AfterBurn for Grapple Kingdom

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on AfterBurn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on AxxessNet!

[Chandler Scott]

Date: February 18, 2017
Time: 8:45pm Pacific Time

We fade open to the backstage area of the Rogers Center in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. To be specific, the trainers room. You would expect many of tonight's grapplers to stop by this area after getting banged up inside the ring. But tonight, this area has a surprise visitor in the form of Chandler Scott. The special guest referee for tonight's main event is laid out across the exam table. The paper crinkles as Chandler reaches up and feels the stitches that decorate the left side of his forehead. He tries to sit up. But he quickly lets out a groan before falling back down to the table. Frustrated, he reaches over, grabs the ice bag and holds it gingerly to his face. The medical assistant that was attending to Chandler turns and faces him.

Medical Assistant: Man, you really got rocked good out there, huh?

Chandler Scott: ...

The assistant makes an audible gulp once he realizes Chandler is not in the mood for conversation.

Medical Assistant: ... I think I'll just go back to being quiet.

Chandler Scott: Please!

Chandler tries to get some rest. That is, until Spencer Burke makes his way into the room.

Spencer Burke: Chandler, I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?

Chandler Scott: No disrespect, Spencer. But the last thing I want right now is to be talking to you.

Spencer Burke: If it's an issue, I can always track down Jessie Pederson and ask her to do this interview.

Spencer gestures making his way towards the door to go and find the other backstage interviewer.

Chandler Scott: I don't want to talk to her, either. Matter of fact, I really don't feel like talking to anyone right now. But I know you've got a job to do. So...

Chandler lets out a defeated sigh, knowing that Spencer will keep needling at him until he relents.

Chandler Scott: ... Let's just get this thing over with.

The backstage interview perks up at the prospects of getting the scoop. Chandler slowly sits up to face Spencer.

Spencer Burke: Very well. I won't ask you any obvious questions about how you're feeling...

Chandler Scott: That makes one of you...

Chandler says as he rolls his eyes at the assistant.

Spencer Burke: ... could you sum up what happened out there tonight.

Chandler Scott: I went out there to do a job, Spence. My job was to be an impartial official. Yes, I wanted Cordy Stevenson to win. Yes, I wanted Zero McHannon to lose. But my job wasn't to influence that match one way or another. It was to call the action right down the middle and I did just that. You didn't see any fast counts. Not a one. You didn't see any slow counts. Not a one. When a submission was applied, I acted on it just like any other referee here would. When the action spilled into the ropes or when a rope break was called for, I made the five count. Several times throughout that match, both parties kept a hold on longer than they should've. Both parties ignored the five count. Could I have disqualified one or the other? Sure. But I didn't. These fans paid their hard earned money to see one of those two become the Undisputed Champion. I wasn't about to let that match end in a disqualification and leave the fans or this company without a proper winner.

Spencer Burke: There were several times throughout that match where Zero McHannon tried to goad you into striking him. Tell me what that was about.

Chandler Scott: Well that was very simple. He wanted me to attack him. He wanted to have a reason to cry foul if he lost that match. And let me tell you, there were several times in that match where I wanted to knock his teeth down his throat. I was well within my right to take that belt and cave his fucking face in. But I didn't. Despite what the two participants might have thought, this match wasn't about me. It was about them. And I wasn't about to let either of them take the easy way out. I wasn't about to give either of them a reason to complain if they lost the match. So I kept my cool, Spence. It took everything in me to hold myself back. Lord knows that it did. But I held back. That match, and the Undisputed Championship, was going to be decided by the wrestling between the two of them. Not me. And that's what happened.

Spencer Burke: Cordy Stevenson was able to defeat Zero McHannon and is now the Undisputed Champion. Take me through the events that transpired after the match.

Chandler Scott: Words can't even begin to describe how poured I was, Spence. Cordy... she was already our champion, you know? She didn't need to validate herself. She didn't need to jump through any hoops. She didn't need to prove anything to us anymore because she proved herself in the Wildcard Lottery Tournament. She was our rightful champion. But it's like I said a couple of weeks ago. I understand exactly why the idiots in the office made that match. And I'm sure there were some fans in the audience that still thought of her as an illegitimate World Champion. But not anymore. She silenced all those doubters. She did something that I couldn't do and that was beat Zero one on one. She deserves all the respect in the world for what she did during the match...

