Vertigo (12.28.15)

[FGA Office]

Scene opens in on Fujiko Mine, who is sitting up against a wall backstage, stretching after her match with Yun Go-eun. She has her black Fujiko Mine hoodie on, and the hood is up on her head. She seems a bit pensive about something. She pulls her legs into herself, resting her chin on her knees. She waits there for a moment, and then looks as if she is going to get up...but something stops her.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko Mine backstage, here...but we’re unsure as to what’s going on…

A figure slowly slides down the wall beside her. The grizzly figure was none other than Jimmy Page. Page stares off into the distance with a dead glare in his eyes. He brushes his hair out of his face and stays quiet for a few seconds. Jimmy blinks a few times, licks his cracked lips, and begins to take a deep breath.

Jimmy Page: I was a stupid kid growing up. I did a lot of things to get the other kids to like me. Because you know during those years of your life--you know your adolescence--you just want to be popular. You wanna be LIKED so badly, just having someone look your direction during those times was enough to make you feel...fulfilled, y’know?

Page pauses, shaking his head at how much of a fool he was back in the day.

Jimmy Page: I use to take up dares, I use to run errands; I use to get the jocks sandwiches, cigarettes, my homework; Hell, I once drank a carton of expired milk because they wanted me to, and I didn’t blink an eyelash in resistance at the thought, did you know that? And it dawned on me, t-t-this revelation...that people will do anything to be popular. And so I casted away my petty need for dependency, and I realized the only fan I need in my life is me.

Page slowly inches closer towards Fujiko, and places an arm around her. The look of discomfort was painted brilliantly across her face.

Jimmy Page: So believe me when I tell you, sometimes it’s just best to let these things pass. Sometimes, it’s okay to be subpar because you can’t help it. Sometimes it’s best, if you don’t do stupid things because those stupid things can get you HURT…

Page slowly begins to coil his hands in her hair. He leans in, his face pressed against her cheek. He begins to breathe heavily, inhaling her sweaty aroma.

Jimmy Page: And you don’t want to HURT…!! So if you want to avoid that HURT, don’t…..test me…!

Page jerks Fujiko’s hair from his hands and slowly begins to stand up. He staggers away, preparing for his match. Fujiko looks on, grasping cautiously at her head. She begins to quickly wipe her face, watching Jimmy leave her to think about her next motives.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Kris Cruise: … and we’re back! Throughout the night, we’ve been learning about all of the teams that will be making up the Joker’s Wild Tag Team Tournament starting in two weeks. Three teams have been named thus far. That means there’s only two people left.

Stephy Auger: Yes. These finals two competitors will be making up the last team in the tournament. One of the people making up this team will be none other than… MISTRESS AI!

Kris Cruise: Those of you who follow Hard Knox Wrestling may know Ai as the backstage interview for the SubVersion brand. But those of you really know your wrestling know that Ai is a pretty decorated athlete.

Stephy Auger: She has won multiple titles for Glory for Puroresu, including the Joshi Championship, the Junior Heavyweight Championship, the Junior Tag Team Championship, the GFP Tag Team Championship and is a Junior Triple Throne winner, as well as a HOPE Memorial Medalist.

Kris Cruise: In addition, she is also won Ultimate X in CCP, as well as the Junior Heavyweight and Television Championship. Suffice to say, Ai knows how to get the job done.

Stephy Auger: Yes she does. During the Joker’s Wild Tag Team Tournament, she has the pleasure… or the misfortune, depending on how you want to look at it, of teaming with this man. Take a look…

[FGA Office]

Static cuts into WGN America’s feed of VERTIGO. It plays precisely four seconds. A spot light overhead illuminates the backs of a pair of brightly colored clown shoes. Both shoes are being kissed by the hem of safety orange plaid slacks. A multi colored comically over-sized hammer head sits on the outside of the left clown shoe. The camera continues to pull back, revealing a pair of frayed plaid tuxedo tails hanging behind the knees. The handle of the hammer leans against the left leg of this unknown clown. A bright feminine voice inquisitively addresses the clown.

Female Voice: Mr. Rottentreats?

His safety orange plaid, right arm shoots into the air. The left white gloved hand of the clown pulls a matching glove down onto the right.

Mr. Rottentreats: That’s the name and clownin’s the game!

The jovial clown turns his poorly maintained green mane to the right; looking back at the camera.

Mr. Rottentreats: Frontier Grappling Arts!

Treats winks.

Mr. Rottentreats: I’ve had…

His white glove covered index finger touches his paint covered cheek bone; pointing out his right eye. The clown clears a lump in his throat.

