Vertigo (8.6.16)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

FGA opens up to see a familiar face, sitting quietly the locker room. Of course, the dark-haired Canadian was preparing for her match where a mixed crowd reaction aroused from the arena. What a wild week it had been since she had debuted. She was already ready to compete, there wasn’t much of a wait until she ended up back in the ring—her match is next. Pacing back and forth Ryan’s face told the story of someone who was looking to get back on the right track, no soon after losing to Dom Harter.

Ryan LeCavalier: …I think I’m ready to go.

Just then, the locker room door opens. The brunette tresses of the FGA Pride champion precede Fujiko herself. The crowd at ringside cheers wildly as they can see her come in. She’s wearing a Ryan LeCavalier shirt. She seems to have anticipated that she would find Ryan here, as her eyes light up nicely as Ryan enters her visual.

Fujiko Mine: Hey, Ryan! How you feeling?

Ryan looks back, noticing Fujiko walked in, there was a slight smile that soon fades as she speaks.

Ryan LeCavalier: I’m dealing. Focused on rebounding from last week, I’ve got to make up for last week.

Fujiko gives her a nod. She keeps her eyes trained on Ryan’s fallen smile, and her smile falls as well.

Fujiko Mine: Right. I know that. You’ve got an amazing chance to turn things around, and you’re going to do that.

Fujiko elects to not move forward or away from Ryan.

Fujiko Mine: That match last Vertigo still put you on the map, Ryan. You’ll get the win here, and beyond. I just know it.

Ryan gives Fujiko a meager look as she’s rolling her wrist, stretching them out. Ryan’s expression was far away and out of touch.

Ryan LeCavalier: …Noted. I had him exactly where I wanted him, I took my eye off the ball for a second and he capitalized. Just imagine if he decided to gloat. I know I can beat him...

Fujiko turns her eyes away. She was all too familiar with Ryan’s predicament.

Fujiko Mine: I know the feeling. There are couple of people I was on the verge of beating, and either their lackey got in the way, or I got in my own way.

She nervously drums her thumbs on the threshold of the door.

Fujiko Mine: But I got over that, just like you will. You haven’t let small setbacks like that get in your way, so I’m sure you won’t start now!

Fujiko shifts her weight so that she isn’t leaned up against the jamb.

Fujiko Mine: You can’t dwell on things like that, Ryan. You’re better than that. We both know it. Rick Young is gonna learn you mean business!

Ryan nodded agreeing with what Fujiko said, it was well placed, but Ryan’s focus seemed a little dismissive.

Ryan LeCavalier: That’s the plan. It’s all going to erupt tonight, I feel like last week couldn’t have picked a better time to happen. Sure, Dom won but if we ever get back into the ring with one another I’ll know exactly what to expect.

Fujiko said nothing, her eyes carefully studying her friend for a bit before she shifts her weight again.

Fujiko Mine: Alright, uh...cool. I’m gonna go find a nice place to watch you work, okay? I’ll come find you after the match?

Fujiko takes a step back from the door, allowing Ryan a clear path to exit.

Ryan LeCavalier: Yeah…

Ryan paused before taking her leave through the door looking back at Fujiko.

Ryan LeCavalier: Hey, Fujiko…I know this is out of left field, but did it ever become any easier for you?

Fujiko furrows her brow for a second. Her gaze falls to the floor before she can think of an answer.

Fujiko Mine: Honestly? No. It doesn’t get easy. FGA hasn’t been easy since I stepped foot in here. Since day one, people have been trying to kill my morale and downplay my accomplishments, both in and out of the ring. Mid Atlantic Legacy championship, Fujiko Friday, Iron woman of the Gold Rush Rumble, and now Pride champion? According to some of these idiots, I’m still terrible. I bust my butt harder than anyone in this company, and I get no respect from some of them in return. But the fans know. The fans care. They fans know I am one of the best things going, despite subtweeted opinions. They haven’t made it easier, Ryan...but they have made it worth it.

Fujiko exhales shortly, then draws her gaze up to the ceiling.

Fujiko Mine: I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I never wanted to come into FGA and just blaze my way to the top in like, six months. That’s fine for some people, but I didn’t want it that way. I wanted them to get used to me, to watch me grow with them. I wanted them to see that I am more than just a flash in the pan. I didn’t want them to think I was just some chick who was going to get to the top and flame out. I was going to build a legacy that they could enjoy and find pride in. So I worked, and I continue to work hard. I’ll work myself past the point of exhaustion to win the Frontier Lions’ Cup, and then the world title...for them. It’ll be their reward for putting their faith in me.

She gently presses her hand over her heart, her eyes coming down to meet Ryan’s.

Ryan LeCavalier: I suppose that sort of puts things into perspective…

Opening the door Ryan exits the locker room, heading off to the ring leaving Fujiko with a slightly quizzical look.

[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

Orleans Arena
Las Vegas, NV

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Vertigo! I'm Kris Cruise and joining me as as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! We are just two weeks away from Above & Beyond V, which is shaping up to be one of the biggest events of the year!

Stephy Auger: It definitely is. You not only have the Frontier Lions Cup, which is going to see one grappler go through three matches in one night to win that coveted Frontier Lions Cup trophy. But you've also got the Triple Threat Match for the FGA World Championship! We were cheated out of it at All-Star Showdown V due to Tony Carmine's unfortunate injury. But as we saw last week, he's as fit as a fiddle. He's back and he's ready to win that FGA World Championship!

Kris Cruise: Well Tony will be in action tonight as he takes on the current Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, Annie Zellor, right here in tonight's main event. But that's not all. There's another man in that Triple Threat Match who is going to be in action tonight and that's Zero McHannon!

Stephy Auger: Zero McHannon is highly opinionated. He'll run is mouth day and night and will dare anyone to try and shut him up. Tonight, Johnny Karma, the real loudmouth of FGA, is going to try and silence McHannon here tonight. Key word being "try".

Kris Cruise: Also here tonight, the reigning WLW Tag Team Champions, RubyWay will be in tag team action. Of course, they'll be defending their titles in that Winner Take All Triple Threat Tag Match at Above & Beyond V. That match also features the current FGA World Tag Team Champions, Status Quo and the former champs, The Next Level. But back to RubyWay. There's been a thorn in their side for several weeks now by the name of Anthony Rother, the new manager of the returning Usual Suspects. But that thorn has been removed from the equation. In fact, it's going to be handcuffed to the ring post tonight as his Suspects take on RubyWay!

Stephy Auger: Talk about cruel and unusual punishment. Anthony Rother is a law abiding citizen! He pays his taxes! He's an upstanding member of society! He doesn't deserve to be handcuffed like a common criminal. Do you know what someone like Ruby Tyler would do if she got her hands on him?

Kris Cruise: I do! Which is why myself, and everyone in this arena, can't wait to see her get her hands on him!

Stephy Auger: Rother is right. You're mutants. You're all a bunch of mutants!

Kris Cruise: Also here tonight, Chandler Scott is in action as he takes on one half of the Next Level, Luke Jackson. Both of those men have huge matches coming up at the Pay per View. A win here tonight would give an extra bit of momentum heading into the Above & Beyond V. We've also got Savannah Taylor, yet another Frontier Lions Cup competitor and a Las Vegas native, facing off against Salem Cartier for the third time here tonight. We've got a ton of action coming to you tonight from inside the Orleans Arena!. So let's not waste anymore time! Let's send it to the ring where J.A. Aldridge is ready to give the in-ring introductions...

[FGA Office]

Ryan LeCavalier vs. Rick Young

“Stonefist” By HEALTH’s echoic machine-like tones come echoing their way into the venue. The lights dim down towards complete darkness, as piercing purple strobe lights flood the crowd from the entrance way, smoke bellows from the entrance way into the clearing of the entrance’s opening; intending on sending chills down the spine of those in attendance.

And though we know how far we've come

We stay possessed by what we lost

And we both know, love's not in our hearts

And we both know, love's not in our hearts

And we both know, love's not in our hearts

And we both know, love's not in our hearts

Ryan steps through the curtains into the entrance backwards. She pauses for a second, then turns around revealing a sly smirk and her signature aviator sunglasses that reflect the lighting that flashes in sequences, the entire venue turns a deep purple as she’s strolling to ringside nonchalantly. Ryan reaches out to several fans showing them a bit of appreciation, slapping some of their hands, coming to an abrupt full stop as the ring lies ahead of her.

J.A. Aldridge: Our opening contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, now residing out of Miami, Florida by way of Vancouver, British Columbia! Weighing in at 135 pounds! She is “The Last Monarch”... RYAN LECAVALIER!

We're never going backwards

We're never growing young (not in our hearts)

We're never coming back here

Remember, love's not in our hearts

Ryan walks to the front of the crowd running at the apron and sliding onto it, she slowly comes to standing as she brought her arms behind her back before stepping through the ropes effortlessly. Once in the ring walks toward the adjacent set of ropes climbing the turnbuckle, placing one foot on the very top as her other leg supports her standing there. Extending both arms out she poses for the fans that shower her with a mixed reaction that was to be expected. Dropping down from the turnbuckle she readied herself for the opening bell by throwing punches and kicks, warming up her limbs for what should be an interesting contest.

Kris Cruise: Two weeks we saw Ryan LeCavalier make her official FGA in-ring debut against Dom Harter, and while things may not have gone her way that night, she’s determined to make up for it tonight.

Stephy Auger: She came close to beating the former World champion several times, but Harter lucked out that night. Tonight, however, she’s up against another newcomer to FGA in Rick Young; he didn’t have the best of luck in his FGA debut against Evan Envi, but he’ll be hungry for a victory tonight.

Kris Cruise: Two veterans of the ring as well, Stephy, with over twenty years of experience between them.

Stephy Auger: Absolutely.

Just before the lights in the arena dim even further, smoke starts to fill the entrance area catching the fans attention. While they are watching entrance for any sign of movement, the PA system unleashes what is best described as a “slashing” sound. Which triggers blood red lighting to come on giving the smoke an eerie blood color hue.