Spencer Burke: But what about her actions after the match.

Chandler lowers his head as he lets out a sigh.

Chandler Scott: Actions after the match? What actions would those be? You mean the part where she stabbed me in the back? Do you mean the part where she took that World Championship belt and nearly knocked my head off? Those actions? Let me ask you something, Spence. Do you know what it's like to get smashed in the face with a championship belt?

Spencer Burke: I can't say that I do.

Chandler Scott: Well image something taking a... 30 or 35 pound dumbbell and just whacking you across the face with it. Does that sound like fun?

Spencer Burke: It doesn't sound fun at all, actually.

Chandler Scott: I wasn't scheduled to compete in that ring. I didn't have a match at Grapple Kingdom. Yet hear I am, in the trainers room, getting stitched up. This pounding headache? The pain? That'll go away in due time. These stitches? They're whatever. But it's those actions, Spencer Burke... those actions from tonight? Those are things you don't get over easily, if at all.

Spencer Burke: The camera is still rolling. Do you have any words for the Undisputed Champion?

Chandler Scott: ...

Chandler think long and hard. He presses his tongue firmly against his cheek before breathing slowly through his nose. He looks straight into the camera and keeps his gaze locked there. As if he's speaking straight to the Undisputed Champion without saying a word. Chandler turns his attention back to Burke.

Chandler Scott: Do I have any words for Cordy Stevenson? Nah, I don't have any words for her. I don't have a lot of things for Cordy right about now.

Spencer Burke: What does that mean? You don't have a lot of love for Cordy? You don't have a lot of respect for Cordy?

Chandler Scott: ... read into it however you want.

Spencer Burke: ...

Chandler Scott: ...

Spencer Burke: ...

The uncomfortable silence lingers until Chandler speaks.

Chandler Scott: ... I think we're done here.

[Cordy]

Directly after the show...

The world is in a relative silence and she actually doesn’t mind it at all. Slight murmurs of confusion break out amongst those finally able to snap out of their trance and process what they’ve just seen; those still trying to lay a finger or understand why she just did what she did. She realizes that they might not understand it just yet. She understands that right there in that moment, they may actually look at her different. In due time however, they will. At least that is what she’d like to believe. Everyone reaches a boiling point every now and then, and she’d undoubtedly hit hers.

That was what tended to happen when you let things simmer for far too long.

Awkward glances, she can feel the heat of them as she pushes through the curtain, mixed in with a rash of congratulatory chimes from the very few that seem unbothered by her actions. She treads along slowly, one hand holding the back of her head while the other clutches her World Championship tightly to her chest, one word coursing through her mind that she utters without even noticing.

Cordelia Stevenson: Undisputed.

Her mouth curves into a smile as she thinks about what just transpired, and the war that she now finds herself walking away from victoriously. She can see Spencer Burke cautiously approaching her from the corner of her eye; his stride slow and zombified as if he is in somewhat of a daze. She turns and acknowledges him with one single word.

Cordelia Stevenson: Undisputed.

She says, slapping the title belt on her shoulder proudly. Her smile brightens up a bit as she repeats it for him in case he didn’t get the memo the first time.

Cordelia Stevenson: Undisputed, Spency.

She says with a kind of giddiness in her tone. Spencer Burke simply blinks, not sure what to make of the woman before him.

Spencer Burke: Cordy? W-What was that out there?

Cordelia cocks her head to the side, unsure of what Spencer is asking.

Cordelia Stevenson: That? That was two of FGA’s best laying it all on the line, and THAT… was me giving the undeniable answer to a question that should have never been posed in the first place. THAT was me erasing any doubts and answering all questions. Zero McHannon loves to say I discredit him, Spencer. I don’t. I give Zero all of the credit in the world, he’s an amazing competitor. He hasn’t always lived up to his potential; he hasn’t always been the most consistent, but one thing I can never deny is his talent. I give credit where it’s due and I always have. Zero McHannon is good. He’s damn good. But what he isn’t and never has been is better than me, Spencer, and THAT…

She points back towards where the ring area is.

Cordelia Stevenson: … that was me proving it.

