AfterBurn for Vertigo E32

[FGA Office]

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

[Deleted]

The scene opens with Peaches walking down the corridors after Vertigo has gone off the air; she seems slightly peeved, which is understandable after what happened with The Keisters earlier this evening, although she has changed out of her ring attire. Now dressed in a Dan Herrera tee and a pair of jeans, Peaches knocks on a door and shouts.

Peaches: Dommy, get your ass out here!

After a moment of no answer, Peaches looks around before knocking again, louder than before.

Peaches: Dommy! You got first round, remember?

Still no answer; Peaches rolls her eyes before shaking the handle which, to her surprise, opens. She steps inside with the cameraman in tow - for reasons unexplained! - only to see The Tenacious Little Bastard lying on the floor in a heap. Peaches immediately bolts towards her friend, checking for a pulse to make sure he’s still alive.

Peaches: Go get some help!

She yells to the cameraman, and to no avail. Peaches looks around to see what could’ve happened, but there’s no sign of a fight, no cuts or bruises on Dom’s body, no bottles of alcohol or any drug paraphernalia laying around.

Peaches: I said go get some help!

She yells again, and this time the cameraman swivels on the spot. Wandering onto the scene wearing the most insincere look of faux concern imaginable, is Dom’s upcoming challenger for the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship, AMIRA.

AMIRA: Oh no, what happened?

AMIRA asks, holding a hand daintily to her mouth.

AMIRA: That’s not good at all, it almost looks like, it almost looks like, something familiar hmmm.

She raps her fingers against her chin.

AMIRA: Where have I seen that?

Her face lights up, much to the disgust of Peaches, who is trying to balance the desire to wipe the smug look off AMIRA’s face with the concern for her friend’s well being.

AMIRA: I remember now! It was a few years ago, Francis--ahem-- allegedly roofied a rival of his. Jennifer I believe her name is, engaging in relations with his father nowadays, a touching tale really. A strikingly similar scene it was and it’s almost like someone tried to recreate that! At least that would be my best deduction as a visionary genius and a truthspeaker.

She holds a hand out like a stop sign in Peaches’ direction as she continues.

AMIRA: I’m not sure who it could have been, he has a lot of enemies. It certainly could not have been me, as Francis made it abundantly clear he knows all the dirty tricks and someone such as myself did not possess the capabilities to take a page out of his playbook to turn against him.

A shrug.

AMIRA: It is no time for speculation though, you Peaches of the Tree Shakers need to get help for your friend to make sure he is in tip top condition for our clash. I certainly do offer my apologies for disrupting your efforts with such baseless speculation, so I will leave you with a few facts as a token of my apology: That Francis and his Championship reign are much more vulnerable than he wishes to admit, that I AMIRA once again proved my mettle in the art of the battle royale--something Francis and the rest of the frontier grapplers should find gravely concerning come the Gold Rush Rumble and most importantly that this is not the last time these cameras will capture Francis flat on his back with AMIRA standing over him.

With a dainty wave and finger wiggle, AMIRA slinks back to the shadows from whence she came, crying out.

AMIRA: Farewell, Tree Shaker! Mend Francis back to health! Mend him with all your might, I implore of you!

Peaches: She must have a death wish or something…

Peaches mutters to herself as the paramedics arrive on scene; Peaches explains to them that she suspects Dom’s been roofied as the scene comes to an end.

[Izzy Anders]

The feed cuts to Izzy Anders, watching a television set. It cycles through the end of Chandler Scott receiving the bridge from Cordy Stevenson to Cordy's present of a crutch from Chandler Scott. As she looks at it, the camera only stands behind her. When it rears around, she shoves a nearby table over. Things of all varieties hit the ground with a sharp noise. Izzy roars as she kicks the monitor back behind the production crate it was sitting on. Stagehands yelp out and try to calm her down, but she seems already on her way back to serenity. She stands over her small amount of destruction, panting. She proceeds to look over her shoulder, seeing the camera operator behind her. She turns around methodically, taking a moment to realize that her minor eruption was caught on camera. She snickers when she comes to terms with it. 

