AfterBurn for Vertigo E23

[FGA Office]

Catch up with your favorite FGA grapplers on AfterBurn! Get their thoughts on the latest, their opponents, and other backstage happenings right here, only on AxxessNet!

[The Mason]

DURING THE COMMERCIAL BREAK

PRIOR TO
FIRST ROUND OF THE WILDCARD LOTTERY TOURNAMENT
Annie Zellor and Chris Madison vs. Molly Reid and Ruby Tyler

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall and it is a first round--!

Interrupting the announcement, multicolored lights strobe throughout the suddenly-darkened arena before “Can You Feel It?” hits the PA system to a chorus of boos. The camera briefly pans to Aldridge’s confused expression as he lowers his microphone. We pan back to the ramp as the audience’s reaction grows deafening. Evan Envi marches out from the back, lacking the typical smile or even smirk. He pauses, narrowing his eyes at the Springfield audience before shaking his head, making a beeline for the ring.

Evan Envi abandons the usual theatrics, marching up the ring steps, lingering for just a moment to glance out into the audience, who made it a point to rise to their feet, showering him with boos, thumbs-downs, and the infrequent obscene gesture. Envi pauses there for a moment before stepping into the ring, angrily demanding the microphone from J.A. Aldridge.

Evan Envi: Alright. Alright. This has gone on long enough. QUITE long enough. Cut this music. Get these lights on me. Get these cameras on me. Let’s go. Every single one. I don’t care.

As the music fades the crowd’s reaction only seems to intensify. Evan runs a hand through his hair in frustration as he paces.

Evan Envi: I shouldn’t have expected too much, y’know? I mean, this is the same place that allowed Zero McHannon to walk out the door with their top championship without looking back. This is the same place that forced a basically- grieving Fujiko to defend her title against BULLY REID while her mother was on the verge of death! So I ask myself… Self, what did you expect?

Evan runs a hand over his mouth, shaking his head a little as he sighs.

Evan Envi: And I thought they might’ve learned from it, y’know? Having your company represented by the likes of Reid AND Zero simultaneously is challenging enough for the buyrates but-- but to look at what just happened and decide the best course of action is to take ANOTHER gamble? I was floored!

He throws his head back, groaning aloud as he squeezes his eyes shut. He lowers his gaze down toward the hard camera again.

Evan Envi: It’s bad enough, okay, that people like Molly Reid who LOST and Noelle, who’s no longer even impressive enough to be AT Retribution are getting the shot to come out here tonight and wrestle for the World Championship but what REALLY chaps my butt-- what REALLY eats me is that people like NERO FREAKIN’ DARLING WHO DON’T EVEN WANT TO BE HERE are given the opportunity and I’M NOT. I’m expected to take the night off and watch on the edge of my bed like an idiot and that’s not fair. THAT isn’t right.

Though Envi’s incredibly-small section of vocal supporters cheer for the outburst, the majority of the audience continues to shower him with boos. Evan is visibly shaking, red-faced now.

Evan Envi: I don’t need to come out here… and tell anybody that I’m the best at anything. When I say that, you scoff. And maybe Annie Zellor and the three other jerkoffs that come down here tonight are gonna prove me wrong but… mmmmm… I mean, I doubt it.

Envi shrugs and goes to hand the microphone back to Aldridge-- but pulls it back to more boos from the audience.

”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Evan Envi: Shut up, I’m NOT done. As a matter of fact, I shouldn’t even leave this ring until--

Shake it by Metro Station starts to blast over the loudspeakers as Evan Envi stomps his feet in anger at the interruption. Molly Reid walks out with a microphone in hand, dressed in her wrestling gear with her Pride Championship wrapped right around her waist. She points to the belt and then to her face and the crowd cheers loudly. She then points to her belt and over to Evan, as the crowd boos. She continues to point between herself and Evan and cause the alternating cheers and boos as Evan gets more and more angry in the ring.

Evan Envi: And THIS is your Pride Champion, ladies and gentlemen! Bully Reid, out here, performing charades, looking like the discount circus act that she was raised AND professionally trained to be. THAT is the athlete that you choose to cheer for. Ah, bravo, Springfield! Your taste is on-point just like I remember it.

Evan sarcastically applauds both Molly and the audience, but the scowl soon returns to his face.

Evan Envi: What a time. When a trained clown is considered fit to be our World Champion but not me. Unbelievable.

Molly walks around to a ring technician and grabs a microphone, smiling as she looks up at Evan.

