Vertigo (9.3.16)

[FGA Office]

[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

Bren Events Center
Irvine, CA

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone welcome to another episode of VERTIGO! I am Kris Cruise and joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! We are coming off the heels of Above & Beyond V, where Chandler Scott was crowned the 2016 Frontier Lions Cup winner!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, yeah, yeah. But more important than that, Zero McHannon became the FGA World Champion for a third time!! How great is that, Cruise!?

Kris Cruise: It’s definitely something, Stephy. Those two will be on a collision course at our Retribution pay per view coming up next month, where Zero McHannon will defend his FGA World Championship against Chandler Scott. I’ve been told that Chandler will be on hand later on tonight with Spencer Burke.

But that’s the big pay per view coming up next month. Tomorrow night, FGA will be hosting it’s first Network-exclusive event: First Wave! One of the highlights of that event will be Zero McHannon taking on a former FGA World Champion in Cyncity.

Stephy Auger: What is she doing back here, anyway? I thought she was our Brand Ambassador?

Kris Cruise: It is true that Cyncity recently came out of retirement. However, this appearance is just a one off. Tomorrow night, Cindy Parker claims she’s going to cure Zero with kindness. How about that?

Stephy Auger: Cure? There’s nothing wrong with Zero McHannon! He doesn’t need to be cured! He’s the World Champion and he’ll prove that he’s better than Cyncity, once and for all, after wiping the mat with her at First Wave!

Kris Cruise: That event will of course be headlined by the grudge match between the former FGA World Champion, Johnny Cannon, and Chris Bond! But back to tonight’s show, our main event tonight features two former Gold Rush Rumble winners. Dom Harter, the Tenacious Little Bastard, will go one on one with Cordy Stevenson! Cordy’s currently one half of the Tag Champions. But the Tag Champions don’t have their gold since it was stolen from them by The Usual Suspects!

Stephy Auger: Stole, schmole! The Usual Suspects were already the uncrowned World Tag Team Champions, Cruise. All they did was take what was rightfully theirs!

Kris Cruise: Rightfully theirs!?

Stephy Auger: Yeah, rightfully theirs! They took what they deserved!

Kris Cruise: Well The Suspects are going to get what they deserve here tonight if they don’t hand those titles back over.

Stephy Auger: Well if I were Cordy, I’d be less concerned about The Usual Suspects, the REAL Tag Team Champions, and more concerned about Dom Harter. You know, he’s still ticked off about what happened at Above & Beyond. He missed out on his chance at the Golden Crown. He’s still waiting for his shot at the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship. He needs to take a little bit of this frustration out on somebody. Who better than Cordy Stevenson?

Kris Cruise: That should be a good one. Also on the card tonight, Mark Storm takes on Evan Envi.

Stephy Auger: Hey, did you hear that Mark Storm sucks? Evan Envi told me that earlier today.

Kris Cruise: We’ve also got Ryan LeCavalier taking on Savannah Taylor. Ruby Tyler gets her hands on one of the New Kings as she takes on “The Prized Gem” Danny Diamond. Noelle Smith returns to action here tonight in our opener. We’ve got a-

Stephy Auger: What’s this?

[FGA Office]

The deep riffs of an electric guitar and hard thumps of drums combine with a Shamisen, which gets the crowd cheering. The lights dim, except for a single pink spotlight. BABY METAL’s “Megitsune” ramps up, and as the main part of the song kicks in, Fujiko emerges from the back, posing with her arms behind her head.

[Sore! Sore!
Sore Sore Sore Sore!
Sore! Sore!
Sore Sore Sore Sore!]

Fujiko is dressed in black and pink yoga pants, and an oversized “You Can’t Stop Fujiko” shirt, which drapes off one shoulder. Along the other shoulder is the FGA Pride championship, which she looks at with admiration before walking to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the FGA Pride champion...Fujiko Mine!!

She can’t help but grin and hold up the Pride championship, which elicits cheers from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Well, this is certainly a pleasant surprise! We are kicking off the weekend with a visit from our Pride champion!

Stephy Auger: Let me guess, she’s out here to make excuses about failing to beat Savannah Taylor?!

Kris Cruise: The match came out a draw, Stephy. I doubt either of them are going to make any excuses.

Fujiko climbs onto the apron, and then into the ring. J.A. hands her a microphone, and she adjusts the title on her shoulder before moving to speak.

Fujiko Mine: Irvine, California!

The crowd cheers for her, not minding the attempt at a cheap pop. A sizable contingent of the audience begin to sing.

“HEY-YYY FUJI! I wanna knooooo-ooowww if you’ll be my girl!”

The song catches Fujiko’s attention, and she blushes a little. The crowd cheers more, and she nods to them.

Fujiko Mine: At Above and Beyond Five, I was unable to win the Frontier Lions’ Cup. Savannah Taylor and I went to a time limit draw, eliminating both of us from the tournament.

Boos come in, which Fujiko acknowledges.

Fujiko Mine: But, there was something of a silver lining. A former Pride champion came up, and decided that he would like to challenge me for a match at FGA’s first ever AxxessNet special, First Wave!

She smirks.

Fujiko Mine: So tomorrow night, Yours truly, Lady Luck herself is taking on Riley Owens in a Pride Rules match! It is going to be an honor to face off against one of the legendary figures in FGA’s past. But...that also leaves a question.

Her attention turns towards the championship on her shoulder.

Fujiko Mine: Speaking of Pride Rules, who is going to face me next for this Pride championship? As you all know, I made a promise to be a fighting champion. I am not going to sit by and just let the days pile up between defenses. So who is it going to be? I-

Fujiko is interrupted by the sound of “Engel” by Rammstein beginning to play on the soundsystem. The fans rise to their feet as the woman that Fujiko failed to beat at Above and Beyond, Savannah Taylor, makes her way out from behind the curtain. Dressed in a pair of black Adidas track pants with pink stripes going down the sides of the legs and a simple black t-shirt, she too has a microphone in her hand as she makes her way down the aisle. Unlike Fujiko, however, the reaction Savannah is receiving is far less favorable than the one Fujiko got moments earlier.

Stephy Auger: Alright! This is going to get good!

Kris Cruise: What on Earth is Savannah doing out here?

Stephy Auger: Oh shut up and let her say her peace.

Savannah climbs the steps and steps through the bottom and middle ropes. She moves a little towards the center of the ring where Fujiko was standing and waits for the music to die down before she speaks.

Savannah Taylor: Pardon the interruption there, champ. I couldn’t help but overhear you asking just who would be next to challenge you for the Pride Championship that you hold near and dear to your heart. I know I’m probably one of the last people that you’d expect to be out here like this, but just indulge me for a second.

She pauses a moment to look out at the fans, most of whom are still not happy to see the Las Vegas native, but there seems to be a small contingent of people who are curious to hear her out.

Savannah Taylor: Let me just say one thing right off the bat. I have no issue with you whatsoever. I respect you and everything that you have done thus far here in FGA. I was looking forward to facing you at Above and Beyond. I was finally going to test my mettle against one of the marquee names around here. Now I know things didn’t go quite the way you had hoped that night, and I KNOW they didn’t go well for me either.

She says, referring to the events that took place after the match was over, leading to her getting dropped on her head by the emerging Magnus Gunner.

Savannah Taylor: So I think it seems only appropriate that you and I have ourselves a little rematch. You want to know who would have won. I want to know who would have won. These people want to know who would have won. But this time, why don’t we sweeten the deal a bit? Why don’t you make this one to remember by putting your Pride championship on the line. What do you say….champ?

The fans begin to buzz at this declaration. However, before Fujiko can respond, both women are interrupted by “Bad Guy” by Jordan Comoli that plays through the speakers, to the approval of the audience who cheer and rise to their seats. Emerging through the curtains, Storm stands at the top of the stage, a microphone to his hand, a hood slung over his head, dressed in his usual ring gear. He looks around the arena, a smile appearing for a brief moment before he makes his way down the entrance ramp.

Kris Cruise: And the Prince of Chaos is joining the party!

Stephy Auger: Just couldn’t let these two settle it out, he just had to get involved!

Kris Cruise: He has reason to; Storm had been on fire as of late, perhaps he deserves to be considered as a contender too.

Stopping by the edge of the ring, Storm signals for his music to stop playing and eventually, it cuts off. He drops to one knee and bows his head, waiting for the cheers from the audience to slowly disintegrate. He looks up and his hood flies backwards, bringing the microphone close to his lips, he makes his opening statements.

Mark Storm: You done Savannah?

He asks her, an eerie silence follows as she looks at him curiously.

Mark Storm: Because I’ve quite frankly had enough of listening to that bull come out of your mouth.

Cheers echo through the arena as Storm gets back up to his feet and hops onto the apron before joining the champion and Taylor in the ring.

Mark Storm: With all due respect, if anyone deserves a shot at that Pride championship belt, it’s me. I’ve been working my ass off for the last nine months, harder than anyone else in the back, including yourself Savannah, week in and week out I’m putting on some of the best matches this promotion has ever held; not to mention the fact that I’ve beaten you in the past Savannah. And it’s quite clear that you and I have the same intentions, the same goal, you want a shot at that title and so do I. But who’s more deserving of it?

He asks the audience, spreading his arms out wide and looking for a reaction. The crowd begin to chant his name, forcing a grin from ear to ear on the face of Mark Storm to emerge.

Mark Storm: Fujiko, you and I we have a style that’s so similar. A style that’s so compelling, so captivating, and these people; they deserve to be blessed with a high quality contest, and if you and I were to share the ring, that’s what would be guaranteed!

Nodding his head, he points his microphone in the direction of Fujiko, shrugging his shoulders as he waits for the applause from the crowd to die down.

