Kensington v McKinley

[UKWF]

Post your RPs for the match below. 2 RP cap, max. 500 words per RP.

[Lowri Moss]

The scene opens to show Natalie - wearing a pair of pale blue jeans and a red jacket - stood by a Nissan Versa Note; in the background, is Grand Forks International Airport.

Natalie takes a step forward, towards the camera, and begins to speak.

'Hi there. Six days from today, I will make my first appearance in a United Kingdom Wrestling Federation ring. I’m looking forward to debuting in the UKWF at KOKO on Sunday, in what will be my first match in the UK in over a year, and my first match anywhere for several months.’

Natalie lets out a sigh.

'On Thursday, it will be four months to the day since my most recent match. My absence from competition has been due to circumstances beyond my control - circumstances that have left me frustrated - and so when I was offered the chance to appear on the next UKWF show, I didn't think twice before accepting. I just pity the poor girl that I get to relieve some of my frustrations on: one Katherine Kensington.’

Natalie cracks her neck.

'I know some people find Katie annoying, but I'm not one of them. In fact, I feel like I ought to apologise to her in advance for what is going to happen next weekend: I'm sorry, Katie, for the pain I will inflict upon you on Sunday. I want you to understand that it's nothing personal, I just have a lot of pent-up anger - stemming from my enforced exile from the ring - and this match will provide me with the opportunity to finally release it; whoever had been picked to be my opponent, there would have been a beating in store for them - it’s just unfortunate for you, Katie, that you were the one unlucky enough to be chosen.’

Natalie laces her fingers together, and then cracks them.

‘Katie has already had a taste of what I’m capable of, as she and I have been opponents once previously. She can at least take solace in the fact that this time, I won’t be able to use a kendo stick in our match - instead, Katie just needs to worry about me wrapping my arms around her, and suplexing her around the ring.’

Natalie smirks.

‘It’s apt that the name of this Sunday’s show is “Punishment Due,” as that is what lies in store for Katie. Judging by what she tweeted a week ago, Katie is excited about our forthcoming match. However, once I get my hands on her, that excitement will soon turn to panic.’

Natalie cracks her knuckles again.

‘It has been a while since I have said this to anyone, but it still rings true: Katie, Nat will tear you apart again.’

Natalie nods her head confidently. She then repeats her statement, for emphasis.

‘Nat will tear you apart again.’

Natalie stares in the direction of the camera for a few seconds, before turning around and getting into her rental car, and as she drives off, the scene fades to black.

[Lowri Moss]

The scene opens to show the water tower in Pembina, North Dakota. From out of sight, Natalie’s voice is heard.

‘I have spent the past few days here in the Northern United States visiting a friend, who has been doubling as a training partner, helping me to prepare for what is to come on Sunday evening, when I’ll be around four thousand miles away, in London, setting foot inside a UKWF ring for the first time.’

As the camera pans down, into view comes Natalie, who is stood at the foot of the water tower, wearing a pair of dark blue jeans and a green moleskin coat.

‘With how long it has been since my last match, I would be looking forward to finally getting to step inside a ring again - any ring - no matter where the show was taking place, but the fact that my return to competition will happen on a show in the UK merely adds to my excitement for my upcoming match against Katie Kensington.’

Natalie rubs her chin, considering something.

‘It seems that when I last spoke on camera, I came across as being belligerent - I would prefer to think that I was simply being assertive, but whatever the case, I’ll try to be a calmer Natalie this time.’

She then smiles at the camera.

‘A week and a half ago, Katie said that she “cannot wait”to face me, and as I’ve already stated, I too am excited for our match. We’re going to be in a prominent position on the show, and I’m sure that Katie will not want to disappoint her Katie Kats with her performance, while I want to give those in attendance something to remember. After all, who knows when - or even if - I’ll set foot in a UKWF ring again? I want to make a good impression on the fans - culminating, of course with me being victorious.’

Natalie clenches and unclenches her fists, unconsciously.

‘Katie isn’t at all responsible for the apparent aggression that I displayed earlier in the week - she’s just going to be an unfortunate victim of it. I don’t bear Katie any ill will - I don’t want to seriously hurt her, I just want to beat her.’

Natalie sighs slightly.

‘Katie can sometimes be too good for her own good, but I’m not looking to take advantage of her, I’m just looking to take advantage of the opportunity that has been presented to me by UKWF - the opportunity for me to compete again inside a ring, for the first time in four months. It’s an opportunity that I’m determined to make the most of, and that means that I can only allow there to be one outcome.’

Following the shortest of pauses, Natalie continues.

‘Nat will tear you apart again.’

Natalie takes a breath.

