PLUS: PARTIES, PIN-UPS, TRIVIA & TRAFFIC IN FULL SWING!

by the Grand Poobah

Whereas you might be sending others “Seasons Greetings” the next couple of weeks, this Saturday four ARRG intraleague squads will look to offer eachother “Seasons Beatings.”

ARRG presents its next doubleheader event of the 2010-11 season this Saturday, December 4 at the All-American Sports Mall (11133 Lindbergh Business Ct, St. Louis, MO). Doors open at 6:30 pm. Bouts begin at 7pm.

You can purchase advance online tickets for $3 off the door price by going to Brown Paper Tickets RIGHT HERE!

Saturday’s first match-up will feature a battle of unbeatens as ARRG defending champions the Stunt Devils (1-0) put their seven-bout winning streak on the line against Rebel Skate Alliance (1-0). In the evening’s final tilt, the Smashinistas (0-1) and the M-80s (0-1) battle for their first victory of the season.

The Stunts overcame a major roadblock three weeks ago at the All-American in a physical match-up with the M-80s. A hard-charging second half resulted in a 111-71 win for the purple-clad rollers.

High-octane jammer Artemischief led the Stunts last month with 48 points while youngster Mighty Mighty Boston had a breakthrough bout, scoring 36 points off eight lead jams.

The Stunts were able to survive without the presence of all-star blocker Grave Danger, who went down with an season-ending injury days before the match-up. This meant additional minutes logged by veterans Mayor Francis Slayer, Deathica Steele and Danikka Doom.

They’ll see plenty of additional time on the flat track this Saturday as they face a squad that is “sky high.”

Rebel Skate Alliance impressed ARRG Nation in their inaugural bout three weeks ago, posting a 103-76 win over the Smashinistas. Second half dominance also played a part in their victory.

RSA Jammer Starry Starry Fight returned to fine form after a brief sabbatical, posting 40 points in the win. ARRG newcomer Party Foul crashed the Smashies’ shindig and collected 35 points while the returning Smarty McFly scored 28.

If anything, RSA played “smart derby” in their launch, keeping penalties to a minimum while utilizing effective offensive schematics from blockers Chewblocka, Domme E. Nation and The Bevo Kill.

Expect the RSA’s to use their “noggins” and use them well. This team proved opening night that they’re pretty doggone good!

It will be an interesting match-up with skaters familiar with each other – literally. Five current “Rebs” are former Stunt Devils. If any team would know how the Stunts operate the best, it would be RSA.

In this highly anticipated match-up, expect the outcome to be close….dangerously close.

The same could be said of Saturday’s Smashinistas/M-80s duel. If you ask both squads, they’ll probably admit that they were their own worst enemies on opening night.

Late-bout penalties hurt their chances to start the season with a victory. Both squads know that it can’t happen again in this battle.

In their first bout, The Smashinistas found a majority of their points with top-notch performances from jammers Punches Pileup and Downtown Dallis, who scored 30 and 25 points respectively against Rebel Skate Alliance.

Shimmy Hoffa had a solid debut with the Smashies, collecting 11 points in her rookie effort.

And look for the firepower to continue with efforts from The Educator, Davy Blockitt and Eli Wallop.

It’s a team that’s on the cusp of a major breakthrough – expect them to go for the jugular early.

However, the M-80s – even saddled with injuries – are not a team to be taken lightly.

Jammer May Require Stitches made an early bid for ARRG Rookie of the Year, posting 22 points in her debut against the Stunt Devils. Black Market Baby contributed 18 points while EnYa Nightmare added 15.

But while two youngsters (Stitches/BMB) might provide a high percentage of the offense Saturday, look for the wily firecrackin’ veterans (Nightmare, Joanie Rollmoan, Siege, Science Friction) to make their presence known.

This could be the match-up where we see an unexpected surprise make a huge impact. Could The Forecloser of the Smashies issue the opposition a “Chapter 13″? Perhaps Munchausen by Foxy can provide the M-80s a little additional moxie?

One thing is for certain – a win Saturday will immediately net one of these squads a tie for second place in the ARRG season standings.

Neither team can afford a loss. This one should be fun!

If anything this Saturday, ARRG will present to you an early XMAS present, another great night featuring St. Louis’hottest athletic alternative.

We’ll see you there ! 

ANNUAL ARRG TRIVIA NIGHT ANNOUNCED

A winter tradition returns as ARRG presents its annual trivia night.

WHAT: Annual ARRG Trivia Night, featuring cash prizes and a silent auction.

WHEN:   Saturday, January 15, 2011 – 7 PM (Doors/registration 6 pm)

WHERE: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2934 Marshall, Maplewood, MO

PRICE: $20/person, which includes FREE unlimited beer, wine, soda and light snacks (Outside food okay, but please, no outside alcohol).

You can either register yourself or your table of up to 10 players by contacting ARRGEvents@gmail.com. If registering a full team, your registration will not be accepted until payment is received.

It is encouraged that you pre-register your table early and avoid lines at the door on event night.

Test your knowledge in categories covering a wide variety of subject matter. Mulligans will be available for purchase to help your team’s score as well as “Ask Bertha,” where one of ARRG’s own will confirm if your answer is correct/incorrect. And if you are a solo participant looking for a team, you can easily join another table and compete. (Poobah’s note: Truth be told, it worked for me last time out!)

Join us on Saturday, January 15 and support ARRG’s funding of events in the 2010-2011 season.

ARRG ANNUAL XMAS PARTY FOLLOWS DECEMBER BOUTS

Another annual ARRG tradition arrives in less than two weeks and if you’re at December’s doubleheader, this one’s easy to find.

The Arch Rival Roller Girls’ annual XMAS party will take place immediately following the bouts at the Upper Deck, located at the All-American Sports Mall.

Along with the normal revelry found at the post-bout after parties, the ARRG XMAS party will also feature:

- A “Sexy Santa” Contest

- An “Ugly XMAS Sweater” Contest

- “Spin the Wheel” for beverages, prizes and SPANKS!

- Kisses for $1 from participating ARRG skaters

- The Jolly Man Himself handing out “Secret Santa Presents” and taking pictures.

- A Special Performance from the ARRG Jeerleaders

- Another edition of “Where’s U.S. Marshall?” – where the first 20 fans who find ARRG’s reigning “Most Spirited” and say the secret password win a free beverage.

All this and more for no additional cost to you – a member of the ARRG lovin’ public.

It will be the best XMAS party you’ll attend this holiday season.

BILLBOARD ON I-55 BECOMES ARRG DERBY ALIVE!!!

I’ll show my age by paraphrasing comedian Joe Piscopo when he used to bellow the sports report during “Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live” in 1983:

“THE BIG STORY…ST. LOUIS…55…ARSENAL…DERBY…ARRG…BILLBOARD…BIG!!!”