Mark Storm: Plus.. if anyone should be in line for your title, it should be someone who made it further than you in the Frontier Lions Cup.. I’m just saying.

A playful smile embeds on his face and he falls back against the ropes, then “Lose My Breath” by Destiny's Child starts to play over the PA, and Noelle Smith steps from behind the curtain, a wide smile on her face as she waves to the fans as the lyrics cue up. There is a definite reaction from the fans, her return is still so new and her smiles so sweet they can't help but cheer her as she stands up at the top of the ramp, her eyes shining as she soaks it all in for a moment. The cameras catch her mouthing 'thank you' before she moves to square her shoulders and then march with determination down towards the ring. She gives Mark Storm a look, almost of sympathy since he too has been dealing with her ex, Evan. a quirk of her lips to him before she looks over at Fujiko and Savannah with another of her bright smiles before she takes a deep breath, lets it out slow and holds out her hand to catch a microphone as it's tossed to her. She catches it and brings it up to her lips, but pauses as the fans cheer her again and her voice holds a soft cooing as she responds to them.

Noelle Smith: Oh stop it, you'll make a girl think she was missed!

A bit of pink touches her cheeks to show that she really does feel their expression of love towards her before she smiles wider.

Noelle Smith: It's good to see you in person again, Fujiko. It's been a long time, hasn't it?

She stops just long enough to saunter up the ring steps and then slip between the ropes to stand in the ring with the trio already owning the space. She drops a wink to Mark and a warm smile to Savannah before she speaks.

Noelle Smith: Pardon my interruption Savannah, Mark... but you see, our lovely Pride Champion and I have a bit of unfinished business!

Noe respectfully keeps her attention on Fujiko, as the fans murmur trying to figure out what she means.

Noelle Smith: Fujiko, you and I are currently one and one. I'm sure both of us would like to get that one up, and no one can deny that we put on a pair of super amazing matches where you and I stole the show for what we were willing to do to win. So I think you and I should do that again. Steal the show, see about who wins a third match between us... and I have taken a title from you before. Not to be rude, but what better way would you have to show that you don't intend to let me do that again... than put the Pride title up in that match?

She pauses as the fans cheer and start up a chant for both of the ladies, watching Fujiko’s expressions carefully though she kept a weather eye on Savannah and Mark. Before anyone can raise the microphone, The Fat Boys’ “Can You Feel It?” hits the PA system. Boos resonate throughout the arena as many rise to their feet, heads turning toward the entrance where Evan Envi storms out, microphone already in hand, cross expression already evident on his face.

Evan Envi: NO! NO! NO! NO! LET’S BREAK THIS UP RIGHT NOW!

The boos grow louder as Evan’s music fades and he makes a beeline for the ring, hopping up onto the apron, glaring at everybody in the ring.

Evan Envi: Yo. FUJIKO. I’m sorry-- I wasn’t aware that this title was defended on a frickin’ volunteer basis! I get it, you wanna be a fighting champion, and you’re probably one of those short-minded people that would take us all at once to prove something to these currently-uneducated people.

Evan looks out into the audience as the boos, yet again, grow louder. He motions for them to “simmer down.”

Evan Envi: I say it with love, because I’m here to help.

He turns back to the occupants of the ring, expression growing cross once again.

Evan Envi: Instead of having the locker room file out here and raise their hand for a title shot, you should look toward the man that’s going to take FGA beyond the stratosphere-- the man that every single person in those seats waited to see tonight, ME. A technical wrestling hero! Are we gonna give Savannah Taylor another chance? Like-- you fail to get the ‘W’ under pressure the first time during the Cup so what… what, we’re here now to see how the chips fall the second time? So you can ACTUALLY lose this time and set yourself to the very back of the line?

He points to Mark Storm.

Evan Envi: And YOU! You can’t waltz in here and take the Pride Title as a consolation prize! You can’t put your stink on it like that! You SUCK, Mark Storm, and the Pride Championship shouldn’t have to lower itself for someone who SUCKS! These people, once properly educated, once invested in a hero, won’t continue to lower themselves for someone who SUCKS! Tonight, I’m gonna prove that you don’t belong in the conversation.

And he steps into the ring, the crowd growing loud as he looks at Noelle. His face grows red.

Evan Envi: And you have no business even glancing at the title picture. You’re not even a real wrestler anymore. You’re an overexposed groupie.

The audience boos loudly as Evan lowers the mic, mouthing off to Noelle, though the cameras can’t quite distinguish what’s being said. Suddenly, Crazy Bitch starts to blast over the loudspeakers causing the crowd to cheer loudly as Molly Reid walks out onto the stage with a microphone in hand. She wastes no time as she motions for the music to stop and holds her microphone up to her mouth as she slowly walks down towards the ring.

Molly Reid: Now hold on just a minute.

Molly stops as she gets close to the ring, looking at everyone inside of it before slowly walking up the steps and climbing into the ring. She stands in the corner as she stares from person to person.

Molly Reid: As long as we’re all talking about why we deserve a shot at Fujiko’s Pride Championship, let me get in on this. I respect all of y’all, but let’s get real for a second. Savannah, you were awesome at Above and Beyond and I’ll never deny that. But come on. You want to know who would’ve won? Savannah she pinned you and you didn’t kick out and the only reason it was a draw was because time ran out a second before that. I didn’t think that result was so ambiguous. Maybe things would be different in a rematch but I don’t think the fact that it was technically a draw means you’re entitled to an instant rematch. Then Storm over here, he’s been on a real hot streak lately, that much is obvious. And yet every time I’ve stepped into that ring with him, I’ve beaten him. He’s a great wrestler, but if he deserves a title shot, then…well I think you know what I’m getting at. Then Noelle, let me say that it’s great to have you back here in FGA. I think the fans can attest to that. But you haven’t wrestled here in months. Just cause you had great matches in the past, doesn’t mean you should just walk in here and bypass everyone else without proving that you’re still up to it. And then you.”

Molly turns and stares at Evan Envi as the crowd boos him yet again while he looks back at Molly. Fujiko leans up against the ropes, nodding at Molly in agreement.

Molly Reid: I wish I didn’t have to talk to you, but I guess I’ve got no choice. I don’t even know what to say to you right now. I told you time and time again to leave me alone and let me wrestle on my own. I didn’t need your help before, I didn’t need it at Above and Beyond and I sure as hell don’t need it now. You cost me a chance to win the FLC and I’ll be damned if you get any title shot ahead of me.

Evan narrows his eyes a bit, hands at his side. Molly turns around and looks at the crowd, who cheer in acknowledgement as she turns back towards everyone in the ring.

Molly Reid: See, I’ve learned the hard way that you can’t just sit back and let shots be given to you. It’s hard to get motivated for something when you didn’t personally go out and fight for it. So I’m done sitting back and wasting shots. Nobody in FGA has more wins than I do this year. I was well on my way to wrestling Chandler in the FLC finals until that guy over there ruined my chance. If anyone’s getting a chance to wrestle Fujiko for her Pride Championship, it’s gonna be me.

Molly drops her mic as she stands her ground in the corner, staring at all of the wrestlers in the ring as they all start arguing with each other, trying to make their own cases for a championship opportunity. Fujiko raises her microphone and her hand at the same time.

Fujiko Mine: People, people, please! You all sure know how to make a girl feel wanted. I like that you all want to take the initiative, and I especially appreciate your sly little digs.

She glances over at Savannah, then Noelle, Evan, and finally Mark Storm.

Fujiko Mine: Now, Molly brings up some great points. Savannah, you can hang your hat on the fact that I didn’t beat you...but you didn’t beat me either.

Fujiko turns her attention to Noelle.

Fujiko Mine: It is nice to have you back. But just because you’re back doesn’t necessarily mean you get to jump ahead of anyone. Yeah, you climbed a ladder while I was stuck. But I’ve pinned you for a three count, clean as a whistle, after you told the world that I was probably just going to cheat.

She looks over at Mark Storm.

Fujiko Mine: You got farther in the FLC than I did. But only on a technicality. Until you hold your own in the ring against me, you don’t have much to say. But I’m not going to spend the next five minutes talking. I’m going to solve this problem. I propose a little something to help end this parade of people coming out here with petty insults.

She looks at each person in the ring as she speaks.

Fujiko Mine: All of you, next Vertigo, in one match. The winner will be the next person to face me, for the Pride championship on October first. So you guys and gals can prove who deserves it most with your actions…

Fujiko looks over at Evan for a moment.

Fujiko Mine: ...Rather than with your words. Because quite frankly, it’s easy to march down to the ring thinking you are entitled to something. It’s another thing entirely to show it. So good luck ladies and gentlemen...and I’ll be seeing you soon.

“Megitsune” blasts over the sound system, and Fujiko moves to the center of the congregation of challengers. She then holds up the Pride championship before moving past all of them and making her exit.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

The camera focuses backstage where interviewer Spencer Burke watches Noelle Smith shortly before her match, as she paces in the hallway near the gorilla position. He watches her with a sympathetic look for a second before he steps in front of her and holds up the microphone in front of her to get her attention. She pauses, her large expressive eyes turn to him as a brow raises and he looks at her a moment longer before he speaks.

Spencer Burke: Noelle, a moment of your time? I’m sure the fans are all eager to get to see you in action tonight against JD Anton, but I’ve got a few questions.

Noelle Smith: Well a moment is likely about all we have, Spencer...

She looks towards the heavy curtains, obviously just waiting for her music to start, but looks back to him and waves her hand in a ‘hurry up’ gesture.

Spencer Burke: You’ve been a virtual hermit since your injury at the hands of Sara Cochran, Noelle - can you tell us why that is? You weren’t that bad off, were you?

