Vertigo (10.01.16)

[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

USA Hockey Arena
Plymouth Township, MI

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone and welcome to another edition of FGA’s VERTIGO! I am Kris Cruise! Joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger and tonight, we come to you live from the USA Hockey Arena right here in Plymouth Township, Michigan! We’re making our debut here tonight and this capacity crowd is excited for some wrestling action! They’re practically hanging from the rafters, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: We’re just two weeks away from Retribution. We know what’s on the line in two weeks on Pay Per View. But there’s a lot on the line tonight.

Kris Cruise: That’s right, Stephy. In two weeks at Retribution, we all know that it will be Zero McHannon defending his FGA World Championship against the 2016 Frontier Lions Cup winner, Chandler Scott. Also, the team of Status Quo will be defending the FGA World Tag Team Titles against The Usual Suspects. But of course, the Usual Suspects are still in possession of those titles having stole them from Status Quo back at Above & Beyond V. We also know that Annie Zellor will be defending her Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship against Salem Cartier in a rematch from First Wave!

Stephy Auger: The match went from inside the ring to the outside. But the action wasn’t the only thing that spilled to the outside that night, so did soda as a fan pelted Annie Zellor! From that moment, Zellor lost it. She was going to nail that fan in the face with the title. But instead, she clocked Salem, which resulted in the DQ. Now, the FGA Championship Committee has granted Salem Cartier another opportunity at the championship. This time, on pay Per View.

Kris Cruise: We’re expecting more exciting matches to be announced for the upcoming pay per view. But how about tonight? Johnny Cannon, the former FGA World Champion, takes on Noelle Smith! Noelle missed out on her chance to become #1 contender to the Pride Title two weeks ago. But boy did she look good in that match.

Stephy Auger: Yeah, she looked good. But did she win? Of course she didn’t and she’s not going to win tonight. Last time, she was outnumbered by four people. But with how hard The British Mamba punches her tonight, she might be seeing four people by the time he gets done with her.

Kris Cruise: In our lone championship match of the evening, Fujiko Mine will be defending the Pride Championship against #1 contender Molly Reid. Fujiko tapped out Johnny Karma. She choked out Riley Owens. She’s defended her championship abroad. Now, she defends the title inside the FGA squared circle against Molly Reid.

Stephy Auger: I’m not really a big fan of either of them, to be honest. If I had my way, it would have been our Chief, Evan Envi, challenging for the title tonight. But you can’t always get what you want. So I’ll settle for these two beating each other up.

Kris Cruise: Then in our main event, Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine goes one on one with Dom Harter. It’s the longest reigning Pride Champion in company history going up against the only Triple Crown Winner in company history. Stephy, that should be a good one.

Stephy Auger: It’s no secret that Dom Harter had had Tony Carmine's number. Key word being had. It’s a new age. It’s the age of the New Kings, Cruise and tonight, you’re going to see Tony do what he does best: win!

Kris Cruise: But that’s not all!

Stephy Auger: There’s more!?

Kris Cruise: Yes more! You may remember Jessie Pederson from Lion’s Den Fighting Championships. She was the backstage interviewer, as well as the social media ambassador for FGA’s former developmental division. She also held those same duties at the esteemed KWI Institute before that. But now Jessie will be joining the FGA broadcast team and boy has she started off with quite the interview. Tonight, Jessie conducts an exclusive sitdown interview with both Zero McHannon and Chandler Scott!

Stephy Auger: Zero and Chandler in the same room?

Kris Cruise: Yes, champion and challenger in the same room. Those two haven’t been face to face since about a month ago in Irvine. But they’ll be back in the same room tonight. You don’t want to miss that or any of the great action we’re bringing to you tonight. Right now, let’s send it on over to J.A. Aldridge as he gives the introduces for our first match of the night. J.A…

[FGA Office]

JD Anton vs. LJ Summers

The opening of "Stabbing The Drama" by Soilwork starts to blare. The lights start to flicker before an orange spotlight shines down on the entrance ramp. Out from behind the curtain walks "Sweet" Selena Savage. The camera starts down at her orange high-heels, making their way up her long legs to her sequined orange dress, up to her long dark hair. Right behind her walks the man of the hour, JD Anton.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first bring accompanied by “Sweet” Selena Savage, from Miami, Florida, weighing in at 200 pounds … JD ANTON!

She kisses him on the cheek before they walk hand-in-hand down the aisle. She smiles and waves to the fans while JD looks out towards the crowd smirking. He lifts her up onto the ring apron before jumping from the floor to the ring apron himself. He jumps over the top rope before lifting the middle rope for Selena to enter the ring. He then hops onto the second turnbuckle of each corner and raises both his arms as the music dies down.

Kris Cruise: We saw JD Anton debut recently in an unsuccessful attempt against Noelle Smith. Do you think he’ll fare any better againt LJ Summers tonight, Stephy?

Stephy Auger: We saw a lot of promise in JD Anton in his last outing, I think if LJ Summers wants to win this one he’s going to have to bring his A game.

With the fans in the arena awaiting the next bit of action live from FGA, it doesn't take long until the lights darken, and the local fans are left in darkness for some moments. A really familiar guitar riff kicks in on the PA system, and the riff keeps going, soon joined by a low humdrum of voices all trying to hum to the beat. The humdrum gets louder, the riff kicking up another notch or two as well, until about thirty seconds the drums kick in as well.

THUNDER!

THUNDER!

This continues for a few more moments, the beat of 'Thunderstruck' by ACDC echoing throughout the arena, until the gravelly voice of Brian Johnson kicks in. The fans keep watching closely, waiting to see who will be arriving. A heavier drum beat kicks in, and then the noise dies down slightly and Johnson's voice manages to speak out again.

YOU'VE BEEN....

Theres a moments pause, during which the drums kick into high gear and the bass hits. A loud crackling thunder is heard throughout the arena as well, as Johnson's voice screams out.

THUNDER STRUCK!

A big burst of stage flows over the stage, slowly thickening even as Thunderstruck keeps playing. After another 30 seconds or so, with the smoke still swirling around the stage, some more Thunder can be heard crackling throughout the arena, and through the smoke, as the music hits high gear walks LJ Summers. LJ slowly turns to hold his back to the crowd, arms spread wide and showing off his flag, and then slowly lowering his hand to point to the back where Skyla LaLo steps out to follow him!

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, weighing 285 pounds, and hailing from Melbourne, Australia. Accompanied by Skyla LaLo, he is The ANZAC Warrior, L....J....SUMMERS!!

As he reaches the ring Summers stops at the ring steps, allowing Skyla to strip off his cape and then he climbs up and into the ring, ready for battle.

Kris Cruise: Some of the fans know LJ Summers already, which can only bode well for him tonight. Now the rest of the FGA audience get to know the ANZAC Warrior.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring for a few moments; the crowd here in Michigan unsure of who to support, although there’s a few fans who recognize LJ Summers from his work elsewhere. As he and JD Anton come together, however, Anton cuts his opponent off with a boot to the midsection. A couple of hard right hands have the Australian reeling as Anton plays to the crowd; they boo his arrogance as he runs against the ropes for momentum, only to get caught by an overhead belly-to-belly suplex upon his return!

Stephy Auger: JD Anton getting caught out there. He can’t make too many mistakes like that if he wants to win this one.

JD bounces off the mat and back up to his feet, clutching his back as he does so. And Summers moves in close, landing a couple of European uppercuts that send JD back against the ropes. An Irish whip follows and LJ Summers hits a tilt-a-whirl slam before going for the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
JD Anton kicks out!

Undeterred, Summers lands a couple of punches to the face before bringing his opponent back to his feet. A knee to the midsection doubles Anton over, before the gutwrench suplex brings him crashing to the mat. He clutches at his back again as he rolls away towards the ropes, using them to bring himself to his feet. Summers moves in close again, but Anton catches him with a toe kick to the midsection, and an eye rake to follow. Anton even manages to hit a running bulldog, driving LJ Summers face first into the mat.

But Anton doesn’t make the cover; instead he chooses to stand back up and taunt the crowd, telling them this one will be over shortly. Anton stomps at his opponent a couple of times before moving towards the corner, climbing to the top rope with encouragement from “Sweet” Selena Savage. JD steadies himself before leaping off with a moonsault…

Kris Cruise: What strength from LJ Summers there!

Stephy Auger: He just plucked his opponent out of mid air!

The crowd gasp in shock as Summers, having got back to his feet, manages to catch JD Anton across his shoulder. The Australian powerhouse takes a moment to soak in the applause before delivering a thunderous running powerslam! And he hooks the leg!

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

Anton kicks out in the nick of time, much to the surprise of the fans. And he’s quick to roll away, out under the bottom rope and into the waiting arms of Selena. In the ring, LJ looks towards his own valet, as Skyla urges him to go after Anton before he has chance to recover. So he does so. Stepping out through the nearest ropes, Summers heads towards his opponent – but Anton sees him coming and runs away.

Stephy Auger: Looks like JD Anton doesn’t want any of LJ Summers here.

Kris Cruise: I can’t blame him with the power that Summers has displayed so far tonight.

The count out reaches a four as JD rolls back into the ring, followed close behind by Summers. But the Australian walks right into the trap; Anton stomps at his opponent, focusing on the head to try and keep Summers grounded. The ANZAC Warrior is on all fours as Anton hits the ropes, coming back with a dropkick to the head. Summers falls to the mat, but Anton doesn’t let him rest; he places LJ’s throat across the bottom rope and stands on his back, choking The ANZAC Warrior.

Referee: One…Two…Three…Four…

Anton breaks the choke as the referee backs him away, admonishing him for nearing the five count. Anton plays coy as he watches Selena grab LJ by the back of the head, choking him out further behind the referee’s back. The crowd boo as Selena releases her grip, walking away before the referee turns back around. Anton picks his opponent up and moves towards the corner, slamming Summers face first into the turnbuckle. Anton keeps hold, however, as he climbs up to the middle rope. He leaps off with a tornado DDT, spiking Summers head first into the mat before covering with a lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Summers kicks out!

Anton is quick to question the referee’s count, getting in the official’s face as he demands to know how that wasn’t a three. But the official assures him it wasn’t. Repeatedly. For a long enough time that LJ Summers manages to pick himself up to one knee, massaging his throat with one hand as he waits for JD Anton to turn around – THUNDERSTRUCK! The rolling lariat sends JD Anton flipping through the air and he crashes to the mat, drawing a cheer from this Michigan audience.

Summers drags his opponent back to his feet, but it appears to be a case of the lights are on but nobody’s home; Anton is backed into the corner with a couple of forearm shots before an Irish whip sends him from pillar to post. LJ follows him in with the Canberra Crash, putting all 285 pounds behind that splash! Anton stumbles out of the corner and into another overhead belly to belly as Summers launches his opponent across the ring!

Stephy Auger: I hate to say it, but I’m not sure how much more JD Anton can stand.

Kris Cruise: LJ Summers has made short work of him tonight, in what has been an impressive FGA debut for the ANZAC Warrior.

Summer patrols the ring, waiting for a dazed JD Anton to get back to his feet, which he does so with the aid of the rope. The ANZAC Warrior lying in wait as, despite the protests of Selena, JD Anton turns and charges at his opponent – right into the pop up powerbomb!

Kris Cruise: Thunder Bomb connects! And that has to be it!

LJ Summers drops down and makes the cover; Skyla counts along on the outside!

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

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match … LJ SUMMERS!

Kris Cruise: And there it is, a debut victory for LJ Summers.

Summers celebrates in the ring as his valet, Skyla LaLo enters the squared circle to raise her charge's arm. The crowd continue cheering as they leave the ring shortly thereafter.

[FGA Office]

We cut backstage at the USA Hockey Arena to see Spencer Burke standing with mic at the ready as he prepares to interview his next guest

Spencer Burke: Joining me now is Cherry Baum who, as I’m sure you’ll remember, was involved in those extraordinary scenes at the last show when she had to break the news to Johnny Karma that his grandfather had died. First of all, Cherry, thank you for joining us this evening.

Cherry Baum: Thanks Spence.

Spencer Burke: The first question I have, and the one that many of the FGA fanbase has been asking, is how is Johnny Karma doing during this sad time?

Mulling over the words for a moment, Cherry sighs as she tries to form them into the right order

Cherry Baum: I spoke with him earlier, and he’s trying to take it all in, but he needs some time with his family and he also has to work through some things himself, because if it wasn't for his grandfather he probably wouldn’t have been bitten by the wrestling bug, so given he’s given so much for the past few years because of his grandfather it’s hit him hard.

Spencer Burke: A lot of fans and even a few members of the FGA roster have sent messages of support to Johnny in the past couple of weeks. Is there anything you would like to say to them?

Cherry Baum: Yes there is, in fact I was hoping I’d have the chance to thank each and every one of you for showing that you're thinking of him at this time, and he really appreciates all the messages you’ve sent. I’d also like to thank Noelle Smith, Annie Zellor, Fujiko Mine and Chandler Scott for their kind messages, unlike...certain people who lack the maturity or the common decency to not act like a complete ass.

Spencer Burke: There’s also another question, and one I hate to ask given the circumstances, but could you possibly tell us when Johnny feels he will feel ready to get back into the FGA ring once more?

Cherry looks a little uncomfortable about the question, having been put on the spot - but soon she feels uncomfortable for a very different reason, as Danny Diamond walks down the hallway directly towards her with a look of malicious intent in his eyes, and as he approaches Cherry he shoves her hard into the wall and walks away as if it were nothing, laughing as he goes. A few moments later, the camera shifts to see one Fujiko Mine standing there, the Pride Championship over her shoulder.

Fujiko Mine: What a freaking jerk.

