Grapple Kingdom (02.18.17)

[FGA Office]

“It is the dream of the Challenger to become Champion. The crowning achievement in a lifetime of desire.”

Clips are shown of of Sean Sands, Michael Tomkins, A.J. Fairchild, Johnny Cannon, Blaine Harrison, Jimmy Page and Cyncity reaching the top of the mountain and capturing the top prize in FGA.

“It is the dream of the Champion to aspire to greatness; to have their legacies etched in the annals of time.”

Clips are shown of of Dom Harter, Chris Q, and Chandler Scott winning the championship on multiple occasions.

“In tonight’s main event, for the first time ever, we will see a clash of two Champions whose Frontier have led them to the summit of wrestling.

ZERO MCHANNON, the arrogant champion. A rebel who spits in the face of adversity!”

Shots of McHannons championship wins at Final Frontier, Gold Rush Rumble and Above & Beyond V are shown.

“CORDELIA STEVENSON, a triumph of perseverance. The showman who stands in defiance of defeat!”

Shots of Cordy winning the ‘14 Frontier Lions Cup, ‘15 Gold Rush Rumble and ‘16 Dynamic Duos are shown before her World Title win last November.

“Tonight, we will witness their persistence, passion and pain. Two great athletes, two World Champions going head to head. Two grapplers bound by the dream of becoming… Undisputed Champion.

After tonight… one grappler, exhausted, will have his or her arm raised raised high, the quest realized. The challenge overcome. Their status as champion… UNDISPUTED!

One grappler, expended, will breath loneliness. Despite being unwilling to surrender, they will have been denied the dream of becoming… CHAMPION!

[FGA Office]

And now, Frontier Grappling Arts presents…

Rogers Arena
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The scene shifts to an outside shot of Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! We then transition inside the arena, where blue, green and white fireworks shoot off in various patterns. We then head to a wide shot of the arena. The camera pans around, capturing the rabid crowd. An FGA chant breaks out throughout several sections of the crowd while we transition to the ringside area, where Kris Cruise and Stephy Auger are standing by…

Kris Cruise: Welcome to the Pacific Northwest! Welcome to Vancouver, British Columbia! Welcome... to GRAPPLE KINGDOM! Hello everyone, I'm Kris Cruise and joining me as always is my colleague, Stephy Auger! Tonight, we make our debut here in in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada! Telling by the reaction of this crowd, they've been waiting impatiently for this one. It is a happening here tonight inside of Rogers Arena! They are literally hanging from the rafters. As the young kids say, IT'S LIT!

Stephy Auger: It is definitely something, Cruise. There's something in the atmosphere here tonight. You can feel the excitement of this red hot crowd. But Cruise, you can also feel the tension in the air. It's palpable. You could cut it with a knife. Up and down this card you've got great matches. But also, up and down this card you've got rivalries, grudge matches, you name it. Wins and losses won't be the only thing occurring inside that ring tonight. Pride will be crushed. Egos will be bruised. There's gonna be a lot of excited winners exiting the squared circle this afternoon. But there's also gonna be a lot of bitter loses who leave that ring with their heads hung in defeat.

Kris Cruise: I couldn't agree more. Tonight, we've got ten, yes TEN matches in store for you all tonight. Every single FGA Championship is on the line. How about that World Tag Team Title match between The Usual Suspects and the Elysian Empire?

Stephy Auger: Every time the Suspects and the Empire are in the ring with each other, the outcome is mired in some type of controversy. Though if you ask me, Chris Tryon and Jason Marx proved that they were the better team months ago. Tonight iss gonna be the exclamation point for the esteemed Anthony Reginald Rother and his boys.

Kris Cruise: In the next title match, Dom Harter is going for number four. He's going for the historic Grand Slam as he challenges Annie Zellor for her FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship!

Stephy Auger: Dom Harter has got history on his mind. He's had his mind on this moment for years. But Annie Zellor isn't about to just hand that title over to him. She proved at Final Frontier that she'll do everything in her power to regain this championship. I'd bet good money that she'll do everything in her power to retain the championship.

Kris Cruise: In our third title match of the evening, Pride Champion Molly Reid defends her gold against "Mayhem" Chris Madison.

Stephy Auger: Molly Reid had been called out for her so-called cheating. But regardless of any uncertainty or underlying issues, both champion and challenger were able to stay on the same page against Heroes Never Die two weeks that. This is, until Izzy Anders and Savannah Taylor beat the hell out of both of them and laid them out. Frankie Morrison says there's no animosity after Molly Reid "accidentally" gave him a Molly Kick. But I'm not sure I exactly believe the old man on that one. I think things are going to come a to head in this one. When push comes to shove, we'll see who wants it more.

Kris Cruise: Finally, it's our main event. FGA World Champion vs. FGA World Champion. Cordy Stevenson against Zero McHannon. They will both walk in as World Champion. But only one will walk out the FGA Undisputed Champion.

Stephy Auger: This has been a dream bout. Never before have we seen these two go at it one on one. The fans have been drooling over the thought of this match since Zero McHannon, the REAL World Champion, made his triumphant return at Final Frontier and laid Saint Sexy out! In my mind, he is the rightful champion. He will hammer that point home tonight when he becomes the UNDISPUTED Champion!

Kris Cruise: Of course, there's also the matter of the special guest referee, Chandler Scott.

Stephy Auger: Tonight, the Ace becomes the Wildcard. He's sworn up and down that he's going to remain impartial. But I don't believe it and neither do the fans at home. There's no love lost between him and Zero McHannon. After what happened ta the last show, it looks like there's issues between him and Stevenson as well.

Kris Cruise: We've got an action-packed Pay Per View for you all here tonight. But before we thrown it to the ring, let's show you some footage that took place just minutes before we came on the air...

[FGA Office]

It’s backstage of Grapple Kingdom as Spencer Burke is standing by next to Brian Stryker. Brian is face the wall with his headphones in as he’s bobbing his head to some song as he’s focusing in on a single brick. He’s putting himself in the mind set needed for tonight's match and he needs every ounce of focus he can muster. Spencer taps him on the shoulder as Brian turns around and removes his ear buds, music blasting out.

Spencer Burke: Brian, tonight is your PPV debut for FGA against Sadie. Now over the past few weeks you two have shared what could only be described as an odd relationship. Care to explain it?

Brian Stryker: There is nothing between us. I still don’t trust her. The fact of the matter is, she thinks I’m a stain in the business and I’m gonna prove her wrong and make her eat those words. She can say they were spur of the moment words, but let’s not bypass the fact she still said them. She thinks I’ve ruined this business? She thinks I need to be removed from it. I’m not gonna let that shit slide. At the end of this night, Sadie will be eating lots of crow when I pin her in the center of that ring.

Spencer Burke: But what about the people who say you have no real momentum in this match? You’re only win in FGA was in a tag match and you didn’t even get the pinfall in it. What do you say about that?

Brian Stryker: People are always looking for a reason to piss on me. They always wanna try to fuck over every single thing I ever accomplished in my life. Since day fucking one I had people reduce everything I done to this or that. Constantly saying “oh that title doesn’t matter cause it’s not this title.” Or “You haven’t won a world title in a big time fed so it doesn’t matter.” Constant what have you done for me lately bullshit. So yeah I didn’t get the pin in my tag match with Noelle, but we still beat Camp Envi together as a team. That is all that matters.

Just like all that matters tonight is beating Sadie. I’m gonna beat her and then move on with my life and head to bigger and better things. I’m gonna be a champ here in FGA, just a matter of time. And that first step on that path? Well it runs through a woman named Sadie San Francisco. And I’m gonna bulldoze my way through that obstacle. And no one's gonna tell me or stop me otherwise.

Brian puts his earbuds back in as he turns to face the wall again as he bounces in place a bit as he restarts his focusing.

[FGA Office]

Bryan Stryker vs. Sadie San Francisco

The beginning of Red Flag plays as the guitar intro hammers out into the arena. Brian Stryker walks out from behind the curtain, his hood up. Brian walks to the center of the stage. He gets down on one knee and runs his hand over the floor of thee stage. He rises to his feet and throws his hood back.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Weighing in at 215 pounds... BRIIIIIIIAAAAAAN STRYYYYYYKEEEEERRRR!!!

Stryker walks down the ramp, not taking his eyes off the ring. When he gets to the steel steps, he walks up them and climbs the turnbuckle to the top. He looks out to the crowd before holding out his arms before hopping down onto the floor.

Kris Cruise: Stryker’s been looking forward to this match for a while now, ever since Sadie San Francisco attacked his character a few weeks ago.

Stephy Auger: Attacked his character?! She was simply telling it like it is Kris. After the disrespect Stryker showed to our saviour Evan Envi by taking his locker room, he deserved every second of it.

The lights in the arena fade to a rose color as the familiar sound of smooth jazz echoes throughout the building. “Young Nation” hits the PA system and boos resonate among the audience. Sadie San Francisco steps out onto the stage, a cold expression hidden behind heavily-tinted aviators. She walks down the ramp, not paying much attention to the jeers or catcalls on either side of her. She pauses in front of the ring, glancing up at it before calmly walking around toward the side which the hard-camera faces.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from the West Side! Weighing in at 128 pounds... SAAAAADIEEEEEE SAAAAAAAAN FRAAAAAANCIIIISSSSSCOOOOO!!!

Sadie places a hand on the bottom rope before turning, looking over her shoulder toward the audience. With one finger, she lowers her sunglasses for just a moment to glimpse out at the audience before pushing them back into place and swiftly pulling herself into the ring beneath the bottom rope and right back up to her feet. Sadie calmly removes her sunglasses, handing them off to the referee, slowly walking the ropes as her music begins to fade out.

Kris Cruise: Sadie’s out here without her partner-in-crime Evan Envi tonight. If you remember, Envi’s been banned from ringside, forcing Sadie to compete by herself in this match

Stephy Auger: You act as though she would’ve relied on Evan’s help if he were allowed out here. Sadie doesn’t neeeed Evan. But it’s ridiculous that he’s not allowed out here for moral support!

The bell rings as Sadie San Francisco walks to the center of the ring and extends her hand towards Brian Stryker, who shakes his head no as he circles around San Francisco. She shrugs her shoulders in defeat before readying herself.

Kris Cruise: Sadie has been acting friendly towards Stryker for the past couple of weeks, but Stryker clearly still isn’t buying it.

Stephy Auger: It’s ridiculous. Sadie is just trying to offer her respect before the match and Stryker won’t even take it. And people call Sadie a bad person.

Stryker and SSF move towards each other, and Stryker immediate delivers a quick kick to the side of SSF’s knee, causing her to stop in her tracks. Stryker grabs SSF by the arm and whips her into the ropes. Off the rebound Stryker jumps and hurdles over SSF, who continues across the ring and hits the ropes again. As she rebounds, Stryker jumps up and delivers a big dropkick that connects with SSF’s chest and knocks her down to the mat.

Stryker hops up to his feet and quickly moves towards the ropes. He jumps and uses the ropes to springboard himself up into the air. Stryker flips and delivers the moonsault right across the chest of SSF and rolls off of her. He quickly scrambles over and hooks her leg.

Kris Cruise: Early pinfall attempt by Stryker after some quick offense!

ONE!
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Sadie San Francisco kicks out after the one count

Stephy Auger: Of course not, it takes a heck of a lot more than that to beat Sadie San Francisco.

Brian Stryker gets up to his feet and lifts Sadie to her feet as well. He grabs her by the arm and whips her across the ring again. But this time SSF hangs onto the ropes instead of rebounding, and Stryker jumps into the air to deliver a dropkick to nobody. He crashes hard to the mat as SSF walks over to him and begins stomping away at his downed body.

Kris Cruise: Excellent ring awareness by Sadie shown there, knowing exactly what Stryker was setting up and making sure it doesn’t happen

Stephy Auger: Remember Cruise, she learned from one of the greatest of all time in Evan Envi. She knows all the tricks of the trade.

Sadie San Francisco continues to stomp away at Brian Stryker, before dropping down to the mat and grabbing him in a front facelock. SSF guides Stryker back to his feet, keeping him locked in the facelock. She slams her elbow into his back a few times as Stryker gets back to his feet. SSF pushes Stryker into the ropes before releasing him from the facelock. SSF twists Stryker’s arms into the ropes, exposing his chest. SSF pulls her right arm back before delivering a sharp knife-edged chop to Stryker’s chest. Stryker recoils in pain but can’t get his arms free as SSF delivers another chop. Twice more SSF delivers a hard knife-edged chop, leaving a nice red mark across Stryker’s chest.

Sadie San Francisco takes a few steps back and looks at Stryker, who is leaning against the ropes with his arms still caught. SSF turns and runs at the opposite ropes. She rebounds and runs towards Stryker, jumping into the air and connecting with a big flying knee to Stryker’s jaw, which knocks him loose as he falls to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Huge flying knee from Sadie San Francisco, that looked like it caught Stryker square in the jaw

Stephy Auger: What’d I tell everyone, Sadie is a great wrestler and doesn’t need any extra help to beat anyone she steps into the ring with. It’s a shame her partner can’t be out here cheering her on.

Sadie drops down and rolls onto Stryker, hooking his leg as the referee begins to count

ONE!
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TWO!
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Stryker powers out after the two count, lifting his arm into the air.

Kris Cruise: Just a two-count there, Stryker survives to keep this match going

Sadie San Francisco gets to her feet and waits for Stryker to pull himself up on the ropes. SSF moves towards Stryker and begins to deliver forearm after forearm to his face. Stryker gets his hands up and backs towards the middle of the ring. He swings wildly, trying to deliver a forearm of his own, but SSF ducks under his arm and ends up behind him. SSF stomps on the back of Stryker’s knee, taking him down to the mat. SSF runs to the ropes once more and hits them. Off the rebound she jumps in the air and looks to deliver a running corkscrew roundhouse knee strike to Stryker’s face, but he ducks underneath it at the last moment.

Kris Cruise: Ooooh, Sadie just misses with the Palo Alto there. That could’ve been all she wrote for Stryker.

Stephy Auger: He’s only delaying the inevitable.

Stryker gets to his feet and runs at SSF. He jumps into the air and delivers a flying crossbody that takes her down to the ground. Stryker gets to his feet and wastes no time in delivering a big leg drop across the neck of SSF. Stryker gets to his feet and moves towards the ropes. He uses them to springboard himself into the air, this time delivering a corkscrew moonsault across SSF. Stryker quickly covers her as the ref counts.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Sadie bucks her hips and kicks out just before the referee’s hand begins to come down for a final time.

Kris Cruise: Another near fall for Stryker, he’s really trying to put this one away every chance he gets.

Stephy Auger: He’s trying to catch Sadie napping, but he’s finding out that’s just not possible.

Stryker gets up to his feet and lifts Sadie by the hair to her feet. As soon as he gets her standing, he’s met with a stiff left hook to the side of the head that staggers him. SSF pulls her arm back, looking to deliver a throat punch to Stryker. But he dodges it as the force of the punch sends SSF spinning around past Stryker. He grabs SSF from behind, hooks her leg, and lifts her into the air before slamming her down behind with a leg-hook saito suplex

Kris Cruise: Stryke 2 from Stryker! This might be it!

Stryker rolls over and hooks Sadie’s leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

Sadie pushes her shoulder off the mat in the nick of time as the referee holds two fingers in the air.

Stephy Auger: She’s still alive!

Stryker gets to his feet and looks down at Sadie on the mat. He quickly moves to the corner of the ring and climbs onto the turnbuckle. As Stryker stands perched on the top rope, he looks down at SSF to make sure she’s still on her back in the ring. He then launches himself off the top rope looking to land the shooting star press.

Kris Cruise: Air Stryke!

Stephy Auger: Not so fast!

