Vertigo (3.5.16)

[FGA Office]

Johnny Cannon vs. Kevin Hardaway

The lights go out. Complete blackness, with the only lights shining being the random cellphones and a few cameras going off. An odd hush fills the crowd as the beginning few piano notes and guitar strums of “Free Bird” hit. As the drums enter the fray and the guitars enter louder, the lights start coming back on slowly, as a dim rather than just full-blown. To a point where you still can’t tell who’s coming in or out. The crowd isn’t restless, sure, but they’re concerned at what’s going on as finally when the song reaches its first major crescendo, the lights fully come back on and standing at the entrance ramp without any sign of coming through the curtain, is none other than Kevin Hardaway, just looking on at the crowd, a hoodie on over his gear as he smiles at the crowd and starts the long walk down to the ring as the lyrics start up.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Baltimore, Maryland! Weighing in at 233 pounds… KEVIN HARDAWAY!

”If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see.”

As the chorus hits, Kevin walks up the ring steps and climbs on top of the turnbuckle. Usually in past iterations of himself, he would perch up on it like a hawk looking for his prey. This time however, he doesn’t perch. He just stands on top, looking out at the crowd with a grin and a smirk as he jumps down into the ring and walks over to the corner...either awaiting the ring of the bell, or his opponent to walk down to the ring.

Ready for war.

Kris Cruise: Kevin Hardaway has quite the war of words with Yun Goeun earlier tonight.

Stephy Auger: The nerve of him to talk to Yun that way. Then again, everyone’s been giving Yun attitude after she decided to start fighting for herself.

Kris Cruise: I’m sorry, but she essentially told the fans that they could go screw themselves. That wasn't something that was going to endear her to the fans.

A yellow spotlight suddenly shines down across the black curtain of the entrance way, whilst the house lights begin to dim down. Slowly, almost in unison with the change in lightning does "Voodoo Child" (Jimi Hendrix" Cover) by Brick + Mortar begins to play. A small ebb of yellow smoke ascends from the ventilators to grace the ramp. The Brit's silhouette emerges behind the curtain, only backed by another daintier image.

"well i stand up next to a mountain
well i stand up next to a mountain
well i pick up all the pieces
maybe even make
maybe make a little sense"

Finally, bursting through the curtain emerges "The British Mamba", Johnny Cannon. The Englishman stands before the live audience in all his strapping glory; as per usual, his cocksure, megalomaniacal grin is etched on his face as he pauses on the ramp, his head raised high and snobbishly to the sky above as he surveys the masses. Standing just behind him is none other than Quinn Goodrich, who edges on the crowd to incite their scorn. Wearing yellow and black MMA style trunks, with matching boots and a black knee brace (on his left knee), the Brit appears ready for action - not due to his attire, but due to the belligerent look in his eyes which is only revealed as he removes his Aviator Sunglasses. His eyes are those of a cold, and calculating individual. Johnny places his shades in his black track jacket with numerous insignias sewn on it, and begins his haughty strut to the ring.

"well i stand up next to a mountain
and i chop it down with the edge of my hand
well i stand up next to a mountain
and i struck it down with the edge of my hand
cause I'm a voodoo child"

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Quinn Goodrich! From London, England! Weighing in at 245 pounds! He is “THE BRITISH MAMBA”, JOHNNY CANNON!

Cannon struts to the ring, marching with an undeniable swagger, whilst Quinn continues to taunt the audience, by swinging his arms up, and shouting whatever obscene remarks he can think of. Johnny ignores the audience on either side of him, showing complete indifference towards their opinions. He spurts forward toward the ring, and slides in under the bottom rope, before launching himself to his feet and suddenly spinning to the center of the ring in a very Shawn Michaels-esque fashion, before positioning himself carefully in the middle. He unzips his track jacket, lowering it down his hands and to the canvas below him like a male stripper, before throwing up the offensive, British, two finger salute, eliciting tremendous heat from the crowd.

"lord knows I'm a voodoo child
cause I'm a voodoo child"

From there, Johnny slowly backs into the ropes, hooking his arms back on them before bouncing several times, beginning his mental preparations and prerequisites as Quinn looks on from ringside; Cannon nods his head several times, as his eyes flicker with a hundred different ideas and strategies to carry out in the match.

Kris Cruise: The British Mamba is fresh off a hard fought match against Johnny Karma at Canadian Stampede. A match in which he lost, by the way.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, just rub it in why don’t you. Cannon took another step back and is now further away from the Pride Championship that he covets. That’s okay. The British Mamba is a fighter. He’s a man with the spirit, the skill and the heart of a champion. He’ll get that championship. You heard it here first.

The bell sounds as both men meet up in the ring and exchange elbow smashes. But Hardaway begins to gain the upperhand as the crowd cheers. Hardaway begins knocking Cannon back with elbow smashes into the corner. He then unleashes a series of shoot kicks to the midsection, followed by a jumping back kick to the face. Hardaway then takes Cannon and whips him hard into the opposite corner. Cannon ricochets from out of the corner and catches an oncoming Hardaway with a running European Uppercut. While Hardaway is dazed, Cannon runs into the ropes. When he comes back, Hardaway catches him with a running European Uppercut of his own. Cannon is nearly knocked through the ropes. But he’s able to counter with a pendulum lariat, knocking Hardaway down. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardaway kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Did you hear the impact of that lariat!?

Stephy Auger: How is Hardaway still breathing?

Cannon picks up Hardaway, moves him into the corner and delivers an elbow smash followed by a European Uppercut. Cannon then nails Hardaway with another elbow smash, followed by a European Uppercut. Cannon continues with the strikes until he begins to send Hardaway slumping down in the corner with elbow smashes to the face. The crowd boos as he steps back and chokes Hardaway with his boot while pulling down on the top rope. The ref then gives Cannon until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Cannon breaks the choke. He then reaches down, picks up Hardaway and whips him into the opposite corner. After sizing him up, Cannon runs across the ring and goes for a charging high knee strike. But Hardaway ducks and dumps Cannon over the top rope and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Cannon took a hard fall to the outside.

Stephy Auger: Unfortunately, I think the worst is yet to come. Look at this...

While Cannon gets up on the outside, Hardaway steps out onto the apron. He then runs along the apron, jumps off and connects with a shotgun dropkick, sending Cannon flying back against the guardrail. The crowd cheers as Cannon lays on the floor in pain.

Kris Cruise: Those lethal kicks of K-Hard’s came into play early and there they are again. Man, what a dropkick by Hardaway.

Hardaway picks up Cannon, runs and rolls him back into the ring. After rolling himself back in, he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon gets his shoulder up.

Hardaway picks up Cannon and delivers alternating knee lifts to the face before throwing him down with a snapmare. Hardaway follows up with a running kick to the chest. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: You know, Hardaway said that he was throwing his name in the mix of this new tag division that FGA is building. But last I checked, Hardaway doesn’t have a partner. I know the man’s had a storied career. But I can’t even think back to a time when he even held a pair of Tag Titles anywhere. Can you?

Stephy Auger: I’m drawing nothing but blanks.

Hardaway picks up Cannon and whips him into the ropes. When Cannon comes back, Hardaway throws out a lariat. But Cannon ducks and runs into the ropes. When Cannon comes back, Hardaway doubles him over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. He then hoists Cannon up for the Williams Driver, which elicits an explosion of cheers from the crowd. But the cheers turn to boos as Cannon immediately starts delivering elbows to the top of the head. After Cannon slips down in front of Hardaway, he connects with a Roaring Elbow, which knocks Hardaway down. Cannon makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardaway gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Cannon just clocked Hardaway with that elbow. But the Baltimore native gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Dumb move. He should’ve just stayed down.

Cannon picks up Hardaway, moves him into the ropes, traps his upper body between the middle and top ropes. He then pulls down on the back of Hardaway’s neck with both hands, choking him on the top rope to boos from the crowd. The ref quickly gives Cannon until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Cannon keeps a hold of Hardaway's neck. But instead of continuing the choke, he transitions into a series of alternating knee strike to the face. While Hardaway’s dazed, Cannon takes off into the far ropes. When he comes back, The British Mamba blasts Hardaway in the face, knocking him down to the floor.

Stephy Auger: Hardaway looks to be on Dream Street! What did they used to call him? Unbreakable? Well, he looks pretty broken to me!

While Hardaway is sprawled out on the floor, Cannon motions for the ref to start the count.

ONE!







TWO!







THREE!







FOUR!







Hardaway begins to stir on the floor.






FIVE!





SIX!






SEV-

After Hardaway slowly gets back to his feet, Cannon marches over and steps out onto the apron. When Hardaway turns around, Cannon runs along the apron, leaps off and knocks him down with a diving European Uppercut.

Stephy Auger: Cannon got all of that way! Talk about execution! There isn’t a better striker in the game than The British Mamba and you know it!

Cannon picks up Hardaway and rolls him back into the ring. After rolling himself back in, he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardaway gets his shoulder up.

Cannon picks up Hardaway and whips him into the corner. The British Mamba then runs across the ring and steps up, delivering a high charging high knee strike. He then hops down, places Hardaway in a headlock and goes for a running bulldog. But Hardaway shoves Cannon off of him, sending him into the corner. When Cannon comes back, Hardaway grabs him, runs and tosses him over the top rope and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Cannon with a hard fall to the floor!

As Cannon slowly gets up on the floor, Hardaway turns and runs into the ropes. When Hardaway comes back, he hurls himself through the ropes…

Kris Cruise: GTFO~!

The crowd cheers as Hardaway picks up Cannon and rolls himself back into the ring. He then rolls himself back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon gets his shoulder up.

Hardaway lifts up Cannon for a brainbuster. But Cannon knees him in the head on the way up. After landing on his feet, Cannon goes for a reverse roundhouse kick. But Hardaway ducks and then throws him down with an STO. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon gets his shoulder up.

Hardaway picks up Cannon and nails him with a series of elbow smashes and knee strikes. After the last knee strike doubles over Cannon, Hardaway goes for the KTFO~!. But Cannon ducks the Rolling Elbow and counters with a half nelson suplex. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardaway gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Great counter there by Cannon, but it only gets two. You know, it’s got to kill Cannon as he looks at tonight’s card. Tony Carmine and Johnny Karma, two men that he hates, are fighting in the main event, the spot which he feels his is, for the Pride Championship, the title which has been his stated goal since day one. That’s got to eat him alive.