Mr. Rottentreats: …my EYE! ON YOU!

Mr. Rottentrets bursts into maniacal laughter; dropping his head. Suddenly the hammer strikes the camera triggering static.

[FGA Office]

Cyncity vs. Jimmy Page

The eerie cue up of "They Are Lost" by Last Remaining Pinnacle plays for ten seconds...then dies down, along with the lights. Suddenly the sound of drums and a electronic melody plays. The lights flash in red to the melody of the song. The song, "Can You Feel My Heart" by Bring Me The Horizon plays as a silhouette appears from out of the red. In his signature controlled stagger, Page comes out, hands extended, head down. Slowly his raises his head, soaked in the red lights. Fans boo him as he makes his way to the ring. He whips his hair out of his eyes as he snatches away from of the extended hands, almost threatening to hit someone.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Flint, Michigan! Weighing in at 230 pounds! He is “The King of the F’N World”... JIMMY PAGE!

Page stops from time to time, swearing at some of the fans who chant "FUCK YOU JIMMY!!" and "PAGE SUCKS!!!" getting in their face. As Page finishes his march of ridicule, he stops at the top of the ramp. His eyes dead, his expression stoic as he glares around the arena, the lights still radiating that deadly red. Page goes in front of the ring, slides onto the apron on one knee and quickly gets inside. He goes to his right and climbs the turnbuckle and stands on top of it, swearing at the fans, pointing at himself, talking to them, taunting them, mocking them. He stands there for a moment, then routinely spits his gum at the crowd. Page leaps down, slides down into the corner, and sits on the middle turnbuckle. He rests his left hand on his cheek nonchalantly, waiting for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: This match is over a year in the making. It was last fall that Jimmy Page absolutely clobbered Cyncity with a steel chair. Some say that steel chair shot caused the shift in Cyncity that we saw in the months following that attack. Since then, Cyncity has always craved the opportunity to get Jimmy Page in the ring. Now, it finally happens.

Stephy Auger: Cyncity’s getting what she wants. Or is she? I don’t care what type of slump Page may or may not be in. When you’re stepping into the ring with him, you’re stepping into arguably the most dangerous individual in all of FGA. I hope Cyncity knows what she’s doing/

The beginning of "Dam Dadi Do" by Nightcore fills the arena speakers over. Playing over the song was a loud siren, the crowd in the arena on their feet letting their voices be heard. The lights in the arena dim down just enough for the spotlight in the arena to shine directly on center stage.

Dam dadi doo dam dam didoodi dam
Dam dadi doo dam dam didoodi dam
Dam dadi doo dam dam didoodi dam
Dam dadi doo dam dam didoodi dam

When the beat kicks in heavily, Cyncity bursts out onto the ramp with her arms out to her side, pretending to be an airplane as she runs up and down the top of the ramp. When she's done messing around, she smiles and makes her way back to the top of the ramp. She stands at there for a moment, scans the crowd, and feeds from their energy before she makes her way down the ramp. She flaps her right arm up in the air and takes in the audience's cheers. She stops midway down the ramp and scans the crowd one more time, nodding her head and giving the audience a round of applause. She spins in a circle and does her trademark Sex Sells pose, her arms in the air, and buttom pushed out. Fans in attendance whistle in her direction as she breaks her pose and blows kisses to the audience.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Weighing in at 125 pounds… CYNCITY!

She slaps the hands of a few lucky fans, and even gives a few of them hugs before she marches her way down the ramp and towards the ring. She finally pulls away from the fans then continues her quickened pace toward the ring. She slides into the ring and plays with the crowd some more, then gets herself loosened up for the upcoming match.

The bell sounds as Cyncity rushes across the ring and knocks Page into the corner with a front dropkick to an explosion of cheers.

Kris Cruise: Cyncity isn’t wasting anytime going right after Page!

Cyncity kips back up, rushes into the corner and chokes Page with her hands. The ref gives her until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIVE!

The ref pulls Cyncity off of him and tells him that she has to break the hold before the count of five. But Cyncity ignores the ref, moving him to the side as she rushes back into the corner. She hammers away on Page with a series of wild punches.

Stephy Auger: I don’t think we’ve ever seen Cyncity this aggressive. Not even in her battles with Dan Herrera or Dom Harter.

Page shoves Cyncity away from him to create distance between the two. But Cyncity comes right back at him. She hurls herself across the ring, tackling him into the corner. She unleashes a flurry of closed fists to the face that send Page slumping down in the corner. The crowd cheers as its loving every single second of this. From there, Cyncity continues to stomp away at Page before choking him with her boot. The ref gives her until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR… FIVE!

