(a portion of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown's Fire youtu.be/NOErZuzZpS8 brings us back.) WC: [/i] At 34 minutes past the hour It's American Sunrise Live in Hartford Connecticut at Mortinson Hall in the Bushnell for a Wednesday morning, 23rd day of May, and we finally have the opportunity to welcome to our microphones the woman whom I have been exceedingly critical of on this program, not for her abilities because honestly, she is the single best woman wrestler in the sport today -- when her head is in the game, that is. With her manager, Eugenio "Lucky" Gutierrez. Please welcome Lisa Darling, Firewoman!
(The building erupts into a near standing ovation for the OOWF star as her music plays ( youtu.be/raql_Hh_NmU ) and the pyro erupts, and while Firewoman remains stoic, Lucky looks a bit relieved that the hall appears to be mostly pro-Firewoman. As the applause dies down, there's a bit of a FI-RE-WOM-AN chant going around, which seems to break Fire's demeanor a bit) WC: [/i] Thank you both for coming out this early, Good Morning.
L: [/i] Good morning.
(Firewoman nods, arms folded.) WC: [/i] Mrs Darling, I'll cut right to the chase here. You are without a doubt one of the best in the business today. But apart from a win here and there, you are languishing near the bottom of the rankings. How is it that the best in the world is on such a horrible losing streak and how will you work your way out of it?
(Fire glares at Wyatt, but when she answers, it's in a calm voice.) FW: [/i] Well, you know the business, Wyatt...I can call you Wyatt, yeah?
WC: [/i] Of course, Mrs--
FW: [/i] No....Firewoman. Or I'm out the door.
(this gets an Ooooo reaction from some of the crowd) WC: [/i] As you wish. Firewoman.
FW: [/i] Anyway, Wyatt
*smiles* this is a business of ups and downs, highs and lows. I'm in a low right now as far as winning matches, but we've put a few wins together and one after the other....pretty soon you have a streak going. As long as one or the other of you stay healthy, right?
WC: [/i] But from where I sit, and forgive me if this is a tender area, your record seems to have sagged a great deal over the past few months since your -- since you -- since your return from your incident with Ecosystem.
(The screen behind Wyatt and Fire shows clips of Fire during the Trinity era) FW: [/i]
*smiling sweetly* You can call it what it was, Wyatt. I've made some peace with it, but ... you're right....death really is something you never really get over, even if you do...well, get over it. But then....look who I'm telling....you know all about that, right?
WC: [/i] More than I care to admit, but let's come back to that in a bit. It just seems to me that apart from what's going on in the ring, you've been, well, distracted with trying to be more domestic and to get your head on straight. Not that I don't applaud that, but it seems that your ring work has suffered. Would you call that a fair assessment?
(Fire continues to stare daggers, but doesn't give anything away with her voice.) FW: [/i] Getting my head screwed on straight after dying not once, but twice...did you know that? They brought me back TWICE! Anyway...that takes a lot of time...a lot of work. So does realizing that there's more out there than wrestling. Having people stand by you, like Alex has stood by me...Well, you know...you had that kind of relationship once...I just never thought I could, or I would, given my background. It really is a blessing, isn't it?
WC: [/i] It can change your life...
FW: [/i] And yeah, my therapist suggested it'd be good for me to really kind of experience family related things in a way I never had been able, although, I'll agree...I have gone a bit overboard. Fortunately though, only one arena was destroyed.
*batistalaughs* (a smattering of laughter flows through the hall as the screen shows the smoldering arena) WC: [/i] By the way, I've teased you about the cookie incident, and I forgot that at the time you had an additional distraction as Commissioner of the OOWF, so I want to also apologize. Being a newbie in the kitchen and trying to deal with all that plus not writing down the recipe, well, those are understandable mistakes... though it was a little costly mistake.
(A smattering of laughter) FW: [/i] Oh yes, it was, and don't think Selena doesn't remind me of it at every opportunity. But fortunately, everyone got out. No one died.
(Someone tries to start a Fire Bakes Cookies chant but they get booed...) WC: [/i] I'll agree that having a great person standing beside you is the most wonderful feeling in the world, but there have been those who have implied -- some have straight out said it, and I'll say it to your face, given the way your marriage started out, have you wondered if the way it all went down was more than an accident, but a plot, a plan, to take you out of your husband's way -- not to say that he hasn't been an excellent husband, especially since your return.
(Screen shows clips of Alex and Fire outside the ring) FW: [/i] Alexander knows me better than just about anyone else on the planet. He would never underestimate me. If I wanted the World Championship Belt, I would go through whomever I'd have to, and that includes him, no matter what our relationship. We've met in the ring since our marriage, and neither of us have cut the other any slack.
WC: [/i] But what if you're wrong?
FW: [/i] Well...then....
(*Firewoman pauses to light up a cigarette, and thoughtfully blow smoke to the ceiling*)... Alexander will be sorry he underestimated me. He can join the club of others who have made that same mistake.
