AfterBurn for 5YA Show

[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!

[Ryan LeCavalier]

FGA’s Vertigo had finally concluded with a new “World Champion” crowned in Cordy Stevenson – all attention turned to the Axxess network and FGA’s Afterburn. Tonight was the perfect example of defining television, as the Semi-Finals that led to Cordy’s championship win were just as explosive as her winning it. Everybody was on their toes – vying for the shot at being champion, but only one could remain. The locker room wasn’t particularly hectic, people moved and shifted getting to where they needed to be backstage with ease, and most people were either showering or trying to find something to eat after hard fought matches. One wrestler that seemed to stay in one place was the brunette-haired French-Canadian, Ryan Lecavalier. She was a little further down the hall, fully dressed in her famous ring attire with one of Salem Cartier’s t-shirts over top.

Her mind, like most others, was in a whole other place as she pulled on her boots. She was simply trying to decompress after the match. She had already focused, and had been for a long time. She was thinking about what she had done in the ring. No matter how proud and honored she was at the time, she was still a girl when headed up against Tony Carmine. It wasn’t easy to admit that. But unlike earlier that night, there was an ease streaking through the emotions in her eyes. A sense of relief.

SPENCER BURKE: Ryan. Tonight you’ve just snapped two back-to-back singles losses against the returning Nero Darling. How do you feel, what’s going through your head right now?

Spencer was shown to be in the same shot now that the camera panned out. Ryan looked over at him, interpreting the question as she smiled slightly.

RYAN LECAVALIER: What do you think it means Spencer? I think I just turned my luck around. I know people aren’t looking for optimism right now. FGA’s got a champion again; we’ve got someone who possibly can be a better fit than Zero McHannon ever was. That’s important. I guess you can say I’m beyond relieved that I was able to get in there and prove my point. Last show I proved that I could nearly hang with one of FGA’s long storied competitors in Tony Carmine. Sure, people are quick to judge that I didn’t get it done. I get it, that’s one of the main reasons I needed to get this done tonight. Nero proved she’s tough, I think I proved I’m just a little tougher.

Ryan let a sigh escape her lips as Spencer pulled the microphone back from Ryan’s direction to speak into it.

SPENCER BURKE: So where do you think you go from here? Are you looking to try to state your case toward the newly crowned world champion or is it back to building a resume in hopes of standing out?

RYAN LECAVALIER: Spence your guess is good as mine. There’s a lot going on these days apparently. We’ve got people coming and going from everywhere which direction they can. Now that we’ve got a new champion, I suspect that people are going to try to get in a single file line to see who's next. I’m sure Cordy’s going to be a fighting champion. She’ll have her hands full with all of them. I don’t need to add my name to an already long list of people who think they’ve got a shot of knocking her off her pedestal. I’ve got other things to worry about. Like Chris Madison for example—

Spencer didn’t mean to cut her off, but he zeroed in with the mention of Chris Madison like a hawk. He chimed in expertly timed as well.

SPENCER BURKE: Speaking of Chris Madison, what’s going on between you two exactly? We seen last week you two exchange words, do you not like him and does he have beef with you?

Ryan touched her hands to her head and made a “Mind Blown” gesture at the camera at the mere mention of her encounter with Chris Madison on the previous Afterburn. Still fresh in her mind, she was a combination of antsy because she hadn’t met anyone quite like Madison in a long time.

RYAN LECAVALIER: Again, who knows. Chris Madison’s an interesting guy to say the least – not to mention accomplished – but, I can’t focus on fictitious beef spawning out of nowhere. If he really wants to fight he knows where to find me. I’m not that hard to find—

Just as she mentioned she wanted to fight she noticed two people approaching in the distance, there weren’t too many people in the hallway to begin with for it not to be deliberate of them to approach her. Side by side, Chris Madison and his manager, Frankie Morrison, strolled down the corridor oozing confidence. With a smirk on his face, Chris chose to make light of the situation as he closed the distance between himself and Ryan LeCavalier.

CHRIS MADISON: We really need to stop meeting up like this.