Right after Stryker jumps, Sadie rolls out of the way. Stryker crashes chest first on the mat as Sadie stands up behind him. Stryker slowly gets to his feet, holding his chest in pain. SSF waits behind him until he’s completely on his feet before she hooks his arms from behind. SSF twists Stryker around, before she slams him face-first into the mat with her signature inverted double underhook facebuster. She quickly hooks his leg.

Kris Cruise: Vanity from Sadie, seemingly out of nowhere! Stryker looks like he’s out cold.

Stephy Auger: This is it!

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“Young Nation” blares throughout the arena as the crowd boos

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, SADIE SAN FRANCISCO!

Sadie San Francisco gets her arm raised in victory while the crowd continues to boo, which she pays no mind to

Kris Cruise: Well it was a great effort from Stryker, but in the end he just couldn’t quite get it done against Sadie.

Stephy Auger: I tell you, if Stryker hadn’t been so suspicious of Sadie, he might have been able to focus on this match solely and come away with the win.

Kris Cruise: You still think Sadie was seriously trying to be nice to him?

Stephy Auger: Of course! This match proves it. Remember, she offered to shake his hand before it started.

Sadie San Francisco continues to celebrate in the ring as the referee goes to check on Brian Stryker, who is slowly coming to as the screen cuts backstage.

[ FADE OUT ]

[FGA Office]

Mid-Atlantic Legacy Title Eliminator
Blake Rogers vs. Julian Tijerina

The lights go out. A few seconds later, "Senbonzakura" (violin cover) by Lindsey Stirling plays, the lights go back on, and Julian Tijerrrrrrrrriiiiiiinnaa!!! comes out, bathed in purple and pink spotlight and holding a purple rose, which he smells. He pivots slowly for the benefit of the crowd. On his way to the ring, he high-fives fans and surrenders his rose to a lucky girl at ringside.

Julian gracefully climbs inside the ring. Once inside the ring, Julian spins on his toes with both arms stretched to either side and his head towards the ceiling. He stops and slowly, almost dramatically, removes his mask and shows his own grin, a more attractive version of the mask's. In one fluid motion, Julian takes off the poncho, and ends up with both arms once again stretched to either side, one hand holding his mask while the other holding the poncho.

J.A. Aldridge: The following Mid-Atlantic Legacy Title Eliminator is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Extremadura, Spain! Weighing in at 220 pounds… JUUUULIIIAAAAN TIIIIIIJEEEEERRRRRIIIINAAAA!!!

Surrendering the mask and the poncho to the referee, Julian climbs the turnbuckle and again stretches both arms to either side before applauding the fans, randomly waving and pointing at people, blowing kisses at cute girls, and occasionally winking. Finally, he goes back down, stretches with the ropes' help, and waits for his opponent to get in the ring with him.

Kris Cruise: The issues between these two men date back to the Fatal Fourway at Final Frontier, where Blake Rogers stole the win from Julian Tijerina.

Stephy Auger: Just stop, stop, stop. Every time Tijerina has been in the ring with Rogers and come up short, he’s cried foul. He cried foul after the Fatal Four Way and cried foul after the Six Man Tag. Tijerina’s a fine wrestler. There’s something a bit… weird about him. But he’s a fine wrestler. He’s very talented. He’s just not as good as Blake Rogers and “The Minimalist” will prove that once again here tonight.

The venue quiets down and soon buzzes with the fans' chatter amongst themselves before there's some action on top of the entrance ramp. Blake Rogers walks out with his hands on his hips. The crowd begins to mostly boo him as he looks around at them and walks down to the ring, cracking his knuckles and rolling his wrists a bit as he does so.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Niskayuna, New York! Weighing in at 217 pounds… BLAAAAAAKE ROOOOOGERRRRS!!!

He slides into the ring and walks over to his corner, where he beckons the referee over and makes them check his pads and boots for any hidden objects.

Kris Cruise: Rogers kicked off this rivalry with Tijerina when Tijerina felt that he stole the win from him at Final Frontier. But that isn’t the only thing Rogers stole. Rogers stole valuable ring time away from Erin Gordon, who is still recovering from the injury she suffered after getting a brainbuster on the apron.

Stephy Auger: I hope that farm girl is doing okay. But right now, let’s focus on the man whose carry is on the way up, not the person whose career has stalled. The Minimalist is just two wins away from a Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship match. I think he’s got it in the bag, Cruise.

The bell sounds both men start things off with a lock up. After jockeying for position, Rogers gains the advantage as he applies a wrenching side headlock. The ref asks Tijerina is he wants to give up. But the Spanish Sweetheart refuses. He then tries to shove Rogers off of him. But Rogers doesn’t budge. Instead, he cinches on the headlock even more. After trying to maneuver his way out of the hold, Tijerina wraps his arms around Rogers’ waist, takes a few steps back and then tries to shove Rogers off of him. But again, it’s to no avail as Rogers drops down to a knee while keeping the hold applied. The ref gets down next to Tijerina and asks if he wants to give up. But again, Tijerina refuses. After battling his way back to his feet, he nails Rogers with three forearms to the ribs before shoving him off into the ropes. When Rogers returns, the crowd boos as he runs Tijerina over with a shoulder block. He quickly drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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Tijerina kicks out.

Rogers picks up Tijerina and goes for an irish whip. But Tijerina reverses, sending Rogers into the ropes. When Rogers returns, Tijerina throws him down with an over the shoulder arm drag. After Rogers gets back up, Tijerina runs over and brings him down with a wheelbarrow arm drag. Once Rogers gets back to a vertical base, Tijerina brings him down with a tilt-a-whirl arm drag, sending Rogers rolling underneath the bottom rope and to the outside.

Kris Cruise: Just like that, Tijerina sends Rogers to the floor.

While Rogers picks himself back up, Tijerina takes off into the far ropes. When Tijerina returns, the crowd cheers when he delivers a baseball slide into into a headscissors takedown.

Kris Cruise: Beautiful technique on display there for Tijerina!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, it was a flashy move. Tijerina’s got a lot of flashy moves. But when you’re as mechanically sound as Rogers, you don’t need the flash and the flare. The basics are good enough to get the job done.

Kris Cruise: Well right now, it’s Tijerina that’s getting the job done against Rogers!

Tijerina picks up Rogers, leans him back against the guardrail and unleashes three knife edge chops. After a kick to the midsection, Tijerina takes Rogers, slams him face-first onto the apron and shoves him back into the ring. Tijerina then slides himself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Rogers kicks out.

Tijerina picks up Rogers and goes for an irish whip. But Rogers reverses the irish whip. He then follows Tijerina across the ring and into the corner. But instead of crashing into the corner, Tijerina runs up the turnbuckles and backflips off the top. Once Rogers turns around, the crowd cheers when Tijerina connects with a corner dropkick. After he returns to his feet, he runs back into the corner and sends Rogers crumbling to the mat with a step-up enzuigiri. Tijerina then slingshots himself out onto the apron before going for La Guillotina (slingshot leg drop). But Rogers rolls out onto the apron, causing Tijerina to connect with nothing but canvas.

Kris Cruise: Nobody’s home!

Stephy Auger: Ooooo, I bet that one stung.

Rogers takes Tijerina, drags his upper body out across the apron and delivers clubbing shots across the chest. He then slides back in, grabs Tijerina by the legs and drags him into position. After hooking his arms around Tijerina legs, the crowd boos when Rogers catapults him throat-first into the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: My goodness! Tijerina just got whipped violently into the bottom rope thirst-first!

Stephy Auger: Rogers is making the cover! He’s got the cover!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tijerina gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tijerina, moves him into the corner and delivers three knife edge chops to the chest before delivering a chop across the throat. While Tijerina is doubled over, Rogers brings him away from the corner, lifts him up and throws him down with a front suplex across the top rope. While Tijerina is dangling across the top rope, Rogers runs over and connects with a high knee lift, knocking Tijerina off the ropes. Tijerina then bounces off the apron before hitting the floor.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina hit every part of the ring on the way down.

Stephy Auger: Looks like he hit every branch on the ugly tree on the way down, too.

The boos continue as Rogers rolls to the outside and puts the boots to Tijerina. He then pulls the Venomous Virtuoso back to his feet before ramming him back-first against the side of the ring. After delivering a hard knee to the midsection, Rogers takes Tijerina and rolls him back into the ring. He then rolls himself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tijerina gets his foot on the middle rope.

Rogers returns to his feet, grabs the top rope with both hands and proceeds to put the boots to Tijerina’s midsection. He then brings Tijerina back to his feet before whipping him into the far ropes. When Tijerina returns, Rogers throws him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tijerina gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: How was that not two? How is his back not broken in half right now?

Rogers picks up Tijerina, nails him with four knees to the midsection and follows up with a gutwrench suplex. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tijerina gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Rogers is trying to work over and exploit the back of Julian Tijerina. But the Spanish Sweetheart continues to fight on.

Stephy Auger: Foolishly, might I add.

Rogers picks up Tijerina, delivers a double leg pick-up and them rams him back-first into the corner. After a series of shoulder thrusts to the midsection, Rogers takes Tijerina and goes for a bulldog out of the corner. But Tijerina shoves Rogers off of him and into the ropes. When Rogers returns, Tijerina goes for a leapfrog. But Rogers catches him in mid air before slamming him down with authority with a rolling spinebuster. The move causes some members of the front row to leap out of their seats.

Kris Cruise: My goodness, what a spinebuster!

Rogers says “that’s it!” before rolling across Tijerina and hooking the leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd cheers when Tijerina gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tijerina’s legs and slowly turns him over into a Boston Crab. As soon as the hold is applied, Tijerina howls in agony.

Stephy Auger: Oh he’s got is locked in now. He’s not going anywhere!

The ref asks Tijerina if he wants to give up. When he refuses, Rogers pulls back.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina is trying to fight his way out of this hold.

Tijerina continues to shake his head while groaning in pain. The official continues to check in with Tijerina and asks him if he wants to submit. But again, Tijerina refuses.

Stephy Auger: Don’t be an idiot, Tijerina. Throw in the towel.

Rogers starts to get frustrated with Tijerina’s refusal to submit. So he begins jerking back over and over.

Kris Cruise: Look at Rogers fight for that submission!

The ref gives Tijerina the opportunity to submit. But Tijerina refuses. He then slowly pushes himself up off the canvas.

Stephy Auger: What is he doing?

While holding himself up with his arms, Tijerina slowly puts one hand in front of the other as he makes his way towards the ropes.

Kris Cruise: Tijerina’s trying to pull himself towards the ropes! He’s fighting for every inch!

Rogers shakes his head in denial as Tijerina continues to make progress. The Spanish Sweetheart reaches his arm out… and grabs the bottom rope to a round of cheers from the crowd. But the cheers quickly turn to boos once Rogers refuses to release the hold. So the ref gives him until five to let go.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Rogers reluctantly lets go.

Rogers reaches down, pulls Tijerina back to his feet by his hair from behind and shoves him into the ropes. After Tijerina bounces back, Rogers nails him with a forearm shiver to the lower back, causing Tijerina to yelp. He then grabs Tijerina by the back of the tights with both hands and delivers a headbutt to the small of the back. Rogers brings Tijerina back towards the center of the ring and goes for a German Suplex. But Tijerina hooks his right leg around Rogers’, blocking the move. Rogers then goes to hoist Tijerina up for a German. But Tijerina blocks by nailing him with a back elbow to the face. He then nails Rogers with another back elbow… and another. Once the hold is broken, Tijerina goes to run towards the ropes. But Rogers reaches forward, grabs the back of his tights, yanks him back into his clutches and goes for a belly to back suplex. But Tijerina rolls over his shoulder, lands on his feet and quickly rolls him up with a schoolboy.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tijerina strains as he slowly lifts Rogers up off the mat and throws him down with a schoolboy suplex. Tijerina slowly drops to his knees as he arches his back in pain. After holding the small of his back, he leans over and makes the cover.

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

Tijerina picks up Rogers and goes for an irish whip. But Rogers reverses, sending Tijerina into the ropes. When Tijerina returns, Rogers throws out a clothesline. But Tijerina ducks. When Rogers turns around, he’s met with shoot kicks to the leg and right leg, followed by a roundhouse kick, followed by a superkick that knocks him down. Tijerina drops down and makes the cover.

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

Tijerina picks up Rogers and goes for an irish whip. But Rogers reverses, sending Tijerina crashing into the corner. Tijerina arches his back as soon as he collides with the turnbuckles. While Tijerina is still writhing in pain, Rogers charges into the corner. But he’s met with a back elbow to the face. While Rogers is stunned, Tijerina hoists himself up onto the middle ropes before bringing him down with a diving neckbreaker. The crowd cheers while he turns over and makes the cover.

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

Tijerina pulls Rogers up onto his knees and delivers three shoot kicks to the chest. He then throws out a Buzzsaw Kick. But Rogers ducks, quickly hops to his feet, grabs Tijerina from behind and delivers a release German Suplex that leaves him folded up.

Kris Cruise: Oh no!

The boos continue as Rogers then pulls Tijerina over and makes the cover.

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

Tijerina gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: What?

Rogers picks up Tijerina and goes for another German Suplex. But Tijerina nails him with three back elbows to the face, followed by a Pelé Kick that sends him stumbling through the ropes and onto the apron.

Kris Cruise: A timely counter there by Tijerina!

Tijerina slowly makes his way over towards the ropes. He goes to lift up Rogers, but Rogers slips through his clutches and connects with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. While Tijerina is doubled over, Rogers hits a sunset flip. The crowd cheers as Tijerina can be seen swinging his arms wildly. Once he regains his balance, he drops down to his knees.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
Tijerina grabs the middle rope with both hands.
.
THREE!

Rogers kicks out.

Tijerina quickly rolls out to the floor.

The crowd cheers when "Senbonzakura" (violin cover) hits the speakers.

Stephy Auger: What? What?

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, JULIAN TIJERINA!

The crowd continues to cheer as the ref heads to the outside and hold Tijerina’s arm in the air.

Stephy Auger: No, no, no, no, no!

Tijerina waves back at Rogers before blowing him a kiss. Rogers is irate!

Kris Cruise: Julian Tijerina has finally defeated Blake Rogers one on one! In two weeks on Vertigo, he’ll meet AMIRA in another contenders match for the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship!

Stephy Auger: The man that’s been complaining about Blake Rogers stealing victory from him just stole this match! Unbelievable!

[FGA Office]

Outside the Rogers Arena the weather has been dull and grey, with the sun constantly obscured by the cloud cover and the misery is compounded by the regular showers - yet inside the weather there's a similar sense of gloom, as Johnny Karma sits alone in his locker room as he halfheartedly checks to see if his phone is fixed at the correct angle before he takes a moment to take a breath and think of the words he wants to say

Johnny Karma: No matter what walk of life you're in, there's always that one moment where you find yourself in a situation where you're stuck. You know what the problem is, you know you've dealt with something similar before, yet for whatever reason...

Karma loudly claps his hands together to illustrate what he's saying

Johnny Karma: ...it hits you like a freight train, and no matter what you try you find yourself tying yourself in knots and every attempt to free yourself sees the knots get tighter. And that’s where I am now, trying to untangle myself only to continue trapping myself.