Cannon picks up Hardaway and delivers a series of open hand slaps, followed by an elbow strike to the head, followed by a discus forearm, followed by a running single leg dropkick that turns Hardaway inside out. the crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

Hardaway gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: The Clockwork Orange only gets two!

Stephy Auger: That stubborn son of a gun needs to just stay down!

Cannon pulls Hardaway up onto his knees and delivers several shoot kicks to the chest. After sizing Hardaway up, Cannon throws out a reverse roundhouse kick. But Hardway ducks. He quickly scrambles to his feet and goes for a belly to back suplex. But Cannon rolls over his shoulder, wraps his arm around Hardaway’s waist and moves him into the corner. After Hardaway’s chest bounces off the top turnbuckle, Cannon delivers a waist lock roll into a bridging German Suplex.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

The crowd cheers as Hardaway gets his shoulder up.

Cannon picks up Hardaway and whips him into the ropes. When Hardaway comes back, Cannon hoists him in the air. On the way down, Cannon delivers the Cardiac Arrest, doubling him over. He then hooks Hardaway’s arm, setting him up for the Cannon Driver II. But Hardaway’s able to roll out of the hold and knock Cannon down with a short-arm Decap Lariat.

Kris Cruise: What a lariat by Hardaway!

Cannon gets back to his feet, but Hardaway knocks him down with a running forearm. Cannon returns to his feet, but Hardaway returns him to the mat with another running forward. Once Cannon gets back up, Hardaway nails him with open hand strikes, delivers a spinning backfist and follows up with a European Uppercut. While Cannon’s dazed, Hardaway takes off into the ropes. When Hardaway comes back, he knocks him down with a front dropkick to the knee. After Cannon drops down to one knee, Hardaway takes off into the far ropes. When Hardaway comes back, he knocks Cannon down with a front dropkick to the face. Hardaway then runs back into the ropes. When he comes back, he leaps up and delivers a double foot stomp to the chest. The crowd cheers as Hardaway picks up Cannon, lifts him up and then delivers a brainbuster across the knee.

Kris Cruise: Lights out Brainbuster!

Stephy Auger: No, no, no...

Hardaway picks up Cannon, lifts him up and delivers the Williams Driver to an explosion of cheers.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, KEVIN HARDAWAY

The bell rings and the match is over as "Free Bird" plays over the system and the referee goes over to raise Kevin's hand as he raises it with him. Suddenly, he can see on the ramp a small figure coming out and smiling at him. It's Yun Goeun. She smirks at him like from earlier and lifts the microphone she has up to her lips. It's only one word that comes out of her mouth, but it's an effective word as she simply just says...

Yun Goeun: WHEN...

From out of nowhere, Kevin is blindsided from behind by an unknown figure in a hoodie, who takes it off to reveal...CAMELLIA D. MAGNA. She starts stomping away on Kevin as Yun rushes to the ring and slides in to join in on the fray. They both keep stomping down, but Kevin slides out of the way and immediately gets back up, clubbing away and forearming away at the both of them to cheers of the crowd. He pushes Cami away and both Kevin and Yun start throwing fists at one another, with Kevin throwing her into the ropes and kicking her in the gut, setting her up for the Williams Driver.

Kris Cruise: Here we go! Williams Driver!

*WHAM*

Suddenly, Kevin gets blindsided again by Cami...this time she has a chair in hand and Kevin crumples down in a heap on the mat, as Cami starts wailing away with the chair, Yun on the ground to wail on Kevin with a flurry of fists. The crowd is on fire at this point as they not only do they seem to be cheering for Kevin to get up, there's a few people in the crowd trying to start a chant for somebody to come out to help him. A certain somebody to be precise.

Stephy Auger: Yun and Cami are going to town on Hardaway!

Kris Cruise: I don’t understand! The last time we saw these two, they couldn’t function as a team! How are they on the same page now? Why? And who is going tos top this mess?

They pick up an unconscious Kevin and Cami grabs the chair, immediately ready to strike the final blow as she gets ready to charge at him. Mid-charge however...

THE LIGHTS GO OUT!

Kris Cruise: What in the world?

The lights fire back on as Cami and Yun are both staring now at the figure right in front of them as Kevin is sitting on the bottom of the turnbuckle behind this figure, not being able to see who it is. But the crowd definitely knows who it is as the place absolutely erupts and everybody is aware of who is in the ring AND who it is that they were chanting for.

RUBY TYLER!

She rushes to both Yun and Cami and fights them off with ease, as she clubs away and fights away at the both of them, sending them over the ropes and throws a series of forearms and a few kicks towards Yun and Cami before sending them off the apron and sending them packing, Ruby jawjacking at the both of them as Yun and Cami start jawjacking right back at her. Few words can't be heard between the three of them, but a few words can be heard clear as day, including one very important sentence...

"Nobody gets to hurt him, you understand, you bitches?! Nobody gets to hurt him BUT ME!!!"

She backs up and the crowd once again erupts, running into a chant of "RU-BY! RU-BY! RU-BY!" as she smiles and looks on the crowd. But that chant turns into one that she hangs her head down and just sighs at. She knew the chant she heard now was coming, she just wasn't ready to hear it. A chant of "RUBY-WAY! RUBY-WAY! RUBY-WAY!" from the Boston crowd as Kevin slowly opens his eyes and sees the figure, his guardian angel if he will, is standing in the ring with him. She exits the ring and he tries to follow her. Clearly this isn't the end of everything.

Kris Cruise: Ruby Tyler strikes again! She saves the day for Kevin Hardaway! RubyWay is still a thing and it’s coming to FGA!

Stephy Auger: Great. Just great...

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

We cut to the Agganis Arena locker room where we see Johnny Karma is pacing back and forth, trying to get a mental picture of what he wants to do when he steps into the ring against Tony Carmine later tonight as he challenges for the Pride Championship once again - until he stops in his tracks for a second and has a look of deep concentration of his face as he looks to work out which is the best option to take, and at that moment Karma glances toward the mirror and sees Cherry Baum is sat on a nearby bench, watching his every move as she tries to get a read on him, we see the tension within Karma's body ease off

Cherry Baum: Penny for your thoughts J-K?

Johnny Karma: Well...

Karma turns around to face Cherry, before he grabs a nearby chair and spins it around so he sits on it with the back facing Cherry

Johnny Karma: ...well I'm thinking that I've been doing a pretty darned good job at turning the doubters' heads lately, yet no matter how many times I manage to do that there's always something else that somebody can say against me. Case in point, somebody posted online that I can't get the job done whenever I'm in Boston, going so far as to say the Matthews Arena is my kryptonite because the last couple of shows at that arena saw me stay home and come up just that little bit short when challenging for the FWA Championship. This ignores the obvious issue that the Matthews Arena obviously isn't built of kryptonite, since it's not green and doesn't glow, but no doubt this guy'll probably be saying the same thing next time he logs in because I won the Pride Championship at the Agganis Arena instead.

A quizzical look crosses Cherry's face, as she wonders where Karma is going with this

Cherry Baum: You know you shouldn't let things like this get to you, as the internet's a weird little place filled with people mistaking their opinion for fact or believing their fan fiction...which usually begs the question as to how somebody could consider that making love.

Cherry shudders at the thought, almost as if she's read some fan fiction where she's one of the participants...

Cherry Baum: The point is you need to stop living in your head sometimes, because if you do that you'll end up finding new ways to doubt yourself or you'll have second thoughts to your second thoughts until you find yourself unable to come to a decision about getting out of bed in the morning.

At this point Cherry stands up and crosses the locker room, approaching Karma and placing her hand on his arm as she looks him in the eye

Cherry Baum: You know what you have to do when you get into the ring tonight, J-K, and rather than focus on what Right Clicks McGee is saying online you should go back to focusing on what you have to do in order to make that happen. After all, you know you can do it, so don't worry about some guy with a keyboard and a theory.

Cherry expects Karma to answer, but instead there's a second's worth of awkward silence as Karma flicks his eyes towards Cherry's hand that is still resting on his arm

Johnny Karma: I...uh...

Karma is overcome with the sudden urge to clear his throat, at which point Cherry removes her hand from his arm

Johnny Karma: I know all this, really I do, it's just sometimes you find someone saying something about you and you just can't help focus on it and wonder if they know something I don't. Or...well not quite that, but you get the idea, since they're watching things unfold in front of them while I have to watch them back after the fact, half the time when I've had somebody looking for new ways to drop me on my head for fifteen minutes straight. It's easy to have second thoughts when you're seeing double, you know.

Cherry Baum: Maybe you shouldn't be thinking at all. Maybe you should just do what feels like the right thing to do in that moment.

Johnny Karma: Yeah, I could do that...

There's a pause as Karma looks towards Cherry, and for just the briefest moment it appears there may be a certain amount of subtext going through his mind as he does so

Johnny Karma: ...but not tonight. This match is under Pride rules, two-out-of-three falls, so I need a plan in place because just going in and hoping to wing it is the sort of thing that'll win you the first fall and then lose the next two because you showed your hand in the first fall. More than anything else, though, I need to win - because it's been far too long since I had my hands on a title and that needs to change, because the longer I go without a title the more somebody will think of a reason to doubt me and it's time for those doubts to take a vacation.

Thinking over what he said, Karma gets out of his seat and stands up, turning to face the mirror and looking towards his waist before he looks towards himself and places a hand where the Pride Championship title could very easily be resting come the end of the night.

[FGA Office]

Fujiko Mine vs. Danny Diamond

The HBO instrumental edit of 50 Cent's "Ready For War" hits, as gold fog covers the stage, with a silhouette seen in the middle of it. After the first few seconds, once the beat kicks in, Danny Diamond jogs out from in the midst of the fog, with a grin on his face and his hands held up; his fingers forming a diamond. He stops on the top of the entrance ramp, where he takes a moment to view his surroundings before making his way down to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, now residing out of Los Angeles, California! Weighing in at 213 pounds! He is “THE PRIZED GEM”, DANNY DIAMOND!

While walking there, he ignores the jeers coming from the fans as he maintains his signature arrogant smirk, eventually making it to the squared circle, which he slides in under the bottom rope. Upon entering, Danny walks over to the nearest turnbuckle and ascends to the middle rope, repeating his diamond pose from the stage. He, afterwards, jumps back down to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Despite a hiccup in the Joker’s Wild Tag Tournament, Danny Diamond has had a spotless record since his return. The former Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion has defeated the likes of Noelle Smith, Savannah Taylor and Nero Darling. You can bet that Diamond is looking to keep his winning ways going here tonight. But he’ll be facing his tough task in another former Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, Fujiko Mine!