Izzy Anders: It really is still about them. Cordy straight up lied to my face. 

She shakes her head.

Izzy Anders: It has been nearly two years since I debuted in FGA and I'm still not getting the attention that I fight for, it seems. I guess the petty rivalry that they're having is more important than little ol' me. 

A snicker comes out of her.

Izzy Anders: See, everyone notices this mess. I didn't like to think about it much, but I noticed it before everyone. I knew this crap was going to happen. The Chandler-Cordy story was going to take precedence over everything else that's going on. Karma winning tonight? It doesn't matter. He can win the whole entire GRR and it wouldn't matter. It's because Cordy and Chandler have issues and they'll ignore everyone around them until they get their chance to "steal the show".

Izzy Anders: Well, nah, that's not going to happen on my watch. Nope. I'm not letting whoever wins that Gold Rush Rumble walk into a shitstorm of stupidity. I'm going to take the FGA Undisputed Championship and they'll have to try to take it from me before I set that bitch on fire. And I'll make a star out of them. I'll make them and everyone else in FGA notice me and realize that I'm #1. NOT CHANDLER, THE ACE. NOT CORDY, THE POSTER CHILD. ME! ME! IZZY FUCKING ANDERS!

Izzy Anders: DO YOU SEE ME NOW? That's what I'm going to scream when I win the damn strap. DO YOU SEE ME F**KING NOW?

Her shouting makes some of the stagehands back up and she points at them.

Izzy Anders: And every single one of you better take notice that the best damn wrestler out of the new generation is STANDING RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW! I proved that at Rookie X Cup. I proved that when I beat Jensen and his boys. I'm going to take that belt and defend it in every company I can to make sure that EVERYONE knows that I'm the best damn wrestler on God's stupid green Earth. Because I deserve just that much.

A beat.

Izzy Anders: Now get that camera out of my face before I make a mess out of you.

[bmac]

The shot opens with a look backstage at the gorilla position as Molly Reid walks through from the entranceway, with her Pride Championship belt wrapped around her waist. She’s sweaty and walking a little gingerly after that match with Noelle Smith, but she has a big grin on her face. As she goes to turn around the corner, she’s caught up to by Jessie Pederson, who has a microphone in hand.

Jessie Pederson: Molly, can I get a word?!

Molly turns back around with the smile still on her face.

Molly Reid: Sure Jessie. What’s up?

Jessie Pederson: Molly, I gotta ask about earlier. You pushed Frankie Morrison and he fell and hit his head on the wall. Word is that he didn’t suffer any serious injury, but do you feel any kind of remorse for what you did?

Molly Reid: Ok well first of all Jessie I didn’t push Frankie over. He got in my way and I asked him politely to get out of my way and he did not. So I moved him out of my way. It’s not my fault that Chris dropped that towel behind him. If you drop a banana peel and slip on that peel, it’s nobody’s fault but your own. Chris could’ve put that towel anywhere but he chose to put it on the ground right behind his manager. It’s ridiculous to blame me for that.

Molly Reid: I’m a one hundred and twenty pound woman with not much in terms of upper body strength, no matter how hard I shoved Frankie there’s no way I’m getting him on the ground just by pushing him. The towel took him to the ground and he bumped his head. It’s an unfortunate situation and I’m glad to hear that he’s ok. I would just hate to see him miss our big match in two weeks. But no, no remorse. If he had just gotten out of my way then none of this would’ve happened. They wanted some kind of confrontation. They wanted me to do something like that, obviously.

Jessie Pederson: It looks like you were taunting him when he tried to come down to the ring during your match with Noelle.

