Vertigo (9.17.16)

[FGA Office]

We return from the commercial break with Spencer Burke standing in front of an FGA banner holding a microphone. Spencer looks disgusted with what happened prior to the commercial break and wants answers.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, we just witnessed… Well, honestly I don’t know what we just witnessed.

Anthony Rother steps into the shot wearing his new peach colored suit, blue shirt, and floral tie. This suit, unlike his previous ensembles, seems to be custom made and actually fits his thin frame.

Anthony Rother: I’ll tell you what you just witnessed, Burke!

He snatches the microphone away from Spencer.

Anthony Rother: What you witnessed was these two men, Jason Marx and Chris Tryon, fed up with living off the measly scraps given to them by this company.

Marx and Tryon entered the shot, calmly removing Spencer Burke out of the area.

Anthony Rother: Throughout history we have been told stories about the common man, from humble backgrounds, barely making ends meet to feed his family. That man lives an ordinary mundane life until one day darkness begins to spread throughout the world. This darkness begins to destroy all of the good and happiness in the world, and threatens not just this peasant man and his family, but every facet of life in the kingdom where he lives. So this peasant man, who may not have much on his own, but he &;understands that there is something worth fighting for, greater than his own ambitions. So he does the right thing, the noble thing, and travels to; humble himself before his ruler – his royalty, his king. He offers to join his king’s fight against the darkness and pledges his very life to his crown and his country.

Anthony Rother: That is what happened here tonight, Burke. The Usual Suspects are sick and tired of watching the darkness that’s covering Frontier Grappling Arts, and that darkness is mediocrity! We’re surrounded by it, from the constant garbage that I see while I scroll on my timeline on social media, to the fact that this company has given a loser like Chris Strike a platform to promote his disgusting retirement tour on. So, The Usual Suspects made the journey to the royalty in FGA – their kings – and we have offered our services to join their army and fight the good fight, and we have this man to thank for allowing us to join the King’s Court!

Goodrich claps, grabbing Rother by the shoulder,

Quinn Goodrich: I don't know if I'm the one who should be taking the credit. I simply made a phone call - the call that put this thing in motion, bringing together the two most feared competitors in Frontier Grappling Arts and the future tag team Champions.

Goodrich brags, none of the men protest his claim.

Quinn Goodrich: They say you can't buy loyalty. Maybe you can't. However, I don't pay much attention to what they say. I know fortune is quite the motivator. I know the prospect of capturing capital, and the opportunity to carve out a legacy to be remembered in history for generations can cause men to settle their differences and come as one - one group, one kingdom. Gold, glory, the Suspects covet it, my client and his partner bask in it. Mr. Rother is a businessman at the end of the day. He made a business decision. He made a smart decision.

Rother nods.

Quinn Goodrich: Add Danny Diamond into the mix, and our entire conglomerate is set now. It was all apart of the plan too, Spencer. I just love it when a plan comes together!

Burke stands to the side, wanting to ask more questions but knowing he'd be cut off if he did. Finally the Scandalous One, Sunshine Tony Carmine waltz to the forefront. Sporting a fabulous lavender mink coat with hot pink slacks on, Tony winks and blows Spencer a kiss.

Sunshine Tony: The Scandalous One made an announcement on his exclusive Twitter page about making an announcement tonight on Vertigo.

Looking around to his Royal Court, Tony smiles and nods.

Sunshine Tony: Turns out that announcement was that our Royal Court was growing. The New Kings and the Usual Suspects took their paralleled initiatives and merged them together. I'm so happy for my sweet little new acquisitions! We're now not only the most fabulous and gorgeous entity in this entire company, but we're the most dangerous. That's a fact. If that much wasn't obvious before. A lot of people have gotten caught up in me, Johnny and Zero's love triangle so much lately, that they think they're safe twiddling their thumbs on the sidelines. They think that they can start to get bold on social media, call us out, insert themselves into the dealings of the elite. Disgusting. Some of them even have the motherSHUTCHOMOUF nerve to claim to be better than we are. Make no mistake about it, we're the New Kings. We're the Royal Court. We're the Judge and the Jury. We call the shots around here. We decide to let you cockroaches running our houses until WE decide to squash you. Got that?

Tony looks into the camera as if he's waiting on an answer.

Sunshine Tony: Ruby Tyler wasn't singled out. It could've been any of you freaking losers back there in her position. But, what's done is done and maybe now that bitch will think twice before running her mouth about ROYALTY. We've taken the slander, libel and treason and we've let it slide for too long. It's because we were too busy focusing on things and people that actually matter like the FGA World championship. And don't you think for a second, Zerochan and Scotty-boo, that you two shouldn't have eyes in the back of your head. That belt isn't alluding me and my fellow king, Cannon here has yet to receive the rematch he deserves. We're all standing before you today lying our cards out on the table. Stop us. We dare you. I dare you. Stop us from taking every single piece of gold this company has to offer and indulging. Stop us from destroying every single one of your social justice, social media keyboard warriors. Look at the New Kings and look at the rest of yourselves. Some of you might could have what it takes to stand side by side with us if your priorities were in order. The rest of you know damn well you can't even look good against us on paper. So I want everyone who's watching--and face it, you all are--to realize that the rest of you in this company only has two options. You can either go the easy way and respect our kingdom. That means live by our laws. That means knowing your place, not getting out of line and staying the hell out of our way. Or you can go the...

He winks at everyone. Tony starts laughing to himself.

Sunshine Tony: "Hard-a-way"

Collective laughter.

Sunshine Tony: You can try to play hero. Knight in shining armor ass punks. Come on we know some of you are chomping at the bit to prove yourselves. We dare ya! We're inviting anyone who thinks they can topple my kingdom to step up and take your best shot. Give us one good reason why we don't deserve to have everything in FGA and more. Keep tweeting. Keep praying for management to suspend us or something like that as if it's ever going to happen. Keep poking the bears. Keep acting like any one of us couldn't end any and all of your careers if we felt like it. Give us a reason to make this uglier than it's already going to get. Don't test us. We're sick of being looked at as afterthoughts around here when we're the only ones who move the needles of interest around here. WE'RE THE ONLY ONES THAT MAKES THIS COMPANY ANY MOTHERFREAKING SCRATCH! So yes, we're cocky. Yes, we're going to be in the main event picture. Yes we'll always be in the title conversations because we don't just talk about it...as you can CLEARLY SEE when we left that trashy ass slut in a puddle of her own tears, saliva and disappointment...we ARE about it. That's why you all hate us. You know we're only going to get stronger and there's nothing any of you can do about it. Those are only facts, Burkey. Toodles for now!

The Scandalous One dusts off his mink coat before skipping off camera, leaving Cannon to step forward now as he looks into the lens with murderous intent.

Johnny Cannon: What you saw tonight, what I did to Chris Bond at First Wave, those were not aberrations. Let those actions serve as a precedent, and a precursor of things to come. I didn't climb my way up the ladder, I didn't wait nearly two years to capture my third World Championship in this business, I didn't bust my ass off to have it all taken away. I will not stand idly by and allow Zero, Chandler, or ANYONE else to stand on MY throne. It's MINE! THIS… This is ALLLLL MINNNNEEE!