Noelle’s lips compress for a moment before she sighs and shakes her head.

Noelle Smith: Now that’s just untrue, and unkind Spencer. Maybe my presence wasn’t so out there anymore, on social media and whatnot, but I did plenty that you’re choosing to ignore, I’m thinking. I still got out there and repped Frontier Grappling Arts, and Brutal Apparel too.

A pause while she lifted the hem of the t-shirt she was wearing with just that logo across the chest, showing it off with a soft laugh on her lips before she lets go and shakes her head.

Noelle Smith: Bad off? Bad off is relative, Spencer. I got hurt, it happens. I had to wait to get cleared to even train, and well they say the waiting is the hardest part, and that’s no lie… and imagine how I felt, seeing as when I returned, Sara isn’t here! That’s… that’s frustrating. We have issues, we need to settle.

Spencer Burke: Speaking of issues, how do you feel about your ex boyfriend now working here, in the same company as you do?

This time her look is definitely annoyed, Noelle’s sigh is exasperated as she throws her hands up in the air.

Noelle Smith: Evan Harrison… excuse me, Evan Envi… he’s going to do what he wants to do. I’m not his keeper, Spencer and I sure don’t have to care about what he says, calling me names on Twitter because he’s so jelly of Kamijo, of Sean Sands, Kerry Windsor… it doesn’t matter who I talk to, he hates them, and he hates them good. But… the key there is, I don’t have to care, and as long as he doesn’t try and do something nutty? We’re fine. Shame on you for asking that instead of more questions about my match… which is about to start.

The opening notes of Noelle’s theme starts and she pats Spencer on the shoulder before giving him a forgiving smile and she turns to head towards the curtains.

Noelle Smith: Wish me luck, boo.

She vanishes through the curtains as the camera cuts ringside.

[FGA Office]

Noelle Smith vs. JD Anton

“Stabbing The Drama” plays as JD Anton tugs on the ropes in the corner.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, already in the ring… JD ANTON!

The crowd boos as Anton hops onto the second turnbuckle and raises both his arms before the music dies down.

Kris Cruise: We’re going to be getting our first look here at “White Hot” JD Anton! What can you tell us about him?

Stephy Auger: Well, he didn't have much to say during the leadup to tonight’s show. But from what I’ve gathered, he’s a bit of a showman. He loves playing to the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Well he needs to be less concerned about paying attention to the crowd and more concerned about paying attention to his opponent, because she’s coming out right now!

“Lose My Breath” by Destiny's Child starts to play over the PA, and the lights dim as Noelle steps from behind the curtain, a wide smile on her face as she waves to the fans before doing a few provocative dance moves as the lyrics cue up.

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my (hah hah)
Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah hah)

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, NOELLE SMITH!

She does an athletic somersault forward to take her half down the ramp and then rushes the ring, using her hands to push her up onto the apron as she slides under the bottom rope and pops up, giggling and blowing kisses to the fans, winking at the referee and waving to the ring announcers cheerily.

Kris Cruise: Noelle Smith finally makes her return to the ring after suffering an unfortunate injury against Sara Cochran and already she’s back in the mix!

Stephy Auger: Yes, there were a ton of credible contenders for the Pride Championship at the start of the show… and then there was Noelle Smith. She’s done nothing to be apart of the Pride Championship picture. She had her chance back at Canadian Stampede. But what happened? Tony Carmine put a beating on her that she’ll never forget. And I’ve got a feeling that the same thing will happen in two weeks on Vertigo. There’s no way she’s walking out of that ring the #1 contender? NO WAY!

Kris Cruise: Well that’s your interpretation of things. Noelle probably has some ring rust on her from all this time off. But, she’s probably the freshest out of all the six competitors that will be in that match. But I can’t wait for that match, Stephy. All six of those competitors could walk out of that match as the #1 contender for Fujiko Mine’s Pride Championship!

The bell sounds as both grapplers circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Anton places Smith in a side headlock. She she doesn’t stay there for long as she’s able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. She then spins Anton around and catches him in a side headlock. The ref checks in with Anton and asks him if he wants to give up. But Anton refuses. He then shoves Smith off of him and into the ropes. When Smith returns, Anton knocks her down with a superkick. The crowd boos as Anton poses.

Anton takes off into the ropes. When he returns, Smith kips up and leapfrogs over him. Anton continues to run into the ropes. When Anton comes back, the crowd cheers as Smith throws him down with a hip toss. When Anton gets up, Smith brings him back down with an arm drag. After Anton gets back to his feet, Smith knocks him down with a dropkick. She makes the cover.

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

Smith moves Anton into the corner and delivers three knife edge chops. She then takes Anton and goes for an irish whip. But Anton reverses, sending her into the opposite corner. Anton then runs across the ring, jumps and goes for a Stinger Splash. But Smith moves out of the way, causing Anton to crash into the corner. As Anton stumbles back, the crowd cheers as Smith steps out onto the apron, springboards onto the top turnbuckle and knocks him down with a dropkick. As Anton is in the process of getting up off the apron, The crowd erupts with cheers as Smith runs over and delivers a swinging neckbreaker.

Kris Cruise: Swing, Set, Match!

Smith makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Lose My Breath” blasts over the PA as the crowd continues to cheer.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, NOELLE SMITH!

After returning to her feet, Smith gets her hand raised by the referee.

Kris Cruise: Noelle Smith makes short work of JD Anton and picks up the win in her return! It doesn’t look like she lost a step, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: She was able to get a win over JD Anton! Good for her. We’ll see how well she does in two weeks.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

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 leather briefcase that he claims is only protecting contracts with FGA Management. Marx & Tryon step out from the entrance and stand in front of the smoked out curtains as the house lights return to brightness. The two men are both carrying a six foot step ladder.

Stephy Auger: It’s the tag team champions, in all their glory.

Kris Cruise: Excuse me? Status Quo are the real tag team champions!

Stephy Auger: I don’t know what show you watched, Kris. But I distinctly remember that The Usual Suspects walked out of Above and Beyond with all of the gold.

Kris Cruise: They stole the belts!

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 slide the ladder under the bottom rope, hop up onto the ring apron next and enter through the ropes as the music begins to fade. They walk to the center of the ring and set up the ladder for Rother who has grabbed a mic.

He looks into the crowd with a smug smirk on his face, and then begins to address the fans.

Anthony Rother: And they said it couldn’t be done…

The fans know exactly what he’s trying to allude to and they let their displeasure with him known with a chorus of boos.

Anthony Rother: They said that The Usual Suspects would never reascend to the top of FGA’s tag team division. But we proved the trolls on social media wrong as Jason Marx and Chris Tryon walked into Above and Beyond without even being booked in match… Only to walk out your NEW FGA World Tag Team Champions!

Rother triumphantly raised the arms of both men into the air. Another round of boos filtered in from the fans, followed by chants of “Frauds!”

Stephy Auger: What the hell is wrong with these people? Show your champions respect!

A visibly irritated Rother addressed the fans by screaming over the chants.

Anthony Rother: I wouldn’t expect anything less from mutants who hail from Irvine, California; a city that is one giant homeowners association; a city where painting your house anything besides beige is deemed a felony; a city that might as well have the official quote on its welcome sign read, “Conform or Die!” You are the last people that are allowed to have an opinion on ANYTHING. You are sheep! You are rightfully hated by the citizens of every other city in Orange County because you are pretentious fools who forfeited your individuality to become mindless zombies who are satisfied with the status quo…

Rother smirked at intended jab at the tag team champions.

Anthony Rother: But we’re not here to talk about the status quo, we are here to talk about how the two men who stand in this ring with me have once again become your tag team champions.

More boos from the fans. Rother walks over to the ladder standing in the middle of the ring.

Anthony Rother: Jason Marx and Chris Tryon made their triumphant return to FGA just a few months ago. They returned as humble men…

Kris Cruise: What?!?!

Anthony Rother: They didn’t come in and start demanding undeserved title shots like RubyWay. They were happy to start off at the very bottom of the ladder. They repaid their dues and Jason Marx pinned Ruby Tyler in Amarillo…

Rother took two steps up the ladder.

Anthony Rother: They then defeated Status Quo in Tucson…

Rother took two more steps up the ladder.

Anthony Rother: Did they whine and cry about not getting booked at Above and Beyond? NO! Did they complain about not getting their shot? NO! They humbly stood by and waited. That’s when management finally came to their senses and they came to me, they begged, they pleaded… They came to me and said, “Mr. Rother, we are so sorry that we have neglected your men ever since they returned. Thus, we are giving them their title shot, immediately following the tag team title match, tonight.”

Kris Cruise: Oh please…

Stephy Auger: Hey, Rother’s a fine, upstanding gentleman. He wouldn’t lie, and if he says it happened, then I believe him.

Anthony Rother: So The Usual Suspects took that torch that was passed to them, and they made the most out of it by once again defeating Status Quo at Above and Beyond to become your NEW FGA and WLW World Tag Team Champions!

Rother climbed two more steps where he perched himself at the top of the ladder.

Anthony Rother: It was a hard fought match, but the Suspect scratched and crawled their way to victory. They have given you champions that you can be proud of; champions who don’t sleep with each other’s sisters; champions who provide substance over mindless fan-fiction; champions who don’t disgrace this company by consuming ungodly amounts of alcohol and make fools of themselves on national TV.

Kris Cruise: This is getting absolutely ridiculous, you can’t be buying this Auger.

Cruise looks to his left to see Stephy Auger standing and applauding Rother.

