Vertigo (6.11.16)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

[ EARLIER TODAY ]

Chandler Scott is shown pulling his car into the parking lot of the Florence Civic Center. After stepping out of the rental and slamming the driver side door shut, Chandler walks towards the back entrance like a man on a mission. But he's quickly stopped by Spencer Burke, as well as various security personnel who were apparently waiting for Chandler's arrival.

Chandler Scott: Tell these guys to move out of my way, Burke.

Spencer Burke: I don't think I can do that.

Chandler Scott: Can't... or won't?

(Burke sighs)

Spencer Burke: My hands are tied, Chandler.

Chandler Scott: Your hands seem unbound to me.

(Another sighs escapes from Burke)

Spencer Burke: I was told to relay a message to you. Due to your actions from the last Vertigo, you've been banned from the arena.

(A "PFFT!"escapes from Chandler lips, followed by a smirk.)

Chandler Scott: My actions, huh? Really? Just what actions were those Burke? 'Cause from what I recall, Jimmy Page pulled a fan in his way. And he's scheduled in a match here tonight, so explain that to me.

Spencer Burke: ... I...

Chandler Scott: You can't.

(Burke purses his lips. He quickly realizes that he's in a bad spot here.)

Spencer Burke: The office... they feel really about about what happened last week and just to make sure that...

Chandler Scott: You know what? Spare me. No one in the office cares about that woman. Did you sent her any flowers? Did you visit her? I know I did. Do you even know what her names is? Have you met her family?

Spencer Burke: ...

Chandler Scott: Of course you don't, because you don't care and neither does anyone in that office. The only thing they care about about is not getting a lawsuit filed against them. I'm banned from the arena. Heh. The Murder can openly plot on this company's demise? Hey, let's book them for over a year. The Infinite Empire can set fire to a ring, potentially destroying a building and putting the lives of everyone in that building in danger? Hey, let's book them for months on end. Jimmy Page pulls a fan in the way? Hey, let's fine Chandler six figures and tell him that he's banned from the arena. Well f*ck that, f*ck them and f*ck you, too. Now if you don't get out of my way, I will gladly move you and everyone behind you out of my w-

(Chandler cuts himself off. Just over one of the guards' shoulders, he sees Jimmy Page peering from out of a cracked door. Chandler tries to go after him. But he's quickly held back by security.)

Jimmy Page: The Murder can wage war, The Infinite Empire can set fire to rings, but at the end...of the day...no one got hurt now did they? Semantics, I know, but Scott how about you take some time to think about your actions, hm? Attacking me while I'm scheduled for a match, only to lose control and in the wake of your rampage you decide that you're going to throw a set of steel steps into a crowd. Now if that isn't endangering the populace, I don't know what to tell you.

Page glare at Chandler.

Jimmy Page: Maybe this is good for you, y'know? Gives you enough time until All Star Showdown to reflect. Because what I'm gonna do to you, I'm going to make you question if you wanna be a wrestler anymore. So, enjoy your time watching the show from your car.

Page smirks and cackles softly, he begins to leave, he turns back around.

Jimmy Page: ...Oh, almost forgot, tell Emily I said "Hi".

Chandler lunges and tries to make his way through security who have restrained him. Page shuts the door to the Civic Center, leaving Chandler to shout for guards to let him through, swearing loudly as the scene fades to black.

[FGA Office]

¡Uno!
¡Dos!
¡Tres!
¡Catorce!

Hello hello
(Hola)
I'm at a place called Vertigo
(Donde esta?)
It's everything I wish I didn't know
Except you give me something
I can feel, feel

Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea
Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea, yea

Florence Civic Center
Florence, SC

Ricky Valero vs. Mark Storm

The lights in the arena begin to dim and the FGA audience rise to their feet, as the nostalgic melody of "Bad Guy" by Jordan Comoli begins to play through the PA speakers. Smoke begins to rise from the stage and the audience begin to applaud, as emerging from the clouded mist is the self proclaimed spokesman of a generation - Mark Storm, who stands tall at the top of the entrance ramp. A smile is plastered on his face as he marvels at the scenery, embracing all the cheers as he close his eyes and widens his arms before coming down the ramp.

J.A. Aldridge: The following match is your opening contest of the evening! It is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from New York, Brooklyn! Weighing in at 227 pounds! He is “The Spokesman for a Generation”... MARK STORM!

Standing by the edge of the ring, he lets out a triumphant roar, with the audience roaring back to him as he jumps onto the apron before he slingshots his way over the top rope. Dressed in his usual wrestling attire; consisting on black boots, with black knee pads, wrestling trunks with his name written on them and with stars coming down both sides, tape wrapped around his elbows, and mixed martial arts styled gloves. He falls to his knees in the middle of the ring, looking up at the heavens as his theme music slowly begins to fade out.

Kris Cruise: Mark Storm’s looking to kick tonight’s show off with a win over one half of the current World Tag Team Champions. While there’s no doubt that he’s focused on the task at hand, you’ve got to wonder if Savannah Taylor is still on his mind. It was two weeks ago that the two of them got into a verbal spat after she interrupted his mic time. Storm’s just the latest in a long list of many that have taken issue with Savannah and her actions.

Stephy Auger: Storm was so eager to get into a fight with Savannah. She got under his skin that easily. He wants to send a message to her? He wants to get into a fight with her? To that I say go right ahead. But I have a feeling that soon, very soon, Storm is gonna regret ever crossing Savannah Taylor.

"Cinderella Man" by Eminem blasts throughout the arena. White and pink strobe lights flash as Ricky makes his appearance and stands through a cloud of fog bouncing on his toes with a sly grin on his face. He makes his way toward the ring high fiving fans along his route. He circles the ring, before reaching the far corner. Slowly he climbs up the steps and leans his back against the ropes, bouncing against them a few times with his arms wrapped over top of them before spinning on his heels and hopping into the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 227 pounds! He is one half of the reigning FGA World Tag Team Champions… RICKY VALERO!

Ricky spins around in the center of the ring with his arms extended out, absorbing the crowd's cheers. He walks towards the ropes on the far side of the ring and simply smiles. The music slowly quiets down as Ricky turns and leans against the ropes closest to the entranceway, awaiting his opponent.

Kris Cruise: And here is Ricky Valero, who is brimming with confidence as always. During the leadup to this match, he pretty much disrespected Storm and stated that Storm wasn’t on his level.

Stephy Auger: Now it’s true, Storm doesn’t have the experience that Valero does. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone that’s been wrestling for five decades like Old Man Valero has. But Pretty Ricky needs to understand something. Say what you want about Storm, his issues and his record. But this is a well-traveled veteran, too. He’s gone around the world and won titles, too. Storm isn’t exactly someone that you just brush to the side. That trademark Valero arrogance may just come back to bite him big time.

The bell sounds as both men circle the ring before locking up. Dueling “LET’S GO STORM!” / “VA-LE-RO!” chants ring out throughout the crowd. After jockeying for position, Storm moves Valero across the ring and into the ropes. The ref then quickly gives both men until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both men make a clean break. But Storm gets right in Valero’s face, which garners some Oos and Ahs from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Storm’s clearly taken exception to the blatant disrespect that Valero was throwing his way during the leadup to this match.

Valero shoves Storm back.

Stephy Auger: But Valero’s not backing down!

Storm retaliates by catching Valero with a forearm strike to the jaw. He then nails Valero with another forearm to the jaw. This one sends Valero stumbling into a nearby corner. After Storm turns him around, Valero fires back with a knife edge chop. He then takes Storm, tosses him into the corner and fires off a blistering set of chops to the chest. He then takes Storm and goes for an irish whip. But Storm reverses, sending Valero into the opposite corner. Storm charges across the ring, but Valero connects with a boot to the face that turns Storm around. As Storm staggers away from the corner, Valero steps out of the corner to attack from behind. But the attack is cut off by a Pelé Kick from Storm. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Valero kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Good counter there by Storm, but it only gets two. Later on tonight, we’ve got the Finals of the 2016 Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament. On one side of the ring, the team of Status Quo. On the other side of the ring, Le Pacte de Immortels. I know that Vlaero wants to beat Storm. But in the back of his mind, he’s got to be thinking about that tag team match. In two weeks, he and Luke Jackson will be defending their championship against one of those two teams.

Stephy Auger: When that match concludes later on tonight, we could very well be looking at the team that will take those titles off the not-so-cohesive unit of Valero and Jackson.

Kris Cruise: Later on tonight, we’ve got the FGA World Champion, Zero McHannon, taking on Izzy Anders and Jimmy Page in a Handicap Match. Then it’ll be New King vs. New King as Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine goes one on one with Johnny Cannon in tonight’s main event.

Storm picks up Valero and whips him into the ropes. When Valero returns, Storm throws out a clothesline. But Valero ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Valero returns, Storm throws out a knife edge chop. But again, Valero ducks and runs into the ropes. When Valero comes back, Storm drops down onto his stomach. So Valero hops over him before running into the ropes. When Valero comes back, Storm pops back up to his feet and leap frogs over him before running into an adjacent set of ropes. When Valero comes back, he gets blindsided by a clothesline from Storm. He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Valero kicks out.

Storm picks up Valero, snapmares him over and delivers a stiff kick to the back. He sizes up Valero before delivering another stiff kick to the back. He then drops down and applies a rear chinlock. The ref gets down and asks Valero if he wants to give up. But Valero refuses to quit. He then slowly turns over on his knees before returning to his feet. After four elbows to the midsection, he takes Storm and places him in a side headlock. Valero tries to go for a side headlock takeover, but Storm blocks it. He then shoves Valero off of him and into the ropes. When Valero comes back, Storm knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. Valero kips back up to his feet and gets in his face, which garners more Oos and Ahs from the crowd.

Stephy Auger: Ooooo, this one’s getting feisty!

Storm responds by shoving Valero back down to the canvas. He then turns and runs into the ropes. When Storm returns, Valero kips up and leap frogs over him. Storm continues to run into the far ropes. When Storm returns, Valero brings him down with an arm drag. Storm gets back up, but Valero brings him back down with another arm drag. When Storm gets back to his feet, Valero throws him down with a side headlock takeover to applause from the crowd.

The ref gets down and asks Storm if he wants to give up. But he refuses to quit. He then reaches up, pulls Valero’s head back a bit and reverses into a headscissors. Valero then quickly escape via kip up. After Storm scrambles back to his feet, Valero places him in a side headlock. But again, Storm is quick to shove Valero off of him and into the ropes. When Valero comes back, he knocks Storm down with a cross body.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Storm kicks out.

As Storm tries to get back to his feet, Valero takes him by the arm and wrenches it. After Storm refuses to quit, Valero wrenches the arm again before delivering a hard yank on the arm. The ref asks Storm if he wants to give up. But again, Storm refuses to quit. So Valero takes hold of the wrist and goes for another arm wrench. As Valero goes to turn around to complete the move, Storm delivers a kick to the midsection. Storm follows up with another forearm strike before taking Valero and whipping him back into the ropes. When Valero returns, Storm goes for a back elbow to the face. But Valero ducks and runs into the far ropes. When he returns, he goes for another cross body. But this time, Storm counters with a powerslam. He hooks the leg.

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

Kris Cruise: Nice back and forth action right here in this opening contest. We might be a ways away from a deciding fall. But right now, you’ve got to say that Storm’s been in control for the majority of this one.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, he’s not exactly the pushover that Valero made him out to be.