I’m so bored with
This world that spins around me
Used to make me dizzy
And I’m so tired of
These girls that hang around me
Used to drive me crazy

Near the :45 second mark of Halestorm’s “Mayhem (Razor Mix)”, Rick Young steps through the curtain to a “dead fish” reaction. Rick doesn’t seem affected to much by the lack of a response as he just stands at the top of the ramp way.

Moving tensions
Want me in a spiral
I’m waiting to unravel
Twisted motives
Drive me in a circle
I’m dying to untangle

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, from Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at 225 pounds … ‘THE RAZOR’ RICK YOUNG!

Surprisingly, Rick doesn’t try to endear himself to the fans on his walk down to the ring. He keeps his focus on the ring razor sharp.

A little Mayhem never hurt anyone

When am I gonna get some

A little bedlam ‘til I’m coming undone

Where am I gonna get some

A little Mayhem never hurt anyone

How am I gonna get some, get some, get some

A little bedlam ‘til I’m coming undone

How am I gonna get some, get some, get some, oh, oh, oh

As he gets to the bottom of the short ramp way the lights in the arena return to normal and he takes off his customized Hugo Boss sunglasses. It looks like he is going to place them in his leather jacket, but much to the shock of everyone in the arena he hands them to a random fan sitting in the front row.

I wanna feel the rave house
I wanna hear the uproar
A little pandemonium
I know I’m not the only one
I wanna be thrown away
I wanna feel the walls shake
I wanna feel the walls shake
I wanna feel the walls shakin’, shakin’, shakin’, shakin’
1, 2, 3, 4, oh

After handing the sunglasses off the fan he takes off his jacket and tosses it down on to the nearest set of ring steps. Before rolling in to the ring where he quickly pops up to his feet. Rick cracks his neck to the side a couple of times as he scans the arena, but ultimately heads to one of the corners where he drops down in to a sitting position. As he sits there he reaches out with both of his heads to grab the middle rope as he awaits the opening bell.

Kris Cruise: Both competitors are in the ring, now lets get this show underway!

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors emerge from their corners, circling one another before eventually coming together for a collar and elbow tie up. The fans here in Las Vegas are torn between who to cheer for, so it’s fairly evenly split throughout the crowd as they watch Rick Young gain the upper hand; he dives around the back of his opponent with a hammerlock submission hold as LeCavalier looks for a way out. She soon manages to find out, reversing the hold into a hammerlock of her own.

Stephy Auger: Both these wrestlers are technically sound in the ring, especially on the mat. It’ll be interesting to see who comes out on top of this one.

Her advantage doesn’t last long, however, as Rick spins out of it and applies a side headlock. He wrenches it in tight as he poses for the fans, drawing a small cheer from them, before LeCavalier begins to fight her way out. A couple of elbows to the midsection weaken Rick’s grip as he’s pushed away against the ropes, and he gets caught by an arm drag takedown. He gets right back up, but again Ryan hits an arm drag, this time keeping hold for the arm bar submission attempt.

Young manages to work his way back up to a kneeling position as the arm bar transitions into a wrist lock, as Ryan shoots off a couple of kicks to the chest. They’re enough to keep Young stationary for a moment as LeCavalier goes against the ropes for momentum, coming back with a double elbow smash to the face. Down goes Young, and he gets covered for the first pin attempt.

ONE!
.
.
Rick Young kicks out.

LeCavalier doesn’t stop, though, instead choosing to sit her opponent up as she applies a rear chinlock. It doesn’t take long for Rick to fight his way out of this one as well, standing up as Ryan struggles to keep the hold locked in. The larger Young manages to charges backwards into the corner, crushing his opponent against the turnbuckles. The crowd cheer again as he unleashes a series of knife edge chops to the chest!

Young goes for an Irish whip, only to feint as he brings LeCavalier in close with a knee lift to the midsection. It takes the wind out of her as Young then proceeds to hit the ropes, coming back with a running knee lift to the face! That one sends LeCavalier crashing down to her back as Young carries on running, rebounding off the ropes with a knee lift the face. And he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Ryan kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Both competitors trying to end this match early on, but only a one count each.

LeCavalier rolls towards the ropes as Young stays on her, peppering her with shots to the back as she tries to stand back up. But they’re coming too thick and fast for her to fight them off; the shots keeps Ryan down in a kneeling position as Rick eventually chooses to pick her up and whip her across the ring. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker follows as Young brings his opponent crashing down; LeCavalier rolls away clutching at her lower back, but still young persists, targeting the area with several knee drops.

LeCavalier rolls away towards the ropes, using them to drag herself up as Young moves in closer, driving a knee to the side that knocks Ryan out through the middle rope and onto the apron. Young rebounds off the far ropes, coming back with a head of steam – as he runs right into an elbow smash!

Stephy Auger: Big shot by Ryan LeCavalier! She’s a ferocious striker, we know that from her past, but we haven’t seen her utilize those strikes thus far.

Kris Cruise: Rick Young has largely held control of this match since taking the advantage early on, but LeCavalier could be mounting a comeback here.

Young staggers back from the elbow smash, coming in close again as LeCavalier bursts back into the ring with a knee strike through the middle rope! That one knocks Young down flat on his back as Ryan makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Rick kicks out.

Both competitors move slowly back to their feet as Rick lunges forward with a clothesline attempt – NO! LeCavalier ducks under the arm and counters with a hammerlock, before sweeping the leg out from under her opponent! She goes to drive a knee down across the sternum, but Young rolls out of the way as both competitors clamber back to vertical bases again. LeCavalier catches Young with an inverted atomic drop; he stands in the center of the ring clutching the family jewels as Ryan hits the ropes, coming back with a single elbow smash!

Young goes down, but gets back up as Ryan sneaks up behind him and executes a jumping neckbreaker! That one keeps Rick grounded for a moment as he rolls onto his front, clutching at the back of his head; it’s just the opportunity Ryan was waiting for as well! She assumes a mounted position, driving elbows down across the back of her opponent’s head repeatedly.

Kris Cruise: Vicious elbow strikes there by Ryan LeCavalier, and Rick may be in trouble here, Stephy.

The referee intervenes, dragging LeCavalier away as he checks on Rick Young. But the veteran isn’t in any mood to give up. He rolls towards the ropes, using them to pick himself up as Ryan charges in with a knee strike to the midsection. An Irish whip follows as she sends Rick running across the ring – only for him to return with a clothesline! A small pop from the crowd as LeCavalier hits the mat, but she gets right back up. Young charges in again with another clothesline attempt, but Ryan ducks and counters with a snap STO backbreaker! And the cover.

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

Rick Young kicks out in the nick of time, and Ryan looks almost disappointed with the result. Undeterred, she drags her opponent back to his feet again, measuring him up for an elbow smash to the face! It sends The Razor staggering back against the ropes as he leans down, rebounding off the middle rope with a huge pendulum lariat!

Kris Cruise: The Switchblade Lariat out of nowhere!

The crowd pop again as Young damn near takes his opponent’s head off with that one! LeCavalier hits the mat again, and Rick hooks the leg!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Ryan kicks out!

Stephy Auger: Only a two count after the Switchblade Lariat, but can Rick Young capitalize on the advantage here?

Young must be feeling his second wind as he scrambles to get back to his feet. He appears a little uneasy, though, as he drags Ryan back to her feet before promptly dropping her with a DDT! LeCavalier is laid out in the ring as Young points towards the corner, drawing another cheer from the Las Vegas fans. He moves slowly, stepping out onto the apron before climbing up to the top rope … but he’s taken too long. LeCavalier catches him on the top rope, bringing Rick crashing down to the mat with an arm pull!

He flips in the air, landing back first with a thud. But Rick almost rolls through to his feet; he’s holding his lower back as he spins around the face his opponent. He sees Ryan closing in so swings his arm out, but The Monarch ducks the clothesline and wraps her opponent up, countering with the Age of Consent as she drives The Razor face first into the mat! And a hook of the leg.

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

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, RYAN LECAVALIER!

Kris Cruise: Her first win here in FGA, and what could be the start of an impressive tenure, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: She looked sharp, Cruise, that’s for sure. Those strikes had Rick Young reeling throughout the match, but he’ll feel hard done by. That high risk just didn’t pay off in the end, and The Monarch made him pay for it.

[FGA Office]

[ EARLIER TODAY ]

The camera begin to crackle to life, the scene bringing us to the backstage area, specifically the front of the building as we see Savannah Taylor walk through the doors. The hometown superstar appears to have just arrived, as she holds her gear bag which is strapped over her right shoulder, smiling as she navigates through the Orleans Arena. Her strides are confident, carefree and unbothered, while her visage glows with exuberance; this is as important a night for her as any. She's in her hometown, in front of her people, she can feel the energy in the building as she walks with her held high.

*OOMPH*!

That aforementioned carefree stride is suddenly interrupted as Savannah bumps into something. Having been removed from her zone, the Siren is immediately sent into a fit of rage as she spits her frustrations out.

Savannah Taylor: Hey, watch where the hell you-

Taylor suddenly bites her tongue, finally looking down to see who the culprit exactly is. She's taken aback as she sneers down at a small girl, and from her minute stature and the innocent look in her eyes she appears to be no more than nine or ten years of age. Realizing she almost chewed out a child, Savannah comes to her senses, smiling somewhat as she shakes her head. She kneels down to the child’s level of sight, gently placing her hands around the girl’s head as she addresses her in a lighthearted tone.

Savannah Taylor: Awwww. I'm soooo sorry. I didn't you see there, God I almost ran you over just now. Are you lost?

The little girl simply giggles, perplexing Taylor who stands back up, her eyebrow cocked in confusion as she scans the vicinity, looking to see if there were any adults around who might have been separated from her.

Girl: We were waiting for you.

Savannah looks back down, and her revelation causes an initial flinch; more children have suddenly manifested out of thin air. What appeared to be one lost girl is now a small group of adolescents; they stand right before her, laughing and giggling as they take Taylor by the hand.

Children: Come with us, Savannah!

Begrudgingly, Taylor allows herself to be pulled into their orbit, as the children turn around and proceed to walk through the backstage area, continuing to giggle and laugh to amongst themselves as they do so.

