Vertigo (8.6.16)

[FGA Office]

Earlier Today

Spencer Burke is standing by in front of the FGA backdrop.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, with me right now is one of the eight FGA stars that'll be competing in the Frontier Lions Cup, Chandler Scott.

(Chandler walks into view to the adulation of the crowd. A slight smirk forms as he hears the crowd in the distance.)

Spencer Burke: Chandler Scott, tonight you go up against Luke Jackson. Both of you have touched on the importance of a win heading into Above & Beyond V. But I wanted to get your thoughts on your comments towards Luke Jackson a few days ago. Some would call them over the line. Some would call them borderline offensive. What are your thoughts?

Chandler Scott: Well, Burke, I said what I felt needed to be said. I don't regret saying a thing. And if anyone doesn't like what I said? Then that's too bad, because you're not going to be getting any type of apology here tonight.

What I told Luke Jackson the other day was the cold hard truth. He needed to hear it from somebody. And if he's not going to hear it from his own partner or anyone else in his inner circle, then why not get it from me? I gave it to him straight. I gave him that dose of reality because I wanted him to wake the hell up. Despite what you or even Luke may think, I'm not overlooking him. A lot of the roster does and with the way he's been trending as of late, I can't exactly say that I blame them. But I'm not one of them. I know how good Luke can be. He's the one that scored the winning pinfall in the Joker's Wild Tag Tournament, not Ricky Valero. He's the one that scored the winning pinfall to claim those Tag Titles, not Ricky Valero. In fact, he's the one that's scored the majority of those winning pinfalls, not Ricky Valero.

Now sure, Ricky's experience inside the ring trumps Luke's. That's a given. But when it came to that Next Level tag team, Luke was an equal. He wasn't anyone's sidekick. He wasn't anyone's backup. He was Ricky's equal. But the thing with Luke is that, like I said, he's weak willed. He's got no backbone. Instead of being viewed as an equal, he let people give Ricky all the credit. He let people push him into the background. He was an alpha that ended up resigning to the role of a beta. If that's the type of attitude that he's going to carry going forward... if that's the type of garbage that he'll let slide... if Luke Jackson is just going to let people walk all over him, then he's not going to get very far in this company.

Luke, I said those things because I know that there's greatness inside of you. We saw how good you were earlier this year. But I know that you're capable of being even better than that. I just want you to be great. And if there were ever a time for you to be great, it's right here tonight in Las Vegas against yours truly. If you're not bringing your best against me, then you don't stand a chance.

[FGA Office]

Chandler Scott vs. Luke Jackson

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

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Oakland, California! Weighing in at 165 pounds … LUKE “THE KID” JACKSON!

Kris Cruise: Luke Jackson and Ricky Valero started 2016 off hot and became won the FGA World Tag Team Titles. But over the last several shows, things have been slowly going downhill for the duo.

Stephy Auger: Maybe they’re in a funk. Or maybe this team just wasn’t built to last. But something’s gone wrong here and they need to fix it or else they're not winning those Tag Titles back.

The sound of a guitar plays throughout the arena, capturing the attention of all the fans in the crowd. They all turn their attention to the entrance way, preparing for the man that’s about to walk out.

It's been so long
Long hard days
They don't say
Gods change my ways
Change my ways
Those evil ways...

So I set out
Cross that way
Strike them down
To make them pay
Change their ways
Their evil ways...

At the 1:01:50 second mark, “Evil Ways (Justice Mix)” bursts through the speakers. Chandler Scott then steps through the curtain to a loud ovation from the crowd.

BUT I CAN'T HIDE!
OOOOOOO!
AND I WON'T HIDE!
OOOOOOO! YEAH!
My Evil Ways...

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, from Hyannis, Massachusetts! Weighing in at 228 pounds … CHANDLER SCOTT!

Despite the positive reaction from the crowd, Chandler doesn’t play to them for now. Instead, he keeps his eyes focused on the ring as he walks down the ramp and aisle.

I found out
The hate grow cool
The god rise up
Damn my soul
Cause I ain't change
Change my ways
I ain't change...

As he hits the ringside area, a spotlight slowly fades upon him.

SO I WON'T HIDE!
OOOOOOO!
I WON'T HIDE!
OOOOOOO! HEY!
I CAN'T HIDE! YEAH!
OOOOOOO!
I CAN'T HIDE! HEY!
My Evil Ways...

While the chorus plays, he leaps up onto the apron, steps through the ropes and enters the ring. Chandler then marches into the corner, climbs up onto the middle ropes and scans the crowd. He then slowly spreads his arms out. This time, he soaks in the large reaction from the crowd. Chandler hops down to the canvas and removes the shades and the vest, tossing them to the outside as he awaits the opening bell.

Kris Cruise: Two weeks ago, Chandler Scott defeated Chris Bond to qualify for the 2016 Frontier Lions Cup. He’ll now be taking on Dom Harter in what should be an excellent match. But tonight, he’s got Luke Jackson. Even though Luke is in a bit of a slump, he’s not an opponent that you should sleep on.

Stephy Auger: Did you not hear what Chandler said a few days ago? He’s going to bring the same intensity to this match that he always does. His words may have suggested one thing. But I don’t think Chandler is overlooking Luke Jackson in the slightest.

The bell sounds as both men circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Chandler moves Luke across the ring and into the corner. As Chandler presses Luke up against the corner, the ref heads over and gives both men until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both men make a clean break. While Luke’s arms are in the air, Chandler takes advantage and quickly punches him in the midsection. He nails Luke with another punch to the gut before delivering a hard knife edge chop. Chandler then takes Luke and whips him into the opposite corner. Chandler runs across the ring and into the corner, but Luke catches him with a back elbow to the face. After stumbling back, Chandler runs back into the corner. This time, Luke catches him with a boot to the face that turns him around. As Chandler staggers away from the corner, Luke runs up from behind and brings him down with a bulldog. The crowd cheers as he pulls Chandler over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Chandler kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Early pin attempt there for Luke Jackson. He’s not wasting any time or taking any chances in there against an opponent like Chandler Scott.

Luke picks up Chandler and places him in a side headlock. But Chandler is quick to shove Luke off of him and into the ropes. When Luke comes back, Chandler knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. He then runs into the ropes. When Chandler returns, Luke kips up and leapfrogs over him. Chandler continues to run into the far ropes. When Chandler returns, Luke throws him down with a hip toss. As soon as Chandler gets back to his feet, Luke brings him down with an arm drag. After Chandler gets back up, Luke brings him back down with another arm drag and quickly transitions into an armbar. The ref gets down and asks Chandler if he wants to give up. But he refuses. After battling his way back up to his feet, Chandler moves Luke across the ring and into the ropes. Once Chandler reaches over and grabs the middle rope with his free hand, the ref gives Luke until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Luke slowly lets go. Once his arms are in the air, Chandler tries to take advantage with a shoulder thrust to the midsection. But Luke catches him with a knee lift. As Chandler stumbles back, Luke makes his way off the ropes and delivers a knife edge chop. He then blasts Chandler with another chop… and another… and another. He then takes Chandler and goes for an irish whip. But Chandler reverses, sending Luke into the ropes. When Luke returns, the crowd cheers as Chandler knocks him down with a running European Uppercut. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Luke kicks out.

Chandler picks up Luke, marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Luke around, Chandler lights up his chest with a series of knife edge chops. He then takes Luke, whips him across the ring and follows him into the opposite corner. But instead of crashing into the corner, Luke grabs onto the top ropes and vaults himself over his oncoming opponent. Once Chandler turns around, Luke catches him with a right hand. He then nails Chandler with another right hand… and another… and another. He then brings Chandler from out of the corner before whipping him into the far ropes. When Chandler returns, Luke sets up for a back body drop. Chandler sees this, so he counters with a sunset flip. But Luke is able to roll through before following up with a jackknife pin.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Chandler bridges up and turns over. But before Chandler can lift up Luke for a piledriver, Luke counters with a back body drop. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Chandler kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Thus far, Jackson’s been able to hold his own.