Kris Cruise: Is Cyncity trying to get herself disqualified?

Stephy Auger: I think this is about more than wins and losses, Kris.

The ref wraps his arms around Cyncity and pulls her off of him. The ref tells Cyncity that he doesn’t want to disqualify her. But if she disobeys his orders again, then she’ll leave him with no choice. But Cyncity is beyond the point of being reasoned with. She pulls her arm away from the ref and turns back to Page. But Page greets her with Sole Destruction, knocking her down to the mat. The crowd boos as Cyncity looks to be out cold.

Kris Cruise: Cyncity just got flattened by that discus big boot!

Page slowly pulls up Cyncity by her hair before whipping her into the ropes. When Cyncity comes back, Page hoists her in the air. But Cyncity counters with a popup dropkick. She then mounts herself on top of Page and hammers away with right hands to the face. Page is able to roll over on top of Cyncity and dishes out rights and lefts of his own. But Cyncity rolls back over on top of Page, grabs him by the hair with both hands and repeatedly rams the back of his head against the canvas. She then reaches down and chokes Page again.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR...FIV-

Page reaches up, grabs Cyncity by the throat and throws her to the side.

As Page tries to get back to his feet, Cyncity runs over and hurls herself at Page, delivering a tackle that sends them both tumbling through the ropes and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Cyncity might be hurt after that fall to the floor.

Stephy Auger: They both might be.

After both grapplers shake off the fall to the floor, Cyncity marches over towards Page. But Page lunges forward, nailing her with a double chop to the throat. The crowd boos at Page’s cheapshot. While Cyncity’s doubled over, Page goes over, grabs the timekeeper and throws him out of his chair. Page then scoops up the chair and closes it…

Kris Cruise: Oh God no!

Stephy Auger: The ref needs to get that chair away from Page NOW!

The ref goes over to Page and tells him not to do this. But Page palms the ref’s face and shoves him out of his way. Once Cyncity stands up and turns towards Page, Page reaches back with the chair and intends to swing with all his might. But Cyncity catches him with a kick to the midsection. After Page drops the chair, Cyncity reaches down, scoops up the chair and clocks him in the head with it, knocking him down to an explosion of cheers. The ref sees this and immediately calls for the bell.

Kris Cruise: Cyncity just nailed Page with that chair!

Stephy Auger: I bet it felt good, too!

Cyncity stands over Page. Her whole body is trembling with anger.

Kris Cruise: Cyncity’s been waiting for over a year to do that, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: Yes she has! But I don’t think she’s done, Kris...

Suddenly, a commotion can be heard amongst the crowd. After switching to another camera, Zero McHannon can be seen making his way around ringside.

Kris Cruise: What’s the World Champ doing out here?

Cyncity raises the chair high above her head. She has every intention of putting Page out of his misery. But the chair is snatched from her by Zero McHannon.

Kris Cruise: What!?

Cyncity turns around and sees that Zero was the one who took the chair from her. She’s irate that not only would someone stop her from doing this, but it was Zero who stopped her. She then reaches forward and, after a bit of a struggle, wrestles the chair away from Zero.

Stephy Auger: What’s going to happen here?

Zero pleads with Cyncity. He tells her not to do this. He tells her that she’s better than this. But Cyncity shakes her head, vehemently disagreeing with the words of the World Champion. Zero begs for Cyncity not to do this. If she goes through with this, she’s no better than Page. She’s just like him. Page wants her to turn into someone like him. If she did that, she’d be letting Page win.  Cyncity looks down at the chair, then back up at Zero. Cyncity is still seething over getting her chance at revenge taken from her by Zero. She then throws the chair and walks away from Zero. She’s visibly fuming over this whole situation. Zero turns and calls for her to come back. But Cyncity’s marches up the aisle and walks through the curtains.

Kris Cruise: It looks like cooler heads prevailed there.

Stephy Auger: Cooler heads prevailed? I don’t think Cyncity looks cool at all.

When Zero turns around, Page clobbers him with a rolling elbow.

Kris Cruise: CONCUSSION!

Stephy Auger: Page just flattened the World Champion!

The crowd erupts in boos as Page smirks. Not only did he escape Cyncity’s wrath, but he’s just knocked out the World Champion.