WC: [/i] I don't ...um....There's no smoking in he--
(Lucky shakes head behind Fire, and Wyatt stops that particular sentence. Lucky mouths the words "We'll pay for the fine." and Wyatt mouths back “Yes you will!”) FW: [/i] You're right, though. Our relationship has been better than ... well, than I ever thought I could have or deserved to have, given my background.
(Fire again takes a drag and pauses thoughtfully, watching the smoke rise.) FW: [/i] You know...I think it WAS the incident with Ecosystem....losing me...thinking it was the end...wishing for a second chance....
(She looks straight at Wyatt) And then getting that second chance....big changes for both of us....you know?
WC: [/i] You two have been more than fortunate. Lots of us just don't have that chance, and that moves us to your thoughts regarding my beloved, the late Beth Banner. Given your age, I wouldn't have thought you could have ever seen or heard of her. You're what, 24, 25?
FW: [/i] 28. And I don't know if I ever saw her wrestle live, as we didn't exactly have television, since Ma routinely "forgot" to pay the electric bill. But we would watch videos in Japan when bored, and then Lance and Chris showed me some of her stuff....she was very talented that's for sure.
(Clips of Beth and a much younger Wyatt are shown) WC: [/i] She was indeed. To have classic matches that stand the test of time at such an incredibly young age...
FW: [/i]
(*taking another drag*) You know, there IS one bright spot to her death.
WC: [/i] There...there is?
FW: [/i] She went out at the prime of her career. We didn't have to see her fade into obscurity, or worse...get trotted out every so often like they do to Mae Young every year. THAT, my dear Wyatt...THAT is a tragedy.
(a smattering of applause at this) WC: [/i] I'm sorry, but while I agree in principal with that thought, she was only 25. She missed out on so much. She never got to go to Japan. You know I offered All Japan the sun and the moon to bring Lioness Asuka over, but after Beth beat Dump Matsumoto they insisted that she come over to do the trifecta...Asuka, Masami, and Matsumoto. We were considering that....when it happened.
FW: [/i] Sad...
*Fire shrugs her shoulders though, as if she's not really all that sad* (The death video is shown on the screens as a total mood change comes over Wyatt. His mood changes from civility to confrontational anger ) WC: [/i] Now, I want to lay this out straight, because it seems that everyone wants to talk about Beth's passing as a tragedy for the wrestling world, but no one really considers what it did to her only real family, and that is me. Now Fire, you know what it's like to die, and we talked about this once before, but I want you to put yourself in my exact shoes...You and your husband fighting against your fiercest enemies. Ecosystem has you in a Dragon Sleeper while you watch your brother climb the ropes to crush your husband's skull just like Nancy crushed Beth's...no Dr Freedman niceties,
what would Firewoman Do?(Lucky's eyes pop open as this was clearly not on the preapproved questions list. He puts a hand on Fire's shoulder to keep her from standing up, and then bends down to whisper something in her ear, but it's not necessary. There's a very uncomfortable pause, as Fire simply smiles at Wyatt, but her muscles are tense.) FW: [/i] I can tell you what I wouldn't do, Wyatt. I wouldn't quit. I wouldn't give it all up, sell out, settle down in the middle of nowhere in a nice, safe job. That's not what Alex would ever want. He'd want me to keep fighting, keep living my dream and keep trying to be everything he ever thought I could be.
WC: [/i] (Fuming but faux-polite) Thank you for your honest reaction. It might please you to know that you aren't alone in that assessment...and that I made a mistake 25 years ago in stepping away. This interview today is my first step in changing that, and righting that wrong. But...now that we know where you stand here, I need to ask you a question. You and your husband have pretty much written me off as an old man, irrelevant, someone who doesn’t really have a place in the OOWF today. I'll admit, my wrestling days are long gone, but I've always been a better trainer than wrestler. If you think I'm irrelevant, how about a simple wager. Do you think you could defeat a rookie, just four weeks in training, never appeared anywhere before, in ten minutes?
FW: [/i] *batistalaughs* Is that what this is all about? You need to gain some sort of relevancy, so you've picked some rookie out of the crowd, trained him, and figure you'll get a shot if you harass and annoy me enough?
(Firewoman laughs again, but it's not a batistalaugh.) L: [/i] Fire...let's--
FW: [/i] I mean, have you done you're homework? Do you know what I've done to people who've gotten in the ring who aren't ready to be there? Does the name Johnny Inagawa mean anything to you?
L: [/i] Fire....Mr. Cox, this interview is over.
FW: [/i] Yeah...I can defeat a rookie. Or that rookie can drop me on my head.
L: [/i] We aren't doing this. Let's go.
WC: [/i] I assure you...my rookie is ready. I would never risk a wrestler's life, yours or anyone's. And I didn't find them, they came to ME. They knew of my reputation, knew I was good, and put themselves in my hands. I've been doing this for longer than you've been alive, FIREWOMAN. Putting people, rookies or trained professionals at risk, isn't my job. That's why I take Beth's death exceptionally hard.
FW: [/i] You've been doing radio longer than I've been alive. You left the game long before that.
(Firewoman stands, and Lucky stands between her and Wyatt.) L: [/i] We're done here.
