8 Years Ago: Renee Steinhauser VS. Bengal

[BengalTheBlazeTiger]

The referee grasped Bengal's wrist, raising her arm above her head. It was obvious that he didn't care much for the match results either, but he still had a job to do. "Ladies and gentlemen," the ring announcer called out, "The winner of the match, by submission...THE BLAZE TIGER! BENGAL!"

The crowd continued to boo, but Bengal didn't even seem to notice. Her attention was focused on the unconscious form of Renee, slumped at her feet. She bent down and pulled the Renegade up roughly by her long black hair, hissing into her ear: "You might get the loudest cheers, because of your looks. But you're nothing without me! Nothing! Remember that." She released her grip. Renee collapsed back onto the canvas, like a marionette with its strings cut. Bengal continued to flex and pose over her, taunting the enraged crowd.

It was clear that most of the fans were disgusted by the way Bengal had treated her partner. One member of the audience, however, was feeling quite different - the talent scout. He had pulled his phone back out of his suit pocket, and was busy texting one of his contacts. The league he represented currently had one spot open, and he had just the wrestler in mind to fill the position...

[ReneeCockyUndercard]

An hour later after the match, Renee would be sitting in the medical room. She was still groggy from being knocked out while the local hospital team were checking to see if the concussion was still lingering. Luckily, Renee was cleared of no permanent damage to the brain.

As Renee would be laying on the stretcher, she would overhear a conversation going on outside of the medical room. She would get up and listen in on who was talking outside of her hospital room at this time.

[BengalTheBlazeTiger]

Renee quietly peeked her head around the corner of her hospital room. She saw Bengal, talking to a man she didn't recognize. The Tiger had changed out of her flashy ring outfit into plainer clothes: sweatpants and a black tank top. The man, however, was dressed much more formally, with a dark suit and crisp dress pants. He was leaning toward Bengal, showing her something on the screen of his smartphone. He was talking quietly, but Renee could just make out his words: "-just one position open, as you can see. No spots for tag teams at the moment. So, what do you say? Ready to make some real money?"

"No, I understand," Bengal answered, seeming hesitant. "It's just...there was a time when I thought I'd stick with Renee forever..."

"After tonight?" The dark-suited man laughed. "I don't think Renee will ever want to see you again, let alone tag with you." He slipped his phone into his pocket dismissively, and began to walk away. "Maybe I was wrong about you, Bengal. Maybe you like wrestling in a dump like this."

"WAIT!" Bengal cried out. "I'm still interested. I just...I just wanted..." Her voice grew bolder, though there was still a desperate edge to it. "I wanted to make sure that no-talent waste Renee wouldn't follow me into the big leagues. I can't have her distracting me, you know?"

"Ah." The talent scout turned back around, grinning widely. "In that case, we have a deal." He held up his index finger. "Just one more thing. My client wants you to cut a heel promo, before you leave. Say some nasty stuff about Renee, the other wrestlers, the whole TAW organization. It'll help build heat for your real debut. That won't be a problem, will it?" He looked at the young fighter pointedly.

"N-no," Bengal stammered. "Of course not." The two said their goodbyes and headed off down the hallway in opposite directions. Renee stood rooted to the spot, stunned by what she'd just heard.

[ReneeCockyUndercard]

Renee couldn’t believe it. After the breakup of the Desert Tigers, Bengal was basically abandoning TAW and more importantly, Renee. She thought that they were gonna be a package deal. A 2 for 1. But it seems like that changed overnight with Bengal accepting the deal. However, Renee couldn’t be mad at Bengal for jumping on the opportunity. This was her big break and it wouldn’t be business savvy of Renee of holding her back just because she isn’t coming with.

After the promoter of a top brand left Bengal, Renee would act like she was still recovering from her head injury. She played very coy about her eavesdropping on Bengal’s conversation but she was still pissed off about how this happened because Bengal decided to go crazy. She then decided to let her anger out with this confrontation.

“What the hell were you doing in that ring. We went over this match over and over and yet you wanted to go into business for yourself? What is wrong with you?”

[BengalTheBlazeTiger]

"I don't know what you're talking about," Bengal snapped back. "I won that match, fair and square. Sorry if you can't deal with that." Of course, she did remember the plans she'd made with Renee, but she wasn't about to admit it. Besides, that all seemed so distant now.

"I have a chance to get out of this no-name, no-money league, and I'm taking it. Are you telling me you wouldn't do the same?" she continued. "I should be asking what's wrong with you."

[ReneeCockyUndercard]

“So you’re just gonna leave me here? I thought we made an agreement the day we met. We are a package deal. Wherever you go, I follow. And in case you’ve forgotten, WE ARE THE TAW CHAMPIONS! We’re supposed to be defending these titles next week. But maybe you got blinded with the fact of making it out of this place we built for all the glimmer and glamour.”

[BengalTheBlazeTiger]

Bengal's only response was a shrug. "So? You still don't get it, Renee. I don't care about TAW anymore. I'm going to be a singles star, and the Rogue Tigers are going to be history. If you want to defend that title, you'll have to find someone else to put up with you." She elbowed past her former partner and left the room. "Get out of my way. I have a promo to get ready for."

(Next week, Bengal's promo was broadcast live at the TAW arena...)

I've heard people say that goodbyes are hard. Well, those people don't know what they're talking about. I definitely won't have any trouble saying goodbye to this trashy league. You people don't matter, and it's clear that I never mattered to you. I've outgrown you, and it's time to move on.

To all my former opponents - I'm sure you'll miss me beating your asses every week! And to a certain, so-called Renegade...good luck defending a tag title with a team of one. Maybe now you'll see that you always depended on me, not the other way around.

Later, losers! I'd say that I'm looking down on you. But the truth is, I'll be so far above you that I won't even see you anymore. You'll see me, though. And you'll all remember my name!

[ReneeCockyUndercard]

Renee’s music started playing as she walked down the ramp, holding onto both TAW championships in one hand while holding her head with the other. She also had a mic as she entered the ring as she wanted to say “goodbye to her friend on her journey”.

“So this is how you wanna leave the business we built up together? Gonna go mocking the fans that cheered for our team through every single blood, sweat and tear that came out of our bodies? Well shame on you. But I understand. Wrestling is a business and if you’re going on to bigger and better opportunities, I cannot stop you. You go out there and be a jobber that everyone believes you’ll be once you step out of TAW. But that’s not why I came out here. I came out here to send my sends off to you on the horrible career you’ll have after TAW. And remember, this is just business now.”

Suddenly, Renee bashed Bengal in the head with the TAW championship. She then stood over Bengal as the Chuckle Sisters came running down the ramp, holding onto the “Tag Pole”. Were they? Yes! The flag has been planted on its holster. A tornado tag team match for the TAW championships is now live. The referee sprinted down and Renee held up Bengal for the match to begin. Renee then delivered the Renegation before getting off of Bengal. One of the Chuckle Sisters lifted the leg of Bengal. 1! 2! 3! It’s over. Renee rolled out of the ring and walked backstage as the Chuckle Sisters are crowned new TAW champions. This was definitely not what Bengal wanted her last moments in TAW to be. This was pretty much personal between Renee and Bengal as the Desert Tigers were no more and the bond between Renee and Bengal was now shattered.

End