A short electro-pop beat hits the arena, and the lights plunge to a deep purple The crowd cheers in response.

“MONEY!”

Shouts a feminine electronic voice, and a split second later the beat of “Money” by Lido drops. Fujiko leaps through the curtain as if propelled forward by a slingshot; Jumping into the air and whipping her head forward. Her hair flows through the air around her head, and when she lands she has a large grin on her face. Blue, yellow, and pink lights dance around the arena. She takes a few steps to position herself on the ramp, and then poses cutely as a few fans throw blue and yellow streamers around her on the ramp.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, now residing out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Weighing in at 140 pounds! She is “LADY LUCK” FUJIKO MINE!

She begins bobbing her head to the music for a moment before posing. She high fives some of the fans that have their hands outstretched, still smiling. Once she reaches ringside, Fujiko leaps onto the apron from the floor, balancing with one foot for a moment. She jumps from the apron to the top turnbuckle, and stabilizes herself a second before throwing her hands up in the air, and throwing her head back. Fans throw more blue & yellow streamers around her, which are quickly removed by ringside personnel. Fujiko points at the Ball & glove logo on her attire, then hops down. She then bounces on her heels, ready to start the match.

Kris Cruise: Here comes Lady Luck! Fujiko Mine has turned her career around over the past several months. She’s been putting together great performance one after another, receiving Match of the Night honors time and time again. With her defeat over Jimmy Page at Canadian Stampede, her confidence has to be as high as it’s been in months...

Stephy Auger: … which only makes things better when Diamond shatters her confidence here tonight.

The bell sounds as both grapplers circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Danny places Fujiko in a side headlock. After a bit of a struggle, Fujiko is able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. The ref checks in with Danny and asks him if he wants to give up. But Danny refuses to quit. He then leans forward before reversing into a hammerlock of his own. Fujiko then reaches back with her free arm and reverses into a side headlock. But Danny is quick to shove Fujiko off of him and into the ropes. When Fujiko comes back, Diamond knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. He then runs into the ropes as Fujiko kips up. When Diamond comes back, he knocks Fujiko down with a running shoulder block. He then runs into another set of ropes as Fujiko kips up. When Diamond comes back, Fujiko leap frogs over him. Diamond then runs into the far ropes. When Diamond comes back, Fujiko goes for a hip toss. But Diamond steps through it and goes for a hip toss of his own. But Fujiko blocks it, knees him in the midsection and then brings him down with an arm drag.

Diamond gets back to his feet, but Fujiko knocks him down back down with a dropkick. Diamond returns to his feet, but Fujiko returns him back to the mat with another dropkick. Once Diamond gets back up, Fujiko goes for another dropkick. But Diamond side steps and swats her down. He then hits a quick leg drop across the back of the neck before pulling her over and making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Looks like Fujicakes tried to go to the well one too many times there.

Diamond picks up Fujiko and whips her into the ropes. When Fujiko comes back, Diamond goes for a back body drop. But Fujiko’s able to land on her feet before running into the far ropes. When Fujiko comes back, Diamond goes for a running clothesline. But Fujiko ducks. Both grapplers then run into opposite sets of ropes. When they come back, Diamond knocks her down with a crossbody block.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Once again, Diamond gets the better of Fujiwater. You know, she had so much confidence going into this match. With the way she was talking to Diamond, she came off so cocky. But she doesn’t seem so cocky now, does she?

Diamond picks up Fujiko and delivers an arm wrench. But Fujiko is quick to roll over, leans back, kip up and reverse into an arm wrench of her own. Diamond then rolls forward, turns over on his knees, flips over with a headstand and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. He delivers another arm wrench before trying to yank Fujiko’s arm from out of its socket. The ref asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. But Fujiko refuses to quit. She then runs over towards the ropes and brings Diamond down with a springboard arm drag. Diamond gets back to his feet, but Fujiko knocks him back down with another dropkick. When Diamond returns to his feet, Fujiko goes for another dropkick. But again, Diamond side steps and swats her down. He goes for a quick leg drop. But Fujiko rolls out of the way, kips up and knocks Diamond flush across the canvas with a shoot kick to the chest. She then motions for a running Shooting Star Press. But Diamond immediately rolls to the outside, which elicits boos from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko has sent Diamond fleeing to the floor.

Stephy Auger: It’s not fleeing. It’s strategy. Diamond saw Fujiko starting to gain some momentum. So he slammed on the brakes. There’s nothing wrong with that.

As Diamond circles the ring, Fujiko takes off into the far ropes. When she comes back, she motions for a dive to the outside. Diamond, who's been watching Fujiko out of the corner of his eye the entire time, turns and moves out of the way. But Fujiko changes her plans at the last minute, swinging through the ropes with a tiger feint. When Diamond turns around, Fujiko slingshots herself out onto the apron and goes to deliver a back kick to the face. But Diamond catches her foot. He then yanks Fujiko hard off the apron, causing Fujiko to land face-first hard across the apron. The crowd boos as Fujiko immediately grabs her face.

Kris Cruise: My God, what a fall!

Stephy Auger: Did you hear that thud? I bet that hurt!

Diamond reaches down, picks up Fujiko and slams her face-first onto the apron. Fujiko begins to stumbles across ringside before dropping down to the floor. Diamond goes over, picks up Fujiko and slams her face-first onto the steel steps. Fujiko bounces off the steps and falls to the floor. Diamond reaches down, picks up Fujiko and rolls her back into the ring. After rolling himself back in, he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets her foot on the bottom rope.

Diamond gets up, drags Fujiko away from the ropes and drops down with another lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko kicks out.

Diamond picks up Fujiko, marches into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle, which drops her down to one knee. After bringing Fujiko back to her feet, Diamond shoves her into the corner. He then nails her with a stinging knife edge chop. Diamond rears his arm back and delivers another blistering knife edge chop… and another… and another… and another. He then takes Fujiko and whips her into the opposite corner. Diamond runs across the ring. But Fujiko nails him with a back elbow to the face. She then moves Diamond in the corner before delivering a series of knife edge chops. But Fujiko’s offense is cut short as Diamond nails her with a cross chop to the throat. He then takes Fujiko and tosses her through the ropes. But instead of falling to the outside, Fujiko lands on the apron. As Diamond heads towards the center of the ring, Fujiko pulls herself up using the ropes. He then runs into the ropes and goes for a triangle dropkick. But Fujiko ducks. Once Diamond returns to his feet, Fujiko connects with a gamengiri. As Diamond stumbles back, Fujiko springboards onto the top rope, leaps off and brings him down with a flying headscissors takeover. As Diamond returns to his feet, Fujiko runs over and connects with a dropkick, knocking him through the ropes. When Diamond gets up on the outside, Fujiko runs into the far ropes. When Fujiko comes back, she hurls herself through the ropes, knocking him down with a topé suicida.

Kris Cruise: The crowd comes alive as Fujiko delivers a suicide dive to the outside!

Stephy Auger: What’s she doing now!?

Fujiko returns to her feet and rolls back into the ring. She then crouches down as she waits for Diamond to get up. As Diamond stirs and then begins to return to his feet, Fujiko heads back into the far ropes. When Fujiko comes back, she flips over the top rope, knocking Diamond back down with a topé con giro.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko flattens Diamond with another high move move! This time, with a topé con giro and this crowd is going wild for Lady Luck!

Fujiko returns to her feet. She then climbs up onto the apron and looks back and sees Diamond shaking out the cobwebs. Once he returns to his feet, Fujiko springboards onto the middle rope and flips back, knocking him down with an Asai Moonsault.

Kris Cruise: One more for good measure!

Fujiko picks up Diamond and rolls him back into the ring. After rolling herself back in, she drags Diamond away from the ropes before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Diamond gets his shoulder up.

Fujiko picks up Diamond and nails him with three elbow smashes before delivering a spinning back kick to the knee. After Diamond drops down to one knee, Fujiko takes off into the ropes. When she comes back, she spikes Diamond with a headscissors facebuster. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Diamond gets his shoulder up.

Fujiko picks up Diamond and whips him into the corner. She then runs into the corner. But Diamond nails her with a back elbow smash. After Fujiko stumbles back, Diamond runs from out of the corner and knocks her down with an enzuigiri. The crowd boos as he turns her over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko had him reeling, but Diamond was able to cut her off with an enzuigiri.

Diamond picks up Fujiko, lifts her up and delivers a front suplex across the top rope. While Fujiko dangles across the top rope, Diamond sizes her up before connecting with a Roundhouse Kick to the head, which knocks Fujiko off the top rope. She then bounces off the apron before falling to the floor. While Fujiko’s down on the floor, the ref starts his count.

ONE!




TWO!




THREE!




FOUR!

Fujiko can be seen slowly pulling herself up using the edge of the apron. So Diamond runs over and connects with a baseball slide to the face, knocking her down. The crowd boos as Diamond then instructs the ref to count her back out.

ONE!








TWO!







THREE!








FOUR!







FIVE!






SIX!

Fujiko slowly pulls herself up using the edge of the apron. After she uses the ropes to pull herself back up onto the apron, Diamond runs into the corner, springboards onto the second turnbuckle and knocks her down with a triangle dropkick. The crowd boos as Fujiko bounces off the apron before falling back to the floor.

ONE!






TWO!






THREE!






FOUR!






FIVE!





SIX!






SEVEN!

When Fujiko returns to her feet, Diamond runs into the corner, springboards onto the top turnbuckle and flips off, knocking her down with a moonsault plancha.

Kris Cruise: Diamond with a moonsault to the floor!

Stephy Auger: Maybe that’ll finally keep her down!

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

ONE!




TWO!






THREE!





FOUR!






FIVE!





SIX!





SEVEN!





EIGHT!

After both grapplers return to their feet, they’re side by side with each other. They then run forward and roll back into the ring. Once they return to their feet, Diamond nails Fujiko with a right hand. Fujiko comes back with an elbow smash. Diamond nails her with another right hand. Fujiko comes back with another elbow smash. Diamond then nails her with three right hands. She goes to respond with an elbow smash, but Diamond cuts her off with a cross chop to the throat. He then places Fujiko is an inverted facelock swung into a stunner.