Molly Reid: Evan sweetie, I believe that’s my ring you’re standing in. So why don’t get go get ready for your world title qualifying match tonigh-oh. Right. Whoops.

Molly laughs as the crowd applauds while Evan seethes in the ring.

Evan Envi: Hah. That’s-- that’s good, right?! It’s all fun and games when you’re on the CORRECT SIDE of the rigged lottery, huh?! You and Ruby and Madison don’t deserve to call this YOUR anything. Annie barely deserves it. Just YOU saying the word “ring” already makes people around the world hate us more. You getting an opportunity to compete for the World Championship and HOLDING the Pride Championship temporarily is devaluing Frontier Grappling Arts and the entire industry by the SECOND.

Molly Reid: Are you done yet? Nobody gives a shit what you think Evan. Literally not one single person, in this world. You flap your damn gums and act like people should listen to you but you’ve literally done nothing. I won this Pride Championship. Not you. You were in that ring with me for the qualifying match, AFTER you attacked me backstage like the bitch you are, and guess what? I still punched you right in your ugly-ass face and I STILL won the match. If I’m so shit and you’re so spectacular, then please explain to me how I beat you in that match and won this title, while you sat there picking lint out of your ass? Hmmmm? I’ll wait.

Molly crosses her arms outside the ring and makes a motion as if she’s tapping an imaginary watch on her wrist as she looks at Evan inside the ring.

Evan Envi: You… you really wanna go down this road here, tonight, Molly? You really want me to stand here in the middle of the ring and embarrass you by actually explaining the difference in our victories over one another? Bully Reid, no. No.

Envi shakes his head.

Evan Envi: I’m above that. I don’t have to explain to these people what I already showed them at Retribution and what I’ve shown them for nearly a decade. They might be too STUPID to get it now, but YOU are not. You’re not.

Evan backs away, toward the ropes on the ring farthest from Molly.

Evan Envi: I gotta make you understand when it counts, Reid. THAT’S when these people and people like YOU are gonna start listening to what I have to say. And only then. So, I mean, I get that. I respect that. Talking about it’s just a waste of breath, right?

To loud boos from the crowd, Envi steps through the ropes and out to the apron, holding a hand out to Molly Reid.

Evan Envi: I did it once, Molly. The right way. So just wait. You’ll GET your repeat performance.

Molly Reid laughs at his suggestion and completely ignores his extended hand, instead walking over to the ring steps and walking up onto them. She stops at the top of them and looks at Evan, who is staring at her.

Molly Reid: You did do it once, you’re right. And I did it once. As far as I’m concerned, we’re dead even. But listen up and listen up good Evan. When we fight for the title, you’re not going to get the same Molly you beat two weeks ago. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I want to be the greatest champion in FGA history. I didn’t win the Pride belt only to lose it a couple months later. I worked my ass off for the chance and I took advantage, something you’re unfamiliar with I’m sure. So when you fight me for this title, you’re getting a Molly Reid who will not lose this title. I hope you understand. I really hope you do. Because this belt is everything to me. So sure, you beat me in a non-title match. But when this title’s on the line, you better believe that I’m going to go even harder. I won’t quit until my foot lands flush with your jaw and knocks you out cold. And then I’ll take my Pride Championship back with me and be done with you forever.

Molly slowly moves towards the ropes as if she’s going to enter. She sees Evan tense up as she gets closer and it causes her to grin.

Molly Reid: Unless, you want to do this right now?

Molly very quickly and very suddenly vaults herself into the ring corner. As soon as she lands on the mat she takes one quick step towards Evan, who swiftly drops down from the apron to the outside to a chorus of boos.

Evan Envi: Cute, Molly. We both know you’re a little preoccupied right now. But when I AM GOOD AND READY I will come take… come swiftly take what’s destined to be mine anyway. But that shouldn’t be your concern right now, should it, prizefighter?

Envi tosses his microphone back toward Aldridge as he makes his way toward the announce table, keeping an eye on Reid the entire time. Molly laughs again as she brings her microphone to her mouth

Molly Reid: Yeah I thought as much.

Molly then drops her microphone and hands her belt to the referee before retreating to the corner of the ring, crouching down and staring across from it with a now-serious look on her face. The deleted scene fades away as Ruby Tyler's music hits the PA.

[The Last Real Man]

As the feed shifts backstage, we see an irate Team Cannon, frothing at the mouth, completely incensed over the outcome of The British Mamba’s tag qualifier. Quinn Goodrich shakes his head frantically, as Johnny Cannon stands beside him, gritting his teeth furiously.

Quinn Goodrich: This is a joke. This is a goddamn travesty!

