The venue had drawn plenty of amazed reactions from the audience, but impressive facilities were only part of the equation. If Vought International wanted spectators to feel they had gotten their money's worth—and willingly pay for future events—the matches themselves would decide it.
What everyone wanted to see most was how the contestants fought.
Vought International knew that too. Once nearly everyone had taken their seats, the company's vice president gave a brief opening address, then announced the start of the competition without further ado.
The first few matches were exciting, but none of the contestants were widely followed favorites. To most spectators, those bouts were only an appetizer.
Because Golden Flash's match had been scheduled so early, the nationally popular contestant was about to make his entrance before an eager crowd.
Golden Flash, Flashy Flash, owed his astonishing popularity not only to his formidable strength, but also to his handsome face.
Flashy Flash had striking features, flowing golden hair, and a tall, well-proportioned figure. He had won countless young women's hearts.
He was easily the best-looking man in the Finals. It was a shame Psykos had failed to advance from the California division; together, she and Flashy Flash could have carried the Finals on looks alone.
As the competition went on, Golden Flash, Flashy Flash, finally appeared to the crowd's eager cheers.
The venue erupted. Young women's screams seemed to fill the sky above the open-air arena, and his arrival sent the stands into a frenzy.
Nor were young women the only ones cheering him on. Flashy Flash had an appeal that cut across every age group, and cries of "Mom loves you!" rang out just as often.
If he had been nothing but a pretty face, all that adoration from women would surely have annoyed, if not alienated,