Kris Cruise: …oh my god…

Anthony Rother: So now that the Suspects have defeated the entire tag team division, now that they have chased Ricky Valero and Luke Jackson out of this company with their tails tucked between their legs, there’s nothing else for them to do but to lay out an open challenge. An open challenge to any tag team within our great sport, no matter which company you might hail from, to come to FGA and challenge the best tag team in the world today! That’s right, I said it – the BEST tag team in our sport today and they have the gold that proves it ---

Just then "Dangerous Business since 1979" by Legion of Doom begins to blare over the loudspeakers as out from behind the curtain walks the rightful FGA Tag Team Champions, Dan Herrera and Cordy Stevenson. Dan Herrera has a microphone in hand already as he and Cordy stand at the top of the ramp. He shakes his head for a second looking around as the crowd chants "There's -- The -- Champions" at Rother. Dan nods and smiles for a second listening to the crowd go.

Dan Herrera: "very day you find a way to deflect your obvious drinking problem onto me, Rother. They say the obvious sign of addiction is to pass the blame onto someone else. It's obvious to me tonight standing in the back and listening to you talk that this is the case. There's no way a sober... or even sane person... could stand out here and spout the amount of garbage that's coming from your mouth.

Dan imitates a puking motion imitating things coming out with his hands to portray just how sick Rother sounds.

Dan Herrera: You're honestly going with some story about a sanctioned fight after our defense of the Tag Team championships at Above and Beyond? Well fine then... let's pretend that was even remotely true. When was the last time anyone beat anyone for anything without either making them tap or receiving the 1... 2... 3 count on the mat?

Dan slaps his hand on the ramp as he speaks.

Dan Herrera: No, you see, this is simple theft. You can dress up a pig as much as you want trying to make it your girlfriend, Rother... the fact is it's still a pig. And this little story you're spinning is no different. By the way, tell Ms. Piggy I said hi. She's a much better person, don't know what she sees in you. Anyways... it's true that you beat us in Tucson... no matter how it happened. And that in itself is enough to be recognized. But before you ever beat us the match at Above and Beyond was set. Your team was left out, sorry about your luck.

Dan shrugs.

Dan Herrera: "But you'd of got your shot, believe that. It's a pretty well known fact that both I and Cordy in our singles careers we’re ready to fight anyone. The same thing goes as a tag team. When the time was right, you'd have your shot. Well you've obviously fast tracked that, good on you. Because the fact of the matter is, it's taking all within me not to run own there with Cordy here beat you both down and take our titles back. Whether that's with a referee or not. But we've got a better idea."

Dan hands the microphone to Cordelia who has been pacing back and forth like a rabid pit bull, and starts to head back behind the apron.

Cordelia Stevenson: No, make no mistake about it Dan, you have a better idea, and I’m glad you’re feeling a sense of diplomacy here, because I sure as hell am not; and I say we go with the original plan. I say we march down there to that ring, we whip all of their asses, and we take ...our titles… back.

The crowd roars its approval of the idea as Cordy drops the mic, starting towards the ring, but Dan quickly hurries back and wraps an arm around her waist, slowing her down and eventually halting her in her tracks. He holds up his hands, telling her to wait a minute. At first she pleads with him to let her go, to run down to the ring, but eventually Dan convinces her to chill. Satisfied that she won’t take off as soon as he steps away, he continue on back behind the apron. A few moments later, Dan returns from behind the curtain with a 10ft ladder in his hands. He then sets it down next to himself as Cordy retrieves the microphone and hands it back to him.

Dan Herrera: You want to complain about the ladder for tag team matches in this company. How people are just jumping over you guys and getting things the way they want them while you're stuck on the bottom rung trying to climb your way up? Well how bout a object lesson then? You bring those titles back up here to us, their rightful owners, and you get the championship match you crave so much. At Retribution, we have ourselves a ladder match for the FGA Tag Team Championships and once again we prove why Status Quo stands at the top of the ladder looking down at the rest of the field.

Dan leans his hand on the ladder and braces himself against it.

Dan Herrera: Now what do you have to say about that?

Anthony Rother: Ladder match? Interesting you would say that Dan.

Rother motions towards the rafters where all four tag team titles hang from a cable.

Anthony Rother: You might be a drunkard, but you always did have a mind for the sport. I can see it now, Status Quo – the challengers – versus The Usual Suspects – your FGA World Tag Team Champions… *Rother coughed* officially – unofficially *Rother coughed again* at "Retribution"...

Kris Cruise: See, he just admitted it!!!

Stephy Auger: He had a frog in his throat, Kris!

Anthony Rother: …for the ultimate prize in tag team wrestling; just as it should have been at Above and Beyond. That’s all we ever wanted, to get a shot at what’s rightfully due to us. So now that you’ve laid out the challenge, I want you to take some time and look deep within your guts. I want you to ask yourselves if you have what it takes to beat the two men in the ring with me. You said it yourself last time, Dan – it was non-title, a no pressure situation. This time, however, all of the pressure – the weight of the world – is going to be on your shoulders; not ours. Never. Forget. Tucson.

The two teams continue to stare each other down as we cut to commercial break.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

We cut to a corridor backstage at the Bren Events Center to find Spencer Burke standing mic in hand with Frontier Lions Cup runner-up Johnny Karma, as always with Cherry Baum by his side, with Burke briefly looking towards the camera to make sure they're filming

Spencer Burke: First of all, JK...can I call you JK?

Karma looks towards Cherry, who in turn shrugs

Cherry Baum: I can't see why anyone would get annoyed by that.

Karma is about to turns his attentions back to Burke but pauses mid-turn, almost as if he remembers things playing out a little differently, before he returns his attention to Burke

Spencer Burke: We've had a lot of fans ask us how you’re feeling after the Frontier Lions Cup, as you came so close to being crowned winner but ultimately the victory eluded you.

Johnny Karma: Can I borrow your microphone for a second?

Spencer Burke: Well...sure.

Burke hands Karma his microphone, and as soon as he does Karma takes a step backwards

Johnny Karma: Imagine being so close to having something in your grasp, and I mean so close that your fingertips are brushing against what you're reaching for...

To illustrate the point Karma holds the microphone towards Burke, just outside of Burke's reach

Johnny Karma: ...but try as you can to grab hold of it, it's just that little bit too far away. It's the being so close that stings, because it leads you into playing a long, drawn-out game of "What if...?" What if I did this differently, what if I reacted to that a little quicker, the list goes on and plays out in your head longer than you'd like to think it would.

Karma hands Burke his microphone back

Spencer Burke: Talking about Above & Beyond, we saw the New Kings lose their grip of the FGA Championship in the show's main event. What are your thoughts about that happening?

Johnny Karma: On the one hand it's a relief to see that, after all their talk and everything else they've done since they first showed up, they first time they were the ones being chased rather than doing the chasing they couldn't handle it. I mean, no doubt Johnny Cannon's going to hold being FWA Champion over so many of the roster until the end of time, but a few weeks ago he was doing it to assert his dominance - now he's doing it to try and stop everyone having a well-deserved laugh at his expense. Of course, people would've been laughing at his expense a couple of months back if Zero McHannon had the common sense to listen to what I was saying and consider what was coming for him, and that's the problem that still remains: Cannon might not have the belt, Carmine might not have the belt - but is McHannon really that much better, or is he just the other side of the same coin?

Spencer Burke: So what are you planning to do for the near future?

Karma takes a deep breath, exhaling as he responds

Johnny Karma: Well...obviously I'm going to be watching from the sidelines with Chandler being at the front of the queue for the FWA Championship, and it's not like I'm going to just walk out into the arena and demand a title match against whoever just so I have something to do for a few weeks, but no matter what happens between now and Retribution I'm going to be at the top of my game - and unlike some people I could mention I'm not going to pretend the New Kings are done and dusted, so if they think that they're done with me I'm going to remind them that I am by no means done with them.

Spencer Burke: Johnny Karma, thanks for your...

Cherry Baum: Ooh, a Staryu!

Cherry dashes off, phone in hand, readying a Great Ball so she can catch her latest Pokemon - leaving both Karma and Burke startled by the sudden interruption and even more sudden departure, as the two of them just look at each other, shrug, and walk away in their respective directions.

[FGA Office]

Kevin Hardaway vs. Kyle Ohio

“Lithium” by Nirvana begins to play throughout the arena as Kyle Ohio appears at the top of the ramp; the fans here in Irvine don’t give the veteran a particularly warm welcome, even as he sprints down the aisle.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Cleveland, Ohio! Weighing in at 185 pounds… KYLE OHIO!

Kris Cruise: Kyle Ohio set to debut here in FGA. He’s traveled the world for over 20 years now, but he’s decided to make FGA home.

Stephy Auger: And what a debut match he gets, Cruise. Hardaway is coming off a huge loss at Above & Beyond, losing his WLW tag titles to Status Quo in that triple threat match. And now he has to see them in the possession of The Usual Suspects. With a distraction like that weighing on his mind, Hardaway will have to dig deep if he wants to win tonight.

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

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

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Baltimore, Maryland! Weighing in at 211 pounds … KEVIN HARDAWAY!

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

Kris Cruise: Here we go!

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors rush to meet in the center of the ring. But Ohio lowers his head and pulls off the double leg takedown, bringing Hardaway crashing to the mat! The Cleveland native mounts his opponent, firing off repeated punches to the face as Hardaway tries to cover up. He eventually manages to counter, however, rolling Ohio onto his back! And then it’s Kev’s turn to wail away with rights and lefts.

Kyle manages to kick his opponent away, though, and both competitors scramble to get back to their feet. Ohio strikes first, landing a couple of forearm strikes to the face, but as he goes for an Irish whip towards the corner, K-Hard reverses it. Kyle hits the turnbuckle with force, staggering out towards the center of the ring when he’s caught with a back body drop!