Molly Reid: I was just waving at him. You can take that however you want to. But that’s the bigger issue! He was coming down in the middle of my match to try to interfere it! First off, the fact that he’d leave his friend in pain and suffering to come after me is something that I would never do. But to try to get involved in my match like that? Come on. Look, I’m not an idiot. I know a lot of people aren’t the biggest Molly Reid fans these days. I hear the boos. But like I’ve said before, I’ve been completely honest with each and every one of the fans. I’ve never lied about anything. And I’m not lying to you or any of them now. Chris Madison is not the guy he says he is. He wants to talk about how he’d bring so much pride and respect to this belt but look at tonight! First he instigates a confrontation with me before my match, trying to throw me off my game. And then after Frankie “knocked his head”, he waits until my match is underway to try to get involved and distract me.

Molly Reid: I almost lost that match because of him. And let’s not forget that he only has this rematch because Frankie got involved in our Beat the Clock match. The point is, Chris is lying when he says that he’ll be the one bringing pride to this championship. I’M the one doing this championship proud. I’ve been completely honest with everyone since I won this title. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ve admitted to them. When my hand slipped at Grapple Kingdom, I came right out and told everyone what happened and I apologized for it. Chris has been doing far worse things and hasn’t apologized for one damn thing. He’s doing the same thing Evan was doing to me! I’m not pleased but I’m not going to stoop to his level Jessie.

Molly Reid: I’m the FGA Pride Champion. I’ve been the Pride Champion for six months! And I’m going to continue to be Pride Champion after Only the Strong Survive. I’m going to continue to do this belt proud, and that’s going to start with making sure Chris Madison doesn’t get his hands anywhere near this.

Jessie Pederson: Molly, you’re coming off of a big win against Noelle Smith just a few minutes ago and a strong showing in the Rey del Aire tournament last week as well. Is it safe to say that you’re feeling confident going into your title defense against Chris?

Molly Reid: Absolutely. I’m always confident. But it definitely helps. I gotta say I was a little disappointed after my Rey del Aire performance because I felt like I let FGA and a lot of others down by not beating Emilio and getting a chance to wrestle my girlfriend. But winning two matches and making it to the semifinals like that isn’t anything to scoff at. So I’m happy. And of course, tonight was great. Noelle is a good wrestler. She makes me work for it every time.

Molly Reid: But once you get hit with the Molly Kick, it’s game over. Noelle puts up a good fight and I’d be happy to wrestle her again. But tonight was just another reminder of what I can do in the ring. No matter who steps in there with me, I can beat them. Whether that’s Noelle, Dom, Chris, even Cordy or Chandler or Izzy. I know I can beat any of them. Once I hit you with the Molly Kick, it’s 1-2-3. In two weeks, when I step into that ring with Chris, I’m going to win. I’m going to defend my championship.

Jessie Pederson: Finally Molly, you’re entered in the Gold Rush Rumble later in the night at Only the Strong Survive. Do you think you have what it takes to win, especially since you have so many matches in the days leading up to it?

Molly Reid: Of course I have what it takes. Come on Jessie, what have I just said? Look. This is a huge match. Thirty FGA grapplers all competing for the same prize, arguably the second biggest prize in the company, next to the actual FGA World Championship. A chance to wrestle for that on the biggest stage of them all at All Star Showdown? That massive. I’m ready for this. It doesn’t matter how many matches I have before this. It doesn’t matter that I’ll have defended my Pride Championship earlier in the night. I’m going to enter that match at whatever position I draw and I’m going to make it to the very end. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Nobody, and I mean nobody, has the cardio, the stamina that I do. I could enter number one in the Rumble and it wouldn’t change a thing. I’ll still be there at the end and I’ll still be wrestling.

Molly Reid: I won’t get tired, I won’t get eliminated. This is my chance Jessie. This is where I go from the Pride Champion to the star of the company. You know how you can look back at the top stars careers and pick one moment where they went from great to a star. When you look back at Molly Reid’s career, you’ll think of Only the Strong Survive. You’ll talk about how that Gold Rush Rumble was where Molly took the next step, where she became a star here in FGA. Whether I enter at number thirty, or number one, it doesn’t matter. I’m going to be there at the end. On April fifteenth, at Only the Strong Survive, you’re going to see me defend my Pride Championship when I beat Chris Madison. Then, you’ll see me win the Gold Rush Rumble. And you’ll all remember that night for the rest of your lives. As the night Molly Reid became a star.