Stephy Auger: He’s heard the gossip going around the locker room. He knows the slide that The Next Level is currently on. He wants to do his best to give his team a boost going into Above & Beyond V. A win over Chandler tonight would be a great boost in confidence for The Kid.

Luke picks up Chandler and whips him into the ropes. When Chandler returns, Luke goes for another hip toss. But Chandler blocks it. So Luke tries to muscle up Chandler for another hip toss. But again, it gets blocked. So Luke doubles Chandler over with a punch to the midsection. After draping his leg across the back of Chandler’s neck, Luke hits a backflip. But after he lands on his feet, Chandler doubles him over with a kick to the midsection. After dragging a hunched over Luke towards the corner, Chandler delivers a snap suplex into the turnbuckles.

Chandler returns to his feet and begins stomping away on Luke. He then reaches down, pulls up Luke and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Luke around, Chandler nails him with a punch to the midsection, followed by a punch to the face. Chandler delivers another punch to the midsection, followed by a punch to the face. After another punch to the midsection doubles Luke over, Chandler drags him from out of the corner before delivering a snap suplex. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Luke gets his shoulder up.

Chandler picks up Luke and whips him into the ropes. When Luke returns, he goes for a cross body block. But Chandler catches him in mid air before delivering a rib breaker. He then gets up and walks backwards into the ropes. When Chandler returns, he delivers a jumping knee drop. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Luke gets his shoulder up.

Chandler picks up Luke and whips him into the ropes. When Luke comes back, Chandler throws out a clothesline. But Luke ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Luke comes back, Chandler throws out a back elbow to the face. But again, Luke ducks and runs into the ropes. When Luke returns, the crowd cheers as Chandler throws him down with a tilt-a-whirl side slam. He hooks the leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Luke gets his shoulder up.

As Chandler reaches down and slowly picks up Luke, Luke begins to nail him with right hands to the midsection. But Chandler cuts that off by knocking him down with a clubbing shot across the back of the neck. After Chandler reaches down and slowly begins to pick up Luke again, Luke fires back with another series of right hands to the midsection. This time, Chandler cuts it off with a European Uppercut, followed by an elbow smash that knocks Luke down. He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Luke gets his shoulder up.

After a knee strike to the midsection, Chandler lifts Luke up for a shotgun stunner. But Luke slips down from behind and follows up with a schoolboy roll-up.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Chandler kicks out.

After both men get back to their feet, Luke stops Chandler with a kick to the midsection. He then knocks Chandler back with a right hand… and another right hand… and another… and another… and another. He then knocks Chandler down with a dropkick. After Chandler gets back up, Luke knocks him back down with another dropkick. After Chandler returns to his feet, Luke kicks him in the midsection. After an inverted atomic drop sends Chandler stumbling back towards the ropes, Luke turns and takes off into the far ropes. When Luke returns, Chandler dips his shoulder and dumps Luke over the top rope and to the floor.

As Luke slowly gets up on the outside, Chandler takes off into the far ropes. When Luke turns around, the crowd cheers as Chandler knocks him down with a suicide dive.

Kris Cruise: Jackson couldn’t get out of the way in time and got caught by that suicide dive.

Stephy Auger: Every time Luke starts to get even a little bit of momentum, Chandler is right there to cut him off.

Chandler gets up on the outside and goes back to stomping away on Luke. He then picks up Luke and rolls him back into the ring. After reaching in and dragging Luke into position on the apron, Chandler climbs up onto the apron. He steps back towards the ring post before walking forward and delivering a leg drop across Luke’s throat. After Luke rolls back into the ring and clutches his neck, Chandler pulls himself back up to his feet. He then makes his way across the apron, climbs up onto the top turnbuckle and crouches down as he waits for Luke to get in position. Once Luke stands up and turns around, Chandler knocks him down with a flying high knee to the face. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Luke gets his shoulder up.

Chandler picks up Luke and lifts him up across his shoulders. But Luke is quick to nail Chandler with elbows to the side of the head. After slipping down from behind, Luke delivers an atomic drop and follows up with a dropkick to the back, which sends Chandler through the ropes and to the floor. As Chandler gets up on the outside, Luke takes off into the far ropes. When Chandler turns around, Luke knocks him down with a baseball slide. Luke returns to his feet before stepping out onto the apron. He can be seen waving up Chandler. Once Chandler returns to his feet, Luke knocks him down with an Asai Moonsault.

Kris Cruise: The high risk pays off as Jackson connects with the moonsault!

Stephy Auger: But can he follow up? Can he build off of it and get the win?

Luke picks up Chandler, slams him face-first onto the apron and rolls him back into the ring. After climbing up onto the apron, Luke walks along the apron and climbs to the top turnbuckle. Once Chandler gets back to his feet and turns around, Luke leaps off and goes for a flying cross body block. But Chandler’s able to catch him in mid air, which results in cheers from the crowd. After hoisting Luke up across his shoulders, Chandler delivers a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. He then sits up Luke before running into the ropes. When Chandler returns, he flattens Luke with a sliding forearm smash to the face. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Luke gets his shoulder up.

Chandler picks up Luke and whips him hard into the corner. After Luke’s back collides with the turnbuckles, he stumbles from out of the corner until Chandler runs over and sends him flipping down to the canvas with a kitchen sink. Chandler picks up Luke and delivers two rolling snap suplexes before delivering a snap fisherman neckbreaker. He then sits up Luke before taking off into the ropes. When Chandler returns, he delivers a rolling neck snap. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!

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

Chandler sits up Luke and applies a rear chinlock. The ref asks Luke if he wants to give up. When Luke refuses, Chandler pulls back harder to apply more pressure. The ref checks in on Luke again and asks if he wants to give up. Luke still refuses, but it takes him a little bit longer to respond than it did before. While Luke sits writhing in pain, the crowd tries to rally behind The Kid.

Kris Cruise: Jackson’s trying to hang on. He’s trying to fight his way out of this hold. But does he have enough left?

Luke begins to feed off the energy of the crowd. He begins shaking his right arm before slowly turning over onto his knees. From there, Luke slowly gets back to his feet. After delivering five elbows to break the hold, Luke takes off into the ropes. When Luke returns, he knocks Chandler down with a spinning heel kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Chandler gets his shoulder up.

Luke picks up Chandler and goes for an irish whip. But Chandler reverses, sending Luke into the ropes. When Luke returns, Chandler goes for a back body drop. But Luke slips down from behind. He then turns Chandler around and follows up with the Legs of Money. The last kick to the body slowly drops Chandler down to a knee. From there, Luke turns and takes off into the ropes. When he comes back, he blasts Chandler in the face with The Oakland Drive-By. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Chandler gets his shoulder up.

Luke picks up Chandler, whips him across the ring, follows him into the corner and connects with a clothesline. He then whips Chandler across the ring, follows him into the opposite corner and connects with another clothesline. After bringing Chandler out of the corner, Luke doubles him over with a kick to the midsection before planting him with a DDT. While Chandler’s down, Luke steps out onto the apron before climbing up to the top turnbuckle. Once Chandler gets up and turns around, Luke jumps off the top turnbuckle, turns in mid air and lands back on the top ropes so that he’s now facing the crowd. He then quickly flips off and knocks Chandler down with a moonsault. He then drags Chandler in position before heading back out onto the apron. He springboards to the top turnbuckle, flips off and goes for a 450 Splash. But Chandler gets his knees up.

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

Stephy Auger: He should’ve went for the cover instead of getting greedy!

Luke bounces off of Chandler’s knees before curling up in pain. As Luke slowly returns to his feet, Chandler grabs him and whips him into the ropes. When Luke comes back, the crowd cheers as Chandler turns him inside out with a Pinpoint Dropkick. Chandler picks up Luke, lifts him up and delivered an inverted atomic drop. While Luke’s knees are buckled, Chandler heads into the ropes. When he returns, the crowd cheers as he brings Luke down with a spinning sitout sleeper slam. He then picks up Luke, whips him across the ring, follows him into the corner and connects with a hard European Uppercut that nearly knocks his head off. He then whips Luke across the ring, follows him into the opposite corner and delivers a flying corner elbow smash. After sitting Luke up on the top turnbuckle, Chandler places in a three quarter facelock, takes a few steps out of the corner and drops him with the Mass Spike. He then picks up Luke, brings him towards the center of the ring lifts him in the air. After holding Luke in place for five seconds, the crowd cheers as Chandler plants him with Evil Intentions. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“Evil Ways (Justice Mix)” blasts over the PA as the crowd explodes with cheers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, CHANDLER SCOTT!

