna Busic
Intense collar & elbow saw both women end up on the mat with no true advantage for either. Melissa tried to hone in on Busic’s legs in hopes of weakening them, and those vicious kicks. But that left Melissa wide open for some haymakers that Busic used to set up a cross arm bar. When Melissa got free, Melissa just started pounding the back of Busic’s head. Wesna made it to her feet, but was still hooked in Melissa clutches. This allowed Melissa to unleash some sickening knees that dropped the Croatian. Wesna snap marred her way out of the headlock, kicking Melissa in the back. Wesna wanted to pay Melissa back, kneeing her into a front guillotine. Melissa got out of the hold, but ended up in a rear chin lock. Melissa almost used that to her advantage, nearly pinning Wesna before floating over and hammer locking Busic’s left arm. Busic worked her way to her feet, tripping Melissa into another cross arm bar that saw Melissa save herself via the ropes. Busic’s focus of Melissa’s shoulder worked against her as Melissa countered, whipping every limb of Busic against the mat. Busic was able to get the momentum back in her favor by slamming Cheerleader’s face against the turnbuckles. Melissa avoided the yakuza kick, leaving her wide open for a running forearm/northern lights suplex combination. Busic kicked out, using a STO to level Melissa. Busic wanted to take the action outside.
Some of that action included Melissa being whipped against the guardrails. Melissa showed some great heart by kicking out of Busic’s big attacks follow up pins. The figure four headlock didn’t force Melissa to submit, causing Busic to throw bones when she got up. Unfortunately for Busic, this strategy worked against her as Melissa ducked the clothesline, belly to back suplexing Wesna. Melissa avoided the incoming Busic, sending her to the floor. Melissa had a smile on her face after almost whipping Busic into the front row. Melissa used the guardrail to choke Busic before crushing Wesna between the guardrails after hanging the Croatian across one. Shockingly, Wesna still kicked out of Melissa’s pin. Busic got up swinging, leading to a strong style forearm exchange. Both women hit the ropes for some momentum, only to run into each other’s forearms. The women collapsed before Annie Social made her way to ringside once again.
Melissa and Busic continued their forearm battle from their knees. The forearms turned to slaps, putting them horizontal once again. Since they couldn’t make it to their feet, they started throwing big boots from the mat. This is one of the craziest back and forth slugfest I’ve ever seen. Busic stopped the air raid crash, but not the Samoan drop. Busic kicked out of Melissa’s follow up pin, knocking Melissa loopy with a forearm. Or so Busic thought. Melissa avoided the big boot, German suplexing Busic for a near fall. Wesna swatted Melissa out of the sky to avoid the missile dropkick before executing the Ki crusher. Somehow, Melissa got a shoulder up to save herself. Melissa stopped the CB4 Driver, only to run into a big boot. Busic couldn’t believe Melissa wouldn’t stay down. Melissa turned the CB4 Driver into a DDT to set up for the curb stomp. Busic was able to get her boot on the bottom rope to make sure this match wouldn’t end now. Annie Social decided to comment on Melissa’s lack of thought before the pin, causing Melissa to tell Social to shut up. To send a message to Social, Melissa reverse curb stomped Busic before confronting the new SHIMMER manager. Busic caught Melissa coming in, suplexing Melissa for a near fall. Melissa blocked the CB4 Driver with some knees. Melissa took too much time mouthing to Social, allowing Busic to hook and CB4 Driver. Busic fell on top of Cheerleader, winning this intense contest.
Annie congratulated Busic before grabbing the microphone. Social proclaimed Busic as her first client before telling Melissa she’ll never get a shot at the SHIMMER title as long as Annie’s around.

We get a video package to give us a perspective of Serena Deeb’s journey to the title.

Shimmer title: MsChif (c) vs. Serena Deeb
Honorable handshake between the two to open this one. The initial tie up saw both women jockey for an advantage, but ended up stuck entangled with no one in control. Serena was able to roll through the collar & elbow, barring MsChif’s arms. MsChif countered, turning the tables before getting rolled away. A few deep arm drags had Serena happy until MsChif avoided another after bouncing off the ropes. MsChif went after Deeb’s arms again, using them to bend Deeb backwards into a pinning combination. Deeb lured MsChif into a false sense of security, almost pinning the champion. An angry MsChif was able to drop toe hold the running challenger, using three standing moonsaults that only got her a two count. MsChif was still focused on bending Deeb backwards. This allowed MsChif to slip free of the body slam. Before MsChif could turn around, Deeb rushed her.
MsChif sidestepped Deeb, avoiding the Spear, sending Deeb to the floor with a sick thud. MsChif wanted to use the ringside area to her advantage. Deeb was able to avoid a chop, arm dragging MsChif on the parquet floor. Deeb made sure she didn’t win due to a count-out. Deeb was peppering the champ with those patented jabs, but missed the right cross. Deeb grabbed MsChif’s arms, whipping her upside down into the corner. When Deeb tried to monkey flip MsChif, MsChif clutched Deeb’s neck, spine busting her for a near fall. Deeb stopped the Desecrator, but missed the running knee strike. Once again, Serena avoided the Desecrator, getting underneath the champ before dropping her across the top rope. MsChif turned around, only to be Speared to the floor. Serena pushed MsChif’s lifeless body by in for a shocking near fall. MsChif collected herself, hitting the Desecrator out of Serena’s rolling cradle to retain the SHIMMER title.

Before MsChif could celebrate, Sara Del Rey entered the ring. Del Rey wanted “her” belt back. This brought out Amazing Kong, proclaiming her want for the gold. Kong and Del Rey stomped a mudhole into MsChif. Melissa-with a chair-hit the ring to run off the SHIMMER monsters.

Is It Worth Your Money: Once again, the women of SHIMMER came to put on a memorable show. While there were definitely some valleys here, the hills and mountains attained during the course of this event makes you forget all about them. The main event was solid, but seemed to be missing something. Maybe it was because we had two babyfaces going at it, with neither wanting to come off as a heel. It’s hard to pull off a match like that, and Deeb and MsChif did an admirable job. In all honesty, I think the biggest problem with the main event is the match that came before it. Busic vs. Melissa was absolutely insane, with both women giving everything they had in a battle of wills. I can’t say enough good things about this match. If anyone wants to make an argument that women can wrestle, this is the match to show.
Kong vs. Martinez and Haze vs. Matthews were right behind Melissa vs. Busic for match of the night. Like Melissa/Busic, Kong/Martinez was hard hitting, with a good old fashion David versus Goliath story behind it. Haze consistently puts on one of the best matches of the night on every Volume. But you can’t take anything away from Matthews-who came out looking like a star by hanging with The Haze. The future is truly bright for Nicole Matthews. The same can be said about Madison Eagles after her nice match with Sara Del Rey.
The Tag Title match was also a solid piece of business. Jetta and Rain work so well together-especially when they have a pair of plucky babyfaces to play off of. The ending was somewhat convoluted, and could’ve been done another way to give the champs a clean title victory. Even though their contests weren’t up to the level of the aforementioned matches, Melanie Cruise, Eagles, and Tenille showed they are here to make SHIMMER their spot to shine. Not since its beginning has the SHIMMER roster looked this promising. SHIMMER Volume 23 Is Worth Your Money.