Kris Cruise: Did you see the elevation Hardaway got on that back body drop?

Stephy Auger: Kyle Ohio nearly hits the rafters just now. You’ve got to be thinking that Hardaway has some pent up frustration left over from Above & Beyond, when he and Ruby Tyler lost their WLW Tag Team titles.

Ohio clutches at his lower back as he picks himself up, turning around to see Hardaway charging at him with a clothesline. Ohio picks himself up again, and again Hardaway charges in with a clothesline. The crowd are behind Hardaway as he picks his opponent up and whips Kyle Ohio into the corner. He follows him in with a running European uppercut, followed by a snapmare out of the corner. Hardaway hits the ropes and returns with a dropkick to the face, before he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Ohio kicks out!

Hardaway stands right back up and stomps at his prone opponent, working over the torso of Kyle Ohio as the crowd cheers him on. After nearly ten seconds, though, Hardaway drags his opponent back to his feet by the wrist for an early Decapitation Lariat! Ohio flips through the air before crashing to the mat, and Hardaway drops down for the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Kyle Ohio staying in this one.

Stephy Auger: Hardaway is looking to end it early, but with a veteran like Kyle Ohio, he might have to pull out the big guns.

Hardaway drags his opponent up by the hair, delivering a stiff shot to the face before going for the Irish whip. But Ohio holds onto the top rope to stop himself. Hardaway charges in, only to get lowballed as Kyle pulls down the ropes! Hardaway clutches at his shoulder as he writhes on the floor, allowing Kyle the chance to recover slightly. He steps out onto the apron and dives off it, delivering a double foot stomp to the outside as suddenly Kyle Ohio finds himself in control of the match!

Ohio picks his opponent up and wrenches the arm, before dropping an elbow down across that same shoulder Hardaway was just clutching. Another elbow is delivered down across the joint, before Ohio moves towards the ring post. He manages to wrap Hardaway’s arm around the post before K-Hard falls to his knees.

Ohio rolls his opponent back into the ring as he follows him in, and Kyle goes for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kick out.

Hardaway is brought back to his feet and sent towards the corner with an Irish whip, before Ohio follows him in with a back elbow strike to the face. But Ohio doesn’t want to get into a striking contest with Kevin Hardaway; the wily veteran stays on the arm, wrapping the arm around the top rope before hammering away at the shoulder. The referee finally intervenes, but Kyle stays on the attack. He drags Hardaway out of the corner and promptly delivers a hammerlock suplex. And a pin attempt.

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

Kris Cruise: Another near fall. Kyle Ohio really going after that arm now; he knows that Hardaway relies heavily on those strikes of his, so if he can neutralize the arm, he neutralizes the attack.

Kyle stands back up, looking frustrated as the crowd continue booing him. But he shakes that off and drags K-Hard back to a vertical base, before applying another arm wrench. Ohio drives a knee up into the midsection before going for the Irish whip, sending Hardaway against the ropes. But the former Pride champion returns with an STO! The crowd pop as Ohio hits the mat.

Hardaway is the first one to get back to his feet as he nurses that shoulder of his. Ohio stands back, and is immediately caught by a toe kick to the midsection. It doubles him over in the center of the ring as Hardaway hits the ropes again, this time coming back with a knee lift to the face! Ohio crashes to the mat, but quickly picks himself up as he staggers around the ring, right into the path of a savate kick!

Hardaway drags Ohio back to his feet and delivers a body slam. Hardaway winces, clutching that shoulder again. In doing so, he allows Ohio enough time to kneel back up, but Hardaway delivers a stomp to the back of the neck, before connecting with a rolling elbow to the temple!

Kris Cruise: KTFO~!

Hardaway manages to get his opponent up vertically as he holds Kyle up for a few moments, before dropping him down across his knee with a brainbuster! The crowd cheer again at the sight of the Lights Out Brainbuster, but there’s no pin attempt. Instead Hardaway pulls his barely conscious opponent to a vertical base and promptly hits the Williams Driver, before covering.

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

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, KEVIN HARDAWAY!

Stephy Auger: Hardaway pulling out the big guns at the end, and it was more than enough to put away the veteran.

Kris Cruise: That might have been the venting session that Hardaway needed; he'll be set to try and win those belts back, but Kyle Ohio will have to try harder in his next match.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Molly Reid vs. Kevin Keller

The opening verse of "When Worlds Collide" plays throughout the arena as fans immediately stand up to boo. After a few short seconds of the music playing, the chorus kicks in.

"NOW THIS IS WHAT IT'S LIKE WHEN WORLD'S COLLIDE"

Kevin Keller steps out onto the entrance ramp with no pomp or circumstance, his arms crossed and a look of disgust on his face.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Dayton, Ohio! Weighing in at 218 pounds … KEVIN KELLER!

He ignores the fans and begins making his way down the entrance ramp, up the stairs, and stops on the ring apron wiping his feet off. He ducks underneath the bottom rope, steps into the ring, and then leans back against the ropes with the same look of disgust and arms-crossed pose.

The lights in the arena dim as Crazy Bitch by Buckcherry begins to play over the loudspeakers in the arena. A spotlight appears on the stage as Molly Reid walks out in her wrestling gear, bouncing around with a happy grin on her face, singing along to the song.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Los Angeles, California! Weighing in at 218 pounds… MOLLY REID!

She walks down the ramp to cheers from the crowd, reaching out and high fiving some of them. She slides into the ring and jumps up, holding her arms in the air as the crowd cheers loudly. Molly runs to a turnbuckle and jumps onto the second rope, posing for the crowd once more, before climbing down and moving to her corner

Stephy Auger: Molly Reid returning to action after her first round elimination in the Frontier Lions Cup two weeks ago. And it may not be Johnny Karma across the ring from her tonight, but do you think she’ll fare any better?

Kris Cruise: Kevin Keller comes to us with an impressive resume, but another factor to remember is that Molly doesn’t have Evan Envi in the corner to distract her…

Stephy Auger: He was helping her, Cruise. Although I’m not sure what he sees in her. Regardless, we’re about ready for the bell here.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring for a few moments; the fans here in Irvine are firmly behind Molly as she locks up with Keller, before the size advantage immediately comes into play. Keller manages to push his smaller foe back into the corner, before delivering a couple of forearm strikes to the face. Molly fires two right back, but Keller cuts her off with a knee lift to the midsection before a snapmare brings her out of the corner. Molly remains seated for a second too long as Keller connects with a vicious kick to the spine before walking away to taunt the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Kevin Keller certainly seems confident here in his FGA debut, almost arrogant even.

Stephy Auger: Wouldn’t you be if you were facing Molly Reid on your debut? After she’s lost to Johnny Karma and Annie Dupree in recent weeks, Molly has to be feeling low. And that’s the perfect time for someone like Kevin Keller to swoop in and deliver that killing blow!

Keller drags his opponent back to her feet, catching Molly across the chest with some stinging chops as he backs her against the ropes. An Irish whip follows as Reid is sent across the ring, only for her to come back with a huge flying forearm smash! The crowd pop as Keller hits the mat, but both competitors scramble to get back to their feet. As they do so, Molly uses her speed to strike first, hitting an arm drag. Then another as they stand back up again.

Keller is staggered as he regains his footing a third time, allowing himself to get caught by a spinning backfist, before a double knee facebreaker connects! His head snaps backwards before he hits the mat; Reid rolls her opponent over and hooks a leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Keller kicks out.

Kris Cruise: A near fall early on by Molly Reid, and it doesn’t look like she’s letting her recent disappointments keep her down, Stephy.

Molly rolls away and gets back to her feet, watching on as Kevin stands up on the opposite side of the squared circle. She hits a flying knee attack that sends Keller through the ropes, out onto the apron. Which just happens to be the perfect position for Kevin Keller to find himself on the receiving end of a triangle dropkick!

Keller falls down into the aisle way as Molly stands tall in the center of the ring; her home state fans cheering her on as she plays to them, urging them to cheer louder. Then, as her opponent stands back up on the outside, Molly launches herself through the ropes with a suicide dive into a tornado DDT! The fans cheer even louder at the sight of that one, but now Molly has to try and get the match back into the ring.

Stephy Auger: A huge tornado DDT there by Molly, but she doesn’t want to win this by count out.

Reid drags her opponent back to his feet, but Keller appears to be almost dead weight at the moment. So Molly struggles to lift all two hundred plus pounds of him. She does eventually manage to get him back up, moving towards the ring as she tries to slam him face first into the apron – NO! Keller has the wherewithal to put his hands down to stop it, before catching Molly in the face with an elbow. Instead, it’s Keller who slams Molly’s face into the apron before rolling her in under the bottom rope.

Slowly, Kevin climbs back up onto the apron. But his opponent is already on her feet by the time he does so. A dropkick catches him in the face as he climbs through the ropes, causing him to fall into the ring. He staggers to his feet again, however, just as Molly rebounds off the ropes with a Superman punch! She drops down on top of Kevin Keller and hooks a leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NOO!

Kris Cruise: Another near fall, and Molly appears to be in firm control here.

Stephy Auger: Kevin Keller had a bright start, but he faded fast as soon as Molly started picking up momentum.

An Irish whip sends Keller towards the corner after he’s brought back to his feet, and he hits the turnbuckle hard. Molly charges in after him, only to run right into the big boot! She staggers back a few steps – it didn’t quite connect properly – but soon tries again! This time Keller dives out of the way as Molly hits the turnbuckle chest first, before staggering away. She turns around as Keller rebounds off the ropes, coming back with his version of the slingblade!

Kris Cruise: He calls that the Ohio Turnpike! What can he do from here?