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

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Earlier Tonight…

Annie Dupree: The devil’s spawn no longer breathes, descending angels and fallen kiiiings. Raise your hands, what do you hooooold?”

The show cuts backstage to where Annie Dupree is sat on a bench in her locker room, headphones on, hyping herself up for her main event match later this evening. A bit of Volbeat obviously playing as she sings along.

Annie Dupree: The Devil's bleeding croooown!

Salem Cartier: Am I interrupting?

The question isn’t exactly heard, though, as Annie pauses the song and slides the headphones down around her neck.She smiles as Salem enters the locker room properly, instead of just poking her head around the door.

Salem Cartier: Just wanted to see how Annie Bananie gets ready for her big matches…

Annie Dupree: So you know what to expect next month, huh?

Salem shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly.

Salem Cartier: You got me.

Annie Dupree: If I tell you I’ll have to kill you … nah, you can keep a secret. It’s a bit of rock and roll, and a banana caramel S’mores frappuccino

Dupree nudges her future opponent with an elbow before she leans down, grabbing up the frappuccino from off the bench. She takes a deep slurp from the straw, finishing with a satisfied “ahh” before beaming a wide smile at Salem.

Salem Cartier: Your secrets safe with me, Annie, don’t worry. Might have to try that myself later, see if it works for my match against Savannah tonight - at least I don’t have to worry about an inattentive referee affecting the outcome this time.

Annie Dupree: Ohhh....

Salem smirks as Annie catches that shade.

Annie Dupree: Now you’ll have no excuse when she has you down for the three count.

Annie slaps her friend on the shoulder.

Annie Dupree: Just like your last match against Molly.

She says before taking another sip from her frappuccino.

Salem Cartier: Oh, I see how it is. I couldn’t beat your last challenger so now you’re feeling confident.

Annie Dupree: I’m just kidding, Salem! If I didn’t think you deserved a shot I’d have said something by now. But, seriously, I’m looking forward to facing you.

Salem Cartier: Because it’s gonna be an amazing match?

Annie Dupree: Exactly! Now, take this…

She reaches down for her spare banana caramel S’mores frappuccino, which she hands to Salem.

Annie Dupree: ...and kick some butt against Savannah tonight.

[FGA Office]

Savannah Taylor vs. Salem Cartier

"I'll get you my pretty... and your little dog too!"

"There's no place like home!"

The funky drum beat and riff of 'Phenomena' by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs fills the arena and the quirky yet energetic Salem Cartier appears at the entrance wearing a hooded dark purple leather tailcoat with huge silver buttons, the hood pulled over her eyes. She carries a silver cane, the top a silver claw gripping a dark purple crystal that has a plasma globe effect. She's tapping her foot and bopping her head to the beat...

She raises both hands and motions for the fans to get hyped, swinging the cane, then bops her way toward the ring in time with the song, popping her shoulders up and down, swaying her arms around with a coy smile and wink to the audience.

"Hey! Don't touch, kid; sleep with the lights on
Touch, kid; how you surprise me
Now roll kid, rock your body off!"

She steps up the ring steps, throws her hood back, clutches the top rope and puts her feet on the bottom rope, gazing around and rocking up and down on the ropes...

"You're something like a phenomena
Something like an astronoma'
Now roll kid, rock your body off!"

She slides through the ropes, twirls off her jacket with a flourish and drops to a knee in the center of the ring, extending her arms out holding up the cane and playing to the crowd as the music fades. She takes the jacket and cane to the corner, ready for the match.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, currently residing out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 130 pounds! She is “Something Like A Phenomena” … SALEM CARTIER!

Kris Cruise: Salem Cartier is just a couple of weeks away from her big Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship Match against Annie Dupree. You can bet that she wants to go into that match with as much momentum as possible. What better way to do that than by defeated perennial Mid-Atlantic Legacy Title contender Savannah Taylor.

Stephy Auger: Of course she would. But that’s easier said than done. She stepping into the ring tonight against someone that knows her very well. Savannah’s got a one over her, you know.

Kris Cruise: But Salem has a win over her, as well.

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

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, from LAS VEGAS, NEVADA!

The blonde steps out onto the stage for a few seconds and glances to either side of her before walking purposefully down the aisle, an air of arrogance displayed in her gait. She climbs the steps and stands on the apron, scanning the crowd before nodding her head at the fans.

J.A. Aldridge: Weighing in at 120 pounds … SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

Stepping into the ring, she stands in the center and raises her hands above her head, seeming to soak in the cheers. She then rests her back against the turnbuckle and waits for the lights to return to normal and the music to fade out.

Kris Cruise: How about that reception for the hometown girl?

Stephy Auger: You can tell she pumped to be wrestling in her backyard. Not only does she want to settle the score with Salem, but she wants to put on a hell of a show for the hometown crowd.

The bell sounds as both grapplers circle the ring. But before locking up, Taylor stops and turns to the crowd.

Crowd: SAVANNAH! SAVANNAH! SAVANNAH!

The two grapplers continue to circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Taylor gains the advantage with a side headlock. She then transitions into a spinning drop toe hold. Taylor quickly makes her way across Cartier’s back and applies a grounded side headlock. The ref asks Cartier if she wants to give up. But she refuses. After Cartier battles her back way to her feet, Taylor throws her back down with a side headlock takeover. The ref gets down and asks Cartier if she wants to give up. But once again, she refuses. She then lifts her legs up and reverses into a headscissors. The ref asks Taylor if she wants to give up. When Taylor refuses, Cartier lifts one of her legs up and drops it down hard across Taylor’s neck before reapplying the headscissors. The ref asks Taylor if she wants to give up. When Taylor refuses, Cartier lets go of the headscissors, lifts her leg up and repeatedly drops it down across Taylor’s neck. She then reapplies the headscissors. The ref checks in with Taylor and asks if she wants to give up. But the Las Vegas Siren still refuses. After slowly turning over onto her knees, Taylor presses down on Cartier’s thighs. From there, Taylor slowly slips her head out from the headscissors. Once she’s free, Taylor pops up to her feet and follows up with a dropkick to the face. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Cartier kicks out.

Taylor picks up Cartier and goes for an irish whip. But Cartier reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Taylor comes back, Cartier goes for a hip toss. But Taylor steps through it before throwing Cartier down with a hip toss her own. When Cartier gets back to her feet, Taylor throws her down with an arm drag and quickly transitions into an armbar.

Kris Cruise: Not only has the crowd been solidly behind Taylor from the start, but Taylor has been controlling the majority of this match. Normally it’s Salem that has the crowd on her side. But they are firmly behind the Las Vegas Siren.

The ref gets down and asks Cartier if she wants to give up. But she refuses. So Taylor readjusts her grip to apply more pressure. Cartier can be seen seething in pain while the hold continues to be applied. The ref asks her again if she wants to give up. But Cartier refuses. She then battles her way up to her feet, turns and moves Taylor into the ropes. From there, the ref gives Taylor until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

As soon as Taylor lets go and raises her arms in the air, Cartier quickly grabs her by the arm and whips her into the far ropes. When Taylor comes back, Cartier throws out a forward palm strike. But Taylor ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Taylor comes back, the crowd cheers as she tackles Cartier down with a Lou Thesz Press. She then mounts herself on top of Cartier and hammers away with a flurry of right hands.

Taylor picks up Cartier, marches into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Cartier around, Taylor unleashes a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. She then steps back and chokes Cartier while pulling down on the top rope. The ref gives Taylor until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Taylor breaks the hold. She then takes Cartier and goes for an irish whip. But Cartier reverses, sending Taylor into the corner. Cartier then runs across the ring, hops onto Taylor’s thighs and brings her down with a monkey flip DDT. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Taylor kicks out.