Cannon grits his teeth now, chomping at the bit.

Johnny Cannon: And I will NOT allow any of you to continue walking around thinking you can say whatever you want about me. The job of commonfolk is to kneel before the monarchy, and submit to rulership. This is NOT a democracy. This is the dominion of the New Kings, you either live on your knees or you die at our feet. It is a binary condition. But understand that any attempt at a coup will be thwarted with VIOLENT prejudice. Those whose actions, whose words, whose opinions are perceived as disrespect will be beaten with VIOLENT prejudice.

Cannon eyes widen with anger and inhospitable rage.

Johnny Cannon: ANYONE… And I mean ANYONE who stands in the way of ME recapturing MY FGA. WORLD. CHAMPIONSHIP. I will PERSONALLY do everything in my power to END YOUR CAREER, because I'm going beat the hell out of you, and tear you apart with EXTREME F*CKING PREJUDICE!!!

Goodrich and Rother clap and applaud as the former FGA World Champion offers his final sentiment.

Johnny Cannon: HAIL THE KINGS.

[FGA Office]

CORDY STEVENSON vs. CHRIS STRIKE

The house lights in the arena go out completely, thunder and rain can be heard from a distance, all while the image of a large mountain complete with a temple atop the peak is seen on the LCD screen while the beginning lyrics to “Pull Me Under” by Dream Theater blare out of the PA system. The shot zooms into the temple, as the crowd begins to clap along with the beat of the song, watching as a man rises from the throne inside of the temple and makes his way down the steps. Once he nears the camera, he looks up at the sky and makes his way over towards a pool of water. The man looks down into the water, and once he does…a shot of lightning hits the water! As the lightning hits the water in the video, streams of smoke shoot up from the ramp way area and high above, covering the entrance ramp as the song kicks into full motion, the fans clapping along with the song in full while white, yellow and blue spotlights swirl all across the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Denver, Colorado via São Paulo, Brazil…weighing in tonight at one hundred and ninety pounds…HE IS “THE WAR MACHINE”…HE IS…CHRIIIIIIIIIIISSSSSS…STRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIIIKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!

Chris Strike emerges from the curtains and steps out into the limelight, drawing a loud reaction from the faithful as he stops in front of the entrance ramp before he slowly raises his right hand up in the air, looking up and staring at it as smoke shoots out from each side of the ramp before he makes his way down the entrance ramp as the occasional fans reach out towards him from the rail while he walks down the ramp while keeping his eyes focused on the ring as the fans don’t hesitate to sing along with the chorus.

Pull me under! Pull me under!
Pull me under I'm not afraid!
All that I feel is honor and spite,
All I can do is set it right!

Chris then makes his way up the ring stairs, using the steel pole for support, putting his right foot over the middle rope and as he is about to get inside, Strike suddenly turns around and finds himself with both elbows locked around the top rope, his entire upper body exposed to the crowd’s sight. Strike just gives the fans a sly smirk and a nod as flashes of light go off, before going under the middle rope and into the ring. He looks around at the crowd and walks up to the nearest corner, leaning against the ropes while stretching his arms out as “Pull Me Under” fades…

Kris Cruise: This crowd is got for Chris Strike and why wouldn’t they be? Who would have thought that in 2016, you would see Chris Strike competing in an FGA ring? But here he is in his home state for this special contest against Cordy Stevenson! Strike is well-traveled. He’s got titles and classic matches the world over. Tonight, he and Cordy Stevenson aim to steal the show and put on yet another spectacle.

The lights dim down and take on a purplish hue as a light smoky mist fills the entranceway. The opening to A$AP Ferg's "New Level" cues up.

I’m on a new level
I’m on it, I’m on it

As the beat drops, the crowd gives a loud pop as Cordelia Stevenson emerges from the mist with a bounce in her step and dancing to the music. She comes to a stop atop the walkway, glancing around and taking in the reception before giving the crowd a warm smile. She rolls her neck around before bowing her head and letting her hair fall in front of her face. A few seconds go by before she snaps her head up, whipping her hair back from in front of her face.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, from Freeport, Long Island! Weighing in at 146 pounds… CORDY STEVENSON!

She continues on down the ramp, working from side to side with a big smile as she slaps the hands of fans along the way. She gets to the ring and hops up onto the apron, mouthing the words and bouncing to the music as she makes her way around the side, towards the middle. She turns and faces her crowd, stretching her arms out to the side and slightly tilting her head backwards as she soaks in their reaction. She gives them an appreciative nod and blows a kiss at them, before stepping into the ring and making her way over towards the opposite turnbuckle. She quickly hops up and holds her arms out, drawing a reaction from that side of the crowd as well. She unzips her hoodie and tosses it away before hopping down and making her way over to her corner as the music dies down.

Kris Cruise: The last time out, Cordy Stevenson suffered an unfortunate loss at the hands on The Tenacious Little Bastard, Dom Harter. Tonight, she’s looking to right the ship as she takes on a legend in this sport in Chris Strike. There were a couple of daggers thrown in the leadup to this match. But at the end of the day, there’s nothing but the utmost respect between these two.

The match begins with a handshake between both Stevenson and Strike, which garners cheers and applause from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: That’s what we want to see.

Stephy Auger: Oh really? I’d rather not see Chris Strike here at all. You said something about a legend with titles and classics the world over. I thought you were talking about Zero McHannon.

After the show of respect, both grapplers circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Strike places Stevenson is a side headlock. The ref immediately checks in with Stevenson and asks if she wants to give up. But she refuses. After a little maneuvering, she’s able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. Not to be outdone, Strike is able to turn and reverse into a hammerlock of his own. He then spins Stevenson around. When she turns to face him, Strike brings her down to the canvas with a side headlock takeover. Stevenson is then quick to lift her legs up and reverse into a headscissors. While Strike is in the hold, the ref asks him if he wants to give up. But he refuses. He then tries for a kip up. But Stevenson keeps her legs locked tight around his neck. So The War Machine slowly turns over onto his knees. After pressing down on Stevenson’s legs, he’s able to slowly slip out out of the headscissors. But as Strike is rising off the canvas, Stevenson delivers a kip up headscissors takeover.

Kris Cruise: How about that move by Cordy?

Stephy Auger: It was okay.

After both grapplers get back up, Stevenson reaches over and applies a side headlock of her own. The ref checks in with Strike and asks if he wants to give up. But Strike refuses. He then shoves Stevenson off of him and into the ropes. When Stevenson returns, Strike knocks her down with a shoulder block. He goes to follow up with an elbow drop. But Stevenson is quick to roll out of the way, causing Strike’s elbow to hit the canvas.

Stephy Auger: Cordy’s a step too quick.