Stephy Auger: Rubik’s!

While Fujiko’s down, Diamond heads towards the ropes. He hops up onto the middle rope before flipping back and completing the Lionsault. The. crowd boos as he hooks the leg..

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Diamond picks up Fujiko and brings her down with a vertical suplex. After dragging her into position, he steps through the ropes and begins to scale the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: What’s he doing here?

Stephy Auger: He’s going for the Diamond Press!

Once Diamond gets to the top, He flips off and goes for the Corkscrew Shooting Star Press. But Fujiko rolls out of the way, causing Diamond to crash onto the canvas to an explosion of cheers.

Stephy Auger: AH!

Kris Cruise: NOBODY’S HOME! Diamond missed the Diamond Press!

Diamond rolls away from the corner as Fujiko pulls herself up. She then begins to do the wave. Once the crowd starts to join in, Fujiko takes off into the far ropes just as Diamond gets back to his feet. Fujiko springboards onto the second rope, rebounds back and blasts him in the face with a roundhouse kick.

Kris Cruise: Sealed With A Kick!

Fujiko rushes over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Diamond gets his shoulder up.

Fujiko picks up Diamond and whips him into the ropes. When he comes back, Fujiko sets up for a back body drop. Diamond sees it and counters with a sunset flip. Fujiko can be seen swinging her arms wildly as Diamond tries to pull her down. Once she regains her balance, she leaps up and nails him with a double foot stomp to the chest. She then takes off into the ropes. When she comes back, she connects with a standing Shooting Star Press. She hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Diamond gets his shoulder up.

Fujiko heads across the ring and steps through the ropes. After Fujiko scales to the top, she waits for Diamond to get in position. When Diamond turns around, she leaps off, going for a frog splash. But Diamond rolls through it and pulls Fujiko up as he stands back up. Diamond then hoists Fujiko up across his shoulders before delivering a Samoan Drop. The crowd boos as he reaches back and hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko reverses into a grounded crucifix pin…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Diamond gets his shoulder up.

As Fujiko rises back to her feet, Diamond rocks her with a roundhouse kick that drops her down to one knee. Diamond then picks up Fujiko and moves her into the corner. After hoisting her up onto the middle ropes, Diamond grabs Fujiko and spikes her with a Tornado DDT. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: What a match this has been. Both grapplers have been giving it their all. But they still can’t get that elusive three count.

Diamond picks up Fujiko and whips her into the corner. Diamond runs across the ring, but Fujiko nails him with a boot to the face. She then hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, grabs Diamond and goes for a tornado DDT of her own. But Diamond shoves her off of him before she can hit the DDT. After Fujiko lands on her feet, she charges into the corner. But Diamond knocks her down with a hard European Uppercut. He then picks up Fujiko and whips her into the opposite corner. Diamond then runs across the ring, connects with a double knee strike and follows up with a Tiger Driver ‘98.

Stephy Auger: England’s Finest Combo!

While Fujiko is sprawled out on the canvas, Diamond heads into the corner and waves her up. Fujiko begins to stir before shaking out the cobwebs. Once she returns to her feet and turns around, Diamond comes from out of the corner and throws out the Sudden Death Superkick. But Fujiko catches his foot. She then spins Diamond away from her. When Diamond turns around…

Kris Cruise: LUCKY SHOT!

The crowd explodes with cheers as Diamond goes down. Fujiko then rolls across Diamond and hooks the leg…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Imperium” blasts over the PA to cheers from the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, FUJIKO MINE!

Fujiko gets her arm raised as the crowd continues to cheer.

Kris Cruise: What a match! Fujiko continues to keep her momentum rolling as she temporarily stops the momentum of Danny Diamond!

Stephy Auger: This was a back and forth match. Both grapplers gave it their all. Fujiko hit Diamond with what was literally a lucky shot. Diamond will bounce back. As far as Fujiko goes, we’ll see how long she can sustain this.

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to a shot of a locker room. The shot slowly pans to the entrance to the showers, as Molly Reid walks out, both body and hair wrapped in a towel. She walks over to the bench and sits down beside an open bag sitting in a locker. She looks around to see if anyone else is there, but the room is empty

Molly smiles to herself as she looks back to her bag. Her smile slowly fades away as she begins to rifle through what seems to be a mostly empty bag. Molly grabs the bag in both hands and looks even more closely in it, before throwing it down to the ground. She begins to desperately look in the cubby locker, clearly looking for clothes that should’ve been in her bag.

Molly Reid: F*ck!

Molly looks underneath the bench and then back in her locker, before standing up and looking around the rest of the locker. It’s mostly empty, so it’s easy to see that her clothes aren’t there.

Molly Reid: What the hell!

Molly sits down and shakes her head in her hands, trying to figure out what could have happened. After a few moments she stands up and walks to the locker room door. She opens it and leans out, making eye contact with a crew member who happened to be standing nearby.

Molly Reid: Hey, you haven’t seen anyone walking away from here holding clothes did you?

Crew Member: Ummmm, well I just got here a few minutes ago, but I did see Mark Storm walking the other way as I walked over here. I didn’t notice if he was carrying anything though.

Molly Reid: Storm? Alright, thanks.

Molly closes the door to the locker room and does one last look around, before letting out an exasperated sigh and walking back over to her locker. She pulls out her wrestling gear that she had been wearing for her match earlier and lays it out on the bench. She shakes her head in anger as the camera fades out.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

The show cuts to ringside. Before long, "Key Entity Extraction V: Sentry the Defiant" by Coheed and Cambria begins to play. The crowd has officially settled on boing the lady coming from behind the curtain. Izzy walks out, the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship on her shoulder, much to the dismay of the crowd.

A fan gets a little too close for comfort, stretching himself over the railing to try to yell at Izzy. Izzy turns her attention to him, getting in his face over the matter. The man barks in her face and his hands get a little too high to Izzy’s face. In retaliation, she shoves him roughly back into the crowd.

The MAL champion enters the ring and calls for a microphone. Her music dies out, only to be replaced by the booing of the crowd. She shakes her head and calls for their attention. When they do not give it to her, she furrows a brow and simply laughs at them.

Izzy Anders: Wow, I thought you all would get it by now. When I say I am going to do something, you should all pay attention and get ready. I said I was not going to hold back against Salem. Isn’t that exactly what I did at Canadian Stampede?

She gets a loud boo in response. Izzy retorts the displeasure with a shrug.

Izzy Anders: Four times, you guys, four times have I defended this belt. I have become the best Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion in FGA history. You cannot dispute this fact now. I have taken down contender after contender who exist all over the spectrum. I defeated a tough contender, a former MAL champion, the only Triple Crown champion in FGA history, and now a starlet with too much potential for her own good. What more do you want for me to do? You want me to go find Chaz Holiday and beat him too?

A small cheer starts out from the possibility; Izzy simply shakes her head.

Izzy Anders: If you guys want it, you better bring him back. If he wants a shot, he needs to, well, get in line. The only person promised a championship shot is Dom Harter when he gets back. Why? Because I want to end what I started, what Annie Zellor interrupted.

The crowd cheers heavily at the mention of the #sparklebuddy. Izzy lets out a low, guttural noise.

Izzy Anders: Oh, shut up. Annie lost to me. She also lost to Savannah Taylor just a while ago too. Don’t try to get her out here, because I have half the mind to break her down for what she did to me. She jeopardized my chance to save all of you from Dom Harter!

The crowd, who were against Dom Harter tremendously in the past, actually cheer for the Fratboy Assassin. Izzy visibly cringes at the cheering.

Izzy Anders: You fickle bastards...but anyways, there’s no need to try to sacrifice Annie too to satisfy your needs for violence and bloodshed.

The boos continue to reign down on Izzy, who lowered the mic and was shouting out various insults to the jeering crowd, almost daring them to try her. A few seconds pass before the opening strains of “Engel” by Rammstein begin to blast onto the arena sound system. This causes the crowd to back off their jeers momentarily and also causes Izzy to turn around and face the entryway. As the song kicks on, the familiar figure of Savannah Taylor steps out from the back. She pauses at the top of the ramp for a brief second before making her way down to the ring, ignoring the reactions she was receiving from the fans. Climbing the steps, she steps through the ropes and walks immediately over to the ring announcer, who hands her a microphone. She casually walks to a couple of feet in front of Izzy and waits for the music to die down before she addresses not only the crowd but a seemingly irate Mid Atlantic Legacy champion.

Savannah Taylor: I hate to disappoint you there, Izzy, but I’m not Annie. I know you were hoping for the Patron Saint of Starbucks, but I’m what you have right now, so get used to it. I’m sensing some hostility within you, Izzy. I get that you are upset. I get that you blame Annie for you not doing the Lord’s work and ending Dom Harter once and for all. Hell, in that aspect, we are pretty similar.We both have our own issues with Annie. Though to be honest, she didn’t exactly cost you a MATCH did she. All she did was save Dom. For all her faults and failures, Annie Zellor is a tough little nugget. She certainly proved how tough she could be two weeks ago at Canadian Stampede. But despite everything that she brought at me, despite everything she tried, her best simply wasn’t good enough.

The fans were beginning to show their displeasure at the recent actions of the Las Vegas native. Savannah simply rolls her eyes as she continues to address Izzy.

Savannah Taylor: But despite all of that, Annie sure as hell put up more of a fight two weeks ago than certain others in this ring did before that. you remember that little tag team match we had Izzy? You know, the one where MY team was victorious? I bet that pisses you off. I bet you can’t WAIT to try again. I’m letting you know right now that if beating you in the tag team match was easy, I can only imagine how easy it will be if we were to have a one on one match. A one on one match where, oh I don’t know, your precious title was on the line.

Izzy lolls her tongue in her mouth, before giving a soft chuckle in response to Savannah’s words.

Izzy Anders: Look at the businesswoman right here. Strong words right there. You come on out here and try to convince me about giving you a title shot? I wouldn’t say it was the worst approach, no, no. But I’m just going to tell you outright that it’s not going to work. Because if that’s your only claim to this belt here, then there’s no point in you stepping up to me. Your team was victorious because of MY actions. Salem was still groggy from catching the meanest kick that she has probably ever received.

The crowd sharply boos at the mentioning of Izzy’s deceitful attack on Salem Cartier during the tag match.