ARRG BEAUTIES FEATURED IN 2011 CALENDAR!

I know that a healthy percentage of the readers online consist of women. So ladies, let me make a recommendation on a great XMAS gift to give to your significant other.

Buy a calendar this holiday season that features “real women” – not augmented, airbrushed, photo-shopped floozies who couldn’t articulate the difference between an “f-stop” and an “iHop”.

In all seriousness, you’ll be helping out a great cause in the process when you purchase one of these.

The 2011 Pin Up and Pups Mutts-N-Stuff Calendar, featuring the Arch Rival Roller Girls, are now available online RIGHT HERE!

Showcasing the professional work of Lynn Terry Photography, the ladies of ARRG and some fun, furry friends (all rescues who went on to loving homes), the 2011 calendar features a 1950′s-style theme with a contemporary twist.

All proceeds from the sale of the calendars benefit Mutts-N-Stuff, a St. Louis-based rescue group that is dedicated to rescuing any domesticated species of animal, with emphasis on “bully-type” breeds such as Pit Bull Terriers, Rottweilers and American Staffordshire Terriers.

Order your 2011 calendar now and see the Arch Rival Roller Girls every day of the year!

NEXT WEEK IN THE ARRG NEWSCENTER: Saturday’s bouts feature a battle of unbeatens and two squads who look to even their records. We’ll reflect on how the evening went with recaps of both bouts.

When not fighting over the last piece of pumpkin pie, The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the Arch Rival Roller Girls. Check back in this section on Monday for the latest in ARRG news and information.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT AS ARRG ANNOUNCER WEIGHS IN!

by Hells LaBelle

My dear friend and announcing partner, the Grand Poobah has already given a very extensive account of the events of the Arch Rival Roller Girls’ season opener on Saturday, November 13th. It was an incredible night of derby.

I am not here to drag out his detailed account. I am here to simply voice several questions that I have that may strike a chord with ARRG Nation after witnessing what I saw that night.

Let’s you and I play “20 QUESTIONS” from opening night… if you will…

So… without further ado, let’s enter onto the “Highway to Hells…” 

1. Who else cannot wait to see the conclusion to “The Race for ARRG’s Scoring Champion,” already begun by 2010′s defending scoring champion, Starry Starry Fight and the two-time defending ARRG champion, Artemischief?

Will a third party enter her name into the race? Who will have something to say about the turnout? Will it be Mighty Mighty Boston, who had a standout night? Can a rookie like May Require Stitches make a run at the league’s most seasoned veterans?

Will Black Market Baby explode in the points column to try and snatch the crown? Or how about savvy skaters like Downtown Dallis, South City Shiner or EnYa Nightmare?

I will be on the edge of my seat to see which one of these skaters finishes this ARRG season with the highest jammer point total.

2. Was anyone else blown away by the performance of the M-80′s May Require Stitches?

Yes, she already had track experience with the St. Lunachix, but seriously, should anyone’s STARTING POINT in this sport be THAT GOOD?

Stitches showed the poise and moxie unlike I have seen out of any ARRG rookie in a long time. I predicted right here on archrivalrollergirls.com that she would lead the M-80s in scoring in her debut, and Stitches didn’t let me down. She was so good, she ALMOST overshadowed another tremendous local bout debut. 

Shimmy Hoffa was excellent in her Smashinista debut. That’s why I said ALMOST. Shimmy stood out and showed how all that track time with the St. Lunachix has paid off for her as well. She didn’t look like a newcomer to me.

3. How impressive was Smarty McFly in her debut as a Rebel? 

This girl proved to the league that she is not a bench player. Not a sideliner. She wants action, and lots of it.  While her 28 points may not have led the way, her lead jamming skills were crucial in her team’s control of the game clock in both halves of the bout against the Smashinitas.

4. If that was how the Stunt Devils’ Mighty Mighty Boston skates with a busted shoulder, how good will this athlete be when she is 100%?

Boston borrowed Starry Starry Fight’s shoulder brace for the bout. She wasn’t cleared medically to play. But she went out there and turned in such a good performance, it earned her the bout’s “number one star status.”

I think ARRG has a true All-Star on their hands with this one. Boston earned lead jammer four consecutive times in the first half, which really allowed the Stunts to control the tempo of the game against the M-80s.

5. Did anyone else’s teeth get knocked loose from watching the hit delivered by the Smashinistas’ Davey Blockit on RSA’s Starry Starry Fight in the second bout?

Maybe I am exaggerating because it happened right in front of me in the announcers’ booth, but that boom was as big as they get in my book.

I would also like to point out that it was really fun watching Davey ROCKIT jam for the Smashies. That’s a bit of a new look for her, as far as what the fans have seen in the past, and she didn’t let them down. Perhaps that time she spent training with other leagues (Milwaukee) gave her a new edge to her game play.

6. Did the Stunt Devils’ Mayor Francis Slayer sit out ANY jams in the second half?

This is how good this girl is. She was in the game for at least 80 percent of the bout. She was picking up for track time lost by an injured Grave Danger. And Mayor answered the call like the All-Star that she is. She could have very easily been the bout’s MVP. Be careful, Mayor, or we might have to nickname you “Ironman,” if you keep performing like THAT.

7.  With the second half that the Smashinistas’ Downtown Dallis had, how good will she be when she turns that into a full-game effort?

Dallis only jammed once or twice in the first half of her bout against the RSA. She wound up leading her team in scoring for the bout with 25 points. A costly penalty to Dallis on the final jam led to the RSA clinching the win, but Dallis is the kind of athlete that learns from experience, so we can expect very good things from the Smashies’ jammer in the future.

8.  Is RSA’s Party Foul the next big thing to come to ARRG via transfer? 

I was really impressed by this skater’s play in the season opener. The league has been the beneficiary of several transfer skaters (Dallis, Wallop, Jezebelle to name a few), but this one looks like she has hit one of those “Right Place, Right Time” situations.

Party Foul was my choice for the bout’s number one star because she answered every run the Smashies made as a jammer, and she controlled the clock by becoming lead jammer a handful in the second half. As a blocker, Party Foul lived up to her first overall draft pick status. Party’s experience really shined in the second half of her team’s inaugural win.

9.  Is EnYa Nightmare poised for a huge season for the M-80s? 

I really think this young lady has the potential for a breakout year for the firecrackers. She picked up right where she left off last year, turning in another solid 17-point effort as a jammer AND blocker for the once three-peat champions.

Nightmare brings a lot of leadership to the table with this currently short-handed M-80s team.