As Strike gets back to his feet, Stevenson reaches over, grabs the arm and delivers an arm wrench. The ref asks Strike if he wants to give up. After Strike refuses, Stevenson follows up with another arm wrench. After composing himself, Strike rolls forward, leans back, kips up and delivers a hard arm wrench thats ends Stevenson flipping down to the canvas. He drops down into a lateral press.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
.
.
Stevenson kicks out.

Strike picks up Stevenson and whips her into the ropes. When Stevenson returns, Strike sets up for a back body drop. But Stevenson hurdles over him before heading into the opposite set of ropes. When Stevenson returns, Strike throws her down with a bridging northern lights suplex.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

Strike picks up Stevenson, moves her into the corner and delivers a European Uppercut. Strike delivers another European Uppercut before switching his target to the torso. Strike delivers five deep shoulder thrusts to the midsection. After taking Stevenson by the wrist, Strike whips her into the opposite corner. He then runs across the ring and connects with a step-up enzuigiri. The move causes Stevenson to stumble out of the corner before dropping to the canvas. After she rolls to the outside, Strike takes off into the far ropes. When he returns, he motions for a topé con hilo. But Stevenson is quick to move out of the way, which causes Strike to put on the brakes.

Kris Cruise: Stevenson had the wherewithal to move out of the way there. Thus far, both competitors have been able to keep pace with one another. Neither’s been able to sustain an advantage for any extended period of time.

After Stevenson makes her way up the steps and enters through the ropes, the two grapplers head towards the center of the ring and lock up. After jockeying for position, Strike uses his strength advantage to move Stevenson across the ring and over towards the corner. But at the last second, Stevenson pivots and moves Strike into the corner. The ref is quick to make his way over and issue a five count.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Both grapplers slowly make the clean break. But Stevenson strikes first, nailing Strike with a knife edge chop. Strike comes back with a chop of his own. Stevenson unleashes another knife edge chop. Strike responds with another chop of his own. Stevenson motions for another chop, but Strikes cuts her off with a chop of his own and follows up with a European Uppercut, which sends Stevenson stumbling back towards the center of the ring. Strike then bounces into the ropes. When he returns, he goes for a flying forearm smash. But Stevenson knocks him down with a dropkick. The crowd cheers as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Strike kicks out.

Stevenson picks up Strike and goes for an irish whip. But Strike reverses, sending Stevenson into the ropes. When Stevenson returns, she slides through Strike’s legs. When Strike turns around, she gets back to her feet and throws out a kick to the midsection. After Strike catches the kick, she goes to follow up with an enzuigiri. But Strike ducks the kick. After Stevenson lands on the canvas, Strike takes off into the ropes. When he returns, Stevenson brings him down with a headscissors takeover. Once Strike returns to his feet and turns around, Stevenson connects with a dropkick, which sends Strike stumbling back into the corner. She then runs into the corner and connects with a spinning heel kick. Stevenson has so much momentum behind the kick that she rolls over the top rope and lands on the apron. After landing on the apron, she kicks Strike’s leg out from under him, sending The War Machine down to a seated position in the corner. Stevenson follows up with a slingshot corner dropkick, resulting in cheers from the crowd. She then drags Strike from out of the corner and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Strike gets his shoulder up.

Stevenson picks up Strike, grabs him from the side and delivers a russian leg sweep. While Strike is down, Stevenson takes off towards the ropes and goes for a springboard corkscrew body press. But Strike gets his knees up, causing Stevenson to crash down across them. Strike crawls over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Stevenson began to pull away a bit. But now Strike’s in control. Let’s see where “The War Machine” goes from here.

Strike picks up Stevenson and whips her into the ropes. When Stevenson returns, Strike scoops her up from the side before delivering a backdrop. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

Strike picks up Stevenson, doubles her over with a knee to the midsection and locks on an abdominal stretch.

Kris Cruise: Strike’s trying to wear Stevenson down. He knows she’s got the advantage in the speed department. She can’t fly all around the ring if he’s got her locked in the abdominal stretch. The longer this hold stays on, the more her energy is going to be drained. Smart move there by the savvy vet.

The ref asks Stevenson if she wants to give up. But Saint Sexy refuses to give up. So Strike applies a little more pressure to the hold.

Kris Cruise: Stevenson is trying to fight through the pain. Can she hang on and for how long?

Strike keeps the hold applied while Stevenson can be seen cringing from the pain. The ref asks her again if she wants to give up. But Stevenson shakes her head, refusing to quit. When Stevenson refuses to tap, Strike lets go, lifts her up and delivers another backdrop. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

As Strike slowly picks Stevenson up off the canvas, Stevenson begins nailing him with right hands to the midsection. She then stands up and throws out a roundhouse kick. But Strike ducks and counters with a reverse DDT. While Stevenson is down, Strike drags her into position before heading into the corner. After Strike hoists himself up onto the middle ropes, he jumps off and goes for a diving knee drop. But Stevenson rolls out of the way, causing Strike’s knee to crash onto the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Nobody was home on that one.

While Strike is still up on his knees, Stevenson quickly goes over, places him in a front facelock and plants him with a kneeling snap DDT. She turns Strike over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Strike gets his shoulder up.

Stevenson picks up Strike and nails him with a knife edge chop… and then another… and another. She then goes for an irish whip. But Strike reverses, sending Stevenson into the ropes. When Stevenson returns, Strike throws out a kick to the midsection. After Stevenson catches his foot, Strike goes for an enzuigiri. But Stevenson ducks. After Strike whiffs the kick, Stevenson heads towards the ropes. As Strike returns to his feet, Stevenson connects with a handspring enzuigiri. She makes the cover.

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

Stevenson picks up Strike, places him in a front facelock and slowly turns. Once their backs are towards each other, Stevenson gyrates her hips to catcalls from the men (and women) in the crowd before dropping him with the Deadly Seduction. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
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Strike gets his shoulder up.

Stevenson picks up Strike and whips him into the ropes. When Strike returns, Stevenson knocks him down with a spinning heel kick. She then returns to her feet, faces away from Strike and goes for a standing moonsault. Strike moves out of the way, but Stevenson’s able to land on her feet and quickly follows up with a moonsault double knee drop. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
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Strike gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: What an athletic display there by Stevenson!

Stevenson picks up Strike and whips him into the corner. She charges into the corner, but Strike turns her around with a boot to the face. After hoisting himself up onto the middle ropes, he waves Stevenson on. When Stevenson turns around, Strike knocks her down with a missile dropkick to cheers from the crowd.

While both competitors are down, the ref starts his count.

ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIVE!





SIX!

As Strike begins to pull himself up using the ropes, Stevenson comes up from behind and goes for a leaping reverse bulldog. But Strike hangs onto the ropes, causing Stevenson to slip off Strike and smack the back of her head against the canvas. After Stevenson turns over and tries to get back to her feet, Strike comes up from behind and brings her down with a one-handed bulldog. The crowd cheers as he turns Stevenson over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
TH-NO!

Stevenson gets her shoulder up.

