The Divine Trials

Upon claiming the WWA World Championship at Onsen a Lifetime, Priscilla Divine would announce **The Divine Trials**, an eight waifu tournament to determine a number one contender. Divine stated that the tournament was open to all comers, no matter their primary division or win/loss record.

## Format

As the reigning champion, Priscilla Divine insisted that across the rounds of the tournament, the competitors would need speed, durability and toughness to be crowned number one contender. To that end the three tournament rounds would be contested under Beat the Clock, Iron Waifu, and No escape Cage Match rules, respectively.

> "*But not just any tournament. You see, I want the best possible opponent, so when I beat them, my victory is as impressive as can be.*"
> - Priscilla Divine
>
>

The eight competitors confirmed to take part in the competition were: Kelly Omega, M.Alice, BSD, Ash Romero, Gemma Stone, Curry Girl, Duna Sands and Black Winter Girl.

## Quarter Finals: Beat the Clock Challenge

All four quarter finals matches were determined by random lottery, and announced in early July of 2023. The were set to be singles competition with a Beat the Clock Challenge stipulation, intended to find which competitor had both the fortitude to win, but specifically the tenacity to win quickly.

 **2** | Kelly Omega | M.Alice | Pinfall
 **3** | Curry Girl | BSD | Submission
 **4** | Black Winter Girl | Duna Sands | Pinfall

In the first match of the Divine Trials, newcomer Gemma Stone would defeat Ash Romero in a rout. Romero would hit a death valley driver immediately out of the gates, though Stone would kick out at two and immediately take control of the contest. Romero would only briefly execute any offense, before Stone cut her off, including a wheelbarrow bulldog from the top rope. As Romero missed a high knee, Stone would land a headlock driver for a close two-count, before hitting a moonsault and another headlock driver for the pinfall victory in just 3:13.

Of note, Stone would come out accompanied by Steeli Yastuffi to the surprise of many, but this was later confirmed to be a ruse; Sapphire, Stone’s daughter and former WWA competitor, revealed herself to be underneath the costume. It is currently unclear if Sapphire has always been the one to portray Steeli Yastuffi on WWA TV.

In the second match up, M.Alice would take on Kelly Omega. Immediately as the bell rang, Omega would hit a landslide powerbomb on M.Alice, followed by a kamigoye knee and a diving double stomp. However, Omega would miss a springboard moonsault, and M.Alice would soon go to work literally tossing Omega around the ring with a clear power advantage. Omega would be forced to attack the eyes of M.Alice to escape from an attempted tree slam, and would soon after execute her signature dragon suplex. However, the lights would go out and M.Alice would appear behind Omega, with M.Alice taking advantage with her own underhanded techniques. M.Alice would attempt a chokeslam, but this would be countered by Omega. Omega would then attempt a running *Vag Trigger* knee, but M.Alice would dodge and instead hit a big boot on Omega, followed by a running clothesline and then a diving clothesline. M.Alice would successfully execute a tombstone piledriver, though Omega would kick out, almost directly into a huge chokeslam from M.Alice. Omega would come back with a pinpoint *Vag Trigger* and then a *No Wanged Angel*, but M.Alice would kick out, to a raucous reaction from the crowd. Omega would soon after attempt another *No Wanged Angel*, but M.Alice would power out of it, before being caught by another of Omega’s Dragon Suplexes, leading to the pinfall victory for Kelly Omega in 6:44.

The third match up, BSD versus Curry Girl, would prove to be another close back and forth contest. Though BSD would take advantage early with her power, Curry Girl’s technical abilities would prove too much for any sustained offence on BSD’s part. Curry Girl would attempt the first pinfall after a diving elbow, but BSD would kick out at two. Enraged, curry Girl would land numerous strikes and stomps to BSD’s face and limbs, until BSD was able to counter attack and execute long stretches of, show-off offence of her own. BSD’s power soon came into play, as she was able to execute slams and suplexes to earn a close two-count of her own. Curry Girl would catch BSD with the *Black Hold of Calcutta*, but BSD would not tap out, and Curry Girl would only earn a two-count on a subsequent pinfall attempt. As BSD looked for a desperation lariat, Curry Girl would catch BSD with the *Black Hold of Calcutta* once more, and earn the submission victory at 5:18.