Coming to a stop with Morrison standing at his side, Spencer Burke quickly greeted Madison.

SPENCER BURKE: Chris, thanks for joining us. Tonight, much like Ryan, you rebounded from a tough loss two weeks ago and picked up a big win against Evan Envi. A little controversy about the finish, but a win nonetheless.

CHRIS MADISON: Yeah, something about him having his hand on the ropes as the official counted three. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

Ryan rolled her eyes at Madison marveling at his handiwork, she folded her arms across her chest as he carried on with Spencer like nothing was actually wrong with this picture.

SPENCER BURKE: So you’re acknowledging…

She couldn't stand that he was getting interviewed, this was her time to actually explain herself and she looked rather piss that Madison and Morrison decided to show up out of nowhere.

CHRIS MADISON: Spence, I’m not one to impede you from doing your job. You’re back here show after show dealing with a whirlwind of different personalities as they try to decompress after competing. I don’t envy your position. But two weeks ago, I was the one standing right there...

Chris pointed over to Ryan LeCavalier and smirked.

CHRIS MADISON: ...and a young lady who was trying to put together the pieces following a tough loss to Tony Carmine interrupted our interview. She wasn’t too keen on my “move forward and not dwell on the loss” attitude.

Ryan started laughing, Spencer focused on her for a second. Sending the microphone her direction wondering why she started laughing at Madison’s expense.

RYAN LECAVALIER: So why didn’t you use said attitude and refrain from impeding on my interview? This is a joke. If wrestling doesn’t work out for ya, I’m sure you’ll do great as a debt collector, or maybe even a bounty hunter. For someone who wants to move forward you sure don’t act like it.

She eyed Morrison who stood along aside of Madison as backup, didn't faze her much as is...

CHRIS MADISON: You want me to just move on? Something you’ll learn about me Ryan, I don’t back down from a fight. Two weeks ago you raised your fists in the air and claimed that we were both looking for the same thing, and the only way we were going to get it was with the use of these.

Madison raised both of his fists into the air, imitating the stance Ryan LeCavalier had taken during the previous interview.

CHRIS MADISON: I told you to name a time and place. Still waiting.

FRANKIE MORRISON: Listen, I think we can all stand here and agree that a match between the two of you would be a fight unlike anything this company has gotten to witness as of late. Miss LeCavalier, you pushed his buttons two weeks ago. Chris is not the kind of guy to just turn away a challenge. He love having the chance to prove himself to all naysayers. We’re just trying to gauge when you think you’ll be ready to step up to the plate.

Chris smiled as Spencer Burke once again shifted his weight and turned back towards Ryan. Frankie Morrison took a half step forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Spencer as the two competitors locked eyes. There was a slight look of disgust on her face by then, Madison obviously got underneath her skin. Then she feinted a coy look that she was actually taking Morrison's words seriously. 

RYAN LECAVALIER: Hm, Name a place and time…how bout Final Frontier? It’s FGA’s biggest show of the year. It’s synonymous with names having been made on that show. I’m sure you’re familiar with it. Not that you’re history here in FGA is any richer than mine. I say we make history by taking part in one of FGA’s best matches to date. You’re coming off of whatever you can call your match with Envi, I’m coming off whatever you’d call match with Nero. Though, I actually lasted a lot longer than you in the World title tournament. Put on one of the better matches of the tournament with Tony in the Main Event of Vertigo…but, that’s beside the point. You want to show people you’re the genuine article? Beat me. It’s that simple.

Morrison leaned towards his client and whispered into his ear before breaking apart with a chuckle. Madison, stone-faced as usual, kept his eyes on Ryan while listening to his manager's advice.

CHRIS MADISON: You know, all you had to do two weeks ago is ask me exactly that. Final Frontier, seems like as good of a place to me as any.

Ryan smirked, Spencer looked a little lost for words. He moved the microphone from Madison back to Ryan with ease just watching the exchange go by like a runaway train.

RYAN LECAVALIER: Done. Since we’re on the subject of what works best, why don’t we add a little bet on the side between us to keep things lively? We’re both fighters. This won’t go away unless we go in there with the fullest of intentions. So, that’s why I think a bet could be a pretty good way of reminding us what’s at stake.