Strike picks up Stevenson and goes for an irish whip. But Stevenson reverses, sending Strike into the corner. She then goes for a handspring back elbow. But Strike connects with a European Uppercut to the back of the neck. After picking Stevenson up and placing her in position, the crowd eruts with cheers as Strike delivers Vajra (rope-assisted Asai DDT). He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

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

Kris Cruise: I’ve got to admit, I thought that was going to be it.

Strike picks up Stevenson and whips her towards the ropes. Stevenson uses the momentum to go for the The Beautiful Nightmare (disaster kick). But Strike is able to roll out of the way before bouncing into the ropes. Stevenson rushes to get back to her feet. But Strike knocks her back to the mat with a flying forearm smash. As Stevenson returns to a vertical base, Strike blasts her with a kesagiri chop, follows by a rolling kesagiri chop. After the last chop turns Stevenson away from him, Strike hooks her arm, delivers a full nelson gutbuster, transitions into a half nelson hold and heaves her over his head with a bridging full nelson suplex to an explosion of cheers.

Kris Cruise: FINAL X-STRIKE! That’s gotta be it right there!

ONE!
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TWO!
.
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THRE-NO!

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

Kris Cruise: Stevenson got her shoulder up just in the nick of time.

After Strike brings Stevenson back to a vertical base, he connects with a roundhouse kick. Stevenson then answers back with a roundhouse kick. After shaking off the blow, Strike delivers another roundhouse kick. After feeling the effects of the blow, Stevenson comes back with another roundhouse of her own. Strike then goes for another roundhouse. But Stevenson swats it down and follows up with the Foot Fetish (jumping back kick). As Strike is getting up off the canvas, Stevenson turns and heads into the ropes. When Strike gets back to his feet, Stevenson flips over and lnts him with Head Over Heels (blockbuster ddt).

Kris Cruise: Stevenson planted Strike right on his head with that flipping DDT!

While Strike pushes himself up onto all fours and tries to shake out the cobwebs, Stevenson slowly steps out onto the apron and scales up to the top turnbuckle. Once Strike returns to his feet and turns around, Stevenson leaps off the top turnbuckle and delivers Get Familiar (the o-face) to an explosion of cheers. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“New Level” blasts over the PA as the crowd erupts with an explosion of cheers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, CORDY STEVENSON!

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

Kris Cruise: What a tremendous match that was! Two of the top stars in the wrestling world went out there and put on a show. Stevenson got the better of Strike in the end. But the true winners here tonight where the fans.

After the match, Strike slowly returns to his feet. Both he and Stevenson share a gaze before reaching out and shaking each others hand. Strike then raises Stevenson’s arm in the air to cheers from the crowd. After Strike lowers her arm, Stevenson takes Strike by the arm and raises his arm in the air. The Colorado crowd responds with an explosive ovation. Stevenson steps back, exits the ring and applauds, leading the crowd in a round of applause for “The War Machine.”

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

EARLIER TODAY

Backstage Spencer Burke is standing with a microphone in hand, when a bright yellow flash takes him by surprise followed by a huge cloud of dark purple smoke. This chokes Burke up coughing. Suddenly a figure emerges from the smoke wearing a black hooded cape held up over their face. Then the hood is thrown down, the arm lowered to reveal The Witch; Salem Cartier. She winks and adjusts Spencer's tie.

Salem Cartier: Hey Spence, wassup buddy?

She winks and stands with her hands on her hips, Burke regaining composure.

Spencer Burke: Well, quite an entrance by you, Salem!

Salem Cartier: I could see you were all choked up about it.

Burke chuckled and shook his head.

Spencer Burke: You have a huge match tonight, a non-title showdown with the FGA World Champion, Zero McHannon. Are you ready for the main event?

Salem nodded and patted his shoulder.

Salem Cartier: They are all huge matches, Spence. This one is bigger than huge. If I get a win over Zero, things might start looking up for ol' Salem around here. Might earn some respect, might not.

Spencer Burke: Well the champ to his credit is wanting you to make it worth his time even showing up. Thoughts?

Salem Cartier: Hey, I'm here and I'm ready. If he wants a fight, I'll give him one. Just as long as his big head can fit through the doors of this arena and actually make it to the ring, but that's ego for ya. It will be worthwhile to him and to everyone watching this match. The Witch is not backing down.

Salem playfully punched his arm.

Spencer Burke: Well, someone else who's not backing down is Annie Dupree. What are your thoughts on her comments earlier tonight regarding her Mid Atlantic Legacy title? Even though your last encounter ended in controversy, she's willing to give you another shot.

Salem nodded and looked at the camera.

Salem Cartier: Mighty generous of her, right? Thanks, Annie. I'd like to think my body of work has earned me another crack at her belt, I'm trying to take the high road regarding that last match. I was pissed, and I don't want to get upset over that all over again with Zero looming shortly. Let's just say I'll take her up on that in the near future. And it won't be luck that I need, just a good clean contest. I will be a champion in FGA before you know it.

Spencer turned to address the camera again, but before he could speak another flash and plume of smoke marked the exit of Salem Cartier, as Spencer stared on at a loss for words.

[FGA Office]

CHANDLER SCOTT vs. KEVIN HARDAWAY

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

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Baltimore, Maryland! Weighing in at 223 pounds… KEVIN HARDAWAY!

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

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

Ready for war.

Kris Cruise: Kevin Hardaway’s no stranger to the man that’s about to step through those curtains. Hardaway and Chandler Scott have battled for many years and tonight, another chapter in their rivalry gets written. Hardaway may be known more for his work with RubyWay these past few months. But let’s not forget what Hardaway can do on his own. He’s more than just a capable singles wrestler. He’s an accomplished wrestler with years of titles and accolades to his name. One thing that’s not on that list is a win over Chandler Scott. Hardaway’s looking to right that wrong here tonight. Plus you know he has to still be fuming over what happened to Ruby Tyler earlier on tonight.

The lights dim as the sound of a guitar plays throughout the arena. Red lasers soon begin to shoot out from the stage. Once their attention has been captured, the crowd turns to the entryway to prepare for the man that's about to walk out. At the 25 second mark, “Animal Ghosts” bursts through the speakers. Chandler Scott steps through the curtain with outstretched arms to a loud ovation from the crowd.

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

Chandler makes his way down to the ring with a smirk on his face. After slapping hands with a fan or two, he rolls himself into the ring as the lights come back on. Chandler times his ascension onto the middle ropes with the beginning of the chorus. The crowd sings along with the chorus while Chandler poses with his arms stretched. When the chorus ends, Chandler hops off the middle ropes, turns and lands on his feet. He begins slipping off his leather jacket and tosses it to the outside as he waits the opening bell.

Kris Cruise: In one month, Chandler Scott will challenge Zero McHannon for the FGA World Championship at Retribution. Since returning from injury, Chandler’s been on a roll and has got a ton of momentum behind him. But there’s no one who would love to play spoiler more than the man standing across the ring.

The bell sounds as both men start the match by trading fists back and forth.

Kris Cruise: These two aren’t wasting any time, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: There’s definitely no love lost here.