The fourth and final match of the first round saw Black Winter Girl face off with Duna Sands, the latter of who was accompanied by former rival Bishamonta. Sands would gain the early favour owing to her clear size advantage, but the powerhouse skills of Black Winter were not to be underestimated. A unique leg drop from Duna saw her earn the first two-count of the match, but once again BWG would fight back. Black Winter would land a series of stomps on Duna, but would miss a moonsault attempt, leading to Sands instead hitting a fireman’s bomb on Black Winter. Black Winter would dodge a subsequent big boot attempt and hit a straight-jacket DDT for a close two-count of her own. Duna would then get Black Winter caught in the ropes and lock in a camel clutch, but Winter would fight out and then block a *Beach Break* attempt and hit a springboard leg drop. BWG would attempt her *Icicle Drop*, but Duna would counter that in return. Duna would then successfully hit her *Beach Break*, but BWG would surprisingly kick out and hit a backbreaker and then another straight-jacket DDT for a two-count of her own. As Duna got to her feet, Black Winter Girl would finally hit the *Icicle Drop* for the pinfall victory at 5:55.

## Semi-Finals: Iron Waifu Matches

Divine had previously stipulated that to keep the field fair, the fastest and slowest winners would face off, with the middle two winners' times deciding the competitors for the second semi-final. As luck would have it, the fastest and slowest times would be easily recognisable, with the middle two being comparatively much closer. The Iron Waifu stipulation was intended to showcase the competitor's durability and grit.

 **2** | Gemma Stone | Kelly Omega | 6-5

Black Winter would take an immediate advantage over Curry Girl in the first of the semi-final matches, with a huge clothesline and springboard moonsault press. However, Curry Girl would fight back and earn a close two count, before attempting a submission which was then countered. The fight would briefly spill to the floor, though both competitors would soon return to the ring, seeking a more honourable fight. Black Winter’s power was again on display, as she literally threw Curry Girl around before landing a double axe handle, though Curry Girl would get another near two-count with the *Delhi Belly* suplex, but would lock in the *Black Hold of Calcutta* immediately after, thought BWG would fight out. A stiff DDT from BWG nearly earned the first fall, as did the Icicle Drop, though neither were successful. Curry Girl would cut off BWG’s offence with a spear, before missing a diving elbow, allowing Black Winter to hit a German Suplex for another near pinfall. Ironically, BWG would then miss a moonsault of her own, allowing Curry Girl to hit a German Suplex for a near fall. Curry Girl would then lock in the *Black Hold of Calcutta* once more, and earn the first score of the match. Once again fighting on the outside, Curry Girl would drop the now-injured BWG on the apron face-first, though Curry Girl would break the referee’s count before any chance of a countout. As the two returned to the ring, Curry Girl would lock in the Black Hold of Calcutta once more, forcing another tap out, before stomping on BWG’s arm and earning a shock pinfall as well. Black Winter would once again fight back using her power, though Curry Girl would grab the ropes to escape the pinfall attempt. Curry Girl would earn her fourth score with yet another submission over Black Winter Girl, but Black Winter would near immediately get a pinfall of her own with just over one minute to spare with the *Icicle Drop*. With only 20 seconds remaining, Curry Girl would lock in the *Black Hold of Calcutta* once more and earn the final fall of the match. The bell would ring as Black Winter was attempting a keylock of her own, causing curry Girl to fight out after the match. Curry Girl would officially earn the victory, winning with a score of 5-1.

Black Winter would take an immediate advantage over Curry Girl in the first of the semi-final matches, with a huge clothesline and springboard moonsault press. However, Curry Girl would fight back and earn a close two count, before attempting a submission which was then countered. The fight would briefly spill to the floor, though both competitors would soon return to the ring, seeking a more honourable fight. Black Winter’s power was again on display, as she literally threw Curry Girl around before landing a double axe handle, though Curry Girl would get another near two-count with the *Delhi Belly* suplex, but would lock in the *Black Hold of Calcutta* immediately after, thought BWG would fight out. A stiff DDT from BWG nearly earned the first fall, as did the Icicle Drop, though neither were successful. Curry Girl would cut off BWG’s offence with a spear, before missing a diving elbow, allowing Black Winter to hit a German Suplex for another near pinfall. Ironically, BWG would then miss a moonsault of her own, allowing Curry Girl to hit a German Suplex for a near fall. Curry Girl would then lock in the *Black Hold of Calcutta* once more, and earn the first score of the match. Once again fighting on the outside, Curry Girl would drop the now-injured BWG on the apron face-first, though Curry Girl would break the referee’s count before any chance of a countout. As the two returned to the ring, Curry Girl would lock in the Black Hold of Calcutta once more, forcing another tap out, before stomping on BWG’s arm and earning a shock pinfall as well. Black Winter would once again fight back using her power, though Curry Girl would grab the ropes to escape the pinfall attempt. Curry Girl would earn her fourth score with yet another submission over Black Winter Girl, but Black Winter would near immediately get a pinfall of her own with just over one minute to spare with the *Icicle Drop*. With only 20 seconds remaining, Curry Girl would lock in the *Black Hold of Calcutta* once more and earn the final fall of the match. The bell would ring as Black Winter was attempting a keylock of her own, causing curry Girl to fight out after the match. Curry Girl would officially earn the victory, winning with a score of 5-1.