With that, Molly smiles one last time for Jessie and the camera. She slaps her Pride Championship belt around her waist, blows a kiss to the camera and then turns around and walks away down the hallway as the screen slowly fades out.

[Lou]

Spencer Burke is seen in hot pursuit of a departing Ricky Valero in the Infinity Energy Arena parking lot. Valero is well dressed in a tailored black suit with his bags in tow behind him.

Spencer Burke: Ricky! Ricky! Please...quickly just a couple questions?

Valero pulls up just a few feet away from his car and turns around to see his favorite interviewer looking to speak with him.

Ricky Valero: Spencer Burke, my friend. Why are you always in such a panic when you see me?

Valero smirks. The FGA reporter does his best to bite his tongue and putting himself in hot water.

Spencer Burke: Right...Ricky, could you explain what happened out there tonight?

Ricky Valero: You watched the show, didn’t you?

Spencer Burke: I did.

Ricky Valero: So what’s got you confused, Spence?

Spencer goes to respond, but he’s not quick enough for Valero.

Ricky Valero: Why did I end my match with Chris Bond the way I did tonight?

Spencer Burke: Yes.

Ricky Valero: Because I could. I’m a busy man. I can only spend so much time dilly dallying with Grandfather Time inside that ring. The Gold Rush Rumble is coming, and my focus is solely on preparing to walk out of Only the Strong Survive the number one contender to the FGA World Championship.

Spencer Burke: But didn’t you say just minutes before the match that tonight would be the last time we’d ever be subjected to a Chris Bond match? You insinuated you were going to put the man out of action. Instead, you delivered him with a low blow and got yourself disqualified.

Valero is silent, staring daggers at the interviewer in front of him. His face has turned a bright shade of red and a bead of sweat runs down his forehead.

Ricky Valero: I changed my mind, Spence. Haven’t you ever done that?

He looks Spencer up and down with utter disgust.

Ricky Valero: I could have beaten Bond to a bloody pulp. I settled for embarrassing him and ending his night early instead. You saw what happened to Owen Gonsalves out there. Chris Bond should be thankful he’s only leaving the arena tonight with a bag of ice on his nuts.

Valero turns to head off, but Spencer Burke grabs his arm. He quickly removes his hand, worrying he made a big mistake, but Valero turns around with a smile on his face.

Ricky Valero: Who were those men out there tonight, you wonder?

Burke nods. Valero snickers.

Ricky Valero: You’ll find out soon enough, Spence.

Without another second’s hesitation, he turns away once more and heads off down the hallway. Spencer Burke turns back toward the camera with a smile and we fade to black.

[Owen Gonsalves]

On yet another expedition, Spencer Burke finds himself outside the medical trainer's room and just as he's about to knock on the door, it swings open and out walks the ironically nicknamed "Indestructible" Owen Gonsalves. With an ice pack held to his neck and his shoulder taped up, the last person Owen wants to see is FGA's journalist.

Spencer Burke: Ah, Owen! Just the man I wanted to see, Spencer Burke...I believe we've met before.

Burke outstretches a hand to which Owen hesitantly shakes it, wincing slightly as he readjusts the ice pack.

Spencer Burke: I was just wondering if we could get some sort of an update on your condition and whether or not you'll be able to compete in the Gold Rush Rumble at FGA's upcoming Supershow, Only The Strong Survive, after the attack tonight from the two mystery men who appear to be aligned with Ricky Valero?

Burke blurts out his opening introduction before rather eagerly shoving the microphone in Owen's face.

Owen Gonsalves: For a journalist, you'd think you would have done your homework on your next interview, Spencer but from that question alone, I can tell you haven't. We may have met in the hallway before, but you have no idea who I am and what exactly it is I do, mate.

Owen rather peeved at the rough night he's had overall as well as the nuisance that is Spencer Burke, plucks the microphone from the hand of Burke who immediately backs off camera. Gonsalves stares right into the lens.