Hardaway nails Scott with a right hand. Scott comes back with one of his own. Hardaway nails Scott with another right hand. Scott comes back with one of his own. Fists continue to fly back and forth until Scott blocks a Hardaway punch and counters with one of his own. Hardaway throws out another punch. But again, Scott blocks and counters with one of his own. Scott then nails Hardaway with another punch… and another… and another. The last punch knocks Hardaway back a few steps and towards the ropes. While Hardaway is dazed, Scott turns and takes off into the ropes. When Scott returns, Hardaway knocks him down with a spinning heel kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Scott kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Hardaway knocks Scott off his feet. But it only gets two.

Hardaway picks up Scott, marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Scott around, Hardaway unleashes a series of shoot kicks to the chest. He then goes back to the punches. Hardaway unleashes a flurry of right hands that send Scott slumping down in the corner. Hardaway then switches back to the kicks. He stomps away at his chest before going for a choke. The ref is quick to jump in and gives him until a count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Hardaway reluctantly lets go. He reaches down, pulls Scott up by the hair, brings him from out of the corner and whips him into the ropes. When Scott returns, Hardaway throws him down with an STO. He makes the cover.

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

Hardaway presses Scott’s arm back down as he executes another lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Scott kicks out.

Hardaway picks up Scott, snapmares him over and delivers a hard kick to the back. The thud from the kick echoes throughout the arena. Hardaway sizes him up before delivering another stiff kick to the back. Scott can be seen arching his back and wincing in pain from the kick. After staring a hole through Scott, Hardaway takes off into the ropes. When he returns, he flattens Scott on the mat with a running knee to the chest. Hardaway drops down and makes the cover.

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

Hardaway picks up Scott and nails him with a European Uppercut. After stumbling back a few steps, Scott comes back and nails Hardaway with a right hand. Hardaway then delivers a hard european uppercut, which sends Scott stumbling back into the ropes. But Scott bounces off the ropes, comes back and socks Hardaway with a right hand. He then delivers another right hand… and another… and anothe-NO! Hardaway cuts him off with a spinning back kick to the midsection. After delivering a stomp to the back of the head, Hardaway throws out a rolling elbow to complete the KTFO~! Combination. But Scott ducks and runs into the ropes. When Scott returns, Hardaway grabs him by the back of the neck, runs and tosses him over the top rope. Scott falls and crashes down hard back-first on the floor.

Kris Cruise: Scott with a hard fall to the floor. You’ve got to wonder how much that took out of him.

After stirring on the floor, Scott slowly turns and over and begins to return to his feet. Hardaway sees this, so he turns and takes off into the far ropes. When Hardaway returns, the crowd cheers as Scott slides back in and turns him inside out with a Pinpoint Dropkick. He makes the cover.

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

Scott picks up Hardaway and whips him into the corner. He then runs into the corner and connects with a European Uppercut. Scott then takes Hardaway and whips him into the opposite corner. He runs across the ring and goes to follow up with a flying corner elbow smash. But Hardaway moves out of the way, which causes Scott to crash into the corner. As Scott stumbles back, Hardaway grabs him from behind and lifts him up for a belly to back suplex. Scott’s able to roll over Hardaway's shoulder. But as soon as Scott lands on his feet, Hardaway connects with a Pelé Kick. He makes the cover.

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

Hardaway picks up Scott and whips him into the ropes. When Scott returns, Hardaway doubles him over with a kick to the midsection. He then lifts up Scott for a powerbomb, but the crowd cheers as Scott counters with a frankensteiner. He turns and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Hardaway was looking to throw Scott through the ring with that powerbomb. But Scott had other plans as he countered with the frankensteiner. You’ve got to wonder if McHannon is backstage hoping these two beat the tar out of each other.

Stephy Auger: McHannon’s already proven he can beat Scott all on his own. If Hardaway wants to make the job easier for him, so be it.

Scott picks up Hardaway, lifts him up from the side and delivers a pendulum backbreaker. After Hardaway bounces off his knee, he makes the cover.

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

Scott picks up Hardaway and whips him into the ropes. When Hardaway returns, Scott sends him flipping down to the canvas with a kitchen sink. As Hardaway sits up, Scott follows up with a rolling neck snap. He makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers as Scott picks up Hardaway, lifts him up and delivers a Shotgun Stunner. After sitting up Hardaway, Scott takes off into the ropes. When he returns, the crowd cheers as he delivers a flattens Hardaway with a sliding forearm smash to the face. He makes the cover.

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

Hardaway gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Hardaway might have gotten his jaw rearranged there. But he still got his shoulder up before the three count.

Scott picks up Hardaway and drags him over towards the ropes. The crowd cheers as Scott delivers a snap suplex into the turnbuckles. After Hardaway’s body ricochets off the turnbuckles, Scott pulls him over and makes the cover.

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

Hardaway reaches over and grabs the bottom rope.

Scott picks up Hardaway and sets him up for a piledriver. But Hardaway counters with a back body drop, which sends Scott over the top rope and to the floor. Hardaway then drops down to his knees, then all fours.

Kris Cruise: Hardaway avoided being dropped on his head with that piledriver. But how much did the back body drop take out of him?

Once Hardaway slowly gets back up on his knees, he favors his back. He then turns and sees Scott pulling himself up using the edge of the apron. So Hardaway returns to his feet before running into the far ropes. When Scott turns around, the crowd explodes with cheers as Hardaway launches himself through the ropes and knocks him down with GTFO~!

Kris Cruise: Hardaway connects with the dive out to the floor!

Hardaway picks up Scott and rolls him back into the ring. After rolling himself back in, he drags Scott away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Hardaway picks up Scott and nails him with an elbow smash. He then follows up with a spinning back kick to the midsection. While Scott is doubled over, Hardaway stomps on the back of Scott’s head before knocking him down with KTFO~! While Scott is down, Hardaway heads over towards the ropes. After stepping out onto the apron and climbing up to the top turnbuckle, Hardaway jumps off and goes for a diving double foot stomp to the face. But Scott rolls out of the way. After Hardaway lands on his feet, his momentum send shim rolling forward. Once Hardaway returns to his feet, Scott ducks and lifts him up onto his shoulders. He sets up Hardaway for a fireman’s carry neckbreaker. But Hardaway is quick to deliver multiple elbows to the side of the head. After slipping down from behind, Hardaway turns Scott around, grabs him by the wrist and goes to take his head off with a short-arm Decap Lariat. But the crowd cheers as Scott ducks and counters with a Floatover DDT.

Scott picks up Hardaway, whips him into the corner, runs across the ring and connects with a European Uppercut that nearly knocks his head off. He then takes Hardaway and whips him into the opposite corner. Scott runs, jumps and connects with a flying corner elbow smash. After hoisting Hardaway up onto the top turnbuckle, Scott grabs him, walks out a few paces and drops him with the Mass Spike. He then picks up Hardaway, hooks one arm, lifts him up and plants him with the DNA Driver to an explosion of cheers. Scott turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Animal Ghosts” blasts over the PA to an explosion of cheers.