Children: We’ll show you the way!

Savannah continues to be pulled seemingly to nowhere, until finds herself in front of her own locker room. However, her arrival to her destination only brings about more questions.

Children: In here, Savannah!

The Siren pushes through the group of children, separating them as she steps in front of her door. Clearly bewildered by the entire spectacle, she looks back at her followers, whom of which remain giggling and laughing to themselves. With a hand of the doorknob, Taylor turns it, opening her door to step foot into darkness. Upon scouring the wall for the light switch she flicks it on. Her gear bag suddenly drops to the floor with a slight thud as she stands still, unmoving, until her entire near six foot frame trembles with dread and disdain. Those blue eyes that were once brimming with hope minutes ago are suddenly void of such pleasantries as they feast themselves on an object pinned to her wall.

An object she thought she’d thrown away.

A burlap sack.

Savannah Taylor: You think this is some kind of joke? You think this is funny, you little twerps!

With her fists balled and her teeth gritted, the angered Siren turns around to unleash her scorn on her juvenile antagonists. Just as quickly as she turns around does she jump back, aghast at the sight of the children all wearing burlap sacks. The laughing as ceased. There is now eerie silence as they stare at Savannah. Suddenly, they point at her, and address her in unison through ominous, monotonous voices.

Children: He’s coming to take you home Savannah. To take us all home.

Savannah stares at them, eyes dilated with discomfort, totally bemused by what's transpiring as the small mob of masks begin chanting.

Children: Don’t you want to play with us, Savannah? Please play with us! We miss you! We love you, Savannah! Don't you miss, us? Come play with us! Please, Savannah! Please, Savannah! Please, Savannah!

Crying out in frustration, Savannah suddenly storms back into the locker room, slamming the door behind her as the children remain huddled outside continuing to beckon her.

Children: HE JUST WANTS TO PLAY!

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Evan Envi vs. Liam Graves

“Strength of the Mind” by Killswitch Engage blasts through the PA system as Liam Graves comes out from the back all pumped up. He bounces around the entrance way pumping up the crowd as they cheer him on. He makes his way down to the ring slapping some hands of the fans ringside. He stops at the bottom of the ramp and takes it all in before walking around the ring slapping more hands.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 205 pounds … LIAM GRAVES!

He stops in front of a steel steps. He climbs the stops and stands on the apron. He climbs the nearest turnbuckle and raises his arms to the delight of the crowd. He jumps down from the turnbuckle and walks to his corner. He warms up and stretches as he awaits his opponent.

Kris Cruise: Another debut here as Liam Graves looks to make an instant impact here in FGA. A relative newcomer to pro wrestling having only debuted last year, we know he’s something of a prolific striker.

Stephy Auger: He’s got a tough debut though, Cruise. Evan Envi isn’t a pushover by any means; he’s already beaten Rick Young and is now looking to add another name to his list.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Ocean City, Maryland, weighing in at 203 pounds … "THE CHIEF" EVAN ENVI!

“Can You Feel It?” hits the PA system to a deafening chorus of boos from the audience. As multicolored strobes flicker throughout the darkened arena, Evan Envi struts through the curtains toward the top of the ramp. He pauses, looking out among the audience before casually making his way toward the ring, seemingly ignorant to the boos and jeers raining down on him. Finally, as Envi leaps onto the apron, our lights return to normal. Envi climbs the turnbuckles from the apron, grinning out into the audience, raising the double “V” fingers into the air before finally stepping over the ropes and dropping into the ring, fingers still raised above his head as he marches throughout the squared circle.

Stephy Auger: The Vegas fans know Evan Envi well, and they’re not particularly fond of him by any stretch of the imagination.

Kris Cruise: It’s like a homecoming for him. How will he hold up under the pressure?

Well he gets off to a bad start; the bell sounds as Graves blindsides his opponent, catching Evan from behind as he was marching around the squared circle. The forearm strikes find their mark as Liam backs his opponent into a corner. There, Graves unloads a series of boots to the midsection as the crowd continue cheering the rookie.

An Irish whip ensues as Envi gets sent from pillar to post. He hits the far turnbuckles with force, staggering out a step or two as Graves charges in after him – NO! Evan sidesteps and counters with a flapjack, dropping Liam Graves face first across the top turnbuckle! The crowd boo as Evan takes the advantage; those boos grow even louder as he follows up with a running bulldog, driving Graves face first into the mat.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Liam kicks out.

Stephy Auger: A two count there for Evan Envi, and just listen to these fans whenever he hits a movie, Cruise. So unappreciative of his talent.

Evan plays up to the boos as he lifts Graves back to his feet, landing a couple of European uppercuts that knock Liam back against the ropes. The Chief unleashes a mini series of knife edge chops to the chest, before opting to go for an Irish whip. He sends Graves across the ring before lowering his head for a back body drop … but Graves has it scouted. A small pop sounds out as he counters the back body drop with a boot to the face!

Evan flails his arms to try and remain upright; Graves takes a moment to gather his bearings before lunging forward with a clothesline – NO! Evan catches the arm as he ducks underneath, countering with an arm-trap swinging neckbreaker, and the fans boo even louder than before. But Envi just sits up and taps his temple before standing back up. A few measures stomps find their mark as Evan circles his prone foe, but stops in order to drag Liam Graves back to his feet again. He grabs the rookie by the hair and tosses him through the ropes, drawing another boo from the crowd as Evan taunts them.

Kris Cruise: He seems to be coping with the hate quite well, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: A consummate professional, Cruise, that’s how I’d describe Evan Envi.

Kris Cruise: …ok then.

Graves pulls himself up using the apron, popping his head up in time to eat a baseball slide from Evan Envi! It sends the rookie crashing back into the guard rail as Evan pops up on the apron. The Chief takes a run up as he waits for Liam to get back to his feet once more, before hitting a shooting star press off the apron! Evan stands back to taunt the fans again, but stops in order to roll Graves back into the ring before following him in. Evan hooks a leg, counting along with the referee.

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

Evan sits up in shock, staring at the referee in disbelief as Graves kicks out at two. Undeterred, Evan picks his opponent up again and moves towards the corner. A few knife edge chops connect before Evan goes for an Irish whip. Graves is sent from pillar to post as Envi follows him in – only to get caught by a back elbow to the face! The crowd pop as Envi staggers back, allowing Graves the opportunity to hit a desperation discus clothesline!

Kris Cruise: He turned Evan Envi inside out with that one!

Indeed, Envi flips through the air before crashing to the mat! But Graves collapses down next to him instead of capitalizing. The referee begins a count out, barely getting to three before Liam grabs hold of the middle rope, which he uses to stand back up. The crowd trying to rally behind the rookie as he waits for Evan to stand back up. Liam hits a clothesline, knocking Evan right back down. But The Chief gets up again, so Liam hits another clothesline.

The momentum building as Graves waits for his opponent to get back up again. This time he charges in with a slingblade, bringing Evan crashing to the mat. And a cover!

Stephy Auger: Turning Point connects! And the pin attempt by Liam Graves!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Evan kicks out!

A sigh of disappointment from the crowd as Evan kicks out, but Liam is getting pumped now. He drags his opponent back to his feet, grabbing Evan with a rear waist lock as he looks for the German suplex – NO! Evan lands on his feet behind Liam, who quickly rushes to get back to a vertical base. He charges in, but Envi connects with the Kapowski Kick! before celebrating with his arms raised in the air.

Stephy Auger: That could be the beginning of the end for Liam Graves here.

Kris Cruise: Evan found a way back into this match just as his opponent was picking up a head of steam. What can he do from here?

An uneasy Liam Graves makes his way back to his feet once more, staggering after that Kapowski Kick as Evan lies in wait for him. A single knee lungblower connects as Evan hits his BPA, before flipping over into a crossface submission hold! Liam Graves taps out almost immediately as the referee calls for the bell!

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, EVAN ENVI!

The crowd boo louder than before as Evan finally releases the hold, standing up to have his arm raised by the referee.

Stephy Auger: Two for two for Evan Envi, and do you think the wrestlers in the back are beginning to take notice, Cruise?

Kris Cruise: I’d be surprised if anyone counted out Evan Envi when he first got here, with two wins under his belt now he’ll have a bit more swagger in his step, and more confidence to move on to bigger and better things.

[FGA Office]

Backstage at the Orleans Arena, Spencer Burke stands before a promotional poster for Above and Beyond complete with a shot of each man in the main event: Carmine, McHannon, and Cannon. Burke notices that his feed has gone life, and after a quick adjustment of his tie, he does what he does best…

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, I stand here with the man who, in a matter of moments, will have his life flash before his very eyes as he finds himself handcuffed to the ring, as his men take on RubyWay.

Anthony Rother: *Off screen* Oh sure…I bet you’re enjoying this.

Rother stepped into view next to Burke, again dressed in one of his cheap and ill-fitting Joseph A. Bank suits, this one with a gray jacket and slacks coupled with a white dress shirt and black tie.

Anthony Rother: Everybody seems to be relishing that FGA has thrown me into the lion’s den. Let me ask you something Burke?

Spencer Burke: Shoot…

Anthony Rother: Do I look like an athlete to you?

Spencer Burke: Hardly…

Anthony Rother: Do I look like I could wrestle my way out of a paper bag?

Spencer Burke: Again, no…

Anthony Rother: Do I look like I would know anything about applying a simple wrist-lock?

Spencer Burke rolled his eyes as he figured Rother could go on with this all day, ever the professional he pushed the interview forward.

Spencer Burke: Exactly where are you going with this?

Anthony Rother: I’m trying to figure out why everybody is making such a huge stink over me in the first place. Why is it every time Jason Marx and Chris Tryon win a match, some sore loser is crying foul and blaming me?

Spencer Burke: Well, let’s see – there was the apron incident in Amarillo and then we all saw what you did to Dan Herrera in Tucson.

Anthony Rother: I ALREADY EXPLAINED BOTH OF THOSE INCIDENTS!!!

Rother’s raised voice cause Spencer to jump back.