Goodrich yells, visibly beside himself.

Quinn Goodrich: This man right here, is the REAL FGA Word Champion.

He says, pointing to his client, who simply nods, adjusting his blood stained tuxedo.

Quinn Goodrich: My client has not been defeated since early March. My client has not been pinned or submitted in NINE months. My client was NEVER beaten at Above and Beyond!

Goodrich grabs Cannon, driving his finger into his chest repeatedly.

Quinn Goodrich: My client NEVER lost the FGA World Championship!

Johnny stares right into the camera, mouthing “I didn't”, as Quinn tries to compose himself. However, he’s having a tough go as it, as his collar is so hot that he practically rips off his tie to open it up.

Quinn Goodrich: My client deserves a one on one opportunity to reclaim his championship. When that paper champion, he who shall not be named walked out of this company, FGA had ONE job. You had ONE job, and you failed! This entire tournament was a slap in the face to a man who has been the biggest and best star in this company since he walked in the door last summer. And then you had the audacity to make him team with Kevin Hardaway?

Johnny is visibly irritated, as he spits to the floor in protest.

Quinn Goodrich: Yeah, my client gets Kevin Hardaway as a partner, but Cordy Stevenson and Dan Herrera somehow MAGICALLY found themselves teaming together. You want me to believe that was just a coincidence? There are no coincidences in life. There are only facts, and the fact is FGA Management deliberately rigged this tournament to stop Johnny Cannon from reclaiming the FGA World Championship. The fact is FGA does not want Johnny Cannon to be the FGA World Champion.

Goodrich looks to be another second away from spontaneously combusting as he continues to speak on his client’s behalf.

Quinn Goodrich: They keep sending Johnny Karma in his way. They keep throwing him in multi man matches. The proof is there. At this point in the game, NOBODY, and I mean NOBODY wants to step in the ring with this man one on one, because NOBODY can beat Johnny Cannon one on one. I don't care what you did last year, or last month, today Johnny Cannon is the best wrestler in FGA. And the best wrestler should be the one leading this company into the new year - not Annie, not Cordy, not Izzy Anders or Tony Carmine, four people who have proven time after time that they do not have what it takes to reach the top.

Cannon stops Goodrich now, as he stares into the camera with his usual murderous expression.

Johnny Cannon: Asherman, you can go fuck yourself. FGA, you can go fuck yourselves. After everything I've done for this company, you’ve constantly spit in my face, and disrespected me. The fact that I've not been given my contractual, and deserved championship rematch is a fucking crime. That's why this company will never take the next leap forward because we have a bunch of fucking morons in the office and Championship committee who reward futility and not results. You're a bunch of blithering idiots in two dollar suits who don't know wrestling, and don't know how to run a fucking business. You can fine me. I don't give a damn at this point.

Cannon cracks his neck now, then taps the Rolex on his wrist.

Johnny Cannon: I’ve been waiting for FGA to do the right thing since Above and Beyond. We’ve reached the time limit, and here I am on the outside looking in - where you WANT me to be. Well I'm not waiting around any longer. Like I've done my entire life I'm going to TAKE what I want. If that means putting every single one of you cocksuckers on the shelf, so be it. If that means tearing this company apart, so be it. If that means setting the Royal Court and Courts Guard loose, SO BE IT.

Cannon looks right into the camera now, offering his final words.

Johnny Cannon: I am the real FGA World Champion. Whichever one you bastards walks out with my belt, know that you're not safe, and that your time is borrowed because I don't care WHO you are. I WILL come for you. And I WILL knock you the fuck out.

[ChrisMadison]

*The following was cowritten by both Ryan LeCavalier and I*

The feed shifts again, this time right outside of the trainer’s room. Spencer Burke stands with a microphone in hand and places his free hand onto the door. Before Burke could push the door open, it was slowly pulled back with Chris Madison stepping through. Madison gingerly walked out to the corridor with a white terrycloth towel draped over his shoulder. Sensing Burke’s eagerness to get a few words about the night's outcome, Madison stopped in his tracks and placed his hands down onto his hips.

Spencer Burke: Chris! What a heartbreaking loss tonight. Do you mind if I pick your brain for a moment.

Chris Madison: Not at all.

Madison grabbed the bottom of the towel and brought it up to his face, wiping away what sweat was still accumulating.

Spencer Burke: You came back to FGA riding a fourteen month undefeated streak, on a personal pilgrimage to prove that the version of Chris Madison we saw the first time around did not properly portray who Chris Madison is. Any regrets now that you’ve come up on the short side of things?