Winner by Disqualification: Jimmy Page

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

The scene shifts to a room somewhere inside the Manhattan Center. Sitting at a table in front of a black backdrop is Spencer Burke. On the other side of the table sits Chandler Scott. Chandler leans back in the chair, trying to get himself as comfortable as possible while his left arm is in a sling. Three FGA Awards are seated at the table in front of Chandler. But what is not in his possession is the World Championship, which was lost to Zero McHannon at Final Frontier.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentleman, with me right now is a man that needs no introduction. He’s the former two-time FGA World Champion, Chandler Scott. Chandler, welcome.

Chandler Scott: If only we were meeting under much different circumstances, Spencer.

(Chandler tries to muster a smirk. But this is a much more solemn Chandler that we're used to seeing.)

Spencer Burke: Now we’ll get to the elephant in the room in a second. But first, I want to congratulate you on your award wins. You and Cordelia Stevenson won Feud of the Year with Jimmy Page and Zero McHannon. You won Match of the Year for the match in which you won the World Championship. Then, there’s Wrestle of the Year. Tell me, what do those awards mean to you?

(Chandler takes a second to think)

Chandler Scott: What it means is that people actually appreciate my talent. These awards were voted on by wrestlers and fans alike. The same people that booed me out of every single building we were in this year voted for me to win each of these awards. The same people that I beat time after time after time… voted for me to win each of these awards.

With this Feud of the Year Award… I think it shows just how captivating my rivalry with Cordy Stevenson was. Those first couple of times that we faced off, there wasn’t a lot of love there. There was hatred there. She didn’t respect me and I didn’t respect her. But after the match that we had at All-Star Showdown IV, we both had a newfound respect for each other. People can say whatever they want. But I don’t think there’s been a wrestler than I’ve been in the ring with that’s pushed me as hard as Cordy Stevenson has.

Spencer Burke: But what about Ze-

Chandler Scott: Don’t you worry about him. I’ll get to him in due time…

Now… Match of the Year. How appropriate that the match that I reclaimed that World Championship in was the same match that was voted as the best of the year. Myself, Sean Sands, Johnny Karma and that piece of trash Jimmy Page made magic in that ring that night. 89 minutes, Spencer. That’s how long we went at it. Four of the top wrestlers in the company giving it their all. And in the end, it was yours truly that reigned supreme. And I didn’t just win. But I made sure that it was Page that I pinned. I wanted to leave no doubt that I was the best wrestler that night. And if this third award is any indication, I left no doubt that I was the best wrestler of the year as well.

I could list all the names that I’ve been in the ring with. You know them all by heart by now. Every time I stepped into that ring, those men and women that I stepped into the ring with… they gave me their all. They pushed me as hard as they could. Some more than others. But night after night, show after show, they gave me their best effort. Which meant that, in turn, I had to give it my best effort. Week after week, month after month, I continued to raise the bar. I took what was already a prestigious championship and made it THE top prize in this sport. You can say whatever you want about me. But you can’t take away what I did for that belt and for this company. There’s a new standard here for champions here in FGA. And you’re looking at the guy that set it. Not Cindy. Not Cordy. Not Dom. Not Page. Not Zero. Not anyone else! ME

Spencer Burke: You did have a hell of a year. No one can take that away from you. But we can’t bury the lead any longer. We can’t dance around the elephant in the room anymore. We can clearly see that your arm is in a sling. Are you hurt? Did you dislocate something? What’s the deal with that?

Chandler Scott: What’s the deal with this? You know, when you do what I’ve done over the past year, you’ve got to perform at a high level. Ever since I returned to this company, I wrestled with a chip on my shoulder. I wrestled with a point to prove and it was that I was the best at what we do. I’ve got the hardware to prove it. I’ve got the records to prove it. But when you go as hard as I did for as long as I did… there’s a price you have to pay. There are consequences to every action, Spencer, and this is the result of my actions. Several months ago… I think it was in my last match with Cordy, actually, I messed up my arm. For the past couple of months, I had been wrestling with a fracture in my elbow and a partially torn triceps. It hurt like hell. I wanted to take the time off. But I had a responsibility as FGA World Champion and I wasn’t about to let an injury stop me from achieving my goals. Those injuries were bad enough, but they were manageable. Despite what I said, I knew that at some point, someone was going to have my number and I’d lose that championship. It just so happened to be Zero McHannon who had my number at Final Frontier. To make a long story short, I had always planned on getting this taken care of whenever I was beaten for the championship. But during the match with Zero, I hurt my shoulder pretty bad. I had an MRI down the following week and it showed that I had completely torn the labrum off the bone. I had surgery… I want to say it was the 21st. So that was what, last Monday, right?

Spencer Burke: Right.