Madison’s ears perked up, waiting to hear exactly what Ryan LeCavalier had in mind. Frankie Morrison reacted with a bit more skepticism. He took it upon himself to interject while trying to get a read on Ryan.

FRANKIE MORRISON: And just what kind of wager did you have in mind?

Just as Madison’s ears perked and Morrison sounded skeptical, Spencer looked shocked and Ryan looked rather confident. She was all smiles and it was obvious that the wheels were already turning inside her head, just as Spencer sat as the middleman.

RYAN LECAVALIER: It’s not right if we’re agreeing to do battle here and now at Final Frontier, at least, without a small wager to tide the fans over. What I purpose is whoever beats their opponent the fastest over the course of the next few shows; gets the choice in stipulation for our eventual encounter. Of course, we’re going to have to go to FGA Management and ask for their blessing. But, like you and I both know. You’ve got someone who can pull the strings for you at least.

She pointed at Frankie Morrison somewhat demeaning as if he wasn’t a party to the conversation.

RYAN LECAVALIER: Of course I’d have to confer with my own agent. He usually doesn’t accompany me to FGA Shows – unlike, your boy Frankie here. I’m sure you’ll have to huddle or something, so make it quick, I don’t have that kind of time. Getting back to the point, if they both were to go to FGA Management I think they’d be able to pull something off…

FRANKIE MORRISON: If you think that’s how this relationship between my client and I works, you’re clueless. Thank you Miss LeCavalier, you’ve just given Chris everything he was looking for tonight. Just do us the favor, when it’s all done… Save yourself the embarrassment and just an ounce of dignity, and accept your place in the pecking order.

Morrison reached up and patted Madison on the back before turning around and walking a few steps away. Madison didn’t budge, keeping his eyes on his would be challenger.

CHRIS MADISON: I just hope you know what you’re getting yourself into…

The mood instantly took a more serious turn as Ryan LeCavalier and Chris Madison stared at one another with Spencer Burke the only thing keeping these two gladiators from tearing each other apart. The scene started to fade once the stare down continued...as Burke did his best jockeying for position between the two.

[Izzy Anders]

The newly crowned FGA World Champion Cordelia Stevenson is seen trudging through the backstage area seemingly in a daze. Her movements show the wear and tear of having gone through two strenuous and grueling matches, but the elation on her face tells that it was all worth it. Her eyes are glued onto the FGA World Championship that she now holds in her arms. The camera zooms in a bit, catching a glimpse of her tear stained cheeks as she looks at it in wonder. The one thing that had eluded her for so long was now in her possession. The third time had definitely been the charm and now the very journey that she’d been afraid to even embark on once again had come to a memorable end. She continues her trek, lost in the euphoria of the moment and oblivious to everything and everyone around her, including Spencer Burke who was standing nearby with a microphone.

Spencer Burke: Cordy, may I have a word?

His words fall on deaf ears. Not that she was in any way trying to be rude, she was just so entranced in the moment; a moment she’d dreamt over continuously over the past couple of years and now had come to fruition as something far more remarkable than anything she could have ever imagined.

Spencer Burke: Cordelia?

Spencer says a bit louder now finally catching her attention. She glances back with a look of surprise, as she spies him for the first time.

Spencer Burke: Could I get a word with the new FGA World Champion?

His words elicit the brightest of smiles as she wipes at her face, becoming very aware of how crazy she must look at the moment.

Cordelia Stevenson: Of course you can, Spency. My fault for that I was just a little bit out of it. It just seems so surreal, y’know?

Spencer Burke returns the smile and nods, totally understanding her sentiments.

Spencer Burke: First off, allow me to say congratulations Cordy. As we all can see from the way you reacted out there when that bell rang, this must be a very emotional moment for you.

Cordy lets out a deep sigh mixed with relief and exhaustion. Her eyes brighten a bit as she nods. She points to her eyes, motioning towards the tear streaks.

Cordelia Stevenson: Yeah, I think that’s easy to see.

