Flora vs. Barbara - The Prelim
Preparation for the Match

With the auditions for the professional wrestling federation concluded, neither Barbara nor Flora had earned an invitation to continue. But Joe, the owner of the federation had made an offer to each of them. First he suggested that they not only work on their physical conditioning, but also that they train with an experienced pro wrestler. He offered to find someone to help with their wrestling training if interested.

So dutifully, Barbara began placing her calls to Joe at 9:00 AM the next morning. Though her audition hadn’t gone well at all, Barbara was ready to take the next step toward improving, and was anxious to work with a pro. Getting the answering machine the first few times, Barbara relentlessly called him every hour until finally he picked up the phone.

Joe told Barbara that there was a retired wrestler named Madeleine who might be interested in working with her. Madeleine went by the name of Ms. Liberty when she wrestled and though retired, was interested in finding ways to keep active within wrestling. Barbara had never heard of Ms. Liberty, but was nonetheless excited about getting the chance to work with a real, pro wrestler. Joe gave Barbara the phone number, and wished her luck, but before he hung up, he informed her that if she worked with Madeleine and improved her skills, he would be willing to let Barbara work a match against Flora on his amateur night show which was 6 weeks away. Barbara was elated. Though her audition was a disaster, she knew that if she could work with a pro wrestler until then, she would be ready. That night Barbara called Madeleine and the two began to talk. They hit it off right away, and finally agreed to meet at the gym in a couple of days.

Madeleine was excited as well. In her early 50’s, she had retired from professional wrestling a few years earlier, but still had the “wrestling bug” and occasionally arranged a private match for herself. Helping to train an amateur wrestler or two might be a good way for her to keep sharp she thought, so she was happy to do it. Joe had told her about both Barbara and Flora, and although Barbara was the only one to call her, Madeleine was ready to get started.

She reserved the federation’s wrestling ring for an hour, Joe allowing her to use it for free in order to work with the amateurs. After an initial assessment of Barbara’s skills, Madeleine decided to start at the beginning. Barbara was in good shape and had some decent skills, but she was very raw and lacked experience. They spent the next three weeks going over most of the basics of pro wrestling, Barbara a very devoted student. She absorbed all of the information Madeline was passing along, soaking it up like a sponge. But in addition to working with Madeleine, Barbara also listened to Joe’s advice about getting herself into better physical condition. So in the time when she was not training with Madeleine, Barbara hit the gym and worked hard on her body.

Madeleine was impressed with her student’s work ethic. Though 40 years old, Barbara was obviously willing to put in the effort needed to succeed, and Madeleine respected her greatly for it. Madeleine herself had always had to work hard to stay in shape since it didn’t come naturally to her. And since she wrestled into her late 40’s, she knew how hard it was to remain dedicated to working-out as a woman grew older, so Madeleine really admired Barbara’s dedication. But she also knew that there was something missing from Barbara’s training. It was time for her to get some “live” action in the ring in preparation for the amateur night match, and Madeleine decided to place a call.

If Barbara was going to have to face Flora in the amateur night match, it would be a good idea for them to start to get familiar with each other in the ring. Familiarity with an opponent always helped to make a wrestler look more prepared for a match, and that was exactly what Barbara needed. So that night, Madeleine took the number that Joe had given her and called Flora.

Flora had a very different personality than Barbara. Where Barbara had taken Joe’s remarks to her after the audition as constructive criticism, Flora had interpreted the advice as an insult. She had no interest in working with a pro wrestler, most especially a retired one. Flora thought her skills were good enough without any training, even though her audition certainly didn’t back up her line of thinking. And though she continued to work-out, she didn’t think her body needed the extra conditioning Joe had advised either. She was brazen and arrogant, and not shy about it.

That night Madeleine called Flora and introduced herself. Flora was curt, but Madeleine nonetheless offered to help train her, an offer that Flora abruptly declined, saying that she was fine on her own. Madeleine was a little taken aback by Flora’s terseness, but continued, knowing that it would still be best for each of them if she and Barbara got together before the match. Though Flora was not interested in training with Madeleine, she nonetheless agreed that it would be a good idea to get some ring experience against the woman she would be facing. But Flora was very clear to state that she was only interested in a preliminary match and not a training session. So after agreeing on a time, Flora hung up, unappreciative of Madeleine’s efforts.