10.  Who is the better blocking “One-Two Punch” on the front line? The M-80s’ Siege and Science Friction?  The Arizona Connection: Eli Wallop and Jezebelle of the Smashies? Chewblocka and Bevo Kill for RSA? Or the Stunts’ Mayor Francis Slayer and Deathica Steele?

My instinct is to lean towards the M-80s on this one. Siege and Friction were really good in the season opener, and will only get better with more track time, now that the both of these once-retired skaters are back in full swing.

I cannot deny the effectiveness of the Arizona Connection for the Smashinistas. They were also solid in their bout. Jez and Eli are friends that know each other very well as skaters, and show a chemistry that most cannot duplicate.

But RSA’s Chewie and Bevo made one hell of a case as well. Bevo faced the threat of ejection with her first half total of trips to the box, but she buckled down and played a very disciplined game, which Chewie did the whole way (more on them later!).

Without Grave Danger in the lineup due to injury, the Stunt’s Deathica Steele stepped in and did a really good job filling in for Mayor Francis Slayer’s partner in blocking crime.  There’s a really good reason why Deathica Steele won so many ARRG awards last season, as well as MVP awards from other teams during Interleague bouts, and she showed that in the opener.

11.  Was anybody else extremely happy to see some familiar faces back on the flat track for ARRG?

I don’t know about any of the rest of you, but my world just seemed to correct itself when I got to see Science Friction (formerly Evilasting Jawbreaker), Siege, Starry Starry Fight and Sue She back on the track in the season opener. It was great to see these skaters back where they belong…on the track, kicking ass, which is what they were clearly born to do!

Starry Starry Fight looked like she didn’t miss a beat. There is so much talent in those two feet of Starry’s She led the league in scoring last season despite missing half of it. That’s how solid of a player the RSA have in Starry. I can’t say enough about her.

12.  Can you possibly be shown a bigger example of just how tough rollergirls are than when Black Market Baby, Domme E. Nation and The Siege went down, got right back up and played even more after the injuries???

If you think you can, then I generally do not care for you as a person. All three ladies took some exceptionally hard falls, but all three of them got right up and skated off the track on their own accord, and RETURNED TO THE GAME LATER! 

THAT is what being a rollergirl is all about. Hockey Players? Huh, you got NOTHIN’ on Rollergirls!

13.  Was it just me, or were the RSA’s Chewblocka and Bevo Kill ALL OVER the track in their bout against the Smashinistas?

(See question 10) I really like this front line blocking scheme of the brand new RSA pack. Bevo was hitting everything in sight. And Chewie may have played the ENTIRE second half, except for maybe two jams.

Well… at least that is what it SEEMED like.

14.  How scary could this M-80 team be if they get healthy before the playoffs?

Anytime you add Keligula, Suri O’Killer, Chokehold Chanel and Pelvis Costello to your roster midseason, that’s like hitting the lottery. And remember, this M-80s team was right there in their bout with the defending champions until down to the wire, so they have the talent. 

Think about it, with all those injured skaters on the shelf, the M-80s still trotted out six different jammers, all who saw equal time blocking. And for those of us that remember Siege and Science from their first go-round with this league, they know how to jam and jam well.

So the M-80s always have THOSE not-so-secret weapons in their back pocket.

15.  Just how many points will Artemischief score this year?

She was once the scoring champion for not only the Stunt Devils, but also for ARRG’s All-Star team. Ammie is one of the most cerebral skaters in the league, and she has the experienced blockers in front of her that could very well spell out a scoring title for the Stunts’ “Silent Assassin.”

I believe she can surpass her own single-season point record this year, if her team remains focused. The only thing that will stop Artemischief from winning the scoring title is her own love for blocking!

The Stunts have so much depth now that they can afford to take her off the jammer line and put her in the pack, and the scary thing is, Ammie is equally dominant at blocking as she is at jamming. And she LOVES it! So if she doesn’t win the scoring title because she is spending more time blocking on the track, I think that would be just fine by her!

16.  Can you possibly get any better than a dance routine that goes from the Partridge Family’s “Keep On Keepin’ On” to UNK’s “Walk it Out”?

I submit you can NOT. I freaking LOVE our league’s Jeerleaders.

17.  Will we get the Stunt’s Mighty Mighty Boston to say more than one word in her future post-bout interviews?

Yes.

18.  What was the Achilles heel of the two teams that lost on ARRG’s opening night?

Penalties. That one isn’t even debatable. Cut either teams’ penalties in half and you might see a score change as far as the outcome goes.

You know what, I’m going out on a limb and say take the MIGHT out of that last sentence. The scores would have been different if penalties didn’t haunt the losing teams.

But at the same time, this also speaks volumes for the discipline of the defending champions and the expansion!

19.  After Night One, who is the player to watch out for this season?

Punches Pileup, without a doubt. She had a great game, scoring 24 points for the Smashies. And even though it was in a losing cause, she has had some even more explosive performances in the past. She somewhat flew under the radar this game, but fully expect her to make a lot of noise in upcoming bouts.

Don’t expect The Educator to be that quiet in the scoring column for very long either. Edge is WAY too good of a player, and she will have a break-out game before this season reaches its conclusion.

20. How STUPID are Hells LaBelle’s predictions?

Well, they are 50% effective at this point, which is a batting average most major leaguers would kill for. But alas, it is still failing in the grading system.

I was right about the Stunts, but I was wrong about RSA. I underestimated ARRG’s “expansion” team. I was really impressed by the Rebels’ short-clock constructed chemistry. RSA made a statement in Night One. 

They are not an expansion team. Party, Smarty, Starry, Bevo and Chewie are out for nothing less than a championship…and they played like it in their season/franchise opener.

Thanks for reading.

NEXT WEEK IN THE ARRG NEWSCENTER: A look at ARRG’s community outreach efforts this season and early information the annual ARRG Trivia Night, to be held January 2011.

The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are your 2010-11 ARRG bout announcers. When they are not announcing for ARRG, they just hear those sleigh bells ring-a-ling, ting-ting-a-ting-a-ling too. Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you, the ARRG fans!

BOSTON BASHES WHILE PARTY CRASHES!

by the Grand Poobah

(ST . LOUIS, MO) At the Arch Rival Roller Girls’ 2010-11 season opener Saturday night, one team successfully began its quest for a “three-peat” while an expansion franchise launched an inaugural victory.

In the process, returning veterans picked up from where they left off while new faces on quads impressed ARRG Nation with sight unseen efforts.

Two-time defending champions The Stunt Devils bested The M-80s 111-71 while the newly-formed Rebel Skate Alliance defeated The Smashinistas 103-76 in front of a capacity audience at the All-American Sports Mall.