Looking towards the ceiling for the briefest of seconds, Karma tries to put his thoughts into words

Johnny Karma: I thought what I’d be facing was a loudmouth who wants to throw their weight around, something that I knew how to go up against because I’ve gone up against so many people who fit that description that I lost count three times over because when you put one pisk in their place you can put all of them in their place, the only difference is how long it takes to do it. But that was…

Karma pauses, still trying to formulate his thoughts into a coherent whole

Johnny Karma: There’s a difference between someone who’ll attack you from behind and someone who’ll attack a bystander just because they can, that’s what I’m trying to say. You can put your hands, your feet, and your elbows on me because I can take it, I’ve been trained for it, and most of all I know how to come back from it. Do you think Cherry has been trained for it, or knows how to take a trained athlete punching her full-force in the face for the sole reason she was an easy target? Of course she hasn’t, and that’s exactly what Izzy Anders preyed upon: knowing that she wasn’t in a position to fight back, or if I knew then what I know now she knew that any attempt at fighting back would be easily put down. That’s the destruction that Izzy was talking about – not bringing down something large, something which will take planning and effort, but to smash something small just for shock value.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Karma continues

Johnny Karma: This is what gets me: I know this, I’ve been on this roundabout long enough that I should see everything she has planned, yet every single time she manages to be three steps ahead of me. When I try to make her stand in front of the public to admit to what she did, she was lying in wait to make sure she didn’t have to. When I was prepared to put down her partner in crime, she was there to not only prevent that from happening but turn the tables – although I’ll be honest, I should’ve known that was coming. And then when I get attacked by Camp Envi, she attacked Camp Envi to steal the retribution from Noelle Smith’s grasp she also sent a message, telling me that what she was capable of doing to the two members of Camp Envi was nothing compared to what she could have done to me as I lay helpless. Every single time I found myself lost and on my own, not knowing up from down, as I wound myself into a tighter knot. Which leads me to tonight, where at last I get myself into a situation I can understand, with nothing but a referee between myself and Izzy Anders, which should be the great equaliser. Should be. Yet as I sit here, getting ready for my match, there’s a voice in the back of my head telling me that something isn’t right and I’m about to find another way to tie…

Cherry Baum: Hey J-K, what’re you up to?

The sudden interruption of Cherry returning from her media duties startles Karma, catching him off guard and grasping for a cover story

Johnny Karma: I was…trying to get the hang of this Facebook Live thing, although I’m not sure if I’m doing it right.

Intrigued by Karma’s explanation, Cherry approaches and looks at the camera and waves

Cherry Baum: Hello there, how’re you enjoying the show so far?

Cherry flashes a kittenish smile at the camera, unaware that Karma looks guilty as sin sat right next to her

Cherry Baum: Listen, I know tonight’s going to be a bit difficult for you considering…look, we both know what she did and how it’s been eating you up inside so there’s no need to bring it up again, and we both know she’s been trying to get inside your head…

Johnny Karma: Trying?

Cherry pauses, placing the tip of her tongue between her lips for a second as she searches for the right words

Cherry Baum: Okay, Izzy wants to play mind games with you, and she’s obviously had a lot of practice in doing that sort of thing because she knows which buttons to push and when, but you need to realise something about people who live to push other people’s buttons: they don’t know what to do when people push back.

Cherry realises her advice sounded more than a little trite

Cherry Baum: I know that sounded simplistic, but let me put it another way: how can she wrap you around her little finger when you’re stood on her hand? You need to go on the offensive against her, because all it takes is one moment where you catch her off guard and her spell’s broken.

Johnny Karma: You make it sound so easy.

Cherry Baum: I’m not saying it’s easy, but I’m also not saying it’s impossible – but the longer you find yourself questioning what you have to do, the harder you make it for yourself.

An expression crosses Karma’s face that somehow combines being impressed and also a little confused, as he’s sure that Cherry wasn’t in the room when he was recording his video yet she seems to know exactly what’s been weighing on Karma’s mind

Johnny Karma: Go on the offensive…

Karma lets the words roll around in his mind, trying to formulate a plan with those few words of advice while trying to fit them to what he knows about Izzy and what he’s experienced lately – and he’s clearly putting some thought to it.

[FGA Office]

Kris Cruise: Coming up next, it’s Ricky Valero vs. Owen Gonsalves. Any love or respect between these two has now gone well out the window, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: There is no love lost here. The two got into it on the last episode of Vertigo. Tonight, there’s no one to stop them from tearing into each other.

Ricky Valero vs. Owen Gonsalves

The hard bass beat of Run The Jewels' "Blockbuster Night Part I" vibrates throughout the arena as the crowd immediately look down the aisle way in anticipation of the man about to step out from behind the curtain.

'Bunches and bunches
Punches is thrown until you’re frontless
Oodles and oodles
Bang bullets at suckers' noodles
Last album? Voodoo!
Proved that we was fuckin' brutal
I’m talking crazy, half past the clock is cuckoo'

As soon as Killer Mike spits the first words of the song, "Indestructible" Owen Gonsalves steps through to a pop from the audience as he flips up the collar of his old mentor's ring jacket and begins to analyse the crowd. Once El-P's verse begins, The Submission Alchemist immediately begins to walk down towards the ring, mouthing the words to the song as he acknowledges a few of the folks in the front row.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 205 pounds… He is “Indestructible” OOOOOOWENNNN GOOOOOOONSAAAAAALVES!!!

'Look at these kiddies, Mike
I'm a rat-a-tat 'em for living
I deal in dirty work
Do the deed and then dash
Ditch 'em'

Having made his way to the bottom of the ramp, Owen starts shadow boxing to the camera at the bottom of the ramp before throwing an elbow in the camera's direction as El-P says 'ditch 'em'. Owen climbs on the apron and up on the second turnbuckle, looking out to the audience before hopping in the ring. The music slowly fades as Owen removes his ring jacket and begins to warm up, awaiting for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves’ idol has now become his rival. What an unfortunate turn of events for the Aussie.

Stephy Auger: Boo hoo, Cruise. Ricky Valero made his intentions loud and clear. He was done with the tag team scene. It was all about number one now. It was about him fighting to becoming World Champion. So what happens? The very next week, he gets stuck in a tag team match with this guy! On that night, Gonsalves learned a very valuable lesson. They say that you should never meet your idols because they’ll end up disappointing you. But on that night, his idol was disappointed in his poor performance. So he left Gonsalves to fend for himself, just like he’s got to fend for himself here tonight. I hope Gonsalves was able to soak up all that knowledge from Valero. He’ll need every last bit of it in this one.

"The Game" by Motorhead blasts throughout the arena. White and pink strobe lights flash as Ricky makes his appearance and stands through a cloud of fog bouncing on his toes with a sly smirk on his face. He makes his way toward the ring intentionally ignoring the outstretched hands of front row fans along his route. He circles the ring, before reaching the far corner. Slowly he climbs up the steps and leans his back against the ropes, bouncing against them a few times with his arms wrapped over top of them before hopping into the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Staten Island, New York! Weighing in at 227 pounds… RIIIIICKYYYYY VAAAAALEEEEROOOOOO!!!

Ricky spins around in the center of the ring with his arms extended out, absorbing the crowd's disdain. He walks towards the ropes on the far side of the ring and simply smiles. The music slowly quiets down as Ricky turns and leans against the ropes closest to the entranceway, awaiting the start of the match.

The bell sounds as both men rush towards the center of the ring to attack.

Kris Cruise: There’s two aren’t wasting any time going after each other!

Gonsalves is the first to strike with a running boot to the face, followed by an elbow smash. Valero comes back with an elbow smash of his own. Gonsalves delivers another hard elbow smash. Valero answers back with an elbow smash of his own. Gonsalves fires off another elbow smash. Valero responds with another elbow smash of his own. Both men then grab each other by the back of their necks with one hand while using the other arm to deliver rapid elbow smashes. The crowd responds with a roar of cheers.

Kris Cruise: Look at these two men go! They’re firing off shots with no regard to safety or stamina!

The two men trade blows until Valero gains the upperhand. The boos continue as he nails Gonsalves with another elbow smash… and another… and another… and another… and another. While Gonsalves is dazed, Valero turns and runs into the ropes. When Valero comes back, he throws out a clothesline. But Gonsalves ducks and runs towards the ropes. When Valero turns around, the crowd cheers when Gonsalves knocks him down with a springboard corkscrew European Uppercut. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Valero kicks out.

Gonsalves picks up Valero and knocks him back with a series of European Uppercuts. Each uppercuts knocks Valero closer and closer towards the corner. After the last uppercut causes Valero to stumble back into the corner, Gonsalves lights up his chest with five knife edge chops. He then takes Valero and goes for an irish whip. But Valero reverses, sending Gonsalves into the opposite corner. Valero then charges across the ring. But Gonsalves is able to duck the attack and dump Valero over the top rope…

… but Valero lands safely on the apron. Before Gonsalves can even turn around, Valero grabs him around the neck from behind and drops off the apron, clipping the back of Gonsalves’ neck with a reverse hangman across the top rope.

Kris Cruise: My goodness! That had to do some damage!

Stephy Auger: Getting your neck dropped across those hard ropes never feels good. I think people underestimate just how dangerous those ropes are.

While Gonsalves stumbles away from the ropes, Valero leaps up onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle. When Gonsalves turns around, the crowd boos when Valero leaps off and knocks him down with a missile dropkick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Gonsalves kicks out.

Valero picks up Gonsalves and whips him into the ropes. When Gonsalves returns, Valero goes for a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. But Gonsalves counters into a tilt-a-whirl fujiwara armbar. The crowd cheers as Gonsalves pulls back on the arm.

Kris Cruise: Look at that reversal! The student just turned the tables on the master!

Valero howls in pain while the ref asks him if he wants to give up. But Valero refuses. He then begins to pull himself over towards the ropes. He reaches out… and grabs the bottom rope, resulting in boos from the crowd. But Gonsalves won’t release the hold! So the ref gives Gonsalves until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Gonsalves reluctantly lets go. He picks up Valero, brings him away from the ropes and throws him down with a hammerlock scoop slam. Vaero immediately clutches his left arm. Gonsalves reaches down, brings Valero back to his feet, lifts him up and delivers a hammerlock belly to back suplex. Again, Valero clutches his left arm. After a series of stomps to the midsection, Gonsalves takes the left arm, bends it at 90 degrees and places Valero’s palm flat against the canvas. From there, Gonsalves jumps up and delivers a stomp to the elbow. Valero howls in pain as he spasms while clutching his left arm.

Stephy Auger: He’s trying to damage the arm of Ricky Valero! How dare he!

Kris Cruise: How dare he? How dare Valero turn his back on Gonsalves!?

After Valero turns over and supports himself on his knees and right arm, Gonsalves reaches over and slowly pulls his left arm away from his torso. After straddling the left arm, Gonsalves delivers a jumping seated senton across the arm, causing Valero to howl in pain. Valero keeps his left hand locked in a tight fist. But after much resistance, Gonsalves is able to wrestle Valero’s fingers away. Gonsalves then takes Valero’s left index finger… and tries to yank it from out of its socket, causing Valero to howl in pain. He then takes Valero’s left ring finger and begins to quickly ring it around in a circle. Valero can be seen clenching his teeth while he groans in agony. Gonsalves then takes Valero’s left middle finger… and yanks to back. Valero screams in pain before slithering away from Gonsalves. Valero then rolls himself over towards the ropes. While he holds his left arm close to his torso, Valero wraps his right arm around the bottom rope. Gonsalves goes over and tries to pull Valero away from the ropes. But the ref is forced to start a five count since Valero is wrapped around the ropes.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Gonsalves lets go. After being instructed to head back towards the center of the ring, Gonsalves puts his hands up defensively while taking a few steps back towards the center of the ring. While Valero slowly pulls himself up with the ropes, Gonsalves arches back over to attack. But he’s quickly met with a boot to the midsection. After another kick, Valero uses his right arm to blast Gonsalves in the face with an elbow smash. After shaking off the blow, Gonsalves answers back with an elbow of his own. Valero nails Gonsalves with another elbow smash. Gonsalves comes back with another elbow of his own. Valero motions for another elbow smash, but Gonsalves cuts him off with an elbow smash of his own, followed by a European Uppercut. Gonsalves fires off another European Uppercut… and another… and another. While Valero is dazed against the ropes, Gonsalves turns and runs into the far ropes. When Gonsalves returns, Valero ducks and dumps Gonsalves over the top rope. Gonsalves is able to land safely on the apron. But Valero quickly follows up with a Pelé Kick, which sends Gonsalves crumbling down onto the apron.

While Gonsalves is down on the apron, Valero heads into the corner and climbs up to the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: What is Valero looking to go for?

After looking down at Gonsalves, Valero uses his right hand to give him the middle finger. The crowd boos as leaps off the top turnbuckle and crashes down violently across Gonsalves with Burying the Hatchet (diving double foot stomp). Both men slip off the apron and fall to the floor.

Stephy Auger: That was great!

Kris Cruise: My goodness! Valero might have just stomped two holes right through Gonsalves chest!

Valero picks up Gonsalves and delivers a russian leg sweep against the side of the ring. He then brings Gonsalves away from the side of the ring before taking him down with a swinging neckbreaker.

Valero kicks Gonsalves off to the side before reaching down and pulling back the protective matting with his right hand.

Kris Cruise: Oh no! Referee, you’ve got to get in there and stop this!

Valero picks up Gonsalves and sets him up for a DDT. But Gonsalves is able to counter by running forward and ramming Valero back-first against the guardrail.

Kris Cruise: Valero just saved himself from being spiked head-first on the exposed floor.

Gonsalves steps back and delivers a series of shoot kicks to the chest. He then leaps up and connects with a jumping knee strike, sending Valero crumbling down to the floor.

Kris Cruise: To think that at one point there was mutual respect between the two. But you couldn’t tell with the way they’re going at each other.

Gonsalves climbs up onto the apron and begins to wave up Valero. Once Valero returns to his feet and turns around, Gonsalves runs along the apron, leaps off and goes for a cannonball senton. But Valero moves out of the way…

*SPLAT!!![/b]

Stephy Auger: Yes!

Gonsalves lands back-first on the concrete floor.

Kris Cruise: Valero rolled out of the way! Gonsalves just landed hard on the exposed floor after Valero moved out of the way!

Valero picks up Gonsalves and rolls him back into the ring. He then rolls himself back in before making the cover.

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

Gonsalves gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Valero picks up Gonsalves and delivers a bridging northern lights suplex.

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

Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Valero picks up Gonsalves, delivers an irish whips across the ring, follows him into the corner and connects with a corner forearm smash (with the right arm). He then brings Gonsalves from out of the corner, doubles him over with a knee to the midsection and hooks both arms.

Stephy Auger: This doesn’t look good for Gonsalves.

Valero strains as he slowly lifts Gonsalves up… and delivers a double underhook backbreaker. Valero clutches his left arm before making the cover.

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

Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Even with a hurt arm, he was able to get Gonsalves up!

Valero goes for a vertical suplex, but Gonsalves blocks it. Gonsalves then takes Valero and lifts him up for a Falcon Arrow. But Valero’s able to slip down from behind before shoving Gonsalves. Valero immediately clutches his left arm again while Gonsalves heads into the ropes. When Gonsalves returns, Valero knocks him down with Dream Street (jumping corkscrew roundhouse knee). While Gonsalves is down, Valero heads into the ropes. When he returns, he delivers the Leg Drops of Jupiter (rally of consecutive leg drops) before making the cover.

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

Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Valero returns to his feet, grabs Gonsalves by the ankle and drags him into the corner with one arm. After a series of stomps to the chest, Valero heads back out onto the apron before scaling to the top turnbuckle. He leaps off for Burying the Hatchet. But Gonsalves rolls out of the way. After Valero lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward.When Valero returns to his feet and turns around, the crowd cheers when Gonsalves brings him down by a Draco Meteora (diving double knee drop to standing opponent).

Gonsalves picks up Valero and whips him into the ropes. When Valero returns, Gonsalves knocks him down with a running European Uppercut. When Valero gets back to his feet and turns around, Gonsalves knocks him down with another running European Uppercut. After Valero returns to his feet, Gonsalves lifts him up and throws him down with a Michinoku Driver.

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

The crowd boos when Valero gets his shoulder up.

Gonsalves picks up Valero, grabs him from behind and throws out the Darkest Lariat (rainmaker). But Valero ducks and runs into the ropes. When Valero returns, Gonsalves clocks him with a jumping knee strike to the face. While Valero is dazed, Gonsalves quickly turns him around before turning him inside out with the Darkest Lariat. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs, then boos when Valero gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: He nearly had him!