She jokes with a chuckle.

Cordelia Stevenson: I promised myself I wouldn’t cry, but you know what? I just couldn’t help it. For so long this…

She glances down at the FGA World title in her hands and shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: It just felt like it was always so close, but just always out of reach. Always so close but yet... so far. Somehow that became the narrative of my tenure here. No matter what I’d done, all that I achieved, that was the narrative that was spun. The one that people told over and over again. But what will they say now? Not that I necessarily cared what they said before, because this?

She lifts the FGA World Championship up to eye level and glances at it.

Cordelia Stevenson: I didn’t do this for them, Spencer. I did this for me. I did this for every single person that believed that I could, even when the seeds of doubt became embedded in my own mind. Time and time again I’ve had this dangled in front of me and then snatched away, and I made a promise -- I made a vow to myself that things would be different. You see, I’ve dreamt of this moment for so damn long, Spencer.

She simply shrugs as she places the belt on her free shoulder opposite the one that her FGA World Tag Team Championship sits on.

Cordelia Stevenson: And now I can finally stand here as a testament that dreams really do come true.

She turns to the camera.

Cordelia Stevenson: Aye Cynderblock, I did it!!!!

Her happiness is contagious and Spencer Burke can’t hold back his own smile.

Spencer Burke: Indeed you did, Cordelia. Now, last year when you were viciously attacked and injured at the hands of Chris Q, did you ever think that...

Spencer stops mid sentence. The camera pans over to reveal Izzy Anders standing there. She stares at Cordy, her eyes narrow and her stance tall and imposing. Cordy follows Spencer’s gaze and turns around. For a moment Cordy looks defensive as she’s unsure of Izzy’s intentions or mind state after their match earlier in the evening but she holds her gaze as she walks up to her. They stare at one another for a moment, tension filling the air as Spencer Burke sidesteps out the way. The moment seems to last forever.

Suddenly, Izzy pulls Cordy into a tight hug. Cordy returns the hug with equal passion. When Izzy pulls away, she gives the World Championship a pat. She returns her focus to Cordy exclusively.

Izzy Anders: You finally did it, Cordy.

Cordelia looks at the title, giving it a lingering gaze before raising her eyes to meet Izzy’s once again and nodding, saying the word that has been sounding off in her head ever since the bell rang and her name was announced.

Cordelia Stevenson: Finally.

Izzy stands there, representing a glimpse back into the younger Izzy Anders.

Izzy Anders: Hey, I need to...apologize.

She turns her head downward.

Izzy Anders: I...I didn’t mean any of that.

She gulps down any nervousness.

Izzy Anders: I can’t hate you...not at all. But I can tell you one thing, Cordy.

She raises her eyes up to Cordy, that past self dying out right then.

Izzy Anders: I am coming back for you. Tonight, I was close. Close to accomplishing what I said I was going to accomplish. I know you will not stand for me doing it. I know that you will fight me until your last breath. But I want this place to burn, Cordy. I love you. But you stand as both my friend and my enemy. So be ready.

Cordy stands there, her gaze unwavering as she listens to Izzy’s words. Once Izzy is done, Cordy simply nods.

Cordelia Stevenson: I know you’ll be back, Izzy. Truth be told? I’m counting on it. But as for this place burning?

Cordelia slowly shakes her head.

Cordelia Stevenson: That’s not happening. Not on my watch. This company runs through my veins, and I’m only one of the many that would proudly say the same. You do what you have to do luv, but just know that I am FGA…. and people like Fujiko, Dan, Karma, Chandler and countless others…. we represent everything that FGA stands for… and we don’t burn. So you say you’ll be back…

Cordy pauses and takes a deep breath.

Cordelia Stevenson: And I’ll be ready,

Cordy stares down her friend and slowly begins to back away. She turns to head in the opposite direction before stopping and glancing back over her shoulder with an acknowledging nod and smile.

Cordelia Stevenson: Apology accepted by the way.

And with those words said, Cordy flashes another smile as she adjusts her title belts and walks away. Izzy simply smirks as she turns and heads in the opposite direction.