After months of competitive play and hand-wringing results, local titles will be claimed this weekend for the Arch Rival Roller Girls (ARRG) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) in downtown St. Louis.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The two leagues present “The Battle for St. Louis,” the 2015 Roller Derby Championship, Saturday at Chaifetz Arena (1 South Compton Ave, St. Louis, MO.) Doors open at 5:30 pm and the first whistle blows at 6:30 pm.
In the men’s opener for the GKRD “Turf Wars” trophy, defending champions the South Grand Slammers (3-1) face the Riverfront Crimes (2-2). That match-up will be followed by the ARRG main event that features two-time defending “queenpins” the Smashinistas (3-1) versus the Stunt Devils (2-2).
If one has followed the respective six-game regular season of the two leagues, they already know that predicting a favorite in both match-ups is extremely difficult, given the solid-steady performances of all four squads in their respective campaigns.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
That will certainly be the narrative of the women’s main event that features the Smashies and the Stunts. In April’s regular season meeting between the two, the ladies donning camouflage snatched a three-point, come-from-behind win on the game’s final jam. The Smashies’ victory evened the season’s head-to-head ledger and the same type of nail biter is projected Saturday.
Smashinistas’ jamming is paced by defending ARRG League MVP Brickyard, who has notched numerous triple-digit scoring performances this season, alongside veteran EnYa Nightmare. Also potentially donning the star for rotations are blockers Shimmy Hoffa, Cloak-N-DragHer and Hakuna Renata, who all have individually posted double digits at the position.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
At the heart of the line-up is the experienced line of Smashies blockers, paced by co-captains Party Rockher and Girl Fawkes as well as veterans Eli Wallop, Chewblocka, Fletch-A-Sketch and Prof. Rumbledore. Rock Slobster and Holliver Fist will also experience their first action at Chaifetz Arena and plan to effectively contribute.
The Smashies on Saturday look to achieve something that has never been accomplished before in ARRG, a “three-peat.” They’ll have to be at their collective best against a squad that looks to lift its first trophy since 2010.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The Stunt Devils found themselves out of the ARRG title picture in 2014 after six straight seasons of being in the championship game, but now they are back in championship form and plan to claim the duke.
They are paced in the jamming rotation by the lethal “one-two purple punch” of Bricktator and Mighty Mighty Boston. Co-captain Chokehold Chanel will also add imperative jams to the offense.
The blocking is anchored by veterans Mayor Francis Slayer, Grave Danger, Morgan LeFaetal, Shear-Ra Powers, Orange Ya Sry, Danisaurus Rex and Ninja Sass ‘Em. Experiencing their first trip to Chaifetz tonight will be Cruella Belle-ville, Soundproof and Aggie Wartooth.
The men’s scrum for the GKRD “Turf Wars” trophy is anticipated to provide the same thrills as the women’s donnybrook.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The South Grand Slammers, the defending kingpin, is ready to claim its second straight title. Dominant performances in the early stages of the local campaign secured a 3-1 regular season record and a title lock.
Jamming is propelled by Handrail, Gnat King Kill, D Mouthful and Spin Diesel, who are all capable of posting scoring surges. The walls are set by blockers Double Excel, Neil Death Experience, Inquadable Hulk, Sweet Tooth, Dago Whomp, Krazy Kid Curry, Cat Daddy and Fruit Wallop.
That’s a pretty impressive line-up, but the team that looks to knock off the defending champs off their throne Saturday recorded an 89-point win in April to even the head-to-head ledger this season to 1-1, and most importantly, helped them punch their ticket to Chaifetz.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The Riverfront Crimes (2-2), the 2013 GKRD local champ, contain a lethal jamming rotation of Debaucherous Prime, ScreechAround and Indecent Exposure. They will be aided by blockers Percy Controll, Bled Zeppelin, Walker Hamilton, The Saint, B.A. Blockenstein, Nate Bower and Skulls McCrackin.
The mafia looks for its second Turf Wars title and one can anticipate that they won’t be afraid to affix the Slammers with concrete shoes prior to the final whistle.
Tickets are $25 for floor general admission floor, $17 general admission arena and $6 for children 10 and under in general admission arena seating. SAVE $5 on each adult ticket purchased online by going to THIS LINK.
For more information on the Arch Rival Roller Girls, go to archrivalrollergirls.com.
For more information on GateKeepeers Roller Derby, go to stlgatekeepers.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.