Spencer hears her words, but he still shakes his head. Obviously it’s not the answer that he was searching for.

Spencer Burke: No, Cordelia. That’s not what I meant. You and Zero McHannon had a hell of a match, the entire world just bore witness to that. What I was referring to, was what you just did to Chandler Scott. Why, Cordelia? Why would you do that?

The smile on Cordelia’s face slowly fades away, and she looks at Spencer as if he’s just spit in her bowl of fruity pebbles. She cocks her head to the side, and she scrunches up her face. Clearly it is she who is trying to understand now. She glances back towards the ring area and points back at it again.

Cordelia Stevenson: Zero and I… that match we just had… the war we just went through... and the only thing… the ONLY thing... you’re concerned about is… him?

She spews her words venomously. Spencer Burke quickly shakes his head.

Spencer Burke: No, not at all, Cordelia. But you have to admit that what we just witnessed out there… that is not like you at all.

Cordelia says nothing. The look of disgust remains a fixture on her face as she raises her hand, palm out, honestly looking as if she is about to mush poor Spencer Burke in the face. Instead she takes a deep breath and clenches her fist tightly. Biting down on her lip, she scoffs before her smile slowly returns. She pats Spencer on the shoulder and smooths out his suit a bit.

Cordelia Stevenson: That… that isn’t important right now, Spencer. That’s something we’ll get into at another time, because right now? This…

She raises the belt up and glances at it, before returning her gaze back to Spencer Burke.

Cordelia Stevenson: … this is the only thing that matters.

She leans in closer to him and the microphone, uttering the one word that matters at the moment.

Cordelia Stevenson: Undisputed.

She raises her eyebrows at him and saunters off, leaving Spencer Burke absolutely speechless.

[sasso]

Spencer Burke is sat atop a crate in the backstage area, perusing some notes he'd taken on the nights events and interviews he'd conducted so far. His studious endeavors are abruptly interrupted when he realizes that the crate is starting to lift in the air. A panicked survey of the situation reveals that someone operating the forklift that the crate was sitting on the bed of.

???: SPENCAH BURKE!

He almost falls off the crate reacting to the shrill exclamation, managing to catch himself before glancing over to catch the operator of the forklift-- AMIRA.

Spencer Burke: Was that really necesssary?

He asks, clutching at his notes and trying to compose himself. The platinum blonde responds with a hearty chuckle.

AMIRA: Ahahahaha --

Which soon dissipates as she adopts a stern expression.

AMIRA:-- yes.

Fidgeting around in the seat of the forklift, growing quite impatient at Burke's inability to get his act together, she finally just decides to begin her monologue.

AMIRA: I needed to grab your undivided attention Spencer Burke, for you to stop whatever you were doing and pay heed to the words of AMIRA like the dedicated scrivener you're supposed to be. Such measures were absolutely necessary because the powers that be in FGA decided they were going to keep AMIRA off of Grapple Kingdom, so this safeguard will ensure that the spotlight is exactly where it needs to be.

Spencer Burke: Did --

AMIRA raises her hand and barks out to cut him off.

AMIRA: Silence! Do not speak, just transcribe.

After an agitated shake of her head, she continues.

AMIRA: Do not be mistaken though, their attempts to suppress me have only given more power to my ascent and credibility to my words. By trying to cast me aside, relegating my match to a Vertigo while the fermented smeg-lined libertines in the other title eliminator grasped the Pay Per View spotlight, they confirmed what I knew and what all of you already knew in the back of your heads-- they are afraid because they prefer the safe and the mediocre and know I cannot be stopped-- merely slowed down-- in my quest to achieve what is mine. But in their attempts to delay the inevitable, they only shone a spotlight at what I have been preaching since I returned! I've spoken of how women choose to embarrass "the fairer sex" with their pathetic antics, stacking the deck against inspirational, powerful women such as AMIRA in obtaining all that I so richly deserve.

A light sigh.

AMIRA: For proof of that, look no further than tonight! Whether it was through their performance in the ring, or their reprehensible behavior, the women of FGA did what they do best-- lower the bar. Perhaps the only exception, the only one who could be proud of w hat she accomplished tonight is young Sahdee Sun Frunheesco-- clearly able to glean some knowledge from being in my presence for a short while. I want you to remember tonight Spencer Burke, take a snapshot and store it in your mind, so once I usher in a new, greater era you are able to remember how bleak things used to be. An era that will start, once I perform the genesis of the Magnificent AMIRA Legacy Championship!

