Fight night! Mitzi was sitting in her dressing room waiting for the final preliminary match between Sheree North and Marilyn Monroe. Nikki and Cyd were with her, Cyd sitting calmly at Mitzi's dressing table as Mitzi undressed to change into her costume and Nikki nervously pacing and worrying aloud about Mitzi's welfare when she faced 'that heathen' as she had referred to Rita since her comments in Brenda Starr's article. Finally, disgusted with the negative vibes, Cyd got up and told Nikki to leave.
"Make yourself useful," Cyd said pushing Nikki toward the door. "Go watch Sheree and Marilyn. Get some information about Sheree's style or something. Anything we can use later, alright?"
At first, Nikki resisted, but she relented after Mitzi rolled her eyes and waved at her, "Go Nikki. I don't need you two getting into a fight tonight."
Cyd heaved a sigh of relief as she slammed the door behind Nikki. As Sheree and Marilyn were being introduced, a young man delivered a bouquet of flowers for Mitzi. The card, saying simply 'Good Luck' was signed by Frank. The boy told Cyd that Frank wanted to see her, saying something about Mitzi's contract. Cyd told him she'd be there shortly and he left.
As Sheree and Marilyn were being introduced, Mitzi started to look through the outfits, including leotards and various bra and panty sets, that Frank provided for the fighters to wear in the fights. All were quite sheer and the seams were weakened so they'd tear under the slightest stress. Mitzi was looking for the sturdiest and most modest one available.
A shiver suddenly ran up her back as it dawned on her that in a few minutes she'd face Frank's champion - a woman who beat big Jayne Mansfield to her knees in near record time. It was a mistake to accept this bout, she thought to herself. She didn't know what to do when she got in the ring. Cyd was insisting she not let Rita goad her into a fist fight; but what else could she to do? The minute Rita raised her fists, the crowd would expect her to accept the challenge. If she refused, how would it look after what she'd said in Brenda Starr's stupid interview. She didn't see why Cyd couldn't understand the fix Brenda had put her in.
"That damned Brenda Starr," Mitzi muttered. "I can't believe she got me to say those awful things. If I had one wish, it'd be to face that damn redhaired witch tonight instead of Rita."
Mitzi almost jumped out of her skin when someone knocked on the door. She dropped her water glass sending shards of glass across the floor.
Cyd yelled, "Damnit Mitzi!! Be careful! We don't need you to cut your foot right before the fight!"
Cyd went to the door as Mitzi stood frozen, eyes glazed like she hadn't heard a thing Cyd said.
A voice from the other side said, "Miss Charisse? Frank says he wants ta see ya at his table - now. He's got some questions."
Cyd pursed her lips as she glanced at Mitzi who was jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof at the moment.
"What kinda questions? Doesn't he know we're getting ready for a fight here?" Cyd asked.
The voice sounded tired and more than a little annoyed, "Miss Charisse, he knows it's not a great time, but YOU aren't the one fighting and you're the one he asked for. He said he's got some kinda papers need lookin' at. Something to do with who the top contenders are - in the unlikely event she wins tonight."
Cyd, looked at Mitzi, who seemed stunned by the thought - as if the possibility of winning and what happened next hadn't even entered her mind.
"Well," Cyd sighed, "I guess better go do this. I'll be back in a few minutes. Sit tight and don't cut yourself on that broken glass."
Cyd opened the door, looked Frank's man up and down,
shrugged. She shut it behind her and headed down the hall to the
arena. Mitzi looked around carefully, tip-toed across the floor
around the broken glass and picked up her little wrestling boots.
She sat on a chair and pulled them on, took her robe off the back
of the door to cover her naked body and followed Cyd out the door.
But instead of turning left as Cyd had, she turned right and walked
quickly down the hall toward Rita Moreno's dressing room. Over
the PA system, she could hear the play-by-play of Sheree's fight
with the legendary Marilyn Monroe.
****
SHEREE NORTH VS. MARILYN MONROE (PA announcers
version heard in the dressing rooms)
The two circle warily and Sheree breaks the stalemate
as she goes for a drop toe hold but Marilyn is able to block it.
Marilyn quickly works Sheree into a backbreaker and Sheree is
down, 1...2...
NO! Sheree gets her shoulder up just in time to
avoid an embarrassing quick pin. With Sheree down on the mat,
Marilyn further hurts the tough blonde, digging her fingers into
her abs and punishing her. Marilyn drags Sheree up and fires her
into the ropes. Sheree rebounds off and Marilyn sends her to the
mat with a big back body drop. Marilyn locks on a sloppy full
nelson that Sheree has little trouble breaking.
Hair mare by Marilyn. She drags Sheree up by the
hair and sends her into the turnbuckle. Marilyn rushes in and
crushes Sheree with a double ax-handle. Marilyn fires her into
the ropes and devastates her with a deadly clothesline. Marilyn
gleefully chokes away at Sheree as the ref. counts.
Marilyn breaks the hold and smashes her in the
face before backing off. Sheree staggers to her feet and challenges
Marilyn to match her in a test of strength. Marilyn forces Sheree
to her tiptoes. Then Marilyn tries to work it into a body slam,
but Sheree sweeps the legs out from under Marilyn and comes up
with a toe hold. Marilyn slaps the mat in shock and pain.
Sheree releases and drops the mat wrapping her
powerful legs around Marilyn like a full nelson. Marilyn screams
as she tries to escape. Then she finally manages to escape. Sheree
is up and drop kicks Marilyn in the ribs - the older blonde is
hurt!
