AfterBurn for Final Frontier

[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!

[El Dragón]

Tijerina rolls back into the ring and lies in wait for Rogers to turn around, before he tags him with a superkick! Rogers falls off the apron as Julian heads back over and covers Ian Cross!

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

Cross manages to kick out at the last possible second, and Tijerina can’t quite believe it. He sits up in shock, looking around as he and Maria ask the referee how that wasn’t a three count. But the official assures them it was only a two. Finally, he relents, and brings Cross back up to a kneeling position. Julian hits the ropes and comes back with the Kedavra Knee right to the face!

Stephy Auger: And just like that, Julian Tijerina picks up another win here in FGA…

Before he can make the cover, however, Julian is caught from behind by Blake Rogers! The Minimalist tags him with some forearm shots to the head, before he places Tijerina in a hammerlock and throws him shoulder first into the ring post! The crowd boo as The Venomous Virtuoso rolls out of the ring in pain, but Rogers turns his attention towards Ian Cross.

Rogers picks his opponent up off the mat and positions him for a pumphandle slam, before seamlessly transitioning into a cutter in midair!

Kris Cruise: Maximum Impact by Blake Rogers! And now that has to be all she wrote.

Blake covers with a lateral press, keeping an eye out for the interference to break the cover. But Gordon and Tijerina are both down on the outside as the referee begins the count.

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

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, BLAKE ROGERS!

Julian Tijerina is lying on the cold arena floor as the bell rings, signaling the end of the match. He is dazed and hurt, battered and bruised. His eyes are stuck to the blinding lights of the ceiling, only half aware that he was so close to getting another win for his record in FGA, so close in starting a hopeful winning streak. He was so hopeful, even calling out on Twitter the competitors circling the Mid-Atlantic Championship. Now he feels like he just fell into the sea, into the middle of the ocean, slowly descending into the abyss, the darkness coming for him and him alone, no one else close, just him and the depths, and everything takes forever to unfold.

Maria has gone to kneel beside his carcass, asking him questions he cannot hear. She's trying to comfort him, make sure he's okay. She means well but Julian is too absorbed in his loss, in the aching pain in his shoulder, in the blizzard on his back, in the burning circles of light from high above, to notice, to realize, this, her. Maria looks over him, a frown on her pretty face, a blemish on the otherwise perfect work of art, a masterpiece, before she peers towards the ramp as the victor makes his way to the back. All that's left out here are the bodies, the fallen, the evidence of a great war, and the beautiful widow who deserves more than failure.

---

Maria is helping Julian Tijerina walk through the hallway, presumably to where the medical personnel hangs out, when Spencer Burke, flanked with a cameraman, catches up to the two of them. Julian is holding the shoulder that made contact with the steel ring post just minutes before, with Maria simply guiding him a few inches in front of her, a hand on his back and the other on his free arm. At the sight of Burke, Maria shakes her head in frustration. She starts mumbling in Spanish, which makes the interviewer hesitate but only for a few seconds. Julian stops to accommodate the FGA staff, which further annoys Maria.

Spencer Burke: Julian, excuse us for a second... You were so close in getting your second win here in FGA. You put in your most valiant of efforts tonight at Final Frontier, only to have Blake Cross outsmart you and---

Julian unexpected cuts off Spencer, his eyebrows crashing against each other with tempered fury. The Spanish Sweetheart grabs the microphone from Spencer's hands, with Spencer still holding on to it. Their eyes meet, Spencer swallows air but Julian keeps his steely gaze on him.

Julian Tijerina: Blake Rogers stole my victory. I had Ian Cross in that ring, Kedavra Knee 1-2-3, and then Rogers just comes in, takes me out from behind, and swoops in on my win.

Julian takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He succeeds in taking the rage down a notch.

Julian Tijerina: I guess that Sling Blade on the apron wasn't enough. I guess he also wants a taste of the Kedavra Knee.

Julian forces the microphone closer to him as he turns to the camera directly.

Julian Tijerina: Well, if that's what you want, Rogers, if that's what you need, if that's what you crave, I can indulge you, sweetheart. I can accommodate you. I can even show you a better, greater alternative, to your minimal understanding of aesthetics. I can make you...

Julian turns to Maria who is standing behind him a few inches away, off-camera, to which the cameraman accommodates them both by zooming out, making sure Maria is now seen in the same shot.