The crowd cheers over seeing her on screen, and a sizable “Fujiko” chant rings out. She pauses for a few moments, and then continues.

Fujiko Mine: But don’t worry about him. Don’t worry about Tony, Rother, Johnny, any of those other jerks. Johnny deserves this time away. He deserves this time to get himself together. I can’t even begin to imagine what he’s gone through, but my sympathies are with him. I wish him comfort.

She loses her good spirits for a few moments, and delivers something close to a pout.

Fujiko Mine: But do me a favor, Cherry?

Fujiko trades her somber look for a more determined one.

Fujiko Mine: When he’s ready, tell him to give me a call. I think it might be time to deal with this problem.

She shakes her head.

Fujiko Mine: Now if you excuse me, I have to go beat the woman who thought she was saying something by telling all these people my life’s story. She’s going to find out that talking about my career isn’t getting her the Pride title. I’m gonna take out Molly, and then Johnny and I are going to start to take back FGA.

She smiles at Cherry, and then places a hand on her shoulder. She holds it there for a second, and then lets go. With one of her wide smiles, she exits the scene.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

The feed cuts backstage and we see Chris Madison standing by near the gorilla position with his manager, Frankie Morrison, within earshot. Madison bounced off of his toes in full ring gear, trying to keep himself loose with his match against Rick Young up next on the docket.

Frankie Morrison: Well, it’s time!

Chris Madison: Sure is.

Frankie Morrison: I wish Rick Young had someone to warn him about what he's walking into. I kind of feel bad for the guy. Maybe all of those years taking shots to the head has scrambled his brain.

Chris smirked as he stopped bouncing around. He extended one of his arms across his chest and reached up with his other, placing his hand on his Tricep and squeezing towards his chest for a brief moment. He releases his arm and alternates to the other arm.

Chris Madison: There's not enough crowd support in the world that could help him. I've been envisioning this moment for months, imagining what it'll be like to walk through that curtain, down that entranceway, and through those ropes again.

Frankie Morrison: Imagine no longer. The time has come and you’ll make the most of the moment. For once you're in a place where the only person you have to concern yourself with is you! Just go out there and be yourself, you’ll bulldoze Rick Young and keep your fourteen month unbeaten streak alive! 4CW, Honor Wrestling, vWc, NJFC, all bared witness to your phenomenal performances. Now FGA has their chance.

Chris Madison: Yeah but with the exception of 4CW, I never intended to call those places home. Even throughout the whole process, my heart was set on coming back to FGA and taking another stab at this.

Frankie Morrison: Just stay composed and focused; you’ll find a way to rise up. You always do…

Chris nodded his head as Frankie reached out and patted him on the shoulder. Madison spun around towards the curtain and waited to get the signal from one of the stagehands to start making his way through towards the ring.

[FGA Office]

CHRIS MADISON vs. RICK YOUNG

The venue's lights cut out, causing the entire building to go dark. Static feedback screeches over the P.A. system, forcing the fans in the audience to cover their ears. The video screen near the entrance way lights up with a white snowy picture, barely illuminating the entrance ramp. A black handprint slowly fades into the picture with a red anarchy symbol carved into the palm of the handprint. The crowd jumps to their feet with a roaring standing ovation as the static feedback is replaced by the opening chorus to Bullet For My Valentine's single You Want a Battle? (Here's A War).

"We will not take this anymore
These words will never be ignored
You want a battle
HERE'S A WAR!!"

A sole spotlight focuses on the curtain for the entranceway as Chris Madison steps out. His head is tucked down and covered by a black towel, focusing on the ground beneath him. The crowd erupts in anticipation as Madison stands as still as a statue. He finally brings his fists up towards his face and punches himself on the jaw with both hands before ripping the towel from his head and spiking it down to the ground.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Long Island, New York, weighing in at 220 pounds … "MAYHEM” CHRIS MADISON!

Madison charges to the ring and slides in under the bottom rope before hopping up to his feet. He walks towards the nearest ropes corner and climbs up to the second rope, surveying the live crowd before holding his arms out horizontally.

Kris Cruise: He looks focused, he looks driven.

Stephy Auger: He looks to be in the best shape of his life…

Just before the lights in the arena dim even further, smoke starts to fill the entrance area catching the fans attention. While they are watching entrance for any sign of movement, the PA system unleashes what is best described as a “slashing” sound. Which triggers blood red lighting to come on giving the smoke an eerie blood color hue. Rick Young steps through the curtain to a “dead fish” reaction. Rick doesn’t seem affected to much by the lack of a response as he just stands at the top of the ramp way.

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, from Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at 224 pounds … ‘THE RAZOR’ RICK YOUNG!

Surprisingly, Rick doesn’t try to endear himself to the fans on his walk down to the ring. He keeps his focus on the ring razor sharp. As he gets to the bottom of the short ramp way the lights in the arena return to normal and he takes off his customized Hugo Boss sunglasses. It looks like he is going to place them in his leather jacket, but much to the shock of everyone in the arena he hands them to a random fan sitting in the front row.

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

Kris Cruise: Rick Young hasn’t had the best time of things as late, with losses to Evan Envi and Ryan LeCavalier to his name. But tonight may be his toughest test in FGA to date.

Stephy Auger: I’m not convinced, Cruise. For all we know we’ll see the same Chris Madison we saw last time he was in FGA, and not the man who’s tore through all his competition in recent months. And he can’t afford to do that against a veteran like Rick Young.

Kris Cruise: You’re right. And Chris will be the first to admit that he didn’t live up to expectations last time around. He’s even gone as far as calling FGA his white whale. But he has a second chance to make a first impression tonight.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring for a few moments. A small contingent of the fans here in Michigan try to start a “welcome back” chant for Madison, but it doesn’t garner much support from the loyalist FGA fans. Ever the professional, Madison manages to carry on regardless, engaging Young with a collar and elbow tie-up. Chris goes behind with a rear waistlock, but The Razor fights out with some back elbows to the face. Madison staggers back a step as Rick Young runs against the ropes – only to get caught by a Yakuza kick!

Stephy Auger: Goddamn, Chris Madison isn’t taking any prisoners in that ring tonight.

Young rolls towards the ropes, using them to bring himself back up to his feet as Madison catches him with some clubbing blows to the back. Young staggers towards the corner, but Madison stays on him, peppering him with some elbows to the face. Young looks to be suffering as he’s spun around; his opponent grabs him with a rear waist lock again before hitting a German suplex that takes Rick Young over! Madison moves across and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Young kicks out.

And he rolls out under the bottom rope to try and gather his bearings as the fans boo him. Not that Rick Young cares that much. In the ring, however, Madison is glaring at his opponent … until he decides to step out through the ropes, whereupon Young pounces! He catches Madison with some clubbing blows before bouncing his head off the ring apron. That’s not enough for Rick Young, though. He whips his opponent back first into the ring steps, taking a moment to soak in the crowd’s boos as Madison writhes in pain for a few moments.

Kris Cruise: The great neutralizer. Rick Young finding a way to get back into this match after an explosive start by his opponent.

Stephy Auger: What can he do from here though?

Young rolls his opponent back into the ring, following close behind as Madison manages to get back to his feet. Young hits the far ropes and comes back with a DDT, before he rolls Mayhem over and hooks a leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Madison kicks out.

Young pounds the mat in frustration before standing up and delivering several elbow drops to his prone foe. He drags Chris back to his feet by the head, catching him with a couple of right hands before sending him into the corner with an Irish whip. Young follows in with a running back elbow as Madison staggers out of the corner and towards the center of the ring. The Razor signals to the crowd, swinging his arm around in a circle before bouncing up off the middle rope for his switchblade lariat – NO! Madison ducks under the lariat and counters with some low kicks to the knees of Rick Young. The fifth one causes Young’s knee to buckle, forcing him down to a kneeling position as Madison takes a run up in order to deliver a flying knee strike!

Stephy Auger: And just like that, Rick Young has lost control of this match.

Kris Cruise: I’d be more worried about that knee of his if I were him, he has a history of knee injuries.

Madison takes a moment to shake off the kinks in his back after hitting the steps, allowing time for Young to try and get back up. As he’s on all fours, however, Madison charges in with a running stomp to the back of the head. It causes Young to fall to the mat again, rolling onto his back as Madison makes his way around to the legs. Grabbing right leg, which buckled moments ago, Madison delivers several stomps to the leg before applying a spinning toe hold. The referee is in position to check for the submission, but after about fifteen seconds Rick manages to land a stiff right hand. And another. The third one connects as Madison stumbles, allowing Young to kick him away with his good leg.

Stephy Auger: Rick Young still has some fight left in him!

Rick pulls himself up to his feet with the help of the ropes as his opponent is still feeling the effects of those punches. The Razor charges in, fighting through the pain in his leg, only to get caught by a pop up codebreaker! A small pop from the crowd as Young rolls away holding his ribs in pain, but Madison isn’t in any mood to wait. He grabs Young by the leg and raises it up high before driving it down into the mat. And again. Young clutches his knee in pain as Madison drags him towards the center of the ring and makes a cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Young kicks out.

Undeterred, Madison drags his opponent back up to his feet as he sends Young head first into the top turnbuckle. He applies a Muay Thai clinch as he unloads with a series of knee strikes before the referee finally intervenes. Madison takes a step back as Rick staggers out of the corner in a daze, allowing his opponent to bend over in a standing headscissors before hoisting The Razor up onto his shoulders. Madison turns around before throwing Young down with an Alabama slam. And the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Chris Madison has assumed control of this match, and he’s not letting up.

Stephy Auger: He’s dominating his opponent here, Cruise. Rick Young can’t take much more of this.

Madison stands back up and stomps at his prone foe, working his way down from the torso to the legs as he grabs that right leg of his opponent once more. He drops a few elbows down across the joint before standing up once more, and Mayhem takes a moment to soak in the crowd’s positive reaction. That allows Rick the chance to roll away again, using the ropes to get back to his feet. But he’s struggling to put any weight on that knee as Madison approaches him from behind and taking him over with a dragon suplex!

Young appears to be down and out after that one, clutching the back of his neck as Madison stalks his prey. Mayhem grabs his prone opponent in a rear waist lock, before dead lifting the 225 pound Rick Young off the mat for a German suplex!

Kris Cruise: What a German suplex!

Young lies there motionless for a few moments before trying valiantly to push himself to all fours. Madison is crouching nearby, watching as Young finally gets to all fours, at which point he’s grabbed in a front facelock. Madison steps over the left arm of his opponent before dropping down to a seated position, The Peruvian Necktie locked in – and Young has no choice but to tap out!

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match … CHRIS MADISON!

Kris Cruise: A decisive victory for Chris Madison in his FGA return, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Decisive? He just tore through Rick Young in next to no time. I don’t think there’s a muscle in his body that isn’t hurting after that match with Chris Madison.

The referee raises Madison’s arm before he exits the ring, leaving an aching Rick Young alone on the mat. The crowd beginning to cheer Chris on as he heads backstage.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

We cut to the backstage area where we are greeted to an uncomfortably zoomed-in shot of a waistband. They belong to familiar, dark wrestling trunks though the torso is bare. A hand reaches down, slapping his own lower abdomen.

???: Spencer. Spencer, get in there. Make sure he zooms in on that. You know what this is?

We hear Spencer Burke audibly sigh out of frame.

Spencer Burke: That’s your waist…?

The camera pans out, revealing Evan Envi, already geared-up, prepared for his upcoming match. He rubs his belly a bit, angling his head as he turns to Spencer.

Evan Envi: Yeah, Spence, it is. And you know what’s wrong with it, right?

Spencer opens his mouth to respond but slowly closes it again. He narrows his eyes in thought and then shrugs, looking at Evan.

Spencer Burke: Because there’s not a championship belt around it.

Evan’s eyes light up and he clamps a hand down on Spencer’s shoulder.

Evan: AAAAAND whose fault is that?

Spence Burke: T-

Evan: YEEAHHHHHHHHH I KNOW, I was quick to blame Noelle too. I mean, for the love of God, this is exactly the kind of mediocrity the Usual Suspects were trying to combat last week, y’know? Like, for example, I could’ve taken the Molly Kick and I woulda been all like MAY I HAVE ANOTHER right, and she’d be standin’ there all shocked and distraught and all like BAH GAWD, WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO, lookin’ stupid. And then I would calmly proceed to put her and every other jerk in that ring on their back.

Evan whips his head back toward Spencer.

Evan: BUT INSTEAD, a weaker individual was felled by Molly Reid. There was just nothing I could’ve done, Spence. I thought that after years of dating Noelle Smith that some of my rugged toughness would’ve accidentally rubbed off on her or something but NOPE. But fair enough though. I mean, what can you really expect from a girl that spent three months of her career completely stoned off Children’s Tylenol?

Evan shrugs. Spencer blinks and adjusts his collar.

Evan: Some competitors leave a lot to be desired, man. My opponent for tonight… The Nero for example. She’s got some solid values. She’s a good worker. But is she really a quality wrestler, Spence? Do you look at The Nero and think, WOW, THIS IS AWE-INSPIRING ATHLETICISM, WHERE’S THE 30 FOR 30, or do you look at The Nero and think ‘maybe I’ll start watching Lost tonight’?

Spencer blinks harder. Evan nods.

Evan: The most memorable thing about Nero Darling will be her brief-but-vital role in wrestling history. Years from now, when I’ve finally shouldered my way past goons like Reid and Fujiko and I turn the DISRESPECTED Pride Championship into one of the most prestigious titles in our business, an overtly ambitious wrestling fan will dig into the archives and make the name The Nero relevant once again, this time as history's most important loser!

Evan looks off into the distance, entranced, seemingly enthralled by the thought.

Evan: This is step one, Spence.