Sheree goes to the top rope and dives off with
a flying forearm as Marilyn is slow to rise. Marilyn staggers
to the ropes from the blow and gets tangled up. Sheree is quickly
up and working on Marilyn's exposed midsection as the ref tries
to untangle her. He finally tries to get Sheree to back off but
she shoves him away and continues her attack.
With Marilyn down, Sheree figure fours her legs
and then applies a double arm bar. Marilyn looks like she is about
to give up but is able to work her arms free. Sheree bets back
up and climbs the turnbuckle. She flies off and flattens Marilyn
with a cross body block. Sheree rolls her over and locks on a
camel clutch. Marilyn struggles to free herself as Sheree adds
her legs to the hold, getting them around Marilyn's waist after
she releases the camel clutch. Marilyn struggles for several minutes
but finally gets the hold broken and struggles to get to her feet.
As soon as Marilyn's up, however, Sheree snaps
her back down with a sunset flip and Marilyn kicks outs. Sheree
drags her up and sends her into the ropes and sets up for a back
body drop, but Marilyn counters with a kick to the face that drops
Sheree. Marilyn rides the blonde to the mat with a full nelson,
putting all of her weight on the back of Sheree. Marilyn drags
Sheree up and delivers a vicious back breaker, then Marilyn goes
for a choke but Sheree blocks it!
Both women are slow to rise but it's Marilyn who
goes after Sheree...NO!...North with an arm drag takes Marilyn
to the mat. Sheree grapevines Marilyn but the veteran is able
to keep her shoulders up. Next, Sheree drags Marilyn up to her
feet and sets her up for a monkey flip - NO! Marilyn blocks ...great
veteran move there!
Marilyn, breathing hard, rests on the ropes as
Sheree gets up and they meet for a test of strength. Sheree pulls
her in and takes her into the turnbuckle. Sheree goes in with
a shoulder tackle that doubles Marilyn over in the corner. Sheree
flips Marilyn over and goes for the dangerous sleeper hold. Marilyn
tries to escape and she nearly gets to the ropes but Sheree drags
her back into the middle of the ring.
Marilyn kicks and flails her arms, but she starts
to fade and eventually goes out. The referee raises and drops
Marilyn's arm three times....then calls for the bell. Jubilant
but exhausted, Sheree North gets a hard fought win over her blonde
rival.
****
Mitzi really hadn't thought about what to say but
she felt she had to clear the air with Rita. When she got to Rita's
dressing room she stopped and nervously wiped her hands on the
robe covering her thick thighs as she tried to think where to
begin. Knowing time was short, she straightened her shoulders
and gave the door a light, almost timid rap with her knuckles.
Nothing! Mitzi realized her knock had been so soft Rita probably
hadn't been heard over the noise from the arena. She took a deep
breath, raised her hand and knocked again, more forcefully.
"What now?" said an annoyed voice from inside the dressing room.
"It...it's me," Mitzi hissed, trying to keep her visit a secret and suddenly realizing someone may be with Rita..
"Who is it, damnit... I don't have time for games!" Rita hollered.
"It's Mitzi, Mitzi Gaynor...I need to talk to you," Mitzi said, somewhat louder this time.
"Damn! What do you want Gaynor? It's almost fight time. The time for talkin's over."
"Please Rita, let me in. We have to talk about something before it's too la... I mean, before we get to the ring," Mitzi said, hoping she didn't sound too pleading in case she was overheard.
"OK," Rita said after a long pause. "Come in, but this better be good. I've about had it with you and your mouth. You're in enough trouble already."
Mitzi opened the door and quickly stepped inside, breathing a sigh when she saw that Rita was alone. The tan Puerto Rican was only half-dressed in a pair of red panties, still naked from the waist up. Mitzi stared at Rita's erect nipples a moment, then caught herself and said , "Thanks, we need to get a few things straight."
Rita's dark eyes flashed angrily as she reached for her bra but then stopped and left draped over her chair.
"Talk fast! I don't have much patience for your type. I'd finish you right here, except Frank wouldn't like that, would he?"
Mitzi ignored her threat and came to the point, "Listen Rita... this is a wrestling league so I think we should wrestle, not fist fight."
Rita snickered. "That's real funny coming from you! After that stuff you said to Starr, I thought you'd welcome using your fists. Hell, this is your idea, so why're you trying to back out? Is it because of what I did to that big, bad sack of shit Mansfield, or is this more personal? Maybe how it hurt when North hit you with her bare fists? That hurt a lot more than Shirley tapping you with those big soft gloves, didn't it!"
Mitzi shook her head, trying to maintain her composure and still sound convincing, "No, it's not that. I just realized that with all the training I've had from Cyd and all, it would be unfair; too much advantage I mean, for me to box you. I don't want anyone to say I don't deserve the title."
Rita just laughed, "You did a lot of brave talking to Brenda, now all of a sudden you're worried about your reputation? That won't wash sweet'ums. I read what you said, called me wetback and spic. Oh, am I going to enjoy dragging your black and blue butt to the microphone and making you apologize where everyone can hear it."
Mitzi shook her head, "No, I didn't say those things...I mean, I SAID them, but not like she made out. We were just chatting before the interview, I didn't know she was going to use any of it." Then realizing how that sounded, Mitzi added quickly, "Brenda put words in my mouth, you know how she is. I was just, sort of, agreeing with her. I'm not like that...really. I wanted to tell you that before the fight because..."