Storm picks up Valero and goes for an irish whip. But Valero reverses, sending him into the ropes. Valero goes to follow up with a hurricanrana. But he goes for it too early. This allows Storm to hang onto the ropes and causes Valero crash onto his back. While Valero’s still on the ground, Storm makes his way off the ropes and flips over into a jackknife pin.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Valero bridges up, turns over and delivers a bridging northern lights suplex.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Storm gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Nice counter there by Valero, but it only gets two. Coming up later on tonight, we’ve got the Finals of the Dynamic Duos Tag Team Tournament! Also here tonight, the other half of the FGA World Tag Team Champions, Luke Jackson, goes one on one with Savannah Taylor.

Valero picks up Storm and delivers a hard knife edge chop. He then takes Storm and whips him into the ropes. When he comes back, Valero sets up for a back body drop. Storm sees it coming, so he counters with a sunset flip. But Valero rolls through it, gets to his feet and takes Storm by the legs. From there, Valero tries to set up a Texas Cloverleaf. But Storm gets free and responds with an upkick right to the chin. As Valero stumbles back into the ropes, Storm turns over and returns to his feet. He then runs over to clothesline Valero to the outside. But Valero counters by dumping Storm over the top rope…

… but Storm lands on the apron. When Valero turns around, Storm knocks him down with a gamengiri. He follows up with a slingshot splash.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
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Valero gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Yet another nearfall for Mark Storm!

Stephy Auger: Like I told you at the start of this, Cruise, that trademark Valero arrogance was gonna come back to bite him.

Storm picks up Valero, moves him into the corner and connects with three forearm strikes to the head. He then reaches down, lifts Valero up onto the top turnbuckle and proceeds to climb the ropes. Once he gets to the top, the crowd gasps as he goes for an avalanche hurricanrana. But Valero counters by throwing him down with a seated powerbomb from the top turnbuckle. The crowd cheers while Storm writhes in pain on the canvas.

Kris Cruise: He’s down! Mark Storm is down after that blocked rana from Ricky Valero!

Stephy Auger: Valero just saved himself, Cruise. That rana off the top would have taken a lot out of him, if not ended this match entirely.

While Storm is down, Valero stands up on the top turnbuckle, jumps off and goes for a diving double foot stomp. But Storm rolls out of the way. After Valero lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward. Once Valero rolls up to his feet and turns around, Storm knocks him down with a roundhouse kick. He then falls on top of Valero and hooks the leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Valero gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Storm with a burst out energy! He rolls out of the way to missed the diving stomp, then comes back to knock Valero down with a roundhouse kick!

Storm picks up Valero and whips him into the ropes. When Valero returns, Storm doubles him over with a hard knee to the midsection. He then hoists up Valero for a gutwrench powerbomb. But Valero counters with a hurricanrana. Just as Storm gets back to his feet and turns around, Valero sends him back down to the mat with a step-up enzuigiri. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Storm gets his shoulder up.

Valero picks up Storm and whips him into the ropes. When Storm returns, Valero delivers a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE
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TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Storm gets his shoulder up.

Valero picks up Storm and doubles him over with four knee strikes to the midsection. After a clubbing strike to the back, Valero hooks both arms before delivering a double underhook backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Storm gets his shoulder up.

Valero picks up Storm and brings him back down with a swinging neckbreaker. He then returns to his feet and heads into the ropes. When Valeor returns, he delivers multiple leg drops in succession. Afterwards, Valero steps out onto the apron and connects with a springboard leg drop to cheers from the crowd. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Storm gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Storm was in control for a good portion of this match. But now the tide has turned. Valero’s now in control. Can Storm take back control of this match and win?

Valero picks up Storm and goes for a vertical suplex, but Storm blocks it. So Valero tightens his grip before going for another vertical suplex. But again, Storm blocks it. Valero then punches Storm three times in the ribs before trying for another vertical suplex. This time, Storm slips down from behind before shoving Valero into the ropes. When Valero returns, Storm goes for a superkick. But Valero catches his foot. He then spins Storm around. When Storm turns back to him, Valero throws out a clothesline. But Storm ducks. When Storm turns around, he gets knocked down by a Pelé Kick. Valero then goes into the corner and sets up for a superkick of his own. Once Storm returns to his feet and turns around, Valero comes from out of the corner and throws out a superkick. But Storm catches his foot. He then turns Valero away from him before quickly applying a waist lock from behind. Valero tries to free himself with elbows to the face. But it’s to no avail as Storm hits three rolling German Suplexes. But Storm isn’t done. Instead of letting go, Storm turns over and pulls Valero back to his feet. From there, he lets go, turns Valero, grabs him back around the waist and delivers a belly to belly suplex. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The crowd cheers as Valero gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: What a match this one has turned out to be! This is one of the hottest openers I can recall in a long time!

Stephy Auger: It just goes to show you how deep the talent here is from the main event all the way to the opening contest. Both of these men have something to prove and they’re not leaving this ring without a W.

Storm picks up Valero, doubles him over with a hard knee to the midsection and follows up with a gutwrench powerbomb. He holds his back before dropping down to make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd cheers as Valero gets his shoulder up.

Storm picks up Valero and whips him into the ropes. When Valero returns, Storm doubles him over with a boot to the midsection. He then sets up for a double underhook suplex. But Valero breaks free and counters with a back body drop. Storm returns to his feet, but Valero returns him to the mat with a clothesline. Storm gets back up, but the crowd cheers as Valero knocks him back down with another clothesline. When Storm gets back up, Valero goes for another step-up enzuigiri. But Storm ducks. Before Valero can get off the canvas, Storm quickly reaches down, pulls him back up to his feet and goes for another trio of Rolling German Suplexes. After Storm turns over and gets back to his feet to perform the last German Suplex, Valero blocks it with three elbows to the face. He then performs a standing switch, hooks Storm from behind and connects with a bridging Regal Plex to cheers from the crowd.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!

The crowd cheers as Storm gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Valero with the PinnaclePlex, but it only gets two!

Valero picks up Storm and whips him into the ropes. When Storm comes back, Valero goes for a back elbow to the face. But Storm ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Storm returns, Valero throws out a clothesline. But again, Storm ducks and runs into the ropes. When Storm returns, the crowd cheers as Valero throws him down with an overhead belly to belly suplex. After Storm returns to his feet, Valero runs over and knocks him down with a jumping corkscrew roundhouse knee to the face. The crowd cheers as he picks Storm back up, hooks him from behind and delivers The Franchise Tag. Valero pulls Storm over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“Cinderella Man” blasts over the PA to cheers from the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, RICKY VALERO!

Valero gets his arm raised while the crowd continues to cheer.

Kris Cruise: Ricky Valero picks up the victory in tonight's opener! But it was far from the cakewalk he thought it was going to be!

Stephy Auger: Who knows if Mark Storm earned Valero’s respect or not. But what we do know is this: Valero earned that win in the ring tonight. He had to work for it. Like you said, it was hard fought. Now he has to shift his attention not just to the Dynamic Duos finals, but Luke Jackson’s match with Savannah Taylor. If Luke gets hurt in that one, then it could put their Tag Team Championship reign in danger.

[FGA Office]

The camera cuts to backstage where Zero McHannon is making his way down the hallway of the Florence Civic Center. McHannon is holding tight onto the FGA World Championship over his right shoulder as he approaches the locker room labeled Johnny Cannon on the door. Zero takes a deep breath before opening the door to see Quinn and Cannon chatting about something to themselves in the middle of the room.

Zero smirks at the pair of them as a joke instantly popped into his head, but he buried it to the side and remembered why he seeked out Cannon to begin with.

Zero McHannon: Calm down, everyone. I don’t come here today as an enemy, but a thoughtful champion to one of his number one contenders.

This time a smile does cross Zero’s face as he continues to take a few more steps into the room, looking over to Quinn first, then to Cannon.

Zero McHannon: A conversation that doesn’t involve you, Quinn. I’m here to see if Cannon can think and talk on his own without you doing it all for him.

He turns back to Cannon and his face turns to a more serious manner.

Zero McHannon: Big match against Carmine tonight. Big opportunity to prove that you’ll fight each other for FGA’s biggest prize. An even bigger chance to walk into All Star Showdown with a little pep in your step, but I don’t need to tell you this. Do I? Of course I don’t.

Johnny Cannon: You don’t need to tell me a bloody thing, since we’re on that topic.

Zero gives a small shrug of the shoulders and puffs out his chest so that Cannon can get a clearer view of the FGA World Championship hanging right in front of him. The British Mamba never takes his eyes off it.

Zero McHannon: Let’s get past all the things you do know and move onto the things you might not know. Surely someone who made a name for his own in EXODUS decided that this time around in FGA that he’d shake things up a bit. He figured he would be the Chandler Scott to Tony Carmine, part deuce. You figured that you would change the way you were to make a mark on this company like no one has before, only they have before… Many others actually, but that’s beside the point!

McHannon shoots a look over to Quinn before turning his focus back to Cannon.

Zero McHannon: I have to wonder how well you thought this through, Cannon. I know you might’ve not paid any attention to what happened to the Frat Daddies, because you’re setting yourself up for the same demise that happened to those two. Two friends that did their best to conquer the business to the best of their ability, and it worked… somewhat. If Tony turned on a closer friend in Chandler, what exactly do you think is going to happen to you in the short term grand scheme of things?

Zero holds up a finger before Cannon can say anything so that he could finish his train of thought.

Zero McHannon: Better yet, let’s say that Carmine does end up walking out of All Star Showdown as the new champion. Have you put any thought into what’s going to happen to you? Carmine is going to go on to face number one contenders, tournament winners, and just about everyone who is willing to knock his teeth in for this championship. While he would be fighting off the people wanting to take what’s rightfully mine off him, you’ll fade into the background if you’re lucky. If you’re not lucky, Carmine will make an example out of you for the entire world to see. He’ll show them that he made it there on his own and it wasn’t the New Kings who won this world championship for him. Every nice thing that he says about you now about how you guys are sooooo dominate and changing the landscape of FGA while you walk across it will change. There’s no room for Johnny Cannon in a Tony Carmine championship reign, and if you haven’t realized that already, I fear for you and just how far you’ll fall in this business before you’re able to pick yourself back up again.

He narrows his eyes at Cannon and slightly smiles.

Zero McHannon: And before you go on this rant about how the New Kings are this and that, the most glorious thing since the toaster oven… Really think on what I said. Absorb it. Face the reality that you two can’t exist while the other is on the top of the mountain. Even if you’re thought process it that you and Carmine can exist together as champion and lackey, do you really believe that.

The smile turns even wider as McHannon raises his head in cockiness.

Zero McHannon: Because if you ask me, I don’t think you really believe that. Only a moron believes that and I don’t take you for a moron, Cannon.

Cannon looks Zero right in the eyes now, taking everything in with a stern calmness.

Johnny Cannon: So this is your big game plan, your be-all end-all, is that so? Think you can divide us, draw a wedge between us, one so deep that we’ll tear each other apart tonight, just so you can pick up the pieces at All Star Showdown and survive with your title. I’ll tell you what, it’s a foolproof plan, McHannon.

Zero smirks, shocked that Cannon would agree with him, as the Brit points at McHannon’s World Championship.

Johnny Cannon: You’re perfectly right, Zero. Johnny Cannon cannot co-exist with a Tony Carmine World Championship reign. Johnny Cannon cannot serve as a lackey, while everyone else basks in the glory that was reserved for him. Johnny Cannon didn’t come to FGA to take a backseat to anyone, because you and I both know I’m the best wrestler walking God’s green Earth. I proved that to you last summer.

McHannon rolls his eyes, knowing their respective careers have gone in much different directions since that match.

Johnny Cannon: I came here to be the FGA World Champion. That’s the only thing that matters to me. Nothing else. Nobody else. I love my mother to death, she sacrificed for me, whipped my ass when I couldn’t do the job on my own - but listen to me, if you think I wouldn’t kick her bloody head off if it meant I would reach my goal, you’re a bigger idiot than you look. Tonight, I’m going to prove exactly that to you.