The two stare off into the distance for an uncomfortable amount of time before Spencer clears his throat and raises his microphone.

Spencer Burke: Evan. One more question.

Evan raises a brow and looks at Spencer out of the corner of his eye.

Spencer Burke: You told the world on Twitter that you weren't going to run interference during tonight's Pride Championship match. Obviously, multiple people have expressed doubt. I just--

Evan raises a hand to cut him off.

Evan: I wouldn't do anything to damage the integrity of the championship. I'm only here to help. Now if you'll excuse me, Spence, it's time for me to go out to the ring and do errrrbody a favor.

Evan pivots, pulling his ring jacket onto his torso as he makes his way toward gorilla position. We fade to black as Spence Burke watches him depart.

[FGA Office]

EVAN ENVI vs. NERO DARLING

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall. Introducing first, Ocean City, Maryland, weighing in at 203 pounds … ‘THE CHIEF’ EVAN ENVI!

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

Kris Cruise: Two weeks ago we saw Evan Envi almost become the number one contender to the Pride title, which we’ll see Fujiko Mine defend later tonight against the winner of that match, Molly Reid. But tonight he’ll be facing the returning Nero Darling.

Stephy Auger: Which makes a nice change for Evan, to just have one woman baying for his blood. But he has the size and the experience advantage over someone like Nero, and that hunger to succeed after the defeat on the last episode of Vertigo.

Kris Cruise: You might be right, but lets not forget Nero’s hunger. We haven’t seen her in recent months after being injured in a fan attack. This is her return match, and I’m sure the FGA fans will welcome her back with open arms!

The lights dim down before the opening strains of "Hate Me Now" by Nas sweep through the arena and the Nerolings begin screaming in anticipation. Teal blue lights sweep through the crowd and over the ring until they center on Nero Darling. She steps out onto the stage, her face and signature blue hair hidden under the hood of a black sweatshirt. Her head bowed so that her face is in the shadows of the hoodie as she pauses at the top of the ramp.

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

It's been a long time, been a long time comin'

It's life or death for me now

But you know, there's no turning back now

This what makes me, this what I am...

As the beat picks up intensity, Nero stretches her arms out and walks slowly towards the ring. The lights pick up the words on the back of her hoodie, cursive and embossed in gold, "Ms. 502". She basks in the screams and cheers of the audience and hides a bright grin in the shadows of her hoodie.

You can hate me now, but I won't stop now

Cause I can't stop now, you can hate me now, c'mon. 

But I won't stop now, cause I can't stop now

You can hate me now, you can hate me now... 

She finally breaks into a run, sliding into the ring on her stomach as Evan immediately begins stomping at her. He rips her jacket off and tosses it into the crowd before continuing stomping at his prone foe.

Stephy Auger: There’s that hunger in action, Cruise. Evan Envi not even needing to wait for the bell to get this one started.

Kris Cruise: Where I come from that’s called a cheap shot, Stephy.

The bell sounds to start the match as Evan continues stomping at Nero, not letting her get to her feet. He even goes so far as rolling her onto her back and standing on the throat as he rests his hands on the top rope for leverage.

Referee: One….Two….Three…

Envi breaks the choke hold as the referee forces him backwards, allowing Nero to pull herself back up to a kneeling position. Evan charges back in, stomping at the torso of his opponent before he drags her to an upright position. He unloads a series of knife edge chops to the face and chest of Nero, drawing some “woos” from the crowd, before an Irish whip follows. Nero hits the far ropes and rebounds as Evan leaps up with a picture perfect standing dropkick.

Stephy Auger: What elevation from Evan there.

Evan struts around the ring, taunting the fans as Nero is laying in the center of the ring. He drags her back to her feet again, though, before delivering a snapmare and a soccer kick to the spine. Nero yells out in pain as Evan hits the ropes himself, coming back with a dropkick to the face! And he hooks a leg.

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

Evan sits up and questions the referee about the count, but the argument doesn’t last long as he brings Nero back to her feet before sending her towards the corner with an Irish whip. He charges in after her, only to get caught by a big boot by Nero! The crowd cheer as Evan staggers back a few steps, allowing Nero the opportunity to rush him and execute a headscissors takedown! Envi flips through the air and crashes to the mat with a thud, but quickly bounces back to his feet as Nero pounces, landing a couple of forearm shots to the face. She puts everything she has into them, and they’re enough to back Evan against the ropes before Nero can go for the Irish whip. Evan manages to use his size and strength to reverse the move, however, and it’s Nero who hits the ropes. She rebounds at pace, though, and manages to catch Evan unawares with a wheelbarrow bulldog!

Kris Cruise: Evan started hot, but Nero is fighting back. That big wheelbarrow bulldog has her opponent stunned, what can she do from here?

Stephy Auger: Not the face! That’s his moneymaker.

Nero rolls away and to her feet as Evan bounces up to a kneeling position, clutching his beautiful face in pain. The Glorious Leader doesn’t waste any time before going on the attack, though. She hits the ropes behind her opponent, coming back with a dropkick to the back of the head! Evan hits the mat face first and rolls over as Nero pops up to her feet for the standing moonsault!

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

She looks a little disappointed, but with the crowd rallying behind her, Nero gets back up and looks towards the corner. She steps out onto the apron and climbs up onto the top rope facing the crowd … but Evan has recovered in the meantime. He dives forward and shakes the top rope, causing Nero to slip!

Stephy Auger: And just like, Evan is back in control.

Nero is crotched on the top turnbuckle as Evan shakes off the beating he’s taken so far, slowly moving towards the corner as he puts Nero into the tree of woe position. A few stomps to the midsection take the wind out of Nero’s sails before Envi takes a run up. He pauses on the other side of the ring, taunting the fans, as he runs in with a hesitation dropkick! The impact of which is enough to dislodge Nero from the tree of woe position, causing her to slump to the mat.

Evan doesn’t relent, though, pulling Nero up by the waistband – the crowd boo his antics as Evan delivers a pumphandle slam. Nero hits the mat back first as Evan steps on her stomach as he moves to the other side, before delivering a standing moonsault of his own.

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

Frustrated, Evan sits his opponent up and applies a rear chinlock. The crowd still cheering for Nero as Evan wrenches the hold in tighter. Ten seconds pass before Nero begins to fight back, making her to her knees as the chinlock transitions into a side headlock. At that point Nero kicks her legs and squeals as she angrily pushes Evan away and against the ropes. He grabs hold of the top rope to stop himself, however, as Nero wipes her face in disgust. Evan sniffs his arm pit and pulls a face, before holding his hands up to Nero.

Kris Cruise: Looks like we found out which arm pit Evan Envi forgot to deodorize this evening.

Stephy Auger: Ok, even I find that one a little disgusting…

Nero charges at her opponent, only for Evan to side step and toss his opponent over the top rope. He walks away dusting his hands off, unaware that Nero managed to land on the apron. As he turns around, however, Evan becomes full aware of that fact as he watches in wide eyed horror as Nero launches herself at him with a missile dropkick!

Both competitors scramble to get back to their feet as Nero runs at her opponent again. She ducks under the clothesline attempt and keeps going, springboarding off the middle rope with a corkscrew cross body!

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

Both competitors rush to their vertical bases once more as Nero leaps up with a hurricanrana into a pin!

Kris Cruise: This could be it!

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

Evan kicks out in the nick of time and rolls back to his feet near the corner. Nero runs at him, but Evan looks ready for her, pushing her overhead in a modified back body drop. It doesn’t work to his favor, however, as Nero floats over him and lands on her feet on the top rope. Evan turns around as Nero leaps off with a moonsault, catching Evan flush! She sits on his chest and hooks both legs!

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

Nero can’t quite believe it, but Evan manages to get the shoulder up to break the count. She brings Evan back to his feet and goes for the Irish whip, sending the Chief against the ropes. A drop toe hold connects, and Evan finds himself throat first across the middle rope. Nero signals to the crowd before running against the far ropes, coming back with a tiger feint kick – NO! Evan ducks under the attack; Nero lands on the apron and turns around, right into a desperation guillotine, sending her throat first across the top rope!

Kris Cruise: Evan Envi stopping his opponent’s momentum dead in its tracks.

Stephy Auger: That veteran experience playing a pivotal role in this match, Cruise.

She falls off the apron, landing on the outside with a thud as Evan collapses to the mat. He looks up at the rafters, trying to catch his breath after that flurry of offense he just absorbed as the referee starts the count out.


ONE!


TWO!


THREE!


Evan sits up in the ring as Nero begins to stir on the outside. She claws her way up using the apron, gasping for breath as she goes before finally peeking up over the apron into the ring – just as Envi connects with a baseball slide!


FOUR!


Nero crashes back against the guard rail as Evan slides out of the ring, only to roll her back in under the bottom rope. Nero stands back up in a daze as Evan waits on the apron, grabbing his opponent to deliver an arm-trap swinging neckbreaker onto the top rope! Nero collapses, clutching at the back of her head as she rolls away in pain. The crowd booing Evan Envi loudly as he repositions himself on the apron, leaping over the top rope, springboarding off the middle rope into the ring with an asai moonsault! And the cover!

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

Evan looks to the referee and holds up three fingers, but the official assures him it was only a two count. Undeterred, he sits Nero up once more and delivers another soccer kick to the spine. He brings Nero back to her feet and promptly deliver a snap suplex, only to keep hold and roll his hips, moving back to his feet with Nero in tow. Another snap suplex follows, and Nero is down in the center of the ring as Evan stands over her.

Stephy Auger: Evan doing what he can to knock the wind out of Nero here.

Evan brings his opponent back to her feet once more, pushing Nero back against the ropes as he unloads with a series of interchanging European uppercuts and knife edge chops. The crowd booing all the while as Evan goes for the Irish whip, sending Nero across the ring. As she comes back, Evan leaps up and catches Nero with the Kapowski Kick! She falls to the mat, motionless, as Evan leaps up in the air, celebrating his impending victory. A lateral press.

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

The crowd cheer as Nero gets the shoulder up in the nick of time, but Evan can’t believe it. He argues with the referee about the count, but again the official is adamant is was just a two. The frustration is beginning to sink in as Evan drags Nero back to her feet – only to get caught by a throat punch! The crowd cheer again as Evan staggers away, clutching at his throat as he gasps for air. The dropkick to the back, however, is enough to send him staggering forward so he lands throat first across the middle rope. This time Nero runs straight at him to hit the tiger feint kick, sending Evan tumbling back into the ring. Nero tries to catch her breath quickly as she steadies herself on the apron, leaping up into the top rope for a springboard 450 splash!

Kris Cruise: Superhappy Shiny Rainbow Time connects! This could be it!

Nero makes the cover.

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

Evan kicks out at the last second, and both wrestlers scramble to their feet. Evan picks himself up near the ropes as Nero charges in with a running forearm – NO! Evan ducks under, hooks the arms and counter with a backslide! And without the referee seeing, Evan puts his feet on the middle rope.

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

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match … EVAN ENVI!

Evan rolls out of the ring, raising his arms in the air in triumph as his name is announced as the winner of the match. Nero Darling looks out at him in shock, unaware of how he cheated, but the booing crowd help her put two and two together.

Kris Cruise: Evan Envi just stole a victory out from under Nero Darling, using the ropes to his advantage like that.

Stephy Auger: All is fair in love and war, Cruise. That’s just his experience coming into play, Nero just didn’t know what to expect when she stepped into the ring tonight.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

As we come back from the commercial break, our scene opens up in the backstage area of the arena. Coming into the immediate focus of the camera is the ever present crimson lion head logo with ‘Frontier Grappling Arts’ emblazoned underneath. As the cameras pan out, the figure of ace reporter Spencer Burke comes into focus, standing there looking professional as always with his trademark microphone in hand. He adjusts the tie he was wearing slightly before turning to his right. Standing off to his right is Savannah Taylor. Savannah stands there, clad in dark blue jeans, black ankle boots, a simple white t-shirt and a small pink ribbon pinned to her shirt just slightly above her heart. She doesn’t appear to be her usual confident and chipper self. She very much looks like a woman who appears to have the entire weight of the world riding on her shoulders. She has her thumbs looped through the front two belt loops of her jeans as she gives Spencer a slight nod.

Spencer Burke: Standing here with me is Savannah Taylor. Now Savannah, two weeks ago you took part in the Five Way Fray match to determine the number one contender to Fujiko Mine’s Pride championship. While it was a hard fought match from all participants, how are you feeling knowing you came up short and have to watch Molly Reid take on Fujiko for the title later tonight?

Savannah Taylor: What else do you want me to say, Spencer? I lost, plain and simple. Molly Reid was the better wrestler that night. Molly wanted it that much more than everyone else. I can’t really make any excuses, Spencer. It wasn’t exactly my night that night. I know Molly is going to probably shock everyone tonight. We’ll just have to find out.

Spencer Burke: Could one reason be what happened earlier in the night?

Savannah’s blue eyes narrow slightly as she regards Spencer’s question.

Savannah Taylor: You mean that video footage that aired earlier on that night? The footage that showed a madman go to my father’s house and do and say what he did? Is that what you are talking about?

Spencer Burke: Well…..yes.

Savannah Taylor: What that madman, Magnus Gunner did……...inexcusable. I know he has been trying to get a message across to me for the past couple of months now. That message was made very clear at Above and Beyond. But for him to target my father, that is crossing a VERY dangerous line. That is….

Savannah stops mid sentence and looks over Spencer’s shoulder at an approaching figure. Speaking of the devil -

Magnus Gunner: What one must do in order to capture the undivided attention of the ill-fated youth.

The silver tongued madman walks right into plain view. No burlap sack. However, his demeanor is just as morose as usual, a cloud colored in a stoic black hue hovering over him as his ominous presence sends a noticeable shiver down Spencer’s spine.