"Because you're afraid," Rita said, finishing the sentence for her. "I never believed all the studio publicity about what a goody-two-shoes you are. Brenda just proved what I always knew about you."
She suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Mitzi's robe by the lapels and slammed her back against the closed door. Rita grinned at the startled, 'deer in the headlights' look on Mitzi's face as she slowly pulled Mitzi's robe over her shoulders and let it fall. Only the belt at her waist kept it from dropping to the floor as it slid down Mitzi's limp arms and hugged her hips where her hands and wrists were still in the sleeves.
Rita reached up and cradled Mitzi's big, soft breasts in both hands, giving them a lift and squeeze that created a deep cleavage.
Mitzi shook her head, no as she reached up to pry the hands from her breasts, but Rita used her grip to jack Mitzi up against the door and hissed, "You just stand still or you'll get your beating right now."
Mitzi shuddered but she let go of Rita's wrists and let her arms drop to her sides. She didn't want any trouble before the fight.
Rita smiled as she fondled Mitzi's breasts, feeling the heat rise from the soft flesh. As she thumbed Mitzi's nipples, they swelled and hardened in almost instant arousal. Rita smiled as she tilted her head to the side and gazed up into Mitzi's face.
"I guess that rumor about you and your manager must be true. Shirley and Gretchen have been laughing about something that happened at a restaurant between you and her, care to tell me about it?"
Mitzi gasped but shook her head, knowing the more Rita learned about her before the fight the worse it would be.
Rita raised her fist and pressed it into Mitzi's breast, flattening the golden orb with her tan knuckles as she whispered, "Oh yeah, I'm gonna beat these like piñatas. You'll feel pain a lot worse than Jayne ever did. I told her right here in this same dressing room before that fight what I was going to do. You know what, she just laughed at me. You aren't laughing are you, Mitzi?"
Mitzi shook her head, "No...I'm not laughing!"
"Good girl," Rita said, twisting her knuckles into Mitzi's hard nipples. "Everybody knows you've got luscious breasts. It's why those Jew producers give blonde bimbos like you the best roles. You have no idea how I hate that!"
Mitzi's firm breasts jiggled as Rita grabbed her and shook her.
"It's going to be a lotta fun giving these a workout. You know, like a couple of 34D speedbags, eh?"
THWAP-THWAP-THWAP-THWAP
Rita lightly slapped the tips of Mitzi's breasts, sending a tingle all the way down to her toes. She grinned as Mitzi had closed her eyes while Rita's fingertips whipped across her breasts. When Mitzi opened her eyes and looked down, she saw her pale breasts were glowing light pink from just four light slaps. Rita hadn't used her fists but Mitzi could feel the heat rising. Rita stepped back, put her hands on her hips and cocked her hips saucily as she tossed her dark mane and thrust out her own bare breasts, "Well?"
Mitzi pulled her robe closed and retied the belt around her waist. She looked down to meet Rita's gaze and suddenly, her body stood a little taller, her posture more erect and proud. She reached for the doorknob. then paused and looked back over her shoulder at Rita.
"I hope you enjoyed that," Mitzi said. "It's the last time you're going to get your hands on me without a fight. I'm not afraid of you Rita, I came here to apologize for my stupid remarks but since you are into intimidation, I'll just tell you I'm going to let my fists do my talking in the ring. I didn't want this to get personal; that bitch Brenda's had it in for me since I joined the league. Maybe we can talk again when you get out of the hospital."
"Hospital!" Rita yelled, "You think you're going to send ME to the hospital puta?"
When Mitzi opened the door, Rita grabbed her shoulder, turned her around and drove a fist straight from her shoulder into Mitzi's face. The punch snapped Mitzi's head and the stunned blonde's body torqued as she lost her footing and crumpled against the door then slowly slid down and sat on the floor at Rita's feet. Mitzi landed on her bottom with her left foot tucked beneath her heart-shaped butt.
Rita looked down at her and smiled sweetly as she purred, "There, let's hear you explain that to your fans when they see you climb into the ring in about five minutes."
Rita bent over, grabbed a handful of Mitzi 's hair and 'helped' the dazed blond to her knees, then dragged Mitzi on her hands and knees into the hall. Rita put her foot on Mitzi's ass and kicked, sending her scrambling down the hall back to her own dressing room. Behind her, Mitzi heard Rita slam and lock her dressing room door.
"I'm really going to enjoy hurting that gringa," Rita muttered to herself.
While Mitzi hurried back to her dressing room, Rita
completed her preparations for the match, changing into the traditional
white bra and panties Frank provided his champion.
****
By the time Cyd returned to the dressing room, Mitzi
was sitting in front of her make-up mirror holding a towel filled
with ice to the side of her face and brushing her hair with the
other. Cyd also saw that Mitzi was naked although she'd been dressing
a short while earlier just before she left for the meeting with
Frank.
"Where are your clothe... Hey, what the hell happened to your face?" Cyd asked as she rushed to Mitzi and knelt to examine the dark bruise on the side of her face.
"I ran into a door," Mitzi said with a rueful grin. "I forgot to duck, whatever you want. It's not as bad as it looks."
"Not bad?" Cyd yelled. "It's awful! You're going to have a real shiner by the time you get in the ring. Speaking of which, you'd better get some clothes on, the preliminary match just ended."
"Who won?" Mitzi asked, as she looked for an outfit to put on.
"Never mind that; keep your mind on your OWN fight!"