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

Scott gets his arm raised as the crowd continue to cheer.

Kris Cruise: Chandler Scott keeps his momentum rolling as he picks up the victory over Kevin Hardaway.

Stephy Auger: Scott better enjoy these wins now because at Retribution, he’s going to be in for a world of hurt when he meets Zero McHannon.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

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

[FGA Office]

[7:00 A.M.]
Locations: HKW Training Facility (Philly), RISE Training Facility (Detroit), Personal Training Facility (Long Island), Personal Wrestling Gym (Miami)

Zero McHannon is seen walking down the sidewalk, wearing a hoodie, and a NIKE gym bag slung over one shoulder. The clips change to show a different city background in each one, different clothing, and a different colored bag. McHannon sees the camera on as he throws back his hood and takes his hands out of his pockets.

Zero McHannon: Rise and shine, cupcakes. It’s time to put in that work.

“The Beast” by Tech N9ne starts playing in the background. Then the scene fades onto Zero running on the sidewalk of Long Island. The park in Philly. Then it goes to Zero at a high school football field in Detroit where he’s running up the bleachers from bottom to top. He reaches the top and looks out over the football field as it bring back of some of his own high school memories.

Insanity at its finest,
Firestarter,
Riot maker,
Moon stricken,
Animal need,
Bad seed,
Untamable beast

The video then cuts to Zero walking down the bleachers as the sun starts poking it’s head out from behind him, forcing McHannon to take the hoodie sweatshirt off and revealing a wifebeater underneath. He throws the shirt off to the side and starts up the bleachers again, bringing up high knees to his chest as sweat is seen dripping from his face.

Zero McHannon: They call this the “hot box”. No air conditioning. Only heat. You want to condition yourself? This is the place to do it. If conditioning isn’t one of the biggest part of your workout, you’re finished against someone like me.

It then goes to Zero McHannon in the weight room in Long Island. McHannon is on a high school wrestling mat and doing up-downs. After a rep he stands there with his hands on his hips, catching his breath. Zero is in the middle of the mat with a medicine ball now as he’s doing crunches. He throws the medicine ball off to the side and it cuts to a several series of crunches until he ends up reaching the higher end of the hundreds, the counter in the corner speeding through the numbers because they all can’t be shown on film. He then stands up and his body glistens with sweat as he walks over to the corner and grabs a towel.

I'm about to get that money like a robbery,
Now I got it all my enemies wanna clobber me,
Squallier be harder we need dollars comradely,
The hotter the scholar be, the larger the lottery

McHannon is now seen working out his legs. He’s deadlifting a bar where it’s stacked out on both sides with plates and a belt around his waist to help support him, also so he doesn’t blow out his back. He struggles with getting the deadlift off the ground at first, but stands up completely with it before dropping it to the ground below him. Zero flashes a “Z” hand sign at the camera real quick before walking off. Now he has 100 pound dumbbells as he slowly taking steps forward and dropping to a knee on each step before reaching the other side of the room and dropping them.

Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine: Zero’s a steaming piece of shit. But! It takes one to know one. I begrudgingly respect that piece of shit from the bottom of my heart. Not only has he pinned me, which is a rarity among rarities, but he wears pretty mink coats! I have to get him fitted for some of upcoming releases. Let’s just say Spring 2017, you’ll see a Zero McHannon so gorgeous that his name will upgrade to One McHannon! But yeah...I don’t care for a lot of people in this business because they wear facades. Zero is exactly who he acts like. He’s exactly who he says he is and he does what he says he’s going to do. You can only hate on a guy like that so much. He’s what this business is about. Saying fuck everyone else and doing what it takes to make it. You can say “fuck him” all you want, but until you get in his face and actually FUCK HIM...that’s all you can really say. But even the Scandalous One can’t fix that ugly muskrat on his face.

Zero is standing at the bench now where there’s plates stacked on both sides, ready to do squats with. The bench area where you lay down is underneath him as he takes his place into the workout area and starts to breathe heavily while he’s supporting the weight on his shoulders. He steps out with the weight on his shoulders, every vein he has is showing now as he slowly lowers himself, touching his butt to the bench seat and rises back up with with the insane weight on his shoulders before jerking himself backwards and letting the weight fall back onto the bars. McHannon yells out at the top of his lungs as he clenches his arms and his abs.

Friend, this industry is no kin to me,
Behold the flow of the century,
But they scared of me,
Rappers they don't compare to me,
Fair to be said that he dares to be sincerely a rarity

The screen starts to flash with scenes. McHannon is in a dark gym, by himself, and doing pull ups, then it reverses to Zero doing push ups as the sweat drips down to land on the mat. It shows Zero standing in front of a mirror as he raises his head to look at the progress. The scenes cut to McHannon doing dumbbell curls and then transitions into him doing curls with a bar. He’s on his back now as he’s benchpressing 260 pounds for just a couple of reps, then throws it back onto the bar. All without a spotter. Several flashes now where it’s too hard to tell what all workouts Zero is going through, but he’s working his arms as it slows down on him doing tricep curls.

Cyncity: Zero is who Zero is. I say it that way because I really believe he doesn’t even know who he is. It’s somewhere between the Zero we see now, and the Zero we saw when he first came to FGA - but I don’t think that’s what this about? It’s not? Okay! Yeah, Zero the wrestler! Okay! Ummmm, well he’s good I guess? He’s probably the most underappreciated person in FGA right now and it’s easy for someone like me to relate to that. What else can I say? The kid can go as the boys in the back say! He has this like… skill to bring the best out of whoever he faces. I dunno if that’s because of all the smack talk he does, or if it’s just that he has an extremely punchable chin, but he finds ways to get the best out of everyone. You’d think that would give you leverage in the match, but nope. Somehow he manages to turn it up a gear. I think it’s what he lives for. Wanting to prove that pound for pound, he can go with anyone. You might not agree with the way he does thing - and neither do I - but he gets the job done.

Zero brings up a bottle to his lips, the contents unknown. After dropping the bottle, he looks out across the football field once more and watches the sun start to drop behind the mountains behind it. He bounces on the balls of his feet before slinging his workout bag back over his shoulder and walking across the field. He stops around the 50 yard line and looks at one end of the field, remembering what it’s like to be a winner. The hard bumps along the way. What was always expected of him. No matter what he did, McHannon felt that he was never appreciated, and never would be likely. Zero laughs to himself before walking off the other way, knowing that’s the way he wanted it.

Success it is,
Yet the best for Tech, this ain't,
Baptist Pentecostal or Methodist..
This is the beast baby,
Out, I mean exodus

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
ZERO McHANNON vs. SALEM CARTIER

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

"There's no place like home!"

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

Kris Cruise: First Wave didn’t end like Salem Cartier wanted it to. She won her match against Annie Zellor. But she didn’t win the title, thanks to a belt shot to the face that caused a disqualification.

Stephy Auger: It was an accident, Cruise. Annie was wound up. She was seeing red after having that soda thrown at her.