Magnus Gunner: It seems you’ve got a knack for turning your back on your fathers. The pain… oh the pain of bringing you into this world, and raising you, and giving you the tools to carve out your destiny and unlock your limitless potential.. the pain of giving you everything and never asking for anything in return.. only to watch you cast me aside to chase butterflies… only to watch you leave me behind… it all flashed right before me at the end. As the dirt washed over me, as the darkness consumed me… I felt your betrayal… I felt you stab me in my heart while I was being buried alive. Can you fathom THAT, Savannah? To die before you even draw that final breath? Can you understand MY pain?

He scrutinizes her with his maleficent gaze, his blue eyes brimming with the most baleful light.

Magnus Gunner: I died for your SINS… but the sins of the daughter can only be rectified by the hands of the father… and with these hands, Savannah… it's with these same hands that gave you life that I will now take you under. We can never undo the past, my child. What was written, can never be erased from the book of time. The ink on those pages is dry blood. Our actions, set off a chain reaction. Everything that has happened to this point can be traced back to that moment… my pain… the people I lost… the lives destroyed… all consequences and casualties of YOUR weakness. And you’ve run from it… you've run from me… you've run from who you are and what you've done. But it's time, Savannah. I've come all this way from death's doorstep, my child…

A malevolent smile suddenly forms on the Michigander’s visage as he snickers.

Magnus Gunner: I’ve come all this way to bring you home!

The smile vanishes, as a sinister expression suddenly manifests on his facial features. The Las Vegas native stands there as the maniacal man stares at her with eyes full of malevolence, eyes that cause her to take a step back. She takes a second to not only steady herself at the sight of the biggest ghost from her past, but to steady her breathing.

Savannah Taylor: It is obvious that some things have never changed, and they never will. I would have expected nothing less from the man who took great pleasure in the misery of others to come at me and blame every single thing that has gone wrong in your life on me. What you need to realize, Magnus, is that while I along with the others you recruited and made “see the light” as you so eloquently put it, were your foot soldiers, everything found its way back to you. Everything happened because YOU wanted it to happen. So instead of placing the blame upon me because it is convenient and en vogue, why don’t you take a look in the mirror? Why don’t you look at yourself and come to the realization that everything you’ve been through, every misfortune that has fallen upon you…...is your own doing.

Her blue eyes stare a figurative hole into Magnus as she stands up as straight as she can and drops her arms to her sides.

Savannah Taylor: You want to make me remember the past? Is that it? Newsflash Magnus, contrary to what you might believe, I’ve never forgotten. It isn’t something you can forget. I’ve simply moved on from it. Why is that so DAMN hard for you, and everyone else for that matter, to understand? Now as far as you wanting to ”take me home” as you have become so fond of saying…….that isn’t going to happen. Not now, not ever.

Gunner cackles for a moment as he reaches forward to touch a strand of Savannah’s golden hair.

Magnus Gunner: They grow up so fast…

Only to have his hand swatted away. He balls said hand into a fist as he withdraws it back to his side with a vindictive smile.

Magnus Gunner: Yet remain so naive. I once had a clairvoyant… your sister… and she could see the future… yet I never saw this coming… I never saw this timeline where he would die… and I would live on. And I tried… I tried to start anew and become someone else, but it called out to me… the wind, it whispered YOUR name and I knew, Savannah. I knew at that moment why I was alive… I'm alive simply to balance the scales. The only question now is will you accept your fate willingly? Staring at death in the flesh… staring at the reaper who has come knocking on your door… will you come willingly or will I have to TAKE you?

Savannah flexes her hands at her sides as something of a calming mechanism as she stands firm against the oncoming storm known as Magnus Gunner. She rolls her head to either side, a slight cracking sound coming to life. She looks up at him, her eyes beginning to almost glow with pent up anger underneath the surface.

Savannah Taylor: So it’s come down to this, has it? Fine Magnus. I’ll play your little game one last time. If you want to drag me kicking and screaming to hell…….why don’t we do this at Retribution? I mean, go big or go home, right?

The eloquent madman cackles once more as he nods in approval. He then closes his eyes, smiling fondly as he suddenly begins to walk away. With his back turned to her, Gunner addresses the Vegas native one last time.

Magnus Gunner: I never saw this timeline, Savannah. But somehow I knew… somehow I always knew that one day I’d have your blood on my hands.

And with that final parting gift he fades out into the ether, leaving Taylor to her devices. Savannah watches his retreating form as she and Spencer stand there, neither one sure what to make of what just happened. The scene then switches back out to the arena.

[FGA Office]

JOHNNY CANNON vs. NOELLE SMITH

“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: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Orlando, Florida! Weighing in at 125 pounds… 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: It’s a battle of former champions at Noelle Smith, a former Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion takes on Johnny Cannon, the former FGA World Champion. Noelle said she’s not going to let the naysayers stop her. She knows she’s not the favorite in this and even her friend, Tony Carmine, warned her that Cannon was going to knock her out. But Noelle says she’s not going to stay hidden in the back. She’s going to lace up her boots, step into the ring and give Cannon a fight! You’ve got to admire her for that!

Stephy Auger: No you don’t! Did you not see what Cannon did to Chris Bond? Has anyone even heard from Bond since Cannon nearly bashed his skull in? The British Mamba hasn’t cooled down since then, you know. He’s still as irritated as ever and he’s going to sink his fangs into sweet little Noelle tonight.

Yellow strobe lights suddenly shine down across the entrance way, whilst the house lights begin to dim down. Slowly, almost in unison with the change in lightning does "Voodoo Child" (Jimi Hendrix" Cover) by Brick + Mortar begin to play. A small ebb of yellow smoke ascends from the ventilators to grace the ramp. The Brit's silhouette emerges behind the curtain, only backed by another image.

"well i stand up next to a mountain
well i stand up next to a mountain
well i pick up all the pieces
maybe even make
maybe make a little sense"

Finally, bursting through the curtain emerges "The British Mamba", Johnny Cannon. The Brit stands before the masses at the apex of the ramp, his face stone cold until a slight grin shines through the cracks. The Londoner surveys the landscape, soaking in the boos and jeers from the lively crowd whilst standing tall in an exquisite two piece tuxedo. With Quinn Goodrich right beside him carrying a NIKE gym bag, Cannon lifts up a bottle of Belvedere, taking a swig. The usual vainglorious glows’ absent from the Mamba’s presence. The look in his eyes is one of bloodthirst, and his demeanor that of a man coming to handle his business in the most painful manner possible. The Last Real Man finishes his vodka, tossing it aside as Team Cannon begins their march to ringside.

"well i stand up next to a mountain
and i chop it down with the edge of my hand
well i stand up next to a mountain
and i struck it down with the edge of my hand
cause I'm a voodoo child"

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Quinn Goodrich and representing The New Kings! From London, England! Weighing in at 245 pounds! He is “The British Mamba” … JOHNNY CANNON!

Cannon walks hard to the ring, his strut less swaggering and pretentious as previously seen, now slow and methodical, whilst Quinn jaws off at the crowd as he does so. Johnny ignores the responses from the crowd, showing complete indifference to them as he slowly marches up the stairs. He casually walks along the apron, wiping his oxfords across it upon reaching the middle, before ducking through the middle and top ropes to enter the ring.

"lord knows im a voodoo child
cause im a voodoo child"

Johnny backs into the nearest corner, opening his tuxedo as he leans onto the turnbuckle, his arms resting on either side of the ropes. He simply stands there, a murderous look painted on his face as he waits for the bell to start so he can tear into his opponent.

Kris Cruise: Cannon has expressed his desire to inflict harm on Noelle tonight. What do you think Noelle needs to do?

Stephy Auger: Turn around and run for the hills. She can only avoid his attacks for so long. Once he latches onto her, you can forget about it. I hope her fans remember how she used to look because she won’t be looking so pretty after the match.

The bell sounds as Cannon makes his way across the ring to go after Smith. But Smith wisely keeps her distance as she smoothly shifts from left to right. But Cannon is persistent, constantly keeping the pressure on Smith as he tries his best to cut off the ring. Unfortunately for Smith, Cannon succeeds when he ends up backing her into the corner. Cannon lunges at Smith. But Smith ducks out of the way. When Cannon turns around, the crowd cheers as Smith lights up his chest with a series of knife edge chops.

Kris Cruise: Look at her go, Stephy!

Noelle goes for an irish whip. But Cannon reverses, sending Smith into the opposite corner. Cannon charges across the ring and goes for a running European Uppercut. But the crowd cheers as Smith moves out of the way, causing right Cannon’s arm to connect with the turnbuckle.

Stephy Auger: Oh no!

As Cannon stumbles back, Smith rolls him up with a school boy.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon kicks out.

After Cannon gets up, Smith takes him by the right arm and performs an arm wrench. Cannon immediately seethes from the wrench. The ref asks Cannon if he wants to give up. When he refuses, Smith delivers another arm wrench. Then another. At this point, Cannon’s had enough. So he reaches over, takes Smith by the arm and performs a forceful arm wrench that sends Smith flipping down to the canvas.

Stephy Auger: He’s done playing games, Cruise! Noelle’s at her fun! Not it’s time for Cannon to squash her like a bug!

Cannon goes to deliver a hard stomp to the face. But Smith is able to roll out of the way. As Smith returns to her feet, Cannon reaches over, grabs her and tosses her into the corner.

Stephy Auger: Not so fast, Noelle!

The British Mamba makes his way into the corner and throws out a haymaker. But again, Smith ducks. When Cannon turns around, the crowd cheers as Smith delivers another series of chops to the chest.

Kris Cruise: Again, Cannon can’t quit keep his hands on Noelle! The former Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion has stuck to a gameplan of sticking and moving.

Noelle brings Cannon from out of the corner before going for an irish whip. But again, Cannon reverses, sending Smith into the far ropes. When Smith returns, Cannon sets up a back body drop. Smith sees it doing, so she goes to counters with a sunset flip. The crowd cheers as Cannon can be seen swinging his arms. Goodrich pleads for Cannon to stay on his feet while Canon tries his hardest to stay upright. At the last second, The British Mamba regains his balance. He then reaches down, latches onto Smith’s throat with both hands and yanks her back up to her feet. From there, he throws out a discus elbow strike. But Smith ducks, hops onto his shoulders and executes a victory roll.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Another close call for the former Champion.

After both grapplers scramble to get back to a vertical base, Smith quickly rolls up Cannon in a small package.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Yet another nearfall for Noelle!

Stephy Auger: She knows this is only making Cannon even angrier, right?

After both grapplers return to their feet, Smith knocks Cannon back with a dropkick. Once she returns to a vertical base, she takes off into the ropes. When Smith returns, Cannon throws out a lariat. But Smith ducks and heads into the far ropes. When Smith comes back, the crowd cheers as she delivers a tilt-a-whirl headscissors takeover. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Again, Noelle with a nearfall! She isn’t getting the elusive three count. But Cannon is expending energy with these constant kickouts. That lost energy may come back to bite Cannon later on.

Smith sits up Cannon and applies an armbar to the right arm. The ref immediately gets down and asks Cannon if he wants to give up. But The British Mamba refuses in his own way, telling the ref to “fuck off!” After Cannon turns over onto his knees and gets back to a vertical base, he uses his free arm to move Smith into the ropes. The ref then gives Smith until the count of five to release the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

As Smith slowly releases the hold, the crowd boos as Cannon doubles her over with a knee to the midsection.

Kris Cruise: Cheap shot from Cannon.

Stephy Auger: Oh well, she should’ve covered up!

Kris Cruise: She had to release the hold!

Cannon quickly takes Smith, positions her upper body between the middle & top ropes and pulls back on her neck with both hands, choking her against the top rope to a rush of boos. The ref quickly gives Cannon until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Cannon breaks the choke as he goes to run into the far ropes. When Cannon returns, he blasts Smith with a big boot, sending Smith falling down to the floor.

Stephy Auger: Boy did she get her bell rung!

Kris Cruise: Noelle Smith just took a hard big boot to the face, followed by a hard fall to the floor! Can she return to the ring?

While Smith lays down on the outside, the ref starts his count.

ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIVE!

Smith slowly pulls herself up using the edge of the apron.

SIX!





SEVEN!

The crowd cheers and claps as Smith climbs up onto the apron. But she’s quickly met with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. Cannon then takes Smith and vertical suplexes her back into the ring. He turns over and makes the cover.

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

Cannon picks up Smith and whips her into the corner. He then runs into the corner, connects with a step-up high knee and then tosses Smith out of the corner. After Smith tumbles from out of the corner and lands on her knees, Cannon runs from out of the corner and blasts her with a running knee strike. He drops down and makes the cover.

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

Cannon picks up Smith and whips her into the corner. He then charges into the corner and connects with a running European Uppercut. After Cannon turns his back to Smith, the crowd boos as he unleashes a series of alternating back elbow strikes to the face. After about six seconds of strikes, Cannon grabs Smith and whips her into the opposite corner. He then runs across the ring and connects with a corner yakuza kick.

Stephy Auger: It just sounded like a gun went off in here, Cruise!

After Smith crumbles down to the canvas, Cannon makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers as Smith gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Cannon got all of that kick. But Smith, somehow, got her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Poor girl should’ve stayed down. This is only gonna get worse.

Cannon picks up Smith and whips her into the ropes. When Smith returns, Cannon knocks her down with a back elbow to the face. He then reaches down, grabs Smith by the hair and slowly peels Smith off the apron. After pulling his left arm back, Cannon throws out a burning Lariat. But Smith ducks and counters with a crucifix pin.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Cannon kicks out.