Mitzi took a red leotard from her locker that she'd decided to wear to the ring. It was fiery red and she thought it looked spectacular against her pale skin. "I'm not going to fight for the championship wearing Frank's trick underwear," she told Cyd. "I've got more dignity than that! At least this'll ensure I have my dignity no matter if I win or lose!"
As Mitzi pulled on her red leotard while Cyd found the matching shoes. As she slipped them onto Mitzi's feet, Cyd caressed her fighters calves as she ran her fingers over Mitzi's muscular legs. Just then, a loud roar came from the arena and they heard the PA announcer interviewing Sheree North after the finish of her match with Marilyn.
"OK, we're on next," Cyd sighed. "I wish we had another few minutes, but we'll have to take what we've got. Here, stand up and let me take a look at you."
Mitzi stood up, still holding the ice pack to her eye. Cyd stepped back and looked her up and down slowly. Satisfied, she made a 'twirl' gesture with her finger and Mitzi slowly pirouetted. Cyd mumbled something, walked over and licked her fingers, then rubbed a smudge of dirt from Mitzi's back between her shoulders.
"I don't know what you were doing down here while I was away and I don't want to know. Nikki didn't sneak back did she? You know how I feel about sex bef..."
"No, Cyd," Mitzi interrupted. "It wasn't Nikki and I wasn't having sex with anyone. Just drop it, alright? Let's go upstairs and get ready for my introduction. How do I look?"
Cyd picked up Mitzi's make-up kit and quickly applied pancake to cover Mitzi's bruise. She tossed the kit on the table, sighed and shook her head with an air of resignation.
"That'll have to do. Come on, let's go win Ethel her championship."
Cyd put Mitzi's robe over her shoulders, then put her arm around Mitzi's waist. Side-by-side, they left the dressing room and climbed the steps to the arena. Stopping behind a drawn curtain, Mitzi waited for the announcement that would send her into the ring for the most important fight of her career.
Cyd and Mitzi waited until the announcer called Mitzi's name, then stepped out of the dark tunnel into a bright spotlight. Mitzi raised her hands to acknowledge the cheers of her fans as she jogged down the aisle to the ring. Instead of wearing one of Frank's usual fragile outfits, Mitzi's red leotard could take plenty of stress and strain during a fight. She would remove the red heels just before entering the ring but Frank liked her to wear them because of the way they emphasized the curve of her calves and thighs. After posing on the ring apron for her fans and the photographers, Mitzi kicked off her shoes and entered the ring only to be kept waiting and nervously pacing for several minutes as Rita kept her cooling her heels before she was introduced.
While Mitzi stood nervously waiting, a boisterous fan in the first row started heckling her. He pointed out the black eye that Cyd's hurried cover-up couldn't hide, then started taunting Mitzi about what Rita would do to her. A few of Mitzi's supporters tried to shout him down, but unsuccessfully. Mitzi grew more and more agitated as the wait lengthened and the heckling grew in volume as more and more of Rita's fans joined in. When he started to tell Mitzi that Sheree North deserved the title shot instead of her, Mitzi got angry. She stuck her head and shoulders through the ropes, shook her fist at the rowdy fan and threatening to, "... come down there and punch your lights out myself if you don't shut up!"
He just laughed and responded, "You better save that for Sheree! She'll tear you up unless you're afraid to face her again!"
Mitzi started to say something but just then the crowd rose to it's feet cheering as Rita Moreno appeared unannounced and began her long, slow walk down the aisle with her manager, Marge Danzer, a woman who had twice fought for the title before retiring to manage fighters. Rita looked stunning in frilly white lace bra and panties, white garterbelt and flesh-toned nylons. Danzer and Cyd Charisse exchanged brief waves as their fighters joined the referee in mid-ring before the fight.
After a quick review of the rules, the referee motioned for the girls to shake hands. Instead, Rita made a fist and lightly poked Mitzi in the chest, whispering, "Fists darling. I'm going to pound these babies flat as pancakes and you won't be able to do anything about it. Then, after I'm done, I'm gonna make you kneel in the middle of the ring and apologize to me over the PA for that damn article."
Mitzi's face went completely white then, just as quickly, she flushed bright red and exploded like a Fourth of July firecracker! She angrily swung at Rita but the Puerto Rican easily ducked the wild blow and, as Mitzi spun around in a circle, Rita grabbed her around the waist. Mitzi got her hands into Rita's hair and they went spinning around the ring screaming slapping, spitting and cursing until Mitzi pinned Rita in a corner.
The referee, Doris Day, was slow to react to put a stop to the nonsense; in fact, he stood around until Rita got her hands free and punched Mitzi, twice and reversed their positions. Rita had Mitzi's head and shoulders bent back over the top rope, her heaving bosom thrusting upward, an inviting target for Rita's fists just as Jayne Mansfield's had been in a painful and disastrous defeat for the buxom blonde bombshell.
Finally goaded to action by the screaming crowd, Doris moved in to put a stop to the action, but not before Rita landed two solid punches to Mitzi's breasts. Rita was outraged when Doris pulled her away. Realizing things were out of hand, Doris gave up on going over the rules and sent both women to their corners, muttering "You never bother following the rules anyway."
Rita's famous temper flared and she exploded, "Rules? We don't need no stinkin' rules! I want to end that bitch's career. She better be glad there's a referee 'cause soon's I hurt her a little bit, she'll be crying for help or just plain quit!"