Cannon walks up to Zero now, poking him in the chest as he stares daggers at him, his fiery eyes looking right into the World Champion’s.

Johnny Cannon: Tonight, I’m going to prove to you and the whole world that the only man I’m looking for - is me.

Zero nods his head boringly as he only half pays attention to what Cannon has to say before looking around the room.

Zero McHannon: Sure you will, big guy. I’ll believe it when I see it. Just keep in mind what I said.

He throws up his hands to Quinn and Cannon to show that he meant no hard as he slowly backs his way out of the room and leaves Johnny with his manager to prepare for the following match ahead.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Sara Cochran is backstage, going over some last minute preparations. She's dressed in her ring gear, along with a t-shirt reading "STOP MURDER GIRL" on the front, and "Justice For Dead Guy" on the back. A mix of panic, and anger overcomes her once she spots the FGA cameras present on the scene.

Sara Cochran: Um, excuse me!? I'm not finished getting dressed yet, perverts.

She exclaims with incredulity etched on her face, while hurrying to cover her ears up. Turning her back to the shot, she bends over, the rustles through her bags before retrieving tonight's pair of earmuffs and putting them on. After letting out a big exaggerated deep breath, she turns back around.

Sara Cochran: Okay, now I'm ready; please cut that part from the footage when this airs.

Voice Off Camera: We're live.

Cochran rolls her eyes at that bit of information, which was barked out loud enough for her to hear clearly.

Sara Cochran: Of course we are; way to be horrible at your job, you stupid buttface idiot.

Taking a sharp inhale, she tries to compose herself, mumbling "it's okay Sara, you can do this," under her breath.

Sara Cochran: Anyways, I requested this time for you all to take a good look at this shirt I'm going to be wearing during my entrance. Why? Because I wanted to make a point. Some people just say stuff during their promotional material to get a rise, or get into someone's head. Not me, I'm a woman of principle, which is something sorely lacking around this dump. When I say something, I mean it, and I put my own hard earned money where my mouth is by paying to have this custom shirt made. That's commitment, that's dedication, that's true Championship material -- something everyone is going to have to recognize sooner or later.

A short nod of her head follows.

Sara Cochran: I'd like to note though, that while I don't get my proper due from our corrupt leadership, who cater to a bunch of sick monsters with skewed priorities and no morals? Even those stupid buttface idiot matchmakers recognized that I should be later on the show, higher on the card than Nero Darling. Because my natural place in the order of things is above her, and that I'm going to prove that at All Star Showdown Five when I'm standing over Nero Darling, making her tap the mat. Now, if you'll excuse me --

She delivers a dismissive gesture of her hand, and the scene fades out.

[FGA Office]

Luke Jackson vs. Savannah Taylor

The fans in the arena are in their seats, anxiously awaiting the start of the match. Before they have a chance to say anything, the lights suddenly fade to black. The noise of the crowd is replaced by a loud whistle emanating from the sound system. The whistle repeats, only this time it is accompanied by a few riffs from a synthesizer. As the synth pulses on for a few seconds, red strobe lights around the entrance begin to pulse in perfect synch with the music. The heavy guitar and drum tandem that follows truly signals the beginning of “Engel” by Rammstein. The black of the arena has been replaced by a vivid crimson as the song plays on. The fans immediately leap to their feet and show their displeasure at the arrival of the one and only Savannah Taylor.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Las Vegas, Nevada! Weighing in at 120 pounds… SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

The blonde steps out onto the stage for a few seconds and glances to either side of her before walking purposefully down the aisle, an air of arrogance displayed in her gait. She climbs the steps and stands on the apron, scanning the crowd before shaking her head at the fans. Stepping into the ring, she stands in the center and raises her hands above her head, seeming to soak in the boos. She then rests her back against the turnbuckle and waits for the lights to return to normal and the music to fade out.

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor got into it two weeks ago with Mark Storm. We’ll she if she has anything to say to Storm later on tonight. But now, she’s got a big opportunity and that’s taking on one half of the current World Tag Team Champions, Luke Jackson.

Stephy Auger: People often say that Luke Jackson is the weak link of the Next Level tag team of him and Ricky Valero. People often talk about the trust issues between the two and rightfully so. But to his credit, Luke had done more than hold his own. Tonight, though, he’s gonna wish that Valero was in his corner because he’ll need it to defeat Savannah Taylor.

Luke comes out with a huge smile on his face basking in the glory of wrestling. He has a black wife beater on and backwards Oakland As' cap on. He slaps the hands of fans on his way down to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, from Oakland, California! Weighing in at 165 pounds! He is one half of the reigning FGA World Tag Team Champions… LUKE “THE KID” JACKSON!

Kris Cruise: Ricky Valero picked up the win in tonight’s opener against Mark Storm. Luke’s going to try to make it two for two tonight with a win over Savannah Taylor. But that’s much easier said than done.

The bell sounds as both grapplers circle the ring. They size each other up before inching towards the center of the ring. They both motion for a lock up. But Savannah ducks under, goes behind Luke and places him in a waist lock. She quickly lets go, turns him around and applies a side headlock. She grinds on the hold, which causes Luke to let out a groan. But he doesn’t give up. Instead, he shoves Savannah off of him and into the ropes. When Savannah returns, the crowd cheers as Luke knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. He then runs into the ropes. When he returns, Savannah turns over onto her stomach. So Luke hops over her before running into the far ropes. When he returns, Savannah pops up to her feet and follows up with a leapfrog. After Luke heads into the ropes and comes back, Savannah brings him down with a drop toe hold. She quickly rolls across his back and reapplies the side headlock. The ref gets down and asks Luke if he wants to give up. But he refuses.

After battling his way back to his feet, Luke is able to slip out and reverses into a hammerlock. But Savannah is able to reach back with her free arm, grab Luke by the neck and bring him down with a jumping snapmare takeover. As Luke sits up, she quickly applies a rear chinlock. The ref asks Luke if he wants to give up. But again, he refuses. After turning over onto his knees and getting up to his feet, Luke breaks the hold after four elbows to the midsection. He then applies a side headlock of his own. Savannah tries to shove Luke off, but he doesn’t budge. So she takes Luke, moves back a few paces, then tries to shove him off. But Luke jumps drops down to a knee while shaking his head. The ref gets down and asks Savannah if she wants to quit. But she refuses.

Savannah battles her way back to her feet. But she doesn’t stay there for long as Luke tosses her down with a side headlock takeover. Savannah’s able to use her long legs to reverse into a headscissors. But Luke’s able to escape with a kip up. After Savannah returns to her feet, Luke runs at her. But she’s quick to turn the tables and take him down with a side headlock takeover. Luke then reverses into a headscissors. But Savannah’s able to escape via kip up. Luke scrambles back to his feet. But he doesn’t stay there for long as Savannah knocks him down with a dropkick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Luke kicks out.

After both grapplers return to their feet, it’s Luke that knocks Savannah down with a dropkick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Savannah kicks out.

After both grapplers return to their feet, Luke takes Savannah and whips her into the ropes. When Savannah returns, Luke throws out a clothesline. But Savannah ducks and runs into the far ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as Luke knocks her down with a cross body.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Savannah kicks out.

Luke brings Savannah back to her feet and applies an arm wrench. But Savannah is quick to counter with an arm wrench of her own. The ref then asks Luke if he wants to give up. But he refuses. So Savannah yanks on the arm, which causes Luke to grimace. The crowd boos as she angles the arm so that even more pressure is being applied. The ref checks back in with Luke and asks if he wants to give up. But again, he refuses. He then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and counters with a hard arm wrench that sends Savannah flipping down to the canvas. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Savannah kicks out.

Kris Cruise: It’s been a back and forth contest thus far. Neither grapplers has really been able to maintain control for any extended period of time. But that could change any minute.

Luke picks up Savannah and places her in aside another headlock. But Savannah’s able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. She then transitions into a side headlock. But Luke’s able to shove her off of him and into the ropes. When Savannah returns, she delivers a headscissors takeover. Luke gets back to his feet, but Savannah is quick to connect with a dropkick, which knocks him through the ropes and to the floor. While Luke’s picking himself up off the floor, Savannah takes off into the far ropes. When she returns, she goes for a baseball slide. But Luke steps out of the way. Once Savannah lands on her feet, the crowd cheers as he knocks her down with a clothesline. Luke picks Savannah up and throws her down with a scoop slam on the floor. She turns over on her knees and holds the small of her back. But Luke’s not done. After a kick to the midsection, Luke brings her back to his feet before delivering a vertical suplex on the floor. He then picks up Savannah and rolls her back into the ring. He then rolls himself back in and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Savannah avoids the three count by getting her foot on the ropes. But she’s got to be feeling some discomfort in her back after the scoop slam and suplex on the floor.

Luke picks up Savannah, brings her into the corner and nails her with a blistering knife edge chop. Luke then fires off another chop before whipping her into the opposite corner. Luke then takes off across the ring. But Savannah catches him with a boot to the face. As Luke turns around and stagers from out of the corner, Savannah comes up from behind and goes for a bulldog. But Luke shoves her off of him and into the ropes. When Savannah returns, the crowd cheers as Luke knocks her down with a spinning heel kick. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Savannah’s had her struggles in FGA over the few months. She failed to win the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship on two occasions. She can’t afford another high profile loss on her record.

Stephy Auger: This match is far from over, Cruise. You’re acting like Luke Jackson is having his way with her in there when he’s not.

Luke picks up Savannah and nails her with another knife edge chop. After guarding her chest, Savannah fires back with a shoot kick to the chest. Luke answers back with another knife edge chop. After guarding her chest, Savannah comes back with another shoot kick… and another… and another… and another… and ano-NO! On the last kick attempt, Luke catches her foot and throws her down with a dragon screw. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Savannah tries to mount a comeback, but it was quickly stuffed by one half of the Tag Team Champions.

Luke picks up Savannah and whips her into the ropes. When she returns, Luke knocks her down with a back elbow to the face. He drops down and makes the cover.

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

Luke picks up Savannah and delivers a clubbing strike across the back of the neck. He then grabs Savannah from behind, delivers an atomic drop and follows up with a dropkick that knocks her through the ropes and to the floor. While Savannah’s pulling herself up using the edge of the apron, Luke takes off into the far ropes.

Kris Cruise: What’s he going for here?

When Luke returns, he goes for a baseball slide. But Savannah side steps, grabs him from behind and brings him down with a forward russian legsweep to boos from the crowd.

Stephy Auger: Blonde Ambition right on the floor!

While Luke is flat on his face, Savannah climbs up onto the apron. She begins rubs her leg as she tries to ready herself for something. Once Luke gets to his feet and turns to face her, the crowd boos as Savannah knocks him down with an Asai Moonsault.

Kris Cruise: Savannah connects with the high risk maneuver...

Stephy Auger: … and now she’s back in the game, Cruise!

Savannah picks up Luke and rolls him back into the ring. She then rolls herself back in, drags Luke away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Stephy Auger: Look at that. She was smart enough to pull Luke away from the ropes so that he’d have to exert more energy on the kickout. Beauty and brains, Cruise. I can’t say the same for Luke. Nice abs, though.

Savannah picks up Luke, brings him into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After letting off a round of knife edge chops, she takes Luke and whips him into the opposite corner. Savannah then runs across the ring and connects with a running hip strike. She then takes Luke and whips him into the previous corner. Savannah then runs back across the ring, leaps up and connects with a hesitation dropkick. After Luke crumbles to the canvas, she makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Luke avoids the dreaded three count. But this momentum has swung in Savannah favor as she’s clearly in control.