Julian Tijerina: Beautiful.

The Venomous Virtuoso forces the microphone back to Spencer, slamming it against his chest, before walking away from the interviewer, the cameraman, and Maria. Maria is left with the FGA staff, frowning. Spencer and the camera turns to her. She notices this immediately and puts on a smile. Teasing Spencer, she puts a hand on his lips and winks at him. She teases the camera as well, blowing a kiss to everyone still watching the interview, before walking gracefully away, in Julian's direction. Spencer is left confused, turning to the camera and gesturing for the feed to get cut.

[ChrisMadison]

Spencer Burke continues to scour the halls of the Times Union Center with the Afterburn camera crew following closely along, looking for another FGA competitor to share their thoughts on the fallout of Final Frontier. He turns a corner and nearly stepping onto the heels of Chris Madison and Frankie Morrison as they made their way to the exit door.

Spencer Burke: Excuse me! Chris! Could I just get a moment of your time?

Madison had his hand pressed on the door on the verge of pushing it open when Spencer Burke called out to him. Chris removed his hand and spun around towards Spencer. Frankie reached out and shook Burke’s hand as Madison adjusted the strap of his duffle bag that was draped over his shoulder.

Frankie Morrison: Some match, huh Spence?

Spencer Burke: Incredible! I don’t think there is a single person in this company that can honestly say that Chris and Ryan’s performance out there tonight was forgettable. It has to feel good to score such a huge win on a stage like Final Frontier.

Morrison turned to his client and slapped him on the back while grinning from ear to ear.

Chris Madison: Yeah it does. My journey back to FGA has been marred with criticism. I left a fat contract extension, a championship title reign, and a promotion that I had dominated for a year; all because I knew I had something left to prove. The way my first run in FGA played out never sat well with me. Finally these fans are getting to see exactly what I’m capable of when I’m at my best.

Spencer Burke: Well tonight, we may have seen you at your best. Twice you bested Ryan LeCavalier; making her tap with a Triangle Choke and then putting her to sleep with your Peruvian Necktie. Was there any added pressure leading to tonight’s match with the added stipulations?

Chris Madison: Anytime you get to pick the kind of match you’re competing in, it’s expected that you’ll choose something that’ll tilt the playing field in your favor. What made tonight special was that we each got to choose a stipulation. We both had to deal with the choices we made. I knew I could exploit her style by grinding her out in a submission match; Your stamina drains rapidly when you’re constantly trying to fight off submission holds. She made it worse for herself when she wanted to add Pride Rules to match. Ryan is a hell of a competitor; and even though she lost, tonight was a great example of that.

Spencer Burke: You guys weren’t the only Pride Rules match out there tonight. But there seems to be some rumblings that you guys may have overshadowed the championship match between Evan Envi and Molly Reid.

Chris Madison: I’ve had my issues with Envi in the past but I’ll never deny his ability in the ring. Molly and Envi put on a top notch, two out of the three falls match. It’s simply just a matter of opinion. Our’s may have been more of a technical war but that doesn’t necessarily make it better. They both deserve credit for putting on a classic out there. Molly proved that it’s going to be tough for whoever thinks they can pry that Pride Championship away from her.

Spencer Burke: What’s next for Chris Madison?

Madison looked around with a smirk on his face; looking over both of his shoulders before focusing back on Spencer Burke.

Chris Madison: Well, seeing as there doesn’t seem to be anyone around that wants to interject themselves into our interview and call me out…

Madison shrugs his shoulders.

Chris Madison: We’ll just have to see what the committee has in store for me. I’m not fussy. I’m not going to stand here and call people out just for the sake of calling them out. Whatever opportunity presents itself next will be met head on! As Ryan learned tonight, I don’t shy away from a fight!

Spencer Burke: You expect me to believe that you don’t have anything eyed? Maybe a shot at a championship?

Chris respected Burke’s persistence and met it with a smile.

Chris Madison: I obviously wouldn’t pass up an opportunity. But I don’t know that I’m necessarily owed one. We’ll just have to wait and see…

Chris nodded his head and extended his hand towards Spencer Burke while taking a half of a step towards the exit door. Burke shook Madison’s hand and reciprocated the head nod.

Spencer Burke: Thanks for your time Chris. Looking forward to seeing how you follow up tonight's incredible performance!

