showcase report

So it's a new week and a new summer season, and Doom Maidens' second NYC Wrestling Showcase is in the books. I've had the chance to catch up on sleep (a little!); Damien has been working furiously to process all the excellent new video footage; Clobberetta vs. the Bulk was released Monday; and my match with Dominique came out just last night!

So in light of all that; I think now's the time for me to take a breath, look back, and offer up my report on the weekend.

First of all, I've got to say that putting on this event wasn't easy. I want to say a HUGE thank you to Rachel Sinclair, who spent 16 hours at the airport on Friday while the airline *tried to find her plane,* and Dominique Danger, who got a big scare when her hotel was almost unable to honor her reservation, for both showing up Saturday in game face and ready to fight. Thank you too to Lady Jaye Diesel for taking two tough matches on short notice when Allana was sidelined with an injury. And thanks to our generous sponsor who helped make this happen.

Now, best of all: the matches! We opened up with Rachel vs. Joe Jitsu, in which Rachel demonstrated her scissoring skill much to Joe's dismay.

My match with Dominique followed, and I was *very* happy with how this one went. This was a big challenge for me as I'm just coming back from a broken foot, and Dominique would count as one of the toughest opponents I've faced on any day! Not only did my foot hold up, but we both worked super hard and had a very fun, exciting, awfully sweaty match.

Jaye Diesel vs. Jay was next. The Showcase was my first time meeting Lady Jaye, and I have to say I did envy her shoulders. The match was a neck-and-neck close battle between two quite skilled grapplers. Jaye's matches sadly can't be released on video, but we respect her need for discretion, and it did create a special treat for our live event attendees.

Doom Maidens' own Amazon Annie next took on visitor Sherry Stunns, and I do believe Annie was surprised by Sherry's undaunted tenacity and fierceness when faced with Annie's superior size and technique. Excellent job, Sherry! And Annie too, of course. A close fight.

Next came the grudge match of the event: Clobberetta vs. the Bulk. These two had been trash talking each other for the last month, and I know they'd both been backing up the smack with dedicated training. So I'm very proud of both of them for their hard work, the big gains they've made in their grappling games, and the great show they put on Saturday. However, one of these two giants did get cut down to size...

Sherry vs. Rachel was our penultimate fight, and this one was a match like no other we've seen at Doom Maidens. I've never before witnessed two ladies who could be quite so playful and friendly while also trying to squeeze each other's heads off. Also, props to Rachel for the cutest sport shorts I've ever seen.

Aaaaand finally, our main event! Dominique and Jaye Diesel took to the mats, each bringing significant muscle and BJJ tournament experience. Jaye learned the disadvantage of wrestling in fishnets when every bit of slipperiness counts, but friction didn't hold her back *too* much. The match was so close it had to be decided in overtime.

After the show, wrestlers and guests hung around to chat and a few casual matches and impromptu extra videos took place. Rachel issued a challenge to the newest Doom Maiden Orlandoe -- or maybe it was the other way around; I don't know how these ladies started fighting -- and I tussled with Joe Jitsu.

After a much needed sushi feast with Amazon Annie and Hanz Vanderkil, Clobs, Damien, Joe Jitsu, his wife Mischa, and I headed out to the Stimulate dance party for a late night of celebrating. So much fun and so exhausting! I slept in on Sunday and really had to hustle to get to our second day of shooting.

Unfortunately on Saturday, Sherry had mysteriously fractured her elbow. She's not sure how it happened and it didn't even bother her until later that night, but she and I had to put off our planned match together. Really too bad! Rachel and I got to roll, though, and that was a fun match. Dominique also gave the Bulk a "birthday bashing." Way to go, Bulk! Over 50 and you've still got it -- the ability to get physically demolished by ladies, that is! And after everything was all over, Clobberetta and I had a quick, for-fun roll just to let off all the event-managing steam.

She and I headed over to the Folsom Street East Leather Fair afterwards to work late volunteer shifts and totally exhaust ourselves. It's too bad Joe and Mischa, who're the organizers of KGB (Kinky Grappling Boston), had to head home early Sunday or we would most certainly have hauled them along. Hot, hot evening sun, and the smells of leather and sunscreen really make for a perfect summer experience. Made *more* perfect by the following long walk through the West Village to the best gelato place in New York. That was *the* way to top off the weekend and treat myself after a job well done.

Now most of our guests have already left, and the rest will be headed out soon. So in conclusion, I'll say safe travels to everyone left with a journey to make, and THANKS AGAIN to all of you who made our Showcase weekend possible.