Madeleine was now more determined than ever to help Barbara do well in the match and was anxious to see how her student would hold her own against such a repugnant opponent. Though Madeleine thought that Barbara was a sweetheart, she was worried that her amiable personality might hurt her in the ring. She was too damn nice! But as Madeleine thought about it some more, she smiled, realizing that Joe was setting up the perfect “face against heel” match. Barbara was the lovable housewife and mother, the perfect “face”, while Flora was the obnoxious antagonist, a prototypical “heel”. Having played the role of good guy throughout her career, Madeleine was content to help the “face” win.

The next day Madeleine arrived at the gym early. She walked into the locker room and changed into a pair of black, cotton tights, a black sports bra and a pair of black wrestling boots in order to prepare for her session with Barbara. The two had planned to work together for an hour before Flora arrived in order to get ready, and Madeleine arrived early so she could stretch out. But as she finished changing and stood up, she was surprised to see Barbara walk in, sweating with a towel wrapped around her neck.

“Oh hi Madeleine. I got here a little early to get a quick workout in before our session. I had to go and watch my daughter’s school play last night, so I missed my regular workout.”

Madeleine smiled, appreciative of Barbara’s dedication. But as she noticed the sweat Barbara had worked up already, she was worried that perhaps Barbara might be too tired when it came for her to face Flora. The two women sat down, and Madeleine began questioning Barbara about her strategy for the preliminary match. Though they had been working together several days a week for the past month, it was obvious that Barbara had not given much thought to her match strategy.

So they walked into the gym, climbed up into the ring, and Madeleine began to go over some basic arm and leg holds which might be useful to start the match off. The session went well until finally Flora finally arrived, a half hour late. She walked up into the ring wearing only a skimpy black bikini and no footwear, Madeleine stopping to stare at her as Flora walked right past her, going directly over to Barbara.

“Hey.”, the brunette said, snidely greeting her opponent. “So, are you ready?”

Barbara looked back at her, not sure what to do. She glanced over at Madeleine who stepped forward, introducing herself.

“You must be Flora.”, Madeleine began dryly, still annoyed that Flora had snubbed her. “I’m Madeleine. We spoke on the phone yesterday.”

Flora nodded her head, though didn’t say a word, Madeleine nodding back.

“Do you think it might be a good idea to go over a few moves with each other first?”, Madeleine offered, trying to be helpful.

Flora glared back at her, showing little respect for the former pro. “No, not interested. Like I told you on the phone, I’m only here because we were going to have a preliminary match. So let’s just go for it.”

Madeline looked back at Barbara who took a deep breath and nodded her head, indicating she was ready. Madeleine then told them both that she would stay in the ring in order to act as a ref. Flora smirked, unimpressed by the suggestion though Barbara nodded happily, glad to know that Madeleine would be nearby. The two women then retreated to their corners as Madeleine walked over to Barbara and whispered in her ear.

“Just try to use some of the moves we went over. Pretend that this is the real match, okay?”

Barbara nodded as Madeleine walked back to the center of the ring, waiting for each to indicate that they were ready. Flora looked up and glared across the ring as Barbara bounced in her corner, taking a few final deep breaths.

Dressed in a multi-colored, lycra, sports bra and matching bicycle shorts, black knee and elbow pads and a pair of black, leather wrestling boots, Barbara looked every bit the professional wrestler. She had gone out and bought the pads, along with a new pair of boots, at Madeleine’s suggestion. Her taut body shimmered from the perspiration she had already worked up, highlighting some decent muscle definition she had added recently at Joe’s suggestion.

Contrasting to Barbara’s new wrestling pads and enhanced physical conditioning, Flora looked just as she did during the audition. Wearing the same black bikini, she wore nothing else. She did not own wrestling boots, but even if she did, wouldn’t be wearing them, and didn’t see the need for the knee and elbow pads either. She felt comfortable just like she was, and that was all that she cared about.

She also discarded Joe’s advice to her to work on her conditioning, and though still trying to keep fit, had not worked out with the ferocity that Barbara had shown. She wasn’t much interested in anyone else’s advice, satisfied with her body just as it was. She looked good in her bikini, there was no question about it, and though she lacked Barbara’s budding six pack and newly toned muscles, she wasn’t worried about it.

Finally both women appeared ready so Madeleine slapped her hands together and the match was underway. Barbara moved cautiously, looking nervous and unsure of herself, so Flora pounced, charging across the ring and forcing Barbara back into the corner. Flora then sent a quick knee into Barbara’s gut before grabbing her wrist and whipping her across the ring.

“Okay, good start, good start. Now follow up.”, Madeleine yelled to Flora, trying to be encouraging. But Flora glared at her, irritated by the commentary.

