The lights in the arena dim, and the tension rises as the crowd knows what's next. They've been waiting all night for this moment.

Samantha Irvin: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is a #1 Contender's match for the Thunder Women's Championship!

The crowd roars, anticipating what's about to unfold. Cora Jade's entrance music hits, the aggressive beat thumping through the speakers. The crowd gives a mixed reaction, with some cheering for the young star while others boo her cocky attitude. Cora steps out onto the stage, skateboard in hand, and glares down the ramp with a confident, almost smug expression.

Samantha Irvin: Introducing first, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 120 pounds... Cora Jade!

Cora casually makes her way down the ramp, her skateboard swinging at her side as she sneers at the fans in the front row. She hops up onto the apron and slides under the bottom rope, moving directly to the center of the ring, holding up her skateboard as if she's daring her opponent to come out.

Darby: Cora Jade's been doing pretty good lately, and tonight could be the biggest match of her career. If she can win here, she'll have a shot at the Thunder Women's Champion, Gigi Dolin.

Cora leans back in her corner, eyes locked on the entrance ramp, waiting. Then, the lights in the arena go dark, and the crowd erupts in anticipation. Mercedes Mone's entrance music blares through the speakers, and the fans explode into cheers. The arena lights up with flashing images of her greatest moments, and a spotlight hits the entrance ramp.

Samantha Irvin: And her opponent, from San Jose, California, weighing in at 114 pounds... Mercedes Mone!

Mercedes steps out, her signature sunglasses in place, throwing her arms out wide as the crowd continues to cheer. She takes her time walking down the ramp, every step dripping with confidence and poise. Mercedes nods her head in time with her music, taking in the adoration from the fans as she walks around the ring before climbing the steel steps. She steps through the ropes and stands in the center, removing her glasses with a smirk, eyes locked on Cora Jade, who remains cool but visibly tense.

Darby: You can feel the electricity in the air, folks. This is the type of match that can elevate careers. Mercedes Mone has the experience, the accolades, but don't count out Cora Jade. She's hungry, and sometimes hunger is the most dangerous weapon of all.

The referee checks both competitors, ensuring they're ready. The bell rings, and the match is officially underway.

Cora immediately charges at Mercedes, looking to overwhelm the veteran with her speed, but Mercedes sidesteps her, sending Cora into the ropes. Cora rebounds off, and Mercedes catches her with a swift arm drag, taking her down to the mat. Cora pops back up quickly, and the two circle each other, testing the waters.

Cora, not backing down, tries again, this time with a running dropkick. Mercedes anticipates it, ducking under and allowing Cora to land awkwardly on the canvas. Mercedes capitalizes with a quick stomp to Cora's back before pulling her into a headlock.

Darby: Smart strategy by Mercedes Mone, keeping things grounded early. Cora Jade thrives on chaos, and Mone knows she needs to control the pace.

Cora struggles, trying to wriggle out of Mercedes' grasp, but Mone keeps her locked in tight. The crowd rallies behind both competitors as Cora starts to fight back, pushing herself to a vertical base. She drives an elbow into Mercedes' midsection once, then twice, forcing her to release the hold. Cora quickly spins out, catching Mercedes with a stiff forearm to the jaw.

Cora doesn't stop, hitting another forearm, then another, driving Mercedes back into the corner. She charges in, looking for a running knee strike, but Mercedes dodges at the last second, and Cora crashes into the turnbuckle. Mercedes takes advantage, hooking Cora from behind and throwing her backward with a release German suplex!

Cora hits the mat hard, clutching the back of her neck, but Mercedes stays on her, going for a quick cover.

1... 2... Kickout!

Darby: A near fall already! Mercedes Mone is trying to put this one away early, but Cora Jade isn't going down that easy.

Mercedes pulls Cora up by her hair, but Cora fights back with a sudden jawbreaker, stunning Mercedes. With a burst of energy, Cora charges, hitting a spinning back elbow that catches Mercedes right in the temple, knocking her off balance. Cora grabs Mercedes and plants her with a snap DDT, spiking her head into the mat.

Cora wastes no time, going for her own cover.

1... 2... Mercedes kicks out!

Darby: Cora Jade with a near fall of her own! You can see the urgency in both these competitors; neither of them is going to leave anything in the tank tonight.

Cora looks frustrated but stays focused, stomping on Mercedes before pulling her into the corner. Cora climbs the turnbuckle, looking for a high-risk move. She perches herself on the top rope, waiting for Mercedes to get back to her feet. Mercedes slowly stands, and Cora leaps off, going for a crossbody-

But Mercedes rolls through, catching Cora in mid-air! The crowd gasps as Mercedes uses her momentum to lift Cora up and plants her with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Cora crumples to the mat, clutching her lower back in pain.