WC: [/i] Well....if you say so. I am sorry that Mrs. Darling is so uncertain of her OWN abilities, that she wouldn't be willing to help a younger wrestler. But if that's how it is...
(Firewoman shoves Lucky roughly out of the way.) FW: [/i] You know what? You're on.
L: [/i] Fire!! No!
FW: [/i] Shut up or you're fired. Wyatt....what's the bet.
WC: [/i](Wyatt rises and picks up the microphone) Simple. Two weeks from tonight. Midweek Mayhem. Pontiac Michigan. You, My Student, one fall, 10 minutes. You pin my student or make them submit in ten minutes, I shake your hand, proclaim you the best in the world, and go away. You DON'T...then you use your influence as former OOWF commissioner and best in the world to get them an OOWF contract.
FW: [/i] Fine.
L: [/i] Fire, I don't think--
FW: [/i] Good, because I don't pay you to think.
L: [/i] You kind of do.
FW: [/i] Wyatt...just a warning...Alex gave a run down of our resumes when it comes to people who cross us. Keep in mind...he doesn't know half of what I've done.
WC: [/i] (Laughs) Oh, Mrs...FIREWOMAN, I know EXACTLY what you can do with me. What do I have to lose? You win, you never hear from me again. You lose and you or Alex take your frustrations out on ME, I'm with my beloved. How do I lose?
FW:[/i] I can be VERY creative when I'm motivated, Wyatt....
WC:[/i] I' haven't a doubt in the world about that. But before we end this segment, would you like to hear from a couple of people who've already seen my training facility?
FW: [/i] What training facility?
WC: [/i] You see, two of your opponents tonight came to East Ely this weekend for a visit, and they recorded a little message just in case you were interested:
(The screen shows Stan Fulton and Mai Muyo as Firewoman once again becomes more angry but keeps it under her hat)
SF: [/i]Firewoman, you and your husband were able to beat Mai and I this week, but after meeting and working out with Wyatt's...surprise, you may have bitten off more than you can chew...
MM:[/i] And when we meet tonight, Stan, the Flyin Hawaiians and myself against you, your husband, and your....”friends” in Texpress, you'll see a different Mai Muyo.
SF:[/i] Wyatt knows his stuff, and you've sold him short. Enjoy the pain.
(Mai lights a flash paper and throws it at the camera as the crowd boos and Fire begins laughing) FW: [/i] You're wrong. I have no interest in what that head case and her new best friend have to say.
WC: [/i]
(Smiles and shakes his head) Well, Firewoman, maybe you will when you take a look at stage left. I don't want you to miss seeing your opponents two weeks from tonight at Midweek Mayhem.
L: [/i] Opponents? Wait a minute, she said..
FW: [/i] Lucky, shut up.
(The curtain parts to reveal two beautiful but well defined women with a steely glare at Fire. Fire struggles a bit but recognizes them.) WC: [/i] Do they look familiar, Firewoman? You might know them as Edna and Chloe. Their real names should be more familiar. Edra – Old English for Powerful, and Clio – a greek name meaning Glory. And though you don't know their family, you've heard me talk about their Uncle and Aunt. You remember, Ned and Nancy. The two people that killed my Beth? Meet the Neil Twins. Power and Glory. And look in those eyes. Do you see it? They have the same fire in them that their Uncle and Aunt did. They're ready for you, Firewoman. Are you?
(Wyatt laughs) (Firewoman looks at Lucky and then looks at her future opponents and back to Wyatt. She looks around to the crowd that is chanting her name. She looks at Lucky who is trying to tell her something, probably "No don't do it," but she can't hear him. She tilts her head a bit, somewhat like Moose would, hearing that other voice. Then...then she breaks out into a somewhat crazy smile, one that we don't see as often as we used to. ) L: [/i] Fire....
FW: [/i] Wyatt's offering me a three way? It would be rude to refuse. So....ladies? Power and Glory? I believe I had you submitting to me once before so...
Bring it.
That sparkles with me.
(Firewoman drops the mic and walks off the stage to her other theme music ( youtu.be/tulPARGsY4Y ), as Lucky follows her, shaking his head.)
(Wyatt walks over to his students, hugs them, and almost looks like a proud father as he holds both Power and Glory's hands in the air....) WC: [/i] Two weeks from tonight Midweek Mayhem from Pontiac Michigan, Firewoman takes on Power and Glory in a handicap match. Tonight on Midweek Mayhem Ghosthead and Crowing face off for the Onslaught title, and 8 man action as the Flyin Hawaiians, Stan Fulton and Mai Muyo face off against Phoenix Rising and the Texpress. By the way, Chad and Zane are in the lobby with a number of the animals here from the Connecticut Humane Society. Thanks to Zevia for their support, thanks to the Bushnell for hosting us, thanks to The Hartford for their support. Support the station and the advertisers please, their kindnesses keep us on every day. I'm Wyatt Cox, American Sunrise, the latest news up in a couple of minutes, and the sun rises again tomorrow morning here on your favorite radio station.
(Theme music up and full as the audience is on their feet as we...)FADE