Stephy Auger: ...and she’ll remain in control until she feels like putting this one away.

Savannah brings Luke back to his feet and fires off four elbows smashes to the face. She then throws out a roundhouse kick. But Luke swats it down and catches her with a right hand to the jaw. While Savannah’s dazed, the crowd cheers as Luke doubles her over with a kick to the midsection before planting her with a DDT. He slowly turns over and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Luke just stopped Savannah with that DDT. This match was starting to get away from him. Now it’s back up for grabs. Can Luke bring home the win?

Luke takes Savannah and whips her hard into the corner. As Savannah stumbles out, Luke runs into an adjacent set of ropes. When he comes back, he goes for a running bulldog. But Savannah shoves him off of her and into the ropes. When Luke returns, Savannah throws out the Desert Rose spinning backfist. But Luke ducks and runs into the far ropes. When he returns, the crowd boos as Savannah knocks him down with a yakuza kick right to the face. As Luke slowly turns over onto his knees and tries to get back to his feet, Savannah runs over and blasts him in the face with a Shining Wizard. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Luke gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: He’s not done yet!

Stephy Auger: Unfortunately.

The crowd boos as Savannah picks up Luke, delivers four elbows smashes to the face, follows up with the Desert Rose and then follows that up with a roundhouse kick that knocks him down. While Luke is down, Savannah steps out onto the apron and begins climbing to the top turnbuckle. Once she gets to the top, she crouches down and waits for Luke to return to his feet. When he finally gets back up and turns around, Savannah stands up on the top turnbuckle and leaps off for a missile dropkick. But Luke sidesteps and swats her down.

Stephy Auger: Gah!

Kris Cruise: Luke avoided the missile dropkick!

While Savanah’s down, Luke steps through the ropes, walks along the apron and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. Once Savannah returns to her feet, the crowd cheers as Luke knocks her down from behind with a missile dropkick. He turns her over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs, then boos as Savannah gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: That was almost three there.

Stephy Auger: Well “almost three” isn’t “three”!

Luke picks up Savannah and whips her hard into the corner. While she stumbles out, Luke runs into the ropes. When he returns, he brings Savannah down with a bulldog. He then goes into the corner and waits for Savannah to get up. As Savannah gets up on one knee, the crowd cheers as Luke comes from out of the corner and knocks her down with The Oakland Drive By. He makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs, then boos as Savannah gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another close call for the former Mid-Atlantic Legacy contender.

Luke picks up Savannah and delivers the Legs of Money before bringing her down with a DDT. As Savannah slowly rolls over onto her back, Luke heads into the corner and scales the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Luke's headed to the top! He’s looking to put this one away!

Once Luke reaches the top, he goes for the Crazy Moonsault. But Savannah rolls out of the way, causing Luke to crash onto the canvas.

Stephy Auger: Oops, nobody’s home!

As Luke tries to push himself off the canvas, Savannah runs over, leaps up and drives him down with a curb stomp. She then picks up Luke, delivers alternating elbow smashes before connecting with the Desert Rose, which doubles him over. From there, Savannah hooks her arm over Luke arms before planting him with the Siren’s Song. The crowd boos as she turns him over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Engel” plays throughout the arena to boos from the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

Savannah gets her arm raised while the crowd continues to boo.

Kris Cruise: A good back and forth match there by both grapplers. Ut in the end, it was Savannah Taylor that was able to come away with the win.

Stephy Auger: I told you she’d do it. I told you there was no reason to write her off so early. Savannah just went in there and defeated one half of the reigning Tag Team Champions. Unfortunately for Luke Jackson, he wasn’t able to match Ricky Valero with a win here tonight.

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to where The Tenacious Little Bastard is walking towards a locker room. He’s whistling a merry tune, probably something by The Cure, and has a warm glow in his eyes as he stops to knock on the door. He waits a second, glancing down at his watch, before just entering the locker room anyway.

Dom Harter: What the--

He’s interrupted, however; the former Mid-Atlantic Legacy champion is waiting for him inside the locker room, catching Dom by surprise as she shoots off some forearm shots to the face!

Izzy Anders: Surprise, Harter!

But Harter has the wherewithal to mount a defense, driving a knee up into the midsection. But Anders has the adrenaline pumping as she drives her shoulder up into Dom’s gut, pushing him back against the wall. The pair of them trade blows; Harter walking backwards down the corridor as Izzy begins to gain the upper hand. She drives a knee up into the midsection and spins, throwing Dom towards some double doors.

He crashes through them, but gets back up, moving towards the next set of doors as Izzy follows after him. She lashes out with a roundhouse kick, catching Dom around the head, before firing off some more forearm shots. Dom gets thrown headlong into the wall, cutting him open just above the eye before he staggers towards the double doors down the hall. He’s facing Izzy as she charges.

Izzy Anders: How does it feel, Harter?!

She shouts as she connects with a running boot to the sternum, sending Dom crashing through the swinging doors into a wide open area. He falls to the floor as Izzy stalks him; she’s moving slowly, glaring at the prone Fratboy Assassin as he’s laying there. But he looks upwards at her and smirks.

Dom Harter: Pretty damn good…

The momentary lapse in concentration is enough for Izzy to get caught; an aluminum bat shot to the gut doubles her over before a second shot by another assailant catches her across the back. The pair of attackers are dressed in black, hidden behind masks just how Dom dressed back before Final Frontier. They continue laying into Izzy with the butt of their bats, driving them repeatedly into her torso as Dom picks himself up.

Dom Harter: Pick her up.

The masked attackers drag Izzy to her knees, each of them holding an arm back as Dom tries to work out the kink in his neck. He wipes the blood from his forehead and sighs.

Dom Harter: You made me bleed. Seriously?

Izzy Anders: I’ll do worse than that when I break fre--

Harter motions to one of the attackers, who switches their stance so they’re holding the bat tight across Izzy’s throat.

Dom Harter: When you break free...yeah. I told you, Izzy, next time you take a shot at me not to miss. But you’re determined to put me through the same ordeal I put you through, right down to re-enacting the attacks … what if I didn’t show up tonight, Izzy? I’m not booked to wrestle…

Izzy Anders: I would have found you. Two weeks time at All Star Showdown; I’ll find you then and do it again.

Dom rolls his eyes and sighs again. He looks towards the masked attackers as he asks.

Dom Harter: Can you believe that?

They shake their heads.

Dom Harter: They don’t believe it either; for some reason you have it in your mind that this thing between isn’t nearly over, Izzy. What were you going to do tonight, take me out to the car park and dent another Toyota? Cradle me in your arms as I lay there unconscious? And then what? Try and tear my shoulder from its socket again?

Izzy Anders: I’ll do to you what you did to me. I’ll break you, Harter, one way or another; whether it’s your shoulder, a concussion, or if I have to put you six feet under. I’ll break you, Harter.

Dom shakes his head before motioning to one of the attackers, who responds by jabbing the butt of the bat into Izzy’s ribs again. The second masked person presses their bat tightly against the throat, bringing Izzy back upright.

Dom Harter: I want you to do me a favor, Izzy. Cast your mind back to the aftermath of Final Frontier; when the fans were divided into two camps - those who felt you overstepped the boundaries and went too far. And those who felt you were justified in your actions. That I deserved to be attacked after I dislocated my shoulder in that fall, yada yada yada. Now think why those people felt that way…

Izzy Anders: Because you’re--

Dom Harter: Rhetorical! They felt that way because for the longest time I’ve done what I did to you … to countless others. Right here in FGA I’ve left a trail of bodies behind me over the years. And I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I got pretty damn good at it. Look at this--

He gestures around; there’s almost nobody there except the four of them, and then Izzy is on her knees and outnumbered three-to-one.

Dom Harter: I led you down the halls, giving you that sense of confidence; you put me through the doors just like I wanted and I had these two waiting for you. And now we can slam you face down into the floor, smack the crap out of you with those bats, and nobody would be any the wiser unless you scream extra loud … but I don’t want to do that, Izzy. I want you to understand that what you’re feeling right now, I’ve felt the same way. I want you to know that hatred in your heart, I’ve experienced that same sensation. But you’re uncontrolled. You’re loose. And that’s dangerous; where I had Malcolm Drake to show me how to control those urges, you’ve got no-one. And that makes you …uni--

But he’s interrupted by a loud grunt from behind the double doors. The masked attackers throw Izzy face first down to the floor and bail, making their way behind Harter as GRENDEL walks through the doorway. He towers over all of them.

Dom Harter: Goddamn, you’re even bigger in person.

But GRENDEL doesn’t respond. Harter and the attackers begin to move away, leaving GRENDEL to pick Izzy up off the floor. She’s gasping for air as she stands back up, rubbing her sore throat, glaring at the three people walking backwards away from her. Izzy turns to GRENDEL.

Izzy Anders: He’s dead.

The pair of them move back through the doors, heading towards their locker rooms…

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

The cameras cut to another portion of the backstage area where we spot the intrepid reporter Spencer Burke standing in front of a banner emblazoned with the trademark red lion logo of the FGA. He stands there with the microphone in his left hand as he clears his throat.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at time is Savannah Taylor.

The camera pans over to find Savannah standing next to Spencer, still clad in her ring attire after her match with Luke Jackson finished moments ago. She reaches up and wipes a bead of sweat from her brow as both hands find their way to her hips.

Spencer Burke: Now Savannah, just moments ago we saw you go one on one with Luke Jackson, one half of the reigning Tag Team champions. That was certainly a hard fought match.

Savannah Taylor: Hard fought, yes. Hopefully he got what he wanted and was given a match that will be remembered for a while to come. But then again, would you expect anything less out of me?

Spencer Burke: Indeed. Now, two weeks ago we saw you come out and basically interrupt the speech that Mark Storm was giving to the crowd. Any reason behind why you did what you did?

Savannah can't help but chuckle to herself as she shakes her head slightly.

Savannah Taylor: Interrupted? Oh no no no. I didn't interrupt Mark. What I did was save these people from having to listen to yet another long winded speech where someone is sucking up to the crowd, begging for attention. I did these people a huge favor. If they take it as the big, bad bully coming out and taking precious time away from their hero, that is a them problem.

Spencer Burke: Judging by what happened, or almost happened before his match, it sounds like he was looking for a fight. What do you think about that?

She rolls her eyes as she taps her chin slightly.

Savannah Taylor: What do I think? I'm so glad you asked that, Spencer.

Turning her body, she stands so that she is facing the camera dead on. The smile that she once had on her face, however sight it may have been, dropped from her face. Her facial expression becomes deadly serious as she clears her throat.

Savannah Taylor: The truth is out there, isn't it Mark? You wanted to fight me then and there. The only reason why I stopped myself from getting into that ring and knocking you the hell out was because I know that has to happen on MY terms. Let us face the facts, Mark. If we did come to blows right then and there, you wouldn't have been ready. You wouldn't have been ready for what I was prepared to do right in that ring. But here is what I'm proposing. If you are so intent on embarrassing yourself and you want to get me back for interrupting your little speech, then why don't we settle things at All Star Showdown V? Why don't you finally grow a pair and do something about it in two weeks? What do you say, Mark? You up for it? I'll be waiting for your response. Just don't keep me waiting too long. That shows bad manners.

With that, she gives a smirk in Spencer's direction as she heads off down the halls. The cameras then cut out to the arena and the ringside area.

[FGA Office]

Nero Darling vs. Ruby Tyler

Come heavy or don't come at all,
You leave your piece at home that's your call,
It never paid to be merciful,
Come heavy or don't come at all

The lights come up as the music rises and Ruby Tyler bursts through the curtain, running down the ramp and high-fiving fans along the way.