Izzy Anders: But you seem so anxious to catch one too, Miss Taylor. I would be glad to give you one--

A chorus of cheers does burst out; the audience highly in favor of a match between the two. Izzy sneers at them.

Izzy Anders: Unfortunately, you have failed to convince me to give you a shot at my championship. I am not a fan of shrewd business tactics, you know.

Savannah looked at the cocky sneer that Izzy had on her face and she simply rolls her eyes.

Savannah Taylor: Wow. Come up with that all by yourself? I’m impressed. I would have thought by now that you would realize that this entire industry, wrestling in general, is nothing but a shrewd business. You have to crack a few eggs before you can make an omelette. Were my actions questionable? Yes. Do people have a right to answers? Personally I don’t feel explanations or answers are warranted, but they will come in due time. But you are right. My tactics were shrewd, but guess what? I got the desired results. I got the job done. So you can bitch and moan and throw a hissy fit about how DARE I come out and challenge for your precious. We can simply overlook the fact that I have a victory over the two time Tag Team champion. And, oh yeah, I have a victory over you as well. Wouldn’t you say that KIND of cements my case?

The fans are on tenterhooks as the two women stare each other down, but both of their attentions are drawn towards the aisle as ‘Jager Yoga’ begins to play. The fans in the Agganis Arena cheer as a casually dressed Annie Zellor steps out from behind the curtain with a microphone in hand.

Annie Zellor: Hold on a second there…

Annie keeps walking down the aisle as both Izzy and Savannah glare at her from inside the ring.

Annie Zellor: I thought you’d both be done with me, but I must be wrong. ‘Cause I thought maybe Izzy would’ve had enough of me after our match back in January, but maybe that tag match just stirred up some bad feelings she’s been letting eat away at her insides.

Zellor reaches the ring and climbs up the steps, entering the squared circle through the middle ropes.

Annie Zellor: ‘Cause, Izzy, you can claim to be the most dominant Legacy champion in FGA history, but we all know how loose your grip on that title actually is. ‘Cause we all saw the dirty tactics - the cheating - you resorted to at Canadian Stampede in your match against Salem; you remember her, the woman who two weeks earlier you swore you’d get along with, who you’d work with, who you wouldn’t betray ‘cause you two were like this…

The youngster makes a link between her two index fingers to signify the closeness that Izzy spoke about when she brought up being a part of Salem’s wedding. But the Legacy champion just sneers at Zellor, chuckling as she shakes her head.

Annie Zellor: And you wanna talk about beating me? Yeah you did, but you threw everything at me except the kitchen sink. The suplexes, the kicks to the face, crashing head first into the guard rail, being pushed off the top rope all the way to the floor - everything you threw at me, I took it. And even then you won by the skin of your teeth, Izzy. For a big, bad champion you’re looking kinda shaky - and now you’re turning down challengers!

Annie points to Savannah; the crowd are still cheering as Izzy stares daggers at the #sparklebuddy.

Savannah Taylor: Go on, Annie, get it off your chest.

Annie Zellor: I’m not gonna complain any more about what you did at Canadian Stampede, Savannah. You wanna win so bad that you’d yank my shorts like that, that’s up to you. The fact is we were putting on an awesome match up until that point, we were doing what we set out to do and that’s give these fans a match they’d wanna watch over and over again. And you showed your true colors, and you got the win - but like I told Spencer after the show, I’m not done with you. So when I hear you say you deserve a shot at the Mid-Atlantic Legacy title ‘cause you hold a victory over me…

Izzy Anders: See, even the brat agrees with me!

Izzy interrupts, sniping at both the women standing in the ring with her. Annie turns her head back in Izzy’s direction, but Savannah pipes up before either of them can say anything else.

Savannah Taylor: You want facts, Annie? Is that it. Then cast your mind back to when you were the special guest referee; that night I had the then number one contender to that Legacy title dead to rights…

She pauses, looking Annie up and down.

Savannah Taylor: Until your mistake cost me the match. The tag match we won together, which of us got the pin? Or should I be ashamed by having my feet on the ropes? Or where’s the mentions of how, two weeks ago, you were basically kissing my ass and telling me how great a wrestler I am - as if I had any doubt. The fact is I had done more than enough to earn a shot at title belt Izzy has around her waist before I even stepped foot in FGA. Before I even wrestled, or had those first couple of matches stolen from under me by the likes of you or Danny Diamond!

Annie Zellor: I’m nothing like Danny Diamond!

Izzy Anders: You’re right, at least Danny can beat Savannah and Noelle.

The crowd boos the cheap shot about Annie’s hated rivals.

Izzy Anders: But right now, neither of you deserve a shot at thi--

Savannah Taylor: You’re turning an awful shade of yellow to say you’re supposed to be a fighting champion. So what about, Izzy, you and me one on one for that belt. What do you say?

Another cheer from the crowd as Savannah and Annie both turn their attention towards the Legacy champion. Izzy lifts the microphone to her lips to answer, but the crowd distracts her, ruffling her feathers as she stammers slightly before she throws the microphone down and quickly exits the ring. The cheers turn to boos as the Legacy champion heads back up the aisle without answering the challenge; her only response is to hoist the belt up high in the air and yell that it’s hers and nobody is taking it from her.

She heads backstage soon after, leaving Savannah and Annie in the ring. Annie leaves first, climbing out through the ropes as Savannah Taylor remains in the ring for a moment longer. There’s a smirk on her face, though, as she watches both women head back up the aisle.

[FGA Office]

Kevin Clement: Hello everyone and welcome to the Event Center. I’m Kevin Clement!


Upcoming Dates: 3/19 Vertigo - Salem Civic Center (Salem, VA) …. 4/2 Vertigo - 2300 Arena (Philadelphia, PA) ….. 4/16 Gold Rush Rumble - Giant Center (Hershey, PA) ….. 4/30 Vertigo - Broadbent Arena (Louisville, KY) ….. 5/14 Vertigo - Freedom Hall Civic Center (Johnson City, TN) …. 5/28 Vertigo - Crown Coliseum (Fayetteville, NC)

We are just six weeks away from the Gold Rush Rumble! Over 20 FGA grapplers will be vying for their shot at the FGA World Championship! It’ll be friend vs. friend! Foe vs. foe! It’s arguably the most exciting 60 minutes in all of wrestling and you can only catch it where?! Where else, but the Gold Rush Rumble pay per view on Saturday, April 16! The Gold Rush Rumble will be coming to you live from the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania! Tickets are still on sale, so grab ‘em while you still can!

Earlier this week, it was reported that the first batch of participants for the Gold Rush Rumble will be revealed. Here they are!

The first name to be revealed is none other than the current Pride Champion, Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine! With a win here tonight, Tony could head into the Gold Rush Rumble with his Pride Title still in tact. If he were to win the Gold Rush Rumble, he’d go on to All-Star Showdown V, where he could try and become the first grappler in FGA history to hold both the World and Pride Championships at the same time, as well as the first Double Champion. The winner of last year’s Frontier Lions Cup, Tony would have to be the odds on favorite to win this year’s Gold Rush Rumble. Will he follow in the footsteps of another Lions Cup winner who went on to win the Rumble the following year? That remains to be seen.

Our next participant? Fujiko Mine! Fujiko has been on quite a tear since returning to action late last Fall. After spending much of the middle to latter half of 2015 treading water, Lady Luck has kicked it into high gear. She's been putting on great performances. She’s winning high profile matches. She arguably got her biggest win with a victory over Jimmy Page at Canadian Stampede. Will Fujiko be lucky enough to make it all the way to the end of the Gold Rush Rumble? We’ll find out in just six weeks.

Also in the Rumble, it’s FGA’s resident witch, Salem Cartier! Salem was unsuccessful in her bid to become the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion back at Canadian Stampede. But Salem isn’t going to let that loss deter her. If anything, she’s coming back with even bigger goals in mind. That’s to one day become the FGA World Champion. Of course, to get a shot at the champ, she’s got to win the Gold Rush Rumble. Can “The Phenomena” go all the way? Only time will tell.

Who else is in the Rumble? The British Mamba, Johnny Cannon! The hard-hitting Englishman has been called the best pure striker in FGA. He’ll need to put those striking skills to use in this one. While he’s come up short in his bids for the Pride Championship, Cannon has continued to push forward and perform at a high level. In the Gold Rush Rumble, he’ll have to put on the performance of a lifetime if he wants to become the next number one contender for the FGA World Championship.

There’s also Noelle Smith, who has been entered into the Gold Rush Rumble! This will be Noelle’s second Rumble appearance. Of course, we all remember her pulling double duty last year. Before participating in the 2015 Rumble, Noelle defeated Fujiko Mine for the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship in the company’s first-ever Ladder Match. Since that time, Noelle was THIS CLOSE to winning the Round Robin Challenge between herself, Zero McHannon and Jimmy Page. She was THIS CLOSE to dethroning Tony Carmine to win the Pride Championship. Will Noelle be the bridesmaid yet again? Or will she go all the way, defy the naysayers and win the Gold Rush Rumble? We’ll find out in just six weeks!

Now ladies and gentleman, these are just the first in a long list of names that will be announced for the Gold Rush Rumble. Remember to check FGA Online, as well as the next edition of Vertigo, for the latest series of names to be announced for the Gold Rush Rumble. For everyone here at Headquarters, this is Kevin Clement signing off. Guys, back to you at the arena!

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
FGA PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
(c) Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine vs. Johnny Karma

J.A Aldridge: The following contest is your main event of the evening and it is for the FGA Pride Championship!

The arena lights flash in a myriad of different colours in time with John Bonham's quite remarkably epic drum intro that is filling the arena, and just as it reaches a crescendo Cherry Baum emerges at the top of the ramp, standing to one side so she can present The Man, The Myth, The Johnny Karma to His adoring public, and at the exact moment Jimmy Page's riff begins making love to the crowd's ears He arrives at the top of the ramp, strutting to a vantage point where the entire crowd can see Him and, as Cherry applauds Him, He blows a kiss to the arena.

Karma strolls down the ramp with Cherry stood by His side, chatting and waving to the fans who have paid to see Him do His thing tonight while making sure that every single hair on his head is in the exact place it should be.

As the pair reach ringside, Cherry quickly climbs onto the ring apron and sits on the middle rope to hold it open, as Karma climbs the ring steps and walks along the apron, turning to face His audience and slowly raising an arm before raising his index finger to let everyone know that He is #1, before he steps through the ropes into His ring.

