Fiona was determined not to let herself get rattled by Shin Choon-hee before the match even began, which was clearly what she was trying to do. Shin had always been uncompromising and more than a little mean, and their year apart seemed to only have amplified that attitude, that sense of superiority she had, which few could say she hadn't earned. She was the real prodigy in the ring, come to kick the upstart Fiona back down for the third time.

But Fiona wasn't accepting that. If anything, holding up that award reminded Fiona of just how close she'd come, and how evenly matched the two of them had been last time. If just a few more things went her way tonight, and she fought with the same determination, she could emerge the winner. So she held Shin's gaze, nodding and rolling her wrists, feeling the energy in her building just as it did in the crowd.

Shin hopped up onto the apron and slipped between the top and middle ropes as her partner stepped over to their corner. The tag team champion walked confidently toward the center of the ring, her expression souring as she looked Fiona up and down with unhidden disdain. She then turned to face one side of the arena and for the third time held her belt high for the fans, prompting a final sweeping wave of cheers, whistles, and chants as her theme faded and the lighting returned to normal. Satisfied that she had upstaged Fiona, Shin Choon-hee walked to her corner ready for the match to begin.

The referee checked over their gear, Shin's coat, championship belt, and NMWW award needing to be cleared off to the side. Choi Minji and Kendra remained on their respective partners' sides to start. Fiona hoped they'd both stay put and simply offer encouragement, but she knew better than to expect that. She'd have to stay ready for distractions, and not let them throw her off her game.

"And it looks like we're ready to get this one started!" commentated Dan Rich, as the bell rang. "The Women's Rubicon Gauntlet is underway with Shin Choon-hee taking on Fiona Chevalier!"

Fiona came flying out of the gates, leaping at Shin and managing to catch her a little flat-footed right at the bell. She'd never used a Thesz Press before in a match, and she had to believe her opponent wasn't expecting it, as she was able to take her to the mat and get in two or three decent strikes before she was thrown off to the side.

Getting to her feet first, Fiona was able to get good leverage on a high grapple against Shin, pushing forward hard and managing to drive her back into her corner. She kept pushing, at least until the referee stepped in and demanded she break the hold. She complied, but then used the opening to land a wicked [i]slap[/i] right across Shin's cheek, the sound ringing out in the arena and getting a shocked and delighted reaction from the crowd.

"Oh!" Rhonda shouted. "I felt that one! Fiery start from Fiona, sending a message right back after that taunting before the bell."

Fiona backed off as the referee stepped between the two of them, letting Shin out of the corner and resetting the fight. Fiona's expression was still focused and serious even after that slap, not even a smirk. Satisfying as it was, she knew it would just make Shin want to do worse right back to her. It was just the start of what promised to be a very intense match.

They collided again in the middle of the ring, Fiona able to use Shin's aggression against her, getting hold of her left wrist and whirling around behind her, twisting her arm around painfully behind her back. With her other arm Fiona tried to secure Shin's neck, looking to continue applying pressure to her shoulder and start wearing her down.