Come heavy or don't come at all,
Been here before and watched a better man fall
I smell the fear on you boy
Come heavy or don't come at all

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall Introducing first, from Barstow, California… “THE HUNTRESS” RUBY TYLER!

Tossing her jacket aside, Ruby turns to face the crowd and pumps her fist in the air before sliding underneath the bottom rope, grinning as she heads to her corner and climbs the turnbuckle, her head bobbing as the chorus plays out. Once the music fades, she hops down and turns, waiting for her opponent.

Kris Cruise: Ruby Tyler is coming off a tough loss on the last show in what some are calling an early match of the year candidate; RubyWay getting knocked out of the Dynamic Duos by Status Quo, but tonight she’s in single’s competition.

Stephy Auger: And against Nero Darling, who we haven’t seen in action since Sara Cochran turned her back on her. Both competitors will be eager to get back to winning ways tonight.

The lights dim down before the opening strains of "Hate Me Now" by Nas sweep through the arena and the Nerolings begin screaming in anticipation. Teal blue lights sweep through the crowd and over the ring until they center on Nero Darling. She steps out onto the stage, her face and signature blue hair hidden under the hood of a black sweatshirt. Her head bowed so that her face is in the shadows of the hoodie as she pauses at the top of the ramp. As the beat picks up intensity, Nero stretches her arms out and walks slowly towards the ring. The lights pick up the words on the back of her hoodie, cursive and embossed in gold, "Ms. 502". She basks in the screams and cheers of the audience and hides a bright grin in the shadows of her hoodie.

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, from Louisville, in the Kentuckies... YOUR GLORIOUS LEADER... NERO DARLING!!!

She finally breaks into a run, sliding into the ring on her stomach and popping up to her feet as she throws the hoodie off and runs to the ring ropes, hopping up on the middle rope with her arms outstretched. She holds the pose as the beat picks up around her and she blows kisses to her fans, many of whom are holding up signs emblazoned with her name and hearts. Nero drops down to the canvas and bounces in place with a bright smile on her face as she waits for the bell to sound.

Kris Cruise: Here we go!

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring for a few moments. As they lock up collar and elbow, Tyler gains the upper hand as she goes behind with a rear waist lock. A takedown ensues, and Ruby transitions into a front facelock. She uses it to lift Nero back to her feet, at which point Darling pushes Nero back into the corner! It’s enough to force a break as Nero fires off a couple of forearm shots to the face before going for an Irish whip, sending Ruby from pillar to post.

Ruby vaults off the top rope, however, landing behind Nero after she runs chest first into the turnbuckle. Darling turns around and gets lit up by some knife edge chops. An Irish whip sends Nero against the ropes before she gets taken down by a back elbow to the face. A driving elbow down across the sternum and Ruby covers with a lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
Nero kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Not even a two count for Ruby Tyler there.

Stephy Auger: She’s started brightly though. Maybe being eliminated from Dynamic Duos has finally lit a fire under her ass.

Ruby drags her opponent back to her feet and forces Nero back against the ropes with a series of headbutts. Another Irish whip attempt gets reversed as Ruby is sent against the ropes. But she comes back with a sling blade, slamming the back of Nero’s head against the mat. Tyler gets back to her feet and stomps at her prone opponent as Nero battles her way back to her feet. A knee driven up into the midsection doubles Darling over as Ruby drives an elbow down across the back of the neck. And again.

An Irish whip sends Nero against the ropes as Ruby catches her with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker – NO! Nero spins through, landing beside her opponent as she follows up with a Russian legsweep! Tyler grabs at the back of her head as Nero rolls through to her feet, taking a few steps as a run up before hitting a standing shooting star press! And a hook of the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Ruby kicks out!

Undeterred, Nero lifts her opponent back to her feet and sends her towards the corner with an Irish whip. Darling follows her in, but Ruby meets her with a back body drop, sending Nero over the top rope. But she lands on the apron. Ruby turns around and is met by a forearm shot to the face! It’s enough to send her staggering backwards as Nero springboards into the ring with a bulldog! Ruby gets driven face first into the mat and rolls over onto her back as Nero pops back to her feet; the fans are cheering her on as she poses for them momentarily, before running against the ropes. Nero springboards off them with a lionsault – NO!

Stephy Auger: Ruby Tyler gets the knees up in time!

Nero rolls away clutching at her ribs as Ruby moves towards the ropes, using them to get back to her feet. Darling kneels up in the center of the ring, still holding her ribs as Ruby rushes her, connecting with a hurricanrana! Into the pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Nero kicks out!

Both competitors scramble to get back to their feet as Ruby rushes at her opponent with a clothesline. But Nero ducks under the arm, countering with a mule kick. It’s enough to double Ruby over, before a dropkick sends The Huntress tumbling through the ropes onto the apron. Darling charges across the ring again, sliding through her opponent’s legs. She goes to pull them out from under Ruby, but The Huntress kicks Nero away with enough force to send her crashing back against the guard rails.

Kris Cruise: I felt that from here.

Nero falls to the floor clutching those ribs again as Ruby steadies herself on the apron. She takes a run up and leaps off, connecting with the Look Out Below elbow drop to a cheer from the crowd. The count out begins as Ruby lifts Nero back to her feet, sending her face first into the ring apron. Darling spins and falls backwards, her arms spread across the apron as Ruby unleashes a series of chops and forearm shots.

Stephy Auger: Such vicious strikes from The Huntress. And I think Nero may be in trouble here, Kris.

Tyler brings her opponent away from the apron and goes for the Irish whip towards the ring steps, but Nero reverses! She sends Ruby towards the ring steps, and The Huntress crashes into them legs first, tumbling over them as she lands in a heap! The crowd gasp as Ruby clutches her knee for a few moments, fearing the worst. But their doubts are assuaged as Ruby uses the nearby guard rail to get back to her feet.

Just in time to eat the springboard forearm smash from Nero Darling! She uses the ring steps to gain the elevation before slamming into Ruby, and both competitors are down momentarily.

SIX!


SEVEN!

Nero gets back to her feet, her ribs still hurting as she picks Ruby back up as well. But The Huntress rushes her opponent, thrusting Nero back first against the guard rails.


EIGHT!


Kris Cruise: This match needs to get back into the ring, otherwise they risk getting counted out.

Ruby takes a run up and goes for a clothesline, but Nero back body drops her over the railing and into the crowd!


NINE!


TEN!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, this match has been ruled a double count-out!

The bell sounds as Nero Darling looks towards the ring, where the referee is explaining he’s counted to ten. Frustrated, Nero stands there for a second before climbing over the guard rail to help Ruby back to her feet.

Stephy Auger: Just when it was picking up, both competitors getting counted out.

Kris Cruise: I’m sure we’ll see them meet again sometime, but this time we’re not seeing a winner between these two.

[FGA Office]

While the rest of the show is taking place inside the Florence Civic Center, outside on this balmy South Carolina evening we catch up with Johnny Karma who has stepped outside to get some fresh air, as he’s finding conditions inside to be somewhat stifling as he’s sharing the air with a few thousand people getting whipped into a frenzy and a dozen or so other people sweatily headed for the showers to make conditions backstage a little less than pleasant

So while everyone is sweltering inside, Karma is stood outside the loading dock looking off into the distance, a bead of sweat forming at his temple and starting to trickle down the side of his face, and as he flicks it away with the back of his thumb Cherry Baum appears beside him

Cherry Baum: Penny for your thoughts J-K?

Johnny Karma: Well, I have to...you know what? It’s nothing.

Karma continues to look off into the distance, not making eye contact with Cherry at any point in which he answered, causing a stern expression to form on Cherry’s face as she can see she’s being given the brush-off

Cherry Baum: Come on, I know something’s up.

Continuing to look off into the distance, Karma runs the palm of his hand over his face before wiping it in the palm of his other hand, mopping a little more perspiration off of his face, before he reluctantly turns towards Cherry

Johnny Karma: It’s just...how is it every single time there’s an opportunity for me to do the one thing FWA needs more than ever, namely knock the New Kings off of their perch, there’s always something that happens that takes that opportunity away from me? At the Gold Rush Rumble I had the chance to derail their momentum and it worked out the exact opposite way, and at the last show once more I had the chance to put them down and once again the chance drifted away from me and they lived to cheat another day. To be honest, I’m getting sick of it, because not only do I have memories of various beatings from them on my mind, now all I can think of is how...how…karma seems to evade them as they luck their way out of another round of retribution. It’s driving me nuts, really it is.

Placing a hand on Karma’s forearm, Cherry looks Karma directly in the eye before she speaks

Cherry Baum: Listen, you know things tend to get worse before they get better - that’s the point of things getting better, they have to be pretty bad in the first place for people to notice. Look at the Pride Championship, for a long time it was little more than Tony Carmine’s fashion accessory, and now it’s regained a little bit of its mojo by being around the waist of someone who wants to be a champion instead of someone who wants to rub a title in everyone’s face. I’d call that an improvement, don’t you agree?

At first Karma appears to be considering his response - but then it seems that there’s a very different reason he’s suddenly looking into Cherry's eyes, at which point there is a knock at the door. The Karmic duo turn to see one Fujiko Mine standing at the threshold, peering in.

Fujiko Mine: Sorry to be a bother, but I just wanted to come and check in on you two.

She doesn't move into the room at first, eyeing the Pride champion warily. Something changes behind her eyes, and it causes her to close the gap between them.

Fujiko Mine: Johnny… thanks for having my back at the last Vertigo. I’d forgotten what it was like to have a good partner to do battle with.

She lets her words sink in, giving the two of them a beaming smile. She lets it face as Karma looks less than pleased. She nods, thinking that she's getting where he's coming from.

Fujiko Mine: Yeah. We didn't win, but we didn't lose either. I was frustrated about it, but we showed that they aren’t the unstoppable force they claim that they are.

She looks away, disgust permeating her face as she does so. Some thought away from her conversation with Johnny seems to have caught her attention. She shakes her head a little, and then returns her gaze to the Pride champion.

Fujiko Mine: But...now we need to focus on All Star Showdown.

Fujiko realizes that she’s hitting a touchy subject, but also that she needs to address it.

Fujiko Mine: I really, really want to thank you one last time for giving me the opportunity. There are some people who don’t believe I earned it, or that I deserve to be near a championship opportunity like this one. But when few people backstage believed in me...in a weird way, you did.

She looks him square in the eye now.

Fujiko Mine: So...the best way to thank you...is to beat you for the Pride Championship in a few weeks.

Fujiko gives no sly look, no coy or cocksure grin that would allow a semblance of arrogance to be on display. In fact, she looks at him a little conflicted with her own words.

Fujiko Mine: I can’t let this opportunity you’ve given me to go to waste. I have to, I need to beat you two out of three times not only to settle the score between you and I...but to prove that you weren’t going for some ‘easy win’ at one of the biggest shows of the year...AND to show that I have what it takes to rise up and ‘win the big one’, so to speak. I’m not a choke artist, and neither are you. But this time around, I’m going to cut your reign short.

She inhales and exhales quickly.

Fujiko Mine: You obviously have the advantage here, but I’m going into All Star Showdown V with a sledgehammer, ready to break the cage I’ve been kept in.

She chews at the inside of her lip for a second, compiling her thoughts as she stands before the two time Pride champion.

Fujiko Mine: I don’t need to stand here and explain it to you. I think you already know. And I think you’re going into the same show with the same promise: You’re going to beat me and retain the title. But I’m different now than I was then. You’re going to have to bring the fight of your career if you want to turn me away. Even that might not be enough. But I respect you enough to tell you this to your face. I want that championship. I want to be at the top of the Pride Division. And I will fight like my career is in the balance to get it. To say any less, to do any less...is an insult to you.