Keller crawls across and covers with a lateral press.

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

He can’t quite believe it for some reason; Keller drags his opponent back to her feet and wags a finger in Molly’s face, telling her she got too lax. And in a cruel twist of irony, Reid catches her opponent by surprise with a stiff forearm strike to the face! Keller is staggered as Molly delivers four more, backing the Ohio native against the ropes. She goes for an Irish whip sending Keller against the ropes – NO! He reverses and it’s Molly who’s sent against the ropes, as she returns with a headscissors takedown. Keller rolls through and back to his feet, lashing out wildly with a desperate Keller Kick – but Molly easily avoids it! She waits a moment for Kevin to turn back around, and promptly drops him with a Molly Kick before hooking the leg!

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

“Crazy Bitch” blasts over the PA as the crowd cheers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, MOLLY REID!

The crowd continues to cheer as Molly gets her arm raised.

Kris Cruise: She’s back to her winning ways, Stephy. And in dominant fashion.

Stephy Auger: Kevin Keller coming up short in his FGA debut, and maybe he underestimated his opponent, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: Molly Reid brought the heat tonight. She deserved this victory, and without Evan Envi there to distract her, she did exactly that.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Series Premiere - 9/22
Only on AxxessNet

[FGA Office]

Ruby Tyler vs. Danny Diamond

"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."

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.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Cheshire, England! Weighing in at 213 pounds … DANNY DIAMOND!

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: The New Kings didn’t have the best of shows at Above & Beyond, but Danny Diamond is out here tonight looking to get some momentum back as he takes on Ruby Tyler.

Stephy Auger: Talking about having a bad Above & Beyond; not only did #RubyWay lose their WLW Tag Team titles to the Status Quo, they then watched as The Usual Suspects stole those belts from under their noses. And you know she’s pissed, Cruise, you just have to see her on Twitter for that.

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

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

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

Tossing her jacket aside, Ruby turns to face the crowd and pumps her fist in the air before sliding underneath the bottom rope, whereupon she’s attacked by Danny Diamond! He begins stomping at her while she’s down, drawing a loud boo from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Danny Diamond not waiting for the bell to get this one underway.

Stephy Auger: Why should he? He knows what he has to do to win, and that’s exactly what he’ll do tonight, Cruise.

The bell sounds to start the match as Diamond continues stomping away at his opponent; Ruby not even getting the chance to rise past all fours before the member of The New Kings started laying in the boots. The referee tries to intervene, but Danny pushes his way past him, and goes back to stomping at his opponent, much to the chagrin of the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Danny Diamond isn’t winning any favors with the crowd here.

Stephy Auger: He’s one of the New Kings, Cruise – he doesn’t care what the fans think!

Diamond drags his opponent back to her feet and applies a side headlock. A few punches for good measure, and Diamond brings Ruby towards the center of the ring. But Ruby begins to fire off some elbows to the midsection to try and work her way out of the predicament. She manages to counter with an atomic drop, before running against the ropes for momentum – but Diamond catches her with a Japanese arm drag!

Ruby gets right back up, and charges in again. But once more, Diamond catches her with a Japanese arm drag. This time as Ruby stands up, Danny catches her with a standing dropkick that sends The Huntress rolling out under the bottom rope. Diamond takes a moment to taunt the audience, asking if this is the best opponent that FGA can find him, which only serves to infuriate Ruby. She slides back into the ring after gathering her bearings, and successfully ducks under Diamond’s attempted clothesline. Ruby hits the far ropes and comes back with a slingblade!

Kris Cruise: Ruby Tyler is fired up now!

Both competitors scramble to get back to their feet as Ruby lashes out with a series of knife edge chops to the chest, forcing Diamond back against the ropes. An Irish whip follows, and Ruby connects with a leg lariat. Diamond picks himself up once again, this time stumbling back into the corner as Ruby pounces; she’s peppering Danny with an alternating series of chops and punches, much to the delight of the crowd!

Tyler makes a circular motion as she walks around the ring, hyping up the crowd before she charges in with a running European uppercut! She tries for a bulldog out of the corner, but Diamond has the wherewithal to reverse it into a back suplex, keeping it bridged for the pin attempt!

ONE!
.
.
Ruby kicks out!

The Huntress is up first, angry that she got caught with that reversal as she lays into Danny Diamond with more strikes. The forearm smashes force Diamond into the corner again as Ruby climbs up to the middle rope, whereupon she starts a ten punch combo! The crowd count along with each punch, but after nine, Ruby leaps down, performing a monkey flip as she does so! Diamond lands on his back, holding it in pain as Ruby heads towards the top rope.

Stephy Auger: What does she have in store here, Cruise?

Kris Cruise: I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t want to be Danny Diamond right about now…

Diamond stands back up, turning towards the corner where Ruby is perched atop the turnbuckle, and she leaps with a crossbody block – NO! Diamond rolls through to find himself pinning his opponent.

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

Both competitors hurry back to their vertical bases as Ruby charges her opponent, only to get caught by a Samoan drop! And Diamond sits right back up, smirking as he looks out across the crowd. He wipes the sweat from his brow before picking Ruby up, and doubling her over with a knee to the stomach. He follows that up with a double underhook suplex. But no pin attempt from Diamond this time.

Instead he applies a surfboard submission hold to his seated opponent, his knee wedged firmly between Ruby’s shoulder blades. The Huntress looks to be in pain as the referee checks for the submission, but she’s too stubborn to quit. The hold stays applied for several moments before the crowd begin to rally behind Tyler, urging her on with the fightback. She eventually manages to work her way back up to a kneeling position. Then up to her feet as Diamond keeps hold of her hands. Ruby works her way round so she can force a break with a hard boot to the midsection. A couple of European uppercuts follow before Tyler goes back against the ropes, coming back with a basement dropkick! It’s enough to force Danny down to one knee as Ruby runs in with a hurricanrana! And the pin attempt.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Danny kicks out!

Kris Cruise: Ruby finding a way back in with those precise strikes, but it’s not enough to keep Danny Diamond down.

Stephy Auger: Nothing she can do would be good enough for that, Cruise. Ruby wants to prove she can hang with a New King, she wants to prove #RubyWay should have won at Above & Beyond. But neither of those are true. And the sooner she realizes that the better.

Contrary to that opinion, Ruby Tyler remains in control of the match as she drags Diamond up by the hair, and tosses him out through the middle ropes. It doesn’t take long for Diamond to pick himself up on the outside, and just in time to eat a baseball slide from Tyler! Ruby climbs out onto the apron as Diamond hits the guard rail; he rolls onto his back, parallel to the railings as Ruby positions herself on the apron. She runs along the edge of the ring and leaps off with an elbow drop!

Kris Cruise: Look out below!

A pop from the crowd as Ruby connects with her trademark move, before she rolls Diamond back into the ring. She follows him in and covers.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Diamond kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Still not enough. Danny Diamond can withstand a lot of punishment, Cruise. Ruby is going to have to up the ante if she wants to win this one.

Tyler looks frustrated at the decision as she rolls away to the other side of the ring; she remains crouching down as she waits for Danny Diamond to get back to his feet. The fans can tell she’s measuring him up; the Briton is groggy, moving slowly as he rises back to his vertical base – and Ruby leaps up for the Crimson Kiss…

NO!

Diamond swats her away in mid air! Ruby hits the mat back first, and Diamond grabs her by the feet, using the position to catapult her throat first into the bottom rope! A loud jeer sounds out throughout the arena as Ruby clutches her throat, gasping for air. And Diamond takes a moment to catch his breath. He drags Ruby away from the ropes and hits a standing moonsault,

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

Diamond gets back to his feet and brings Ruby up with him, before whipping her into the corner. She hits the turnbuckle hard, and can do nothing to stop Danny following her in with a double knee strike. She staggers out of the corner in a knee lift to the gut, before Diamond hooks her in position for the tiger driver ’98 – NO! Ruby spins out of it and counters with a spinning heel kick!

Stephy Auger: Ruby Tyler finding her way out of danger there.

Both competitors scramble back to their feet as Ruby ducks the clothesline; she runs against the ropes, springboarding off them with a roundhouse kick that catches Diamond flush against the side of the head! It drops him to a kneeling position as Ruby picks herself up once again; she charges in with a knee strike to the side of the head, and covers Diamond with a hook of the leg right after!

Kris Cruise: Dead Aim connects, this could be it!

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

“Heavy” blasts over the PA as the crowd cheers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, RUBY TYLER!

The crowd continues to cheer as Ruby gets her arm raised.

“Heavy” by the Glorious Sons begins playing again as Ruby Tyler gets her arm raised by the referee. She rubs a hand against her throat before leaving the ring, glaring down at Danny Diamond as she goes.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Savannah Taylor vs. Ryan LeCavalier

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

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

She climbs the steps and stands on the apron, scanning the crowd before shaking her head at the fans. Stepping into the ring, she stands in the center and raises her hands above her head, seeming to soak in the boos. She then rests her back against the turnbuckle and waits for the lights to return to normal and the music to fade out.

Kris Cruise: Two weeks ago at Above & Beyond, we saw Savannah Taylor eliminated in the first round of the Frontier Lions Cup after a time limit draw against Fujiko Mine.

Stephy Auger: She pushed the Pride champion further than Fujiko has been pushed in recent memory, Cruise. But the many disappointments from that night still linger in Savannah Taylor. Tonight she has an opportunity to get back on track.

Kris Cruise: And her opponent is this woman, Ryan LeCavalier. She wasn’t in action at the recent pay-per-view, but she’ll be looking to continue her winning ways after a recent victory over 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.