Gonsalves picks up Valero and nails him with a hard European Uppercut before running towards the ropes. He goes for the Genesis Supernova (handspring cutter). But Valero counters with a superkick to the back of the head in mid air.

Stephy Auger: Valero with the counter!

Valero picks up Gonsalves from behind, lifts him up primarily with his right arm and drops him on the back of his head with the PinnaclePlex (release leg hook belly to belly suplex). The boos continue as Valero pulls up Gonsalves from behind once more and applies the Cobra Clutch.

Stephy Auger: Yes! Yes!
Kris Cruise: He’s got it locked on! Valero’s got the Cobra Clutch locked on!


Valero tries his best to cinch in the hold while the ref asks Gonsalves if he wants to give up. When Gonsalves refuses to quit, Valero strains as he lifts him up and delivers The Franchise Tag (cobra clutch suplex). Valero pulls his left arm towards his torso as he crawls over, pushes Gonsalves over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd boos when “The Game” hits the speakers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, RICKY VALERO!

The boos continue when the ref raises Valero’s right arm.

Kris Cruise: Ricky Valero has done it! He’s defeated his former friend, Owen Gonsalves!

Stephy Auger: Just like I thought he would!

[FGA Office]

Spencer Burke stands before the FGA Grapple Kingdom banner that displays the images of both World Champions on opposing sides. He seems more flustered than his usual, professional self. In fact he’s talking to somebody who’s not even in the shot, pleading for them to hurry up and get in the designated spot for the interview.

Spencer Burke: Oh come on, it was just a bit of fun.

Voice: No! You humiliated me by mocking a very tragic and life altering event! Did you know I’ve even had to see a therapist?

Spencer Burke: Really?

Voice: I swear on my mother’s life! A therapist because of that vile thing!

Spencer Burke: Want to come over here and talk about it? Maybe it would get the people to back off on the chants.

Voice: I told you NO! I told Lenny that I would only speak to that Peterman woman from now on. So if he wants this interview done then go get her!

Spencer Burke: Pederson! Jessie Pederson! Besides, she’s busy!

Voice: No interview!

Burke sighs and slumps his shoulders with defeat. Just as he seems like he’s about to give up, a stage hand walks up to him with a note and whispers something into his ear. Burke reads the note and smirks before talking to his difficult guest.

Spencer Burke: Hey, I just got a note from Lenny.

Voice: Oh, so I see that he’s come to his senses. I’ll be here waiting. Go fetch her.

Spencer Burke: Let me relay his message, “Conduct the interview or face suspension.”

Voice: What?

Spencer Burke: Oh, I almost forgot, “suspension without pay.”

Anthony Rother steps into view and rips the note out of Spencer’s hands. He quickly scans it while reading under his breath.

Anthony Rother: He can’t do that!

Spencer Burke: Actually…yes, he can.

Anthony Rother: One of these days, Burke, I’ll show all of you that I’m not somebody to be trifled with. My mother does have friends in high places, and if I felt like it, I would tell Lenny where he could go. However, that wouldn’t be fair to the men I represent – men who have busted their asses off to get back to their rightful perch at the top of the FGA tag team division. While nothing would make me happier than to undermine Lenny’s authority by facing the suspension, and eventually winning that fight, it wouldn’t be right to rob Jason Marx and Chris Tryon of the infinite wisdom of Anthony Rrrrrrreginald Rother.

Spencer Burke: *rolls his eyes* Riiiight…

Anthony Rother: So, you want my thoughts on tonight’s match? Fine, stand here and do your job by holding the microphone.

Spencer pulls the mic towards his face to respond, but Rother jerks it back.

Anthony Rother: I said stand here and hold the microphone Burke… Right here.

Rother sets it in place where he feels it should be.

Anthony Rother: You have lost your right to speak to me on camera until further notice! You, Spencer Burke, have been relegated to being nothing more than a walking microphone stand as far as I’m concerned. Now, where was I?

Rother clears his throat.

Anthony Rother: Tonight is where it all ends, the weeks of interruptions, the weeks of continual disrespect, the weeks of cheating their way to wins. Tonight is the night where The Usual Suspects will eradicate Frontier Grappling Arts of the Elysian Empire, a team that has placed two blemishes on the record of Marx and Tryon in recent weeks. However, let’s look at those two blemishes, shall we? The first one, leading up to Final Frontier, was the result of a blatant distraction by Dom Harter. That loss, by all rights, should be thrown out of the record books! Next, we have the biggest travesty of all time that has ever happened in an FGA ring!

Rother dramatically pauses while Spencer rolls his eyes at the exaggerated claim.

Anthony Rother: Two weeks ago on Vertigo, The Usual Suspects essentially fought in a handicap tag team match. Like the brave champions that they are, they faced the three on two odds and they dominated that match, Burke. D-O-M-I-N-A-T-E-D! Then we all witnessed what happened next, didn’t we? My honorable and good friend, Evan Envi, has warned everybody on how crooked the officials here in FGA can be. Read my lips, Evan Envi never lies! They have cost him a few matches as well! The Suspects non-existent partner, Jimmy Jam Ronie, somehow is allowed to make an illegal tag to a member of the Elysian Empire to give them the opportunity to steal another victory away from your FGA Tag Team Champions. I’ve seen it all, now. Bad officiating is the result of incompetence, which I think we’ve established, exists here in FGA at almost every event. However, this was something completely different! This little oversight *Rother uses air quotes for emphasis* was the obvious result of that official receiving payment from The Elysian Empire to steal a victory away from The Usual Suspects!

Rother pulls out some papers from his blazer pocket.

Anthony Rother: There’s a lot that I’m willing to overlook Burke, Dan Herrera’s drunkenness, Molly Reid’s obvious coke habit, but this is something that I cannot just let go of. This is a legal draft from one of my mother’s best lawyers, and it states that if FGA refuses to take action against that official then we are going to sue the pants off this company. We’ll start with Lenny T., we’ll sue the referee, we’ll sue The Elysian Empire, we’ll sue Jimmy Jam Ronie, we’ll sue Mistress Ai, we’ll sue Prince Kamijo, we’ll sue Noelle Smith, we’ll even sue you Burke!

Spencer Burke: What?!?! What did I do?

Anthony Rother: This is a conspiracy that has many players, Burke. It begins all the way up at the very top with Lenny T, and goes all the way down to the very bottom with the likes of you. However, tonight is not about what’s going to happen outside of the ring. Tonight is about what Jason Marx and Chris Tryon are going to do to The Elysian Empire inside of that ring. Tonight will be a culmination of pain and punishment for their insolence! Tonight will be a display of the best that tag team wrestling has to offer in the year 2017! So, all of you aspiring tag teams out there, be prepared to take notes as The Usual Suspects will provide you all with the blueprint on what it means to be the best tag team in our sport! I also hope all of you mutants in the Rogers Arena who bought tickets tonight enjoy the match as it’s hopefully the last time we ever have to visit this awful country of Canada; after all, when our new President finishes building that wall down south, the next step is to seal off the northern border. It’s time we put a stop to you lecherous Canadians illegally crossing the border to take advantage of our far superior health care system!

Spencer Burke: *narrowing his eyes* Not a single word in your last statement bears any resemblance of fact, whatsoever!

Anthony Rother: Sure it does, Spencer! You’ve just been taken in by the fake news that all these other mutants have. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have champions to guide to a successful title defense!

Rother walks off, leaving Spencer almost speechless.

Spencer Burke: …uhhh, back to you at ringside Kris… *mutters under his breath* unbelievable…

[FGA Office]

Kris Cruise: Here we go! Coming up next, we’ve got Savannah Taylor taking on Chris Bond. Taylor’s trying to get herself back into that Pride Title picture. What better way to make a statement than by calling out and defeating a two-time Pride Champion in Chris Bond?

Stephy Auger: Yeah, but he didn’t even have enough respect to accept the challenge. The match had to be made for them. He simply brushed Taylor off to the side and told her to come back when she does something noteworthy. But who is he to talk? The only noteworthy thing he’s done over the past two years and come on and off the injured list. So he shouldn’t act like he’s the pick of the litter right now.

Savannah Taylor vs. Chris Bond

"If you take a life, do you know what you'll give...
Odds are, you won't like what it is...
When the storm arrives, would you be seen with me...
By the merciless eyes I've deceived...
I've seen angels fall from blinding heights...
But you yourself are nothing so divine...
Just next in line..."

The house lights dim in the smaller facility, and multi-colored lights soon flicker throughout the filled-to-the-brim center. The crowd jumps to it's feet, blowing the roof off from the much smaller arena as Chris Bond makes his way out from behind the curtains. As he emerges from behind the curtain, there is a small burst of excitement from the crowd. With a spotlight lighting his way, Bond makes his way down the aisle and towards the ring, even slapping a few hands on the way down.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, now residing out of Greensboro, North Carolina! Weighing in at 242 pounds! He is “The Battle-Hardened Veteran”, CHRIIIIIIIS BOOOOOOOOND!!!

Soon enough he jogs up the stairs, and walks along the ring apron before wiping his feet. Chris Bond steps over the second rope and into the ring. The self-proclaimed legend of the wrestling world walks to the center of the ring and stands there for a moment, as flashes go off throughout the waves of fans. He circles the ring, arms outstretched, as the fans cheer loudly once again. Bond enjoys this, as his trademark smirk re-emerges on his face. Heading to his corner, Bond does a few stretches as he waits for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: As stated before, Bond is a former two-time Pride Champion. This will be his first time returning to FGA pay per view in quite some time. He fell victim to Taylor’s partner in Heroes Never Die, Izzy Anders. Let’s see how he fairs against the Siren.

There was silence; the lights began to fade away slowly. A soft instrumental echoes out across the audience. It starts slowly, a beautiful sound that contrasts the heaviness of the world. Like feathers, it glides among the waiting audience. The lighting fixtures produce a gentle spotlight upon the stage, offset by the occasional flash here and there. As the song continues, a woman’s words begin to come through. Her voice is tender, not raising upon a whisper.

Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see
Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be
One night in the dark, a vision of someone I knew
And in the darkness I saw, a voice say, I'm you.

On the stage, a feminine figure appears. Her head lowered to everything. People cannot make out who it is. As she stands there, the flashes briefly illuminate her figure. It only gives small clues on who stands at the gate. She stands in the spotlight, her shadow cast large and proudly among the stage.

Inside me a light was turned on…

The instrumental picks up again. An electric guitar now joins the progressively exciting instrumentals of before. The singer’s voice suddenly intensifies.

Then I was alive!

In the light, it is revealed that it was Savannah Taylor. She stands at the gate, a robe of obsidian and ivory hues. The hood of it shadows her eyes, but the intensity of the final EXODUS World Champion remains clear as day. She starts off down the ramp, with a serious aura radiating from her body.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Las Vegas, Nevada! Weighing in at 120 pounds… SAAAAAVAAANNAAAAAH TAAAAAAYLOOOORRRR!!!

If you close your eyes your life,
A naked truth revealed
Dreams you never lived,
And scars never healed

Savannah makes her way up the ring steps. She looks out towards the audience for a moment before entering the ring. From there, she heads for a turnbuckle. She stands there, taking in everything. She then lifts her up on top of it. She peers out in nothing, then takes off the hood with a flashy flourish. Her blonde locks fly up in the air. They descend, shaping her face as they famously do.

In the darkness, light will take you to the other side
You'll find me waiting there you'll see, if you just close your eyes

While she stands in her corner, she closes her eyes and takes a heavy breath. When her bright eyes open, Taylor is completely composed. There is nothing more than the heat of battle awaiting her. She takes off her robe, giving it to a stagehand. She stretches her wrists before devoting her mind to the war upon the horizon.

Kris Cruise: Taylor has definitely flipped the switch here in 2017. After an admittedly disappointing 2016, Savannah Taylor has been on a roll since the start of the new year. She’s yet to be pinned or submitted, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Yep, and that streak isn’t changing anytime soon!

The bell sounds as Taylor runs over and flattens Bond with a yakuza kick.

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor damn near took Chris Bond’s head off!

Stephy Auger: If only she did!

Taylor stands over her Bond and mocking asks him “have I down anything memorable now!?” before turning to the crowd and spreading her arms out.

Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd is not having any of Taylor or her attitude. Listen to those boos, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Classless! Simply classless! But look at where we’re at tonight. I wouldn’t expect anything less from a crowd filled with Mothercanuckers.

Taylor places her foot on Bond’s chest to make the taunting cover.

ONE!
.
.
Bond knocks Taylor’s foot off his chest.

Taylor proceeds to put the boots to Bond. She then reaches down, picks up Bond, runs and tosses him through the ropes and to the floor. After stepping out onto the apron, the Las Vegas Siren can be seen waving up the former two-time Pride Champion. Once Bond gets back to a vertical base, Taylor goes for an Asai Moonsault. But Bond gets himself out of harm’s way by running towards the ring. After Taylor lands on his feet, Bond runs back over and throws her down with an STO.

Kris Cruise: How about that counter from the Battle-Hardened veteran

Stephy Auger: Yipee! Woohoo! It’s one move, Cruise, settle down!

Bond picks up Taylor and rolls her back into the ring. He then slides himself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Taylor kicks out.

Bond picks up Taylor, moves her into the corner and unleashes a blistering knife edge chop. He then takes Taylor and goes for an irish whip. But Taylor reverses, follows Bond into the corner and sends him crumbling to the mat with another yakuza kick. The boos continues as she drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bond kicks out.

Taylor picks up Bond and goes for an irish whip. But Bond reverses, sending Taylor into the ropes. When Taylor returns, she tackles Bond down with a Lou Thesz Press and follows up with a series of right hands to the face. She then shifts over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bond kicks out.

Taylor picks up Bond and goes for an irish whip. But Bond reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Bond sets up for a back body drop. But Taylor counters by leaping up and driving him down with a curb stomp. The boos continues as she pushes Bond over and makes the cover.

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

Bond gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Bond gets his shoulder up after getting his face driven down hard against the canvas!

Stephy Auger: It’s a shame his whole head didn’t go through the canvas.

Taylor picks up Bond, marches into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Bond around, Taylor delivers four elbows smashes to the face. She then takes the Battle-Hardened Veteran and whips him into the opposite corner. After pointing over at Bond, Taylor runs across the ring and throws out another yakuza kick. This time, Bond moves out of the way, causing Taylor’s leg to get caught across the top rope. Before she can unhook her right leg, Bond runs over and kicks her left leg out from under her, bringing her down.

Kris Cruise: Well, how about that!

Bond picks up Taylor, lifts her up and delivers a shinbreaker to the leg left. After bouncing off of Bond’s knee, Taylor tries to lip towards the ropes. But Bond comes out from behind and kicks her leg out from under her again. Bond heads back over, lifts up the left left and spins around to set up a figure four. But Taylor’s able to reach up, rakes Bond across the eyes and then bring him down into a small package.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Bond kicks out.

After both grapplers return to their feet, Taylor doubles Bond over with a kick to the midsection and sets him up for a DDT. But Bond quickly counters by ramming her back-first into the corner. Bond pulls her out… then rams her back-first into the corner again. After a set of shoulder thrusts to the midsection, Bond follows up with a series of European Uppercuts. He then brings Taylor from out of the corner and whips her into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Bond grabs her by the back of the neck, runs and tosses her over the top rope…

… but Taylor’s able to land safely on the apron. Bond then heads back over to attack. But Taylor ducks and doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. She then pulls Bond through the ropes and onto the apron to set up a DDT. But Bond counters with a single leg takedown on the apron. He then quickly wraps his arms around Taylor’s legs and leans back, catapulting her towards the ring post. The crowd cheers when Taylor bounces off the post and falls to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Did you hear how hard she smacked off the ring post!?

Stephy Auger: How could I not!?