She doesn’t try any intimidating tactics, nor does she raise her voice. She stays calm, as if she’s talking to Karma about the weather. She doesn’t back away, leaving Karma his avenue to respond.

Initially Karma doesn't say anything, as he distractedly fidgets with his shirt to stop it clinging to his torso with all the humidity in the air

Johnny Karma: That’s the thing, the pair of us want to have the best match at the show, and we don't want it to descend into the kind of thing the New Kings have been pulling time and time again - and that means at some point we’re going to stop acting friendly because eventually somebody has got to lose. And here’s what gets me most about it: at the end of the night we might both have something to be proud of, but one of us is going to have something they will feel a little less proud of because they lost.

Karma pauses, briefly looking up at the night sky as he thinks very carefully about his next words, before he returns his attention to Fuji

Johnny Karma: And that’s where I wonder if we’re really better than they are, because at least they’re being honest with what they’re up to - while we’ve been acting friendly for a few weeks, but it’s guaranteed that will go out the window when it comes to having one fall to crown a winner.

Karma sighs

Johnny Karma: Maybe I’m thinking aloud, or maybe I’m thinking about things too much, but you get where I’m coming from...right?

Fujiko contemplates what Karma is saying, and then furrows her brow. She seems to be searching for a response mentally, and then one catches.

Fujiko Mine: You see, that’s the thing, Johnny. I do see where you’re coming from, and you and I don’t have to devolve into discrediting each other in order to serve our own petty egos. Whether it’s a trick or not, The New Kings can’t do that. Pitted against each other, they could barely wait to play Spy vs. Spy and try and shove a bomb down each other’s pants. You and me? I understand that you want to keep the Pride championship just as I want to take it from you. It’s wrestling. That’s what happens. Someone wins, someone loses. And I am not going to think less of you because you tried to beat me two falls to retain the title you worked so hard for.

She purses her lips together for a moment.

Fujiko Mine: I will, however; think less of you if I don’t get one hundred percent of your effort in a few weeks. I don’t need you trying to pull a ‘Zero’ on me. I’m being completely honest when I say I want your absolute best, because winning that Pride championship from Johnny Karma when he’s at the top of his game is all I want.

Now it’s Fujiko’s turn to sigh.

Fujiko Mine: Thinking about the New Kings and how they run things isn’t going to make our match better. The main event is full of whiny, ego centric, lonely dudes with small equipment trying to out “bro” each other.

She pinches her left thumb and index finger together to illustrate the metaphor.

Fujiko Mine: Before that, Jimmy Page and Chandler Scott are going to absolutely WRECK each other with everything around the ring they can find. They’re going to try and send each other to the hospital. And before that…

Fujiko can’t restrain a smile.

Fujiko Mine: Johnny Karma, the Karmic Lion and current Pride champion, is going to step in the ring with Fujiko Mine, Lady Luck and number one contender. And you’re going to hear “Let’s go Karma, Fujiko! Let’s go Karma, Fujiko!”

The crowd, watching this occur backstage, begins the chant. Johnny, Cherry, and Fujiko can all hear it from where they’re positioned in the arena.

Fujiko Mine: They’ll be chanting that because they will witness the greatest WRESTLING match they’ve seen. Two wrestlers, who came to put on a real show for them, trying to outdo the other for the honor of calling themselves the Pride champion. And for that time, WE will show everyone why the New Kings are just pretenders on thrones of garbage, while the REAL spotlight gets shined on us.

She takes a step closer to Johnny.

Fujiko Mine: And when it’s all over...I’ll reach out, and regardless of the outcome...I will shake your hand, and I will wish you well. Because I am going to give you every single ounce of energy I have in order to call myself the new Pride champion.

Fujiko winks, in anticipation of her next statement.

Fujiko Mine: Which I totally will be, by the way. But Cannon, Zero, and Tony will get their comeuppance. I’m not worried about it. I can’t. I’ve got a match of the year to wrestle, and a championship to win...but I can’t do it without you.

Sensing the encouragement he’s getting, or perhaps the nudge in the ribs Cherry gave him, Karma unbuttons the top button of his shirt to let some of that sweet, sweet night air cool him down a little bit as he looks Fujiko in the eye

Johnny Karma: Darn straight that they’re going to get theirs - what’s bugging me is that it somehow hasn’t happened yet. Call me impatient, but I’m no fan of being kept up all night by the neighbour’s yapping dog - and that’s what they are, a terrier that needs to be taught to sit, stay, roll over and, most importantly, GO AWAY.

Karma mimes shooing a pesky terrier as he says this

Johnny Karma: And since I won’t be in the match to prevent whatever happens from happening, and like heck i’m going to be some sourpuss who rushes the ring because of reasons, instead the best way to undermine everything they want to do is make sure nobody talks about what they did. Make their match an afterthought, or seen as the disappointment it’s been to me since the moment it was signed, walk away with the match people are actually talking about because it was good, rather than a grim farce that doesn’t do much for anybody - especially the parking valet who is suddenly being called to the parking lot ten minutes earlier than expected due to how many people are leaving the arena early and are stuck at the barrier.

There’s a momentary pause as karma thinks of something else

Johnny Karma: Rest assured, I’ll be putting everything I have into this match, not just to swipe the show from under their noses, but because after spending so long in the wilderness before I finally regained this title, I am going to do everything I can to make up for lost time and keep hold of it. I’m not going to justify it like a putz would with some lame “just business” line, instead I’m saying that I’m looking forward to holding this title for some time to come - not least because it aggravates Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dummer to know that not only did I beat Carmine to hold this title, I beat him again to retain it, and the longer I hold the belt the more it will eat them up.

Fujiko takes a second to glance at Cherry, and realizes that she’s made her point.

Fujiko Mine: That’s all I can ask for then. I’m gonna be keeping a close eye on the rest of the show. Hope you two have a great night.

She goes to leave, but makes a false exit.

Fujiko Mine: I’ll see you at All Star Showdown.

She reveals the coy smirk that was not present before. It lasts only for a moment before she exits for real this time.

[FGA Office]

Similar to the TV Taping in Tennessee, a stir comes over the crowd as the intruder has returned again. He steps into the ring and once again commandeers the microphone from J.A. Aldridge.

Kris Cruise: Oh c’mon, didn’t this guy learn his lesson last time?

Anthony Rother: As I was saying…

He paused and took in the moment to receive boos from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Again, can we please get security to usher this fool out of here?

Stephy Auger: You have to ask yourself, how safe are we if he can keep getting into the ring.

Anthony Rother: At the taping in Tennessee, I came out here in an attempt to enlighten everybody about the unfortunate path our sport has taken over the last twenty years. I was trying to give everybody a look underneath the mask that our sport has worn, in order to reveal the true, ugly face of professional wrestling that exists today.

Rother noticed that security has already started making its way towards the ring.

Anthony Rother: Don’t do this gentlemen, I warn you. I have every right, as someone who is actually knowledgeable about this sport and an American, to come out here and exercise my first amendment right. These people have every right to know the truth about Frontier Grappling Arts, and how each and every one of them here tonight and at home watching on WGN, are destroying this sport.

One of the security members has grabbed the bottom rope to pull himself up to the apron. Another commotion comes over the fans near ringside as two masked men quickly hop over the barricades and slide into the ring. The sudden appearance of two additional intruders causes security to halt.

Anthony Rother: You didn’t think… That after I was ushered out of the ring last time, like a common THUG, that I wouldn’t come back without protection did you?

He looks at each member of the security team, who are eying the two men who appear fairly formidable.

Anthony Rother: I am commandeering this ring, and this show, until I am finished with what I have to say.

He paused momentarily to gather his thoughts and begin looking into the cameras.

Anthony Rother: Ah, yes; the trolls, the manipulation. When I stood in this ring one month ago in Tennessee, I was in the middle of telling everybody in the arena the irreparable damage that the so-called “Hardcore” revolution unleashed on our sport. The death and destruction that you people…

He pointed out into the crowd with an accusing finger.

Anthony Rother: CHEERED for; no demanded!!! Well, just like your hardcore heroes died, the garbage style of wrestling that you hungered for couldn’t sustain itself. It became another fad of our sport that faded into oblivion. Oh sure, death matches appear every once in awhile… Like a FREAK SHOW attraction. But it’s not the “in” thing anymore because you can only see so much barbed wire and fire before you get bored with it. Your perverse depravities were fully satisfied, and you wanted something else. So now, this once GLORIOUS sport, which at one time predicated itself on promoting athletes based on the merit of what they could do in the ring, looked to all of you…

He pointed to the crowd once again.

Anthony Rother: To find the next appeal from the fans, for RATINGS!

Rother circled the ring with a mocking furrowed brow.

Anthony Rother: But how could they reach you? How could they find out what YOU wanted?

He paused, as if waiting for some response from the fans.

Anthony Rother: Why, through social media of course. See, never in the history of humankind have “the people” made their wishes clearer. Never before in the long history of this world have “the people” made such huge impacts in what’s marketed to them, what’s monetarily successful, and what’s popular amongst “the people”.

A few mocking cheers are heard from the fans, signifying that they appreciate having their voices heard.

Anthony Rother: And YOUR INFLUENCE…your NEWFOUND POWER is enough to make me SICK!!!

Kris Cruise: What an egomaniac…

Anthony Rother: So now, you ask yourself, ‘Ok idiot, but what does this have to do with professional wrestling? What does this have to do with Frontier Grappling Arts?’ I’ll tell you.

Stephy Auger: This might be good!

Kris Cruise: You can’t be serious.

Anthony Rother: There’s currently a little tournament taking place in FGA; the Dynamic Duos tag team tournament. The inaugural tournament took place in 2013; teams from all over the world entered the tournament in hopes of calling themselves, the first ever, FGA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions. Of course, you would all know this if the backwoods state of South Carolina actually possessed the means of putting DVD technology in your homes.

Fans begin booing at the cheap shot.

Kris Cruise: Did your room have a working TV, by the way? I couldn’t figure out those rabbit ears.

Stephy Auger: Flat screen, HD cable.

Kris Cruise: What?!

Anthony Rother: As I was saying… In the first round of this tournament, a team comprised of Michael Tompkins and Adam Stryker defeated their opponents – Wayne Carruthers and Heather Halliwell. No controversy, no shenanigans – straight up 1-2-3.

Kris Cruise: I need a new travel agent…and by the way, that’s not how I remember that match happening.

Anthony Rother: Bad Attitude wasn’t as lucky in the next round as there was legitimate controversy – a double count out. This could have easily been resolved by making the tag team title match at Above and Beyond a three way dance. But nnnnnoooooooooooooo, the management of Frontier Grappling Arts listened to what you, the fans, were spewing on social media with your cute little tweets, hashtags, and trends. A team that had NO BUSINESS being in that match, after LOSING in the first round, found themselves inserted into the match; Heather Halliwell and Wayne Carruthers – Team #Weather.

Rother chuckled.

Anthony Rother: I guess, if you put a hashtag in front of your name then management will do what it needs to in order to keep you relevant because it makes for an easy twitter trend. Looking at you Kevin Hardaway…

Kris Cruise: Who does this guy think he is? To walk in here and---

Stephy Auger: Will you shut up for one moment? And we use the same travel agent; you just don’t know how to book a good room.

Anthony Rother: Oh, but there’s more. Carruthers and Halliwell make an easy target for their pathetic pandering to you, the twitter trolls, with their precious hashtag name, and that horrid Wayne’s World show that was full of whining and moaning, ugh!!! But there was another reason that you DEMANDED that management placed this unworthy team in the tag team title match.