For the second Divine Trials match in a row, Kelly Omega would begin the contest with a high cross powerbomb, but Gemma Stone would counter a second attempt. The two would go back and forth, each unable to get an advantage, until Stone would hit a headlock driver for the first pinfall, as the referee missed Omega’s hand grab the bottom rope. Omega would fight back and eventually hit a *No Wanged Angel*, though Stone would kick out at two, enraging Omega who would throw Stone to the outside where Omega would hit a Fisherman’s Buster. Stone would soon throw Omega into the barricade, but stop the referee’s count at eight to avoid a countout victory. Returning to the ring, Omega would hit another *No Wanged Angel*, only for Stone to once again kick out and hit a twisting cutter of her own for a two count on Omega. A missed springboard would open the door for Omega to hit a Dragon Suplex, though this would again only get a two-count. Omega would then hit a third *No Wanged Angel* and earn her first score. Stone would escape a kneeling Camel Clutch and hit a Wheelbarrow DDT for a close fall, however the referee would this time see Omega grab the bottom rope and break the count. Omega would earn her second fall with another *No Wanged Angel* a few moments later, and Stone would tie the score with a Spanish fly of her own soon after. Stone would fight out of another *No Wanged Angel* attempt, though Omega would again take the lead with a Dragon Suplex, despite Stone’s feet clearly being the ropes. Stone would again tie with another headlock driver, and immediately then take the lead with another of the same manoeuvre. Gemma Stone would pull two scores clear with another twisting cutter, but Omega would claw one score back with a Dragon Suplex. With only 40 seconds left, Omega would tie the score with another *No Wanged Angel*. As the time counted down, Stone would counter a *Vag Trigger* into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, before hitting a standing shooting star press wit only four seconds left. The referee would count the pinfall just milliseconds before the time expired, causing Gemma Stone to win the match with a score of 6-5.

## Finals: No Escape Steel Cage

The final round of the tournament will see two competitors locked inside a steel cage with pinfall and submission the only viable methods to victory. Divine hinted that this was because of how impressed she was with the match of the same stipulation at Onsen a Lifetime. This ruleset is intended to find out who is willing to fight harder when there are no rules in order to earn a championship match.

In the no escape steel cage match to determine the winner of the inaugural Divine Trials tournament, Gemma Stone took an immediate advantage with a handspring headscissors takedown on Curry Girl. Though Curry Girl would attempt to fight back, Gemma Stone execute a DDT before head to the top rope, but missing a subsequent dive. Curry Girl then slowed the match down with a submission attempt, but Stone once again fought back utilising her speed. Once again head to the top rope, Curry Girl would this time counter a diving splash by getting her knees up, and then continue to attack the arm of the ‘magic girl’ before her. Stone would again fight back with a handspring headscissor takedown, and then a double knee codebreaker for a near two-count, and then her patended headlock driver for another close fall. The action would continue back and forth including Curry Girl countering a top-rope hurricanrana attempt into a powerbomb, though Gemma would herself counter an attempt at the Black Hold of Calcutta. Curry Girl would soon after successfully hit the Delhi Belly, but would be unable to capitalise. Stone would fight back and hit her spinning cutter, but only get a two count of her and begin to show signs of frustration. A comeback for Curry Girl was short lived however, as Stone once again executed her headlock driver for the pinfall victory.

## Trivia

* Kelly Omega's first-scoring pinfall over Gemma Stone with the *No Wanged Angel* is the first time that move has ever scored her an accepted and legal pinfall in the WWA.