Anthony Rother: Look Burke, I get it. Nobody thought the Suspects would return and decimate everybody they were in the ring with this fast. It makes sense, all of the losers are beginning to grasp for straws and make excuses. Hell, I even saw Ruby Tyler already make an excuse for losing tonight, here in Vegas, to the Suspects again. She’s already alluding to her upcoming singles adventure after she dumps Hardaway.

Spencer Burke: She what?

Anthony Rother: Scouts Honor, Burke. She told Zero McHannon that she was already moving on from Hardaway, forgetting about the tag team titles, and focusing on singles gold. Do you think she’s told Hardaway yet?

Spencer Burke: I think you’re putting words in her mouth, Rother!

Anthony Rother: It’s absolutely shameful what she’s doing to him. Hardaway is a legend in his own right, the very first Pride Champion in FGA. Those Hardaway – Scott matches were something to behold. Now here this lying she-devil comes to this company and absolutely uses the man for what his name can do for her. That’s not what tag team wrestling is all about, Spence. Ruby Tyler is a disgrace to her tag team partner, a disgrace to this company, and a disgrace to the sport of professional wrestling. I’m calling for her immediate firing – we cancel the match with the Suspects tonight, and we place my deserving team into that tag team title match at Above and Beyond.

Rother looked at the poster behind him.

Anthony Rother: I’m thinking we could photoshop our images here, right under the main event.

Burke smirked, as he knew exactly what the weasel was trying to do.

Spencer Burke: Sounds like you’re the one grasping at straws, trying anything to get out of this match. Let me guess, you’re absolutely terrified at the prospects of not being able to run away like a coward when Ruby Tyler gets her hands on you.

Rother’s eyes narrowed and his head cocked to the left.

Anthony Rother: You sound like a giddy little school-girl, Burke. You’re just like all of these mutants who bought a ticket for this show, hoping to watch a trained professional athlete place her oversized man-hands on an innocent and delicate man, such as myself. It’s so ironic that Caesar’s Palace is just down the road, because management has lined up an event that would be fit for the colosseum of Rome – a special attraction like they used to do, one valiant gladiator with his hands tied behind his back against two ferocious lions. Just like the ruling class used those events to pacify the unworthy masses of filth, to distract them from the injustices of Roman society, FGA has done the same here tonight to distract the mutants that my men deserve to be at Above and Beyond.

Spencer Burke: So, what about this “ace” that you keep babbling on about?

Anthony Rother: I’m glad you asked.

Rother walks off momentarily and returns with his briefcase.

Anthony Rother: I have here, my briefcase full of the ten thousand dollars that my beautiful mother gave me to hire personal security, and tonight, I unveil…CHAD!!! My protector!

An unknown individual steps into the shot, wearing a white karategi, complete with black belt. He stands all of 5’8” and looks like he weighs 155lbs soaking wet.

Anthony Rother: This is the ace up my sleeve. Ruby Tyler won’t get near me tonight unless she wants her teeth kicked down her throat!

Spencer Burke: He looks a little…small.

Anthony Rother: Looks can be deceiving, Burke. Chad is a black belt in three different styles of martial arts. I’ve seen his certifications, and I’ve seen him smash bricks with his bare hands. He’s a walking weapon, and tonight I can only hope that Ruby Tyler tries to make good on the numerous threats that she’s made against my good character.

Rother smiles in confidence.

Anthony Rother: Let’s go, Chad…we have preparations to make.

Rother let’s out one last cackle and leaves with his “ace”. Burke shakes his head in disbelief as we cut to...

[FGA Office]

As the feed cuts backstage we see the FGA World Champion Johnny Cannon walking into Danny Diamond’s locker room. The one time Mid- Atlantic Legacy Champion is already in his ring gear as The British Mamba strolls up to him, looking as strapping and dapper as ever in a two-button down suit by Giorgio Armani.

Johnny Cannon: I don't think I need to bend your ear about the importance of your match tonight. As you so eloquently put it -- you're your own man and you make your own decisions. You’re a decorated champion with a name known all across our industry.

Cannon claims as he looks Diamond right in the eyes, extending a hand and placing it across Danny’s shoulder while his other holds the FGA World Championship that is draped across his own.

Johnny Cannon: Tony and I came to you for a reason. It's because you just like the two of us, are cut from a different cloth than the rest of these blokes. You're an action man. These people, these buggers -- they all sit around doing absolutely nothing with their lives, while you take yours seriously. I mean, you don't have to look farther than this stinking, rotting sinkhole of filth that we’re currently standing in. Sin City -- where there's a brothel on every corner, and the people spend their life savings on the prospect of getting lucky because they don't have any actual skills and are too stupid to realize they’re being hoodwinked by the idea of hope.

Boos can be heard in the background in response to the cheap jab.

Johnny Cannon: But the three of us, we don't believe in luck. We believe in hard work, dedication and talent, and it's because of those three ingredients that we're better than everyone else. We didn't become the men we are today because we took the easy way out, nor were we gifted opportunities as suggested by some of these wankers who are all mouth and no trousers. We fought tooth and nails to get here. You fought your way up the ladder and made yourself into a success story.

Cannon drills a finger into Diamond’s chest to drive his point home.

Johnny Cannon: So tell me something, are you going to let them diminish and discredit everything you've accomplished? Are you going to let them tear you down, and write you off as some lackey, as some clown, as if you haven't seen it all and done it all in this business? Are you going to let Chris Bond disrespect you, a KING?

Danny Diamond: Of course not. His first mistake was claiming to be better than me. You know the saying, wolves don't concern themselves with the opinions of sheep. The same could be said for kings and peasants. But, I've got a problem with the "opinion" that he's better than me. Chris has a voice in FGA. Not a strong one, but he's got a voice. I can't have voices claiming such lies. He's not better than me or any of us and I can't allow his voice to spread through this company saying otherwise. Don't worry about Chris Bond. He's just one of many who will bow before his kings.

Cannon nods, smiling his usual cocksure grin as he slaps Diamond on the shoulder.

Johnny Cannon: They all want to take what we’ve built here, Danny. They want what's OURS. Go out there and show them why they’ll NEVER have it.

Cannon shakes Diamond's forearm following the words of encouragement, before turning and exiting the room, leaving Danny to his devices as the scene fades to commercial.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Chris Bond vs. Danny Diamond

"If you take a life, do you know what you'll give...
Odds are, you won't like what it is...
When the storm arrives, would you be seen with me...
By the merciless eyes I've deceived...
I've seen angels fall from blinding heights...
But you yourself are nothing so divine...
Just next in line..."

The house lights dim in the smaller facility, and multi-colored lights soon flicker throughout the filled-to-the-brim center. The crowd jumps to its feet, blowing the roof off from the much smaller arena as Chris Bond makes his way out from behind the curtains. As he emerges from behind the curtain, there is a small burst of excitement from the crowd.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, residing out f Greensboro, North Carolina by way of San Antonio, Texas! Weighing in at a 242 pounds! He is “The Battle Hardened Veteran”... CHRIS BOND!

With a spotlight lighting his way, Bond makes his way down the aisle and towards the ring, even slapping a few hands on the way down. Soon enough he jogs up the stairs, and walks along the ring apron before wiping his feet. Chris Bond steps over the second rope and into the ring. The self-proclaimed legend of the wrestling world walks to the center of the ring and stands there for a moment, as flashes go off throughout the waves of fans. He circles the ring, arms outstretched, as the fans cheer loudly once again. Bond enjoys this, as his trademark smirk re-emerges on his face. Heading to his corner, Bond does a few stretches as he waits for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: Taking a tough, personal loss to Chandler Scott last week, Chris Bond has a chance to overcome another one of his personal dreams in Danny Diamond. It’ll be an excellent way to stick it to the New Kings as a whole.

Stephy Auger: Did you just say stick it?

"Anything you can do, I can do better.
I can do any - I can - I can do any - I can - I can do anything better than you.
You know."

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing his opponent, residing out of Los Angeles, California by way of Cheshire, England! Weighing in tonight at a 213 pounds! He is “The Prized Gem”... DANNY DIAMOND!

Danny Diamond steps out onto the stage as the beat of Backronym's "Better Than You" hits. With a hood covering his head, he looks down, standing on the stage with his arms spread wide. Once the first verse kicks in, Danny lowers his hood and flashes the audience a grin. He begins his walk to the ring. For the most part, he ignores the fans on the way to the ring, but he may occasionally point out fans wearing his merchandise. Once reaching the ring, Danny stands by its side and leaps onto the apron, before quickly vaulting himself over the top rope and into the ring. Once standing in the ring, Danny heads to the furthest corner and climbs to the top rope, where he holds his arms out again. Diamond takes his sunglasses off and nonchalantly tosses them out of the ring. He then pulls his hoodie off and does the same with it. Finally, "The Prized Gem" back flips off of the top rope, landing on his feet in a needless showing of athleticism.

Kris Cruise: Will Chris Bond be able to overcome one of the New Kings here tonight?

Stephy Auger: Don’t get your hopes up.

The opening bell rings and both men circle around each other, before locking up with a collar-and-elbow tie up. Bond gets the upper hand, trying to shove Diamond into the opposing corner. Diamond perseveres, shoving Bond back to the center of the ring. They once again struggle to overpower each other. Diamond manages to overpower Bond enough, shoving him towards the corner nearest to them. Bond, like Diamond, keeps his ground. They both break away, taking a breath at the amount of effort they gave.

The two attempts for a classic test of strength, but Diamond manages to take immediate control, flipping Bond over with an arm-wringer. He applies a grounded hammerlock, pinning Bond down to the mat. He lets go of the hold and rolls down to Bond’s leg, trying to grip onto the surgically repaired knee almost immediately. Bond scrambles out of the hold. When Diamond tries to chase him down, Bond sweeps his leg from under him and puts Diamond in a grounded armbar.

Diamond struggles against the hold, but then moves backward to pin Bond’s shoulders to the mat.

ONE!
.
.
Kickout from Bond!

Kris Cruise: These two are equally matched so far. It comes from that veteran experience and mindset.

Stephy Auger: Diamond is just humoring him.

