The Arch Rival Roller Girls, St. Louis’ first women’s flat-track roller derby franchise, presents the signature event of its local season, the 2014 ARRG Championships, Friday night at Chaifetz Arena.
The 8 p.m. twin bill is headlined by the trophy bout between the M-80s (4-0) and defending local champions the Smashinistas (3-1). Prior to that match-up, the Stunt Devils (1-3) and Rebel Skate Alliance (0-4) compete in the league’s third place bout.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The M-80s, who last won the league’s title when ARRG made its Chaifetz debut in April 2012, utilized effective strategies to reach this Friday’s marquee match-up. The “firecrackers on quads” churned out a 143-point win at ARRG’s February playoff round.
Scoring is propelled by jammers IDA the Living Dead, who notched a mind-numbing 130 points last month, sophomore Molecular Mayhem and two-time ARRG MVP May Require Stitches. Blockers Tupac Shank-Her, The Ginger Assassin, Rhino-Might, Jamheiser Bush and Sp!ce Rack set the foundation for its offense.
In order to recapture the title, the M-80s are fully aware that defense is key against a comparable, high-scoring opponent.
“The Smashinistas are fast and we have to definitely slow them down,” said Shank-Her. “That means we have to have really solid wall work, we have to work on our stops, and, hopefully, no penalties.”
The task will be tough against the defending Arch Rival local champs. A five-point victory for the Smashinistas in the February playoff round kept the camo-clad troopers’ dream of back-to-back championships alive.
“We are really rallied right now and our camaraderie is better than ever before,” said Smashinistas’ pivot Downtown Dallis. “The M-80s are a great team, but we look to bring it really, really hard.”
Jammers Brickyard, The Educator and EnYa Nightmare present a lethal triple attack, while veterans Dallis, Eli Wallop, The Forecloser, Cloak N’ Drag-Her and Girl Fawkes anchor blocking.
When the two teams last met in January, a topsy-turvy affair saw numerous lead changes and a one point differential heading into the bout’s final ten minutes. The M-80s utilized a scoring surge deep, resulting in a 179-137 win.  One can assume that the Smashies would love to exact revenge and hoist the trophy for the second straight year.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The third place match-up that launches the evening features the Stunt Devils, who saw its streak of seven consecutive title bout trips snapped following a February playoff loss, against Rebel Skate Alliance. Both teams look to end its respective local campaign on a high note.
“We do not under-estimate any team , but we’re going to win that game,” said Stunt Devils’ pivot Morgan LeFaetal. She’s joined by longtime league lynchpins Mayor Francis Slayer, Grave Danger, Deathica Steele and Vendetta Vango in the blocking duties.  Jammers Mighty Mighty Boston, Dirt Diggler and Chokehold Chanel look to post high numbers in the scoring ledger.
Despite its winless record this season, Rebel Skate Alliance has shown all the attributes of a team on the rise and will look to capture the bronze Friday night. Jammers Sleazy E, Black Market Baby and Shear-Ra Powers pace the offense while RSA mainstays Party Foul, Pink Diamond, Ginny Beastley, Science Friction, Warpath O’ Jen, Eveready and Prof. Rumbledore propel the blocking schema.
For more information on the event, and for a $5 savings on every adult ticket purchased in advance, go to archrivalrollergirls.com.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
