It's been MANY years since I wrestled for a wrestling video promotion. In fact until I started wrestling with Sam and Gemma about a year ago, I had been a long time inactive. But this week, out of the blue I got a message from someone claiming to be the daughter of my old video producer, who found me through social media.
'Hi Becky,
I am hoping that this message finds you well. You won't remember me, I'm Dani, Ben Marshall's daughter.
I need to start my message with some sad news, my dad recently passed away and it's related to his death that I contact you. As a tribute to my dad, I have decided to resurrect his old pantyhose wrestling video company, and I am hoping to start it off with some new faces but also with some of the original talent that worked for him. I know you were always my dad's favourite wrestler, so I am coming to you to ask if you would participate.
Hope to hear from you soon
Dani'.
Out of respect for Ben, I reply and provide Dani with my telephone contact details and ask her to call me the following evening when Sam is out. I think she at least deserves the courtesy of me declining the offer in person.
* * *
The phone rings and I greet Dani and gave her my condolences, as we get acquainted. Then the conversation moves to her proposition.
"So, Becky, I'd really love it if you would shoot some matches for us. I know my dad loved you, and I'm sure you getting involved would make him smile down as he watches over us." Dani begins.
Wow, nice emotional blackmail!
"Look, I'm really sorry Dani but I will have to say no. Firstly, I'm not in the physical condition I was when I worked with your dad. Secondly, I'm not sure that my employers would take too kindly to this if it came to their attention. So I'll need to say no." I say firmly.
"Ok, I understand. That's a real shame, as I had a real box office match lined up for our launch." She responds with obvious disappointed in her voice.
Then despite the fact that I had an opportunity to close the conversation there, curiosity gets the better of me, and I enquire further.
"So what were you thinking of for that match then?" I ask.
"Do you remember your handicap tag match with Japanese sisters called Aiko and Kiwa Ohno?" Dani asks.
"Do I remember?" I snap rhetorically. "Never has a family had a more apt name than the Ohnos. I mean I've barely gotten over the aching joints from that beating. So if you want me to repeat that, it's a much more definite no."
"It's just that match was by far our most popular title. So we wanted to relaunch with a twist to that video." Dani coaxes.
"What do you mean a twist?" I enquire. I mean why can't I just shut up?
"We thought it would be a great idea to introduce the new company with a new generation of wrestlers, with you wrestling Aiko's and Kiwa's daughters, to cross the timespan." Dani explains.
"Oh right, so instead of wrestling another veteran, you want me to get in the ring with a couple of vivacious youngsters, so I can really get my ass kicked?" I ask rhetorically.
"Five." Dani says.
"Five what?" I ask, confused by the response.
"Between them they have 5 daughters. So we were thinking a squash match, with you in a ring with one opponent and team mate waiting to tag-in from each corner." Dani adds, like it's the most reasonable request ever.
"A squash match? You're not fucking kidding, I'd be lucky to get out alive." I reply, exasperated. "I mean do you think I'm totally fucking insane?"
"We'd pay you well, we have sponsor willing to pay you $5,000 for the match." She continues.
"I wouldn't do it for a million!" I bark. That's probably a lie, but without wanting to boast, I'm not short of five grand, so that's not a convincer.
"Ok, well thanks for listening Becky and if you change your mind you know how to contact me." Dani closes.
With that we hang up.
* * *
Bizarrely, despite how ridiculously unattractive Dani's offer had been, I can't get it out of my head. My primary thought has been Sam. Christmas is coming up and shooting a new video would be a great gift. I know from the view data on her computer that my match with the Ohnos is her favourite, in fact she's watched it more than all of the other videos combined (man that girl loves watching me suffer and disgraced).
But still, should I really do this?
Well predictably once my mind had got to that point, it was 90% made up and accordingly, I contact Dani and accept the match.
* * *
I have taken the day off work and told Sam I am going 'Christmas shopping', which is sort of true.
I turn up at the studio and am met by Dani. A gorgeous mid-20-something, probably nearly 6 feet tall, magnificent breast, legs to die for and most strikingly, long BLUE hair (that must take an age to dye). And who, if truth be told, I wouldn't have minded hitting the mats with given the opportunity! Dani takes me to show me the facilities, the ring and the dressing rooms, which are much nicer than the ones I was accustomed to way back when. She then introduces me to the camera women, Rose and Fae. Two pretty girls, around the same age as Dani, both slim and around my height but with a much less eye-catching look than Dani. Once the tour is over I return to my dressing room to shower and dress for my match. And in all this, I have still to meet my opponents.