After both grapplers return to their feet, Cannon rocks Smith with a bicycle knee strike. While Smith is dazed, Cannon steps back before turning Smith inside out with a burning Lariat. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

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

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

Kris Cruise: Noelle got her shoulder up! There’s still some fight left in Noelle Smith!

Stephy Auger: How? HOW!?

Cannon picks up Smith and knocks her back down with a European Uppercut. He reaches down, pulls Smith off the canvas and connects with another European Uppercut. Smith is sent stumbling back into the ropes. But after bouncing off the ropes, Smith comes back and connects with a right hand. Cannon motions for another European Uppercut. But Smith cuts him off with another punch to the face. Smith then nails Cannon with another punch… and another… and another. She then takes Cannon and goes for an irish whip. But he quickly reverses and sends Smith into the ropes. When Smith returns, she goes to slide through Cannon’s legs. But Cannon sees it coming and grabs her by the hair.

Stephy Auger: Oh no you don’t!

After slowly pulling Smith back to her feet, Cannon tells her he’s going to take her head off. Smith responds by smacking Cannon’s hands off of her before follows up with a gamengiri.

Kris Cruise: That’ll shut him up!

While Cannon is dazed, Smith returns to her feet and runs back into the ropes. When she returns, Cannon hoists her in the air to set up Cardiac Arrest. But Smith counters with a pop-up hurricanrana. After Smith returns to her feet, she runs over towards Cannon. But Cannon is able to recover, duck and dump Smith over the top rope…





… but Smith lands safely on the apron! Goodrich can be seen frantically pointing behind Cannon.

Stephy Auger: Turn around, Mamba! Turn around!

Cannon looks at Goodrich and gives him a confused look. When he does turns around, the crowd cheers as Smith knocks him down with a springboard dropkick. She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Ooooooh, so close!

Smith picks up Cannon and goes for an irish whip. But Cannon reverses, sending Smith into the ropes. When Smith returns, she knocks Cannon down with a spinning heel kick. She makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Noelle caught Cannon right in the face with that kick! But she only gets two. The momentum has swung back in her favor, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: I don’t want to hear this right now.

Smith picks up Cannon and goes for an irish whip. But again, Cannon reverses and sends Smith into the ropes. When Smith returns, Cannon sets up for a back body drop. But Smith counters by planting him with a DDT. She makes the cover.

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

Cannon gets his shoulder up.

Smith picks up Cannon and goes for an irish whip. But once again, Cannon reverses and sends Smith into the ropes. When Smith returns, Cannon hoists her up for Cardiac Arrest. But again, Smith counters it. This time, with a pop up dropkick which sends Cannon stumbling back towards the ropes. Cannon almost slips and falls through the ropes.

Stephy Auger: Oh no! Mamba!

But Cannon’s able pendulum on the ropes, comes back and throws out a rebound Lariat. But Smith bends back and ducks with a Matrix-like evasion. After she bridges back up, she follows up with a Pelé Kick. While Cannon is dazed, Smith knocks him back into the corner with a series of forearm smashes. She then takes Cannon and whips him into the opposite corner. Smith runs across the ring, heads into the corner and connects with a corner enzuigiri. While Cannon is rocked, Smith returns to her feet, climbs up onto the middle ropes and punches Cannon while the crowd counts along.

Kris Cruise: Look at Noelle fire off those punches!

Count: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEVEN! EIGHT! NINE! TEN!

Stephy Auger: I’m shocked they can count past four!

Smith hops down onto Cannon’s thighs before monkey flipping him out of the corner. Smith makes makes the cover.

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

The crowd lets out a disappointed sigh as Cannon gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: She almost had him, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: Almost doesn’t count, Cruise! You know that!

Smith picks up Cannon, sends him flipping down with the Flip Trip and runs into the far ropes. When Smith returns, the crowd cheers as she flattens Cannon with a front dropkick to the face. She makes the cover.

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

Cannon gets his shoulder up.

Smith steps out onto the apron before climbing up to the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: Uh oh! This could be it right here!

Once Cannon returns to his feet and turns around, the crowd cheers as Smith leaps off…

Stephy Auger: Oh no!

...and brings him down with a flying cross body block.

Kris Cruise: She got it!

But Cannon rolls through it and gets back to his feet. After shifting Smith across his shoulders, Cannon shoves Smith off his shoulders and catches her on the way down with a kick to the chest for a modified Cardiac Arrest. While Smith is doubled over, Cannon lifts her up and delivers multiple open hand slaps, followed by an elbow strike to the head, followed by a discus forearm. While Smith is dazed, Cannon turns and runs into the ropes. When he returns, the crowd boos as he turns Smith inside out with a running Single Leg Dropkick. The crowd continues to boo as Cannon then picks up Smith, lifts her up and plants her with the Cannon Driver.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

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

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, JOHNNY CANNON!

The crowd continues to boo as Goodrich shoos the ref out of the way. He then proudly raises Cannon’s arm in victory.

Kris Cruise: What a match that was. Noelle gave Cannon a good fight. But that counter at the end was the key to victory for Cannon.

Stephy Auger: Don’t congratulate her, Cruise. Effort doesn’t count. Results do and once again, one of the New Kings walk away the winner. Get used to that image. It’s not changing anytime soon.

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to where FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, Annie Zellor is walking down the hallways of the USA Hockey Arena. She’s not dressed to compete, obviously, but she has her title belt hung over one shoulder and her #grrface t-shirt under that.

Annie Zellor: Have you guys seen Molly arou–

She starts to ask some of the staffers, before she’s interrupted. Her nose raised in the air as she sniffs like a bloodhound. Annie slowly turns around as the camera pans over to reveal a smiling Tenacious Little Bastard, holding two pumpkin spice lattes in his hands. He hands one to Annie.

Dom Harter: Can I interest you in a pumpkin spice latte, champ?

Annie Zellor: …I guess.

She precariously takes the cup from him, trying not to smile at the sight and smell of her favorite seasonal beverage. Damn that Harter knowing her weak spots!

Annie Zellor: You didn’t spit in it, did you?

Dom Harter: Of course not.

Annie Zellor: Or spike it with booze?

Dom Harter: Where’s the fun in that?

Annie Zellor: Or slip a roofie in it?

Harter pauses; he knows he has a reputation for doing things such as that after the incident with Jenny Knite a few years ago in SCW.

Dom Harter: Noooo. I’ve turned over a new leaf, champ. You’ve got nothing to worry about.

Annie takes a sip of the PSL before Dom does the same from his; he doesn’t appear to enjoy it as much as Annie does. The wide smile on her face is in stark contrast to the forced smirk he wears.

Annie Zellor: Thanks.

Dom Harter: Don’t mention it, that’s what friends do, right?

Annie Zellor: I guess.

Dom Harter: I mean, we've saved each other's asses once, been tag partners for a match. That's as good as friends around these parts.

Dom shrugs as he takes another sip of his PSL, grimacing as he swallows it.

Dom Harter: Good coffee, I see why you like these so much. But do you know what else friends do? They let each other compete for a shot at the FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy title.

Annie doesn’t react straight away, taking a big sip of her coffee before she looks back up at Dom.

Annie Zellor: But I’m already facing Salem at Retribution.

Dom Harter: After that.

Annie Zellor: Well that sounds tempting, Dom, really it does. And here’s the thing; I wanna be the best Legacy champion in FGA history. That means holding it longer than anyone else, and defending it more than they did … so when Dom Harter says he wants a shot at my belt? The only triple crown winner in FGA history, who needs this belt for his Grand Slam?

Annie takes another sip of her PSL, savoring the taste of it for a few moments.

Annie Zellor: I can’t, like, say no to that, can I?

Dom Harter: No you cannot…

He says with that familiar crooked grin on his face.

Annie Zellor: If I defend against Salem at Retribution in two weeks time, I’ll make sure you’re next in line for a title shot. I dunno whether it’ll be at the Five Year Anniversary Show or at Final Frontier, but you’ll get your title shot, Dom.

Dom Harter: That’s what I like to hear! Here, you might enjoy this more than me…

He hands her his PSL before slapping Annie on the shoulder.

Dom Harter: Thanks, champ.

Annie Zellor: No problem. Lets just hope nothing else gets in your way before then.

She says before walking away with both lattes in hand. A bemused Dom is left standing there, wondering what the hell that meant. But he just shakes his head as he walks away towards the ringside area.

[FGA Office]

FGA PRIDE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
(c) FUJIKO MINE vs. MOLLY REID

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

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is for the FGA Pride Championship! Introducing first, from Los Angeles, California! Weighing in at 122 pounds… MOLLY REID!

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

Kris Cruise: Molly Reid went through five other competitors two weeks ago to win this championship opportunity tonight. Is she going to make the most of it?

Stephy Auger: It’s Molly Reid. What do you think?

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!]

The fans chant “Go!” along as Fujiko stands there, soaking in the moment. The Pride championship is fastened tight across her chest, pushing the 'girls' up. Blue, yellow, and pink lights dance around the arena. She takes a few steps to position herself on the ramp.She pauses there for a moment as fans throw blue and yellow streamers around her on the ramp.

She leaves them, and begins making her way down to the ring. Once she reaches ringside, Fujiko leaps onto the apron from the floor, balancing with one foot for a moment. She jumps from the apron to the top turnbuckle, and stabilizes herself for a second. She reaches behind her, unfastens the Pride Championship from around her chest, and hoists it high in the air.

[Ah...
So yo itsu demo onna
Wa joyu yo
Kitsune ja nai!
Kitsune ja nai!
Otome wa megitsune!]

Fans throw more blue & yellow streamers around her, which are quickly removed by ringside personnel. Fujiko nods to the audience, and then points at the Pride championship before hopping down. She moves to the center of the ring, but then moves to the ropes. Reaching them, she leans her back into the middle rope, using it and her legs to keep her leaning. She holds onto this pose, letting the Pride championship drape across her as a gold spotlight focuses on her.

J.A. Aldridge: Her opponent, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin! Weighing in at 140 pounds! She is the reigning and defending FGA Pride Champion… FUJIKO MINE!

[Ah...
So yoi tso demo onna
Wa joyu yo
Kitsune ja nai!
Kitsune ja nai!
Otome wa...
Name tara ikan zeyo]

It holds on her for a moment before returning to normal. She walks over to hand off her Pride championship, and then stretches in her corner; ready to start the match.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko Mine made a promise to be a fighting champion. She’s successfully defended the title already. But now she faces a brand new challenger in Molly Reid.

Stephy Auger: Fighting champion, huh? Well if she wanted to be a fighting champion, then why didn’t she just defend the titles against all of those challengers!?

Kris Cruise: Because it’s impossible to have a Pride Rules match with more than two people in it

Stephy Auger: Well… just wave the Pride Rules then!

Kris Cruise: Well that would defeat the purpose, now wouldn't it?

Stephy Auger: ...

The bell sounds as both grapplers shake hands before circling the ring.

Kris Cruise: Nice display of sportsmanship there from both grapplers to get things started off here in this one. Fujiko’s looking for successful title defense number two while Molly is looking for her first taste of gold here in FGA...

Fujiko and Molly continue to circle the ring before locking up. Molly quickly takes Fujiko down with a single leg takedown. She then goes to wrap up Fujiko in a small package. But Fujiko is quick to reach up and pull Molly down into a small package.

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

Kris Cruise: Fujiko nearly took the first fall there.

After both grapplers scramble back to a vertical base, they begin to circle the ring. Both grapplers then size each other up before heading over and locking up. After jockeying for position, Molly places Fujiko in a side headlock. The ref goes over and asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. But Fujiko refuses. She’s then able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock from behind. After turning Molly around, Fujiko catches her in a side headlock of her own. The ref asks Molly if she wants to give up. After Molly refuses, Fujiko throws her down with a side headlock takeover. Molly is quick to reverse into a headscissors. But Fujiko doesn’t stay trapped for long as she’s able to escape with a kip up.

As Molly scrambles back to a vertical base, Fujiko catches Molly in another side headlock. She then goes to shove Fujiko off of her. But Fujiko keeps the hold on tight. The ref asks Molly if she wants to give up. But again, Molly refuses. She’s then able to slowly slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. But Fujiko is quick to follow up with a jumping snapmare takeover.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko looks to be the more elusive of the two in the early goings of this one. But this is anyone’s match, Stephy.

After Molly scrambles back to her feet, Fujiko catches her in another side headlock. This time, Molly shoves Fujiko off of her and into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, she knocks Molly down with a running shoulder block. She drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Molly kicks out.

Fujiko picks up Molly and places her in another side headlock. But again, Molly is able to shove Fujiko off of her and into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, she knocks Molly back down with another running shoulder block. She drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Molly kicks out.

Fujiko picks up Molly and places her in yet another side headlock. But Molly doesn’t stay trapped for long as she shoves Fujiko off of her and into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, Molly leapfrogs over her. Fujiko then continues to run into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, Molly goes for a running clothesline. But Fujiko ducks and stops, sending Molly into the ropes. When Molly returns, Fujiko goes for for a hip toss. But Molly blocks it. So Fujiko tries to muscle up Molly for another hip toss. But again, Molly blocks it. Molly then punches Fujiko in the midsection, doubling her over. After draping her leg across the back of Fujiko’s neck, Molly performs a backflip. But once Molly lands on her feet, Fujiko jumps up and executes a headscissors takeover. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
Molly kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Yet another nearfall for Molly.

Stephy Auger: What does it matter when she’s kicking out well before two?

Kris Cruise: Those kickouts may not seem like much to the average viewer. But Molly, and any grappler for that matter, has to exert themselves with each and every kickout. The more you kickout, the morning energy you’re using. What do you need in a match like this, which could go three falls? Energy, Stephy.

