Anyone who has achieved championship status knows that the belt around their waist puts
a bullseye on their back. A champion has to constantly be aware of threats to their
reign, and to do what they can to prepare for them.
Unfortunately, being a Champ is by its nature a defensive position; challengers
strike at you, and you must hold your ground. Contenders have much more flexibility
of being able to pick the time and place for going on the offensive, seeking for
that moment with the Champion is most vulnerable.
Since winning the PGWA belt this past August, ThunderKitty has had plenty of time
to look over the wrestling landscape and take careful note of the biggest challenges
on the horizon. Her conclusions about this remain her own, as she has not discussed
her observations. Nonetheless, the PGWA Commissioner’s office has been likewise
studying the scene, and has drawn some conclusions of their own.
These then are the five women ranked as the top contenders for the PGWA crown as of now:
5) NEMESIS – It goes without saying that the recently deposed Champion, who held the
belt for a near-record breaking six years, would automatically be a contender. And
almost certainly “Big Mama”, still in the prime of her career and at the peak of her
abilities, would like to regain the strap. But interestingly she has not demanded the
rematch she would most certainly receive, and there is speculation that, while she’s
sorry she lost the belt, she’s nevertheless enjoying a respite from the demands of the
championship. If this is true, ThunderKitty can look forward to an interval where
she doesn’t have to worry about Nemesis coming after her…but like a storm cloud in the
distance, the former titleholder will remain a looming threat, and someday in the
not-too-distant future, she may just appear with devastating results.
4) JENNIFER THOMAS – Simply put, Jennifer is a fighting machine! Her magnificently
sculpted body is primed for the roughest action, and her skills in the ring are
indisputably spectacular. Indeed, if there’s a woman in the sport who could collect
multiple title belts with almost ridiculous ease, it’s Thomas. That she hasn’t isn’t
indicative of any failing on her part…she just hasn’t been very interested in going
after gold. But then, the PGWA title isn’t just any belt…its spiritual lineage goes
back to the PGWA’s first Commissioner, the legendary Penny Banner, and the women who
have possessed that ten pounds of leather and gold include such superstars as Susan
Green, Judy Martin, Leilani Kai and Nikki Roxx. With a pedigree like that, even
Jennifer might be sorely tempted to try and take the belt from ThunderKitty.
3) MILA NANIKI – Although still a relative newcomer to the sport, at least in comparison
to the other women on this list, Mila has rapidly established herself as a force to be
reckoned with. Having already declared herself the ‘First Lady of the PGWA’, it stands
to reason that she would want…if not DEMAND…that she possess the belt. Fantastically
skilled and virtually fearless in the ring, Mila is a genuine threat to any champion.
Thus far, it is only flaws born of her arrogance and inexperience that have slowed her
quest to dominate the Association, but time will teach her valuable lessons, and before
too long, she may just be the greatest menace ThunderKitty must face.
2) ALLIE PARKER – If there is one woman who is truly beloved by PGWA fans these days,
it’s Allie. They admire her determination in the face of relentless dangers. They share
in her joy of winning, as well as in her disappointment in defeat. And it comes as no
surprise that the Commissioner’s office has received multiple requests from the fans that
Allie get a shot at ThunderKitty. And frankly, the PGWA would love to make that happen
as soon as possible. But somewhat ironically, it is Allie’s own success which has thus
far made such a booking impossible. She is in such demand across the United States and
around the world, she hasn’t had the chance to ask for a title shot. And if she were
to win, she knows she would be hard pressed to be available to defend her belt as often
as she would want to. Of course, just because she can’t be available for a match now
doesn’t mean she can’t later.
1) JESSIE BELLE – The number one ranking contender is the woman who, in fact, will be
challenging ThunderKitty for the belt on November the 3rd. The Southern scrapper actually
won a guaranteed title shot earlier this year, but cannily held onto it, biding her time.
When ThunderKitty toppled Nemesis from the throne, Jessie Belle saw her chance, reasoning
that the new titleholder would still be getting her “sea legs” as the Champ, and thus would
be in a vulnerable position. Time will very soon tell if her strategy bears fruit or not.
And fans should by no means consider this list to be definitive. There is always the very
real possibility that someone will come entirely out of left field and make unexpected history.
After all, that’s what ThunderKitty herself did. But one thing remains very certain...
ThunderKitty intends to make good on her pledge to face any and all credible challengers,
and she is just as determined to beat them all and keep her belt!
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