While Bond pulls himself up on the apron using the ropes, Taylor can be seen trying to shake out the cobwebs. After slowly turning over and picking herself up off the floor, Bond runs along the apron, dives off and knocks her down with a lariat.

Kris Cruise: Bond leaps through the air and knocks Taylor down! The Battle-Hardened Vet still has some spring in his steps! He’s really feeling it now.

Bond picks up Taylor and goes for a running bulldog. But Taylor’s able to shove Bond off of her and towards the ring post. Bond nearly smacks against the ring post until he slams on the brakes at the last second and places his hands on the ring post. When Bond turns around, Taylor charges at him to attack. So Bond counters with an overhead belly to belly into the ring post, resulting in a roar of cheers from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Another huge move by Bond! He just sent Taylor flying into the ring post with an overhead belly to belly!

While “You’ve Still Got It!!!” chants ring out throughout Rogers Arena, Bond picks up Taylor and rolls her back into the ring. He then rolls himself back in, drags Taylor away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Bond picks up Taylor, lifts her up and delivers a belly to back suplex. He then returns to his feet and circles Taylor before delivering stomps to the right thigh, right shin, left ankle, left knee, left wrist and left bicep. He then stops at the head before jumping up and delivering a jumping stomp to the face. Bond quickly drops down and makes the cover.

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

Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Bond picks up Taylor and whips her into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Bond throws her down with a spinning belly to belly suplex. He hooks the leg.

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

The crowd sighs, then boos when Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: I don’t hear you having anything smart to say now that Bond is on a roll.

Stephy Auger: ...

Bond picks up Taylor and lifts her up for a vertical suplex. But Taylor slips down from behind, grabs Bond and throws him down with the Blonde Ambition (forward russian legsweep). The crowd boos as she pushes Bond over and makes the cover.

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

Taylor picks up Bond and whips him into the ropes. When Bond returns, she throws out the Desert Rose (spinning backfist). But Bond ducks. When Taylor turns around, Bond doubles her over with a boot to the midsection before bringing her down with a jumping faceplant. He turns over and makes the cover.

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

Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Bond picks up Taylor, grabs her around the waist and lifts her up for a gutwrench powerbomb. But Taylor nails him in the head with an elbow on the way up. After slipping down and landing in front of Bond, Taylor rocks him with a roundhouse kick. She then quickly follows up with the Desert Rose before making the cover.

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

Bond gets his shoulder up.

Taylor picks up Bond and nails him with three elbow smashes to the face before throwing out another roundhouse kick. This time, Bond ducks, grabs her from behind and brings her down with a rear naked chokedrop. Bond then picks up taylor, tosses her out onto the apron, drags her across the top rope and plants her with the Rejection (rope-hung DDT).

Kris Cruise: There it is! The Rejection DDT! You know what comes next, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: ...

The crowd is on their feet while Bond picks up Taylor and places her in position for the End of Days (flatliner). But Taylor is able to block the move by nailing Bond with three elbows to the face. She then turns and runs into the ropes. When Taylor returns, the boos turn to cheers when Bond turns her inside out with a running lariat. Bond picks up Taylor, moves her into the corner and lifts her up onto the top turnbuckle. Bond then climbs up onto the middle ropes and goes for a superplex, but Taylor blocks. So Bond goes for another superplex. But again, Taylor ducks. After Bond lets go, he throws out a right hand. But Taylor blocks and counters with a punch of her own. Bond throws out another punch. But again, Taylor blocks and counters with a punch of her own. Taylor then nails Bond with another punch… and another punch… and anot-NO! Bond blocks and counters with a punch of his own. Bond begins to unload with a barrage of right hands until Taylor blocks and counters with an elbow smash to the face. She then shoves Bond down to hard to the canvas. After crashing on the floor, Bond turns over and clutches the back of his neck with both hands.

Stephy Auger: Uh oh, looks like Bond just picked up his 80th injury!

Kris Cruise: Oh stop it!

After bouncing off the canvas and rolling over onto his stomach, Bond slowly picks himself up off the canvas. As he turns around, Taylor flips off the canvas and brings him down with the Snake Eyes (diving somersault hurricanrana). The crowd boos as the ref slides over and starts to count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd boos as “Engel” hits the speakers.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

The boos continue as Taylor gets her arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Savannah Taylor keeps the momentum going as she picks up a victory over Chris Bond. But even you’ve got to admit that Bond had Taylor in trouble.

Stephy Auger: I don’t have to admit anything, thank you very much. The game hasn’t totally passed him by, I’ll give him that much. But I picked Taylor to win. I was confident with that pick from the moment I made it through to the very end of this match. Big things are ahead for the Las Vegas Siren. I suggest everyone watch out.

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to where Jessie Pederson is walking down the corridor towards a locker room; she immediately notices the glittery star where a nameplate should be, and knows she’s in the right place. With a couple of knocks on the door she’s soon face-to-face with the FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, Annie Zellor.

Annie Zellor: ...Jessie?

Jessie Pederson: Hi Annie, I was wondering if you’ve got time to answer a few questions before your title defense against Dom Harter tonight.

Zellor steps cautiously out of the locker room, dressed in her ring attire and a ‘Naughty or Nice’ t-shirt, with her title belt hung over one shoulder. But Jessie remains happy and smiley as the interview starts.

Annie Zellor: I guess Spencer didn’t wanna try again, huh?

Jessie Pederson: No, he’s learned his lesson now. But we’ve seen over the last few weeks that you’ve become something of a thorn in Dom Harter’s side - costing him his match against Molly Reid, attacking him backstage, helping The Crimson Baroness defe--

Annie Zellor: Whoa! I didn’t attack him…

She interrupts Jessie, looking at the interviewer incredulously as she does so.

Annie Zellor: The Crimson Baroness attacked him, Jessie. Don’t be like Spencer and tryna demonize me when I didn’t do anything wrong. You wanna pin something on me, then say I didn’t stop her … but attack him? Nah.

Jessie Pederson: Right, well.

Annie Zellor: As for being a - what you call it? - a thorn in his side? ‘Cause that’s what I’d call what he did last Summer when I was getting ready to defend this title against Salem Cartier? When he was popping up everywhere telling me he’s got next. When he was talking non stop about his damn Grand Slam?! But I’ve gone easy on him so far, Jessie; there’s only one thing I’ve got left to do and that’s beat him…

Jessie looks as if she’s about to say something, but decides against it.

Annie Zellor: And then whoever FGA is lining up next for me, AMIRA, Julian Tee-jee-ree-na or Blake Rogers…

Annie abruptly stops talking and the camera zooms out to reveal that The Spanish Sweetheart himself has just swaggered onto the scene. Julian Tijerina has a wide grin on his face, his eyes focused solely on Annie’s chest. Or at least that’s what it looks like. Out of the blue, he points a finger at where his eyes are currently stuck, the grin on his face only widening some more.

Julian Tijerina: THAT… That is one guapo shirt.

Both Annie and Jessie stare at Julian in bewilderment.

Julian Tijerina: But you know what would make that shirt more guapo?

Julian pauses a bit for effect, forcing Annie and Jessie to turn to each other in confusion. Zellor looks as if she’s about to talk when Julian speaks up.

Julian Tijerina: My face on that shirt.

He boasts, and Annie seems confused, almost taken aback by the statement. She looks towards Jessie, but the interviewer is of little help in this situation.

Annie Zellor: Huh? Why would your face be on myshirt?! ‘Cause this is my merchandise, and my face.

Julian looks confused at that logical statement. He leans his head backwards, as if being pushed away by Annie’s unnatural yet rational argument.

Julian Tijerina: You...are not guapo, señorita. But I am guapo. Therefore, for your shirt to be guapo, it has to have my face on it.

Julian points to the Julian Tijerina shirt he has on. He starts taking his shirt off, with Annie averting her eyes while Jessie tries her best to remain neutral, though her act is breaking; she’s actually excited to see El Guapo topless. Unfortunately for Jessie, and fortunately for Annie, Julian reveals he has another shirt on: it’s an Annie Zellor ‘#sparklebuddies’ shirt.

Julian Tijerina: This is not guapo.

He takes the Annie Zellor shirt off and disappoints Jessie once more by revealing he has another Julian Tijerina shirt on. This time, Jessie doesn’t even bother to hide her true feelings.

Jessie Pederson: Aww...

Julian Tijerina: This is guapo. To be truly guapo, all the shirts have to have my face on them.

Julian puts both hands on his hips, a proud smile on his face. Annie and Jessie both look confused. Annie puts a hand on her temple, massaging the now-growing headache she has.

Annie Zellor: What just happened? Like, why are you wearing three shirts? You’re weird, Julian Tee-jee-ree-na, so very weird! And … Ugh. I gotta go somewhere, anywhere else but here…

Annie heads back inside her locker room, not looking back to either Jessie or Julian. Julian still has that smile on his face.

Julian Tijerina: It’s Tee-yeh-ree-nah. Who-lian Tee-yeh-ree-nah. It’s pretty big in España. That’s Spain in Spanish.

Julian starts yelling out to Annie through the door.

Julian Tijerina: I don’t expect you to understand names, señorita. That’s probably why your last name is different on Twitter!

Julian turns to Jessie in confusion, shoulders and hands raised in exaggeration. Jessie stares at him back, confused. El Guapo starts checking her out and flashes her a smile. Jessie returns a flirtatious smile and even a wink. The camera fades out.

[FGA Office]

FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
(c) The Usual Suspects vs. Elysian Empire

Dimebag Darrell’s building rift of “Cowboys from Hell” by Pantera abruptly begins over the PA system and the fans rise in anticipation of The Usual Suspects. The song begins its heavy thrashing as the dual guitars begin their monstrous battle for supremacy as the arena lights dim. A red spotlight shines on the black curtains and the fog begins to rise when Phil Anselmo’s screaming vocals begin…

Oh…COME ON!!!

Anthony Rother steps through the curtains dressed in one of his usual suits, holding his leather briefcase that he claims is only protecting contracts with FGA Management. Marx & Tryon step out from the entrance and stand in front of the smoked out curtains as the house lights return to brightness.

Under the lights where we stand tall
Nobody touches us at all
Showdown, shootout, spread fear within, without
We’re gonna take what’s ours to have
Spread the word throughout the land
They say the bad guys wear black
We’re tagged and can’t turn back

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen the following contest is scheduled for one fall and is for the FGA WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS. Introducing first, at a combined weight of 462 pounds … they are the reigning and defending FGA World Tag Team Champions … JASON MARX, CHRIS TRYON … THE USUAL SUSPECTS!

Both men are dawning black hooded sweatshirts that obscure their face over their singlets. The trio stare out into the crowd, take in boos, and then begin walking to the ring. Rother jaws with a few of the fans in the aisle way.

You see us comin’
And you all together run for cover
We’re taking over this town

The two men pause at the base of the ring apron as Rother ascends into the ring and steps through the ropes.

Here we come reach for your gun
And you better listen well my friend, you see
It’s been slow down below,
Aimed at you we’re the cowboys from hell

Both men hop up onto the ring apron next and enter through the ropes as the music begins to fade. They begin removing their shirts as Rother begins a brief coaching session as they wait for their opponents..

Kris Cruise: There they are, Stephy. The Usual Suspects set for their first defense here tonight, and against a team they know very well.

Stephy Auger: This is the rubber match, Cruise. Both teams have won once before, but now there’s titles on the line. The Suspects have the momentum from that victory over Status Quo behind them, and all the confidence in the world. They’re not going down without a fight tonight.

Kris Cruise: I agree with that. It’ll take something special to dethrone them. But we know The Elysian Empire can do it, they’ve done it before.

“Adrenaline” by Nine Lashes sounds out from the speakers and the fans excitedly jump to their feet. The lights begin to flicker as the opening guitar rift sounds out. The Elysian Empire make their way from the behind the curtain led by Effie Elysian. Emery and Elon bump fist as Effie presents them to the cheering crowd. They flex their muscles to the crowd before making their way down the ramp.

J.A. Aldridge: And their opponents, the challengers, at a combined weight of 495 pounds … EMERY & ELON ELYSIAN … THE ELYSIAN EMPIRE!

Elon slides into the ring while Emery takes the ring steps. Effie takes the steps as well and Emery sits on the second rope allowing Effie to easily enter the ring. Elon has already begun to stretch using the ropes and turnbuckle. Emery joins him as Effie begins to coach her brothers up. As they stretch the music begins to fade. The brothers bump fists once more as the bell rings.

Stephy Auger: The Elysian Empire coming off that win over The Keisters a few weeks ago, but they’ll have to step up their game if they want to become new tag team champions.

Kris Cruise: That’d be their first titles together as a team, I believe. And you have to believe that’s something they want more than anything right now.

The bell sounds to start the match as Marx looks set to start things off for the champions. The challengers, meanwhile, are discussing which of them is going to be the legal man when Marx attacks! He storms across the ring, catching Emery with a clubbing blow to the back before Elon finds himself on the receiving end of some forearm shots to the face. Marx throws Emery out through the middle ropes and turns back to the younger brother, throwing some European uppercuts in the corner.

Kris Cruise: Jason Marx wasting no time in getting this one started, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Can you blame him, Cruise? The Usual Suspects have finally become the FGA World Tag Team champions again after three long years, and they’re not going to let someone like The Elysian Empire get in their way.

A snap suplex brings Elon out of the corner, and Marx stands over him for a couple of seconds as the crowd jeers the champions. Undeterred, Jason stomps at his prone foe, finally bringing Elon back to his feet whilst in a wrist lock. A tag out to Chris Tryon allows the Suspects to double team the younger Elysian, with Tryon delivering a swift kick to the ribs. An Irish whip follows, and Tryon sends his opponent against the ropes before he has to duck under a clothesline attempt. Tryon hits the ropes after dodging the attack, coming back with a leaping clothesline that takes Elon down! And the early cover.

ONE!
.
.
Kick out!

Tryon makes the tag back out to his partner as The Suspects each grab a leg of the prone Elon, performing a wishbone leg splitter. The referee ushers Chris out of the ring as Marx drags his opponent up, slamming him right back with authority before running against the ropes. Marx delivers a headbutt to the chest and covers, hooking the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kickout!

Marx drops several knees down across the head and chest of his opponent, not letting Elon get back up as the crowd continue to boo. From his corner, Emery is supporting his brother, which causes Marx to storm across the ring with a forearm shot that knocks Emery off the apron!

Stephy Auger: That’s what he gets for trying to cause a distraction.

Kris Cruise: Cause a –– he was just supporting his tag team partner!

It gives Elon enough time to get back to his feet, however, as he catches Marx with some left handed jabs! The crowd beginning to get behind him as Elon throws a right hook – NO! Marx ducks under and counters with a throat thrust. He tags out to Tryon, who climbs to the top rope before leaping with a crossbody block – and he gets caught! The crowd pop for the show of strength by Elon Elysian, causing Marx to do a double take as he sees what just happened. He charges in, but Elon swings Tryon’s legs around, catching Marx right in the face with them! A fallaway slam ensues, and Elon covers.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
NO!

Marx makes the save for his team before the referee ushers him out of the ring, and Elon is able to make the tag out to his brother. Emery enters the ring and takes Tryon down with a clothesline, but the Texan quickly gets back to his feet. A back elbow catches Tryon flush on the jaw, and he goes down again. Emery drags him back to his feet and whips him towards a neutral corner, following him in with a running clothesline before a vertical suplex brings Tryon crashing down to the mat.

Kris Cruise: The Elysians may not have the experience together, but they definitely have the size and strength advantage going into this one.

Stephy Auger: We both know that be countered by one well placed reversal, Cruise. And The Usual Suspects can do that as well as anyone else.

The crowd is rallying behind the Elysians as Emery poses over Tryon’s prone body, but he doesn’t cover this time. Instead Emery lifts his opponent back to his feet and moves towards the corner. A tag out to Elon and The Elysian Empire send Tryon against the ropes, hitting a double team hip toss upon his return. That’s followed by simultaneous elbow drops to the chest.