Fujiko picks up Molly and places her in another side headlock. But after four elbows to the midsection, Molly breaks the hold. She then takes off into the ropes. Fujiko tries to trip her up by diving over and dropping down to the canvas. But Molly hops over her before running into the far ropes. When she comes back, Fujiko leapfrogs over her. Molly continues to head into the ropes. When Molly comes back, Fujiko leapfrogs over her again without looking back. Molly continues to head into the ropes. When Molly comes back, Fujiko knocks her down with a dropkick. She makes the cover.

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

Fujiko picks up Molly and delivers an arm wrench. The ref asks Molly if she wants to give up. But she refuses. She then rolls forward, turns over onto her knees and throws Fujiko down with a fireman’s carry. She then latches onto Fujiko’s arm and applies an arm bar. The ref asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. But Fujiko refuses. After battling back to her feet, Fujiko rolls forward, leans back, kips up, cartwheels over and reverses into an arm wrench of her own. The ref checks back in with Molly and asks her if she wants to give up. But Molly refuses. She then rolls forward and leans back. But as soon as Molly kips up, Fujiko knocks her down with a leg sweep. She makes the cover.

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

Stephy Auger: Cheap shot there by Fujiko!

Kris Cruise: No, it was perfectly legal. Don’t try to start any funny business.

Fujiko picks up Molly and whips her into the ropes. When Molly returns, Fujiko brings her down to the mat with a drop toe hold. She then shifts across Molly’s back and applies a grounded side headlock. But Molly’s able to slip out and reverse into a grounded hammerlock. The ref asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. When Fujiko refuses, Molly drops a knee to the hammerlocked arm. The ref checks back in and asks Fujiko if she wants to quit. When Fujiko refuses, Molly delivers a double handstand into a falling knee drop to the hammerlocked arm. The ref checks with Fujiko and asks if she wants to give up. But Fujiko is still hanging in there.

Molly then hops over and kneels down in front of Fujiko’s head. She then reaches down and applies a front facelock. The ref asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. But Fujiko refuses. As Fujiko slowly gets back to her feet, Molly goes to transition into a standing guillotine choke.

Kris Cruise: The Shark Attack!

Stephy Auger: Look at her, Cruise! She’s tapping right now!

Kris Cruise: She is not!

The crowd cheers as Molly has already applied her submission. The ref asks Fujiko if she wants to give up. But Fujiko refuses. She’s then able to slip and counters with a double leg takedown. She transitions into a lateral press.

ONE!
.
.
Molly kicks out.

After both grapples scramble to get back to a vertical base, Fujiko goes to lock of a Guillotine Choke of her own.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko locks on Ecstasy!

Stephy Auger: Now look at Molly tapping?

Kris Cruise: She isn’t tapping, either!

The crowd cheers as Fujiko applies her finisher. But Molly quickly moves Fujiko over into the ropes. After she grabs the middle rope, the ref gives Molly until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Molly slowly breaks the hold. Once Molly lowers her hands, Fujiko blasts her with a knife edge chop. She then takes Molly and whips her into the far ropes. When Molly returns, Fujiko delivers a hurricanrana. She turns and makes the cover.

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

Fujiko picks up Molly and whips her into the corner. Fujiko then runs across the ring and into the corner. But Molly catches her with a back elbow to the face. She then takes Fujiko and tosses her out of the ring. But unbeknownst to Molly, Fujiko has landed on the apron. When Molly turns around and sees Fujiko she runs over to attack. But Fujiko counters with a gamengiri. While Molly stumbles back, the crowd cheers as Fujiko springboards onto the top turnbuckle, tightropes halfway across the top rope, leaps off and knocks her down with Yount’s 3000th Hit. She makes the cover.

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

Fujiko picks up Molly and brings her into the corner. After climbing up onto the middle ropes, she takes Molly and goes for a Tornado DDT. But Molly shoves Fujiko off in mid air, sending Fujiko crashing down to the canvas. After Fujiko gets up one her knees, Molly throws out the Molly Kick. But Fujiko rolls underneath it.

Stephy Auger: Fujiko nearly got her head taken off there. It’s a shame she didn’t.

Kris Cruise: Stop.

Once Fujiko gets back to her feet and turns around, Molly doubles her over with a kick to the midsection and plants her with a DDT. The crowd cheers as she turns and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Molly Reid might have finally taken control of this match after that DDT.

Stephy Auger: Good! It took her long enough!

Molly picks up Fujiko and whips her into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, Molly throws her down with a side belly to belly suplex. She then gets up, heads into the corner and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. Molly then flips back and goes for a corkscrew moonsault. But Fujiko rolls out of the way.

Kris Cruise: Nobody’s home!

As Molly slowly gets up on all fours, Fully steps over her before flattening her with a standing moonsault across the back. The crowd cheers while Fujiko pulls Molly over and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another close call there for Molly Reid. The champ looks to be in fine form tonight, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: She’s okay, I guess.

Fujiko picks up Molly and goes for a vertical suplex. But Molly’s able to slip down from behind. She then quickly wraps her arms around Fujiko to get up a German Suplex. But Fujiko counters with back elbows to the face. After the hold is broken, Fujiko follows up with a Pelé Kick. While Molly is dazed, Fujiko gets back to her feet and takes off into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, the crowd cheers as Molly brings her down with a leg lariat. She makes the cover.

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

Stephy Auger: This is what I want to see. Enough of that fancy holds. I want to see some kicks and elbows thrown.

Kris Cruise: There was no doubt that the match would eventually move away from a match-based style. But if you think Fujiko and Molly are going to throw the rulebook out the window, then you’ve got another thing coming.

Fujiko picks up Molly and whips her into the ropes. When Molly returns, Fujiko knocks her down with a dropsault. After landing on her feet, the crowd cheers as Fujiko runs over and connects with a standing SSP.

Kris Cruise: How about that recovery! Could this be enough!?

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

Kris Cruise: Another close call for Molly Reid!

Fujiko picks up Molly and whips her into the ropes. When Molly returns, Fujiko sets up for a back body drop. So Molly goes to counter with a sunset flip. But Fujiko is able to counter with a double foot stomp to the chest. Fujiko then begins to wave her arms up and down. The crowd slowly joins in. As Molly returns to her feet, Fujiko runs into the ropes and goes for Sealed With A Kick. But Molly is able to catch her foot. After Fujiko hops up and down on one leg, she throws out the Lucky Shot.

Kris Cruise: LUCKY SHOT!

But Molly leans back, just barely missing the kick. After Fujiko lands on her feet, Molly delivers a double knee facebreaker.

Kris Cruise: What a timely counter by Molly Reid!

After Fujiko slowly gets up and turns around, the crowd cheers as Molly connects with the Molly Kick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

MINE - 0
REID - 1

Kris Cruise: Molly Reid jumps out to a 1-0 lead. The pressure is now on the champ. She’s got to win these next two falls to retain her championship.

Stephy Auger: Well if you ask me, I think she’s going to crumble under the pressure.

Once the bell sounds to end the mandatory rest period, Molly picks up Fujiko, moves her into the corner and delivers a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. She then brings Fujiko from out of the corner before shooting her into the far ropes. When Fujiko returns, Molly doubles her over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. She then goes for a vertical suplex. But Fujiko slips down from behind and counters with a poison rana.

Kris Cruise: She just spiked Molly right on top of her head!

Stephy Auger: Good, maybe getting dropped on the head will knock some sense into her.

While Molly is up on her knees, Fujiko follows up with a headscissors facebuster. She turns Molly over and makes the cover.

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

Molly gets her shoulder up.

Fujiko picks up Molly and whips her into the corner. He then runs across the ring, connects with a clothesline, brings Molly from out of the corner and brings her down with a Complete Shot. She makes the cover.

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

Molly gets her shoulder up.

Fujiko picks up Molly, moves her into the corner and then sits her down on the top turnbuckle. After jumping up and delivering a gamengiri, Fujiko climbs up onto the top ropes. She then hops onto Molly’s shoulders before delivering an avalanche hurricanrana. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers as Molly gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Yet another close call for Reid. You’ve got to think that Evan Envi is somewhere in the back hoping that Molly blows this 1-0 lead. I wouldn’t even be surprised if he came out here and tried to cost Molly the match.

Stephy Auger: Did you not hear what our Chief said earlier today? He won’t be at ringside. He won’t interfere. He’s going to watch this match from the back. He’ll deal with Molly in due time.

Fujiko picks up Molly and doubles her over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. She then positions Molly for a DDT. But the crowd cheers as Molly counters with a bridging northern lights suplex.

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

Stephy Auger: Fujicakes nearly got caught there!

Molly picks up Fujiko and whips her into the corner. She then runs across the ring and into the corner. But Fujiko nails her with a back elbow to the face. After Molly stumbles back, she runs back into the corner. This time, Fujiko connects with a boot to the face. After Molly stumbles back, she runs back into the corner. Fujiko goes for another boot to the face. But this time, Molly puts on the brakes and catches Fujiko’s foot. She then goes to yank Fujiko out of the corner. But Fujiko counters with a headscissors takeover. As Molly gets back to her feet, the crowd cheers as Fujiko runs over and delivers a Sling Blade. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers as Molly gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko was just a half second away from tying this one up!

Fujiko picks up from behind and grabs her chest. While Molly is distracted, Fujiko spins her around and delivers the Boobplex ‘15. She then rolls through it, pulls Molly back to her feet and lifts her up for a brainbuster. But the crowd cheers as Molly slips down from behind and counters with a bridging German Suplex.

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

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: That Pride Title was almost Molly’s!

Molly slowly picks up Fujiko… only to quickly turn her around and deliver another bridging German Suplex.

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

The crowd cheers as Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Molly picks up Fujiko and whips her into the ropes. When Fujiko returns, Molly doubles her over with a spinning back kick to the midsection. She then knocks Fujiko down with an axe kick to the back of the head. She pulls Fujiko over and makes the cover.

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

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

Kris Cruise: You can’t get much closer than that Stephy!

Stephy Auger: Molly could taste the championship! She was that close!

Molly picks up Fujiko and moves her into the corner. She then lifts up Fujiko and sits her down on the top turnbuckle. After climbing up onto the second ropes, Molly grabs Fujiko, lifts her up and delivers a superplex to cheers from the crowd. She turns over and makes the cover.

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

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

Kris Cruise: This is what it’s all about right here! Two grapplers laying it all on the line! You see how much this Pride Championship means to both champion and challenger!

As Molly slowly returns to her feet, she does a double take as she sees Evan Envi making his way down the aisle to boos from the crowd

Kris Cruise: Oh what the heck is he doing out here?

Stephy Auger: It’s our Chief!

Molly narrows her eyes as she slowly makes her way over towards the ropes.

Kris Cruise: Evan Envi said he wasn’t going to interfere! Then he goes and pulls this stunt!?

Stephy Auger: What do you mean? He’s not interfering! He just came down to watch! It’s Molly that’s taking her eyes off the ball here!

Envi places his hand over his heart and claims that he’s here in peace. But Molly isn’t believing a word of it. But unbeknownst to her, Fujiko has gotten back to her feet. She sees Molly’s back turned (but not Envi). So Fujiko runs over and rolls up Fujiko from behind with an O’Connor Roll.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko with the cover!

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

The crowd cheers as Molly kicks out.

After both grapplers get up, Molly throws out a Superman Punch. But Fujiko ducks. When Molly turns around, Fujiko pulls her down to the canvas with a standing single leg takedown. She then quickly hooks her arm around Molly’s leg and turns her over into a single leg crab.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko with the submission!

Stephy Auger: And look who is right in front of Molly’s ugly mug!

Immediately, Envi can be seen slapping the canvas while he yells at Molly to tap out. The ref asks Molly if she wants to give up. But Molly refuses. So Fujiko pulls back on the leg.

Kris Cruise: Molly’s in pain. She’s one fall away from claiming the championship! But she’s in pain! She’s got nowhere to go! Evan Envi is right in front of her taunting her nonstop! Unbelievable!

Envi tries to get a “TAP, MOLLY, TAP!” chant going. But it doesn’t catch on. Molly shoots him a glance in between trying to fight off the pain. The ref asks her if she wants to give up. But still, Molly refuses. She begins to slowly pull herself towards the ropes. Envi can be sees shaking his hand and shouting “NO!” over and over. But Molly won’t give in. She continue to pull herself towards the ropes. Just then, Envi sticks his head underneath the bottom rope so that the two are nearly face to face. He continues to taunt Molly until the ref kicks the bottom rope. Once Envi gets back on the outside, the ref points at him and then to the back, which results in an explosion of cheers from the crowd..

Stephy Auger: What!?

Kris Cruise: The ref just told Evan Envi to hit the bricks! He’s out of here!

Envi protests. But the ref stands his grounds and reiterates that he’s throwing Envi out of her. Envi stomps his feet before reluctantly marching back up the aisle.

Stephy Auger: He can’t do that to our Chief!

Kris Cruise: He just did!

Back in the ring, Molly reaches out and grabs onto the bottom rope. The ref then gives Fujiko until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Fujiko lets go. She then stands up, picks up Molly and brings her away from the ropes. Fujiko then throws out a chop. But Molly ducks and counters with a punch to the midsection. Molly then nails Fujiko with another punch to the midsection… and another… and another. While Fujiko is doubled over, Molly shakes out her leg before she turns and takes off into the ropes. When Molly comes back, Fujiko goes for a running clothesline. But Molly ducks and stops, which sends Fujiko towards the ropes. But when Molly stands back up and turns around, the crowd cheers as Fujiko catches her with a handspring ace crusher.

Kris Cruise: Out of nowhere, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

Fujiko lifts Molly off the mat before locking on another Guillotine Choke.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko’s got Ecstasy applied again!

Fujiko keeps the hold locked on tight. She then jumps up and wraps her legs around Molly’s waist before bringing Molly down to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Now she’s got it really locked in! Molly’s got nowhere to go!