Cartier picks up Taylor and goes for an irish whip. But Taylor reverses, sending Cartier into the ropes. When Cartier returns, Taylor goes for a hip toss. But Cartier steps through it before launching Taylor with a hip toss her own. When Taylor gets back to her feet, Cartier throws her back down with an arm drag. Taylor gets back up. But Cartier is quick to throw her right back down with another arm drag. After Taylor returns to her feet, Cartier throws her back down with a side headlock takeover. Taylor easily reverses into a headscissors. But Cartier able to escape with a kip up. After Taylor turns and gets back to her feet, she’s placed in another side headlock. But Taylor doesn’t stay there for long as she shoves Cartier off of her and into the ropes. When Cartier comes back, she knocks Taylor over with a running shoulder block. The force from the blow causes to Taylor to roll back. Once Taylor rolls over and gets up on her knees, Cartier quickly throws out a buzzsaw kick. But Taylor ducks, pops up to her feet, grabs Cartier form behind and slams her down with a Forward Russian Legsweep.

Stephy Auger: Blonde Ambition!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Cartier gets her shoulder up.

Taylor picks up Cartier and delivers an arm wrench. Cartier then gives her a taste of her own medicine by delivering an arm wrench of her own. Taylor then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench. She yanks Cartier’s arm before delivering another arm wrench. The ref asks Cartier if she wants to give up. But she refuses. She then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of her own. From there, she delivers another arm wrench, followed by a knife edge chop. Cartier continues to arm wrench/chop combination before capping it off with a headscissors takedown. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Cartier picks up Taylor and whips her into the ropes. When Taylor comes back, Cartier doubles her over with a kick to the midsection. She then sets Taylor up for a double underhook suplex. But Taylor counters with a back body drop. She then runs into the ropes. As Cartier turns over and gets up on a knee, Taylor motions for a Shining Wizard. But Cartier rolls out of the way. Once Taylor turns around, Cartier doubles her over with a knee to the midsection. She then grabs Taylor from the side, brings her down with a rolling snapmare and follows up with a Buzzsaw Kick to the head. She makes the cover.

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

Cartier sits up Taylor, sits down behind her and applies a Lotus Lock. The ref gets down and asks Taylor if she wants to give up. But she refuses. So Cartier pushes down to apply even more pressure.

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor with really nowhere to go here. She’s completely at the mercy of Salem Cartier. Will she give up? Will she quit in front of the hometown crowd?

The ref asks Taylor if she wants to give up. When Taylor refuses to quit, Cartier rolls over into a pinning combination.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Taylor gets out.

After both grapplers return to their feet, Cartier goes for a leg feed enzuigiri. But Taylor ducks the kick to the head. She then quickly runs into the ropes. As Cartier is in the process of getting up off her knee, the crowd cheers as Taylor knocks her down with a Shining Wizard. She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: This match has gone back and forth, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: These two have been in the ring before and have a win over each other. They know each other inside and out.

Taylor picks up Cartier and whips her into the ropes. When she returns, Taylor sets up a back body drop. But Cartier stops, hooks her arms and delivers a double underhook suplex. After Taylor gets back to her feet and turns around, Cartier runs over and connects with a Cactus Clothesline, sending both grapplers over the top rope and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Both grapplers just took a hard fall to the outside!

Stephy Auger: But it looks like Taylor got the worst of it because Cartier is back up!

Cartier rolls herself back in the ring and waits for Taylor to get up. Once Taylor starts to get back to a vertical base, Cartier springs to her feet before running into the far ropes. When she returns, she goes for a topé con hilo. But Taylor rolls back into the ring, causing Cartier to crash onto the floor.

Kris Cruise: Cartier with another hard floor to the floor.

Stephy Auger: Unlike last time, she’s feeling every bit of that fall.

Taylor rolls out onto the apron and pulls herself up using the ropes. She then begins to wave up Cartier. Once Cartier returns to her feet, the crowd cheers as Taylor knocks her down with an Asai Moonsault.

Kris Cruise: The high risk move pays off for the Las Vegas Siren. She could be seconds away from a win.

Taylor picks up Cartier and rolls her back into the ring. After sliding back in, she drags Cartier away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Taylor picks up Cartier and whips her into the ropes. When Cartier returns, Taylor knocks her down with a running hip strike. She follows up with a standing moonsault, which elicits cheers from the crowd.

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

Taylor picks up Cartier and nails her with three forearms to the face before stepping back and throwing out a roundhouse kick. But Cartier ducks and counters with a shinbreaker into a leg hook Saito Suplex. She makes the cover.

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

Cartier picks up Taylor and whips her into the corner. She then runs across the ring and goes for a corner cartwheel leaping hip attack. But Taylor moves out of the way, causing Cartier to crash into the turnbuckles. As Cartier stumbles from out of the corner, the crowd cheers as Taylor knocks her down with a Spinning Backfist.

Kris Cruise: Desert Rose! Desert Rose from Taylor!

Stephy Auger: She got all of it!

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Cartier gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Close call there for Cartier.

Taylor picks up Cartier and lifts her up for a brainbuster. But Cartier slips down from behind. She then shoves Taylor into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Cartier knocks her down with a flying calf kick. When Taylor gets back to her feet, Cartier knocks her down with another flying calf kick. As Taylor gets back up, Cartier heads into the ropes. When she returns, she brings Taylor down with a wheelbarrow bulldog. Cartier turns her over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Cartier picks up Taylor and nails her with forward palm strikes. She then steps back and sends her flipping down to the canvas with a leg feed enzuigiri. Cartier then takes off into the ropes. As Taylor slowly turns over and gets up on one knee, Cartier knocks her down with a Shining Wizard. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Two close calls there for Taylor!

Cartier takes Taylor and whips her into the corner. She then runs across the ring and delivers a cartwheel leaping hip attack into the corner. Taylor stumbles from out of the corner before dropping down to her knees. Cartier then comes up from behind and delivers a somersault cutter. She pulls Taylor up on her knees, steps back and throws out a Buzzasaw Kick. But Taylor ducks again. After Taylor gets back to her feet, Cartier turns into a kick to the midsection that doubles her over. Taylor then quickly grabs her before delivering a corkscrew neckbreaker.

Kris Cruise: The Gamble! Will it pay off?

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Cartier gets her shoulder up.

Taylor picks up Cartier and nails her with a forearm strike. Cartier comes back with a forearm strike of her own. Taylor then nails Cartier with another forearm strike. Cartier answers back with a forearm of her own. Taylor then nails Cartier with yet another forward strike. But again, Cartier comes back with one of her own. Before Taylor can strike back, Cartier cuts her off with a forearm palm strike. She then cuts Taylor off with another palm strike… and another… and another. Cartier goes for another strike. But this one is ducked. When Cartier turns around, Taylor throws out Blonde Ambition. But Cartier ducks the spinning backfist. When Taylor turns around, Cartier goes for the New Hampshire Handshake. But the leaping elbow strike is ducked. When Cartier and Taylor turn around to face each other, they each deliver a roundhouse kick that catches them both flush against the side of the head. The crowd gasps as both grapplers them crumble down to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: They each got hit with a roundhouse to the head! Which one of them will return to their feet first!?

Stephy Auger: I don’t know, Cruise. I think they’re both out.


ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIVE!





SIX!





SEVEN!





EIGHT!





NINE!





TEN!

The referee calls for the bell. Taylor and Cartier are both on the ground and appear to be shaken up after those kicks to the head.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has informed me that this has been ruled… a DRAW!