Chandler Scott: The surgery went well. The only problem is that I can’t return to action as soon as I’d like. If it was just the elbow and triceps, then yeah, I could probably continue to suck it up and go out there. But with how severe the injury to my shoulder was, I’m going to be out for a while.

Spencer Burke: Define awhile.

Chandler Scott: … they’re saying the recovery time is 4-6 months.

Spencer Burke: Four to six months?

Chandler Scott: Yeah, 4-6 months. This… it’s probably one of the only things I’ve been good at in my life. To know that it’s been taken away from me for potentially up to half a year… it’s jarring. But if you don’t think that I’m not going to kill it in physio after this sling comes off in a couple of months and I get full motion back in this arm, you’re sadly mistaken. I want back what I lost. I want back what should still be in my possession tonight. I want that FGA World Championship back. And I will get it back. I don’t know where. I don’t even know from whom. But I will become a World Champion again.

Spencer Burke: You said you had some words for our new World Champion, the man that beat you for that championship. What do you have to say to Zero McHannon?

Chandler Scott: Well first off, Zero, congratulations of a job well done. You did the unthinkable. You did the unimaginable. You knocked me off my throne. And ever since that happened, there probably isn’t a day that goes by without something offering you a beer or showering you with praise. You deserve it, Zero. You deserve it all. But you want to know what I deserve? My rightful rematch. Oh yeah, Zero. I may be arrogant. But I’m not stupid. I had a rematch clause written into every single one of my championship matches, including ours. So if you don’t think that I’m not cashing that bad boy in when once cleared, then you’re sadly mistaken.

Spencer Burke: I hate to be the bearer of bad news. But rematch clauses only last for a certain amount of time. 30 days to be exact. If what you’re saying is true, then by the time you return, you will be well outside the period for you to demand a rematch.

Chandler Scott: That may be true. But if Zero is half the man that he wants these people to believe that he is, he’ll put the title up.

That is… if he’s still even the champion.

Spencer Burke: You don’t think he’s going to be the champion?

Chandler Scott: Maybe he will. Maybe he won’t. But this I do know. Yeah, him beating me makes him the World Champion. But it also makes us even. That’s right, we’re one-one, Zero. You beat me at Final Frontier. But let’s not forget several months back when I knocked your lights out and pinned you one, two, three. So as far as I’m concerned, we’re tied… for now, at least. When I return, I’ll break that tie. I might even break your jaw in the process. Who knows. But when I return, I will get even, I will get my title back, and I will reign supreme…. again...

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
Zero McHannon vs. Izzy Anders

“Key Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant’s (by Coheed and Cambria) opening guitar settles the crowd. They know who is coming, but remain unsure if they should cheer or boo. When the lyrics begin to come in, Izzy Anders makes her way from the back. She stands on the stage, looking out at the audience. She bathes in the rapid cascades of red, yellow, and orange. She looks up for a moment, devoid of any of the gleeful energy she once had. She shakes her head and lets out a war cry. She then takes down the walkway, taking somewhat heavy steps at a quickened pace.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is your main event of the evening! Introducing first, from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada! Weighing in at 128 pounds! She is the reigning FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion! She is “Izzypop” IZZY ANDERS!

Once she reaches the edge of the ring, she leaps onto the apron. There, she spins around the ropes, turning her back to them and hooking her arms around them. She lets out an excited yell, before flipping backward into the ring. She looks around the whole arena, not pandering nor alienating them. It’s sure that Izzy is only focused on the match at hand, not on anything else. She looks around the ring, showing her untrusting nature, but finally comforts herself. As she concludes her search, she crouches down to the mat, and begins to crack joints. She only waits for the bell to ring.

Kris Cruise: Here’s the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. The chip on Izzy Anders’ shoulder grows day by day. I honestly don’t even recognize the woman that’s standing in the ring right now. She doesn't resemble the woman that walked through those doors several months ago.

Stephy Auger: This company changed her. People like Dom Harter changed her. People’s reactions to what she did to Dom Harter changed her. Did you know that there are people out there that actually think that Harter was the victim?

Kris Cruise: Now look, I’m by no means a Dom Harter fan. That man has done more than his fair share of harm to members of this roster, both past and present. For as talented and as accomplished as he is, the man has done some pretty reprehensible things. I’m not even including his stunts with The Murder, either. But while I think that Dom got his comeuppance at Final Frontier, even I think that Izzy went a bit too far.

Stephy Auger: Well I don’t think Izzy went too far at all. I think Dom got what he deserved and then some. While I’m at it, I also don’t blame Izzy for feeling the way she feels. How many times if she going to get screwed over? Not just by Dom, but the likes of Zero McHannon? Izzy has been busting her you know what since the day she got here. She’s done more for that championship than arguably any past Mid-Atlantic Champion in history. Yet who gets best newcomer? Guess who gets all the praise?