In all, Saturday’s outcomes provided plenty of surprises for St. Louis’ derby faithful as well as incentives for all four intraleague squads.

STUNT DEVILS 111     M-80s 71

Paced by young jammer Mighty Mighty Boston, the Stunt Devils posted a 40-point victory over their long-time arch rival.

With the win, the defending champions picked up their first victory of the season and the franchise’s seventh straight, dating back to August 2009.

But prior to the bout, both teams knew that the contest was going to be anything but easy.

The M-80s, even with their reloaded line-up heading into the season, saw only ten skaters dress. A half-dozen ladies on the injury list put the red rollers behind the proverbial “8-ball” before the night’s first whistle blew.

Conversely, the Stunt Devils were in a fix of their own, as a late-week injury to All-Star blocker Grave Danger subtracted a key cog to their own re-built machine.

“It was tough not having her out on the track,” said South City Shiner of her teammate. “She’s a really big piece of our team. She is the voice of reason and part of the glue that holds this team together.”

With that storyline in place, the bout was anyone’s for the taking.

After early point exchanges, Stunt jammer Morgan LeFaetal posted a three-pointer to give the defending champs a 4-2 lead six minutes in.

The M-80s would fire hard shots with the bout’s next two jams and go on a 19-0 run. Rookie May Require Stitches’ four-pointer was followed by EnYa Nightmare’s 15-point megajam. When the dust had settled four minutes later, the ladies in red sported a 21-4 advantage.

The Stunts would counter with Boston’s four-point score to pull within a baker’s dozen, but a 7-0 run piloted by Munchausen By Foxy would stretch the M-80′s lead to its largest of the evening – a 28-8 edge with 15:00 remaining.

And then the ladies in purple would go on a roll of their own, gaining lead jammer status in six of the bout’s next seven jams.

But in that stretch, the one jam where there was no lead became the one most imperative for the Stunts. A penalty to M-80′s jammer Black Market Baby – and more importantly, her trip to the penalty box – gave the Stunt’s Artemischief free reign of the flat track. The vet capitalized on the miscue and posted a 19-pointer, which a resulted in a 33-33 tie with 10:00 remaining.

A quartet of Stunt Devils would continue to pile on the points and pull out to a 46-34 lead with 5:00 left in the half.

But a determined M-80s squad would post much needed points as the first half ended. BMB would score five while Stitches added four and a first half-roller coaster ride ended with the Stunts clinging to a 48-43 lead at intermission.

Both teams traded punches as the second half began. Black Market Baby’s four-pointer pulled the M-80s within one, but Boston countered with four of her own. M-80s co-captain Joanie Rollmoan responded with four points and made the bout a 52-51 nailbiter.

Boston would become “mighty” with her next jam – a 13-point score to stretch the Stunts’ lead to 65-51 with 22:00 remaining.

The defending champions would deliver the knockout punch with Artemischief’s 20-pointer eight minutes later to give the Stunts a comfortable 91-59 cushion.

The Stunt Devils would outscore the M-80s 20-12 down the stretch – punctuated by Boston’s six-point score – to coast to the 40-point victory…albeit a difficult one.

“In the second half, I think the experience level that we have plus staying calm and determined really helped us out,” said Stunt jammer South City Shiner following the win. “In the future, I would say that we need to work a little harder. We won’t be able to keep winning if we don’t continue to work hard.”

Stunt Devils’ vet Artemischief would pace all scorers with 48 points. Shiner and LaFaetal notched 14 and 13 points respectively for the Stunts.

May Require Stiches – making her All-American debut – led the M-80s with 22 points. Black Market Baby netted 18 while Nightmare scored 17.

But the bout’s top performer was undoubtedly Mighty Mighty Boston, who collected a bout-high eight lead jams and 36 points altogether for the Stunt Devils.

“We were worried about her at the beginning of the week because she got hurt earlier at a scrimmage, but she’s just tough,” said Shiner of her co-jammer. “She’s very focused and goes out and does her job really well. She’s going to be awesome player to watch this season.”

And as for the shy, unassuming jammer herself – the one who sports a headband under her helmet – her one lone post-bout comment spoke volumes.

“We want to go undefeated. It’s our goal. We want to keep (the championship) in purple.”

Mighty, indeed!

UNNOFFICAL SCORING

STUNTS DEVILS: Artemischief 48, Mighty Mighty Boston 36, South City Shiner 13  Morgan LaFaetal 13

M-80s: May Require Stitches 22, Black Market Baby 18, EnYa Nightmare 17, Munchausen By Foxy 7, Joanie Rollmoan 7

REBEL SKATE ALLIANCE 103   SMASHINISTAS  76

Leave it to a newcomer to crash the Smashinistas’ season opening party. The end result saw ARRG’s newest expansion team – Rebel Skate Alliance – pick up a 27-point victory in their inaugural debut.

RSA jammer Party Foul – a transfer from the Bleeding Heartland Rollergirls of Bloomington, IN – notched 36 points in her ARRG intraleague debut.

The counter-clockwise coalition, with less than three months of track time collectively as a franchise, were surprised at their own outcome against the Smashinistas – a squad that is projected to make a strong run for the ARRG title in 2011.

“I’m kind of in shock at everything,” said RSA co-captain Smarty McFly, following the bout. “I didn’t come in here expecting a win. I came into the game prepared to play roller derby and have fun. But knowing that we were a new team, I really didn’t know what to expect.”

Or did they?

“We knew that going into the season that we just needed to be smart,” added RSA jammer/blocker The Bevo Kill. “We wanted to be the smartest team on the track. We didn’t need to be the flashiest team – a high-scoring team – just smart.”

And pontification by RSA helped them rally from an early deficit.

Smashies’ jammer Punches Pileup scored a 14-pointer four minutes in to give the camo-clad troops a 16-2 lead.

RSA would chip away at the lead with jams by Starry Starry Fight, McFly and Party Foul. A 7-0 run would cut the gap to seven points.

Pileup would follow with a four-pointer at the 21:00 mark to give the Smashinistas a 20-9 lead.

The Rollin’ Rebs would counter with a 10-0 run during the bout’s next five minutes. Smarty & Party’s collective scoring effort erased the lead to 20-19 Smashies.

Both teams worked methodically as the first half progressed, resulting in flat track war. While the Smashies would strike with an 8-point bomb from Davey Blockit and a pair of 4+ point jams from newcomer Shimmy Hoffa, RSA would retaliate with quick laser-light strikes from Starry and Party Foul.

With troops tired at intermission, the Smashinistas sported a 38-37 lead.

Within that 10-minute break, Rebel Skate Alliance drew up a modified intergalactic schematic.

“We went into the half being only one point down and we looked at who was scoring and who was making good defensive decisions and that’s when we decided to push for a three-jammer rotation,” said The Bevo Kill.