Madison pushed the door open and made his way out of the arena with his manager by his side. The Afterburn feed cuts away as the door slams shut behind them.

[theminimalist]

Backstage, we find Blake Rogers in a black leather jacket and a pair of jeans as he walks down a hallway with a bag slung over his shoulder. He stops walking for a moment and a crooked smirk forms on his face as he looks at the camera and shrugs a shoulder. 

"What do you want me to say?" He asks, seemingly a bit taken off guard by the cameras presence at this exact moment in time. He takes a deep breath and looks down at the floor of the Times Union Center as he goes on. "I did what I said I was going to do out there. I know that in this business there's a lot of people that talk, run their mouth off and prove to be little more than just that. Talk. Hot air. But I'm not like most people in this business, just in case you haven't realized that by now."

He raises his face and locks his eyes on the camera, his crooked grin still in place. He gives a nod toward the camera and then sighs. "If you need further convincing of that, just ask Ian or Erin or Julian. I back up each and every little thing that I say. I've said for weeks now that I'd come into this arena tonight for my debut match in FGA and make a statement and I did just that. Of course, my victory wasn't without it's detractors." At this, he snickers and folds his arms over his chest as he raises an eyebrow.

"I've heard the ridiculous whispers back here since my match that some people think I may have stolen the win tonight. In particular, that I stole it right out from under Julian Tijerina." He snickers at this and goes silent for a few moments. He seems to be in thought as he slowly nods to himself several times and then flashes a smile at the camera. "But I'm not a thief. I didn't steal a damned thing. People may feel that way and Julian himself may be a little miffed, but you know what? If Julian was even half the wrestler that he thinks he is.........." He raises a hand and waves it in the air. "Scratch that, if he was even half the wrestler that I am then he would have finished the job with Cross while he had the chance. But he didn't. For that he has nobody to blame but himself. But enough about that schmuck. Because I didn't come to FGA to harp on some no talent, pretty boy hack."

He shakes his head with a wide, shit eating grin on his face. "I have bigger and better fish to fry. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to head on down the road here because I have a victory party to get to."

With that, we cut out.

[Izzy Anders]

<sub>Victory, something that Izzy has acquired many times throughout her time in Frontier Grappling Arts. She sat idly backstage, knowing that soon enough the cameras would rush her. People always want the opinions of the stars. Izzy does not consider herself popular, not due to her standing as anti-FGA. No, no one ever really cared much for her, due to her want to stay under the radar. She never spoke outward too much unless she had to. There was no time as ever to do so. As the main event scene, the coveted scene of those who want to make change, grew a little more narrow. She knew that she had to make her strides to get there.

As she analyzed external damage, she felt the presence of a camera operator. No Spencer Burke this time, she knew he must have been preoccupied with other matters. There was a world champion, an idiotic fratboy, and a reformed hero to talk to. She did not bother to look up, knowing what she had to say. 

Izzy Anders: "Do you see me?"

The question that she has cryptically asked to the masses as she brought herself back into the fold.

Izzy Anders: "I asked you this, because you need to recognize what just happened. I was given a challenge by Cordy Stevenson. She told me that if I wanted to make the change that I wanted, I need to leave a trail of unconscious bodies, bruised egos, and broken dreams. Just here tonight, I did just that. Noelle Smith had her chance to prove me wrong. She had the chance to rectify everything her sister has done or answer a year-long question for you all."

Izzy Anders: "Did Izzy Anders win by fluke or was she the real deal?"

She scoffed.

Izzy Anders: "I have made it plainly obvious since I stepped in Frontier Grappling Arts that I am the real deal. I have survived her. No, screw that, I did not just survive FGA."

Izzy, emitting a derisive chuckle, finally rose her head to the camera.

Izzy Anders: "I have thrived here in FGA. I will continue to do so as we transition into 2017. You all know what I want. I want the FGA World Championship. I do not care for the glitz and glamour that everyone has around it. I do not care for order or seniority or rights of passage. I do not care what anyone else wants. You know what I am back for. You know what I plan to do. If anyone wants to be a hero and get in the way, then you ought to know that I will make your life a living hell. I will give you a taste of what I have suffered."

She slicked back her hair with a dash of her hand.

Izzy Anders: "You know what? I should make the preemptive strike. It is high time that I went on the attack for once."</sub>