Kris Cruise: But that’s not Zero’s fault. That’s a fan vote.

Stephy Auger:  Well I don’t see him handing the award over.

Kris Cruise: You know, Steph, it’s being apparent to me that Izzy and Yun aren’t the only ones who’ve been having a shift in attitude as of late.

Stephy Auger: … what are you trying to say?

Kris Cruise: … nothing. Nothing at all. Let’s just call the match.

Stephy Auger: Let’s.

“Same Old War” by Our Last Night hits the speakers. It's slow to pick up, but when it does, it comes in blazing as the light surveys the arena, then stays focused on the top of the ramp with a bright white light. Zero McHannon walks through the curtain with the FGA World Championship fit firmly around his waste, and a black zip up with the hood over his head. He turns his back to the audience, until the lyrics hit, then turn back around with his arms spread to the cheering crowd.

“I've been fighting the same old war,
against a disease, without a cure!
Been holding on for so long! For so long!
For so long!"

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, now residing out of Long Island, New York! Weighing in at 215 pounds! He is the reigning FGA World Champion! This… is ZERO MCHANNON!

Zero holds his arms out for a moment and raises his head to take in the atmosphere from the fans, then slowly starts to make his way down the ramp. He lets the fans reach over the barrier to touch him and his world title, holding his hands out so that he can tag theirs on the way down. McHannon stops at the bottom of the ramp and bounces on the balls of his feet, looking from one side of the arena to the other, then sliding in through the bottom rope, and bouncing right up to his feet.

“I've been wishing upon a star,
as my universe falls apart!
I feel so far from the sky,
as my dreams, are going by!
And they say, it's a battle that can't be won!

Should I run away,
and change my name?
Or should I stay and fight through the night?
And never close my eyes?
I'll never close my eyes!"

Zero McHannon climbs the nearest turnbuckle spread his arms and begins to yell towards the crowd as they do their best to cheer over him. He freezes for a moment, taking in the love from the crowd, then hops from the corner ropes, and tests the mat under his feet. He's talking to himself as he crosses the ring and stands up on the other turnbuckle, pointing to the crowd, and slapping himself in the chest. Finally, he unbuckles the FGA World Championship from his waist and holds it high above his head with one hand as the crowd goes nuts.   

"I've come too far, to go back now,
to turn into a face in the crowd!

Been on this road for so long,
For so long... For so long!"

McHannon walks into the middle of the ring with the title in one hand, and pulls off the zip up with his other hand, tossing it into the crowd. He falls back into one of the corners, and slumps into the turnbuckle, holding the World Championship close to this chest with both hands as he waits for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: Here’s our new World Champion. Zero did what many thought was the impossible by defeating Chandler Scott at Final Frontier.

Stephy Auger: He’s the champion now. But the road only gets harder from here. Foes want to go at you even harder. Even your friends will start to turn on you. That’s something that Chandler Scott learned. Now with Gambino out of action, Zero’s got to be even more mindful of who’s coming after him. He doesn’t have his main man by his side to act as an extra set of eyes.

The bell sounds as Zero and Izzy circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Izzy places Zero in a side headlock. Zero tries to shove Izzy off of him. But Izzy drops down to one knee while keeping the hold applied. After she returns to her feet, she performs a standing switch and transitions into a hammerlock from behind. The ref asks Zero if he wants to give up. But Zero refuses to quit. He then leans forward before reversing into a hammerlock of his own. But Izzy reaches back with her free arm and elbows Zero in the face, eliciting a smattering of boos from the crowd. She then transitions into a drop toe hold, sending Zero down to the mat. After rolling across his back, Izzy places him in a front facelock. She cinches in the hold, causing Zero to let out a groan. After the ref kneels down and asks Zero if he wants to give up. But again, Zero refuses to submit. After fighting his way back to his feet, he moves Izzy into the corner, forcing the ref to start a five count.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Izzy slowly lets go of the hold. When Zero lifts his head up, Izzy cracks him across the jaw with an elbow smash. She then nails Zero with another elbow smash, sending him stumbling back. As Izzy goes after him, Zero kicks her in the midsection and follows up with a right hand. He then nails Izzy with another right hand, sending her stumbling into the ropes. Zero then goes over, grabs Izzy and goes for and goes for an irish whip. But Izzy reverses, sending Zero into the ropes. When Zero comes back, Izzy goes for a jumping leg lariat. But Zero catches her in mid air before throwing her down with a shoulder switch powerslam. The crowd cheers as he hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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Izzy kicks out.