And it worked beautifully. RSA would start the second half with a 26-0 run, thanks in part to an 11-pointer scored by McFly. Five minutes in, RSA sported a 63-38 lead.

“When we got ahead, we knew that we needed a strong defense, that we needed to shut them down and keep our points,” said Kill. “We didn’t need to necessarily score points, we just needed to keep them from scoring.”

Easier said than done.

The Smashies’ Downtown Dallis, Pileup and Hoffa would keep the camo-clad troops within striking distance for the next ten minutes. A 22-9 scoring run for the Smashinistas pulled them within a dozen points with under 10:00 remaining.

Clinging onto a 72-60 down the stretch, patience and persistence began to pay off for RSA. Capitalizing on late-bout Smashie penalties, RSA would go on a 31-16 run in the bout’s remaining minutes to secure the franchise’s first win.

“It’s awesome,” said RSA’s Party Foul whose 10-pointer near the end of the bout sealed the inaugural victory. “I love my team. I love this league!”

Starry Starry Fight paced the Rebel Skate Alliance with 39 points, while Smarty McFly added 28.

Downtown Dallis led the Smashinistas with 25 points followed by Punches Pileup’s 24.

And for ARRG’s newest team, the goal was to break the stereotypes that are often associated with expansion teams.

“We had everything to prove,” said Kill. “We came out here so hungry. We had people come over to this team because they just wanted to see playing time. I am so proud of this team because everyone just empowered their way through this game.”

Mission accomplished?

“I might have cried a little,” replied Kill.

UNOFFICIAL SCORING

REBEL SKATE ALLIANCE: Starry Starry Fight 39, Party Foul 36, Smarty McFly 28

SMASHINISTAS: Downtown Dallis 25, Punches Pileup 24, Shimmy Hoffa 11, Davey Blockit 8, The Educator 3

NOTES FROM THE POOBAH

As you experienced firsthand, the season opener for ARRG’s 2010-11 campaign drew one of the league’s largest crowds ever. We thank you very much for your support and patronage this past Saturday night.

ARRG would like to thank its media partners for spreading advance publicity for the event, including KPLR-TV, KTVI-TV and the Riverfront Times.

Scratches for night one of ARRG interleague action included the following: (Stunt Devils) Grave Danger, (M-80s) Chokehold Chanel No.5, Suri O’ Killer, Keligula, Pelvis Costello, D’Wicked Pirate and Otto Van Bruisemark, (RSA) Ginny Beastly, (Smashinistas) Megalodominator.

The outcomes of Saturday’s action have already made for some interesting match-ups for the next twin-bill night of ARRG action on Saturday, December 4. Featured will be a battle of unbeatens as the Stunt Devils put their seven bout-winning streak on the line against Rebel Skate Alliance – a team that features five former Stunts – while the M-80s and the Smashinistas look to even their respective records. We’ll preview these highly-anticipated match-ups in the next few weeks.

NEXT WEEK IN THE ARRG NEWSCENTER: Hells LaBelle checks in with his reflections of the season opener and looks at ARRG’s future.

The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the 2010-11 season of the Arch Rival Roller Girls. Check back in this section on Mondays for the latest in ARRG news and information.

by the Grand Poobah

(ST . LOUIS, MO) At the Arch Rival Roller Girls’ 2010-11 season opener Saturday night, one team successfully began its quest for a “three-peat” while an expansion franchise launched an inaugural victory.

Two-time defending champions The Stunt Devils bested The M-80s 111-71 while the newly-formed Rebel Skate Alliance defeated The Smashinistas 103-76 in front of a capacity audience at the All-American Sports Mall.

A full recap of both bouts from Saturday night will appear in the News Section of archrivalrollergirls.com Monday morning.

ANNOUNCER MAKES PREDICTIONS FOR DOUBLEHEADER!

by Hells LaBelle

Show of hands…

Anyone else geeked up about opening night for the Arch Rival Roller Girls?

Derby Nation in St. Louis is clearly spoiled.  You read all about it in the Grand Poobah’s last entry.  Not only do local fans of derby not have to wait very long for their next derby fix, but this time around, they’ll start getting double the fix. Starting Saturday night, the St. Louis league will feature double-header local bouts.

Thanks to the expansion you read all about right here on archrivalrollergirls.com, there are now four local teams, which means you, the fan, gets twice the local derby every weekend of local flat track derby play.

The first bout of the double-header in the season opener features the two-time defending local champion, the Stunt Devils, against a completely new and reloaded M-80s.

I like this match-up early in the season.  It will serve as a nice barometer for both teams to see where they are after retirements, drafts, and expansion.

The Stunt Devils felt the sting of expansion as far as their roster is concerned, with five skaters defecting from the championship roster to help form the new expansion team, the Rebel Skate Alliance.  Two of those skaters, Smarty McFly and Starry Starry Fight, were not on the Stunt Devils roster for much of the season due to either injury or temporary relocation.  Starry provided explosive scoring ability, while Smarty added versatility at all three track positions.  The remaining three players, Domme E. Nation, Bertha Venus, and Chewblocka all were steady blockers in the Stunt Devil packs.

But if any team could have withstood the loss of players on their rosters, it was the Stunt Devils.  They boasted a roster depth unmatched by the rest of the league, which led to their championship repeat.  Their core of players remains in tact.  Led by jammers South City Shiner and Artemischief, the Stunt Devils still have plenty of jam speed and scoring threats. 

Keep an eye out for Morgan LaFaetal, who had a break through year last season as a jammer for the Stunts in the sudden absence of Starry.  She got better and better as the year progressed, and will prove to be a powerful weapon for the champs.  Mighty Mighty Boston brings more speed to the jammer line as well.  Boston is a very cerebral skater and is going to get even better with increased playing time in 2010-2011.

I would expect to see Whip Scream (who jammed for the St. Lunachix last month) get a few reps in at jammer as well, thus proving that the Stunts have not lost any depth on the jammer line.

The pack isn’t hurting either in the depth department.  Mayor Francis Slayer, Grave Danger, Danika Doom and Deathica Steele are four crafty veteran pivots and blockers up front.  The depth at jammer will allow a skater like Artemischief to get more shifts in as a blocker, where she is equally effective.

The Stunt Devils added three rookies to their line-up to round out the roster.  Slamniqua, Trippity Hooha and Hydrogen Bombshell will make their ARRG debuts in purple.  It will be interesting to see where they will be used by the team captains.

The M-80s, on the other hand are completely retooled.  The losses of Ana Warpath and Joltin Josie (to retirement) and Nikki Vixen (to expansion) as blockers took away some good size and experience, but the M-80s like how they drafted the offseason.