“Look, I’m sure you’re trying to be nice, but just stay out of my way!”

Meanwhile Barbara’s head snapped backward as she hit the corner on the opposite side of the ring. Flora then charged recklessly toward her, ready to deliver a splash, but Barbara quickly spun out of the corner as Flora’s body collided with the turnbuckles. Her legs grew wobbly from the impact as Flora’s arms draped over the top rope.

“Okay, go get her now Barbara.”, Madeleine instructed.

Barbara nodded and moved in, grabbing hold of Flora’s arm and pulling her out of the corner. She pulled Flora with her to the center of the ring and then, clutching onto her wrist with both hands, began to pull Flora around by the arm. Flora charged in a circle, completing a full revolution around Barbara before she let go, sending Flora racing forward before bouncing off of the ropes. As she returned, Barbara dove toward her to deliver a nicely executed cross body block. Flora fell backward as Barbara landed on top of her before rolling away.

As Flora lay on her back, her right leg bent at the knee, a sign of her suffering from the forceful landing. Barbara meanwhile got to her feet as Madeleine looked on, nodding her head to show her approval. Barbara then rushed over and grabbed Flora’s ankle, pulling her a few feet on her back before yanking up on her leg. But as Barbara did, Flora took her free leg and propelled it upward, driving the bottom of her foot directly between the legs of the unsuspecting Barbara. As Barbara howled in pain, snapping her legs together as she limped away, Madeleine rushed in.

“Hey Flora, no kicking there!” Madeleine warned angrily.

But Flora pushed her aside abruptly and stalked Barbara, grabbing her by the hair and hauling her onto her feet. She began to pull Barbara over toward the side ropes, ripping at her hair as Madeleine moved closer, angered again.

“Let go of the hair!”, Madeleine warned, growing increasingly more irritated.

“I told you once already, stay out of my way!”, Flora shot back, again pushing past Madeleine.

Though Madeleine was aggravated with the tactics, Flora was growing irritated too, annoyed that Madeleine was interfering in the match. She did not respect the retired pro, and it showed. Madeleine only wanted Flora and Barbara to have a fair and clean run through, an experience from which they could both learn something, but Flora wasn’t willing to cooperate and Madeleine began to worry about what she might do next.

Her instincts proved correct as Flora dragged Barbara to the side ropes before pressing her throat down against the top one. She then pushed down on the back of Barbara’s head, choking her against the rope. Barbara’s body dangled inside of the ring as Flora continued to choke her, her arms flailing helplessly at her sides. Madeleine moved in, this time grabbing Flora’s arm and pulling on it slightly.

“Hey Flora, last warning!”, Madeleine yelled.

Flora finally let go of the choke, but then turned, pulled her arm free from Madeleine’s grasp and forcefully pushed her.

“And this is my last warning to you. Stay out of my way!”

The two women stared each other down before Flora marched back over to Barbara and resumed the choke. Madeleine rushed over, but as she reached Flora, the brunette then yanked on the top rope, shooting Barbara back into the ring. Barbara rolled over once before landing on her back, her hands raising to her throat.

Madeleine again grabbed Flora by the arm, “I already told you, no choking!” Madeleine warned.

Flora pushed her once more, Madeleine not backing down as the two stood toe-to-toe, a confrontation between them now brewing. But Madeleine did not want to get into it with Flora, knowing that she not only outweighed Flora by about 50 or 60 pounds, but also that she had about 20 years more wrestling experience than the amateur. Though the brunette was offensive, Madeleine knew that she could put the inexperienced brunette away easily, though she had no desire to do so. So as Flora stormed past her, Madeleine bit her lip and stepped aside.

Flora stomped over to Barbara, who by now had gotten onto all fours. Flora grabbed a handful of her thick, honey-colored hair and yanked her the rest of the way up. As Barbara stood erect, Flora came from behind and scooped Barbara up, cradling her in her arms. Barbara looked nervous as her body lay across Flora’s outstretched arms which struggled to hold her. Madeleine watched, not sure what Flora was going to do next, but concerned. Flora had Barbara set up for an over the knee backbreaker, but Madeleine doubted she would go through with it. The maneuver was not only painful to the victim, but dangerous too, and since this was just a preliminary match, it would certainly be uncalled for. But Flora then hoisted Barbara’s body upward before falling to one knee, and Madeleine knew it was coming.

“NO!”, Madeleine yelled, but by then it was too late.

Barbara’s back smacked against Flora’s extended knee, bending in half as Barbara’s anguished groan filled the empty room. Flora sneered, hesitating before dumping Barbara off of her leg as she rolled onto her side, desperately reaching for her aching back. Madeleine rushed over, confronting Flora.