Bond rolls to his feet, then takes him up and hits him with a Northern Lights Suplex. Diamond doesn’t allow the referee to get down for the cover, lifting himself up. He reverses the hold that Bond has on him, opting to hit him with a Northern Lights Suplex. He floats over and hits a Double Underhook Suplex. When Bond gets to his feet, Diamond is standing in front of him, brushing his shoes off.

Bond gets up, glaring at Diamond who only smirks at him. Bond rushes at him, which only causes Diamond to send him off the rope. He goes chest first into it and gets his waist locked. Diamond tries for a German Suplex. Bond resists the hold, then drags Diamond down with an arm drag. When Diamond gets to his feet, Bond is waiting with a quick belly-to-belly suplex.

Diamond holds his back as he gets to his feet. Bond catches Diamond, drapes his arm over his shoulder, and tries for a belly-to-back suplex. Diamond flips over the back, landing on his feet with a slight stumble. Diamond steps up the turning Bond, trying for an Enziguri, but Bond ducks underneath it. He takes Diamond’s leg, and applies a half Boston Crab.

Stephy Auger: Come on, Diamond, the ropes are right there!

Diamond reaches for the bottom rope, which gets Bond off him. Bond drags him away from the rope, trying again for the half Boston Crab. With a bit of effort, Diamond manages to hurl Bond off him. Diamond gets to his feet, where Bond is waiting. A punch comes Diamond’s way, but the veteran catches it and tries for a punch himself. Bond stumbles back and dodges a quick roundhouse kick.

Bond rushes in for a lariat, but Diamond catches him with a Japanese Arm Drag. Bond rolls to his feet and gets another for his troubles. Bond gets hit with a third one, where Diamond gets to his feet with a chuckle on his breath. He raises his arm in the air, satisfied with his performance thus far. Bond makes it to his feet and springs out, catching Diamond around the waist and slamming him to the mat with a German Suplex.

Then another. When Bond makes it to his feet with Diamond, Diamond tries to resist the hold. He gets caught with a forearm to the back, which allows Bond the chance to properly ragdoll him around.

Finally, one last German Suplex Bond hits. He keeps the bridge to the roar to the crowd.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kickout by Diamond!

The crowd pans as Bond gets to his feet. He roughly brings the New King to his feet and kicks him hard in the gut. He brings him in under his armpit, heaving him up for a Gutwrench Powerbomb. Diamond catches him with a sudden hurricanrana. Bond tries to retain his momentum by getting up quickly, but Diamond suddenly loops around him before hitting the Rubik’s Cube. Bond hits the ropes from the stunner and lands face first on the mat.

Stephy Auger: That may be it there; you see how Bond’s face hit the mat!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bond gets the shoulder up!

Diamond slams the mat with his hand, an aggressive air escaping him as he does. He makes it to his feet, getting in the referee’s face. Yet, as he distracts himself with the matter, Bond gets up and pulls him down with a school boy.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kickout by Diamond!

Diamond gains some distance from Bond. Bond follows him, trying to batter him. As they reach the corner, Bond begins to stomp away at Diamond’s gut before he hits the bottom of the corner. Bond gets some distance, raising his arm up, pumping up the crowd. The crowd, roaring with approval, awaits Bond’s next move. He rushes back in, but gets a front kick right to the surgically repaired knee. Bond hits the middle turnbuckle face-first.

Diamond rubs his face, checking for any traces of blood. When Bond makes his way up to a standing position, Diamond rushes in and hits him with the infamous double knees. Bond collapses into Diamond’s arms and Diamond, from there, plants him with the Tiger Driver ’98. He goes for the cover.

Kris Cruise: England’s Finest Combo. Diamond got all of that!

Stephy Auger: Bond might have to add another injury to the list!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kickout by Chris Bond!

Diamond once again cries out in frustration. He excuses him from the ring, waiting on the ring apron. Bond starts to make it to his feet. As Diamond starts to try to fly off, Bond rushes forward and hits him with a quick forearm. Diamond crumbles on the ropes, prompting Chris Bond to drag him off the ropes. He overlooks the crowd before landing with the Rejection!

Diamond is sprawled out on the ground. Bond drags Diamond to his feet and hooks his arm around his neck. He examines the crowd. They’re roaring for him to finish Diamond. With a look of pure satisfaction, possibly prompted from having one of the New Kings in the position he wants, he obliges.

Kris Cruise: End of Days! Diamond was out before, but this time—

Stephy Auger: Ah, shut up, cruise! Bond’s reveling in the misfortune of a fellow father!

After hitting the Flatliner, he goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, CHRIS BOND!

Kris Cruise: That was a high-octane match from the get-go. But in the end, Bond gets a victory over one of the New Kings!

Stephy Auger: Fine, he got the win on Diamond. But he still has an uphill war to get to the rest of them!

Bond looks over Diamond, smiling to himself. He points out to the crowd, before continuing to celebrate.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

The lights in the arena begin to dim and the FGA audience rise to their feet, as the nostalgic melody of "Bad Guy" by Jordon 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 prince of chaos - 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.

Kris Cruise: Mark Storm? Well this is a pleasant surprise? He wasn’t scheduled for a match tonight.

Stephy Auger: He’s not. So what’s he doing out here?

Looking around the arena, Storm nods his head as he continues to smile, walking down the entrance ramp and high-fiving a few of the fans close by before climbing up the ring steps. Grabbing a microphone from one of the tech guys on the side as he stands on the apron, he enters the ring through hoisting himself up onto the turnbuckle, nodding his head again at the audience's reaction with a massive grin on his face. He jumps down from the top rope and to the canvas, walking towards the centre of the ring where he gets on one knee and looks up to the heavens; his theme song slowly diminishing.

Kris Cruise: Mark Storm is one of the eight grapplers that qualified for the 2016 Frontier Lions Cup tournament. In two weeks on August 20, he’ll be facing none other than Yun Goeun in the Quarterfinals at Above & Beyond V. If everything falls into place for Storm, it could be the first of many matches for him that night.

He isn't in his ring gear for once. No, tonight Mark Storm isn't out here to compete but instead observe, something he'd been doing the whole night and something he wasn't finished with. Instead, he is dressed in ac casual white buttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled back and pushed up his arms, denim blue jeans and white sneakers. He remains in a kneeling position, tilting his head down from the ceiling and to his microphone whilst with his other hand running it through his hair.

Mark Storm: My name.. is Mark Storm.

Simple, yet so effective, a massive pop from the audience ensues as Storm seals his lips after finishing his sentence; trying to hide his smile away but can't help but break a smile. The reaction he's just received was something to be proud of and by the look on his face, you can tell that he is.

Mark Storm: But you already know that by now. You already know what I'm about, you already know that I am the prince of chaos, the innovator of Storm style and the schizophrenic prince of professional wrestling. But if you don't know that.. then I promise you, I will be the name slipping out of your tongue by the time this year is over.

Applause ensues as Storm nods his head in appreciation, looking directly at the camera with a tenacious look in his eyes.

Mark Storm: A lot of people used to say that I wouldn't be able to do it. Not with my big schedule and all, they said that me joining this promotion was the equivalent of throwing someone into the lion’s den. They said I was going to get chewed up and spat out and it was a move that many labeled reckless and stupid, and maybe it was. It's no secret that I've become some sort of a wrestling whore out there. In the sense that you'll find me anywhere, any place, you name it.. I'll be there or I've been there and it's not because I'm crazy. I mean I am, but that's not the reason why I do that to myself. That's not the reason why I'm out here inside the four sided ring every other day. No, the reason why I tear myself apart on such a regular occasion is because I love what I do. I love my job and I don't ever imagine that feeling just one day going away. So I get myself out there and make the most of it and put on some memorable matches that'll be talked about for the ages, that's what I do.. that's what I pride myself on, and whether I win or lose doesn't matter anymore. At the end of the day, I'm happy doing what I love.

Another round of applause ensues as Storm finishes his sentence, remaining in his kneeling position, he swirls his finger around the microphone in deep contemplation on what to say next.

Mark Storm: To all of the doubters, and all of the haters, and all of the @$$h*les who said I wouldn't make it here. I just wanna say a big thank you, and a massive f*ck you. I stopped caring about what people thought of me a long time ago because at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what I think about myself.. the only opinion other than my own that I care about, is my daughter’s. The rest of you whether you like me or not can go to hell. I'm still here! Yeah, I got chewed up and spat out a couple of times but I've also done some eating of my own. And despite the uphill battles that have been stacked against me, I've managed to overcome time after time. Despite all the big names they've put me up against I've managed to come out the other side with a greater knowledge, a greater insight, a much better competitor inside that four sided ring. I've taken some losses but in truth they've been blessings in disguise. I know what I have to do now. I know what I have to do to get there. And I know who I have to overcome to get to where I wanna be and it all stems to one night. One night that can change a dream into a reality. One night that can change everything and of course, I'm talking about Above and Beyond, baby. I'm talking about the Frontier Lions Cup! 

You look at the history of this tournament and it's made careers. A.J Fairchild, Sean Sands, Cordy Stevenson, Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine; these competitors paved their careers from this tournament and that's exactly what I'm looking to do at Above and Beyond. I'm not looking to be the guy who almost go there, the what if kinda guy. No, I'm looking to be the guy who gets to the finals after a series of grueling matches, he get's to the final; puts on one heck of a main event and at the end of it all he's got an opportunity of a lifetime, an opportunity that doesn't fall upon men and women, it's an opportunity you have to earn! He's heralded as the tournament and has a guaranteed opportunity and the title that everybody works for. That everybody thrives for! That everybody craves for! The holy grail of this promotion; the Frontier Grappling Arts World Championship. I wanna be that guy! I'm gonna be that guy and it doesn't matter who I have to face, I will get there one way or another by any means necessary!

Crowd: STORM, STORM, STORM, STORM... (continuation)

Looking around the arena with his frantic eyes, he nods his head, remaining in his kneeling position. 