With the fortuitous return of the Siege and Science Friction (formerly EvaLasting Jawbreaker), the M-80s may have inherited two of the highest priced free agents the local league has ever seen.  Siege and Science were members of the championship winning M-80s teams and were big reasons behind the success.  Both are very versatile players and add a lot of smarts and experience to what was once a pretty young and inexperienced line-up. 

Leading the way for the M-80s will be the league’s 2010 most valuable jammer, Black Market Baby.  BMB had a helluva season last year with the M-80s and the travel team All-Stars.  She’s a tenacious jammer and hits the open track with bigtime speed.  Enya Nightmare is another veteran that was playing her best derby late in the season since having her knee surgically repaired.  Expect Nightmare to have a strong showing early for the firecrackers.

Speaking of injuries, it looks like the long-awaited return of Keligula is right around the corner, which is another equivalent to suddenly picking up a quality free agent. Keligula’s craft is mainly at the jammer line, where she brings good speed and quickness.

And speed is not something that rookie draft pick, May Require Stitches is a stranger to.  This ice hockey player turned derby jammer has been an instant hit in ARRG.  She’s a talented skater and tough as nails, so don’t be surprised if this one leads the M-80s in scoring.

ARRG’s fearless leader Joanie Rollmoan is back for more.  Romo is another “do-it-all” kind of player that can jam or block whenever called upon.

Here’s something the M-80s haven’t been able to say in a long time, “This team has a lot of interchangeable parts”.  They have a newly found depth that could quicklytake them from the cellar to the penthouse floor in the matter of a couple bouts.  Bare Knuckle Smack, D’Wicked Pirate, Pelvis Costello, Madame Moonstruck, and Munchausen By Foxy are very talented skaters that make up strong packs. 

Costello and Foxy both have some jamming experience with the St. Lunachix and were both impressive.  The Punctuator had a good showing at the rookie bout against St. Charles.  I expect her to step right in and contribute without any difficulty.

And don’t forget that further down the road, you could see Suri O’Killer and Chokehold Chanel back in uniform for the M-80s (Perhaps by playoff time???), which pushes that roster over the top in my mind.

We could be talking about this team being a powerhouse by the time April rolls around.   

I like this match-up because of the depth on both rosters.  The one-two jammer punch on both sides is very intriguing.  Artemischief/Shiner against BMB/Stitches.  Those are four fast skaters that will be hand-fulls for the opposing packs.

I give the edge in this one to the Stunt Devils due to their experience up front.  But that’s just speculation.  It would be foolish to overlook the M-80s with the returns of quality players like Science and Siege.

My prediction: Stunts 145, M-80s 112

The second bout is the debut of the league’s fourth team, Rebel Skate Alliance.  They take on the 2010 runner up, the Smashinistas.

Any team that has Eli Wallop, Educator and Punches Pileup on it has a chance to succeed.  Wallop was the league’s most valuable player last season, and Punches had a really strong breakout year for the Smashies.  Educator continues to be one of the league’s leaders.  She’s a very intelligent derby player with ability at jamming and blocking.

Downtown Dallis made the transition from Texas to Missouri with ease, making an impact in the scoring column for the Smashinistas. Davey Blockit is back as one of the team’s more fierce blockers. 

The Smashies lost Sue She and Ginny Beastley to expansion, but still have plenty of able blockers in Megalodominator, Beatn Chix Kiddo, Polka Dot Yer Eyeout, Peek-a-Bruiser, Boom Boom Pow and the Forecloser.  Shimmy Hoffa was added to the team via the draft, and Shimmy has been a valuable addition to the St. Lunachix, and has amassed some quality track experience from that.  All of the Smashie blockers can expect more playing time this season to keep the team fresh.

I like this Smashie roster this year.  They have good numbers, very good leaders, and more options at jammer than I can remember the team ever having. This team plays a good system, and if they can stay out of the penalty box (which has been their kryptonite in the past), they can score in waves and win bouts. 

Rebel Skate Alliance has something to prove.  They are an “expansion” team, but only in the strictest definition of the word.  The team has players with tons of experience.  League scoring champion of 2010 Starry Starry Fight joins the new fourth team.  She is one of the league’s most dangerous jammers.

The Bevo Kill comes over from the M-80s as their former captain.  Kill is a very good pivot and will be the kind of leader the young players on this new expansion team need.

Now for blockers like Chewblocka, Smarty McFly, Domme E. Nation, Ginny Beastley, Bertha Venus and Sue She, they were victims of being members of very deep line-ups, which prevented them from getting the majority of bout playing time. Defecting to the expansion team will be the perfect way for these ladies to solve that crisis.  They’ll be seeing a LOT more of the track in 2010-2011, and I like the potential that each one of those blockers possess. 

Party Foul comes over to ARRG from the Bleeding Heartland.  She’s a utility player that can jam or block when needed.  That’s more valuable experience to a roster that will sport three rookies: Kalestorm, Badonka Bam and Stabby McCutcha. 

I like the way the packs look on this team.  There is some very good experience up front for the Rebels.  It will be fun to see Bevo and Domme blocking in the same pack.  Throw Chewblocka and Smarty and Sue She in there and you’ve got some quality derby players.

I think the edge in this first match-up goes to the Smashies, though.  I am basing that on the fact that I don’t see as much depth at jammer for the Alliance.  Starry is your obvious first choice, and is more of a high scoring threat than anyone else in the league.

But after that, who will the Rebels turn to? Bevo jammed a bunch for the M-80s last year.  Will it be her?  We will find out very quickly on Saturday night.  I’ll be very intrigued to see who the RSA throws out there on the jammer line.

My prediction: Smashinistas 104, RSA 81

Can’t wait to see how these bouts turn out.   Let the new season begin.  Four Teams! One Goal!  It all starts Saturday. 

I’ll see you there.

Hells

ARRG TO APPEAR ON KPLR-TV THIS FRIDAY!

by The Grand Poobah

Did you notice that the subheadline for this week’s column read “announcer”….as in singular?

The ‘ol Poobah didn’t want 50% of the league potentially mad at him when he arrives at the All-American this Saturday. Nonetheless, I’ll give my colleague the “coconuts” award for his opening night predictions.

As for me….I’ll go with the phrase that’s heard on election night….“too close to call.”

Instead, let me give you a head’s up for ARRG appearing in tee-vee land this weekend.

The ladies of ARRG will be featured live on “11 News at 4pm” this Friday, November 12 on KPLR-TV, Channel 11 in St. Louis.

You can catch a live webcast of the program RIGHT HERE! Also scheduled for the program this Friday is actor/comedian Harry Shearer (“The Simpsons,” “Saturday Night Live,” “This Is Spinal Tap”) as well as “The Black Diamond” – The Unreal Neil Diamond Experience.