Following that bold proclamation, she pumps her arm and is in full blown rant mode.

AMIRA: The next step on that journey is destroy The Mexican, something that is surely inevitable after what I witnessed tonight. We already knew he did not have intestinal fortitude, or much in the way of considerable toughness, but also learned that he lacks intelligence. While he was wasting his time and energy piddlefarting around with who he thought would be the Champion-- despite the fact she was set to defend against a multiple time World Champion-- my focus was clear, I was not distracted like him. From day one, it has been a case of taking what is mine, making it into something better and disposing of whoever is in my way! Because my plans are too grand to be distracted by harebrained obsessions like he has shown himself prone to. You see, once I create the Magnificent AMIRA Legacy division, everything will be on my terms!

An affirmative nod to herself.

AMIRA: How I see it, matches for my property do not deserve to be contested in the same filthy ring as these ne'er-do-wells. That is why I have taken the liberty of requisitioning a remote island volcano. A volcano which will have a ring suspended above it via carrier aircraft, where my Championship will be contested. This is the type of magnificence that the trash surrounding me does not have the visionary brilliance to dream up! In fact, since overwrought bravado seems to be the only trait The Mexican does possess in spades, I will afford him the opportunity to prove that it is not just false confidence or a show that he's putting on. Why wait until down the line to compete under Magnificent AMIRA Legacy rules? If he is truly so self-assured, he will have no problem not only putting his Championship aspirations on the line, but his well-being as he competes while teetering above the gaping maw of a volcano-- suspended in the air much like you are right now, Spencer Burke!

She points to the interviewer to complete the visual before staring straight ahead.

AMIRA: So there you have it, Hoolian, I know I am exactly what I claim Now is your chance to prove you are the man that you profess yourself to be, El Whopper. Failure awaits you either way, but one path will allow you to burn out in a blaze of glory, while the other will simply mean you continue your underwhelming, shortcut taking, existence-- AMIRA has spoken!

Striking a dramatic, rigid, upright pose, she then exits the forklift and makes an abrupt exit out of sight. The last image we see is a rather frazzled and shellshocked Burke asking some crew members to help lower him back down before the video fades out.

[ChrisMadison]

The following was filmed during Grapple Kingdom's main event.

The Afterburn camera crew races behind Chris Madison and Frankie Morrison following a heartbreaking defeat to Molly Reid. Spencer Burke keeps pace with Morrison, standing shoulder to shoulder as they navigate their way through the rear corridors of the Rogers Center.

Spencer Burke: Frankie, if we could just get a quick word...

Chris Madison is a few paces ahead of the pair, ignoring the two as he approaches his locker room.

Frankie Morrison: What's there to say Spence? You saw how that played out. All this talk about respecting and wanting to prove herself to be one of the best to hold that Pride Championship and she stoops that low? Grabbing Madison's shorts for added leverage during that pin attempt?

They make it to Madison's locker room and Chris kicks the door open. Morrison and Spencer come to an immediate halt as the door swings back in their faces.

Spencer Burke: I'm sure there's an explanation.

Frankie Morrison: An explanation? Don't need one. We saw her true colors. Chris was right when he questioned her after doing the same exact nonsense during a match against Dom Harter. It's time everyone else starts to wise up and see Molly Reid for what she really is... A COWARD!

The two men turn their heads towards the door as a series of loud crashes can be heard on the other side.

Frankie Morrison: Now if you'll excuse me, I have some damage control to take care of. Lenny and the rest of the committee better believe they're going to be hearing from me tomorrow about fixing this issue!

Morrison pushes the door open and the camera crew gets a peek inside. Steel chairs are scattered the open room, upside down, and a row of lockers that were against the wall has been knocked over.

[bmac]

Spencer Burke turns away and closes the door to Chris and Frankie’s locker room. He looks down the hallway and sees Molly Reid walking in the opposite direction, her recently-defended Pride Championship belt slung over her shoulder. Spencer chases after her, yelling for her until she eventually stops and turns around, clearly frustrated at him.

Molly Reid: What Spencer?