The ref asks Molly if she wants to give up. Molly’s arm hovers over the canvas. But she doesn’t quit. So Fujiko pulls back and presses her forearm against Molly’s throat even more. The ref checks back in and asks Molly if she wants to give up. Molly’s hand hovers over the mat again… and then taps it. The crowd cheers as ref calls for the bell.

MINE - 1
REID - 1

Kris Cruise: It’s all tied up now, Stephy! It’s 1-1! This is anyone’s match now!

Stephy Auger: The only bad thing is that our Chief won’t be here to see it in person!

Kris Cruise: Oh stop!

After the rest period ends, the bell sounds to start the third and final stretch of the match. Fujiko goes over, grabs Molly from behind, marches into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Molly around, Fujiko blasts her with a knife edge chop. Molly responds with a chop of her own. Fujiko blasts Molly with another knife edge chop. Molly responds with a chop of her own. Fujiko delivers yet another knife edge chop. Molly responds with a punch to the midsection. Fujiko comes back with another chop. Molly nails her with another punch to the midsection. Reid then nudges Fujiko away from her and towards the middle of the ring before delivering another punch to the midsection… and another… and another. Molly then delivers a roundhouse kick, followed by a spinning backfist to the head. While Fujiko is dazed, Molly runs into the ropes. When Molly returns, she goes for a Superman Punch. But the crowd explodes with cheers as Fujiko counters with a Lucky Shot in mid air.

Kris Cruise: What a counter by Fujiko!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

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

ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIVE!





SIX!





SEVEN!





EIGHT!

After both grapplers get up, Fujiko delivers a step-up enzuigiri that sends Molly flipping down to the canvas. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers as Molly gets her shoulder up.

Fujiko picks up Molly and goes for an irish whip. But Molly reverses, sending Fujiko towards the ropes. Fujiko uses the momentum to go for another handspring ace crusher. But Molly counters with a spinning heel kick to the back of the head. She pulls Fujiko over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers as Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Molly picks up Fujiko, only to bring her down with a swinging neckbreaker. She makes the cover.

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

Fujiko gets her shoulder up.

Molly picks up Fujiko and goes for a belly to back suplex. But Fujiko rolls over her shoulder, lands on her feet, hops up and counters with a jumping reverse bulldog.

Kris Cruise: Great counter there by Fujiko!

Stephy Auger: But she’s not making the cover!

After rolling out onto the apron, Fujiko pulls herself up using the ropes before heading towards the ring post. The Pride Champion climbs up to the top turnbuckle as Molly slowly returns to a vertical base. When Molly turns around, the crowd cheers as Fujiko flips off and delivers a dragonrana.

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Molly kicks out.

Stephy Auger: How did she do that!? Tell me!

Fujiko picks up Molly and whips her into the ropes. When Molly returns, the crowd cheers as Fujiko turns her inside out with a single leg dropkick.

Kris Cruise: 4-Play from Fujiko!

As Molly slowly turns over onto her back, Fujiko steps through the ropes and scales up to the top turnbuckle. She then leaps off and goes for the High Fly Flow. But Molly gets her knees up, causing Fujiko to crash down across them.

Stephy Auger: OOPS!

Kris Cruise: Fujiko might be hurt here.

After bouncing off of Molly’s knees, Fujiko rolls over and curls up. Molly then turns over before pulling herself up using the ropes. Once Fujiko slowly gets back to a vertical base and turns around, the crowd cheers as Molly knocks her down with a Superman Punch. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Fujiko gets her shoulder up. The ref then informs Molly that he’s docking her a rope break for using two closed fists to the face.

Kris Cruise: Fujiko got her arm up just in the nick of time! We almost had a new Pride Champion.

Molly gets back to her feet and waves up Fujiko. Once Fujiko gets up and turns around, Molly goes for another double knee facebreaker. But Fujiko catches her in mid air. She then heads into the corner, sits Molly back down on the top turnbuckle and connects with another gamengiri.

Stephy Auger: Did you hear the impact from that kick!?

While Molly is dazed, Fujiko steps out onto the apron, climbs up to the top rope, climbs onto Molly’s shoulders, spins and brings her down with a dragonsteiner. She makes the cover.

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

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

Kris Cruise: Who is going to win this match!?

Stephy Auger: It’s like neither one of them want to win! It should’ve been our Chief out here vying for the championship. This would’ve been over in two straight falls if it were him!

Fujiko picks up Molly and throws her down with a scoop slam. After turning away from Molly, Fujiko goes for a standing moonsault. Molly rolls out of the way.

But Fujiko’s able to land on her feet. She then goes for a running SSP. But again, Molly rolls out of the way, which causes Fujiko to crash onto the canvas. As Fujiko slowly gets up on her knees, Molly gets back to her feet and throws out the Molly Kick.

Kris Cruise: MOLLY KICK!

But Fujiko ducks and rolls underneath it. When Molly turns around, Fujiko connects with a handstand calf kick to the face. While Molly is dazed, Fujiko gets back to her feet and runs into the ropes. When Fujiko comes back, the crowd cheers as Molly lunges forward and connects with a spear.

Kris Cruise: The Aaron Driver! Molly nearly snapped Fujiko in half with The Aaron Driver! She’s making the cover, Stephy!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

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

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner… and now, the NEEEEEEEEW… FGA Pride Champion, MOLLY REID!

As Molly slowly gets back to her feet, she’s handed the Pride Championship. The ref then raises her arm in the air while the crowd continues to cheer.

Kris Cruise: Molly Reid defeats Fujiko Mine to become the new Pride Champion! She went through four other contenders two weeks ago to earn this shot. Then she comes into tonight’s show and puts on one hell of a match against Fujiko Mine! What a win!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

Molly stumbles into a nearby corner before scaling up onto the middle ropes, Molly raises the championship belt high as the crowd continues to cheers. Molly lowers the belt and takes a good, long look at it. She then kisses the belt before raising it again to “MOLLY!” chants. As Molly steps back down to the canvas, she turns and sees Fujiko, who is sitting up on the canvas with her arms on her knees. After Fujiko slowly turns and gets back to her feet, the former champion and the new champion lock eyes. Molly slowly makes her way over to Fujiko. Fujiko looks at the championship, then back to Molly’s face. Fujiko extends her hand. Molly shakes the hand as the crowd cheers and applauds both grapplers.

[FGA Office]

Kris Cruise: Ladies and gentlemen, we received word that there was a disturbance involving security earlier tonight. We’ve just received that footage, let’s go to that now.

Backstage, cameras focus in on Anthony Rother, who is walking down the hallway with a big smile on his face. The crowd at ringside boo upon the sight of him, which doesn’t faze him in the slightest. He seems to be on the cusp of chuckling out loud as he walks with his head up high. He turns the corner, and the cameras follow him at head level. He seems like he is about to say something, but then something catches his eye. The small slowly falls off his face, then a look of horror replaces it.

Stephy Auger: What could Rother be seeing that would…

The camera moves to see a seething Ruby Tyler standing there, slamming her right fist into her open palm.

Kris Cruise: ...that. That would be what would cause him to lose that smile.

Stephy Auger: RUN!

Rother seems to heed Stephy’s advice and takes a few steps back, slowly at first, as if he was fleeing a Velociraptor in Jurassic Park, but as Ruby advances, he turns tail and runs as fast as he can. The camera waits for Ruby to pass, and then pursues them both.

Kris Cruise: We’ve got a chase backstage!

Stephy Auger: This is ridiculous!

Ruby jogs after Rother, who is scrambling hard to make an escape. He pulls over a trash can, and then dumps a table in Ruby’s way.

Stephy Auger: Someone get some help back there!

Kris Cruise: Ruby looking for a little bit of revenge against Mr. Rother!

Ruby smirks coldly as she continues to jog after Rother. She calmly maneuvers around the obstacles in her way, as if she is in no great hurry to catch him.

Anthony Rother: JASON! CHRIS! TONY! JOHNNY! …..MOMMY!! HELP!

Ruby’s stoic face cracks, and she laughs a bit while she continues to advance on her prey. Rother turns the corner, and a new camera catches him. He slams against the wall, not able to put the brakes on fast enough. He continues to run, and then he sees something familiar. He rushes towards it: A door with the sign that says “The Kings’ Court”. He rushes to it, slams down the handle, and then barges in. Almost immediately, a blood curdling scream echoes through the halls. The camera comes around the threshold to see Rother standing dumbfounded, his hands out in front of him. In front of him is Fujiko Mine, who is clad in only a towel. She clutches it tightly, and has a look of horror on her face.

Kris Cruise: OH NO! He rushed in on Fujiko!

Stephy Auger: What is she doing in THAT locker room?!

Rother spins to leave, but is met with a group of burly security officers at the door. He looks at them wide eyed.

Fujiko Mine: He just rushed in on me!

The security team wastes little time descending on the hapless Rother, a couple of them hitting him in the ribs as he struggles. Fujiko stands back up to her full height as the team escorts him out.

Kris Cruise: Rother just got carted away!

Stephy Auger: Damn that Fujiko!

Kris Cruise: What do you mean! He barged in on her!

Fujiko’s lips twist into a smile, and then she looks up at the door. Standing there is Ruby Tyler, a matching smile on her face.

Ruby Tyler: It worked!

Fujiko Mine: Told you it would.

Ruby looks over at the doorway, and then pulls off the “Kings Court” sign, which reveals the “Fujiko Mine” name directly under it. The two smile, and Vertigo fades back out to the arena.

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
SUNSHINE SCANDALOUS TONY CARMINE vs. DOM HARTER

The opening chords of “Low Self Opinion” begin to play throughout the arena as the some of crowd begin to boo, while others cheer. After ten seconds or so, Dom Harter steps out from behind the curtain. He throws his arms out to either side, the ever familiar crooked grin plastered on his face as he begins to stride down the aisle, soaking in the reaction that are coming from the fans here in Plymouth Township.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is your main event of the evening! Introducing first, from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 225 pounds! He is “THE TENACIOUS LITTLE BASTARD” … DOM HARTER!

Harter climbs up the ring steps and climbs in through the middle rope; once inside the squared circle, Harter climbs up to the middle rope, posing for the fans as he waits for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Dom Harter is still in hot pursuit of the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship. It’s the last champion that alludes him from becoming the first Grand Slam Champion. But first, he’s got to take on Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine

Stephy Auger: That’s the RETURNING Sunshine Scandalous Tony Carmine to you, commoner! Harter better keeps his eyes off that Mid-Atlantic Title and keep them locked on the main that’s about to waltz through the curtain. Or else, this is going to be a short night for Harter. Like at Above & Beyond V.

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

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

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

J.A. Aldridge: His opponent, representing the New Kings! He resides out of Boca Raton, Florida and is weighing in at 179 pounds … SUNSHINE SCANDALOUS TONY CARMINE!

Stephy Auger: Tony Carmine has decided to grace us with his presence, Cruise! Rise up and pay your respects! We have been blessed with seeing one of our Kings do what he does best. Of course, Tony’s return to the squared circle is in the main event. A man of his nobility deserves nothing less.

The bell sounds as both men circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, SSTC puts Harter in a side headlock. But Harter is able to shove SSTC off of him and into the ropes. When SSTC returns, Harter knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. He then takes off into the ropes as SSTC kip ups to his feet. When Harter returns, he knocks SSTC back down with a running shoulder block. Harter then runs into another set of ropes. When Harter returns, SSTC kips back up before leapfrogging over Harter. The Tenacious Little Bastard continues to run into the ropes. When Harter returns, SSTC knocks him down with a dropkick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter kicks out.

SSTC picks up Harter and wrenches his arm. The ref asks Harter if he wants to give up. When Harter refuses, SSTC yanks on the arm, which causes Harter to wince. He then nails Harter with a clubbing strike across the back before delivering another arm wrench. After Harter refuses to quit, SSTC repeatedly tries to yank the arm from out of its socket. On the last yank, Harter drops down to a kneeling position. From there, SSTC adds insults to injury by taking his right hand and paintbrushing the back of Harter’s head with slaps.

Kris Cruise: That’s not necessary.

Stephy Auger: Tony is a King. He doesn’t concern himself with your opinions.

The ref asks Harter if he wants to give up. But The Tenacious Little Bastard continues to refuse. After he battles back to his feet, he reaches over grabs SSTC and executes an arm wrench of his own. SSTC then rolls forward, leans back kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. But Harter is right there to come back with another arm wrench. SSTC then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into yet another arm wrench. But again, Harter is right there to deliver another arm wrench of his own. SSTC then rolls forward, leans back and kips up. But before SSTC can reverse, Harter grabs him by the hair and yanks him down to the mat. SSTC kips back up. But Harter yanks him back down to the mat. After SSTC kips back up, Harter knocks him down with a short-arm clothesline. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
SSTC kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Harter got the two count there.

Stephy Auger: Wow, a two count! It takes a three count to win, remember?

Harter picks up SSTC and places him in a side headlock. He grinds on the hold, while causes SSTC to groan. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But SSTC refuses. So Harter responds by balling up his fist and punching SSTC in the face.

Stephy Auger: Hey ref, those were closed fists!

While SSTC moves away from Harter, Harter comes up from behind, spins SSTC around and places him in another side headlock. SSTC tries to push Harter off of him. But it’s to no avail. So he wraps his arms around Harter, moves back into the ropes and then tries to shove Harter off of him. But Harter drops down to a knee while shaking his head. After SSTC battles back to his feet, he wraps his arms around Harter before moving him back into the ropes. The ref then gives Harter until the count of five to release the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO…

Harter switches positions with SSTC before raking his face along the top rope.