In a flash of anger, Mitzi quickly snapped, "I don't need a referee to save me! You're the one who'll be begging for help tonight."
They tried to get at each other again, forcing Doris trying to keep them apart while grappling with two handfuls of snarling wildcats. Finally, he said, "Alright you two knock it off and get back to your corners. If you want a no submission match, you got it. Just don't come cryin' to me if you get hurt. Falls will be by pins only, no submissions. OK?"
Each proud women glared at the other a moment, then simultaneously they both nodded their assent, spun on their heels and returned to their corners. Rita strutted away grinning cockily, shaking her fists at Mitzi who looked unsettled and even a little frightened at the thought of what she'd gotten herself into. Mitzi eyed Rita, afraid to take her eyes off the angry Puerto Rican as she walked slowly back to her corner rubbing her aching bosom. Cyd quickly grabbed Mitzi's shoulders and slammed her butt down on her stool. Cyd shook her, trying to get the blonde to listen to her instructions while Nikki paced nervously outside the ring biting her nails.
"Concentrate on her left leg," Cyd said, looking into Mitzi's eyes. "Sheree hurt her in their fight and it can't have healed fully. She's quick, so we have to slow her down. We worked on the moves; kicks, elbows when you get her on the mat; anything to force her to use that leg. Got it?"
Mitzi nodded, but Cyd could see her mind was elsewhere. Specifically, Mitzi was thinking about what Rita said to her in the dressing room and again moments ago in the ring. Mitzi suddenly made up her mind! She was going to ignore Cyd's advice and prove to Rita, Nikki, Cyd and her fans she was every bit as good as she said she was. She was going to take the championship away from "tough girl" Rita using her fists - just like she told Brenda she would!
FIRST FALL:
At the bell, Rita sprang from her corner with her fists raised gesturing for Mitzi to, "Put 'em up!" The move brought a gasp from Mitzi's fans - and a roar of approval from Rita's. Everyone expected Rita to make short work of Mitzi whose reputation as a fighter was nowhere near as good as Jayne Mansfield's and Rita destroyed HER in short order. Mitzi took two steps into the ring and stopped short, her expression betraying her lack of confidence. But she quickly regained composure and, to a cheer from the crowd, raised her own fists as they began to circle.
"MITZI! What are you doing?" Cyd screamed. "Stop fooling around - wrestle!"
Recalling her training for the Shirley MacLaine fight, Mitzi began jabbing at Rita's leering face. She jabbed, but Rita just leaned back or tilted sideways and let Mitzi's fists slide past. Rita judged distance uncannily and Mitzi missed jab after jab as she chased Rita across the ring. Rita used her quick feet to keep out of reach of Mitzi's longer arms, frustrating the bigger blonde. Finally, as Mitzi chased her to the ropes, Rita ducked under the jab and turned her hips into a short, hard, left hook to Mitzi's left breast; flattening the firm orb and bringing a pained gasp from the young dancer!
The punch, with Mitzi already off balance, turned Mitzi around and her own momentum did the rest, sending her into the ropes. She instinctively grabbed the top rope, leaving her face was wide open for Rita's right hand as her knuckles cracked into Mitzi's left eyebrow. Mitzi's head snapped and her knees buckled. Before Mitzi got her feet under her to hit back, Rita moved out of range brandishing her fists proudly. It wasn't until a second later that Mitzi realized she was bleeding from a small cut above her eye. She blinked and wiped her eye, looking in shock at the blood on her hand before looking at Doris for help.
He looked at her briefly and grumbled, "Come on honey, you ain't hurt none. Get back to work!"
Mitzi suddenly darted forward and flung herself at Rita, wind-milling her fists. The wild, unorthodox attack caught Rita by surprise and an overhand right from Mitzi caught the surprised Latina on the cheek and rocked her back on her heels! Mitzi bulled ahead, using her shoulder to knock Rita back into the ropes - but the slick Puerto Rican jammed her hands under Mitzi's arms, turned her body and slipped away along the ropes. The maneuver left Mitzi trapped in the ropes with her head and shoulders outside the ring. Rita spanked Mitzi's bottom with both hands before she skipped away to laughter while the embarrassed blonde untangled herself.
Mitzi wheeled off the ropes after Rita, but the lithe Latina danced just out of reach as Mitzi discovered to her dismay that Rita's footwork was not only better, but the extra weight Cyd had her add was proving a detriment in the fast-paced action Rita had initiated. Rita ducked in close, punched, slugged or (when Doris wasn't paying attention) elbowed Mitzi's soft body. When Mitzi tried to protect her torso, exposed in her stiff, upright stance, Rita feinted and threw rapid-fire flurries of punches to her face that invariably sent her reeling back - seeking safety and security in putting space between them.
Rita quickly realized her quickness could keep her outside Mitzi's longer reach and, by moving in and out, she could land a punch or two then duck, lean back or dance away before the bigger blonde could get in a solid punch. Mitzi landed punches alright - to Rita's arms, shoulders and body - but few hit square and the few that hit her head lacked any power. Rita saw she could keep Mitzi off balance, on the defensive and back on her heels. Rita used her quickness to elude Mitzi's headlong rushes; then counter-punched to keep her off balance and not let her set up to throw punches with power. That gave Rita confidence in her plan to torment and abuse Mitzi's body to punish her for the 'racist remarks' in Brenda Starr's article.