“What the hell are you doing? This is just a preliminary match! Are you trying to hurt someone?”

Flora got her feet and stood in front of Madeleine, glaring into her eyes.

“If you keep interfering, I might just hurt you!” Flora replied threateningly.

“Why don’t you get the hell out of here, I think we’re done for the day!” Madeleine replied before turning to walk over to check on Barbara.

Flora stood there, this time Madeleine brushing past her. Madeleine stared angrily into Flora’s eyes as she strode by, mumbling under her breath.

“Damn amateur”, Madeleine mumbled, loud enough for Flora to hear.

As Madeleine walked by, Flora did not budge, but grew incensed by the accusation. Who the hell did this old lady think she was!

Madeleine knelt down next to Barbara, who was still lying on the mat, rolling on her back to try and ease the pain. But as Madeleine knelt down, facing away from Flora, the petite brunette had worked herself into a rage. Finally she ran over, grabbed a handful of Madeleine’s hair from the back of her head and ripped her upright. Madeleine was stunned, her face cringing, a look of shock in her eyes as she was hauled onto her feet.

“What the hell are you doing?” Madeleine yelled as Flora grabbed her hair with two hands and pulled her the rest of the way up.

“Amateur huh? We’ll see who’s an amateur!”

Madeleine was caught completely off guard, not expecting Flora to be bold enough to try something, but she was wrong. Still, Madeleine thought that Flora would come to her senses any second and let go of her hair before this got personal. But again Madeleine was proved wrong as Flora raced toward the corner, dragging Madeleine along next to her by the hair. As they reached the corner, Flora hurled Madeleine’s head down into the turnbuckle, slamming it into the padding.

Madeleine’s arms sailed over her head, her body quivering from the violent collision, but Flora retained the grip on her hair, wrenching it upward and backing Madeleine up before again slamming her face down into the corner. Madeleine’s legs grew wobbly as her arms scattered out to her sides. But Flora wasn’t done, snatching Madeleine’s head up yet again before ramming it down a third time.

By now Madeleine was dumfounded as her body fluttered in the corner, her arms hanging over the top rope on either side of the corner as her legs struggled to hold her up. But Flora wasn’t done yet, rushing in and smashing the point of her elbow directly between Madeleine’s shoulder blades. The blow knocked Madeleine back into the corner, her arms still draped over the top rope on either side of her. Flora then lifted her leg and slammed the heel of her foot into the small of Madeleine’s back, causing the veteran to groan in anguish. She was being attacked and overwhelmed by the amateur, and was now defenseless to prevent it.

Flora wasted no time, reaching down and grabbing Madeleine’s legs, pulling them apart before lodging each one against her hips. Flora then backpedaled, pulling Madeleine’s legs into the ring as her arms remained locked over the top rope. Madeleine’s body was soon stretched in toward the ring as she tried desperately to keep her armpits latch onto the top rope, but with a quick jerk, Flora yanked them off of the ropes, Madeleine’s armpits and the underside of her arms scratching against the rope before they were pulled completely off of them.

Madeleine’s body soared horizontally in toward the ring as Flora let go of her legs, Madeleine finally falling face first, her body and side of face smacking against the mat. As Madeleine’s body quacked from the landing, she writhed on the canvas. She was hurt, and Flora knew it. Barbara knew it too and though still hurting herself, started to get to her feet. Flora meanwhile ripped Madeleine onto her feet by the hair and backed her into the side ropes, Madeleine wobbling to keep up as she was dragged roughly. Grabbing onto her wrist with both hands, Flora then whipped Madeleine across the ring, running with her half of the way. She gave a final push as they reached the side ropes, Madeleine’s body folded over the top rope as her legs shot up in the air. She did a complete 360 degree spin before her back slammed against the ring apron and she finally fell to the floor below, rolling onto her side.

The ring veteran of 20 years was not wallowing on the floor at ringside, thunderstruck by the inexperienced amateur. Her head and back were in agony as she curled her legs into to her body to try and protect herself. Barbara had witnessed the entire debacle and by now had gotten to her feet. Though still shaky, she wasn’t going to let Flora get away with this. But Flora had a different idea in mind and before Barbara could react, stormed over to her and slammed her knee into Barbara’s taut gut.