‘Well, it’s time for me to go. I shall see you all on Sunday, in London; bye for now.’

As a smiling Natalie waves at the camera, the scene fades to black.

[UKWF]

From Katherine Kensington's Personal Tumblr

Perhaps they were right. Perhaps this is not at all a good idea. Perhaps I am being silly. After all, I did tell myself UKWF was a fresh start, that I would no longer entertain ludicrous notions about making a career out of grappling. If my previous attempts were anything to go by, settling for a role as ring announcer while I concentrate on my other, more successful pursuits really did seem like the most sensible option. Does Daddy not often say, after all, that I have quite a musical voice? And John, of course, adores my voice – but then, is there anything that man does not love about me?

And yet...something inside me stirred at the prospect of facing Natalie McKinley. One of my first adversaries, in my very first run as a grappler. Is it not ironic that that one ended up being the least ill-fated out of all my subsequent attempts? Hard though I tried – and I truly did try much too hard, considering – I at least was regarded with some form of consideration. I at least had people genuinely care for my well-being. I at least had friends.

Natalie was not one of those friends. She came into SCW at a time when I had already come to terms with the fact that perhaps grappling was not for me. She is, therefore, not quite as near and dear to my heart as darling Dazi, for instance. Yet neither is she someone I bear particular ill-will towards. Much to the contrary. I admire her for being able to live out the career path that I, personally, could not. I admire her for achieving her goals without compromising her principles or her beliefs for the sake of increased success. I respect her as a grappler, and as a person.

Which is why I am so vocally anticipating our confrontation on April 10. Not because I hold any particular grudge towards her, not to rekindle a rivalry we both know never existed, and most definitely not because I anticipate an easy victory; simply because I look forward to seeing how far my grappling skills have come in the past two years, and how they stack up when compared to hers. I look forward, not to beating her, but simply to facing her, regardless of result. Because I am keen to test myself, to appraise myself, before I give up on my silly notions entirely.

But do excuse my rambling, Katie Kats – I shan't take another moment of your time! I simply sought to address some of the messages I have been receiving with regards to my scheduled bout at Punishment Due, and offer some clarification as to the motives behind my volunteering to be Natalie's opponent. I do hope you make the effort to come down to the KOKO Club on the 10th and support me and the company.

See you all there!

Katie

xx

Final Word Count: 492

[UKWF]

The latest video on UKWF.com shows company ring announcer, Katherine Kensington-Trevelyan, sitting in the living room of the apartment she shares with UKWF General Manager Johnny Ajax. As the video opens, she offers the camera her most winning smile.

'Good evening, Katie Kats. I hope everyone is having a splendid week, and looking forward to UKWF's third event. It is less than forty-eight hours away – I hope everyone has purchased their ticket by now!'

The brunette's smile widens as she moves on to the topic at hand.

'Those who have read my little ramble on Twitter will be aware of how excited I, personally, am by the prospect of facing Natalie. Some say this is a rematch two years in the making, but I would not go quite that far – that would imply people would have interest in seeing us face off again, and I am not sure that is accurate...'

The ring announcer shrugs modestly.

'At any rate, I am certainly keen to measure forces with Natalie. When we originally met at Sin City Wrestling, we were but rookies, taking our first steps in the business. Now, two years later, we find ourselves having travelled down wildly divergent career paths. Natalie is, of course, a household name. She, out of the two of us, is the one who achieved things, who has enough name recognition to make guest appearances in small promotions such as ours. For which, by-the-by, we thank you heartily.'

Another smile.

'Little Katie, in the meantime, has made several, varyingly successful attempts to break through. Despite my best intentions, however, I still find myself at a developmental level, far from Natalie's own. Some would say my heart would make up for it, but alas – she has that in droves as well.'

The grin is rueful this time around.

'I shall, therefore, treat our special feature main event on Sunday evening as a test of sorts. A test to see how I fare against a real athlete, a real grappler, a real star. I am not expecting victory, nor shall I promise it. But I shall promise to endeavour my best to take Natalie to the limit. Not only does she deserve no less, but it is the only way for me to assess where I stand in relation to her. Plus, with both of us coming off long periods of inactivity, it is important we each test our own limits, so as to assess where we stand with regards to fitness.'

Katherine smiles again.

'So yes, Natalie – I am very, very excited. And I am glad the aggression you displayed in your first video was merely a result of competitiveness, and that you bear me no ill will. As for Nat tearing me apart again...well, it may well prove true, much like the first time. I assure you, however...I shall not go down easily.

See you Sunday, dear.'

With these words, and another smile from Katie, the video comes to an end.

Final Word Count: 499