Emery leaves the ring as Elon brings his opponent back to his feet. An Irish whip follows, and Tryon is sent against the ropes – but he grabs hold of the top rope to stop himself. Elon charges in, and promptly tumbles to the outside as Tryon pulls down the rope. As Tryon lunges at Emery on the apron, drawing the referee’s attention, Marx drops off the apron to approach Elon on the outside. Effie Elysian tries to block him, but Rother moves her out of the way, allowing Marx to stomp at the downed Elon. That’s before the younger Elysian gets dropped throat first across the guard rail, and sent into the steel steps, before finally getting rolled back into the ring. Tryon is quick to cover.

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

The Suspects look at each other in shock, and Marx gets the tag in. The veteran member of the team drags Elon up to a vertical base again and feigns an Irish whip; he goes for a head-and-arm suplex, but Elon counters with a knee to the gut! The crowd cheer again as Elon breaks free of his opponent’s grasp, and follows it up with some hard right hands to the face! He rocks Marx where he stands before running against the ropes – NO! Marx catches him with an inverted atomic drop before running against the ropes himself. He goes for a clothesline, but Elon ducks under that and counters with a huge spinebuster!

Kris Cruise: I felt that one from here!

Stephy Auger: The challengers might have just found a way back into this one right here. If Elon can just make the tag out.

Emery and Chris are both stretching out to get the tag as they urge their partners to get back up. The crowd rallying behind The Elysian Empire.

Stephy Auger: Marx looks out of it, Cruise. I think that spinebuster might’ve really done a number on him.

Kris Cruise: Elon put everything he had into that one, I’m half surprised he didn’t put Marx through the ring.

Elon is crawling, slowly but surely towards the corner as Marx is still yet to stir. The tension in the arena rising as the Elysian Empire are this close to the tag – when Anthony Rother jumps up onto the apron! The referee rushes across to get him down, so he doesn’t see as Elon makes the tag out to Emery! That doesn’t stop the older Elysian brother from entering the ring and knocking Jason Marx down with a clothesline! He follows that up by taking Tryon off the apron with a runnning forearm, when suddenly the referee turns around to see Emery Elysian in the ring…

Stephy Auger: That’s right ref, get him out of there!

The crowd boo as the referee tells Emery he didn’t see a tag; Rother drops off the apron content with himself as Marx gets back to his feet and drags Elon away from the corner. He lifts the younger Elysian back to a vertical base and hooks him in position for a Russian legsweep – NO! Elon fires off some back elbows, and goes behind for the olympic slam! Marx bounces off the mat as the crowd cheer again, and this time the referee sees Elon make the tag out!

Emery enters the ring and has to immediately cut off Tryon, knocking the rushing Texan down with a back elbow! Marx begins to rise after the olympic slam, and finds himself on the receiving end of a knee lift to the face. Tryon stands back up, and Emery rushes in, planting Tryon with a tornado DDT before he rolls out of the ring. That leaves Marx at the mercy of his opponents; he gets back to one knee as Emery hits the far ropes for momentum, coming back with a devastating shining wizard! And the cover!

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

Kris Cruise: Jason Marx throwing the shoulder up at the last second there!

Stephy Auger: With the tag titles on the line, it’ll take more than that to put The Usual Suspects away.

Emery makes the tag out to his brother to allow for the double team as they pick Marx up to a kneeling position. The Elysians take turns firing off shoot kicks to the chest before the referee intervenes. Elon makes the tag back out to Emery, who re-enters the ring and Irish whips Marx towards a neutral corner. The champion hits the turnbuckle chest first and staggers backwards, right into an inverted powerslam!

Emery pops back to his feet and poses for the cheering crowd, one fist raised up high before he places Marx in a standing headscissors. The tiger bomb follows and Emery covers.

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

Tryon makes the save at the last second, catching Emery Elysian with a dropkick to the back of the head! A weary Elon enters the ring to try and swing the balance back into their favor, but Tryon ducks under the right hook and runs against the ropes as he catches Elon with a tilt-a-whirl arm drag. Elon gets back to his feet, staggering slightly, as Tryon dropkicks him, knocking Elon out through the middle ropes all the way to the outside.

The referee is trying his best to restore order, but he can only watch on as Tryon hits a roundhouse kick on Emery! The challenger drops to the mat, and Tryon moves towards the corner, performing a double jump moonsault!

Kris Cruise: Chris Tryon cleaning up in there, but he’s not the legal man, he can’t make the cover.

Stephy Auger: I think he knows that, Cruise. You don’t get to be a two time FGA World Tag Team champion by making silly mistakes like that.

Tryon drags his partner across and drapes an arm over Emery’s chest. The referee counts, and Tryon counts along with him.

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

Emery gets the shoulder up, and Tryon looks on in shock. He goes to attack, but the referee intervenes, ordering Tryon to leave the ring.

Kris Cruise: He’s pushing his luck, but even he gets disqualified obviously The Usual Suspects will still retain.

Stephy Auger: They’d prefer to beat The Elysian Empire fairly, Cruise. This is the rubber match, they need to show why they’re the best tag team in FGA today.

Both men, Emery and Jason, begin to stir in the center of the ring as they get to their feet at the same time as one another. Marx fires off a hard right hand, and Emery fires one right back! Marx lashes out again, and so does Emery! And again. But the fourth time around, Marx manages to duck under the wild right; Emery spins on the spot with the force of his punch, allowing Marx to hook him from behind with a rear waistlock.

But Emery fires off a back elbow. And another. He breaks free of the grasp of Jason Marx and runs against the ropes, coming back with a Yakuza kick! Wearily, Emery stands back up and makes the tag out to his younger brother. As he does so, however, Chris Tryon enters the ring and dashes across with a flying forearm to Emery!

Kris Cruise: All hell is breaking loose here, the referee needs to get this match under control.

Tryon swings for Elon, but he ducks under the arm and scoops Tryon up onto his shoulders for the Samoan driver! After that, Tryon rolls out of the ring holding his neck, and Rother jumps up onto the apron. The crowd cheers as Elon nails him with a hard right hand, knocking him right back down as well.

Stephy Auger: There’s no excuse for that! Putting your hands on a manager is just disgusting behavior.

Kris Cruise: He shouldn’t stick his nose where it doesn’t belong.

Effie is cheering her brothers on from ringside as Elon waits for Marx to stumble back to his feet. The champion walks backwards, right into the waiting arms of his opponents. The Elysian Empire lift up Marx for an assisted thunder fire powerbomb.

Kris Cruise: The Elysian Special! This is going to be it!

Just then, Tryon rolls back into the ring, pulls Marx down from behind and then drags him out of the ring.

Stephy Auger: What a save by Chris Tryon!

The Usual Suspects make their way around ringside. After Marx peels a motionless Rother from off the man and hears him over his shoulder like a potato sack, Tryon motions towards the Empire as if to say “forget this”.

Kris Cruise: Where do they think they’re going?

The trio then make their way up the aisle and to the back. Meanwhile, the Empire stand in the ring with their arms held out. Once the ref reaches a count of ten, he calls for the bell.

J.A. Aldridge: Ladies and gentlemen, here are your winners as a result of a countout… the ELYSIAN EMPIRE!!!

The crowd cheers at the announcement. Effie gets in the ring and raises Elon and Emery’s arms in the air.

J.A. Aldridge: However, STIIIIILL your FGA World Tag Team Champions, THE USUAL SUSPECTS!!!

Kris Cruise: You’ve got to be kidding me!

Stephy Auger: Titles can’t change hands on a dq or a countout, Cruise! You know that!

Kris Cruise: Oh I know it! My problem is that the Empire had the Suspects dead to rights! We were on the verge of new Tag Team Champions until the Suspects decided to hightail it out of here.


A pissed off Empire leave the ring after being screwed by the Suspects again. Emery can be seen kicking the steel steps as he lets out some profanities.

Stephy Auger: Wait just a minute…

Effie stops… and looks over at the time keepers table. She slowly makes her way over towards the table… and picks up the Tag Titles.

Kris Cruise: Look at that! The Suspects forget the titles! Tryon and Marx left the titles behind… and now the Empire are taking him!

Stephy Auger: Hey! They can’t do that!

Kris Cruise: They damn sure can! Turnabout is fair play, Stephy! The Suspects were guilty of this over the summer and now, karma's come back around to the Suspects. You can best believe we haven’t seen the end of this one…

Effie tosses each title to Elon and Emery. The trio then make their way around ringside and up the aisle...

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Evan Envi 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 one hundred and twenty-five 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.

J.A. Aldridge: ...and her opponent, from Ocean City, Maryland, weighing in at two hundred and thirty 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.

As the music fades, Evan Envi takes a breath and turns to J.A. Aldridge, holding out his hand to a loud, mixed reaction from the audience. The ring announcer looks confused for a moment, but he nods and hands Evan Envi the microphone. The audience uncharacteristically roars as Envi accepts it, motioning for Aldridge to leave the ring.

Stephy Auger: For the first time in months, people, the Chief has something to say! He must be healed!

Kris Cruise: ...yes, it’s a miracle.

We hear Stephy grumble something under her breath about “sarcasm” on commentary. Inside the ring, Envi looks around at the raucous audience, perhap trying to make sense of the many unintelligible chants-- before a ”SPEECH!” chant audibly breaks out. Envi gives the crowd a look of disapproval, not appreciating being told what to do. He turns his gaze toward Noelle, the same cold, glassy look he’s worn for weeks… and raises the mic.

Evan Envi: You were… always… the problem.

Envi’s expression slowly devolves into one of anger.

Evan Envi: All the influential people in my career… all the helpful people I’ve met in my life… and somehow I spent two years attached to you. Everything started to fall apart after you. I haven’t won a championship or a tournament since I met you. I haven’t had the same respect in ANY locker room since… since you. You. An unerasable mark on the otherwise fantastic, cinema-worthy life of “The Chief”, Evan Nicholas Harrison. So after Molly Reid robbed my voice at Final Frontier, limiting my ability to converse with the world’s leaders, I was left with a lot of time to myself. A lot of time to think about why. Why am I standing here with no championship around my waist? Why am I performing a full hour before the evening’s main attraction? Why is Evan Envi not the marquee match? I…

Evan shakes his head.

Evan Envi: What’s wrong with me that’s holding me back? What’s in MY head… that I can’t overcome… to become great.

He grows still and the audience grows hushed.

Evan Envi: You.

Noelle looks him up and down before she takes a deep breath and laughs. Every note musical, until she abruptly stops.

Noelle Smith: Except the part you forgot. You were reaching high and getting kicked right back down the mountain before you ever met me! So am I so powerful, that I messed your life, your career up before we even met, because if I am I sure wasted a lot of opportunities to hit the lotto!

She shakes her head but doesn't let her attention waver from him for an instant.

Noelle Smith: You have a lot of people who want to believe what you say, because no matter how crazy it actually is? When you speak it's powerful. When these fans love you? There's an energy there I've rarely seen duplicated. The problem is that isn't enough for you! Nothing you've earned has ever been enough. All the things you did right were never enough so you spent your time hurting anyone that tried to love you!

She tips her head back a little, defiantly.

Noelle Smith: You tried to make us feel like we weren't enough either.

She leans in and whispers furiously to him. Evan reacts with a look of annoyance to whatever was said.

Evan Envi: Shut up. You have such a unique sense of history. I never made you feel like you weren’t enough, Noelle. You just weren’t.

This doesn’t particularly earn favor with the audience any of whom groan at the statement.

Evan Envi: And don’t get fooled, Noelle. Half of these people are gonna be screaming ‘one… more… time’ after I drive your head into the middle of the ring here in a few moments, and that will be enough for me.

That same grin returns to his face as his eyes drift over Noelle from her feet to her toes, allowing his arms to fall to his sides as he looks steadily into her eyes. She leans in, not flinching from his hard gaze.

Noelle Smith: You’re wrong again, Evan. Nothing you do will ever be enough to fill that gaping void where your heart is supposed to be. You’re just pissed because I finally woke up and saw you for who you are, just like these fans that are about to appreciate this match. You think if you beat me down, if you win, it’ll be done, but we both know tomorrow you’ll be sitting at the hotel and hungry again like this was the all you can eat Vegan Chinese buffet.

She huffs slightly and narrows her eyes.

Noelle Smith: Let’s do this.

Kris Cruise: They’ve each said their piece, pleaded their cases, the only thing left to do is settle in the most natural way possible...

Stephy Auger: With this sudden epiphany, there’s absolutely no way that Evan Envi allows Noelle Smith to steal a victory from him tonight.

The opening bell sounds and Evan Envi and Noelle Smith slowly meet in the center of the ring. The two lock up in a collar and elbow tie up with Envi getting the upper hand, transitioning into a side headlock. He squeezes down on Noelle’s head and neck, tightening the headlock as She tries to pry his grip apart. She manages to pull and arm off and counters into a hammerlock. Noelle jerks Envi’s arm up as he clutches at his shoulder. Looking for a way out, he drops down and takes her to the canvas with a drop toe hold. Envi floats over and reapplied a side headlock. Noelle kicks her legs up and counters with a headscissors that rips Envi off of her. Envi pushes down on Noelle’s legs and pops his head free before scampering backwards into the corner. Noelle rises to her feet, fired up, egging Envi to bring the fight.

Kris Cruise: A good series of counters. Neither really getting the upper hand.

Stephy Auger: That's because the Chief is allowing her to build up her confidence. It’ll make her failure hurt that much more when he decides he's ready to beat her.

Envi reaches up to the top rope and pulls himself up to his feet. He steps towards Noelle and they lock up again, this time Noelle steps around and applies a rear waist lock. Envi quickly pushes forward to the ropes and grabs the ropes as Noelle tries to pull back. Noelle Smith ends up releasing the rear waist lock and doing a backwards roll. As she regains her footing she notices Envi charging towards her. She hops up and leapfrogs over him, allowing him to continue forward. Envi rebounds off of the ropes and is quickly taken down with an arm drag takedown. Both competitors get to their feet and Noelle snaps Envi back down to the mat with another arm drag takedown. Envi is a little slower to his feet and turns towards Noelle who’s waiting. She leaps up and flips Envi over with a headscissors takedown! Envi rolls out of the ring under the bottom rope and stumbles backwards against the security railing.

Kris Cruise: Noelle has Envi seeing stars!

Stephy Auger: The Chief will find a way!

Referee: One… Two… Three… Four…

Envi cautiously ascends the steel steps while pointing for Noelle to back up and give him space to get back into the ring. The official turns his back to Envi and starts to move Noelle towards the center of the ring. Envi steps through the ropes and charges at Noelle, flattening her with a lariat. Noelle bounces off of the mat and pushes up to her feet but gets hit with a barrage of European Uppercuts that back her against the ropes. Envi whips Noelle across the ring and waits for her return. He lifts her up into the air with a flapjack and sends her down across the top rope behind him! Noelle gasps for air after her throat hit the ropes and she staggers backwards. Envi runs passed her and bounces off of the ropes. As she turns around, Envi leaps up and connects with a spinning heel kick! Envi quickly drops down for the cover.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.

Noelle kicks out but Envi shoves her back down to the mat, forcing the ref to count again, this time with his forearm pressing down on Noelle’s jaw.

ONE
.
.

Noelle shoves Envi off of her after only a one count.

Kris Cruise: Envi turned things around after taking advantage of the official and is now in firm control of this match.

Stephy Auger: Took advantage? Noelle should have kept on her opponent. The Chief would never make a mistake like that!