The decision turns out to be an unpopular one as it's quickly met from boos to the crowd. But the boos slowly fade to cheers as Taylor and Cartier slowly pull themselves back up suing the ropes. The two competitors look at each other before Taylor exits the ring to the adulation of the hometown crowd.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Zero McHannon vs. Johnny Karma

The arena lights flash in a myriad of different colours in time with John Bonham's quite remarkably epic drum intro that is filling the arena, and just as it reaches a crescendo Cherry Baum emerges at the top of the ramp, standing to one side to introduce the reigning Pride Champion, the man they call Johnny Karma, to the Frontier Wrestling Arts fanbase - and out he comes, Pride Championship title belt slung over his shoulder, as he walks out onto the ramp before coming to a halt and uses a couple of fingers to blow a kiss to the fans

As he and Cherry begin to walk down the ramp, Karma chats and waves to the fans who have paid to see Him do His thing tonight, while also talking some last minute preparation with Cherry as they get ever closer to the ring

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

Once inside His ring, Karma unzips his ring jacket before he climbs onto the nearest turnbuckle and lifts the Pride Championship belt high above his head, pointing to himself as he holds it high, looking out over His crowd and nodding in acknowledgment

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

Once he climbs down from the turnbuckles, Karma crosses the ring and climbs onto the opposite turnbuckle to salute His followers

Stephy Auger: Let’s see if Karma's got it in him to beat Zero. It’ll take a godly intervention for it to happen.

Kris Cruise: Don’t ever underestimate Johnny Karma. All throughout his time here in FGA, he has been underestimated, if Zero does that, he may as well tally the loss in the column himself.

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

Climbing down once again, Karma saunters towards the centre of the ring and raises the title belt above his head, while Cherry approaches the centre of the ring with a mic in hand so she can give Karma his introduction

Cherry Baum: Introducing first, weighing in at 233 pounds and hailing from Queens, NYC...he isn't here to gamble, he is here to win and win at the expense of the suitably-named Zero McHannon, he is JOHNNY KARMA!!!

Karma takes a couple of steps forward to accept the mid from Cherry

Johnny Karma: You know, for the past few days I've heard a lot of words from McHannon, including a few that weren't of the four-lettered variety, where he wants to talk about how he is somehow "better" than I am based on what he's done. So if we're going to take that route, let me ask McHannon a question: which of the competitors in this match has actually done a single thing to stop the New Kings getting their way? Is it me, the man who not just prevented the group getting hold of the Pride Championship by defeating Tony Carmine in back-to-back matches but also kept them out of the Frontier Lions Cup by eliminating Danny Diamond from contention, or is it the animal who thought his job got a lot easier when he only had to beat Johnny Cannon to retain the FWA Championship only to lose?

Karma passes the mic from one hand to the other, mainly to allow the last point to hang in the air for just a second

Johnny Karma: Face it, McHannon, for all your words and all your actions you are a literal Kingmaker, and no matter how hard you try to blame everybody else for your failings it's your fault and if you can't deal with that...well, you just gave me yet another reason to put you down tonight.

Having shown yet more fire, Karma hands the mic back to Cherry before he walks back towards his corner, pulling on the ropes for a moment before he rests against the turnbuckles

"Nobody Likes Me" by Deuce ft. Ronnie Radke hits the speakers. Bells are heard chiming through the speakers as the music comes in blazing, the lights surveying the arena, but then it stays focused on the top of the ramp with a bright white light. Zero McHannon walks through the curtain with a black zip up with the hood over his head, a leather jacket over the hoodie. He turns his back to the audience, holding up a "Z" with both hands to the crowd, then turning around abruptly, and rips the "Z" apart.

“Nobody likes me,
No one likes me,
But I don't like them,
Uh uh, I don't, nu uh"

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, now residing out of Long Island, New York by way of Miami, Florida! Weighing in at 218 pounds ... ZERO MCHANNON!

Zero holds his arms out for a moment and raises his head to take in the atmosphere from the fans as they shower him in hate, then slowly starts to make his way down the ramp. He walks down the ramp as fans are throwing jeers in his face, but Zero completely ignores them, and keeps his eyes fixated on the ring. McHannon stops at the bottom of the ramp and bounces on the balls of his feet, looking from one side of the arena to the other, then sliding in through the bottom rope, bouncing right up to his feet, and hitting the ropes to test them out by throwing his weight into it.

“All this hate you gave me that turned me deranged
Now I'm burning in the flames
All the things you said, they've been stuck in my head
And now I'm at it again, an addict
Welcome to hell, bitch
You can't do nothing about it

Out of my way f*ggot, you heard what I said damn it
I am an automatic ready to fire back at
All the f*ckers laughing
Not gonna lie about it, I'm gonna wreck havoc
Everyone's dying
Don't matter"

Zero McHannon climbs the nearest turnbuckle spread his arms and begins to yell towards the crowd as they do their best to cheer over him with jeers. He freezes for a moment, taking in the reaction from the audience, then hops from the corner ropes, and tests the mat under his feet. He's talking to himself as he crosses the ring and stands up on the other turnbuckle, brushing off his shoulder to the crowd, and slapping himself in the chest. Zero just stares at the crowd for several moments, jawing his mouth off at them before hopping off the turnbuckle.

"This is my chance
Maybe my last
And if I leave
There's no way back

This is your fate
When worlds collapse
I took my pain
Now give it backkkkkkk"

McHannon walks into the middle of the ring and pulls off the zip up with one of his hands, tossing it off to the side of the canvas. He falls back into one of the corners, and slumps into the turnbuckle, and then pulls apart from the turnbuckle. Zero throws his weight back into the ropes and throws his arms out to the side as the crowd reacts with a series of jeers at the man. He leans on the ropes some before take a few steps backwards towards the center of the ring and reciting the words to his theme song under his breath.

Kris Cruise: Zero’s in a rare mood. Everything seems to catching up with him ever-so-slightly. But to the common man, it’d break him down. Losing the World Championship has only made him more dangerous. I hope he didn’t bring that axe with him.

Zero and Karma measure each other a bit. Karma trades in two inches for a twenty pounds on Zero. Karma offers the test of strength on Zero. Zero does take it, much to the surprise of the crowd. They seem about even until Zero torques the strength and overpowers Karma. Karma starts to lean back, but then breaks the hold and tries for a rear-waist lock. Zero weaves his hands through the hold, breaking away. They then lock up with a collar and elbow. Once again, Zero overpowers Karma, pushing to the southeastern turnbuckle.

The referee goes over to start trying to pry Zero off, who is nearly suffocating Karma with the tight hold he has applied. Zero ignores him, but when he decides to back off, he puts up his hands innocently. When Karma goes to get away from the corner, Zero kicks the unsuspecting Karma in the gut. From there, he whips the man back into the opposing corner.

Zero rushes back in, following up with a flying forearm smash. Karma crumbles out of the corner, holding his face. When Zero goes to continue his assault, Karma hits him with a quick back elbow. Zero holds his nose, hissing out in pain. Karma takes one of Zero’s arms, while Zero tried to clear up his delirium. Karma hooks it behind Zero’s back and slams him to the mat with a hammerlock scoop slam. Zero clutches his arm, rolling about on the mat.

Karma takes Zero’s arm, who struggles to rip it away from Karma’s grasp. His attempt is met by a quick stomp to the shoulder. Karma then proceeds to start the Karmic Stomp. He continues to measure each limb of Zero’s, before finishing up with a sudden stomp to Zero’s face. When Zero rolls to his feet, no longer taking the thrashing, he is met by a kick to the gut. Karma hooks the arm again into a hammerlock, and slams Zero back down to the mat with a hammerlock suplex. Zero yells out in pain and slides underneath the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: Zero’s arm doesn’t look good right now. He’s favoring it something serious.

Stephy Auger: He’s just stretching out the muscles; maybe he didn’t get a good one backstage.

Zero walks around the ring, punching the air. He then re-enters the ring. Karma gives him space to. They hook up again, but Zero ducks down and hits an unsuspecting European uppercut. Karma hits the mat, where Zero goes on the attack. He proceeds to stomp away at Karma viciously. Karma tries to escape under the bottom rope, but Zero catches his leg and drags him back in. He whips the leg onto the mat, before bringing Karma back to his feet. Karma falls to a knee, feeling the immediate effects of his leg striking the mat at full force.

Zero, with a sinister smile on his face, lifts Karma up and hits him with a Suplex Neckbreaker. He goes for the cover, intentionally shoving his hand into Karma’s face.