Mitzi continued to chase Rita until she suddenly stopped, ducked under Mitzi's arm and threw slammed her body into Mitzi's. Belly-to-belly, Rita landed two thumping blows to Mitzi's belly, slid past her and gave Mitzi an elbow to the kidney before she moved away. The tactic worked twice until on the third time, Mitzi grabbed Rita's shoulder and wrestled her into the ropes. But even then, Rita slammed her knee up between Mitzi's legs. As she doubled over in pain, Rita uppercut Mitzi's tender breast and, on her follow-thru, Rita's laces snagged the thin material of Mitzi's leotard. When she pulled back, the crowd cheered as a large piece of material ripped from Mitzi's leotard baring her from her armpit to her ribs.
Frank had a big grin on his lips at the success of his orders to Rita before the fight to, "Show us what she's hiding under that damn leotard! I'll teach her to violate my rules about what to wear for my fights!"
Mitzi blushed with embarrassment as she felt cool air on her bare skin. She quickly snapped back to reality when Rita clubbed her cheek and sent her reeling to the corner. Rita stepped in to batter Mitzi's soft midriff until Doris forced her to back off. Mitzi leaned on the ropes, her hands clutching her belly and panting until Doris snapped, "Come on and fight, hon. They ain't paying to watch you feel yurself up."
Taking a deep breath, Mitzi slowly moved toward Rita who was crouching with her hands up in a wrestling stance. Rita chuckled as she backed up, gesturing and shaking her head, wanting her to 'put up your fists.' Rita encouraged the crowd, waving her arms and gesturing that Mitzi was "chickening out" on the fist fight she'd promised. Mitzi looked around as boos rained down and sheepishly raised her fists and snapped out a left but Rita leaned to one side and let the bare knuckled fist whiz past her cheek with a smug grin. Mitzi growled, ducked her head and charged!
Rita showed the grace of a toreador pirouetting to let Mitzi's big body glide past her - headfirst into the opposite corner where her head smacked the turnbuckle! Mitzi's knees buckled and she grabbed the ropes to keep herself upright while she shook out the cobwebs and gave the birdies time to stop chirping. Sadly, Rita wasn't in a charitable mood! She followed Mitzi to the corner, slammed her belly into Mitzi's round bottom and drove her fist into Mitzi's kidneys while Doris watched and didn't say a word of caution at the blatant foul!
Rita held Mitzi by the back of her hair as she banged her face into the turnbuckle a couple of times, then hair-heaved her back out into the ring, sending her head over heels. Mitzi landed on her butt, bounced and then rolled over onto her side as Rita strutted around the fallen blonde, kicking her in the ass and taunting her to, "Get up and fight!"
As soon as Mitzi struggled back to her feet, Rita was all over her, pounding fists to Mitzi's soft mid-section and, when she tried to protect her belly, punching her boobs flat! Mitzi bent over trying to protect her 'assets' but Rita just reared back, took careful aim and swung from the heels. Her bare knuckles clipped Mitzi right on the point of the chin and her knees instantly gave way. Mitzi dropped to the canvas on her knees, her hands holding Rita's waist, then she toppled forward with her face resting on Rita's thigh. The punch barely grazed her chin and many fans didn't even see it land, but it struck the point of her chin and stunned her badly!
Mitzi was barely conscious when Rita heaved her up to her feet under the arms. Her legs were like rubber but Rita held her by the hair as she kicked Mitzi's exposed and unprepared mid-torso. Rita's booted foot sank deep into the soft flesh that Cyd's recent "training" had changed from a trim and toned dancer into a bulky, big-body for an expected wrestling match. After several well-placed kicks, Rita let go and Mitzi folded over and collapsed on the mat clutching her stomach and chest.
With Mitzi down and almost out, Rita strutted, showing off for her fans; most of whom were on their feet cheering while Mitzi's supporters sat in stunned silence at the ease with which the Hispanic Hurricane was destroying the bigger blonde. Rita kicked Mitzi in the back as she lay curled on the mat. Her body jerked and slowly uncoiled when Rita's boot snapped into her lower spine.
"Get up bitch," Rita hissed. "Get up and show your fans how you can beat a 'wetback spic.' GET UP!!"
Mitzi got to her hands and knees, but then slumped back and sat on her haunches, her hands up pleading with Rita to give her a chance to apologize - or at least explain she was misquoted - but Rita just spun and kicked Mitzi in the chest, sent her skidding across the ring on her back. Before Mitzi even sat up, Rita did a series of front flips, sprang in the air and came down with her tight ass right on the pit of Mitzi's stomach, her legs on either side of Mitzi's body trapping her arms.
Doris Day moved in to count the pin, but before he could, Rita pulled Mitzi back up to her feet with a handful of her blonde hair which was now disheveled and in total disarray. Mitzi tried to resist, throwing a right that hit Rita in the ribs but it didn't even slow the black-haired harridan's assault on the befuddled blonde. Rita ripped her fists into Mitzi's middle, driving the blonde steadily back until she was trapped in the corner with her butt wedged in the ropes with her head bowed and her wet, stringy hair covering her face.
Rita spread her feet wide, leaned in and put her forehead under Mitzi's chin to keep her pinned in the corner, then started to bang away with both hands to the body. Rita's bare knuckle fists flattened Mitzi's big breasts and ripped into her soft belly. If Mitzi put her hands in front of her, Rita simply reached in behind her elbows to dig to her sides, thumping her ribs and kidneys as Mitzi mewed in pain with each hammer blow to her soft body.