How ’bout that for a trifecta???

Watch KPLR-TV’s “11 News at 4pm” this Friday to see the ladies of ARRG! 

NEXT WEEK IN THE ARRG NEWSCENTER: A full recap of the ARRG 2010-11 season opener. Which teams made their initial statements with wins over the weekend.

The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the Arch Rival Roller Girls. When not announcing, they don’t tug on Superman’s cape. They don’t spit into the wind. They don’t pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger and they don’t mess around with Jim. Check back in this section on Mondays, for the latest in ARRG news and information.

2010-11 SEASON LAUNCHES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13!

by the Grand Poobah

Welcome back, derby fans!

It seemed that ARRG action locally just concluded yesterday. And in a sense it did – as a successful intraleague season just wrapped up a few months prior.

The league witnessed continuing growth in 2010, due in part to your continued patronage and support. The Arch Rival Roller Girls thank you for your cooperation!

If you witnessed ARRG action earlier this calendar year, you saw firsthand why women’s flat track roller derby continues to be undoubtedly the best value in St. Louis athletics.

But as much as the league likes to reflect on its accomplishments, there is a mantra for ARRG as the season begins on Saturday, November 13.

That was then….but this is now!

A new era of Arch Rival Roller Girls’ high-octane action is on the horizon with four teams hungry to grasp the big brass ring at season’s conclusion.

And for the sixth season in a row, ARRG will deliver to you – a member of the derby lovin’ public – the best action found on quads.

This season – I guarantee – will be unprecedented for the league and for its audience. First off, all ARRG action at the All-American will begin earlier in the evening. Doors for events will open at 6:30 pm and action will begin at 7pm.

Why the early start? It’s because you’re going to get more bang for your buck every month!

More specifically, each night of ARRG action will have doubleheader bouts featuring all four local intraleague teams.

In November 13th’s season opener, last year’s league runner-up, The Smashinistas, face the newly-formed Rebel Skate Alliance, while two-time defending champions The Stunts Devils battle their literal “arch rival,” The M-80s.

Individual tickets for the season opener are available now at Brown Paper Tickets. Fans that purchase their tickets in advance online will save $3 off the cost at the door. Groups of 15 and more can save $5 per ticket by going to THIS LINK RIGHT HERE!

And season passes – which include all six nights of 2010-11 intraleague doubleheader action as well as all ARRG/St. Lunachix home doubleheaders (a total of nine nights of action, potentially more!) can be purchased for the fanatic-friendly cost of only $80 at THIS LINK RIGHT HERE! Think about the math, that’s less than five bucks a bout, with more possibly on the way!

And just like seasons’ past, children 10 and under get in for free!

Now that you’ve got your fix in tickets, here is what to expect as the 2010-11 ARRG season begins.

In short… a lot!

Expansion within the league this past summer has resulted in re-shuffled line-ups for last season’s three intraleague squads and a fresh inaugural roster for the ARRG expansion franchise. The end result provides plenty of anticipation -and intrigue – within and outside the league.

Let’s preview all four teams hitting the All-American surface on Saturday, November 13.

THE STUNT DEVILS (DEFENDING CHAMPIONS) 2010 REGULAR SEASON RECORD: 4-0

Last season proved to be a legacy-launching year for the purple-clad rollers. Complete dominance in 2010 resulted in an undefeated regular season record, and a win in last season’s title tilt extended the winning streak to six bouts. Boosted by veteran leadership in all areas, this pack showed ARRG Nation that it deserved the trophy.

Even with the loss of a top scorer in the latter stretch of the 2010 season, the Stunts still posted high numbers throughout. The squad outscored its opposition 455-323 during the regular season and won its second consecutive title with a point ratio of exactly 2-to-1.

Dominance? You betcha!

But as with any team building a dynasty, this season’s version of the Stunt Devils will have to reload due to loss of personnel. Five skaters from last year’s championship team have migrated due to league expansion. This, along with one retirement, results in six holes to immediately fill into the roster.

However, this confident bunch still possesses the explosive firepower to prove to any skeptics that a “three-peat” is not out of its reach.

Returning to the fold is last season’s scoring phenom Artemischief. The multi-year ARRG All-Star returns after a banner year in scoring (184 intraleague points in five bouts). She is complimented by jammer South City Shiner, who also recorded a breakthrough 2K10 tally (135 points). This provides the Stunts a lethal “one-two punch.”

Perhaps most imperative in the Stunts’ scoring schematic is jammer Morgan Le Faetal, one of ARRG’s breakthrough stars last season. Given the chance to accept newfound responsibility with a star on her helmet, Le Faetal collected 76 intraleague points in 2010, which included a 26-point tally in the league championship.

Piloting the purple pack will once again be perennial All-Star pivot Mayor Francis Slayer. The team’s co-captain begins her fifth term in office.

The other co-captain for the Stunts will be All-Star blocker Danikka Doom, who alongside blocking veterans Grave Danger and Deathica Steele, provide a solid line in front.

Although there’s plenty of experience to be found in the prior seven players listed, what will be most crucial to the success of the Stunts this season will be the fresh faces hitting the track. Due to the depth at all positions in seasons’ past, playing time was held to a minimum for some.

But there’s plenty to anticipate as many actively participated in the St. Lunachix developmental franchise in 2010. Jammers Mighty Mighty Boston and Whipped Scream provided plenty of scoring punch for the Chix in 2010, which makes them more acclimated to bout situations. Second year blockers Cookies N. Crème and Baretta Michaels will find more guaranteed track time this season.

Rookies Slamniqua, Hydrogen Bombshell and Trippity Hooha, selected in recent expansion drafts, complete the Stunts’ line-up.

Last season, the Stunts proved that 2009′s title win was no fluke with a repeat.

This season, they don’t plan on giving up the trophy quietly….if at all.

THE SMASHINISTAS (LEAGUE RUNNER-UP) 2010 REGULAR SEASON RECORD: 1-3

One of the pleasant surprises of last season was the fast development of 2010′s second place team. The Smashies began the 2010 season with numerous question marks and gradually built itself internally into a solid squad. In short, the camo-clad troops bonded. Their loyal legion of fans bonded. There were plenty of fake moustaches to be passed around at last year’s title bout in solidarity.

And with much of the personnel intact this season, it’s a team that is ready to run the gauntlet with newfound confidence.

In other words, it’s a squad that’s well-prepared for battle.

Returning to the forefront is blocker Eli Wallop, ARRG’s MVP of 2010. She begins her fourth season as one of the team’s co-captains.