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

Kris Cruise: Despite the earlier beating, Zero’s ruthless nature is giving him the match right now.

Stephy Auger: Like I said, Zero just needed a moment to get his head into the game. Me, the fans, you, Zero, and even Karma knows that this match is in the bag for him.

Zero lifts Karma up and sends him off the rope. He lowers his head down but Karma connects with a knee lift to Zero’s face. Zero’s head lifts up, once again he holds his nose. Karma goes for a roll up.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Zero kicks out.

When Karma gets to his feet, he jumps up, landing a knee drop to Zero. He favors his left leg, the one that hit the mat, slightly. Once he gets to his feet, he waits for Zero to get up. He runs off the ropes and brings Zero back down to the mat with the NYC Uppercut. From there, he heads for the second turnbuckle. With his arm raised high, he leaps off, striking Zero with a diving fist drop. He goes for the cover again.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Zero kicks out again.

Kris Cruise: I don’t know about you, Stephy, but Karma is taking it to Zero right now.

Stephy Auger: Emphasis on right now.

Shrugging off any frustration, Karma lifts Zero up, hitting him a quick chop to the chest. He follows up with echoing chops. They force the two-time World Champion back to the corner. From there, Zero starts to defend himself against the chops. He takes Karma’s hand and pries it away, but right then, Karma smacks Zero across the face and hits him with another chop that floors Zero.

Karma proceeds to stomp on the lowered man, but soon enough, Zero swipes one of the stomps away. Karma’s leg gets hung in the rope. Zero exits the ring, before yanking the leg back and down hard upon the rope. When it does, Karma hits the mat hard, holding his leg. Zero chases him in the ring, stomping away at the leg. Trapping Karma’s arm as he brings him up, Zero smirks before dropping Karma down to the mat with a modified Arm Trap STO. He made sure to sweep the leg as he did. He goes for the pin.

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

As Karma makes it to his feet, Zero begins to spin completely around. Karma gets up, only to get caught with a brutal discus clothesline. After which, Zero holds onto his arm partly.

Kris Cruise: Zero’s favoring that arm again. That discus clothesline might have proven worse for wear.

Stephy Auger: Well, as long as it gets him the win, then Zero doesn’t care.

Zero rests in the opposite corner, waiting for Karma to get up. When he does, he rushes in, trying for a basement dropkick to Karma’s hurt leg. Much to his shock, Karma manages to jump over the dropkick. He lands on one leg, and hesitantly lowers the next leg. With a look of pain, Karma rushes off the ropes and comes back to the rising Zero. Sliding down, he cracks Zero with a clothesline.

Kris Cruise: This is for the Front Row! Such heart from Karma to be able to pull it off.

Stephy Auger: Heart can really equate to stupidity.

Karma manages to get onto Zero for the cover.

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

Karma, using the ropes for leverage, makes it to his feet. He looks down at Zero, who starts to muster up. Karma throws his arm up, egging for Zero to get up. Once the former World champ makes it there, Karma heaves him up for a spinebuster, but his leg buckles. When Zero sees his chance, he tries for a spinebuster himself, but Karma hooks his arm around, locking in another hammerlock. From there, he plants Zero with Instant Karma. Once again, he goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Zero kicks out again!

The crowd groans at Zero’s resilience. Karma shakes his head in agitation, making it to his feet. He brings Zero to his feet, cracking him across the face with a punch. He continues to batter Zero, before trying to hook in another hammerlock. Zero knees him in the gut, which only lightens the hold. Zero then strikes Karma in the leg, making him stumble back. Zero then takes off for the ropes. Karma looks as if he’s ready for another NYC Uppercut. As he flies up, Zero ducks underneath it. Karma hits the mat hard, but Zero wastes no time. He hooks Karma’s leg, before lifting him and crashing him down with a slightly modified Sit-Out Powerbomb!

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

Stephy Auger: Just stay down, Karma!

Kris Cruise: Both men have been modifying their paths in order to target the hurt limbs each of them have.

Both Zero and Karma favor the aforementioned limbs. Zero takes Karma up by his hair, prompting the warning by the referee. Through the momentary distraction, Karma manages to catch Zero with a punch to the gut. Zero doubles over, but strikes Karma with a punch of his own. Zero tries for another one, but Karma catches him and strikes him with a left jab. Then another. Then a third. Finally, he finishes off the Sugar Ray Karma combo with a devastating right hook. Zero falls backward, landing roughly onto the mat. Karma hobbles over to the corner.

From there, he waits for Zero to get to his feet. He looks at the crowd before switching sides. He wriggles his right leg, the good leg. Zero makes it to his feet, where Karma tries for Check your Chicklets, but Zero catches the leg. He kicks Karma’s left leg, causing Karma to fall onto the mat. From there, showing impressive strength, Zero deadlifts Karma off the mat and hits him down with a German Suplex. He retains the bridge.

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

Zero’s frustration clearly shows as he looks at the referee in disbelief. The referee tells Zero that it was two, much to the former World champion’s chagrin. He gets to his feet, demanding Karma to get to his feet. When the crowd begins to boo, Zero gives them the finger. Karma makes it to his feet. Zero comes back to try to capitalize on the weakened man, but Karma catches him with Check your Chicklets!

Kris Cruise: There it is!

Stephy Auger: But at what cost?

Karma immediately hits the mat, favoring his leg. There, the crowd and commentators realizes that Karma struck Zero with the targeted left leg. It was out of instinct, if anything. Karma shakes his head and begins to head for Zero. As he lingers over him, he pulls the disoriented man to his feet. He ties Zero’s damaged arm in a wrist lock.

Kris Cruise: Hard Times connects—

Stephy Auger: Not tonight!

Zero counters the move with a double knee facebuster from out of nowhere. Karma hits the mat, but doesn’t remain there long. Zero picks him up and lifts him up, favoring the bad leg on purpose. With an evil grin, Zero slams Karma down with Zero Tolerance. He keeps the hold, telling the referee to count the pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

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

Kris Cruise: All it took was one mistake for either of these men to lose this match, unfortunately it was Johnny Karma tonight.

Stephy Auger: Karma brought his A-game tonight, but it just wasn’t enough to beat Zero tonight. Good luck next time, Karma.

Zero gets to his feet, peering down at the fallen Johnny Karma. With a sneer, he exits the ring, satisfied with his work.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine vs. Annie Dupree

An assortment of purple and blue strobe lights illuminate the entrance aisle, flashing in time with the music, as Annie Dupree bursts through the curtain. She poses momentarily, 'flexing' her biceps for the fans, before running down the aisle, her arms outstretched to slap hands with the willing fans on the way down.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is your main event of the evening! Introducing first, from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 115 pounds! She is the reigning FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion … ANNIE DUPREE!

The youngster slides in under the bottom rope and runs to the furthest away turnbuckle, climbing to the middle rope, whereupon she raises a fist in the air before jumping down off the turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: Annie Dupree’s looking forward to having another success title defense against Salem Cartier at First Wave. But before she gets to the AxxessNet Special on September 4, she’ll have to compete tonight against Tony Carmine.

Stephy Auger: Tony Carmine is someone that knows Annie extremely well. In the past, Carmine could scream on Dupree all day and she would just stand there and take it. But I saw something different a few days ago, Cruise. I saw a more defiant Dupree. She was someone that had a bit more bite to her words. She didn’t back down from Carmine this time. But is that defiant attitude going to cost her here tonight? I think it will, Cruise. I think Carmine’s gonna have to raise his pimp hand and get Dupree back in line.

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

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

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

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, now residing out of Boca Raton, Florida! Weighing in at 129 pounds … SUNSHINE SCANDALOUS TONY CARMINE!

Kris Cruise: Two weeks ago, we thought we saw Tony Carmine turning over a near leaf. We thought we saw Carmine being appreciative of this new lease on life his career was given. But as it turns out, it was all a ploy. It was all a long con to fool us all. Who knows how hurt Carmine ever really was. But we know this. Zero McHannon is going to step into the ring on August 20 with two of the most vicious men in this company coming at him and they’ll be out for blood.