Stephy Auger: New move there by Zero.

Kris Cruise: When you’re the World Champ, you’ve got to constant evolve if you want to stay on top.

Zero picks up Izzy, moves her into the corner and delivers a series of shoulder thrusts to the midsection, followed by a series of knee strikes. He then takes Izzy and whips her into the opposite corner. Zero then runs across the ring, but Izzy nails him with a European Uppercut. As Zero stumbles back, Izzy runs from out of the corner and brings him down with a jumping leg lariat. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero kicks out.

Izzy takes Zero’s right arm, bends it at 90 degrees and then places his palm flat against the canvas. She then follows up with a jumping stomp to the elbow. Zero grunts in pain while clutching his arm.

Kris Cruise: Izzy’s already going after Zero’s arm.

Stephy Auger: Is she not supposed to go after it?

Izzy picks up Zero, delivers an arm wrench and follows up with a kick to the chest. After delivering another arm wrench, Zero quickly reaches over and reverses into an arm wrench of his shown. But Izzy’s quick to reverse into an arm wringer, sending Zero shoulder-first to the canvas. Cheers and boos can be heard throughout the crowd as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero gets his left shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Izzy’s certainly not the most popular person here tonight, is she?

Stephy Auger: Well, Zero does reside in New York. It’s no surprise that the crowd would be on his side.

Izzy picks up Zero, grabs him by the arm, brings him through the ropes and then delivers The Break-Up. Zero immediately goes down and clutches his right arm.

Kris Cruise: Izzy’s intent on continuing to break down that right arm.

Stephy Auger: Dare I say there’s no one in FGA that can break down an opponent’s arm better than Izzy Anders.

While Zero stands on his knees, Izzy gets back in the ring and begins nudging his head with the heel of his boot. She then steps back and points to a fan in the front row before charging forward and nailing him with a Penalty Kick, knocking him down. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero gets his left shoulder up.

Izzy picks up Zero and whips him into the corner. She runs across the ring, but Zero nails her with a boot to the face. After stumbling back, Izzy runs back into the corer. This time, Zero nails her with an elbow to the face. After stumbling back, Izzy charges back into the corner. Zero goes for another elbow to the face. But Izzy stops, drags Zero from out of the corner and follows up with a double knee armbreaker to the left arm. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Brilliant counter there by Izzypop!

Izzy picks up Zero and whips him into the corner. She then runs across the ring and connects with a European Uppercut. She then takes Zero and whips him into the opposite corner. Izzy then runs across the ring. But Zero nails her with a European Uppercut of his own, resulting in cheers from the crowd. While Izzy’s dazed, Zero takes Izzy and tosses her through the ropes. He then reaches out, pulls Izzy across the middle rope and then plants her with a rope hung DDT. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Izzy gets her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Bondo does it better.

Kris Cruise: Hmm?

Stephy Auger: Nothing. Just an observation.

Zero picks up Izzy and whips her into the ropes. When Izzy comes back, Zero sets up for a back body drop. So Izzy counters with a hard kick to the right shoulder. As Zero stumbles back, Izzy turns and runs back into the ropes. When Izzy returns, Zero knocks her down with a discus clothesline using his left arm. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Izzy gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: izzy nearly got her head taken off with that discs clothesline. But she had the wherewithal to get her shoulder up. Credit to her.

Zero picks up Izzy, doubles her over with a knee to the midsection and then hurls her over his head with a pumphandle fallaway slam. The crowd cheers as Izzy rolls over in pain. But Zero can be seen clutching his right arm in pain. Izzy then slowly rolls out onto the apron. As she pulls herself up using the ropes, Zero runs over and connects with a dropkick, knocking her off the apron and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: The Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion just got sent to the floor.

Stephy Auger: Don’t worry. She’ll get back up.

Zero heads to the outside. As he slowly pulls up Izzy, Izzy swats his arms away from her and follows up with a roundhouse kick.

Stephy Auger: Did you hear that kick, Kris!?

Izzy takes Zero and whips him hard into the ring post. Zero’s arm collides with the ring post before he falls to the floor.

Stephy Auger: If is arm wasn’t killing him before, it is now!

Kris Cruise: That thud from the impact did not sound good.

Izzy rounds the corner and then puts the boots to Zero. She reaches down, picks up Zero and rolls him back into the ring. After rolling herself back in, she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero gets his shoulder up.