Howling, Barbara doubled over as Flora grabbed her hair and pulled her to the side ropes. She forced Barbara backward, her arms circling out to her sides before falling over the top rope. Flora then stepped out through the ropes and onto the ring, apron, grabbing the middle rope and pulling it upward until it was coiled around Barbara’s outstretched arms. Barbara was now trapped, her pretty brown eyes showing her fear as the ropes imprisoned her arms. Flora then climbed back into the ring and with Barbara helpless, rammed her knee repeatedly into Barbara’s midsection before finally backing away. Hanging off of the ropes, Barbara’s head sagged in front of her, her face covered by her hanging hair.

But Flora still wasn’t done yet, climbing out of the ring to confront Madeleine who was on all fours at ringside, her body heaving as she breathed deeply. Flora kicked her in the side, forcing Madeleine to gurgle while rolling onto her back. Though struggling to speak, Madeleine nonetheless was angered by the sneak attack.

“Don’t think this is over!”, Madeleine warned.

Flora sneered down at her, but then hastily grabbed a handful of Madeleine’s hair and ripped her onto her feet. Madeleine reached up with one hand to try and break her grip as she was hauled onto her feet. But Flora was relentless and pulled her veteran victim several feet from ringside before, clutching her hair tightly with both hands, charged toward the corner. Madeleine’s eyes opened widely as they approached, but unable to prevent it, she found her head sailing toward the padded ringpost.

Instantly Madeleine’s the top of Madeleine’s head smacked against it, a muffled moan emitting from her lips before her body began to collapse. She desperately grabbed the pole, wrapping her arms around it to hold her up. Barbara watched it all, but still tied up in the ropes above, could do nothing but yell down at Flora.

“HEY! THAT’S ENOUGH!”

Flora didn’t even bother to look back up at her, still angry with Madeleine, who wallowed against the post. But Flora wasn’t the only one angry. Despite her bewildered state, Madeleine was angry too, though too besieged to do anything about it . She was angry about Flora’s sneak attack, but she was also angry with herself for getting into the predicament in the first place. Madeleine was 53 years old, at least 15 years older than the petite brunette who was pummeling her, but despite their difference in age, Madeleine knew that she should have never turned her back on the angry amateur and was now paying for that mistake.

Flora grabbed her and spun her around so that Madeleine’s shoulders were pressed back against the ring apron. Flora then lunged forward, going for Madeleine’s throat. But the battered veteran wasn’t going to give up without a fight, quickly lifting her knee up into Flora’s soft gut. Though she was exhausted, having not only been subjected to Flora’s pounding, but also the hour long work-out before the match, Madeleine had little vigor behind the blow. Though enough to keep Flora off of her for a moment, it did little more than that.

A moment was all it lasted as Flora doubled over, but then quickly recovered and charged back in, wrapping her hand around Madeleine’s throat to choke her. She pressed Madeleine against the side of the ring, her back arching over the ring apron as her face grew bright red. Squeezing tightly around her throat, Flora continued to choke the veteran, staring into her eyes as she watched her face grew even more red.

“I’m think ready for the match now. Thanks for the training session”, she uttered sarcastically.

Flora then wound her leg and delivered a quick knee into Madeleine’s unprotected gut, causing the full figured brunette to gurgle. But Flora pushed her upward by the throat again before cocking her free arm and delivering a powerful uppercut into Madeleine’s soft tummy.

Madeleine’s body bounded forward as she puffed out a burst of air before falling to the floor. As Madeleine landed on her side, Flora stood over her defiantly.

“Maybe you should be the one in the ring on amateur night. Retired pro, my ass!”

With that Flora turned and walked away, leaving Madeleine gasping for air outside the ring while Barbara remained tied up in the ropes inside of it. Barbara yelled down to Madeleine to ask if she was okay, and slowly Madeleine began to get to her feet. She looked up into the ring and saw Barbara bound in the ropes, slowly climbing back up to free her. Breathing deeply, Madeleine pulled the rope of off Barbara’s arms, the two pausing before they spoke. Finally Madeleine turned to Barbara, her face as she talked slowly, still panting.

“I guess now you know what you’re up against.” Madeleine whispered to Barbara.

“She’s really vicious! I guess I’ve got some more work to do.”, Barbara replied nervously, faced with the prospect of having Flora humiliate her in front of a crowd.

Madeleine turned away, feeling the same way. She had started to wrestle again recently and thought she was making progress. But being so badly pounded by a 105 pound amateur, even if she did it via a sneak attack, was a huge setback for her.

“You’re not the only one who’s got some work to do.”, Madeleine whispered to herself, wincing in pain, but knowing that this wasn’t the last chapter of this story.

THE END

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