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, now residing in Miami, Florida! Weighing in at 135 pounds… “THE LOST MONARCH” RYAN LECAVALIER!

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.

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.

Stephy Auger: Let's see what these two can do here.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring; the fans here in Anaheim are largely behind Ryan LeCavalier, cheering her on as they lock up collar and elbow. They jockey for position, forcing one another backwards around the ring before finally LeCavalier goes behind with a rear waistlock. Savannah claws at her opponent’s grip, prying Ryan’s hands apart so she can counter with a rear waistlock of her own.

Savannah hits a belly to back suplex, bringing Ryan down to the mat face first, before The Siren applies a front facelock. But Ryan is quick to counter that one, grabbing her opponent’s arm to apply a hammerlock.

Kris Cruise: We know both of these wrestlers can go on the mat, this one might just be a case of who wants it more.

Stephy Auger: After putting on one of the matches of the night at Above & Beyond, Savannah has to be chomping at the bit to get back to her winning ways tonight. That draw may haunt her for a long time, but a win tonight would go a long way to getting past it.

The Lost Monarch has the hammerlock applied, but Savannah begins battling back, working her way up to her knees as she fires off back elbows to the face. As she gets back to her feet, however, Ryan switches things up with a side headlock. But even then it’s not long before Savannah bounces off the ropes in order to push Ryan away. LeCavalier returns with a shoulderblock, knocking Taylor down. She then sets off against the ropes again, jumping over Savannah as she rolls onto her stomach. Savannah pops to her feet and goes for a hiptoss, but Ryan blocks and counters with an arm drag! Savannah scrambles to her feet, only to get caught by another arm drag.

As Savannah gets back to her feet again, she stumbles backwards into a corner; Ryan pounces almost immediately, stomping a mudhole in the midsection of Savannah Taylor as the fans continue cheering her on! An Irish whip attempt by LeCavalier is reversed, though, and she’s sent from pillar to post. Ryan hits the far turnbuckle with force, staggering out as Savannah catches her with an inverted atomic drop. LeCavalier is aching from that one as Savannah hits the ropes behind her, coming back with a facebuster. And the first cover of the match.

ONE!
.
.
Ryan kicks out.

But Savannah doesn’t ease up; she grabs Ryan in a rear chinlock, trying to keep The Lost Monarch grounded. It doesn’t take long for Ryan to break the hold, though, shooting off a couple of side elbows to weaken her opponent’s grip before applying a side headlock of her own. That transitions into a drop toe hold as Ryan spins around, bringing her opponent to the mat. Ryan assumes a mounted position and unleashes some elbow strikes to the head as Savannah tries to cover up.

Kris Cruise: Some vicious elbow strikes by Ryan LeCavalier here.

LeCavalier stands up and brings her opponent with her, if only to deliver a snap suplex. She floats over into the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Savannah kicks out.

Undeterred, Ryan rolls her opponent onto her front and applies an armbar. Savannah yells in pain as its wrenched upwards, but she manages to rise up and roll forward. Another forward roll and Savannah counters, flipping Ryan head over heels. The Lost Monarch hits the mat back first, but Savannah still has hold of the wrist as she applies a cross armbreaker. The referee checks for a submission, but LeCavalier is too close to the ropes, and manages to drape a foot across the bottom rope to force a break.

Stephy Auger: Neither competitor gaining a clear advantage here in the early going. One of them is going to have to try and break ahead, otherwise we’re looking at another time limit draw for Savannah Taylor.

Kris Cruise: They appear evenly matched here, but Ryan LeCavalier does have a distinct experience advantage.

Referee: One…Two…Three…Four…

Savannah releases the hold, and immediately drags Ryan up by that same arm; the shoulder appears tender, so Savannah wrenches the arm before transitioning into a hammerlock, which then transitions into a hammerlock DDT! Ryan’s head bounces off the mat, and Savannah makes the cover again.

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

Savannah drags her opponent up again, backing Ryan against the ropes with a series of knife edge chops to the chest. An Irish whip ensues as LeCavalier is sent across the ring. The Siren jumps up, catching her opponent with a Thesz press as she starts to rain down right hands. The referee intervenes, calling for a break, so Savannah stands back up. Only to perform a standing moonsault for the pin attempt.

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

Both competitors move back to their feet as Savannah tries for a hip toss. But Ryan blocks it and counters with a shot to the midsection. With a leg draped across the back of her opponent’s neck, The Lost Monarch performs an assisted backflip, before catching Savannah from behind with a neckbreaker!

Kris Cruise: And just like that, Ryan LeCavalier has found a way back into this match, Stephy.

They’re both down momentarily, but it’s Ryan who gets up first, followed close behind by Savannah. The Siren lashes out, lunging forward with a desperate clothesline attempt, but Ryan ducks and counters with a snap one handed STO backbreaker!

Stephy Auger: Ephemeris connects. Savannah may be in trouble if she keeps getting hit with moves like that.

Kris Cruise: And it just came out of nowhere.

LeCavalier hits the ropes for momentum; her opponent is writhing in pain on the mat as Ryan rebounds off the ropes, coming back with a sliding knee strike to the back. She rolls Savannah over onto her back to make the cover.

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

And Taylor rolls out of the ring to try and put some space between her and her opponent, causing the crowd to boo her once again. Taylor remains on the outside for a moment, trying to work the kinks out of her back … but she doesn’t have the chance to, as Ryan flies through the ropes with a suicide dive! The crowd cheer her on, but LeCavalier remains focused on the match at hand, dragging Savannah back up to her feet soon after. Ryan stretches her opponent’s arms out to each side as she unloads with a series of knife edge chops to the chest; Savannah tries to cover up, but Ryan just pushes them aside each time.

Before the referee reaches six on the count out, Ryan rolls her opponent back into the ring and slides in after her. Savannah staggers away, but The Lost Monarch is always close behind. She peppers Taylor with a couple of elbow strikes, before going for an Irish whip. Savannah holds onto the top rope, however, to stop herself. Ryan charges in, only to get caught by an elbow to the face! It’s enough to stagger The Lost Monarch, but she runs in again, and Savannah dumps her over the top rope.

Kris Cruise: Tremendous athleticism there by Ryan LeCavalier.

She lands on the apron, steadying herself with one hand on the top rope – only for Savannah to catch her with a spinning backfist!

Stephy Auger: Desert Rose connects!

LeCavalier is dazed, barely holding onto the rope to stay upright when Savannah reaches across; she hooks her opponent by the waist band and brings her into the ring the hard way, performing a brainbuster! Savannah floats over into a cover, hooking the leg.

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

Ryan gets the shoulder up at the last second, and Savannah can’t quite believe it. She sits up, breathing heavily as she glares the official. But the referee assures her it was only a two count. After a moment’s rest, Savannah grabs her opponent back up, and whips her towards the corner. She follows Ryan in with a Yakuza kick, and The Lost Monarch stumbles out of the corner; she’s doubled over near the center of the ring as Savannah rushes her, connecting with a running knee lift to the face. It causes Ryan to spin on the spot, allowing Savannah to hit a forward Russian legsweep! And the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
NO!

Again, Savannah can’t quite believe it. But the referee once again holds up two fingers. The Siren stands back up, taking a moment to stomp at her opponent before finally lifting Ryan back to a vertical base also. An Irish whip sends The Lost Monarch towards the corner as Savannah charges in after her – only to get caught by a running double elbow strike!

Kris Cruise: What a counter there by Ryan LeCavalier, and she might have just found a way back into this match, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Savannah Taylor has had control for a couple of minutes now, and she’s this close to closing the deal.

Savannah gets right back up, and Ryan hits her with another running elbow strike. As Savannah gets up again, she lunges forward with a rising clothesline – NO! Ryan ducks and dives behind the back of her opponent, before hitting a release dragon suplex! And now both competitors are down.


“ONE!”


“TWO!”


“THREE!”


“FOUR!”

Kris Cruise: Neither competitor has stirred yet.

Stephy Auger: Not another draw, please not another.

“FIVE!”


“SIX!”


It’s Ryan who moves first, crawling towards the ropes as she picks herself up. Savannah is in the center of the ring, pushing herself back to her feet. Ryan hits her with a forearm strike, and Savannah fires back with one of her own. Back and forth the two trade forearm shots, until Ryan begins to pull away. She lands three in succession; the third one spins Savannah around as Ryan hooks her arms ready for the Age of Consent – NO! Savannah wriggles free and lashes out with another spinning backfist, but Ryan ducks and catches the arm, before hooking the other arm and this time she delivers the Age of Consent! LeCavalier rolls over and makes the cover.

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

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, RYAN LECAVALIER!

Kris Cruise: Another win for Ryan LeCavalier here in FGA, and she’s picking up some momentum after that debut defeat, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Dom Harter may have bested her, but that Savannah Taylor and Rick Young who have fallen to The Lost Monarch. The real question is: who’s next?

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Tomorrow Night!
Only on AxxessNet!

[FGA Office]

Evan Envi vs Mark Storm

“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.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, from Ocean City, Maryland! Weighing in at 203 pounds… EVAN ENVI!

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.

Kris Cruise: We saw Evan two weeks ago at Above & Beyond, standing in the corner of Molly Reid. And it turned out to be his distraction that might have cost Molly a place in the second round.

Stephy Auger: I think you’re overestimating Molly Reid there, Cruise. She should be so lucky as to have Evan Envi in her corner. And tonight he’s going to show her why, when he defeats Mark Storm.