Storm: BRING THE CAVALRY! BRING ALL THE BEST THAT THIS PROMOTION HAS TO OFFER! BRING YOUR TOY GUNS AND YOUR PAPER PLANES, WITH YOUR PAPER DREAMS AND YOUR NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF THE PRINCE OF CHAOS! BRING EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT! THROW EVERYTHING YOU HAVE! BUT IT WON'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AT ABOVE AND BEYOND I'M GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND TO GET CLOSER TO THAT WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE SHOT!

"Bad Guy" by Jordon Comoli suddenly booms through the speaker and Storm rises to his feet, dropping the microphone and runs to the closest turnbuckle, climbing up to the second rope where he holds both hands over his head. 

Stephy Auger: My, someone’s fired up.

Kris Cruise: He certainly is. We’ve never heard Mark Storm this passionate before. But I think he realizes what’s at stake here. You heard what he said. One night can turn a dream into a reality. At Above & Beyond V, Storm is looking to make his wildest dreams come true.

[FGA Office]

Away from the gaudy charms of the bright lights, croupiers and approximately 16,000 stag weekends at any given time we find ourselves in the part of Las Vegas nobody talks about – the boring part, where Home Depot casts a shadow over the parts of Vegas nobody wants to visit unless they are renting a car or because they got barred from the big casinos because they mouthed off to the pit boss, which happens to be where the Orleans Arena is located

So amidst this dreary ordinariness, or perhaps we should call it one of the few non-tacky parts of Las Vegas, we find Johnny Karma pacing around in a corridor as he considers this evening’s match with Zero McHannon – until, that is, he spots Cherry Baum once more looking at her phone

Johnny Karma: Pokemon GO again?

Cherry Baum: Hmm?

Cherry looks over her shoulder to spot Karma approaching, and she quickly shields her phone so he can’t see it

Johnny Karma: Another one of those pigeon things? You caught about a dozen of them while we were headed out to lunch.

Cherry Baum: It’s not that, J-K, it’s…

Johnny Karma: Come on, Miss Baum, you can tell me.

For a moment Cherry considers her options, before she relents as she realises there’s no point trying to shield from Karma what she’s looking at

Cherry Baum: …it’s Zero McHannon’s Twitter feed.

Upon hearing that combination of words, Karma’s first response is to slightly shake his head as he knows it’s not worth peeking at the screen of Cherry’s phone for even half a second as he knows exactly the sort of thing he’s going to say – but then he decides, rather than pretend his soon-to-be opponent’s tweets don’t exist because of some baffling definition of pride, he decides to take a look

Johnny Karma: What’s the worst he can say, exactly?

Karma offers his hand so Cherry can pass him her phone, and once he looks at Cherry’s phone he almost immediately looks right back in Cherry’s direction

Johnny Karma: No wonder he spent so long cultivating that dead possum hanging off his face, because there’s no way he’d be able to kiss his mother with that mouth of his.

Karma hands Cherry her phone back, which draws a quizzical look from Cherry as she wonders why Karma hasn’t taken McHannon’s words – especially the four-lettered ones – to heart, something which Karma is quick to pick up upon

Johnny Karma: It’s not like he’d surprise me by being a foul-mouthed bottom feeder whose only being kept from the bottom of the barrel by that chip on his shoulder, just as it doesn’t surprise me that he hasn’t noticed that he’s so riddled with double standards that it’s a miracle he hasn’t started a fight with himself when looking in the bathroom mirror trying to remember where his face stops and his dead possum begins because he got so fixated on running his mouth on Twitter that he spent half an hour calling himself a vanker…which, coincidentally, was the first time anyone ever agreed with anything he posted on Twitter. Says a lot, really.

Cherry Baum: So you’re not mad?

Johnny Karma: Don’t get me wrong, I am looking forward to smashing his teeny-tiny world into teeny-tiny fragments by taking all those things he said about never, ever in a million years losing three straight matches by exposing him as little more than a shlekht shtelung hiding behind a sentient beard, but more than anything else I’m going to make him see the most obvious thing in the world that he missed: he wants to shove his holding the FWA Championship in my face, saying that it must eat away at me – but all he’s done is prove he doesn’t have a clue, not a single clue, because anyone with the meanest intelligence knows that things like that drive me to better not just myself, but FWA in general. That’s something he probably should’ve asked Tony Carmine about when he had the chance at the last show…but he was probably too busy having the beard oil stomped out of him to get a few words in.

As much as he tries, Karma can’t quite suppress the smirk that’s aching to come out at the thought of what happened to McHannon at the end of the last show

Johnny Karma: If that didn’t teach him a lesson in thinking about the situation he’s in before letting that big moyl dig him into a hole so deep that he’s forgotten what sunlight looks like, then I will gladly – gladly – continue to educate him tonight and screw his head on properly, something that Mr & Mrs McHannon obviously didn’t do when they were raising their fuzzy little facial follicle they called Zero, judging by the way he throws his weight around and expects everyone else to like it because…because…?

Karma looks over to Cherry, who communicates her lack of any viable suggestion with a mere shrug

Johnny Karma: It’s time for Zero to consider that his era has come and gone, just like the Chandler Scott era came and went, just like the Jimmy Page era came and went – so many eras have come and gone that for Zero to talk about him having a stranglehold on FWA for as long as he wants to clamp his hand around its windpipe is downright delusional – but that’s not why I’m going to defeat him tonight, just like I’m not going to beat him to give myself that extra boost as I look to continue through the Frontier Lions Cup, or even because I’m sticking up for the ring crew who had to tidy up after his little temper tantrum a few weeks back. No, the reason I’m beating him tonight is because of what I said about him a few days ago, about how he is a pathetic waste of skin, how he is a subhuman collection of blood and organs that refuses to accept responsibility for his actions and actually has the nerve to try and blame other people for everything he’s done, and I am looking forward to seeing how he responds when I expose him as a bladder full of hot air, because who can he blame for his defeat? Will it be my fault for being the better man, emphasis on man, or will it be McHannon’s fault for not being the man that I am? Or will he just start cussin’ and yellin’ at the crowd again because they know he’s full of it and don’t want to see him regurgitate another septic tank’s worth of drek over them the next time he tries to make excuses?

[FGA Office]

Walking the backstage corridors of the Orleans Arena, Danny Diamond, still dressed in his wrestling attire, is talking on the phone, his tone a bit panicked. The camera cuts in on Diamond as he’s making his way to an unknown location, slowly creeping next to him and his conversation.

Danny Diamond: Are you sure? … What the hell was he doing out of bed?! … Fuck, okay, how much did he hear? …

Diamond, upset at the response he got from the last question, nearly throws his phone in anger, but he manages to calm himself down, proceeding to take a deep breath. He stops walking and starts to concentrate more on the phone call at hand.

Danny Diamond: Alright, alright, think. What can we tell him? … Well think of someth--

Then out of nowhere, Diamond is blindsided into the hallway wall in the corridor. Diamond’s phone goes playing out of his hand as it scatters down the hallway, causing the camera to turn towards towards the attacker, which is none other than Zero McHannon standing tall and proud of himself.

Zero McHannon: Look at what I found… Here I thought you were one of the groupies roaming the hallway, but it’s even better. It’s the red headed stepchild of the New Kings.

Zero slowly walks forward, reaches down, and picks up Danny by his hair, then forces him up against the wall with his face.

Zero McHannon: Tell your boys I’m coming… If you make it through this in one piece.

McHannon slings Danny by the arms into the other side of the hallway wall! Diamond crumbles against the wall and flops to the floor as Zero starts to deliver a series of kicks to the man, pulling him back up to his feet once again. He starts to beat Danny off the wall over and over and over again before looking down at the mat holding his back after taking half a beating.

Zero McHannon: Say goodnight…

Danny looks like he’s about to through a cuss word Zero’s way, but Zero throws a devastating right jab that causes Diamond’s head to hit off the wall behind him as McHannon straightens up and starts to dust off his hands. He spits down right next to Diamond is before walking off down the hallway and letting the screen cut to black.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

We cut to the backstage area, fading into the image of Evan Envi standing next to Spencer Burke. Evan looks to be freshly showered, dressed in a pair of plaid-styled shorts and a plain, black V-neck, toweling off his face as Spencer begins the interview.

Spencer Burke: Evan Envi, tonight you picked up your second consecutive FGA victory, this time over Liam Graves in a much more dominating performance than your debut and--

Evan cuts Spencer off, pointing down the corridor.

Evan Envi: Walk with me.

Spencer Burke: O-- oh… okay.

Evan marches down the corridor, passing by the locker-rooms until he reaches the infamous professional wrestling catering area. He walks toward a familiar female figure with her back turned to the camera, phone pulled up to her face as she leans against the wall… and we pan back toward the focused faces of Evan and Spencer.

Evan Envi: Spencer…

Spencer Burke: Uhhrm. Yes?

Evan Envi: She’s magnificent.

Spencer Burke: Oh. Uh-

The camera spins around, back toward the female figure, though we hear Evan shout at the top of his lungs off-screen.

Evan Envi: MOLLY REID!

Molly Reid jumps out of her shoes at the sound of Evan’s voice. She clutches her heart as she turns around, exhaling deeply when she sees who called her.

Molly Reid: Jesus Evan you scared the hell out of me.

Evan Envi: I’ll do it, Molly Reid. I'll do it.

Evan nods to Molly. Then nods to Spencer. Spencer awkwardly nods at Evan, clearly unaware of what's going on. And Evan nods again at Molly, who looks as equally confused as Spencer does.

Molly Reid: Uhhhh, what?

Evan smiles at her and points toward his own head.

Evan Envi: You don't even need to say it. With everything riding on the Frontier Lion’s Cup, OF COURSE you need someone watching your back. And of course I'll be that person, friend.

He narrows one eye, pointing a finger right at Molly.

Evan Envi: You're exactly the kind of wrestler the foundation for Hope was built for.

Molly stares at him with a puzzled look on her face, before eventually shaking her head and smiling at Evan.

Molly Reid: Uhh...Thanks I guess, but I’m perfectly capable of handling myself out there Evan. I don’t really need anyone watching my back or anything. I’m just gonna go out there and wrestle my best and try to win.

Evan Envi: Don't be so modest, Molly Reid.