Izzy takes Zero and whips him into the ropes. When Zero returns, Izzy goes for a palm strike. But Zero ducks and counters with an arm trap STO. The crowd cheers as he make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Izzy gets her shoulder up.

Zero picks up Izzy and lifts her up for a brainbuster. But Izzy knees him in the head on the way up, forcing Zero to drop her. She then follows up with a back kick to the front of the knee. After Zero drops down one knee, Izzy runs into the ropes. When she comes back, she nails him with the Headhunter. Cheers and boos can be heard from the crowd as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero gets his left shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: What a back and forth match this one has been!

Stephy Auger: What else would you expect from two grapplers as talented as them?

As Izzy slowly picks up Zero, Zero quickly grabs her and throws her down with a Teardrop Suplex. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Izzy gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Izzy’s lack of urgency almost cost her there!

Zero picks up Izzy and whips her into the ropes. When Izzy returns, Zero sets up a back body drop. But Izzy stops and counters with an axe kick, knocking him down. She turns Zero over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero gets his left shoulder up.

Izzy picks up Zero, marches into the corner and slams him face first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Zero around, Izzy unleashes a series of machine gun punches to the midsection. Once she brings Zero out of the corner, Izzy delivers Dirty Dancin’. But on the last kick attempt, Zero catches her leg. After hopping up and down on one foot, Izzy counters with an enzuigiri, sending Zero flipping down to the canvas. She then picks up Zero and slowly hooks his left arm, then his right arm.

Stephy Auger: You know what’s coming next? It’s her ode to her favorite wrestler!

After smirking, Izzy plants him with Spin The Black Circle. Cheers and boos can be heard throughout the crowd as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Zero gets his shoulder up.

Izzy sits up Zero and places him in a Buffalo Sleeper. The ref asks Zero if he wants to give up. But Zero refuses to submit. So Izzy cinches in the hold, causing Zero to grunt.

Kris Cruise: This hold is not only working over Zero’s arm, but it could potentially put him to sleep if he doesn’t find a way out and fast.

The ref checks in with Zero and asks him if he wants to give up. But again, Zero refuses to quit. He slowly turns over onto his knees and then gets up to his feet. From there, he nails Izzy with a series of punches to the midsection with his free arm. Once the hold is broken, Zero takes off into the ropes. When he comes back, Izzy knocks him down with a jumping calf kick. While Zero’s down, Izzy steps through the ropes and begins climbing the turnbuckles. But before she can reach the top, Zero runs into the corner, runs up onto the middle ropes, lifts Izzy up onto his shoulders and delivers a super rolling fireman’s carry slam.

Kris Cruise: What a counter that was by Zero McHannon!

Stephy Auger: Her ribs must be killer her!

While both grapplers are down, the ref starts his count.

ONE!








TWO!









THREE!









FOUR!









FIVE!









SIX!









SEVEN!







After both grapplers get up to their feet, Izzy begins nailing Zero with alternating palm strikes. She then takes Zero and goes for an irish whip. But Zero reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Izzy comes back, Zero jumps up and delivers a Codebreaker. The crowd cheers as Izzy bounces off his knees and falls over onto her back.

Kris Cruise: That one might have finished Izzy off!

Stephy Auger: No! She’s still in this...

Izzy turns over onto all fours and tries to shake out the cobwebs. She then slowly gets back to her feet. But before she can turn and face him, Zero hooks her arms from behind, hoists her up and delivers a gutwrench gutbuster. Zero then picks up Izzy, lifts her up across his shoulders and delivers a fireman’s carry gutbuster. Zero then picks up Izzy, lifts her up from behind and throws her down with Zero-Tolerance to an explosion of cheers.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“Same Old War” blasts over the PA as the crowd explodes into cheers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, ZERO MCHANNON!

Zero gets his arm raised as the crowd continues to cheer.

Kris Cruise: What a main event that was! Neither title was on the line. But pride was. In the end, it was the new World Champion that came away with the win!

Stephy Auger: He did. Zero deserves credit. But let’s not overshadow what Izzy did. I know fans are used to having Zero overshadow Izzy. But let’s give her the credit she deserves! She hung in there! She fought tooth and nail! Even you though she had this match won, Kris!

Kris Cruise: It wasn't looking good for Zero, I’ll say that. But once again, in the end, Zero found a way to pick up the win. For Stephy Auger, this is Kris Cruise signing off. We’ll see you again in the New Year! Goodnight, everyone!

Zero continues to head into each corner to raise his newly won World Championship belt. Curled up on the canvas lays Izzy, who eyes Zero as he celebrates his victory in front of the hot crowd.