Well I make my way, alone, into the room with the ring. There I am greeted by a sight which makes my stomach churn. Standing in the ring is the statuesque Dani, looking spectacular in a fitted, black and white striped 'ref's style' dress, sheer black pantyhose and heels. Flanking her, and focussed on me are Rose and Fae, cameras in hand and bizarrely for an off camera role, also dressed up, wearing matching white playsuits, sheer white pantyhose and white knee length boots. But it's what's behind them that struck fear into my heart. Five exquisite, young Japanese ladies, all with a predictably strong familial resemblance both to each other and to the ladies I was beaten and humiliated by, so long ago. It's that flashback that hits me. But nevertheless it's too late to back out now, so I climb into the ring.
My five opponents really do look like clones, all around 5 foot 6 (slightly taller than me), with gun barrel straight, short black hair. They have dark eyes, full red lips and beautiful smooth skin. And all very beautiful. They are also all dressed in matching outfits tiny, metallic red bikinis, over sheer to the waist, seamless, black pantyhose. They range in age from 18 to 24, from what I am told, not that I could have told you which is which, to me they all just look very young!
I am dressed a little more modestly, also in sheer black hose but in black spandex shorts and sports bra. In fact, apart from a few more lines on my face and couple more pounds on my figure, I look much has I had for my previous encounter with this family.
"Firstly introducing a legend of the ring, with a record of 95 matches, 71 wins and 24 defeats, the Icon Belle Black." Dani announces, as I climb into the ring.
"Hi Belle." My opponents greet me, in a kind of harmony. Their Californian accents apparent, which is where their mom's had relocated 20 years ago.
"Hi." I respond simply. Trying to hide my terror. Unsuccessfully though I would wager.
Firstly to explain, Belle Black is my ring name, which I use to protect a certain amount of anonymity. And secondly, 95 matches, wow, I wouldn't have put the number that high though I'm pretty sure I remember each defeat.
"Then Belle's opponent in this handicap tag match, in this corner, well in all of them actually is Team Ohno mark 2." Dani adds with a giggle.
As she introduces them, the girls close in and sort of encircle me, trying to intimidate me. It's working, whilst before I walked out here is way just afraid, now I am utterly petrified, in fact not far from tears.
"Jaz is going to start, so the rest of you go to a corner and do not enter the ring, unless legally tagged." Dani commands.
The ladies respond to the instruction, leaving me and Jaz (apparently is her name) standing face to face in the centre of the ring.
"Rules 60 minute time limit, unlimited tags and a 10 second handover period." Dani explains. "Any questions?"
I think my question of 'what the fuck am I doing here?' is probably more for me than for Dani, so I just shake my head. I mean a whole hour of 5 on 1 wrestling, with fitter and younger opponents... Sam had better enjoy this, because I'll wager I won't!
The bell rings and I engage my adversary. Well things have started OK. We lock up and I am holding my own, so that's a start. Then the first problem with my situation becomes obvious to me, each direction that we move, we get closer to one of my opponent's team mates, all eager to tag in.
It doesn't take too long for the inevitable to happen and we end up in a corner and the tag comes. Ten seconds isn't long but it's long enough for the incoming fighter to be able to land a knee to my guts, whilst I'm still occupied by her partner. It wasn't hugely damaging, just enough to wind me, and to make me sink to my knees. Following up she grabs a handful of my hair and almost drags me to the next corner, where she immediately tags. She holds my head up as my next opponent enters and she quickly throws a knee into my face, ouch. Then each taking a hand, they stand me up and throw me across the ring into the far corner. Followed up by a body check, sandwiching me into the turnbuckle.
Another tag promptly follows and yet another fresh combatant enters. This time I'm held in the corner, kept upright by a strong grip in my hair as the new girl lands a few punches directly to my breasts. Jeez that hurts, as it brings a tear to my eye. But not dwelling on that she swiftly moves on, grabbing an arm she forces it up my back, and predictably shoves me to the final corner, to meet my last remaining un-encountered foe.
This time after the tag, my two opponents, outgoing and incoming take hold of me from each side and flips me, launching me into the air. I land on my back with a thud in the centre of the ring. About 2 minutes on the clock I have already faced 5 different opponents, been beaten senseless and am lying, defenceless, on my back in the middle of the ring. This could be the worst mistake of my life.