Stephy Auger: McHannon arguably had the match won if it weren’t for Quinn Goodrich’s interference. But at Above & Beyond V, Goodright will be the last of his concerns. He’ll be hoping to make it out of that ring alive. Once again, it’s a numbers game and The New Kings will have the numbers in their favor at Above & Beyond V.

The bell sounds as SSTC and Dupree circle the ring before locking up. After an initial struggle, SSTC is quick to shove Dupree down to the canvas. He then goes to deliver a stomp to the face. But Dupree is able to roll out of the way to safety. She then quickly gets back to her feet and circles the ring. After sizing up SSTC, Dupree slowly makes her way over towards him and locks up. After jockeying for position, SSTC moves Dupree across the ring before pressing her up against the ropes. The ref then goes over and gives them until the count of five to break it up.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both grapplers appear to make a clean break … until SSTC slaps the taste right out of Dupree’s mouth. The crowd boos as Dupree clutches the side of her face. As she turns to face him, SSTC backhand slaps her across the face. After a boot to the midsection, SSTC takes Dupree and whips her into the far ropes. When Dupree comes back, SSTC knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. He then takes off into the ropes. When SSTC returns, Dupree turns over onto her back. So SSTC skips over her before continuing his run. When he comes back, Dupree jumps up to her feet before leapfrogging over him. Again, SSTC continues his run. When SSTC returns, Dupree brings him down with a headscissors. Right after SSTC gets back to his feet, Dupree brings him down with another headscissors. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
SSTC kicks out.

Dupree takes SSTC and whips him into the ropes. When SSTC returns, Dupree goes for a hip toss. But SSTC blocks it. So she doubles him over with a hard knee to the midsection. After draping her leg across the back of SSTC’s neck, she executes a backflip. After landing on her feet, SSTC goes to take her head off with a hard clothesline. But Dupree ducks. When SSTC turns around, the crowd cheers as Dupree returns the favor by slapping the taste out of his mouth.

Kris Cruise: How about that!

When SSTC turns back to face her, she backhand slaps him across the face.

Stephy Auger: This won’t end well...

Dupree quickly follows up with a dropkick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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SSTC kicks out.

Dupree picks up SSTC, marches into the corner and goes to slam him face-first into the top turnbuckle. But SSTC gets his foot on the middle turnbuckle, blocking the move. He then elbows Dupree, puts his foot down, grabs Dupree by the hair and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Dupree around, SSTC latches onto her throat with both hand and chokes her. The ref gives SSTC until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

SSTC lets only, only to apply the choke again.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

SSTC lets go. He then steps back and chokes Dupree with his foot while pulling down on the top rope.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

SSTC reluctantly lets go. The crowd continues to boo as he pummels Dupree with a flurry of right hands that send her slumping down in the corner. From there, SSTC delivers several stomps to the chest. After a knee strike to the face, SSTC slowly pulls Dupree up by her hair before launching her out of the corner. After landing on her back, Dupree slowly sits up and winces in pain. SSTC comes running out of the corner and delivers a hard kick to the back. SSTC takes a few steps back, runs and delivers another hard kick to the back. He then kicks Dupree over and over until she’s knocked out onto the apron. After pulling Dupree up, SSTC goes for a vertical suplex back into the ring. But Dupree blocks the move. So SSTC tightens his grip before going for another suplex. But again, Dupree blocks the move. After letting go, SSTC takes a swipe at Dupree. But Dupree ducks and counters with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. While SSTC is doubled over, Dupree follows up with a slingshot sitout facebuster. The crowd continues to cheer as she turns SSTC over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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SSTC gets his shoulder up.

Dupree picks up SSTC and whips him into the far ropes. But instead of coming back, SSTC hangs onto the ropes. Dupree sees this and decides to run at him to attack. But SSTC ducks the attack and counters by dumping Dupree over the top rope and to the floor. While Dupree is writhing in pain on the outside, SSTC crouches down and barks at her to get up. Once Dupree begins to return to a vertical base, SSTC takes off into the far ropes. When he returns, he lunges through the ropes before knocking her down with a rolling suicide dive. The crowd boos as he stands and poses over Dupree.

Kris Cruise: He better get those poses in now. He won’t be doing much posing on August 20.

Stephy Auger: The New Kings have the advantage. They can do whatever they want in that match.

Kris Cruise: Well at some point, Cannon and Carmine ARE going to have to fight each other?

SSTC picks up Dupree and whips her into the steel steps. Dupree slowly slumps down and sits against the steps after crashing into them. SSTC sees Dupree in position and decides to go after her. But at the last second, Dupree rolls out of the way, causing SSTC’s knee to smack against the steps before flipping over them.

Kris Cruise: Carmine took a little too long and Dupree made him pay!

While SSTC shouts obscenities on the floor, Dupree reaches up and slowly begins to pull herself back up using the guard rail. After gingerly walking over towards SSTC, Dupree picks him up and rolls him back into the ring. After she climbs up onto the apron, SSTC dives over and hits a shoulder thrust through the ropes. He then returns back to his feet, grabs Dupree and goes for a vertical suplex back into the ring. But Dupree slips down from behind and counters with an O’Connor Roll.

ONE!
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TWO!
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SSTC kicks out.

The push from the kickout sends Dupree through the ropes and out onto the apron. After SSTC turns over, gets back to his feet and turns around, Dupree knocks him down with a springboard dropkick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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SSTC gets his shoulder up.

Dupree picks up SSTC and whips him into the ropes. When he returns, Dupree sets up for a back body drop. But SSTC counters by grabbing her by the hair with both hands and throws her back against the canvas with a mat slam. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Dupree gets her shoulder up.

SSTC makes another lateral press.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Dupree gets her shoulder up.

SSTC with another lateral press.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Dupree gets her shoulder up.

The crowd boos as SSTC takes his forearm and grinds it across Dupree’s face.

Kris Cruise: Carmine’s starting to get annoyed that Dupree won’t stay down.

SSTC returns to his feet, yanks up Dupree and marches into the corner. After slamming her face-first into the top turnbuckle, SSTC places her in a side headlock and rakes her face along the top rope. When SSTC lets go, Dupree stumbles into an adjacent corner. While she’s got her back turned, SSTC comes up from behind and nails her with a kidney punch. He then slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle once more. After a barrage of forearm shots to the face, SSTC takes Dupree and whips her into the opposite corner. SSTC runs across the ring and into the corner, but Dupree catches him with a back elbow to the face. After stumbling back, SSTC runs back into the corner. Dupree connects with yet another back elbow to the face. After stumbling back, SSTC runs right back into the corner. This time, Dupree delivers a boot to the face that turns him around. While SSTC is dazed, Dupree steps out onto the apron. She goes for a springboard bulldog. But as soon as she lands on the top rope, SSTC deliberates runs into the ropes. Dupree then loses her balance, slips and lands across the top rope. After bouncing off the top rope, Dupree flips over and lands back-first in the ring. While Dupree is down, SSTC lifts up her legs, hooks his arms around then and catapults her neck-first into the bottom rope. The crowd boos as he drags her back into the ring before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Dupree gets her shoulder up.

SSTC picks up Dupree and whips her into the ropes. When Dupree returns, SSTC scoops her up from the side and delivers a pendulum backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
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Dupree gets her shoulder up.

SSTC picks up Dupree and delivers a snap suplex. He turns over and makes the cover.

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

SSTC picks up Dupree, snapmares her over and follows up with a dropkick to the back of the head. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another close calls for Dupree!

SSTC picks up Dupree, runs and tosses her through the ropes and to the floor. Again, SSTC barks at Dupree to get up. Once she slowly begins to return to her feet, SSTC grips the top rope with both hands before performing a executing a plancha to the outside.

But Dupree rolls back in, which causing SSTC to crash onto the floor. As SSTC slowly gets up off the floor, Dupree runs into the far ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as she leaps through the ropes and knocks him down with a suicide dive from behind. Dupree then picks up SSTC and rolls him back in the ring. She then rolls herself back in and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Dupee was three seconds away from her biggest win to date.