Once inside His ring, Karma climbs onto the nearest turnbuckle and unzips his ring jacket, looking out over His crowd and nodding in acknowledgment that they are all there to see Him, and that He is grateful for this.

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay

Karma climbs down from the turnbuckle and crosses the ring, climbing onto the opposite turnbuckle to salute His followers.

Kris Cruise: Johnny Karma looks to be as determined as we’ve ever seen him. Since turning a new leaf, Karma has been on a mission to clean up FGA. But his mission won’t be complete until he wins that Pride Championship from Tony Carmine. In Karma’s eyes, Tony’s the last domino that needs to fall and he has every intention of knocking him over and knocking him out to win the Pride Championship.

Stephy Auger: So Karma wants to clean up FGA? That’s cute. But for as good as Karma is, Tony is better. Tony is clutch. Tony doesn’t wilt under the pressure. Tony gets the job done while Karma makes nothing but excuses. But tonight, Karma doesn’t have to make any excuses. All he has to do is look into the camera and humbly say that Tony is, has and always will be the better man.

Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
Mean old levee taught me to weep and moan
It's got what it takes to make a mountain man leave his home
Oh well, oh well, oh well

Karma climbs down, as Cherry applauds him and prepares for his ring introduction.

Cherry Baum: Introducing first, weighing in at 233lbs...he hails from Queens NYC and is her to right a long-standing wrong, he is JOHNNY KARMA!!!

With his introduction complete, Karma swaggers forward to accept the mic from Cherry

Johnny Karma: As I'm sure you're all aware, my record in Boston lately hasn't been that hot. Come to think of it my record in title matches hasn't been that hot either. In fact the only reason I'm not convinced I haven't gone skinny dipping in the Arctic Ocean is because I haven't seen any of my extremities turn black before falling off. But you know what? Rather than dwell on that, instead I'm going to do something I should've done long ago - use one stone to multikill a couple of birds, and this is the perfect place to start.

Once he finishes speaking, Karma hands the mic back to Cherry before removing his jacket as he returns to his corner, where he pulls on the ropes for some last minute preparation.

When "Solarflare" by Yung Lean hits, the lights dim and eventually the crowd will begin to jeer. Pink and purple strobe lights starts to flare. Once the bass drops, Scandalous Tony emerges from the curtains with his arms spread out, accompanied by 3 full-figured women following behind him(never the same group of women). He pops the collar on his furry vest before turning his back the ring and utters something to the women behind him. Suddenly he swings back around and slowly struts down the ramp, repeating the lyrics. He takes his purple pick out and starts picking his hair out.

"The molecule that's me won't go without a fist
I'm a molecule but I stand in the mist
Bitch don't cut your wrists, I'mma kill to live
Solar flare, I can see the skies opening, I'm almost there"

After putting the pick away, he then pulls out a nail filer and starts filing his nails, all the while taking his sweet time to get to the ring as he instructs the females to have the ropes held for him by the time he gets to ringside. With the ladies seated on the middle rope, Tony ignores them and walks up the steps and into the ring on his own. Tony laughs as he stands on the middle rope and looks out to the fans while slowly and seductively taking his furry vest off and throwing it to the group of females as they step off the apron. He backflips into the ring as his music slowly fades.

J.A Aldridge: And his opponent, now residing out of Boca Raton, Florida! Weighing in at 179 pounds! He is the reigning… defending… FGA Pride Champion! Ladies and gentleman, he is SUNSHINE SCANDALOUS TONY CARMINE!

The match begins with Tony tanking Karma’s hand and yanking close to him. Tony begins to trash talk Karma, telling him that he can’t break through the ceiling, he’ll never win a championship again, etc. Karma then yanks his hand away from Tony before shoving him back into the ropes. Tony just responds with a smile after thinking he’s effectively gotten into Karma’s head. The two men proceed to circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Tony moves Karma against the ropes. The ref then goes over and gives both men a five count.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both men make a clean break. But Tony is quick to pat Karma on the cheek. Karma quickly slaps Tony’s hand from off of him. The two men then proceed to circle the ring again before locking up. After jockeying for position, Tony begins to move Karma across the ring. But Karma puts on the brakes. Karma then muscles Tony across the ring and towards the corner. But at the last second, Tony switches position with Karma and presses him against the turnbuckles. The ref again heads over and gives both men until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both men make a clean break. But again, Tony pats Karma on the cheek. Karma quickly slaps Tony’s hand from off of him. But Tony is quick to take his other hand and slap Karma across the face, which elicits boos from the crowd. Upon seeing Karma’s face, Tony quickly walks backwards Karma then marches out of the corner and goes after Tony. But Tony is quick to step halfway through the ropes, forcing the ref to force Karma back. Tony turns to Karma and begins shooing him away.

Stephy Auger: We’re only a couple minutes into the match and Tony’s already in his head!

Once there’s adequate distance between the two, Tony steps back into the ring. After circling the ring, both men head towards each other and lock up. After jockeying for position, Tony moves Karma into the corner. Again, the ref gives both men until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both men make a clean break. Tony then tries to sucker punch Karma. But Karma ducks. When Tony turns around, the crowd cheers as Karma lights up his chest with a series of knife edge chops. He then takes Tony and goes for an irish whip. But Tony reverses, sending Karma into the corner. Karma then ricochets out of the corner and knocks Tony down with a clothesline. Tony returns to his feet, but Karma returns him to the mat with another clothesline. As Tony gets back up, Karma kicks him in the midsection and whips him into the ropes. When Tony comes back, Karma throws him down with a back body drop. When Tony gets up and turns around, Karma runs at him and sends him to the floor with a clothesline over the top rope.

Kris Cruise: Just like that, Karma gets control of the match and sees Tony hard to the floor!

Stephy Auger: It’s still early. There’s plenty of falls left.

As Tony reaches up and slowly pulls himself up using the edge of the apron, Karma takes off into the far ropes. When Karma comes back, he slides to the outside, knocking Tony down with This Is For The Front Row. Karma picks up Tony, slams him face-first on the apron and shoves him back into the ring. After rolling himself back in, he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tony kicks out.

Karma picks up Tony, marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Tony around, Karma delivers a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. He then takes Tony and whips him into the opposite corner. Karma runs across the ring. But Tony catches him with a back elbow to the face. After a back kick doubles Karma over and knocks him back a few steps, Tony rolls back before knocking him down with the Rainbow Kick. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma kicks out.

Tony picks up Karma and goes for an irish whip. But Karma reverses, sending Tony into the ropes. When Tony comes back, Karma sets up for another back body drop. But Tony grabs him by the hair and throws him down with a mat slam. Karma immediately grabs the back of his head with both hands. The crowd continues to boo as Tony puts the boots him him. He then mounts himself on top of Karma and lunges down, hammering away with elbow strikes to the face. Once Karma gets his arms up to block the blows, Tony maneuvers his hands through Karma’s guard and chokes him with both hands. The crowd boos as Tony tries to choke the life out of him. The ref immediately rushes over and gives Tony until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR….

Tony reluctantly lets go. The ref warns him that if he chokes Karma again, he’s docking him a rope break. But Tony pays him no mind. He then grabs Karma by the hair with both hands and repeatedly rams the back of his head against the canvas. Without letting go, Tony gets to his feet, pulls Karma back to his feet, runs and tosses him through the ropes and to the floor. Karma begins to stir on the floor. He then slowly sits up. He tries to shake out the cobwebs, but that actually hurts more than it helps. Cherry can be seen going over to attend to J-K. But she soon moves away as Tony rolls to the outside. The Champion begins to stomp away at Karma’s back. Tony reaches down, picks up Karma and then rams him back-first against the edge of the apron. Tony pulls Karma back, runs forward and rams him again back-first against the edge of the apron. Tony then delivers a series for quick shoulder thrusts to the midsection. He pulls Karma back, runs forward and rams him back-first against the edge of the apron one last time. Karma arches his back in pain as he slowly drops down to his knees. Tony follows up with a kick to the side of the head, knocking Karma down. Tony rolls back into the ring and motions for the ref to start counting.

Stephy Auger: Look at Karma. Look at him. He’s laying there looking like a defeated man. That’s the same look that Evangelista, Johnny Cannon and Noelle Smith had once The Last Star finished roughing them up.


ONE!





TWO!




THREE!





FOUR!




Karma begins to stir on the outside. Back in the ring, Tony circles the ring while holding his arms in the air.




FIVE!






SIX!





SEVEN!

Tony continues to bask in his glory. But he stops circling the ring once he sees Karma beginning to slowly rise to his feet. The smile that was on Tony’s face slowly transform into a snarl. He then turns and runs off into the far ropes. When Tony comes back, he hurls himself through the ropes, knocking Karma down with a somersault topé through the ropes.

Kris Cruise: What a move!

Stephy Auger: Damn right what a move! No one does it better than The Last Star!

Tony turns over, mounts himself on top of Karma and repeatedly rams the back of Karma’s head on the floor. Tony yanks up Karma, runs across the ringside area and throws him hard against the guardrail. He reaches down, pulls up Karma, runs back down across the ringside area and throws him hard against the guardrail. Karma wails as he cringes in pain. Tony reaches down, picks up Karma and rolls him back into the ring. After sliding back in, Tony picks up Karma and delivers a snap suplex. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Outside of a couple of bursts of offense from Karma, Tony has been in control.

Stephy Auger: And he’ll remain in control. You’ll be lucky if this match even gets to the third fall.

Tony presses Karma’s arm back down as he executes another lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his other shoulder up.

Tony makes another lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his shoulder up.

Tony with yet another lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his shoulder up.

Tony returns to his feet and stomps the hell out of Karma’s chest. He reaches down, pulls Karma up and whips him hard into the corner. The turnbuckles rattle as Karma’s back collides with them. As Karma staggers from out of the corner, Tony runs over and knocks him down with a spinning heel kick. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Karma caught all of that kick. But he still had the wherewithal to get his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: No, he’s just stubborn.

Tony slaps the canvas out of frustration. He then picks up Karma and sends him into the ropes. When Karma comes back, Tony scoops him up and delivers a pendulum backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his shoulder up.

Tony looks over at the ref and slaps his hands three times. He then picks up Karma, marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. He then lifts up Karma and sits him down on the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What’s he going for here?