The lights in the arena begin to dim and the FGA audience rise to their feet, as the nostalgic melody of "Bad Guy" by 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 spokesman of a generation - Mark Storm, who stands tall at the top of the entrance ramp. A smile is plastered on his face as he marvels at the scenery, embracing all the cheers as he close his eyes and widens his arms before coming down the ramp.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, From Brooklyn, New York! Weighing in at 220 pounds. He is “the Schizophrenic Prince of Pro Wrestling”... MARK STORM!

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

Kris Cruise: A semi-finalist in the 2016 Frontier Lions Cup, Mark Storm defeated Yun Goeun with ease before coming up against Chandler Scott.

Stephy Auger: And he still couldn’t get it finished despite being the fresher man. How he plans to defeat Evan I don’t know.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring for a few moments; the fans here in Anaheim are firmly behind Mark Storm as he teases a tie up with Evan – only for the Chief to back away. Storm moves forward again, this time managing to engage in a collar and elbow tie up. Evan finds himself overpowered as Storm backs him into a corner. The referee calls for a break, and Evan leans out through the ropes to force his opponent to back away.

Storm obliges, taking a few steps back to allow Evan out of the corner. But the Chief goes South with a toe kick to the midsection before he throws Storm head first into the top turnbuckle. The fans boo again as Evan unleashes a series of knife edge chops. An Irish whip follows, and Storm is sent from pillar to post as Evan follows him in with a running high knee strike! Storm staggers out of the corner, right into a belly-to-belly suplex. Evan covers with a lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
Kick out by Mark Storm.

Stephy Auger: Both of these two are experienced wrestlers, they’re both out to impress tonight. And if the start we’ve just seen is anything to go by, then this match should be action packed, Cruise.

Kris Cruise: Evan Envi showing what he can do so far, but you can never count out Mark Storm. Neither man will back down tonight.

Stephy Auger: Sure you can. I have it on good authority that Mark Storm Sucks!

Envi sits his opponent upright and applies a rear chinlock, wrenching the hold tightly as the crowd continue to boo him. Before too long, Mark Storm begins his fight back; he works his way up to a kneeling position as he fires off some elbows to the midsection, weakening Evan’s grip. He manages to push The Chief away and against the ropes, but Evan returns with a shoulderblock that somehow knocks Mark down.

Storm rolls onto his front as his opponent hits the ropes again, before popping back to his feet. He leapfrogs over the approaching Evan Envi, but the Chief puts on the brakes. Storm turns around, expecting to see Evan running against the ropes, only to find himself on the receiving end of some knife edge chops to the chest! Evan goes for the Irish whip, sending Storm against the ropes – only for Mark Storm to springboard off the middle rope with a stunner!

Kris Cruise: What a counter there by Mark Storm!

Evan flips backwards after taking that springboard cutter, rolling all the way under the bottom rope and out of the ring. The fans’ enthusiasm wanes slightly as Evan escapes into the aisle way, but Storm knows what to do next. He hits the far ropes, picking up speed before vaulting over the top with a somersault dive! And he even connects with Evan, much to the delight of the fans.

Mark Storm stands back up, taking in the crowd’s cheers before bringing Evan back to his feet. The Chief finds himself being brought back towards the ring, as he’s slammed face first into the steel steps. He stumbles away from them holding his face, but Storm keeps following him, delivering the occasional clubbing blow to the back before Evan can roll back into the ring. Storm follows him in, knocking Evan down with a discus clothesline before going for the cover.

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

He’s dragged back to his feet and thrown head first into the corner, before Storm repeatedly thrusts the shoulder into the midsection. The referee finally intervenes after nine, so Storm Irish whips his opponent across the ring, sending Evan from pillar to post. He follows Evan in, catching The Chief with a running clothesline, followed by a spinebuster. And Mark hooks the leg.

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

Stephy Auger: Mark Storm trying to end this match early, because he knows the longer it goes on, the less it favors him.

Kris Cruise: I think you’ll find it’s the other way around. Storm has the stamina edge when it comes to these two; the longer this match goes on, the more it favors Mark Storm.

Whilst the commentators continue arguing, Storm lifts his opponent back to his feet once more. A couple of elbow strikes find their mark, before Storm goes South with a toe kick to the gut. A teardrop suplex follows, sending Evan crashing to the mat. But Storm is quickly back up as he hits a standing shooting star press. And another pin attempt.

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

Storm looks slightly frustrated at the result, but carries on regardless as he picks Evan up again. He scoops up The Chief, setting him up for the tombstone – NO! Evan kicks his legs and manages to counter; Storm is bent over backwards as Evan reverses the move into a tombstone piledriver of his own! Even the most ardent Storm fans are impressed by that one, but Evan is unable to capitalize on the advantage as he slowly crawls towards the downed Storm, draping an arm across the chest.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm kicks out.

Stephy Auger: Evan Envi just found a way back into this match, Cruise. And just watch what he does from here.

Evan picks himself up using the nearest ropes, before settling in the corner. He’s obviously trying to gather his bearings, but Storm isn’t giving him long to do so. Mark stands back up and charges at his opponent, but Evan counters with a flapjack, sending Storm face first into the turnbuckle! Storm staggers away towards the center of the ring as Evan rushes him; The Chief ducks under the clothesline attempt, countering with an arm-trap swinging neckbreaker! Storm drops to his knees, perfectly positioned for Evan to rebound off the ropes for a shining wizard!

Evan crawls across to make the cover.

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

Mark Storm gets the shoulder up in the nick of time, and Evan asks the referee how that was only a two count! Undeterred, The Chief lifts his opponent back up, and delivers a standing dropkick that knocks Storm out through the middle ropes. He lands on the apron, whereupon he picks himself up, just as Evan flies off the ropes with a triangle dropkick.

Storm lands chest first over the guard rail, falling to the floor as he clutches his ribs in pain. But Evan doesn’t slow down; he climbs out onto the apron himself, taking a small run up before launching himself through the air with a shooting star press of his own! The Chief jumps up to celebrate a job well done, but these Anaheim fans aren’t even entertaining the idea. They continue to boo as Evan rolls his opponent back into the ring, albeit with his head hanging over the apron. An elbow is driven down across the throat of Mark Storm, and he rolls away gasping for breath.

Kris Cruise: I felt that one from here, Stephy. And Mark Storm could be in trouble if he doesn’t get back into this one soon.

Stephy Auger: Just think, Cruise, this is the sort of thing he wanted to help Molly Reid with. But she had to turn down his help.

Kris Cruise: Molly did just fine earlier tonight, defeating Kevin Keller in decisive fashion. She doesn’t need Evan in her corner.

Evan climbs back up onto the apron and launches himself into the ring with a slingshot elbow, and another pin attempt follows as Evan neglects to hook the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Storm kicks out.

And this time Evan looks even more pissed than before. The official assures him it was only two, so Evan carries on. He lifts Storm back to his feet and lands a vicious knife edge chop that sends Storm staggering backwards against the ropes. He slips, though, and ends up entangled in the ropes as Evan cracks his knuckles in anticipation; the crowd even chant “whoo” along with him as Evan unleashes a torrent of knife edge chops and European uppercuts, all while the referee struggles to break Storm free!

The official manages to get Evan to relent, and give him some room as he eventually gets Storm untangled from the ropes. As he does so, however, Evan meets him with a boot to the gut. Evan hooks both arms as he’s looking for the double underhook powerbomb – NO! Storm kicks his legs to block the first attempt. And again to stop the second. Before Evan can try for a third time, Storm spins out of the hold, and hits a Pele kick!

It’s enough to stun Evan slightly; he drops to one knee but stands back up as Storm hits the ropes, coming back with a handspring roundhouse kick! It connects flush, and Evan drops like a sack of potatoes. Storm makes the cover, hooking the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NOOO!

Stephy Auger: Evan kicks out in the nick of time there.

Storm sits up, a look of disappointment on his face as he glares down at his opponent. A hint of fatigue setting in, Mark helps his opponent back to his feet, before delivering a gutwrench powerbomb to Evan Envi! The Chief is down in the center of the ring, but Storm looks towards the corner. The fans cheering him on as Mark steps out onto the apron before climbing the turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What does he have in mind here?

Stephy Auger: Knowing him, something crazy. But knowing how much he sucks, I doubt this risk will pay off…

Mark makes it to the top rope, and is just steadying himself as Evan, feeling that second wind, rushes towards the corner. He manages to shake the ropes, causing Storm to crotch himself on the turnbuckle – it earns some sympathy from the fans though. Evan climbs up to the middle rope, hooking his opponent in place for a superplex – but Storm wraps his legs around the rope to block. A few shots to the midsection find their mark, and Evan is able to be pushed away! He lands back first on the mat, perpendicular to the corner as Storm tries again. He settles his nerves before leaping with a picture perfect moonsault….

NO!

Evan rolls out of the way in the nick of time, and Mark Storm crashes and burns! And to make matters worse for him, Evan rolls Mark over to the make the cover.

Kris Cruise: Can he steal it here?

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NOOO!

Stephy Auger: So close!

Evan can’t believe it; he looks out across the crowd with disbelief etched on his face, but their cheers do nothing to help the situation. The Chief storms back to his feet as fast as he can, dragging Mark up with him. A few forearm strikes connect, before Storm is send against the ropes. NO! He manages to reverse, somehow, and it’s Evan who hits the ropes. But he comes back with the Kapowski Kick!

NO!

Mark ducks under the spinning heel kick, catching the leg over one shoulder as he lifts Evan up into a fireman’s carry! Envi is struggling to escape, but he gets drilled with a Dystopia out of nowhere! Evan collapses to the mat, and Storm hooks a leg!

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

“Bad Guy” blasts over the PA as the crowd cheers.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, MARK STORM!

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

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

October 15, 2016
Roy Wilkins Auditorium
St. Paul, MN
Live and Only on PAY-PER-VIEW