Anthony Rother: Before Twitter, Facebook, and whatever the hell else the sheep in this company are using to cater to you trolls, wrestlers used to pack their bags and hit the road after a show. They got time away from the ring and the decent fans that existed thirty years ago, who respected their craft enough to allow them time to recharge, spent time with their families, or whatever they pleased. Today the power of social media puts the demand on them to create their own twitter profiles, and appeal to you by retweeting your mindless thoughts. This makes you feel cool, and keeps them relevant. What’s worse? They post every nauseating moment of their mundane lives. There exists no private life for a professional wrestler anymore. So, what should have been a PRIVATE relationship matter between two wrestlers became public. The trolls and the idiots DEMANDED to see it play out in the ring, so there was another reason that Heather Halliwell was placed in that match.

Stephy Auger: Ok, this might be taking it too far.

Anthony Rother: I won’t mention the name, because unlike all of you, I actually have respect for a man’s private life.

Kris Cruise: Ha! And you would be in fear for yours if you mentioned that name.

A man who appears to be the head of security has made his way down to the ring. He unleashes his anger and frustration on his team, who have stood their ground, but not made any attempt to put a stop to the interruption. Rother wagged a warning finger to security.

Anthony Rother: Don’t do this, for you own safety, you will let me continue.

The head of security motions toward the entrance way and two additional men begin coming down the aisle.

Stephy Auger: Looks like our security team learned their lesson from the last show.

Kris Cruise: These two guys are local wrestlers who the fans saw in action earlier in the night for a special tag team match.

The two men walk to the ring and begin climbing the apron.

Anthony Rother: Oh, look at this! Local talent? More like fresh meat! Gentlemen, if you wish to go home to your families instead of a hospital, I implore you to back off.

The men look towards the security head who responds with a signal for them to end the madness. They both enter at once; the masked men immediately dart to the left and right sides of the ring, meeting their prey as they slide in through the bottom ropes. They’re greeted with quick stomps to the back of their heads. Two more local wrestlers quickly run down the aisle and slide to stop the assault. The masked man on the left side receives a few punches to the back of the head; barely fazed he turns and nails the local grappler with a vicious clothesline, which nearly flips him over. The man on the right fares no better as he’s met with a quick roundhouse kick that knocks him cold.

Kris Cruise: These local guys have heart, but they’re quickly being decimated, we might be running out of bodies.

Stephy Auger: This is ridiculous, how much did we pay these guys for that match?

The two men grab one of the motionless grapplers and drag him over to the middle of the ring. Rother can be heard shouting orders to them.

Anthony Rother: Usually, when there are contract negotiations, everything is put into writing…but I was the unknown addition!

One of the men heads to a corner and slowly begins to ascend to the top rope.

Anthony Rother: Usually, when you make a return to FGA, there’s an official announcement…but we didn’t want it that way!

The other man grabs his helpless prey and lifts him to his feet.

Anthony Rother: Usually, there are rumors floating around on social media…but we are the social media outcasts!

The masked man on the turnbuckle shouts to his partner, and he responds by bending his victim down into a powerbomb position.

Anthony Rother: But this is not the usual return…

The wrestler is lifted up, and the man on the turnbuckle accentuates the stiff power bomb with a top rope somersault neck breaker.

Kris Cruise: WHAT?!?!?!?!

Stephy Auger: No WAY! I thought they were dead!!!

The fans are all on their feet, a few long time FGA followers in the crowd begin jumping up and down. Others remain booing, or are just simply confused.

Anthony Rother: Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you… THE USUAL SUSPECTS!!!!

The two men pull off their masks, revealing the duo of Jason Marx and Chris Tryon, former FGA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champions.

Kris Cruise: I can’t believe it…it’s really them.

Anthony Rother: They have returned, not to be heroes for you anymore… They have returned, not to appease you for favorites and retweets on social media. They are now the newest signees to this PATHETIC tag team division; they are now under my guidance, and they are here to bring forth a RENNAISANCE to a once proud division, which is sorely in need of a reality check. We are the vigilantes of truth; we will march our way to the promise land – match by match by match, and you will enter this ring against them at your own risk!

Rother drops the microphone and walks over to the Suspects, triumphantly raising their arms. Fans who knew these men are in shock while others are confused.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Kevin Hardaway vs. Nero

Silence and darkness. There is nothing. But soon, there is a single clap. A slow clap... that soon escalates into the beginning of Lady GaGa's "Applause". Red and white lights change rapidly, fluttering throughout the darkness. As soon as the chorus begins, the lights go pitch black. That is until the fast pace of the music picks back up and a single light shines from beneath the entrance area. A silhouette stands, motionless, one hand upon one hip, the other throw to the heavens. As the song returns to the chorus, the lights regain their rapid fluttering between red and white lights, and the face of the man known simply as Nero begins his strut to the ring. His face is cold and stoic, absorbing the malice from the audience. They hurl insults and boos at him, and he drinks it up.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Arkham, Massachusetts! Weighing in at 192 pounds! He is “THE LEPER MESSIAH”... NERO!

Once he reaches the ring the slides under and crawls to the center of the ring, remaining on his knees as the music continues and the lights continue to flutter around him. The boos and the jeers get louder and louder as he continues to stay there, on his knees, in the center of the ring, until the music stops. The lights go dark, save for a single spotlight lighting him from below and to the side, his shadow masking part of the audience. A microphone from above comes to rest just in front of his face as the Leper Messiah himself slowly begins his tirade against humanity.

Kris Cruise: It was two weeks ago that Nero ended his… I don’t even know what you’d call it… with Aries Reed as he defeated him two weeks ago. But now, Nero is stepping into the ring with a much different animal in Kevin Hardaway.

Stephy Auger: Oh, you know Hardaway is sour after coming up short two weeks ago in the Dynamic Duos semis. Hardaway’s gonna be looking to take out some much needed aggression on “The Leper Messiah.” But that might be easier said than done. We’ve seen what happens when the grapplers here in GA have overlooked Nero in the past.

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: And his opponent, from Baltimore, Maryland! Weighing in at 223 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.

The bell sounds as both men begin to match trading punches back and forth.

Kris Cruise: These two aren’t wasting any time! They’re going right at it!

Nero lands a right hand. Hardaway responds with one of his own. Nero lands another right hand. Hardaway responds with one of his own. Nero goes to throw another punch, but Hardaway blocks and counters with one of his own. Nero throws another punch. But again, Hardaway blocks and counters with a punch of his own. Nero readies his fist. But Hardaway beats him to the punch with another right hand. Hardaway socks him with another punch… and another… and another… and another. Hardaway swings for the knockout blow. But Nero ducks and counters with a backhand slap across the face.

Stephy Auger: Uh oh…

Kris Cruise: That’s not going to go over well with Hardaway...

Hardaway turns back to Nero and gets caught with another backhand slap across the face.

Kris Cruise: Neither is that!

Nero then takes Hardaway and goes for an irish whip. But Hardaway reverses, sending him into the ropes. When Nero returns, Hardaway turns him inside out with a lariat to cheers from the crowd. He reaches down, picks up Nero, delivers a double leg pick-up and rams him back-first into the corner. From there, Hardaway unleashes a series of shoulder thrusts to the midsection. He then stands up and fires away with repeated elbows smashes to the face. After a spinning back kick doubles Nero over, Hardaway applies a clinch before delivering hard knee strikes to the face. The last of which causes Nero to collapse on all fours. Hardaway steps back before delivering a punt kick to the ribs so hard that Nero is knocked through the ropes and onto the apron. Hardaway stops and looks around at the adoring crowd.

Kris Cruise: This crowd is hot for Kevin Hardaway. But he’s not going to let these cheers sidetrack him from giving Nero the business!

Hardaway steps out onto the apron and puts the boots to Nero. As Hardaway reaches down and pulls Nero up, Nero rakes him across before dropping him with a DDT on the apron.

Kris Cruise: Nero with the DDT!

Stephy Auger: he just planted Hardaway right on the hardest part of the ring!

The crowd boos as Nero picks Hardaway off the floor before rolling him back into the ring. He then rolls back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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Hardaway gets his shoulder up.

Nero picks up Hardaway, moves him into the corner and delivers assorted kicks to the midsection. He then takes Hardaway and whips him into the opposite corner. Nero runs across the ring, but Hardaway catches him with a back elbow to the face. After stumbling back, Nero runs back into the corner. This time, Hardaway catches him with a boot to the face. After stumbling back, Nero runs back over towards the corner. The crowd cheers as Hardaway runs out of the corner and throws him down with an STO. He then picks up Nero and whips him back across the ring into the corner. Hardaway then runs across the ring and nearly takes his head off with a running European Uppercut. Hardaway then grabs Nero by the wrist, brings him from out of the corner and nearly takes his head off with a short-arm Decap Lariat. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

Nero gets his shoulder up.

Hardaway looks down and shakes his head. He then yanks up Nero and whips him into the ropes. When Nero returns, Hardaway doubles him over with another spinning back kick to the midsection. He then follows up with a stomp to the back of the head, following by a rolling elbow that knocks him down to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Good God, he just clobbered Nero with that rolling elbow!

Hardaway reaches down, brings Nero back to his feet, lifts him up and delivers the Lights Out Brainbuster. He then picks Nero back up, lifts him up onto his shoulders and throws him down with authority with the Williams Driver.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“Free Bird” blasts over the PA as the crowd explodes with cheers.

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

Hardaway gets his arm raised while the crowd continues to cheer.

Kris Cruise: Hardaway picks up the win after an impressive performance over Nero. The former Pride Champion went in there and absolutely wrecked shop relatively short order. So Hardaway bounces back and picks up the win. But where does he go from here? I guess we’ll find that out in the week’s to come...

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage following a hard fought match between Kevin Hardaway and Nero to find one half of the FGA World Tag Team Champions, Ricky Valero wandering the hallways alone. He’s still dripping of sweat from his own match earlier in the evening, with a black t-shirt clutching his body as a result.

As he starts to turn the corner, he sees his tag partner, Luke Jackson, standing there in front of a television monitor accompanied by a few backstage personnel. Ricky turns back and makes something of an irritated scowl. He apparently has no interest in interacting with his partner this evening and starts to head the opposite direction to avoid him.

Suddenly, he’s interrupted by Spencer Burke who is headed his way from down the hall.

Spencer Burke: Ricky Valero, forgive me for interrupting you, but would you mind answering a few questions for me?

Ricky hesitates for a moment, looking a bit perturbed, but obliges nonetheless with a nod of his head. He leans against the concrete block wall behind him.

Spencer Burke: Fantastic! Well, tonight we witness the final-round matchup of the Dynamic Duos tournament where the team of Status Quo will square off with Le Pacte de Immortels to decide who will go onto All-Star Showdown V to face yourself and Luke Jackson for the FGA World Tag Team Championships. What are your thoughts heading into this match tonight?

Ricky smirks.

Ricky Valero: One more match, Spence. One more match tonight to reveal just who our opponents will be at All-Star Showdown V. Status Quo has looked like the team to beat since the beginning, but we would be fools to overlook Le Pacte de Immortels. They have proven to be a legitimate threat, both in this tournament and on the tag scene when this is all said and done. Everyone knew what to expect from Cordy and Herrera. Lady Magdalena and Sophie El woke us up to what they were capable of too.

Spencer Burke: Indeed both teams have proven to be superb competitors in this tournament. Would you care to make a prediction for tonight’s match?

Ricky rolls his eyes and shakes his head.