Chris Madison: I regret nothing Spencer. When I made the decision to hand over the 4CW Pride Championship and sign a new contract with FGA, it was because I felt this was the place that was going to test me, challenge me. Tonight Annie Zellor beat me. Something that no one else in this business over the past fourteen months can claim. Sure it sucks that my streak ended the way it did, but there’s no one else to blame but myself.

Spencer Burke: I’ve got to say, you’re oddly calm about losing an opportunity at the FGA World Championship.

Chris Madison: Ranting and raving, throwing a fit, it wouldn’t help the situation the slightest bit. I put too much into training over the last two weeks, knowing that there was a distinct possibility that i’d be wrestling two matches tonight. I should have peeled it back a bit; so that’s on me. Annie did what she had to do to move on.

Spencer Burke: I’m not sure that I’m buying it. We all saw it; Annie used an illegal low blow in order to get the upperhand in this match and put you away. That’s twice you’ve face Annie Zellor, and twice underhanded tactics were used against you.

Chris Madison: Sweet, innocent, Annie Zellor…

Chris smirked and shook his head.

Chris Madison: To be fair, the first time it was Laurel Anne Hardy that lost it and got the #Sparklebuddies disqualified.

He let out a deep sigh, thinking of the right words to say without losing his cool at all.

Chris Madison: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. This is on me. I should have expected Annie to do anything in her power to move on in this tournament. I slipped up and it cost me. It cost me my undefeated streak. It cost me my first singles loss in FGA. It cost me a shot at becoming the FGA World Champion. But there’s nothing that can be done about it now. Stomping my feet, throwing a tantrum, won’t accomplish anything. All I can do is get ready for whoever they throw at me next.

Spencer Burke: FGA’s Five Year Anniversary show is up next, anyone particular that you’re looking to lock up with?

Before Madison could answer, both he and Spencer Burke turn their attention off screen. The cameraman pans over and we see Ryan LeCavalier slowly approaching.

Ryan LeCavalier: Because you’re totally ready for whoever comes over the horizon.

Madison smirked and nodded his head.

Chris Madison: No. Because there’s no sense in dwelling on things that aren’t going to change. I came up short tonight, just like you… The only way to erase that memory is taking it out on whoever gets put in front of me next.

Ryan LeCavalier: You’ve only been training hard these past two weeks? It didn’t occur to you, that in those fourteen months of being undefeated; you’d eventually have to put the work in?

Chris Madison: I’ve put in the work ever since I returned from an eight month layoff; that’s how you go undefeated for fourteen months. Tonight I slipped up, that’s on me. But sulking won’t accomplish anything.

Ryan LeCavalier: C’mon Chris ‘slipping up’ doesn’t cut it. It doesn’t matter if you trained for weeks in preparation for this tournament. I’ve been slaving away here in FGA for months…I get better each match gone by. So when you say you ‘slipped up’ I’m offended. I could care less about what kind of place 4CW happens to be. Just the fact you think you’ve sacrificed so much to be here is appalling enough. You might be looking forward to the next one, but what pray tell makes you think you’ll get another opportunity?

Chris Madison: It sucks that you’re feeling slighted; I’ve been there. But this isn’t the platform to argue your case. If FGA didn’t see something in you, those months of slaving, would have only been weeks. The opportunities will continue to come, win or lose, as long as you show some fight every time you step through those ropes.

Ryan smirks at Chris for a moment.

Ryan LeCavalier: You know you’re right. Opportunity always has a way of sneaking up on you, doesn’t matter if you’re prepared or not. It could very hit you anywhere. This is one of those times, Chris. See, instead of preaching about how opportunity always comes knocking, why don’t you prove it? I’m sure you’ve got no problem stepping between those ropes being the fact you’re a former 4CW Champion. Think of it this way. You’ve got another shot of practicing what you preach. I’m not much of a churchgoer so you can consider this challenge as me having a bit of blind faith in you. We’re all looking for something. You and I are both looking for the same thing and the only way we can get it is through these.

She raises her hands as she quickly forms fist, her confident smirk from a moment ago smirk returning. Madison matches Ryan smirk for smirk. He looks over at Spencer Burke who’s patiently waiting for a reply, inching the microphone closer to Chris.

Chris Madison: Name the time and place, i’ll be there!

Chris stares down Ryan for a moment before turning his head towards Spencer Burke and nodding his head. Madison walked off camera leaving Ryan LeCavalier with the answer she was looking for and Spencer Burke the scoop he’s always digging to get.