Finally, at a signal from Frank, Doris stepped in and pushed Rita away. Mitzi staggered out of the corner and stumbled along the ropes toward her corner where Cyd and Nikki had been screaming at her to defend herself for several minutes. The dazed expression on her face showed not only her disorientation, but the hurt and dismay she was experiencing. But Rita wasn't about to let Mitzi off so easily; she chased her down, grabbed her by the back of her leotard and the hair and spun her around.
"Whoa! Don't go running away blondie, .... come... back... here!"
The fans gasped at what they saw as cowardice, Mitzi running away from Rita. But when Rita caught her, she grabbed the neck of Mitzi's red leotard and pulled it down over her shoulders to her elbows. The move not only trapped Mitzi's hands at her sides but also bared her firm, full breasts for the salivating fans. Mitzi's fans screamed and yelled for her to resist, but Rita saw the 'give-up' look in the blondes unfocused eyes; almost like Mitzi were begging her, "Please don't hurt me."
Rita ignored Mitzi's plea and set about destroying another of her hated blond opponents. Rita's eyes glowed as Mitzi's firm pale boobs bounced. Just as she did to Jayne Mansfield, Rita went to work on Mitzi with both fists, reddening; then bruising, the soft tissue with a tattoo of hard rights and lefts that kept the cringing Mitzi trapped in the corner with her back on the ropes.
With each ripping punch, Mitzi's soft body shuddered and jerked as she struggled vainly to free her hands. But as Rita increased the tempo of her punching, Mitzi's body seemed to collapse inward on itself, folding forward at the waist as her belly caved in under a brutal barrage of fists.
As Mitzi bent over, her breasts were placed in even greater peril. They swung free under her and Rita pummeled them like punching bags, dipping her knees as she whipped her fists back and forth across the soft orbs of white flesh, turning them pink, then red and ultimately purple. The sound of her knuckles on the soft tissue made ugly "SPLAT" sounds until, whimpering, Mitzi pitched over and dove headfirst to the mat, landing with her head between Rita's feet.
The fans, disgusted both by Mitzi's ineptitude and Rita's savagery, began to boo, hiss and cat-call for Doris to stop the fight. Rita knew if she didn't do something soon, she'd miss a golden opportunity to end to Mitzi's career once and for all. It was cruel, but Mitzi deserved it after the interview she gave Brenda Starr and her refusal to apologize before the fight when Rita gave her the opportunity.
Rita backed off and waited while Doris helped Mitzi to her feet, then practically threw her at Rita. The Puerto Rican stood her ground and when Mitzi was within range, snapped her right foot up to Mitzi's softened-up belly. Mitzi's eyes widened in shock as the air in her lungs exploded out her mouth so violently Rita was sprayed with her spittle. Rita reared back in surprise, wiped her face and then, with a scream, grabbed Mitzi's hair in both hands.
"You spit on Rita, you gringa puta? Now your gonna die, bitch!"
Rita twirled Mitzi around by the hair, then let go. Mitzi hit the ropes chest-first and bounced off with her back to Rita. The little Puerto Rican caught Mitzi's arm, bent her over and then ran her across the ring - headfirst into the opposite turnbuckle! Mitzi slid down the padding and landed on the sweaty seat of her leotard with a soft wet "PLOP!" Rita stepped back, took Mitzi by the ankles and dragged her out of the corner on her back, her hands holding her belly.
Nikki climbed up on the apron, screaming at Doris to stop the fight!
Rita looked at Nikki and Cyd and leered as she pried Mitzi's legs wide apart... leaped in the air and slammed the heel of her boot to the inside of Mitzi's thigh just inches below the hip. Mitzi screamed in pain, tried to sit up and grab her leg but she fell back holding her head as she writhed from the pain in her groin. Once more Rita spread her legs, jumped and slammed her heel into the soft tissue of Mitzi's other leg in the same spot! Mitzi pulled handfuls of hair from her head and cried in pain as Rita stepped back - still holding her by the ankles and smiling at the blondes moans. Rita looked over to Mitzi's corner and smiled wickedly.
Nikki could hear Rita scream over the roar of the crowd, "The bitch will never dance again after I'm through with her!"
"You've got to stop this," Nikki screamed, grabbing Cyd's arm and pulling her around to face her.
"I won't," Cyd said. "She can give up if she wants, but I'm not giving up my chance to win this title. She can come back - she's tough!"
"YOUR chance to win the title? She's fighting in there, not YOU! You stop it before she gets hurt or, so help me I will."
Cyd slapped Nikki, sending her sprawling on the floor beside the ring with her dress hiked up. No one paid any attention to the two women at ringside as Nikki rubbed her cheek while Cyd stood over the dazed blonde and screamed, "Don't you EVER tell me what to do! Do you understand? I'm Mitzi's manager, not you. I make the decisions around here. You just kiss her ass - or whatever - when you two are alone and stay outta my way. You ever raise your voice to me again and I'll rip your tongue out. Now sit down and shut up!"
Cyd turned back to watch and saw Rita twisting Mitzi's leg as she set up for a figure four leglock. If she got it set, nothing could save Mitzi from severe injury to her leg except submission. But just as Rita sat back to apply excruciating pressure on Mitzi's leg, a white towel came flying into the ring and hit Doris in the face. Before anyone realized what was going on, the timekeeper started furiously ringing the bell. The crowd went crazy while Doris grabbed Rita and tried to pull her off of Mitzi. Cyd spun around and saw Nikki standing behind her. Mitzi's towel, which had been draped over the ring post moments before, was now in the ring!