Kris Cruise: Well at Retribution, Cartier’s going to get her second chance at Zellor when she challenges for the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship. But Zellor’s going to be facing a much different Cartier this time. Cartier doesn’t trust Zellor as far as she can throw her and after all these recent actions from Zellor, I can’t say I blame her.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zero holds his arms out for a moment and raises his head to take in the atmosphere from the fans as they shower him in hate, then slowly starts to make his way down the ramp. He walks down the ramp as fans are throwing jeers in his face, but Zero completely ignores them, and keeps his eyes fixated on the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, now residing out of Long Island, New York! Weighing in at 218 pounds! He is the reigning FGA World Champion… ZERO MCHANNON!

McHannon stops at the bottom of the ramp and bounces on the balls of his feet, looking from one side of the arena to the other, then sliding in through the bottom rope, and bouncing right up to his feet.

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

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

Zero McHannon climbs the nearest turnbuckle spread his arms and begins to yell towards the crowd as they do their best to cheer over him with jeers. He freezes for a moment, taking in the reaction from the audience, then hops from the corner ropes, and tests the mat under his feet. He's talking to himself as he crosses the ring and stands up on the other turnbuckle, brushing off his shoulder to the crowd, and slapping himself in the chest. Finally, he unbuckles the FGA World Championship from his waist and holds it high above his head with one hand as the crowd tries to drown him out.

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

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

McHannon walks into the middle of the ring with the title in one hand, and pulls off the zip up with his other hand, tossing it off to the side of the canvas. He falls back into one of the corners, and slumps into the turnbuckle, holding the World Championship close to this chest with both hands as he waits for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: Zero McHannon’s ready to bring the fight to Cartier here tonight, just like he’s ready to bring the fight to Chandler Scott in one month’s time.

Stephy Auger: These fans think that Scott is going to get his storybook ending at Retribution. But they’re going to be in for a rude awakening when McHannon leaves Scott a beaten and broken man.

The bell sounds as both grapplers head towards the center of the ring and lock up. McHannon quickly moves Cartier over into the ropes, which forces the ref to issue a five count.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

McHannon leans into Cartier as both grapplers slowly make a clean break. As he slowly pulls away from her, the crowd boos as he catches Cartier with a European Uppercut. The uppercut sends The Witch stumbling along the ropes. But McHannon isn’t done. He comes up from behind and connects with a clubbing strike to the back of the neck, which sends Cartier stumbling into a nearby corner. After turning Cartier around, McHannon unleashes a flurry of elbow smashes to the face. He then switches up and delivers a series of back elbows to the face. After three shoulder thrusts to the midsection, McHannon takes Cartier and whips her hard into the opposite corner. McHannon then runs across the ring, connects with a corner crossbody and follows up with a European Uppercut. He then brings Carter from out of the corner before whipping her into the far ropes. When Cartier returns, McHannon throws her down with a scoop slam. He drops down into a lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cartier kicks out.

McHannon picks up Cartier and executes an arm wrench. The ref asks Cartier if she wants to give up. When she refuses, McHannon delivers a hard yank to the arm before delivering another arm wrench. Again, the ref checks in with Cartier and asks if she wants to give up. When she refuses, McHannon delivers a clubbing strike across the arm. Cartier slowly drops down to a knee as McHannon transitions into an arm bar.

Kris Cruise: You’ve got to wonder if Scott is the back right now hoping for a Cartier upset.

Stephy Auger: Of course he is. He wants McHannon off his game. But the only way McHannon is losing that title is if Cartier abracadabra’s the title off of McHannon for him.

The ref kneels down and checks on Cartier. After Carter refuses to quit, she battles back to her feet. She then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of her own. The crowd cheers as Cartier delivers another arm wrench. This time, she follows up with a knife edge chop. She delivers another arm wrench followed up a chop… and another. After delivering one more arm wrench, Cartier executes a headscissors takedown. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
McHannon kicks out.

Cartier picks up McHannon and whips him into the ropes. When McHannon returns, Cartier knocks him down with a jumping calf kick. McHannon gets back to his feet, but Cartier knocks him back down with a dropkick. McHannon gets back up. But again, Cartier sends him back down with another dropkick. As McHannon gets up and stumbles back, Cartier runs over and sends them both over the top rope and to the floor with a Cactus Clothesline.

Kris Cruise: Cartier with no regard for her own safety as she takes a tumble over the top rope along with McHannon!

Cartier gets to her feet, rolls back into the ring and waves up McHannon. As McHannon slowly gets back to his feet, Cartier runs into the far ropes. When she returns, she knocks him down with a baseball slide.

Kris Cruise: Cartier knocks McHannon back down to the floor!

Cartier picks up McHannon and rolls him back into the ring. She rolls back in to make the cover, but the crowd boos as McHannon has rolled back to the outside. So Cartier runs into the far ropes. When McHannon turns around, the crowd explodes with cheers as Cartier flips over the top rope and knocks him down with a topé con hilo.

Kris Cruise: Cartier connects with a huge dive over the top rope! She’s got this crowd going wild!

Stephy Auger: It’s not over yet.

Cartier picks up McHannon and rolls him back into the ring. She then slides back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
McHannon kicks out.

Cartier picks up McHannon, moves him into the corner and unleashes a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. She then takes McHannon and whips him into the opposite corner. Cartier then charges across the ring into the corner. McHannon counters the oncoming attack by dumping Cartier over the top rope…

… but Cartier lands safely on the apron. When McHannon turns around, Cartier doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. She then slingshot herself over the top rope. The crowd cheers as McHannon swings his arms wildly to regain his balance. Once he loses his balance, he falls down to the canvas…

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
McHannon scissors his legs on Cartier’s neck, breaking the pin.

After both grapplers slowly get back up, McHannon strikes first with a boot to the midsection. After a punch sends Cartier into the ropes, McHannon heads over, grabs Cartier and whips her into the far ropes. When Cartier returns, she goes for a cross body block. But McHannon catches her in mid air. After looking at the camera and shaking his head, the crowd boos as McHannon throws her down with a shoulder switch powerslam. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: The raw power of McHannon was on display other as he threw Cartier down with authority.

Stephy Auger: That’s exactly what Scott has in store for him at Retribution.

McHannon picks up Cartier by the arm, yanks her back to her feet and then sends her back down with an arm trap STO. He makes the cover.

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

McHannon picks up Cartier, scoops her up from the side and delivers a back suplex, followed by an elbow drop. He makes the cover.

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

McHannon picks up Cartier and nails her with a knee to the midsection… and another knee… and another. The last knee lifts Cartier up off her feet. While Cartier is doubled over, the crowd boos as McHannon grabs a hold of her and delivers a pumphandle fallaway slam.

Kris Cruise: He nearly flung her across the ring, Stephy!

As Cartier tries to pick herself up off the mat, McHannon bounces into the ropes. When McHannon returns, he leaps halfway across the ring and connects with a flying forearm smash, which knocks Cartier through the ropes and to the floor. McHannon gets to his feet and takes in the boos from the crowd.