Evan walks forward, wrapping his arms around Molly’s head and pulling her into an embrace, dangerously, dangerously close to the Chief’s left armpit.

Evan Envi: We’re gonna go all the way. If there's anything I can promise you, it's that.

With that, he releases Molly, turning to Spencer once more. Evan gives him a nod. Spencer nods back out of a lack of curiosity about what happens should he not. Evan nods at Molly and begins to back away.

Evan Envi: Imma be in touch!

Molly stares at Evan as he slowly backs away before turning around and walking out of sight around a corner. Spencer stares as well before shaking his head and turning back to Molly.

Spencer Burke: So Molly, is it safe to say you’ll be watching these next few matches closely to scout for the Frontier Lions Cup, especially Johnny Karma’s match later on tonight? Since he’s your first opponent and all

Molly still stares off at the corner, seemingly unaware of Spencer trying to get any kind of interview out of this awkward few moments. Eventually she shakes her head and looks back at Spencer.

Molly Reid: Huh? Oh...what?

Spencer Burke: I was just asking if you’ll be keeping an eye on Johnny Karma’s match later tonight, as well as any other potential FLC tournament opponent.

Molly Reid: Oh, right. Uhhh...yeah, I’ll be watching. I...uhhh...sorry Spencer

With that Molly shakes her head and walks away in the opposite direction that Evan went, leaving Spencer standing alone with a confused look on his face.

[FGA Office]

RubyWay vs. The Usual Suspects

Dimebag Darrell’s building rift of “Cowboys from Hell” by Pantera abruptly begins over the PA system and the fans rise in anticipation of The Usual Suspects. The song begins its heavy thrashing as the dual guitars begin their monstrous battle for supremacy as the arena lights dim. A red spotlight shines on the black curtains and the fog begins to rise when Phil Anselmo’s screaming vocals begin…

Oh…COME ON!!!

Anthony Rother steps through the curtains dressed in one of his usual suits, holding his special briefcase that holds the ten thousand dollars he's spending to protect himself tonight. Marx & Tryon step out from the entrance and stand in front of the smoked out curtains as the house lights return to brightness.

Under the lights where we stand tall
Nobody touches us at all
Showdown, shootout, spread fear within, without
We’re gonna take what’s ours to have
Spread the word throughout the land
They say the bad guys wear black
We’re tagged and can’t turn back

Both men are dawning black hooded sweatshirts that obscure their face over their singlets. The trio stare out into the crowd, take in boos, and then begin walking to the ring. Rother jaws with a few of the fans in the aisle way.

You see us comin’
And you all together run for cover
We’re taking over this town

The two men pause at the base of the ring apron as Rother ascends into the ring and steps through the ropes.

Here we come reach for your gun
And you better listen well my friend, you see
It’s been slow down below,
Aimed at you we’re the cowboys from hell

Both men hop up onto the ring apron next and enter through the ropes as the music begins to fade. They begin removing their shirts as Rother begins a brief coaching session. FGA security motions for Rother to get down from the ring, but he refuses. After losing their patience, both men drag him down and begin walking him over to the ring post where he will be handcuffed. Rother's trying to wiggle free, but to no avail.

Kris Cruise: Rother’s still trying to slither his way out of this. But it’s to no avail. As soon as he gets cuffed, that loudmouth is going to be easy pickings for The Huntress!

Stephy Auger: Not so fast, Cruise...

The fans, who are hoping to see the little weasel finally get his are cheering, but those turn to boos as the man he revealed as Chad makes his way to the ring. Chad is still wearing his white martial arts robe, complete with a black belt. Rother begins shouting orders to him to make sure Ruby Tyler doesn't get near him.

J.A. Aldridge: The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, being accompanied to the ring by Anthony Rother! Making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 464 pounds! They are the team of Jason Marx and Chris Tryon … THE USUAL SUSPECTS!

The lights immediately go out in the arena and the roar of the crowd can be heard.

Suddenly, a haunting yet melodic synthesizer riff plays among the PA system as the crowd can be heard clapping their hands to the beat of the song. Obviously they are aware of the song being played for the entrance. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” by Journey. Yet, when the smooth vocal harmonies of Steve Perry start singing out, the crowd is still clapping and as the first verse plays, a spotlight comes on near the entrance as Kevin Hardaway is standing there at the ramp, lip-syncing the verse as he’s the one singing it, pantomiming to the crowd

Here we stand
Worlds apart
Hearts broken in two, two, two
Sleepless nights
Losing ground
I'm reaching for you, you, you

As the second verse starts playing though, another spotlight appears on the entrance ramp as Ruby Tyler is standing there. She...is not singing. Actually, she’s absolutely baffled and annoyed by what in the hell is going on. She looks at Kevin and starts arguing with him but as the pre-chorus starts playing, the lights come back on and the both of them walk towards the ring. Kevin walking with a bit more bit in his step, Ruby behind him just casually walking to the ring, obviously wondering where she went wrong in this situation.

J.A. Aldridge: Their opponents, making their way to the ring at a total combined weight of 363 pounds! They are the reigning WLW Tag Team Champions! Ruby Tyler, Kevin Hardaway … RUBYWAY!

As the chorus hits, Kevin stands on top of the turnbuckle and Ruby just casually enters the ring. She’s ready for the match, sure...she’s just not ready to deal with Kevin in the same corner right now. Kevin hops off the turnbuckle and slaps Ruby’s shoulder, running around in circles around her. If there ever was a definition of these two in a nutshell, this is indeed it. The song ends and Kevin stands next to Ruby, ready to actually talk strategy oddly enough.

Kris Cruise: RubyWay will be putting their WLW Tag Team Titles on the line against the FGA World Tag Camps, Status Quo, and The Next Level in a Three Way Tag Match at Above & Beyond V. But before they get to that, they have some business to settle with The Suspects.

Stephy Auger: You mean the undefeated Suspects. The same suspects that, along with Anthony Rother, have made a fool out of Status Quo, RubyWay and Ricky Valero.

Kris Cruise: The Suspects have been on a roll since they’ve returned, there’s no doubt about that. But let’s not atc like Anthony Rother hasn’t consistently stuck his nose in business that it didn’t belong in. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry about that here tonight.

Stephy Auger: Please, no one is going to lay a finger on Rother. Especially with his new insurance policy.

The bell sounds as Hardaway and Tryon start things off for their respective teams. The two men circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Hardaway moves Tryon across the ring and into the ropes. The ref then gives both men until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both men make a clean break. While Hardaway’s arms are in the air, Tryon shoves him back. Hardaway then goes after him, but Tryon quickly ducks in between the ropes, which causes the ref to move Hardaway back.

Once Tryon gets back in, he circles the ring before inching his way over towards Hardaway. He motions for a lock up, but then opts out at the last second and goes for a shoot kick to the leg. He then quickly reaches over and applies a side headlock. But Hardaway is quick to shove Tryon off of him and into the ropes. When Tryon returns, Hardaway knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. He then runs into another set of ropes as Tryon kips up. When Hardaway comes back, he runs over Tryon with a running shoulder block. He then runs into another set of ropes as Tryon kips back up. When Hardaway returns, Tryon leapfrogs over him. Hardaway continues to run. When Hardaway comes back, Tryon throws him down with a hip toss. When Hardaway gets back up, Tryon brings him back down with an arm drag. After Hardaway returns to his feet, Tryon runs over and delivers a tilt-a-whirl arm drag. Hardaway gets up on a knee and slaps the canvas while Tryon raises his arms in the air. Rother can be seen shouting at Hardaway from the floor. But all Hardaway has to do is narrow his eyes and point at Rother to make him hide behind Chad.

Stephy Auger: Look at that scoundrel Kevin Hardaway trying to threaten a harmless manager. The nerve!

Hardaway returns to his feet and circles the ring. He inches over towards Tryon and goes for a lock up. But Tyron ducks under, goes behind and applies a waist lock. Hardaway then reaches down, pries Tryon’s arms from around his waist and reverses into an arm wrench. The ref asks Tryon if he wants to give up. But Tryon refuses to quit. He then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. But Hardaway is quick to reverse into a short-arm Decap Lariat, which turns Tryon inside out. He makes the cover.

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

Hardaway picks up Tryon and whips him into the ropes. When Tryon comes back, Hardaway throws him down with a back body drop. Once Tryon gets back up, Hardaway doubles him over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. After delivering a snapmare, Hardaway delivers a stiff kick to the spine before running into the ropes. When Hardaway returns, he flattens Tryon on the canvas with a kick to the chest. He follows up with a jumping knee drop to the chest before making the cover.

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

Hardaway picks up Tryon, wrenches his arm, drags him over towards the Ruby Way corner and tags in Ruby Tyler to an explosion of cheers.

Kris Cruise: Ruby Tyler gets in for the first time tonight and you can see Rother seething with anger on the floor.

Stephy Auger: The woman threatened to shoot him! I’d be angry, too!

When Ruby gets in, she nails Tryon with a boot to the midsection. After slamming Tryon face-first into the top turnbuckle, she turns him around and sends him slumping down in the corner after an alternating combo of chops and jabs. Ruby reaches down, picks up Tryon and calls Hardaway back. Once he gets in, RubyWay take Tryon and whip him into the far ropes. When he returns, they throw him down with a Double STO. Ruby makes the cover.

ONE!


.
TWO!
.
.
Tryon gets his shoulder up.

Ruby heads back over and tags Hardaway back in. Once Hardaway gets in, he takes Tryon and whips him into the ropes. When Tryon returns, Hardaway delivers a drop toe hold, followed by a dropkick to the face from Ruby. Hardaway turns him over and makes the cover.

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

Hardaway picks up Tryon and throws him down with a scoop slam before heading into the corner. He tags Ruby back in. Once Ruby climbs up to the top turnbuckle, Hardaway grabs her and chucks her off, delivering a launching elbow drop. The crowd cheers as she makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: The Suspect's record might have been spotless heading into tonight. But it looks like that’s about to change as RubyWay have dominated this match from the opening bell.

Stephy Auger: Don’t worry, don’t worry. It’s still early. They’ve got this… right?