Stephy Auger: Whatever it is, it’s not good for Karma.

While Karma sits facing the crowd, Tony climbs up onto the middle ropes and goes for an avalanche belly to back suplex. But Karma blocks the move. Tony tries for another belly to back. But again, Karma blocks the move. Tony lets go and delivers a clubbing strike to the back of Karma’s neck. He then delivers five punches to the center of Karma’s back, which causes Karma to groan after each strike. Tony then climbs up onto the top ropes.

Stephy Auger: He’s going to pick up the first fall right here, Kris.

After pulling Karma up a bit, Tony lifts him up and goes for an avalanche belly to back suplex off the top rope. But Karma shifts his weight in mid air, causing him to land on top of Tony to an explosion of cheers.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Tony gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: How close was that?

Stephy Auger: Too close!

Karma picks up Tony and goes for an irish whip. But Tony reverses, sending Karma into the ropes. When Karma returns, Tony sets up for a back body drop. But Karma stops, grabs Tony and counters with the Bum Trip neckbreaker. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tony gets his shoulder up.

Karma picks up Tony and whips him into the corner. Karma then runs across the ring, but Tony cracks him with another back elbow. After a back kick doubles Karma over and sends him back a few steps, Tony rolls back. But before he can flip and deliver the Rainbow Kick, Karma quickly latches onto Tony’s back after he rolls back up to his feet. After fighting Tony off, Karma positions him for Hard Times. But Tony uses his free elbow to repeatedly elbow Karma in the face. Once free, Tony runs into the ropes. When Tony comes back, Karma doubles him over with a kick to the midsection. Karma then goes to lift him up for Dazed, Confused and All Messed Up. But Tony sandbags himself. After Karma lifts him back up to his feet, he tries to lift Tony up for another piledriver. But Tony drops down to one knee. Karma then tries to deadlift Tony up off the canvas. But Tony begins to flutter kick his legs, forcing Karma to lower him back down. Tony then delivers a standing double leg takedown before leaning back and catapulting Karma into the corner. As Karma stumbles back, Tony knocks him down to one knee after a reverse discus elbow to the back of the neck.

Stephy Auger: Uh oh, you know what comes next, Kris!

Once he sees Karma in position, Tony takes off into the ropes. When Tony comes back, Karma lifts him up, turns and throws him down with a spinebuster.

Stephy Auger: What?

Kris Cruise: Big counter there by Karma! Tony thought he had him perfectly set up for the Shining Wizard, but Karma had other plans!

After Karma holds his back, he returns to his feet and steps through the ropes. He begins circling the ropes, looking to climb to the top and deliver a diving elbow drop. But as soon as Karma’s got one foot on the top turnbuckle, Tony runs into the corner, runs up the turnbuckles, grabs Karma and throws him down with top rope arm drag. The crowd boos as Tony smirks while Karma can be seen arching his back in pain. As Karma slowly turns over and gets up on one knee, Tony darts over and connects with #PimpShit. The crowd erupts with boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

CARMINE - 1
KARMA - 0

Stephy Auger: There it is, Kris! 1-0! Now all the pressure is on Johnny Boy!

Kris Cruise: The pressure is on Karma. The only way he can win is by picking up two straight falls by pinfall or submission. Karma’s a great wrestler. But Tony, whether you like him or hate him, has been just as good if not better. Plus, Tony really worked over Karma’s back. The longer this goes, the more than back is going to come into play.


The bell sounds to signal the end of the mandatory rest period. As Karma slowly returns to his feet, Tony runs up from behind and connects with a front dropkick, sending Karma flying into the corner. After Karma bounces off the turnbuckles and falls to the mat, Tony pulls Karma away from the ropes. He then steps over Karma, marches into the corner and scales the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: What’s he going for now?

Stephy Auger: You know what he’s going for!

Once Tony reaches the top turnbuckle, he flips off and goes for the Phoenix Splash. But Karma rolls out of the way, causing Tony to crash onto the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Nobody’s home!

Tony gets up on all fours before slowly getting back to his feet. Before he can turn around, Karma grabs him from behind, runs and jumps over the top rope, delivering Macho Karma. As Tony holds his throat while dropping down to one knee, Karma climbs back up onto the apron. He then scales the turnbuckles. But Tony is quick to run into the corner. He runs up the ropes and tries for another top rope arm drag. But Karma blocks, nails him with three elbows smashes across the face and then shoves Tony off the top rope. After Tony crashes back-first onto the canvas, Karma stands up on the top turnbuckle. He slowly raises his arms in the air before leaping off the delivering a flying elbow drop.

Kris Cruise: From The Stars Above!

The crowd explodes in cheers as Karma hit the flying elbow. Karma gets up and heads into the corner. Tony, who is clutching his chest, slowly turns over before getting back to his feet. Once Tony slowly turns around, Karma comes from out of the corner and...

*THWACK*

Kris Cruise: Check Your Chiclets!

Karma picks up Tony, lifts him upside down and plants him with Dazed, Confused and All Messed Up. He immediately clutches his back before turning over and making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

CARMINE - 1
KARMA - 1

Kris Cruise: You said all the pressure was on Karma? well not only did Karma just tie things up, but he came right back and tied this match! Now, the pressure is solely on Tony’s shoulders!

Stephy Auger: Wrong, wrong wrong! Tony doesn’t have to beat him. He’s done that already. But Karma does have to beat Tony.

The bell sounds, signaling the end of the mandatory rest period. As Karma heads over to grab Tony, Tony nails him with a front kick to the knee. After Karma drops down to one knee, Tony turns and takes off into the ropes. When Tony comes back, the crowd cheers as Karma gets up and throws him down with a scoop slam. He hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tony gets his shoulder up.

Karma picks up Tony and whips him hard into the corner. After Tony crashes sternum-first into the corner, he stumbles back. Karma grabs him from behind and then goes to deliver Hard Times. But Tony ducks and counters with a schoolboy.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma kicks out.

As Karma turns over and gets up on one knee, Tony darts over and knocks him down with #PimpShit. He makes the cover.

Stephy Auger: That’s it! This one is over! It’s over!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Karma gets his shoulder up to an explosion of cheers.

Kris Cruise: Karma got his shoulder up! This match isn’t over!

Stephy Auger: What? WHAT!?

Tony goes over to the referee and holds up three fingers in his face. But the ref slaps Tony’s hand away from him and holds up two fingers in his face. The ref looks and sees Karma coming from behind, so he steps aside. Before Tony can react, Karma grabs him, runs and jumps over the top rope, delivering Macho Karma. As Tony stumbles back, Karma climbs back up onto the apron and scales the turnbuckles. Once he reaches the top, Karma flies off and knocks him down with a diving double axe handle smash. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tony gets his shoulder up.

Karma picks up Tony and whips him into the ropes. When Tony comes back, Karma sets up for a back body drop. But Tony counters with a kick to the face, causing Karma to stumble back. Tony runs back into the ropes. When he comes back, Karma knocks him down with a running high knee. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tony gets his shoulder up.

Karma picks up Tony and whips him into the corner. He then runs across the ring and connects with an NYC Uppercut. Karma takes Tony and whips him into the opposite corner. Karma then runs across the ring and connects with another NYC Uppercut. But this one sends Tony slumping down in the corner. So Karma steps back towards the center of the ring. After lining Tony up, Karma heads into the corner and delivers a slingshot dropkick.

Kris Cruise: Kodak Moment!

Karma drags Tony from out of the corner before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tony gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for Karma.

Karma picks up Tony, snapmares him over, and takes a few steps back before delivering a rolling neck snap. He then heads into the corner. Karma hoists himself up onto the middle ropes before going for a diving fist drop. But Tony lifts his leg up, nailing him in the face with his foot on the way down.

The crowd boos as Tony gets up and proceeds to put the boots to Karma. He reaches down, pulls up Karma, runs and tosses him over the top rope. But Karma lands on the apron. After Karma pulls himself up on the apron using the ropes, Tony heads into the corner and connects with a triangle dropkick knocking Karma off the apron and to the floor. Tony heads over towards the ropes and waves up Karma. After Karma finally returns to his feet, the crowd boos as Tony knocks him down with a slingshot plancha to the outside. He then mounts himself on top of Karma and nails him with short-range punches to the face. He then yanks Karma up off the floor, runs and hurls him into the steel steps. A loud thud can be heard as Karma’s back collides with them. Tony then drops down to one knee and waves Karma up.

Kris Cruise: What’s he doing here!? What’s Tony setting up for here!?

After Karma pulls himself up using the steps and turns around, Tony charges over and spears him into the steel steps.

Kris Cruise: Good God.

Karma lets out a guttural wail as he cringes in pain. Tony then picks up Karma and rolls him back into the ring. After rolling himself back into the ring, he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd explodes with cheers as Karma gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: That bottom rope just saved this match for Karma.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, but he just cost himself a rope break.

Tony puts his hands on his hips and looks over at the ref. But the ref points to Karma’s foot on the ropes. While Tony shakes his head at the ref, his attention is caught by something in the aisle.

Kris Cruise: What’s going on down th- … oh no...

The crowd boos as Johnny Cannon can be seen making his way down the aisle.

Stephy Auger: It’s The British Mamba!

Tony returns to his feet and makes his way over to the ropes. He can be seen going back and forth with Cannon before kicking the bottom rope, which causes Cannon to jump back a few steps. Cannon heads back over towards the ring. But Tony leans over and spits down at Cannon, which causes him to move out of the way. Once Tony steps back and turns over towards Karma, Karma reaches up and brings him down with a small package.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Tony kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Tony nearly lost this match thanks to the interference from that idiot Cannon! What’s he doing down here, anyway!?

After both men scramble to get back to a vertical base, Tony doubles him over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. Tony then heads over and delivers a knee lift, followed by a reverse discus elbow that knocks Karma down.

Kris Cruise: Someone’s been watching their Pride shows. That was almost reminiscent of Nest Assured. Tony makes the cover!


ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Karma gets his shoulder up.

Tony picks up Karma and whips him into the ropes. When Karma comes back, Tony throws out a clothesline. But Karma ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Karma comes back, Tony nearly takes his head off with a superkick.

Stephy Auger: Hello!

Kris Cruise: Karma collapses after nearly getting his head knocked off by Tony Carmine!