Ricky Valero: I would not. This match could go either way and you and I both know that. For me, it doesn’t matter which team wins. Luke and myself, we have to prepare for both and go into our match well prepared with victory a mere certainty. For us, tonight is an opportunity to get our last little bit of scouting done. Either of these teams are going to be gunning for our gold. Gold we scratched and clawed and fought so hard for. Luke and myself have grown to be one of the best tag teams in the world today, and we will do everything we have to to ensure we may continue to reign as such. Whether it be Status Quo or Le Pacte de Immortels, we’ll come to that ring ready to play and expecting every possible thing they could throw at us. It could be a match no one will ever forget, but we will be ready.

Without another word, Ricky walks away from the FGA reporter, but not before shooting one peculiar look at Luke before heading in the opposite direction.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Molly Reid vs. Sara Cochran

"Pity Party" by Melanie Martinez hits, and the top of the ramp fills with smoke. Sara Cochran strolls through the curtain, and emerges from the smoke to a negative reaction from the FGA faithful. She points to her earmuffs, motioning to the fans to boo as loud as they want, it won't matter to her.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Bellevue, Washington... SARA COCHRAN!

Cochran makes her way down the ramp, singing her entrance music to herself before she walks up the ring steps and wipes her feet on the apron, then enters the ring. Heading to her corner, she climbs up to the second turnbuckle, and blows a sarcastic kiss towards the stands before hopping off to await the start of her match.

Kris Cruise: Sara Cochran seems ready for this match tonight, Stephy. She’s had some harsh words to share with Molly during the week, as well as some barbs aimed in Nero Darling’s direction.

Stephy Auger: Nothing that they didn’t need to hear, Kris. But these fans have turned their back on Sara Cochran, she doesn’t need to impress them anymore.

Kris Cruise: They turned their back on her? Is that really how you see it?

The lights in the arena dim as Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry begins to play over the loudspeakers in the arena. A spotlight appears on the stage as Molly Reid walks out in her wrestling gear, bouncing around with a happy grin on her face, singing along to the song. She walks down the ramp to cheers from the crowd, reaching out and high fiving some of them.

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, from Los Angeles, California… MOLLY REID!

She slides into the ring and jumps up, holding her arms in the air as the crowd cheers loudly. Molly runs to a turnbuckle and jumps onto the second rope, posing for the crowd once more, before climbing down and moving to her corner.

Stephy Auger: In two weeks Molly gets her undeserved title shot against her friend, Annie Zellor. But for tonight she has a real challenge on her hands.

Kris Cruise: Dupree. And Sara Cochran isn’t a pushover by any means. Both of these competitors will have to dig deep tonight; the momentum they gain from this win can carry them into All Star Showdown V in two weeks time.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring for a few moments before locking up collar and elbow. They jockey for position until Cochran sneaks in an arm drag, sending her opponent across the ring. Molly goes to get back to her feet, but as she turns back to Sara, she sees Cochran with her arms raised in the air celebrating getting the upper hand.

Reid gets back to her feet and approaches her opponent, locking up with another collar and elbow tie up before Molly goes behind with a rear waist lock. She goes for a German suplex, but Sara manages to land on her feet. Molly gets back up as well, just in time to duck the clothesline that comes her way before firing off a spinning heel kick. Cochran gets right back up as Molly fires off some elbow strikes, forcing her opponent back against the ropes. An Irish whip ensues and Cochran is sent across the ring, coming back into the path of a leg lariat! Again she gets back up as Molly lashes out with a roundhouse – but Cochran ducks and rolls out of the ring.

Stephy Auger: Sara Cochran taking a breather, very clever.

Reid looks frustrated, kicking the bottom rope as Sara moves another step away from the ring. The count-out begins as Molly waits for her opponent to get back into the squared circle. But by the count of four, she decides it might be better to give chase. As they get half way around, however, Sara rolls back into the ring. Molly follows her in, only to get stomped across the back of the head a couple of times. The fans boo, but not quite as loud as they do when she applies a rear chinlock.

Stephy Auger: Cochran might want to keep Molly grounded in this match, slow the match down and work at a pace she’s comfortable with.

Kris Cruise: She’s just going to try and get under Molly’s skin like she’s managed to do with the fans in recent weeks.

Molly begins to fight back though, as expected. Working her way up to a vertical base, Molly fires off a couple of back elbows to the gut before she manages to push Cochran away and against the ropes. A hip toss takes Cochran down, only for her to get back up. Molly leaps up with a dropkick, sending Sara back into the corner, where she finds herself on the receiving end of a jumping splash! Cochran stumbles out of the corner, right into a snap suplex as Molly floats over into a pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sara kicks out.

Molly drags her opponent back to her feet and throws her back into the corner, unleashing several shoots kicks to the chest. A feint Irish whip follows as Molly drives a knee up into the gut, followed by a spinning neckbreaker. Molly goes for the cover again.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sara kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Some fast paced offense by Molly as she’s looking to finish this one early.

Stephy Auger: She’ll have to do more than that if she wants to beat Sara Cochran.

Again, Molly drags her opponent back to her feet, but Sara rakes her across the eyes. Another boo from the fans before Cochran performs a headlock takedown. The side headlock is kept on as Cochran keeps her opponent grounded for a little while longer. But after a while Molly manages to get her legs around the neck of Cochran, forcing a break. Both competitors scramble back to their feet as Molly charges at her opponent with a clothesline. Sara ducks underneath the arm as Molly hits the ropes, only to get taken down by a drop toe hold.

Sara moves towards the legs, driving Molly’s knee down into the mat several times. A few stomps follow as Cochran targets the joint, before applying a spinning toe hold. Molly manages to kick her away with her good leg, and with enough force to push Sara through the middle rope and onto the apron. She picks herself right back up though as Molly does the same in the ring. Cochran jumps up onto the top rope and springboards in with a missile dropkick to the knee! A hook of the leg and she goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Molly kicks out!

Undeterred, Sara gets right back up and grabs the leg once more. This time she opts for some elbow drops, before finally applying a leg lock. The referee checks for the submission, but Molly doesn’t want to give in that easily. She finally begins to fight back again, firing off some elbows to the head of Sara Cochran until the hold is broken.

Kris Cruise: Molly Reid fighting her way out of all these submission holds here.

Both competitors move towards their vertical base as Molly lunges forward with a clothesline. But it’s clumsy; her knee nearly buckles beneath her, allowing Sara the chance to hit the ropes for a chopblock.

Cochran gets back to her feet to taunt the fans, asking if they know what kind of person they’re supporting. This only draws more jeers from the crowd, so Cochran goes back to work, dropping several high speed spinning elbows down across the sternum of her opponent. And the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Molly kicks out!

This time Cochran appears frustrated. She drags Molly up by the hair and sends her against the ropes with an Irish whip. Sara lowers her head for the back body drop, but it’s scouted easily. Molly counters with a DDT! And it takes a moment, but she finally drapes an arm across the chest.

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

Stephy Auger: Sara Cochran kicks out in the nick of time.

Kris Cruise: She lowered her head too early, and Molly nearly made her pay for that mistake. But this match continues, who can gain the upper hand here?

Molly rolls towards the ropes, using them to pick herself back up to her feet as Sara gets back to her feet on the other side of the ring. The knee is causing her some discomfort, but Molly manages to charge at her opponent – NO! Cochran goes low, rolling Molly through into a single leg crab!

Stephy Auger: Coch Crusher!

But before the hold can really be applied, Molly grabs hold of the bottom rope. The referee counts for the break; Sara keeps hold until four before she finally releases it. The crowd boo again as she stomps at the knee of Molly Reid even more, before dragging her back to her feet again. An Irish whip sends Reid towards the corner as Cochran follows her in with a running dropkick. Which is followed by another running dropkick. Cochran makes her across the ring again, coming back for a third dropkick – but Molly moves out of the way! Sara hits the turnbuckle and falls to the mat, hitting the back of her head against the canvas…

Kris Cruise: Nobody home! And I wonder if Sara Cochran will complain about a broken neck after that fall.

Stephy Auger: That’s not funny, Kris. She could have been seriously injured in that match against Noelle.

Neither competitor is quick back to their feet, but it’s Molly who gets there first. She drags herself up using the ropes as Sara is doing the same in the corner. With a rear waistlock applied, Molly tries for a German suplex – NO! Sara keeps holds of the top rope before firing off some elbows to the face. Molly staggers back a couple of steps as Sara charges in, only to get caught by an overhead belly to belly suplex!

Molly moves across the ring and hooks the leg as she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Sara kicks out!

Kris Cruise: So close!

Molly sits up and looks disappointed; the crowd’s cheers perk her right back up, however, as Molly moves towards the corner to stand back up. That knee causing her more pain as she takes a moment to rub it. Cochran forces herself back to her feet, staggering towards the center of the ring as Molly rushes forward – right into a basement dropkick from Cochran! It drops Molly to one knee, before the hurricanrana driver sends her face first into the mat! A cover by Sara Cochran!

ONE!
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.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Molly gets the shoulder up in the nick of time. But Cochran drags her back to her feet before hitting the snapmare. A kick to the spine keeps Molly grounded as Sara runs against the ropes, springboarding off with a quebrada – but she overshoots it! Sara lands behind her opponent as she applies a rear chinlock – drawing more boos from the crowd. She changes her grip, lifting Molly to a vertical base with an inverted facelock applied. A reverse suplex by Sara Cochran fails as Molly lands on her feet. Cochran turns around, and immediately gets caught by a Molly Kick! She hits the mat as Molly falls down on top of her.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!!!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, MOLLY REID!

Stephy Auger: She stole the win out from under Sara Cochran there.

Kris Cruise: The Molly Kick out of nowhere is enough to keep Cochran down for the three count, and Molly Reid has more momentum behind her as she’s going into All Star Showdown.

[FGA Office]

Jimmy Page: They can fine me...they can take everything from me.

The camera slowly pans down to Jimmy Page, who's sitting down on the floor of the hallway. He has his things sprawled on the floor, seeming to have dressed in the same exact spot. He continues...

Jimmy Page: They could take everything from me, and still...I would do everything into my power to make your life Hell, Scott. Every step you take, every move you partake, I want to be there hopefully to ruin your life. See, they can take whatever amount of money out of my pocket at this point. As long as I get to you, it doesn't matter to me, y'know? I would do this for FREE...if I wanted to. I want to get rid of you so bad. Because I want to close this chapter in my life.

Page points at the camera.

Jimmy Page: All Star Showdown, I'm planning your execution. I have it mapped out, inside of my head, right--

Page taps his forehead, glaring into the camera lens.

Jimmy Page:Right here. I can hear the way you're going to SCREAM when I tear flesh from your body; I can feel my hands around your neck, squeezing as hard as I can...until your perfect shade of white turns PINK; GASPING for life!!! I can hear your thoughts Chandler, asking yourself, "What in the Hell have I gotten myself into?!" And I've got the answer to that: YOU'VE GOTTEN YOURSELF INTO A WAR!!!! And it's one you aren't going to win. Chivalry Is Dead, I unleash hatred I've had for you for over a YEAR!!! And GOD...I'm gonna enjoy every moment of it!!!

Page keeps his eyes on the camera, breathing heavily as he scowls slightly. He tilts his head to the left, closing his eyes. He opens them, showing nothing but disdain for the man who costed him everything.

Jimmy Page: So they can take anything they want from me; But they can't take this match away from me. And I know I'm not the only one who wants this, am I Scott...?

Page lets out a soft chuckle.

Jimmy Page: The stage has been set, man...the stage...has been set. And we're place the climax...and nearing the end. Just so happens, one of us isn't getting a HAPPY ENDING.

Page places his head against the wall behind him. He begins to slowly bang it against the brick. The camera slowly backs away, keeping focus on Page. The scene then fades away to black.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]