Alongside Wallop in the blocking battalion is Davey Blockit, an ARRG All-Star since 2007, and Jezebelle, a second-year transplant from Colorado who logged plenty of minutes with her own intraleague squad as well as the St. Lunachix.

But if anything, the Smashinistas could arguably have the most-balanced jammer line-up in the league this season, with three skaters that will see plenty of track time whether “donning the star” or not.

First on the list is Smashie scoring leader The Educator, a four-year ARRG All-Star. Her 146 points scored in the 2010 regular season was a result of a dedicated training regimen. Expect this season’s accumulation to possibly surpass last year’s mark.

The firepower continues with jammers Punches Pileup, who notched a personal best in regular season points (111), as well as Smashies co-captain Downtown Dallis (69), who begins her second season with the league.

All three jammers are just as effective in the blocking schematic and will provide plenty of assistance in the pivot position.

Returning to the squad this season are PolkaDot Yr Eyeout, Peek-A-Bruiser, BeatnChix Kiddo, The Forecloser, Megalodominator, and Boom Boom Pow, who all logged valuable track time in 2010.

A solid rookie acquisition in the off-season for the Smashies is Shimmy Hoffa, a high-octane blocker who will surprise ARRG Nation very shortly.

Don’t be surprised if this talented group charges early, and its fans are rewarded with a “moustache ride” into the playoffs this spring.

THE M-80s (THIRD PLACE) 2010 REGULAR SEASON RECORD: 1-3.

The legacy team of ARRG began the 2010 season extremely surly.

A long streak was broken in 2009, which negated a trophy raise after consecutive championships. The pieces were in place just fine last season, yet various situations throughout the year resulted in a squad that was never at full capacity during its four-bout stretch.

As an unfortunate result, the firecrackers on quads finished the season equally surly. It was the first time in a long time the M-80s had not been in the championship bout.

They didn’t like that at all…and they don’t plan on letting history repeat itself.

But even with four members from last year’s squad retired, this should be a rebounding season for the M-80s, with faces – new and familiar – in the mix.

ARRG 2010 Rookie of the Year Black Market Baby became the go-to jammer for the skaters in red last season. Her 111 points in 2010 placed her fourth in league scoring. More importantly, a skater who was put into position out of necessity early last season became a skater who matured in short time into a prolific scorer and inevitably blossomed into an All-Star powerhouse. The newly-pegged co-captain has the ability to lead ARRG scoring this season.

Returning alongside BMB is jammer EnYa Nightmare, who returned to fine form in 2010 after an injury-plagued season the year prior. In only three bouts in 2010, this six-season derby vet posted 79 points. That number should rise will a full season within her claws.

A new addition in the jammer rotation is rookie May Require Stitches, who impressed many last season in developmental play. Even without an ARRG intraleague bout under her belt, she is an early candidate for Rookie of the Year honors this season.

But this trio of firecrackers is going to be augmented by a quartet of skaters who personify the heart and soul of ARRG.

Co-captain Joanie Rollmoan returns for her sixth season of play, which will see her pulling double duty at both jammer and blocker. Jammer Keligula returns for her fourth year of action after spending much of 2010 with injury. The Siege plans on mounting the opposition in her fifth season at all three positions. Add to that the re-appearance of veteran multi-position specialist Eva Lasting Jawbreaker - now skating as Science Friction – the M-80s bring invaluable experience to the flat track.

Supplementing the blocking for the M-80s is Bare Knuckle Smack, who logged additional track time with the St. Lunachix in 2010, as well as second-year skaters D’Wicked Pirate, Munchausen By Foxy, Pelvis Costello and Madam Moonstruck.

Veterans Suri O’ Killer and Chokehold Channel No. 5, both medically out during 2010, will potentially return to the roster as the season progresses.

Newcomers The Punctuator and Rookie Jenny, both off-season acquisitions, round out the line-up for the M-80s.

This team will provide plenty of fireworks in the upcoming season – and the missive to include red in the title bout is well within sight.

REBEL SKATE ALLIANCE (INAUGURAL SEASON)

A counter-clockwise coalition of skaters was formed due to ARRG’s expansion this summer. But even with the minimal time spent together as a team on the track, they plan on immediately silencing naysayers who are suspect of expansion teams.

And there’s good reason to believe them. Scanning the names in the line-up, one will find that Rebel Skate Alliance contains ten derby veterans, half of which were members of ARRG’s 2010 All-Star travel team roster.

In short, it’s a squad not to be taken lightly.

An immediate scoring punch comes in the form of All-Star jammer Starry Starry Fight, last year’s scoring champion who notched 151 points in only three intraleague bouts last season. She is more than capable to pick up where she left off with her first bout back.

She’ll have plenty of help. Co-captains Chewblocka, an All-Star blocker, and Smarty McFly, an All-Star multi-specialist, lead the charge on and off the track. You couldn’t ask for two better minds to guide the newly-formed squad.

RSA’s Party Foul, a jammer/blocker transfer from Bleeding Heartland, saw track time with the ARRG All-Stars in post-season. She’ll impress many in her first full season with ARRG.

Domme E. Nation, a member of last year’s ARRG league champion, transfers to become a solid addition to the blocking corps.

The Bevo Kill will look awfully familiar to long-time derby fans, but this talented jammer/blocker (formally with the M-80s as Nikki Vixxen) will bring a newfound tenacity to RSA.

Blockers Sue She, Ginny Beastley, Bertha Venus and Rock Steady round out the blocking battalion for RSA. Rookies Badonka Bam, Kalestorm and Stabby McCutcha add newbie enthusiasm to the line-up.

It’s a very impressive line-up altogether. ARRG Nation will be immediately impressed by their efforts in the upcoming season.

 

With the slates wiped completely cleaned, any one of these four talented squads is more than eager to win it all….and the quest begins in less than two weeks.

In conclusion, all four teams bring plenty to the table as the new season launches Saturday, November 13. Old rivalries will be renewed while new rivalries will be formulated. Veterans skaters will undoubtedly return back to form while new faces will begin their promising careers.

But remember this…expect the unexpected. Such is the competitive nature of flat-track roller derby.

The only thing we can guarantee you is this…if you’re a fan of ARRG, you won’t be disappointed!

And if you’re not one yet, in less than two weeks, you’ll become one!

We look forward to seeing you Saturday, November 13 at the All-American and throughout the season for Arch Rival Roller Girls’ roller derby action!

NEXT WEEK IN THE ARRG NEWSCENTER: A preview of the bout match-ups for the opening night of the ARRG 2010-11 season. What to expect and who could potentially shine. Hells LaBelle gives you his take on an epic dual-bout night of women’s flat track roller derby action!

The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the Arch rival Roller Girls. Check back in this section on Mondays for the latest in ARRG news and information!