Tony points to the top turnbuckle as he heads to the ropes. The Pride Champ steps through the ropes and goes to climb the turnbuckles. But he stops in his tracks once Cannon motions to climb up onto the apron. But a kick in his direction from Tony causes Cannon to quickly think twice.

Kris Cruise: What is Cannon doing!? He should be trying to cost Karma the match, not Tony!

Stephy Auger: Maybe Cannon isn’t done with Karma. Maybe he wants to be the one to beats Karma for the title, so he’s going to try and screw Tony out of it. I don’t know. I know this, though. Cannon is not a fan of either man. He’s got a storied history with both of these men.

Once Tony reaches the top, he holds his arms in the air before leaping off and crashing down on Karma with a diving elbow drop.

Stephy Auger: First the superkick, then the flying elbow? Hey Kris! Tony’s doing Karma better than Karma!

Tony returns to his feet. He then picks up Karma and positions him for a piledriver.

Kris Cruise: I think you’re right. He might be trying to trying to put Karma away with his own finisher!

Stephy Auger: Plant him, Tony, plant him!

Before Tony can lift him up, Karma delivers a standing double leg takedown. He then spins around Tony’s leg and is about to lock him up in a figure four. But Tony reaches up, rakes his eyes and rolls him up in a small package.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma kicks out.

After both men scramble to get back to a vertical base, Tony goes for another spinning back kick to the midsection. But Karma swats down the kick, latches onto Tony’s back from behind, spins him around and knocks him down with a waist lock transitioned into a Bionic Elbow.

Kris Cruise: Hard Times!

Stephy Auger: Oh no!

Karma makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.

THRE-NO!

The crowd lets out a disappointed sigh as Tony gets his shoulder up. Karma puts his hands on his head in disbelief.

Kris Cruise: How did Tony get up from that!?

Stephy Auger: I don’t know, but I’m thankful that he did!

When Karma gets to his feet, he does a double take once he sees Johnny Cannon at ringside. He then immediately turns to Cherry and motions for her to keep her distance from him. But Cannon puts his hands in the air as he claims he’s only here to watch the match. While Karma’s back is turned, Tony knocks him down from behind with a spinning heel kick. He then picks up Karma, throws him down with a scoop slam and heads into the corner. After climbing up to the top turnbuckle, Tony flips off and connects with a Phoenix Splash. The crowd boos as he hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd explodes with cheers as Karma gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How? HOW!?

Tony slaps the canvas out of frustration. He then returns to his feet before stomping the hell out of Karma. Tony reaches down, picks up Karma and lifts him up onto his back. He then goes for It’s Always Sunny in Sicily. But Karma catches his knee on the way down. He then turns Tony away from behind and latches onto his back, setting up for Hard Times. Karma then turns Tony around and goes for the bionic Elbow. But Tony ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Tony comes back, he knocks Karma down with a falling clothesline. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Karma gets his shoulder up.

Tony picks up Karma and whips him hard into the corner. After Karma stumbles from out of the corner, Tony grabs him and whips him hard into the opposite corner. As Karma stumbles back, Tony kicks him in the midsection and delivers a snap suplex. Tony turns over, pulls Karma back to his feet and delivers another snap suplex. Tony turns over, pulls Karma back to his feet, pulls him back towards the corner and delivers a snap suplex into the turnbuckles. Tony then drags Karma from out of the corner before making the cover. Tony makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Karma gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: Karma saves himself again by getting his foot on the ropes!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, but that’s his second rope break that’s gone. He’s only got one left.

Tony picks up Karma, lifts him up and sits him down on the top rope. After scaling the turnbuckles, Tony swings his hips. He then hops onto Karma’s shoulders and goes for a top rope hurricanrana. But Karma counters with a seated powerbomb, sending Tony crashing back-first onto the canvas. The crowd cheers as Tony hollers in pain.

Kris Cruise: Good God, what a move by Karma! Did you hear that impact!? Did you hear Tony’s back crashing down hard against the unforgiving canvas!

Karma slowly stands up on the top turnbuckle. He leaps off and goes for From The Stars Above. But Tony rolls out of the way, causing Karma to land elbow-first on the canvas. The crowd boos as Karma can be seen clutching his left elbow.

Stephy Auger: Looks like he missed! Oh well!

Cannon continues to watch intently at ringside. Tony sits up and looks over at Karma with a smirk on his face. He then turns over on all fours. Once Karma begins to stir on the canvas, Tony hops to his feet and frantically waves him up. As Karma turns over and gets up on knee, Tony runs over to deliver #PimpShit. But before he can hit it, Karma gets to his feet, lifts up Tony and delivers an inverted atomic drop. After turning him around, Karma grabs him from behind, spins him around and uses his left elbow to knock him down with Hard Times. Karma immediately drops to his knees as he clutches his elbow. He then falls over on top of Tony.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO!

Tony gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: He didn’t get all of it! He used his bad elbow!

Karma gets to his feet and runs into the ropes. When he comes back, he knocks Cannon down with This Is For The Front Row. The crowd erupts with cheers as Cannon is laid out on the floor. Karma then rolls back into the ring. Cherry slaps the canvas while Karma waves up Tony. Once Tony gets up and turns around, Karma goes for Chic Your Chiclets. But Tony catches Karma’s foot and knocks Karma’s other leg out from under him, knocking him down to the canvas. Then then transitions into the Sprinkle Lock.

Stephy Auger: Aw, there it is! The Sprinkle Lock!

Tony can be heard yelling at Karma to tap. The ref asks Karma is he wants to give up. But Karma refuses to quit. So he applies more pressure, which causes Karma to yell out in pain.

Kris Cruise: Karma’s trying to fight off the pain. He’s come this far. He doesn’t want to go home empty handed. He doesn’t want to lose this championship match to Tony, especially by submission.

The ref asks Karma is he wants to give up. When Karma refuses to quit, Tony begins cranking away on the ankle.

Kris Cruise: Cherry’s trying to will him on. She’s telling him not to tap. But the pain might just be too much.

Stephy Auger: He’s got his hand raised! Karma looks like he’s about to tap!

Tony yells at Karma to tap while he continue to crank away on the ankle. The ref asks Karma if he wants to give up. But Karma refuses to quit. Karma then slowly pushes himself up onto his hands. He then rolls forward, sending Tony face-first into the top turnbuckle. The crowd cheers as Tony appears dazed. As Tony stumbles back, Karma grabs him from behind. He then turns Tony around and uses his right elbow to turn him inside out with Hard Times to an explosion of cheers. Karma then picks up Tony, hoists him upside down, jumps and plants him with Dazed, Confused and All messed Up. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“When The Levee Breaks” blasts over the PA to an explosion of cheers.

J.A Aldridge: Here is your winner, and now, the NEEEEEEEEWWWWWWW… FGA Pride Champion, JOHNNY KARMA!

Stephy Auger: Nooooo! No! No! No! No! No!

Karma tries to get up, but he quickly drops down to one knee. After slowly returning back to his feet, Karma is handed the Pride Championship from the senior official. He then raises the FGA Pride Championship in the air. The crowd responds with cheers and applause for the Karmic Lion.

Kris Cruise: Karma’s done it! We talked about it taking two years for Cyncity to win the World Championship! It took nearly two and a half years for Karma to once again call himself a champion! But the drought is over! The long wait is over! Johnny Karma can fi-

Cannon knocks down Karma from behind with a clothesline, which elicits boos from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: What the heck is Cannon doing in there!? What is this for!?

Stephy Auger: What did you expect!? Cannon never laid a hand on him! He never attacked him or Cherry! Yet Karma attacked him unprovoked! Well, now he’s suffering the consequences.

Cannon proceeds to put the boots to Karma’s back. He then turns Karma over, mounts himself on top of Karma and hammers away with right hands to the face.

Kris Cruise: Cannon is attacking Karma with rights and lefts, lefts and rights! The ref needs to go over there and get Cannon off of him!

Stephy Auger: if the ref knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay away.

Cannon goes over, snatches up the Pride Championship and begins whipping Karma across his torso with it.

Crowd: CANNON SUCKS! CANNON SUCKS! CANNON SUCKS!

Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd is showing their displeasure over Cannon’s actions and I can’t say I blame them. Enough's enough, Cannon!

Cannon turns around and sees Tony slowly pulling himself up using the ropes. Cannon looks down at the championship, then back at Tony, then back down at the championship. Cannon snarls as he clutches the championship in his arm.

Stephy Auger: Woah, woah, woah. Hey now, Cannon! HEY NOW, CANNON!

As Tony turns around, Cannon charges into the corner and looks to blast Tony in the face with the championship…

Stephy Auger: AH!

… but at the last second, Cannon slams on the brakes. He then looks back at Karma. Once Cannon looks back at Tony, the two men smile at each other before running over to stomp the hell out of Karma. The crowd erupts with boos as the two men put the boots to Karma.

Kris Cruise: Huh? What the… what the hell is going on here? TONY CARMINE AND JOHNNY CANNON JOINING FORCES!?!?!?

The bell continues to sound as the two men put the boots to Karma. Tony takes the championship belt and whips Karma across the back over and over. Cannon then takes the championship and continuously drives it down against Karma’s left arm. The bell continues to ring as Cherry yells at them to stop. But they pay her no mind. The boos continues as Danny Diamond makes his way down to the ring.

Kris Cruise: Now what the hell is he doing out here!?!?

Tony picks up a barely conscious Karma and holds him up by the neck. After he lets go, Cannon motions over towards Karma and nearly knocks his head off with a violent Roundhouse Kick.

Kris Cruise: Good God...

Tony lays the championship down on the mat as Cannon lifts up Karma. After walking over into position, Cannon jumps up and plants Karma with a Small Package Driver.

Stephy Auger: Cannon Driver!

Diamond gets into the ring and applauds what he sees. He then shakes Cannon’s hand as Tony picks up Karma and hoists him up onto his back. He then swings Karma over before delivering It’s Always Sunny in Sicily.

Kris Cruise: You guys are real tough! Attacking a man two on one! Three on one! Yeah, you’re so cool! A bunch of baddases you guys are, huh!? Now get the hell out of the ring so we can get Johnny Karma some help! Unbelievable…

Diamond, then goes over and gets a few stomps in on Karma for good measure. The trio then looks down at the damage they’ve caused. As Karma lays motionless in the ring, Carmine, Cannon and Diamond raise each other arms in the air. The crowd responds with a downpour of boos and trash being pelted at them...