After the failed pin attempts Evan Envi quickly applied a chinlock to keep Noelle down on the mat. Noelle fights her way up to one knee and Envi releases the hold, clubbing her in the back as she pushes to her feet. Envi doubles her over with a knee to the midsection and shoves her head between his legs while grabbing a double underhook. Before Envi could lift her up, Noelle counters with a back body drop! Envi bounces back to his feet and tries for a lariat but Noelle ducks under it by bridging backwards. Noelle then runs across the ring with Envi following right behind her. She leaps up onto the middle rope and springboards backwards, cutting Envi in half with a crossbody! She sticks to him and hooks a leg for the cover.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.

Envi rolls Noelle over his head and completely off of him to break up the pinfall.

Kris Cruise: What a beautiful springboard crossbody by Noelle Smith!

color=magenta]Stephy Auger:[/color] Please, let's keep this impartial!

Noelle rises to her feet moments before Envi. He turns around and is caught off guard by a standing front kick to the sternum that knocks him backwards into the corner. Noelle presses forward and grabs Envi by the back of the head, locking in a Muay Thai clinch. She keeps him pressed against the turnbuckles and forces his head down while repeatedly driving her knee upwards. She releases the clinch and takes a step back before charging for a flying knee! Envi rolls out of the way and Noelle crashes into the turnbuckle. Envi steps behind Noelle and shoves her in the back, knocking her forward into the turnbuckles. As she stumbles backwards he snaps her down to the mat with a bridging German Suplex.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.

Noelle shoots her shoulder up off of the mat and escapes the bridging pin attempt.

Kris Cruise: Another near fall, but I think Envi is still feeling the effects of those vicious knees from Noelle!

Stephy Auger: When the hell did she take up Muay Thay?

Kris Cruise: I’m not sure but they were precise and effective...

Envi grabs Noelle by an arm and drags her up to her feet. He lowers his shoulder, driving it into her abdomen and slams her into the nearby turnbuckle. After a pair of forearm shots that land on the mark, Envi lifts Noelle up and sits her on the top rope. Just as Envi goes to climb up with, she kicks him on the jaw and knocks him backwards. Noelle stands up and leaps from the top rope, connecting with a diving hurricanrana! Envi rolls across the ring and under the ropes. He comes to a stop on the apron and slowly rises. As he does Noelle charges the nearby corner, leaps onto the middle rope, and springboards into a drop kick that knocks Envi from the apron to the arena floor! Noelle watches from her knees as Envi, despite her sudden onslaught, begins to stir. Noelle runs towards the ropes on the opposite side of the ring and rebounds towards Envi as he rises to his feet. As she reaches the ropes she jumps up, rolling over the top rope and landing a seated senton to Evan Envi on the arena floor!!

Kris Cruise: Noelle is soaring through the air with grace! Evan Envi looks like he's in trouble!

Stephy Auger: All part of the plan Kris! I hope…

Referee: One… Two… Three… Four...

Noelle slides back into the ring and slowly s stands as she watches Envi crawl towards the ring and use the skirt to pull himself up.

Referee: Five… Six… Seven… Eight…

Envi pulls himself up and rolls under the bottom rope to break the officials ten count. As soon as he stands he's met with a running drop kick that knocks him backwards into the corner. Noelle hops to her feet and runs to the opposite corner. She lines up Envi, charges, and hits another running drop kick! Noelle pops up one more time, rushing to the opposite corner again. This time she stalls and watches as Evan Envi uses the ropes to keep his limp body from slumping down. Noelle shakes her head and exhales, charging again, connecting with a third running drop kick. Envi falls forward and crashes down to the mat. Noelle climbs up onto the second rope, facing out to the crowd, and flips backwards, hitting Envi with a moonsault from the middle rope! She hooks his leg, convinced she has it won, and nods with every count from the referee.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.
THR--

The referee stops counting, noticing Evan Envi’s free foot resting on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: She had it. She had him beat!

Stephy Auger: Maybe you didn't notice The Chief’s foot on the rope.

Kris Cruise: No, I saw. But Envi didn't have enough strength to kick out.

Stephy Auger: He could have… But why waste the energy when the rope is right there?

Noelle steps off and allows Evan to pull himself up to his feet with the use of the ropes. As soon as he turns towards her, she plants the sole of her boot into his stomach. He doubles over and Noelle grabs him with a front facelock. She twists, looking to connect with her Swing, Set, Match swinging neckbreaker but Envi keeps his balance and shoves her from behind. Noelle turns back around and runs into the waiting arms of Evan Envi, who lifts her up and slams her back first with a Ura-Nage! Both competitors lay flat on the mat as the official checks on both competitors.

Referee: One… Two… Three… Four…

Envi pushes up to his hands and knees.

Referee: Five… Six…

Noelle begins to stir but Envi makes it to his feet. He stalks Noelle as she pulls herself up and quickly grabs her by the head, pulling her backwards into his knee! Envi flips over after hitting the lung blower and locks in a straight jacket camel clutch to finish the BPA!

Kris Cruise: That has to be excruciating!

Stephy Auger: She’s going to quit! I can tell; surrender to the Chief!

Evan leans further back while pulling on Noelle's crisscrossed arms. The further pulls, the more awkward her back is bent. The official is down on one knee asking Noelle if she's going to give up. In a last ditch effort, Noelle jerks her body forward while tucking her head down. Envi rolls with her and face plants into the canvas, forcing a break of the hold. Noelle and Envi rise to their feet simultaneously and Noelle swiftly rolls Evan up with her Fruit Roll Up inside cradle!

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.

Envi kicks out of the pin attempt and is to his feet first. He darts towards Noelle as she makes it up to one knee and connects with a shining wizard that lands cleanly on the side of the head!

Stephy Auger: That shining wizard has to be the end of it!

Kris Cruise: Evan Envi just nearly decapitated his ex-girlfriend with a vicious shining wizard!

Stephy Auger: I’m no fan of Noelle’s but that's a poor choice of words. FGA doesn't condone domestic abuse of any kind…

Envi lifts Noelle up by her neck and drags her to the ropes. He nails her with a pair of European Uppercuts and watches as she extends her arms outward to hold onto the ropes. Envi pushes down on her shoulders and pulls the middle rope up, trapping Noelle in the ropes. He smirks as she tries to wiggle loose and the official s lashes into him. Envi begins unloading a rapid flurry of alternating European Uppercuts and Knife-Edged chops across Noelle’s chest. The official begins to use his five count with the crowd echoing behind him as each of Envi’s chops made contact!

Referee: One…

Crowd: Woooooo!

Referee: Two…

Crowd: Woooooo!

Referee: Three…

Crowd: Woooooo!

Referee: Four…

Crowd: Woooooo!

Envi steps back before the official hits five and holds his hands up. The referee frantically works to free Noelle from the ring ropes. As he does, she stumbles towards the center of the ring and is dropped by Envi’s quick spinning heel kick, the Kapowski Kick! Envi looks down at Noelle as he lays motionless and smiles before smugly dropping over her and placing one hand on the center of her chest to make the cover.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on; not like this!

Stephy Auger: Accept it! The Chief prevails!

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.
THR--

Noelle’s shoulder pops up off of the mat, stunning Evan Envi in the process!

Kris Cruise: Envi’s eyes are bulging out of his head!

Stephy Auger: That was a slow count if i’ve ever seen one! Why is this official trying to help out Noelle Smith?

Evan Envi rises to his feet, furious with the referee’s count. He backs him into the corner and slaps his hands together three times in succession, demonstrating how fast he thinks the referee should count. He shakes his head and then takes a deep breath to recompose himself. Before he could turn around, Noelle Smith pulls him backwards in a school boy roll up.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.

Envi kicks out and they both stand up. Envi throws a right hand but Noelle ducks under and locks his arms behind him while dropping down to her knees. Envi’s shoulders hit the mat with a backslide and the official drops down to count again.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.

Evan Envi kicks out again. A little slower to his feet, Noelle moves behind him and leaps up onto his shoulders before rolling forward with victory roll.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.

Envi kicks out of a third straight pin attempt by Noelle Smith. She steps through the ropes and stands on the ring apron right next to the ring post. A disoriented Evan Envi slowly pushes up to his feet. Noelle pulls back on and leaps up onto the top rope, turning her body to face the crowd in the corner. She springboards off of the top rope and twists her way towards Evan Envi with a corkscrew cross body! As they hit the mat, Noelle rolls off of Envi and tries for a standing moonsault. Envi instinctively rolls forward to avoid being landed on, but Noelle adjusts and lands on her feet. She steps closer to Envi and quickly crashes down on him with a standing shooting star instead!

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.
THR--

Evan uses every last bit of his strength to shoot his shoulder off of the mat!

Kris Cruise: That takes a whole lot of endurance folks. Four pinfall attempts in such a short span, each time harder to kick out than the prior.

Stephy Auger: Impressed by Evan Envi, are we?

Kris Cruise: At this moment? Actually, I am...

Noelle runs her hands through her hair, trying to figure out what it's going to take in order to keep Evan Envi down. She marches towards the nearby corner and climbs up to the top rope. While she tries to get her balance Envi explodes forward and hits the ropes, knocking Noelle off of her feet, into a seated position on the top turnbuckle. Envi’s eyes shift towards Noelle as she tries compose herself and stand back up on the ropes. Envi bursts towards the corner and climbs up to the top rope. He snatches Noelle and spins into a Falcon Arrow from the top rope!

Kris Cruise: Tippyplex! This could be all she wrote…

Envi neglects the pin and pulls Noelle up to her feet. He hooks both of her arms and drives her head first into the mat with The Blues, a scissored snap double-arm DDT. He rolls Noelle over and hooks a leg for the cover.

ONE
.
.
TWO
.
.
THREE!!!

“Can You Feel It?” by Fat Boys plays as the closing bell rings.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, The Chief, EVAN ENVI!!

The live audience boos as Envi climbs to his feet and has the official raise his hand.

Kris Cruise: A hard fought contest. These fans were obviously pulling for Noelle…

Stephy Auger: …and despite the odds being stacked against him, The Chief, rights the ship and showcases just how good he truly is!

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to where the ‘Tenacious Little Bastard’ is just stepping out of his locker room; from being in his ring attire - complete with one of the new Jaelynn t-shirts - to the determined look on his face, there’s no doubt that Harter is ready for his upcoming Mid-Atlantic Legacy title match. He walks with a purpose, his head hung low as some stagehands offer their support.

Stagehand #1: You got this, Dom.

Stagehand #2: Get that grand slam!

To which Dom only responds with a nod of the head, never once taking his eyes off the floor in front of him. His mind is probably going a mile a minute as he finalizes his mental preparation for tonight; he knows he can beat Annie Zellor, he has done in the past after all – but she’s been extra resourceful lately. He knows she’s not the same Annie Zellor he beat last Summer, or even the same person he fight last month in the Young Guns Cup. Her title wasn’t on the line that night. But…

The Crimson Baroness: Ah, there you are, sweetie…

Harter stops in his tracks – mainly because his ex-girlfriend is standing in his path. His gaze slowly raises from floor, up her body, until he’s finally looking the smirking Baroness in the eyes.

Dom Harter: Move.

The Crimson Baroness: And where’s the fun in that, Dommy?

Dom Harter: Move, now.

He says more forcefully than before, but still The Baroness stands tall; her smirk grows wider, even as Harter takes a step closer to her. Their noses are practically touching as The Baroness speaks up first.

The Crimson Baroness: I just wanted to wish you luck out there tonight. Hopefully your recent…bad luck…doesn’t get in your way. I’d hate to see you choke again.

Dom Harter: Is that what this is about?

A wry chuckle escapes the lips of the ‘Tenacious Little Bastard’ as he breaks out into a smile of his own. The Baroness’ grin wavers slightly as she becomes unnerved.

Dom Harter: You’re clinging to a tainted victory. Go ahead, enjoy that victory; hold onto it with every fiber of your being, because that’s the last thing you ever get from me. But if you try and ruin tonight for me. If I see you at ringside. If you even think about interfering, it’ll be the last thing you ever do…

He says, calmly, and quietly. And The Baroness loses her smile.

Dom Harter: …because I will end you. You and Annie, you’ve taken advantage of my new leaf, of my not attacking people backstage or after matches. And I’ve let it slide, Baroness, I have. Because tonight I’ll achieve my destiny; I’ll become the first person to ever win the Grand Slam here in FGA, and you won’t ruin that for me. Annie won’t ruin that for me. Nobody is going to stop this, nobody is going to stop me…so go ahead and hold onto that win. That single, solitary moment. Because in the grand scheme of things…it doesn’t matter to me.

Harter edges closer still, looming over The Crimson Baroness who, to her credit, is doing her best not to be intimidated.

Dom Harter: Not when I have the Mid-Atlantic Legacy title. And the Grand Slam. Not after the impact I made on the Young Guns Cup. Not when, next month, I go on and capture the Destiny Cup. So if you think your victory bothers me – no, it doesn’t. You won’t get anything from me because of it. It won’t do you any favors in the long run. Maybe if you’d beat me clean–

Harter chuckles again, causing The Baroness to inch backwards. But Dom lurches forward after her, eventually backing her against the wall in the corridor.

Dom Harter: –like I did to Cordy Stevenson. See, after tonight when I’ve won the Grand Slam, and Cordy walks away as the Unified Champion I can remind her that I was the first person to ever beat her in singles action. And I was the last person to ever beat her in singles action. More than that, I’ll be the next person to beat her…and even with your victory over me, I can still ride that wave of momentum to a shot at her belt. And what can you do?

She doesn’t reply. She can’t, not really. But Dom backs away as The Baroness finally relaxes; she keeps her gaze on him as he starts to walk away.

Dom Harter: Save yourself, stay away from this one…

[FGA Office]

Izzy Anders vs. Johnny Karma

A somber strum of a guitar echoed out throughout the arena. The lights in the arena began to dim to a haunting dark purple color. From behind the curtain, a figure comes out. She lingers in the darkness, before creeping into the spotlight. She wears a long, dark cloak; it softly breezes in the wind. When "One More Soul to the Call" by Mary Elizabeth McGlynn begins to pick up, she unfastens the coat. She takes it off in a heavy flourish, the song picks up completely, transforming into a hard rock song.

♫ DAMAGE DONE TO THE FLESH, WHAT THEY SAID, IN THE NAME OF THE...
DAMAGE DONE TO THE HEART, IS THE START, OF THE END!
DAMAGE DONE TO MY SOUL, I KNOW, IT KNOWS WHERE MY...
DAMAGE DONE TO MY LIFE, CURSING LOUD, AT THE CHAOS ♫

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Making her way down to the ring, fighting out of Holland, Michigan, weighing in at a 157 pounds, she is the Mindkiller, IZZZZZY ANDEEEEEEERS!

♫ ONE MORE SOUL TO THE CALL, FOR ALL, IN SILENCE...
COMES TWO MORE SOULS TO THE CALL, FOR ALL, AND IN TIME!
THREE MORE MORE SOULS TO THE CALL, THEY FALL...
UNKNOWING THAT FOUR MORE SOULS TO THE CALL, WON'T BE ALL, AND YOU KNOW IT! ♫

Izzy ascends the turnbuckle, her eyepatch clear as day. She grabs onto it, ripping it off with a dramatic elegance. The eye under it burns brightly with a shade of red. She leaps off the turnbuckle, walking methodically to the center of the ring. There, she poses once more, enjoying the haunting and heavy rhythm of her own song. She looks up to the sky, smiling wickedly. She awaits the match to start with a sadistic aura radiating off her.

Kris Cruise: Izzy Anders returned this past fall with one goal in mind and that was to tear down the company she felt deserted her in her time of need. As we’ve flipped from one calendar month to the next, Anders has vowed to go after one fan favorite after another until she reaches and claims the FGA World Championship. Johnny Karma, after finally disposing of the New Kings last December, saved FGA from their rule. But with Anders’ goal well stated, Karma now finds himself within the crosshairs. He’s on the hit list. But Anders didn’t just want to beat Karma. The Mindkilla vowed to open his mind with a dose of shock. Well boy did she deliver those words when she delivered the shot heard around the world when she decked Cherry Baum. This isn’t like what happened last year when Ms. Baum was accidentally struck. No, this was clear and deliberate and it’s been shock that Johnny Karma has been feeling ever since that incident on the first show of the New Year. Now Karma finds himself moments away from stepping into the ring with the woman that has made him vulnerable.