Stephy Auger: Oh come on! Is the ref as blind as a bat?

Once Harter lets go, SSTC stumbles into a nearby corner. As Harter approaches from behind, SSTC stops him with a back kick to the midsection. He then turns around and nails Harter with another kick to the midsection… and another… and anot-NO! Harter catches the last kick. But SSTC is quick to respond with an enzuigiri, which sends Harter stumbling across the ring and into the corner.

While Harter tries to shake out the cobwebs, SSTC comes up from behind before turning him around. He unleashes a series of knife edge chops that not only echo throughout the arena, but leave Harter’s chest beet read. He then takes Harter and goes to whip him into the opposite corner. But Harter reverses and follows SSTC into the corner. But instead of crashing into the corner, SSTC puts on the brakes and goes to vault himself over his oncoming opponent. But Harter is able to catch SSTC across his shoulder. Harter turns and runs out of the corner. But before Harter can slam him down, SSTC slips down from behind and shoves Harter into the ropes. When Harter returns, SSTC sets up for a back body drop. So Harter counters with a running knee lift. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
SSTC kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Tony Carmine hasn’t been able to really take control of this match just yet.

Stephy Auger: Greatness can’t be rushed, Cruise.

Harter picks up SSTC, moves him into the corner and unleashes a series of chops of his own. He then takes SSTC and whips him into the opposite corner. Harter runs across the ring and into the corner. But he also runs into a back elbow from SSTC. While Harter stumbles back, SSTC runs from out of the corner before delivering a headscissors takeover. As Harter is in the process of getting up, SSTC beats him to a vertical base and follows up with a dropkick, which sends Harter through the ropes and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Harter’s just been knocked to the floor. Tony may be about to set up for something here.

Harter stirs on the outside, SSTC crouches down and waits for Harter to move. As Harter begins to get back to his feet, SSTC takes off into the far ropes. When SSTC returns, the crowd cheers as Harter rolls back in and turns him inside out with a lariat. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: What a clothesline by Harter. The King nearly got beheaded.

Harter picks up SSTC and goes for an irish whip. But SSTC reverses, sending Harter into the ropes. When Harter returns, SSTC goes for a leapfrog. But Harter catches him in mid air and counters with a powerslam. He hooks the leg.

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

Kris Cruise: How about that counter, Stephy?

Harter picks up SSTC, lifts him up across his shoulders and goes for a Samoan Driver. But SSTC counters with a DDT. He makes the cover.

Stephy Auger: How about THAT counter?

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter kicks out.

SSTC picks up Harter, runs and tosses him through the ropes. After Harter lands on the apron, SSTC runs towards the ropes and slides through Harter’s legs. Once SSTC lands on the outside, he grabs Harter by the ankles and yanks him off. Harter smacks his face hard across the edge of the apron on the way down. While Harter is down on all fours, the crowd boos SSTC steps onto his back to climb up onto the apron. He then wipes his feet off on the apron before stepping back into the ring.

Stephy Auger: Ha ha! Even someone as accomplished as Harter has to kneel down and be used as a step stool for our King.

SSTC crouches down and waits for Harter to get up. When Harter starts to get back to his feet, SSTC takes off into the far ropes. When Harter turns around, SSTC flips through the ropes and knocks him down with a rolling suicide dive.

Kris Cruise: Tony just took out Harter with that flipping suicida!

SSTC picks up Harter and rolls him back into the ring. He then rolls himself back in and makes the cover.

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

SSTC picks up Harter and tosses him through the ropes and to the floor. SSTC begins waving up Harter. But The Tenacious Little Bastard is still stirring on the floor. Once he slowly begins to get back to his feet, SSTC runs back into the far ropes. When SSTC comes back, he flips over the top rope and knocks Harter down with a plancha.

Stephy Auger: Not only is a King, Cruise, but he can fly as well!

SSTC picks up Harter and rolls him back inside. He then slides back in and makes the cover.

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

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

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

SSTC picks up Harter and whips him hard into the corner. The turnbuckles rattle once Harter’s spine collides with them. As Harter stumbles from out of the corner, SSTC scoops him up from the side before delivering a pendulum backbreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Harter’s back might be messed up, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Looks like Harter’s breaking down at the ripe old age of 24.

SSTC picks up Harter, scoops him up from the side and delivers a belly to back suplex. While Harter is down, SSTC returns to his feet and puts the boots to him before delivering several kicks to the spine. Once Harter has been knocked over into the prone position, SSTC begins stomping away on Harter’s lower back. After the last stomp, SSTC keeps his foot in place before grinding his heel against the small of Harter’s back. From there, SSTC stands up on the back of Harter’s thighs. After locking Harter’s legs around his, he reaches down and smacks Harter in the sides, forcing his arms back. After SSTC latches onto Harter’s wrists, SSTC begins rocking back and forth until he gains enough momentum to roll Harter into a surfboard stretch.

Kris Cruise: Oh there it is! Tony’s got the surfboard! He’s got the surfboard stretch applied!

Stephy Auger: Dom’s got nowhere to go!

The ref asks Harter if he wants to give up. When Harter refuses, SSTC does his best to increase the pressure.

Stephy Auger: Can you hear those groans, Cruise? Can you see the pain written all over his face? He’s about to cry “Uncle!”

Harter can be heard groaning in pain. The ref checks back in and asks him if he wants to give up. But he refuses. SSTC then rolls back, placing Harter’s shoulders on the canvas.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter is able to escape.

Harter tries to get back to his feet. But SSTC is right there with a falling double ax handle across the back to knock him back down. He then pulls Harter over before making the cover.

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

SSTC picks up Harter and doubles him over with a knee to the midsection. He then delivers another knee for good measure before locking on an abdominal stretch.

Kris Cruise: Tony’s got Harter trapped in another submission. This time, an abdominal stretch.

Stephy Auger: You can’t beat the basics, Cruise. The abdominal stretch is simple, yet effective. Look at how trapped Harter is. You can see the pain on his face.

The ref asks Harter if he wants to give up. When Harter refuses, SSTC nails him with a pointed elbow strike to the ribs.

Stephy Auger: That’s gotta hurt!

The ref asks Harter again if he wants to give up. When Harter, SSTC delivers multiple pointed elbow strikes to the ribs.

Kris Cruise: Harter’s trying to hang on. But I don’t know how much more he’s got.

The ref checks back in with Harter. After Harter refuses to quit, SSTC lets go and doubles Harter over with another knee to the midsection. After a snapmare, SSTC nails Harter with a hard kick to the back. While Harter arches his back in pain, SSTC takes off into the ropes. When he returns, he flattens Harter with a dropkick to the face. He makes the cover.

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

SSTC picks up Harter, moves hm into the corner, lifts him up and sits him down on the top turnbuckle. After climbing up onto the second rope, the crowd boos as SSTC hooks Harter’s arm before throwing him down to the canvas with a top rope arm drag. Upon impact, Harter arches his back in pain. But back in the corner, SSTC gets into a kneeling position as he waits for Harter.

Stephy Auger: You know what’s coming next, Cruise!

Kris Cruise: Unfortunately I do.

Once Harter slowly turns over and gets up on a knee, SSTC pops up to his feet before charging out of the corner. SSTC is about to motion for #PimpShit. But the boos turn to cheers as Harter gets up to his feet, lifts SSTC up and throws him down with a sitout spinebuster. But instead of making the cover, Harter falls back. While both men are down, the ref starts his count.

ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIV!





SIX!

After both men return to their feet, Harter nails SSTC with a forearm smash. He then nails SSTC with another forearm smash… and another… and NO! SSTC counters with a discus back elbow. While Harter is dazed, SSTC turns and runs into the ropes. When SSTC returns, the crowd cheers as Harter throws him halfway across the ring with an overhead belly to belly suplex.

Kris Cruise: What a big suplex by Harter. He nearly threw Tony into the fifth row.

While SSTC is sprawled across the ring, Harter sits up and holds the small of his back. He then turns over, crawls over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd boos as SSTC gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: It’s going to take more than that to keep Tony down.

Kris Cruise: Not much more.

Harter gets back up to his feet and slowly goes to pick up SSTC. But SSTC latches onto the waistband of his pants and yanks back, sending Harter through the ropes and onto the apron. As Harter pulls himself up using the ropes, the crowd boos as SSTC blasts hm in the face with The Bedazzler.

Stephy Auger: Boy, did he get ROCKED!

Kris Cruise: Harter got caught with The Bedazzler and I think that might be it for him.

SSTC rolls to the outside, picks up Harter and rolls him back into the ring. After rolling himself back in, he makes the cover.

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

Harter grabs onto the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: Good ring awareness there by Harter.

SSTC picks up Harter and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Harter around, SSTC climbs up onto the middle ropes and punches Harter nine times. Before the tenth punch, SSTC swings his hips around. He then motions for the tenth punch. But Harter slips out through his legs and yanks SSTC off, sending SSTC crashing face-first onto the top turnbuckle on the way down.

Kris Cruise: Harter gave Tony a taste of his own medicine.

As SSTC slowly turns around, Harter runs into the corner, lunges forward and squashes SSTC with a double knee strike to the chest. He then brings SSTC from out of the corner, doubles him over with a boot to the midsection, hoists SSTC up and sends him crashing face-first onto the canvas with a flapjack powerbomb. After holding the small of his back, Harter turns SSTC over and makes the cover.

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

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

Kris Cruise: I thought that would have knocked Tony silly. But he still had the wherewithal to get his shoulder up.

Harter picks up SSTC and positions him for a piledriver. But SSTC counters with a back body drop. Harter can be seen arching his back upon impact. SSTC then picks up Harter and goes for an irish whip. But Harter reverses, sending SSTC into the corner. Harter runs into the corner. But SSTC catches him with a back elbow to the face. After a back kick to the midsection doubles over Harter and knocks him back a few steps, SSTC before a backward roll before connecting with the Rainbow Kick.

Stephy Auger: Harter’s out, Cruise!

While Harter’s down, SSTC drags Harter into position before heading back into the corner. After climbing up to the top turnbuckle, the crowd boos as SSTC flips off and connecting with the Phoenix Slash. He hooks the leg.

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

Harter gets his shoulder up.

SSTC picks up Harter and lifts him up onto his back. He then goes for It’s Always Sunny in Sicily. But on the way down, Harter catches SSTC’s knee. The crowd cheers as he takes his free arm, places SSTC in a front facelock, lifts him up and plants him with a Fisherman Buster. He then picks SSTC, applies an inverted front facelock, lifts up SSTC and plants him with a reverse implant DDT. Harter then sits up SSTC and applies a the Dragon Sleeper.

Kris Cruise: Empty Shell!

The crowd cheers as Harter’s got SSTC trapped in the Empty Shell. SSTC can be seen using his free arm to try and pry Harter’s arm from around his neck. But it’s to no avail. Just then, The Usual Suspects slide into the ring. Chris Tryon comes up from behind and nails Harter with a roundhouse kick to the back of the neck. The ref turns and calls for the bell.

Kris Cruise: What are The Suspects doing out here?

Stephy Auger: They’re nobility now, remember?

The crowd continues to boo as The Suspects put the boots to Harter. Tyron then mounts himself on top of Harter and rains down a series of short-range punches to the face. He then grabs Harter by the neck with both hands and proceeds to choke Harter.

Stephy Auger: There’s still no love lost between these two. Tryon still remembers the hell that Harter put him through all those years ago. Let’s also remember that Harter is close friends with who? Dan Herrera! Is it starting to make sense to you now? They took Dan’s titles. They nailed Peaches with belt shots to the face. Why not beat up one of his besties for good measure?

Once SSTC returns to his feet, he begins giving out directions in the absence of Rother. Marx and Tryon then heads to the outside, lift up the ring curtain and pull out a wooden table.

Kris Cruise: This doesn’t look good, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: For Dom? Oh, it’s about to get a lot worse before it gets better.

After the Suspects slide the table into the ring, they roll back in and set the table out. SSTC continues to yell out instructions as Tryon heads out onto the apron. Once Marx lifts Harter up for a powerbomb, Tryon climbs to the top rope. After Tryon flips off, the Suspects delivers the South Texas Death Ride on Harter through the table. The crowd sits in stunned silence before slowly filling the arena back up with boos.

Kris Cruise: The Suspects just sent Harter through the table! Harter just went through that table! And he’s not moving!

Stephy Auger: Once upon a time, a guy like Harter was the hunter. Not anymore. The landscape has changed and no one is safe from the wrath of our Kings. Not even you, Cruise.

After the Suspects give each other a double high five, SSTC pats them on the shoulders before holding up a finger. The Suspects look at each other and nod.

Kris Cruise: No! No, not again!

The Suspects heads to the outside, reach underneath the ring and pull out yet another table. After sliding the table into the ring, The Suspects roll back in. Just as they’re about to set up the table, the crowd erupts with cheers as Status Quo races down to the ring with chairs in hand.

Kris Cruise: It’s Cordy Stevenson and Dan Herrera!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

As soon as Status Quo gets in the ring, SSTC and the Suspects wisely roll to the outside. Herrera makes his way over to the ropes and shouts down at the Suspects. But Marx just shakes his head at him while Tryon does the yapping hand gesture. Stevenson then looks over at SSTC and narrows her eyes at him. SSTC responds by blowing her a kiss. While Stevenson keeps her eyes locked on The Suspects, Herrera goes over and checks in Harter, who hasn’t moved at all. The camera switches back to SSTC and The Suspects. After a stagehand steps through the curtain and hands the New Kings the FGA World Tag Team Championship belts, Marx and Tron raise the belts high over their heads to boos from the crowd. SSTC then stands in between the Suspects. The three New Kings raise each others arms in victory as the crowd erupts with boos.

Winner by Disqualification: Dom Harter

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

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