Spencer Burke: Molly, can you explain what happened out there?


Molly crinkles her brow as she looks at Spencer for a few moments, not making a sound. It seems like she’s almost contemplating just walking away, but eventually she decides against it and answers him.

Molly Reid: I defended my Pride Championship for a second time, in a phenomenal match that was probably the best match of the show so far. That’s what happened.

Spencer Burke: Right, but about the tights? You clearly grabbed Chris’ and that’s why you won?

Molly frowns as she looks at Spencer.

Molly Reid: Look. That was a complete accident. I didn’t mean to grab them. And don’t say that was the reason I won. It’s not like Madison was going to kick out of that schoolboy anyways. That was a hard fought match between two amazing competitors here in the Pride division. Madison made me work my ass off to win that match. But like I said, I’m the champion for a reason. All those people who picked against me, the seventy percent or whatever, I hope they learned their lesson.

Spencer Burke: What do you mean, you didn’t mean to grab his tights?

Molly Reid: I had my hand on his back, which was pretty sweaty. So my hand slipped and instinctively grabbed his tights I guess. Look, Spencer, you’d know this if you actually stepped in the ring, but your brain sort of stops working when you get late into matches like that. The two of us had given everything we had. I didn’t even realize what I was doing when I grabbed his tights. I just tried to get my grip back and his tights were the only thing there. I don’t know man. Like I said I didn’t even realize I was doing it. And as soon as I realized, I let go of them. But the match was already over. It’s not like I was intentionally trying to grab them. Besides, they didn’t give me any extra leverage. Look, just watch the tape. I think it’s pretty clear I wasn’t trying to cheat.

Spencer Burke: That’s not what Chris and Frankie think. They just told me that they’re not happy with how the ending went down. They even called you a coward for what happened.

Molly clenches her teeth at that last sentence, before taking a deep breath and trying to calm herself down.

Molly Reid: Well I’m sorry they feel that way. And I’m sorry for grabbing Chris’ tights. They’re entitled to their own opinion about what happened. I just hope they can keep an open mind about it. Because I think it’s pretty obvious that I wasn’t trying to cheat. I stood toe-to-toe with Chris for the entire match and never once backed down. I took everything he threw at me and then threw it right back. And in the end, I defended my Pride Championship yet again. If Chris sees this, I’m sorry it ended this way but there’s no use dwelling on it. What happened happened, and I hope we can just move on.

With that, Molly turns around and walks away from Spencer without a word. He thinks about going after, but decides against it and turns the other way as the camera turns back to Molly walking down the hallway before fading out.

[theminimalist]

We switch gears and find Blake Rogers, still in his gear and drenched in sweat after his battle with Julian Tijerina earlier tonight, standing backstage. More specifically, he's leaning with his forehead against the white block wall before him. After a few silent moments, Spencer Burke walks cautiously into view, keeping his eyes on Blake as he inches toward him.

Spencer: Blake, I'd like to get your thoughts about what just happened out there. What do you make of that match that you just had with Julian?

He watches Blake, but The Minimalist doesn't move so much as one muscle. 

Spencer: Some would say there's no sugar coating what happened, that Julian's victory was huge for him and a bit damaging for you. What do you make of that? 

Spencer seems to be getting a little impatient as he shakes his head and sighs. Still, Blake doesn't utter one word or move a muscle. He merely stays leaning against the wall.

Spencer: Blake, do you have anything to say? I mean, you just lost that Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship eliminator match. Where do you go from here? It seems to me like you might be back at square one. What's your plans going forward?

Again, this seems to fall upon deaf ears. Spencer reaches over and taps Blake on his right shoulder to hopefully snap him out of whatever fog he's in. This proves to be a mistake for the interviewer as Blake does indeed snap out of it, but he also grabs Spencer by his shoulders and shoves him against the very wall that he'd been leaning against just moments before. Spencer is more than taken by surprise and seems to brace for the worst as he closes his eyes and prepares to get knocked into next week...............but it don't happen. Instead, Blake lets go of Spencer and takes a step back. He places his hands on his head and then looks at Spencer like perhaps he's going to apologize, but he don't. Instead, he lowers his gaze to the floor of the hallway and lowers his hands to his side before sighing rather loudly and walking off.