"YOU FOOL!" Cyd screamed at Nikki.. "You have any idea what you've done? You ruined everything!"
"I saved Mitzi's career, I know that," Nikki sneered as she climbed through the ropes and rushed to her lover who lay writhing on the mat alternately holding her bruised chest, her battered stomach and her injured leg.
Rita had been pulled off Mitzi and was already in her corner primping and posing for fans as pandemonium reigned both in and out of the ring. As Nikki gently cradled Mitzi in her arms, she could see she was in a bad way. Mitzi had the beginnings of a black eye, her nose was bleeding and her lower lip was swollen and cut. Her bare breasts were covered with welts and bruises. Nikki knew it would take days of tender loving care before the pain in those breasts subsided enough for her to touch them the way Mitzi liked her to.
Frank huddled with referee Doris Day in one corner while, across the ring, Cyd was berating Nikki as they stood over the bedraggled and battered body of their fighter. In the opposite corner, Rita stopped to have a couple of pictures taken, then slipped on her robe, climbed down and headed to her dressing room for a post-fight celebration. Fans swarmed into the aisles to pat her on the back and try to touch the most dominant Hollywood champion in years.
After a long, painful struggle, Cyd and Nikki finally got Mitzi to her feet although they almost had to carry her back to her corner. While Nikki held ice packs to Mitzi's bruised chest, Cyd went looking for Frank. As she passed Gretchen coming around the corner of the ring to see Nikki, the two women glared at one another but didn't speak. When Nikki turned to talk to Gretchen, Mitzi clung to the ropes with both hands, trying not to slide off her stool as she sat slumped on her stool.
Realizing she would lose the bet she'd placed on the fight if Mitzi didn't quickly get herself together and continue, Gretchen ran to remind Nikki and Cyd about the injury to Rita's leg. She also kissed Nikki and congratulated her on her 'quick thinking' for throwing in the towel before Rita could hurt Mitzi's leg any worse.
"That was quick thinking, Nikki. If you hadn't thrown in that towel, Mitzi wouldn't have been able to go back out for the second fall. You probably saved her from serious injury too."
As she was speaking, Gretchen got a dirty look from Cyd but just chuckled. Then, before she returned to her seat, Gretchen gave Nikki a kiss on the lips and gave her ass a squeeze. The sight of her lover kissing her rival's manager fired Mitzi's jealousy and got her adrenaline pumping.
Yet when Cyd asks Mitzi if she's alright, the dazed blond mumbled, "I'm not sure. Rita sure hits hard. Ya know, a second ago, I thought I saw Nikki an' Gretchen kissing."
Cyd sneered, "You weren't hallucinating, the damn dyke's all over your girlfriend. I don't know why you put up with that!"
Nikki tried to explain to Gretchen why she threw in the towel - that she realized Rita intended to drag out Mitzi's punishment for a long time which would make it impossible for her to continue.
"Mitzi' was a mess and it was getting worse. There was no other way to stop it," Nikki said as she wiped her eyes with her hands.
Rita and her entourage left the ring thinking the fight was over, while Cyd was asking Doris to give her some extra time for Mitzi to recover before she started the next fall.
"Next fall? You quit. The fight's over, hon. There ain't no more falls."
Doris turned away but Cyd grabbed her shoulder and spun her back around.
"You better reconsider that decision, Day. If I have to, I'll get Frank to order you to let the match go on."
While Cyd and Doris were toe-to-toe, Rita and her entourage were already in her dressing room leaving everyone in the arena puzzled about why Cyd and Doris were arguing. As the fans milled about murmuring, Frank walked up to the ring apron and asked Doris what was going on.
Cyd hopped down from the ring and ran to Frank. She told him that Doris didn't want to let Mitzi continue even though, "...she's ready and able to go on."
Cyd gestured at Mitzi who was still slumped over in her corner with her elbows on her knees as Nikki held an ice bag to the back of her neck.
"I can see that," Frank chuckled. "You really want this fiasco to continue?"
"Yes," Cyd said, but Doris was standing behind her and she put a finger to her head and made a circle to show what she thought of the idea of resuming the fight.
"Rita's already in her dressing room," Frank said with a shrug. "There's no reason for her to come back. Besides, do you want her to hurt Mitzi? She'll be furious if you interrupt her victory celebration and make her come back to beat your girl up some more."
"I don't care," said Cyd. "Mitzi wants to go on and Ethel wants to get her shot at the title. You don't want me to tell Ethel you stopped the fight when Mitzi was able to continue, do you?"
Frank's face went white and he swallowed hard. "No. It's OK, I'll get Rita back out here. But whatever happens to Mitzi ain't my fault. I'm putting this on you...and Ethel!"
Frank runs down the aisle to Rita's locker room and, after a long delay, he returns and announces that the match will resume with the second fall. The crowd buzzes with anticipation as Rita stalks back to the ring, her face a dark cloud of fury. Few in the arena doubt Mitzi is going to get an even worse battering in the second fall than she got in the first. Indeed, from looking at Mitzi, most wonder if she can even stand up to resume the fight.
As Doris prepares in the ring, Rita stands in her corner screaming threats at Mitzi. The blonde averts her eyes, refusing to even look in Rita's direction while Cyd and Nikki try their best to get her ready. Gretchen gestures to Nikki, mouthing something as she points at her knee. Nikki nods and whispers something to Mitzi just as the bell rings.