Stephy Auger: It doesn’t get much better than that, Cruise. You can hate him all you want to. But he’s been proving all year long why he’s #1 and he’s doing it yet again.

Cartier can be seen pulling herself up using the edge of the apron. After she slowly pulls herself up using the ropes, McHannon returns the favor and delivers a shoulder thrust through the ropes. He then drags Cartier along the middle rope before planting her with a rope-elevated DDT. McHannon pushes her over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

Cartier gets her shoulder up.

McHannon picks up Cartier, doubles her over with a punch to the midsection and delivers three elbows across the back of the neck. After pulling Cartier up from off her knee, the crowd boos as McHannon delivers a vertical suplex lift dropped into a neckbreaker. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

Cartier gets her shoulder up.

McHannon picks up Cartier and doubles Cartier over with a knee strike. He then quickly applies a front facelock before planting her with a Kickout DDT. McHannon turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

Cartier gets her shoulder up.

McHannon picks up Cartier and whips her into the ropes. When Cartier returns, McHannon swings around her and applies a sleeper hold.

Kris Cruise: McHannon’s got the submission applied!

Stephy Auger: Sweet Dreams, witch.

McHannon squeezes as he tries to put Cartier to sleep. The ref asks Cartier if she wants to give up. She responds by grabbing McHannon by his head with both hands and countering the sleeper with a sitout jawbreaker.

Kris Cruise: What a counter by Cartier!

While McHannon is dazed, Cartier returns to her feet and heads into the ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as she delivers a wheelbarrow bulldog. Cartier slowly turn over, pushes McHannon over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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McHannon gets his shoulder up.

Cartier picks up McHannon and whips him into the corner. She then runs across the ring and connects with a corner cartwheel leaping hip attack. She then takes McHannon and whips him into the opposite corner. Cartier runs across the ring and hops onto McHannon to set up the monkeyflip DDT. But McHannon blocks by grabbing a hold of her. McHannon turns, sits Cartier down on the top rope, jumps up and connects with a European Uppercut. While Cartier is dazed, McHannon positions her legs outside the ropes before climbing up onto the middle ropes. He turns and goes to lift Cartier up onto his shoulders. But before he can deliver the rolling fireman’s carry, Cartier nails him with rapid elbows to the side of the head. After slipping down onto the middle ropes, Cartier shoves McHannon off the ropes and sends him down to the canvas. After McHannon gets back to his feet and turns around, Cartier steps up onto the top turnbuckle and leaps off. But McHannon leaps into the air and connects with a Codebreaker.

Stephy Auger: That’s it, Cruise! It’s over!

The crowd continues to boo as McHannon makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

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

McHannon picks up Cartier and lifts her up for a Teardrop Suplex. But Cartier slips down from behind, executes a rolling snapmare and follows up with a spinning discus knee. The crowd cheers as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

McHannon gets his shoulder up.

Cartier picks up McHannon and goes for an irish whip. But McHannon reverses, sending Cartier into the ropes. But instead of bouncing back, Cartier hangs onto the ropes. So McHannon charges over to attack. But Cartier counters with a drop toe hold onto the middle ropes. From there, Cartier takes off into the far ropes. When she returns, she delivers a leapfrog body guillotine. After McHannon falls off the middle rope, Cartier drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

McHannon reaches over and grabs the bottom rope.

Cartier picks up McHannon and lights up his chest with knife edge chops before going for an irish whip. But McHannon reverses, sending Cartier into the ropes. When Cartier returns, McHannon goes for another flying forearm. But Cartier ducks and runs into the opposite set of ropes. When she returns, McHannon turns her inside out with a discus clothesline. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

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

Kris Cruise: Again, Cartier gets her shoulder up. She just won’t stay down.

Stephy Auger: If she won’t stay down, then McHannon will put her down… like Zellor did at First Wave.

McHannon picks up Cartier and whips her hard into the corner. After crashing sternum-first into the corner, Cartier stumbles back towards McHannon, who hooks her arm, lifts her up and delivers a chickenwing gutbuster. While Cartier is down on all fours, McHannon returns to his feet, reaches down and yanks Cartier back to her feet before delivering a release German Suplex that causes her to land on her stomach. McHannon turns Cartier over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!

Cartier gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: The Witch won’t stay down. She knows how big this opportunity is!

McHannon picks up Cartier and whips her into the corner. McHannon runs into the corner, but Cartier knocks him back with a boot to the face. After stumbling back, McHannon runs back into the corner. But he’s greeted by another boot to the face. As McHannon stumbles back, Cartier turns and knocks him down with a springboard back elbow.

After both grapplers slowly return to their feet, Cartier runs at McHannon. McHannon throws out a discus clothesline. But Cartier ducks and runs into the ropes. When Cartier comes back, she delivers a lariat takedown. McHannon gets back up, but he’s knocked off his feet by another lariat takedown. After McHannon gets back up, Cartier throws out a kick to the midsection. McHannon catches her foot, but she’s able to counters with an enzuigiri that sends McHannon flipping down to the canvas. As McHannon slowly gets up on his knees, Cartier runs into the ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as she delivers a Somersault Cutter. Cartier then stands McHannon up on his knees, sizes him up and blasts him with a Buzzsaw Kick. The crowd cheers as she pushes McHannon over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

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

Kris Cruise: So close.

Cartier picks up McHannon and whips him into the corner. She runs into the corner, hops onto McHannon’s thighs and then plants him with a monkeyflip DDT. McHannon’s head bounces off the apron before he slowly rolls towards the center of the ring. After Cartier pulls herself up in the corner, she signals for the New Hampshire Handshake.

Stephy Auger: No, no, no…

Kris Cruise: She’s setting up for it, Stephy! We could be on the verge of a major upset!

Once McHannon returns to his feet and turns around, Cartier runs from out of the corner, leaps into the air and throws out a leaping elbow strike. But the crowd sighs as McHannon ducks, catches Cartier across his shoulders and counters with a fireman’s carry gutbuster.

Stephy Auger: You were saying, Cruise?

The crowd boos as McHannon pulls up Cartier, lifts her up and slams her down with Zero Tolerance.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“Nobody Likes Me” blares throughout the arena as the crowd erupts with boos.

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

McHannon gets his arm raised while the crowd continues to boo.

Kris Cruise: It looked like we were indeed on the verge of a major upset. Cartier put up one hell of a fight tonight! It looked like she was just a half second away from connecting with the New Hampshire Handshake. But McHannon was able to duck and countered.

Stephy Auger: Do you hear what you just said? You thought Cartier was going to win, just like everyone thinks they’re going to win. Everyone thinks they’re just a half second away from beating McHannon. But in the blink of an eye, he snatches the W. That’s just how good he is, Cruise.

McHannon makes his way over towards the ropes and holds his hands up in a "Z "symbol towards the hard camera. In return, the fans give him the thumbs down or middle fingers. He turns, makes his way into the corner, climbs up to the second rope and slowly raises his FGA World Championship for all to see to even more boos. He then looks down, points down at the cameraman that shooting up at him from the floor and forms another "Z".