Darby: What a counter by Mercedes Mone! Cora Jade went high risk, and Mercedes made her pay for it.

Mercedes pulls Cora up, clearly looking to finish the match. She sets Cora up for the Mone Maker-but Cora slips out of her grasp, reversing the move into a schoolgirl pin!

1... 2... Mercedes kicks out just in time!

Darby: That was close! Cora Jade nearly stole this one right there!

Both women get to their feet, and the crowd is on their feet as well, sensing the match is reaching its climax. Mercedes goes for a roundhouse kick, but Cora ducks under it and catches Mercedes with a dropkick to the knee, sending her crashing down to one leg. Cora runs to the ropes, coming back with a running knee strike to Mercedes' face, sending her flat to the mat.

Cora quickly hooks the leg for another pin.

1... 2... Mercedes gets the shoulder up!

Cora slams her fists on the mat in frustration, the pressure clearly getting to her. She pulls Mercedes up by the arm and whips her into the corner. Cora follows up with a running double knee strike, driving her knees into Mercedes' chest. Mercedes slumps down into the corner, vulnerable.

Darby: Cora Jade's got Mercedes right where she wants her!

Cora steps back, lining up for a running kick to the head, but just as she charges, Mercedes moves out of the way! Cora's leg gets caught on the ropes, and Mercedes takes advantage, rolling her up from behind!

1... 2... Kickout by Cora!

The fans are roaring now as both competitors push themselves to their feet, adrenaline surging through their bodies. Mercedes strikes first with a hard kick to the gut, doubling Cora over. Mercedes sets up for the Mone Maker once again-but Cora counters, shoving Mercedes into the ropes. Mercedes rebounds back, and Cora catches her with a devastating Enziguri, the sound echoing throughout the arena!

Cora drops into the cover.

1... 2... Mercedes kicks out!

Darby: How did Mercedes Mone kick out of that? This match is insane!

Cora is beside herself, screaming at the referee, insisting it was a three-count. But the official stands firm. Mercedes begins to stir, and Cora knows she has to finish this now. She pulls Mercedes up, dragging her to the center of the ring.

Cora Jade: This is my time!

She hooks Mercedes for the DDT, but Mercedes slips out, rolling behind her. In one fluid motion, Mercedes spins Cora around, kicks her in the midsection, and finally hits the Mone Maker out of nowhere! Cora's head bounces off the mat, and Mercedes collapses into the cover.

1... 2...

Cora kicks out!

Darby: No way! Cora Jade just kicked out of the Mone Maker! How did she do that?

The crowd is buzzing with disbelief as Mercedes stares at the referee, holding up three fingers, but the ref firmly signals that it was just two. Mercedes runs her hands through her hair, trying to stay composed. She gets to her feet, pulling Cora up once more.

But this time, Cora fights back, throwing a stiff forearm into Mercedes' jaw. Mercedes fires back with a shot of her own, the two women now going blow-for-blow in the center of the ring.

The crowd is roaring with each strike:

Cora with a forearm. Mercedes with a chop. Cora with a knee strike to the ribs. Mercedes with a spinning back elbow.

Both women are exhausted but refuse to back down, each hit harder than the last. Cora goes for another shot, but Mercedes ducks it, getting behind Cora and locking in a waistlock. Cora quickly elbows her way out of the hold, spins around, and catches Mercedes with a sharp kick to the gut.

Darby: These two are throwing everything they've got at each other! Neither one is backing down!

With Mercedes doubled over, Cora seizes the opportunity, reaching up and jamming her thumb into Mercedes' eye while the referee is out of position, checking for a break. Mercedes stumbles back, clutching her eye in pain.

Darby: Oh, come on! Cora Jade with the eye poke, and the referee didn't see it!

Cora smirks, taking advantage of the situation. She quickly grabs Mercedes, hooking both of her arms. The crowd knows what's coming next.

Darby: Oh no, she's going for it!

Cora plants Mercedes with the Jaded-a devastating Double Arm DDT. Mercedes' body crumples to the mat, and Cora wastes no time rolling her over for the pin, hooking both legs as tightly as she can.

1... 2... 3!

Samantha Irvin: Here is your winner, and the number one contender for the Thunder Women's Championship... Cora Jade!

The boos rain down from the crowd as Cora rises to her feet, a wicked smile on her face. She raises her arms in victory, standing over Mercedes' fallen body.

Darby: Well, like it or not, Cora Jade just secured her shot at Gigi Dolin's Thunder Women's Championship! But you've got to wonder, will Gigi be able to handle Cora's dirty tactics when they meet?

Cora looks down at Mercedes one last time, shaking her head before rolling out of the ring, the smirk still plastered across her face. The fans continue to boo as Cora makes her way up the ramp, her eyes already set on the Thunder Women's Championship.