Stephy Auger: Not only that, but she was the one that saved him two weeks ago just to prove a point! She’s all up in his head, Cruise. This one is over before it even began.


The arena lights flash in a myriad of different colours in time with John Bonham's quite remarkably epic drum intro that is filling the arena, and just as it reaches a crescendo Cherry Baum emerges at the top of the ramp, standing to one side to introduce the man they call Johnny Karma, to the Frontier Wrestling Arts fanbase - at which point he walks out onto the ramp before coming to a halt and uses a couple of fingers to blow a kiss to the fans, pausing to hold his arm in the air for a couple of seconds to signal his arrival

As he and Cherry begin to walk down the ramp, Karma unfastens the cuffs of his ring jacket while also talking some last minute preparation with Cherry as they get ever closer to the ring

As the pair reach ringside, Cherry quickly climbs onto the ring apron and sits on the middle rope to hold it open, as Karma climbs the ring steps and walks along the apron, turning to face His audience and slowly raising an arm before raising his index finger to let everyone know that He is #1, before he steps through the ropes into His ring.

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, from Queens, New York! Weighing in at 233 pounds… JOOOOHNNYYYYY KAAAAAARRRRRMAAAAA!!!

Once inside His ring, Karma unzips his ring jacket before he climbs onto the nearest turnbuckle and holds his arms out wide to tell the crowd he's set foot in His ring once again.

If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
If it keeps on rainin', levee's goin' to break
When The Levee Breaks I'll have no place to stay

Once he climbs down from the turnbuckles, Anders tries to attack Karma with a running European Uppercut from behind. But Karma moves out of the way as Anders crashes into the corner.

Kris Cruise: Anders tried to get the jump on Karma! But the Karmic Lion had other ideas!

The bell sounds as Karma turns Anders around and delivers a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. He then takes Anders and whips her hard into the opposite corner. As Anders stumbles from out of the corner, the crowd cheers when Karma throws her down with a back body drop.

Kris Cruise: Biiiiiig back body drop to the Mindkilla!

Anders gets back to her feet, but Karma is quick to knock her back down with a clothesline. Anders gets back up. But again, Karma is quick to knock her back down with another clothesline. After Anders gets back to her feet, Karma throws out another clothesline. But Anders ducks and runs into the ropes. When Anders returns, Karma connects with a running high knee, knocking Anders through the ropes and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Anders bounced back off that knee and was sent stumbling to the floor! She tried to attack Karma before the opening bell! But Karma was more than prepared!

While Anders picks herself up and shakes out the cobwebs, Karma runs into the far ropes. When Anders turns around, Karma goes for This Is For The Front Row (baseball slide clothesline). But Anders side steps before sliding back into the ring. After Karma lands on his feet and turns around, Anders lays across the canvas and rests her head on her fist while gesturing for Karma to bring it.

Kris Cruise: What arrogance on display here from the Mindkilla!

As soon as Karma slides back in, Anders rolls away towards the center of the ring and returns to her feet. The two grapplers then march towards inch other and are nose to nose until Anders rocks Karma with a hard European Uppercut. After a knee strike to the midsection, Anders applies a side headlock. But the hold doesn’t stay on for long as Karma shoves her off of him and into the ropes. When Anders returns, Karma goes for another back body drop. But Anders slips down from behind, grabs Karma, runs, hops over the top rope and delivers Macho Karma.

Stephy Auger: Ha! She just stole Karma’s own move from him!

As Karma stumbles back, the boos continue as Anders hops up onto the apron, climbs to the top turnbuckle, jumps off and knocks him down with a double axe handle smash.

Stephy Auger: She did it again!

Anders places her foot on Karma’s chest while putting her index finger in the air.

ONE!
.
.
Karma knocks her foot off his chest.

Anders reaches down, picks up Karma and performs an arm wrench, followed by a short-arm shoulder block. She then takes Karma by the arm, performs an arm wrench and delivers a hard European Uppercut to the arm. Anders takes the arm, performs an arm wrench and delivers an armbreaker across the shoulder. She then transitions into a hammerlock from behind. After refusing to quit, Anders goes for the Black Song (hammerlock spun into a Lariat). But Karma ducks. When Anders turns around, Karma grabs her by the arm and delivers an arm wrench of his own, resulting in cheers from the crowd. After trying to yank the arm from out of its socket, Karma delivers another arm wrench, transitions into a hammerlock and delivers a hammerlock belly to back suplex. Karma picks up Anders, lifts her up and throws her down with a hammerlock scoop slam. Karma picks up Anders, lifts her up and throws her down with another hammerlock scoop slam. He then drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders gets her right shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Johnny Karma’s giving a Izzy Anders a taste of her own medicine by relentlessly going after her arm.

Karma picks up Anders and goes for an irish whip. But Anders reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Karma turns, Anders sets up for a back body drop. But Karma stops, grabs Anders, runs, hops over the top rope and delivers Macho Karma.

Kris Cruise: Now that’s how you do it!

While Anders stumbles back, Karma climbs back up onto the apron, scales to the top turnbuckles and dives off for a double axe handle smash. But Anders catches him on the way down with a shoot kick to the midsection. While Karma is doubled over, Anders knocks him down to his knee with a roundhouse kick before flattening him with an axe kick. The crowd boos she pulls Karma over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his rightt shoulder up.

Anders picks up Karma and doubles him over with a knee to the midsection before delivering a double knee armbreaker to the leftt arm. After Karma slowly drops down to his knees, Anders returns to her feet and heads towards the ropes. When Anders returns, she connects with a shining yakuza kick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Karma gets his left shoulder up.

Anders picks up Karma, brings him over towards the ropes and chokes him across the top rope while pressing down on the back of his neck.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Anders lets go. She then takes Karma’s right arm and places him in a hammerlock around the top rope.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Anders lets go, steps back and delivers a front kick to the arm. After Karma staggers into a nearby corner, Anders turns him around, delivers a hard knife edge chop and whips him into the opposite corner. The Mindkilla then charges across the ring. But Karma knocks her back with a back elbow. After stumbling back, Anders runs back into the corner. This time, Karma knocks her back with a boot to the face. Karma then runs out of the corner and throws out a clothesline. But Anders ducks and runs into the ropes. When Anders returns, the crowd cheers when Karma throws her down with a snap scoop powerslam. He hooks the leg.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders gets her right arm up.

Karma picks up Anders and goes for an irish whip. But Anders reverses, sending Karma into the ropes. When Karma returns, Anders sets up for a back body drop. But Karma stops and counters with Dynamite Karma (hammerlock suplex). The crowd cheers to move. But the cheers quickly turn to boos as Anders then rolls to the outside.

Stephy Auger: Anders is wisely retreating to the outside, Cruise. She’s no dummy. She’s not gonna sit there and just let Karma keep attacking her arm.

While Anders slowly picks herself back up, Karma runs into the far ropes. When Anders turns around, the crowd cheers when Karma flattens her with This Is For The Front Row.

Kris Cruise: Karma gets the crowd out of their feet as he connects on the second attempt!

Karma picks up Anders, marches down ringside and slams her face-first into the steel steps. Anders stumbles back before turning an staggering away from Karma. Anders tries to rest up while leaning against the guardrail. But Karma stays on her. He grabs Anders from behind, runs and rolls her back into the ring. Karma then climbs back up onto the apron. As Karma is halfway into the ring, Anders runs over and connects with a roundhouse kick to the side of the head. The crowd boos as Karma crumbles to the mat and curls himself up. The boos continues as Anders puts the boots to Karma. Anders then drops down and chokes Karma his her hand. The ref gives Anders until the count of five to break the hold. But she pretends that she can’t hear the ref.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Anders reluctantly lets go. She returns to her feet, pulls Karma back up and brings him into the corner before slamming him face-first into the top turnbuckle. Anders turns Karma around and pummels him down in the corner with machine gun punches to the face. From there, Anders begins to facewash Karma with the sole of her boot before choking him while pulling down on the top rope.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Anders reluctantly lets go. She then steps back and surveys Karma before nudging him in the face with the toe of her voot. She then nails Karma with a toe kick to the mouth. After getting another toe kick from Anders, Karma tries to pull himself up using the ropes. But Anders nails him with a hard shoot kick to the chest, causing Karma to fall back down into the corner. Karma tries to slowly pull himself back up using the ropes. But again, Anders connects with another hard shoot kick to the chest, causing Karma to drop back down into the corner.

Stephy Auger: Do you see the force she’s throwing into those strikes? She’s not just trying to hurl Karma, she’s trying to break him. Literally!

After Karma turns over on his knees, he goes to pull himself up using the ropes. Anders steps over towards the side, sizes Karma up and nails him with a shoot kick to the ribs. Karma spasms before collapsing to the canvas.

Kris Cruise: That last kick might have really done some damage to Karma! Man does he look to be in a bad way right about now!

From the safety of the other side of the ring, Cherry Baum can be seen slapping the apron while she cheers Karma on. Meanwhile, Anders eyes Karma before delivering a hard kick to the back, knocking him underneath the bottom rope and out onto the apron. She then slowly steps out onto the apron.

Anders picks up Karma and slowly hooks one arm, then the other.

Kris Cruise: Oh no! Oooooh no...

Stephy Auger: I think she might be going for it, Cruise.

The crowd boos as Anders lifts up karma and plants him with Spin the Black Circle REDUX (double underhook piledriver) on the apron.

Kris Cruise: Good God, she just dropped Karma right on his head! Right on the hardest part of the ring.

The boos continue as Anders picks up Karma and rolls him back inside. She then rolls herself back in, drags him away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Karma gets his left shoulder up.

Anders picks up Karma and wraps him up from behind.

Kris Cruise: She’s adding insult to injury! She’s about to hit the man with his own finisher!

Anders goes for Hard Times (wristlock transitioned into a short-arm bionic elbow). But Karma ducks. When Anders turns around, she’s met with three jabs before getting dropped by a right hook.

Kris Cruise: SUGAR RAY KARMA!

After Anders gets back up, she gets knocked back down by another right hand. When Anders returns to her feet, Karma doubles her over with a boot to the midsection, turns and drops her with the Bum Trip (shoulder neckbreaker). He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders gets her right shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Both of these competitors are jockeying for position. They both want to position themselves as a contender for the FGA World Championship. But this fight right here is about more much more than that...

Karma picks up Anders and whips her into the ropes. When Anders returns, Karma throws her down with a spinebuster. He then steps out onto the apron and scales to the top rope. He slowly raises his left arm before leaping off and going for a flying elbow drop. But Anders rolls out of the way, causing Karma to crash onto the canvas.

Stephy Auger: Nobody’s home!

Kris Cruise: Karma’s missed! Karma caught nothing but the canvas!

Stephy Auger: Anders already worked over his right arm. After that missed, his left arm has to be equally messed up!

As Karma slowly returns to his feet, Anders throws out Dirty Dancin (kick flurry). While Karma is left doubled over, the crowd erupts with boos after Anders connects with Check Your Chiclets (superkick).

Kris Cruise: Damn her, she did it again!

After dragging Karma into position, Anders steps out onto the apron before climbing to the top turnbuckle. She then jumps off for a diving double knee arm to the left arm. But Karma rolls out of the way, causing Anders to crash knees-first onto the canvas.

Stephy Auger: AH!

Kris Cruise: Now it’s Anders that missed! The high risk didn’t pay off for her, either!

Anders curls up and hugs both knees while she cringes from the pain. Meanwhile, Karma can be seen slowly trying to pick himself up off the mat. After Karma returns to his feet, he drags Anders towards the center of the ring, lifts her leg up, turns and applies a figure four leg lock.


Stephy Auger: OH NO! IZZY!

Anders sits up as she groans in pain. As soon as she lowers her back down to the mat, the ref starts to count.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Anders sits back up.

Anders tries to reach over and grab Karma, but Karma leans out of the way.

Kris Cruise: Anders is trapped with nowhere to go!

The ref asks Anders if she wants to give up. But Anders refuses. She then tries to turn over towards her right. But Karma stops her and and turns back towards her left.

Kris Cruise: He’s got Anders trapped in the dead center of the ring! She’s trapped, Stephy! She’s trapped!

Anders tries to slowly turn over towards her left. But Karma quickly turns her back over towards her right. Anders howls in agony.

Kris Cruise: She’s trying to fight off the pain. But at one point does it become too much!?

Anders scoots back and then tries to reach for the ropes. But she’s nowhere near them.

Stephy Auger: Noooo!

As soon as Anders’ shoulders hit the canvas, the ref starts his count.

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

The ref asks Anders if she wants to give up. But she refuses. Anders continues to scoot back before reaching towards the ropes. But again, she’s out of reach. Just then, another pair of arms reach underneath the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: What the…!?

Stephy Auger: Yes! Yes!

The crowd boos as Savannah Taylor locks hands with Anders and pulls her over towards the ropes.

Kris Cruise: That’s Savannah Taylor! She’s helping out here saving Izzy Anders!

Stephy Auger: That’s what partners are for, Cruise!

Ander then reaches up and easily grabs the bottom rope, forcing the ref to give Karma a five count.

Ref: ONE…. TWO…. TH-

While Taylor tries to give Anders some words of advice, Karma reaches through the ropes, grabs Taylor by the hair and pulls her up onto the apron.

Kris Cruise: Oh boy!

Karma reaches over the top rope, grabs a hold of Taylor, runs towards the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: Taylor’s becoming well acquainted with that ring post tonight!

Stephy Auger: Oh just shut up!

Kris Cruise: … I don’t think Karma’s done!

Karma climbs up onto the top turnbuckle as Taylor pulls herself up using the guardrail. When Taylor turns around, the crowd boos as Karma dives off and knocks her down with a diving double axe handle smash.

Kris Cruise: Down goes Taylor!

Karma climbs back up onto the apron. As he steps through the ropes, Anders runs over and kicks up the middle rope, blatantly hitting Karma below the belt After Karma crumbles to the mat, she pulls Karma back into the ring before knocking him don with Hard Times. The crowd roars with boos...

But she doesn’t let go of his wrist!

Anders pulls Karma back to his feet and stuns him with a short-arm elbow smash. While Karma is dazed, Anders grabs Karma, lifts him up and dumps him over with the Shotgun party (small package driver).

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as “One More Soul to the Call” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, IZZY ANDERS!

Anders rolls to the outside. After pulling herself up using the edge of the apron, she raises her arms in victory.

Kris Cruise: Izzy Anders gets the victory. But let’s not act like a huge assist doesn’t go to Savannah Taylor!

Stephy Auger: Hey, Izzy won! You won’t hear any complaints from me. But this is what happens when you don’t have any friends, Cruise. You see how Taylor came out and had Anders’ back? Where was Karma’s back up? He doesn’t have any. Fujiko Mine? Left him high and dry. Noelle Smith? Still beat up from the match with Evan Envi. Chris Madison and Molly Reid? They’re too caught up in their own match to even be thinking about Karma. Cordy Stevenson? Dom Harter? They were never his real friends, anyway. You know Cherry Baum wasn't about to jump in after Izzy nearly knocked her teeth down her throat. Izzy saved him at the last show to prove a point. If she hasn’t helped him, who would? But the same woman that helped him two weeks ago is the same woman that hurt him here tonight.

Kris Cruise: Of course, of course. It’s the damn numbers game once again. Karma has outwrestled and beaten some of the best competitors to ever step through those doors when the match is left one on one. But as soon as outside interference hits, this is the garbage that happens and that’s exactly what it is. Garbage!

After Taylor makes her way up the aisle ahead of her, Anders limps up the aisle while moving her hands around her waist, motioning for the belt...