Dupree picks up SSTC, moves him into the corner and unleashes a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. She then takes SSTC and whips him into the opposite corner. Dupree runs across the ring, but SSTC catches her with a back elbow of his own. After a back kick doubles her over and knocks her back a few steps, SSTC executes a backwards roll before delivers the Rainbow Kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
TH-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Dupree gets her shoulder up.

SSTC picks up Dupree, moves her back into the corner and delivers four forearm shots to the face before following up with a reverse discus elbow. He then takes Dupree and hoists her up onto the top turnbuckle. After climbing up onto the top ropes, SSTC goes for a hurricanrana off the top. But Dupree hangs onto the top ropes for dear life, causing SSTC to fall to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Tony just landed hard on the canvas! The high risk didn’t pay off!

Stephy Auger: Is he hurt again? I can’t tell.

SSTC begins to slowly roll away from the corner. As he slowly makes his way back to his feet, Dupree stands up on the top turnbuckle. She then leaps off and connects with a flying cross body block. But SSTC rolls through it and pulls Dupree up as he returns to his feet. He then shifts her over across his shoulder before running across the ring. But at the last second, Dupree slips down from behind and shoves SSTC into the ropes. When he comes back, Dupree doubles him over with a kick to the midsection before delivering a facebreaker DDT. She makes the cover.

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

Dupree takes SSTC and whips him into the corner. She then runs into the corner, connects with a discus clothesline and goes to follow up with a running bulldog. But SSTC shoves her off of him and into the ropes. When SSTC returns, she delivers a wheelbarrow bulldog. As SSTC starts to get back to his feet, Dupree takes off into the set of ropes behind him. When she returns, she delivers a leapfrog transitioned into a one handed bulldog. She turns him over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs, then boos as SSTC gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Another close call for Carmine.

Dupree picks up SSTC and goes for an irish whip. But SSTC reverses, follows her into the corner and connects with a clothesline. He then climbs up onto the middle ropes and punches her nine times. He goes to punch Dupree a tenth time, but he stops himself. SSTC begins to swing his hips to boos from the crowd. But the boos turn to cheers as Dupree grabs him, runs out of the corner and delivers an inverted atomic drop. While SSTC’s knees are buckled, Dupree turns and takes off into the ropes. When Dupree comes back, she plants him with a Satellite DDT. As SSTC slowly gets back up, Dupree runs into the ropes. When she returns, she goes for a 540 Kick. But SSTC swats her down. As Dupree gets up on a knee, he motions for a Shining Wizard. But Dupree rolls out of the way. Once they both get back to their feet, Dupree throws out a kick to the midsection. But SSTC catches her foot. But before he can do anything, Dupree counters with an enzuigiri that knocks him down to a knee.

Dupree picks up SSTC, steps back and throws out a kick to the midsection. But again, SSTC catches her foot. He then spins her around. When Dupree comes back, she gets caught by a reverse discus elbow. While Dupree is dazed, SSTC heads into the ropes. When he returns, he knocks her down with The Bedazzler. After dragging Dupree into position, SSTC heads into the corner and climbs up onto the top turnbuckle. He flips off and connects with a Phoenix Splash. He then pulls Dupree back up and lifts her up across his back. From there, SSTC delivers It’s Always Sunny in Sicily. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Solarlfare” blares throughout the arena as the crowd erupts with boos.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, TONY CARMINE!

The match is over and Carmine looks exhausted. Just as it looks like Tony is going to roll out of the ring and make his way towards the backstage area, he looks up to see Zero McHannon standing at the top of the ramp, looking down at him and smiling. Zero slowly starts to make his way down the ramp as Tony is standing at the bottom and motioning for him to “bring it”. Zero jaws right back at him and saying “oh, it’s coming.” McHannon then pauses midway down the ramp, eyes still glaring at Tony who throws a hand in the air to signal for the New Kings to make their way out there and beat the hell out of Zero.

Kris Cruise: I think that’s the sign for the New Kings to come out and handle their business.

Stephy Auger: Not sure why Zero always does this to himself. He knows he can’t play the number game, but always tries to anyway.

The camera then cuts to backstage… where Johnny Cannon is laid out in front of his locker room. Quinn is nowhere to be seen, but Cannon slowly raises his head off the cold floor before rolling onto his side and grabbing the back of his head, clearly just taking a beating not too long ago.

It zooms in a bit more on Cannon, who puts a hand up against the wall, but unable to find his composure, then reaching up to his forehead and whipping off a little dab of blood on his forehead before rolling to his stomach and burying his head into his arms.

Then it transitions back to the arena where Stephy and Kris exchange glances.

Kris Cruise: Well… I think there went the backup that Tony was supposed to have.

Stephy Auger: Diamond out. Cannon out. I’m not sure Tony knows that.

Tony doesn’t.

He gives a whistle and throws up a hand signal again, but there’s no response as Zero is still slowly making his way down the ramp. Carmine is resting his arms on his knees some as he’s waiting for the help, still not realizing that it isn’t coming.

Carmine turns around and starts to walk to the side of the apron, looking around the arena for the New Kings, who were already supposed to be there, but there’s still nothing as Zero slides into the ring and slides out the other side to be standing face to face with Tony.

Tony is jawing off at Zero, but then takes a shot right to the face that shuts him up as Zero digs a shoulder into Carmine, driving him up against the barrier right behind them, then slings Tony over his shoulder into the steel steps.

Carmine is holding his back, but Zero keeps the pressure on him as he stands the man up and delivers an elbow right to the back of the head to the man! Carmine crumbles as the crowd is in a frenzy, causing McHannont to yell out in their direction before diving to his knees and looking under the apron for some goodies.

Stephy Auger: This is no good. Carmine just wrestled a match, this isn’t even fair!

Kris Cruise: Oh, he has had this coming and a lot more, Stephy. I’m not sure about Zero looking under the ring for something though. Seems to be taking things to the extreme lately.

And Zero pulls out a baseball bat as the fans are throwing out a mixture of jeers and cheers towards their direction.

McHannon points the bat at Tony, while laughing and making his way towards the man trying to crawl away. Zero then brings down the baseball bat right to Carmine’s back! There’s a loud THUD as it hits Tony’s back and reaches back to hold it. He rolls out of the way of the next swing by McHannon and starts to slowly get a knee and make a getaway, but fatigue has set in. He makes it to around the announcer’s table area before he falls back to his knees.

Then Zero runs forward with the bat and brings it down right to the back of Tony’s head, causing Carmine to go completely down on the outside mat. McHannon holds the bat in the air as the fans are going reckless, but then hits Tony with it one more time before spiking the bat off the floor and watching it bounce away from the pair of them.

McHannon reaches down and grabs Carmine by his hair and back of the trunks before slinging him onto the announcer’s table beside them.

Kris Cruise: Oh, hell. Here we go again. More damaged property incoming.

Stephy Auger: Tables can be replaced, Cruise. We can’t. Let’s get out of here before we get caught up in the middle of it.

Zero picks up the bat again, but instead of hitting Tony, he randomly bashes the wooden bat against the edge of the ring as it snaps in half. He walks toward Carmine and at first, it looks like he’s going to assault Tony with the broken end of the bat, but quickly changes his mind as he he throws the broken bat off to the side.

Carmine is breathing heavily on the table as Zero climbs onto the top of it with him, looking down at his enemy before jerking him up to a standing position, spinning him around, then grappling him from behind. McHannon lifts Carmine about his head and…. ZERO TOLERANCE!!!

The table snaps completely in half as Zero falls during the downfall as well. McHannon picks himself up out of the wreckage and looks out towards the crowd as they’re going wild, then looks down to Carmine, who seems to be broken in half after taking the move through the table.

McHannon kicks a piece of table out of his way and steps in front of the ring before jumping onto the apron and spreading his arms to the crowd while they’re booing the hell out of him. He then looks back towards Tony and starts talking an immense amount of trash talk towards the downed man before the screen fades away to the WGN and FGA logo.