Ruby picks up Tryon and nails him with a series of chops before sending him into the ropes. When Tryon returns, Ruby goes for a jumping side kick. But Tryon ducks. After Ruby lands on her feet and turns around, she turns right into a backflip kick from Tryon. Tryon then gets to his feet, stumbles into the corner and tags in Jason Marx.

Stephy Auger: Here we go!

Marx gets in the ring as Ruby cautiously gets back to her feet. She begins to circle Marx before delivering a kick to the midsection. After a flurry of punches, Ruby turns and runs into the ropes. When she comes back, she connects with a European Uppercut that knocks Marx back a few steps. So she turns and runs back into the ropes. When she returns, she delivers another European Uppercut. This time, Marx is knocked even further back. So once again, Ruby runs into the ropes. When she returns, she throws out a big boot. But Marx catches her foot. He then spins her away from him, grabs her from behind and delivers a full nelson suplex, which results in boos from the crowd. The boos get louder as Rother can be seen applauding as best as he can on the outside.

Stephy Auger: They don’t look so hot now!

As Ruby gets back up, Marx delivers a throat thrust that sends her stumbling back into the ropes. After Marx makes his way into the corner, he delivers another throat thrust. He then delivers a shoulder thrust to the midsection before delivering clubbing shots across the back. Marx takes Ruby and whips her into the opposite corner. He runs across the ring and into the corner. But Ruby catches him with a European Uppercut. After stumbling back, Marx heads back into the corner. This time, he gets caught with a boot to the face. As Marx stumbles back, Ruby heads from out of the corner to throw out a big boot. But again, Marx catches her foot. He then turns her away from him, grabs her from behind and delivers a bridging German Suplex.

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

Stephy Auger: Once again Marx shuts The Huntress down!

Kris Cruise: RubyWay had the advantage early on. But Marx has been the great equalizer since been tagged in.

Marx picks up Ruby and nails her with a headbutt, knocking her back into the ropes. Marx heads over, pulls Ruby from off the ropes and knocks her down with another headbutt. After peeling Ruby up from off the canvas, Marx takes Ruby and whips her into the ropes. When Ruby returns, he sets up for a back body drop. But she counters with a kick to the face. As Marx stands up and stumbles back, Ruby turns and takes off into the ropes. When she comes back, she connects with a big boot that sends Marx stumbling back into the ropes. Marx ricochets off the ropes and throws out a clothesline. But Ruby ducks. When Marx turns around, Ruby knocks him down with a jumping side kick. When Marx gets back to his feet, Ruby heads over and brings him back down with a leg lariat. The crowd cheers as she makes the cover.

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

Ruby picks up Marx and goes for an irish whip. But Marx reverses, sending Ruby into the ropes. It’s there that she gets kneed in the back by Tryon. The crowd boos as Ruby arches her back in pain. Marx runs over and tries to take her head off with a lariat. But Ruby ducks. When Marx turns around, Ruby takes him off his feet with a leg sweep. She then runs into the corner and nails Tryon with a big boot that knocks him off the apron.

Stephy Auger: Hey!

Kris Cruise: That’s what he gets for interfering!

When Ruby turns around, Marx doubles her over with a kick to the midsection. He then takes Ruby and whips her into the far ropes. When she comes back, Marx throws out a running clothesline. But Ruby ducks. Both grapplers continue to run in opposite sets of ropes. When they come back, the crowd cheers as Ruby knocks him down with a single leg dropkick. As Ruby goes to get up, she turns and sees Rother on the outside. Instead of making the cover, she rolls to the outside to confront him.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh!

Stephy Auger: CHAD! CHAD! CHAD!

Ruby begins to inch her way over to where Rother is cuffed. Chad immediately stands in front of Rother and crosses his arms. He then frowns as Rother peeks from over his shoulder and mocks Ruby. But as soon as Ruby flinches in his direction, Chad falls backwards and lands on his ass.

Kris Cruise: Ha Ha ha!

Chad then says “screw this!”, snatches the briefcase from Rother’s free hand and hightails it out of here. The crowd laughs and cheers as Rother has been left without his protection and his money.

Kris Cruise: So much for that security.

Stephy Auger: This isn’t funny!

Rother yells at Chad to come back. But Chad is long gone. He then does a double take as he notices Ruby getting closer and closer to him. So Rother decides to beg and plead for forgiveness. Ruby’s about to attack… when she stops, looks down and notices that Rother has pissed himself in fear for his life.

Kris Cruise: What in the world!?

Stephy Auger: ...

The crowd laughs at Rother as he frantically tries to cover up the wet spot in the front of his pants. But it’s to no avail. Ruby looks Rother up and down and shakes her head at him with disgust. When Ruby turns around, Marx doubles her over with a kick to the midsection before delivering a double underhook suplex on the floor.

Marx rolls Ruby back into the ring. He then slides back in and tags in Tryon. Marx takes Ruby and whips her hard into the corner. After Ruby crashes sternum-first into the turnbuckles and stumbles back, Marx grabs her from behind. The Suspects then deliver a German Suplex/Superkick Combination. As Marx heads out onto the apron, Tryon makes the cover.

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

Tryon gets up and tags Marx back in. After they trade spots, Marx hooks his arms around Ruby’s legs while Tryon scales up to the top turnbuckle. On cue, The Suspects deliver a catapult/diving clothesline combo. Marx makes the cover.

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

Marx makes the tag to Tryon. As Tryon climbs up onto the top turnbuckle, Marx picks up Ruby and gets her in position. On cue, The Suspects deliver a vertical suplex/flying cross body combo. Tryon makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Hardaway dives over and breaks up the pin.

While Hardaway steps back out onto the apron, Tryon scoop slams Ruby before stepping back out onto the apron. He climbs up to the top turnbuckle and crouches down. Once Ruby gets back to her feet, Tryon slowly stands up. When Ruby turns around, he leaps off and goes for a flying spinning heel kick. But Ruby rolls out of the way, causing Tryon to crash onto the canvas.

Kris Cruise: He missed! Tryon missed the flying kick off the top!

After both grapplers slowly return to their feet, Ruby runs over and delivers a Sling Blade.

Ruby slowly turns over and begins crawling back towards her corner. Rother can be seen yelling at her from the floor. But it’s to no avail. He then begins yelling at Tryon to make the tag.

Kris Cruise: Which of these two grapplers will make the tag!?

Marx has his arm stretched out on his side of the ring while Hardaway can be seen slapping the top turnbuckle repeatedly. Ruby continues to claw her way towards her corner while Tryon can be seen maneuvering his way across the ring on his forearms.

The crowd boos as Tryon gets up, stumbles into the corner and tags Marx. Marx immediately gets in, rushes across the ring and grabs Ruby by the ankle. Ruby gets up on one foot and can be seen reaching out to Hardaway for dear life. Hardaway can be seen jumping up on the apron over and over and trying to reach out to her. But Marx has got her right where he wants her. That is, until Ruby lunges forward, slipping through Marx’s grasps and making the tag.

Kris Cruise: K-Hard’s back in!

The crowd comes alive a Ruby makes the tag. When Hardaway gets back in, Marx nails him with a right hands. But Hardaway comes back with one of his own. Marx nails Hardaway with another right hand. But again, Hardaway comes back with one of his own. Marx throws another punch. This time, Hardaway blocks and counters. Marx throws another punch. But again, it gets blocked and countered. Hardaway then nails Marx with another punch… and another… and another… and another… and another… and another. After a kick to the midsection, he takes Marx by the wrist and goes for a short-arm Decap Lariat. But Marx ducks, hooks Hardaway arms from behind and delivers a sitout full nelson atomic drop. He turns around and applies a seated cobra clutch before yanking Hardaway back to his feet and delivering a cobra clutch suplex. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

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

Marx picks up Hardaway and whips him into the ropes, where Tryon knees him in the back. As Hardaway stumbles away from the ropes, Marx kicks him in the midsection and delivers a sitout double underhook powerbomb.

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

Marx picks up Hardaway and goes for an irish whip. But Hardaway reverses, sending Marx into Tryon. Tryon flies off the apron and crashes against the guardrail before bouncing off and falling to the floor. Ruby sees this, so she rounds the ring post and runs along the aorn before delivering Look Out Below!

Back in the ring, as Marx stumbles back, Hardaway knocks him down with a spinning heel kick to the back of the head. Hardaway gets up and runs into the ropes as Marx pushes himself up on all fours. When Hardaway returns, he delivers a double foot stomp across the back, flattening Marx on the canvas. Hardaway pulls him over and makes the cover.

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

As Hardaway slowly picks up Marx, Marx begins to nail him with right hands to the midsection. He then takes Hardaway and goes for an irish whip. But Hardaway reverses, sending him into the corner. Hardaway then runs across the ring and connects with a European Uppercut. He then takes Marx and whips him into the opposite corner. After lining him up, Hardaway charges across the ring and connects with a corner yakuza kick. After pulling a dazed Marx from out of the corner, Hardaway doubles him over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. From there, Hardaway delivers a stomp to the back of the head, followed by a rolling elbow that sends Marx crumbling to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: KTFO~!

Back on the outside, Tryon can be seen slowly returning to his feet. So Hardaway runs across the ring, leaps through the ropes and knocks him down with GTFO~!

Back in the ring, Marx can be seen slowly pushing himself up on all fours. But he doesn’t stay there for long as Ruby knocks him back down with a low angle single leg dropkick to the side of the head. Hardaway then rolls back into the ring. He picks up Marx, lifts him up and delivers a Williams Driver. He then rolls Marx back towards Ruby, who nails him with the Dead Aim.

Kris Cruise: The Hunter’s Demise! This could be it...

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” blasts over the PA as the crowd explodes with cheers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here are your winners, RUBYWAY!

RubyWay get their arms raised as the crowd continues to cheer.

Kris Cruise: The Usual Suspects have suffered their first loss since returning to FGA. It’s amazing what happens when Rother is taken out of the equation and the playing field is evened.

Stephy Auger: Just be quiet! This is terrible! Chad is a thief! The Suspects lost! Poor Anthony Rother… he soiled his pants! This match could not have gone worse!

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]