Owen Gonsalves: ...and neither does, Ricky Valero. You see, that's the advantage of being the virtual unknown in an industry like this in comparison to you, Ricky. You don't reeeeally know who I am, and you have not a damn clue what I am capable of. You're the legend, the hero I've watched since I was a teenager, I can rattle off your tacky catchphrases, I would blast Cinderella Man in my bedroom, I know everything about you Pretty Ricky.

He chuckles slightly and turns away from the camera for a moment, wincing once again upon that slight laughter.

Owen Gonsalves: I know that you've got this God complex, this "better than thou" attitude that I'm finding is quite common here, I know what you can do in a wrestling ring, I know what you can do outside of one, I know virtually every move in your damn arsenal because I've watched you for so fucking long, I know that you'd stoop low enough to fake your own death just to stay relevant, the same way you turned your back on me in my debut match for this company just to stay relevant, I know all of that, I know, I know, I KNOW, I FUCKING KNOW!

He emphasises the last word with a hard slam against the wall before turning back and facing the camera, he runs a hand through his hair. He pauses for a moment before giving the camera a quizzical look.

Owen Gonsalves: But what do you know about me Ricky? You know that I was a fan of your work, you know that we wrestled under the same banner a few times, you know I'm Australian...but what else do you really know?

There's another pause, as he almost allows a space for a snarky response before shaking his head and continuing.

Owen Gonsalves: You have no clue just what the hell you're in for, do you? See, that's the fear in you Ricky...that's the other thing I know, I know that the fear of the unknown terrifies you. The fact that you've only seen a speck of what I am capable of in that ring scares you to your very core. It's why you've got other people doing your dirty work for you now, props to them, they did a good job of tweaking my neck and shoulder...and yet you'll take credit for it because that's what you do-

The Indestructible One pulls off the ice pack from his neck and flings it across the empty corridor before turning back around.

Owen Gonsalves: BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT YOU DO...That's what you do but you won't do it this time, because here's the thing you really don't know about me, Ricky. I am the cockroach that you cannot kill, I am the one constant in professional wrestling, many have tried to eradicate me from this business but I'm still fucking standing. So, I'll be at Only The Strong Survive in Tampa and I will be in the Gold Rush Rumble and I do not care if I am the first man out there and you are the last man out there, I will be in that Rumble and I will kick your ass one way or another and it is then, Ricky...It is then that you will learn that not only are you fucked, but you will learn that Owen Gonsalves cannot...NO...will not be destroyed!

And with that Owen storms off as the camera pans back to Spencer Burke who is taken back by the outburst of the frustrated Australian.

[STORM]

The shot opens up with Jesse Pederson standing in front of an logo'd Afterburn backdrop with a microphone in hand and a massive smile on her face, bringing the microphone closer to her lips. 

Jesse Pederson: Joining me at this time is your hero, and mine, Mark Storm. 

Appearing in the shot is the self proclaimed "Prince of CHAOS" who stands with his hands on his hips, his face red with sweat slivering down his body and a towel draped over his shoulder. He lifts his head up and acknowledges Jesse with a smirk, before running his fingers through his hair. 

Jesse Pederson: Mark, you've just gone toe to toe with the number one contender for the Pride Championship, Chris Madison in your return match, how do you feel about the result? And how does it feel to be back?

There's a pause before he responds to Pederson, he's in deep thought and obviously pretty tired after his match with Madison, that's evident in his body shape and heavy breathing.

Mark Storm: I'm back where I belong Jesse. And yeah sure, thing's may not have gone the way I would've wanted them to go but that doesn't matter right now. I've always said it Jesse. Ever since I first stepped foot into this company, this is where the lions lay - the best of the best, and Chris Madison is the best of the best without a doubt. And I've got mad respect for him, cause he gives it his all every single damn time and pushes his opponents to their limits. That's what he done tonight. He pushed me to my limit and he bested me, and I congratulate him on that. It was a hell of a match, and I'm sure our paths will cross again sometime down the road but now, I turn my attention to what's next, and who's next, for your hero and mine.

Jesse Pederson: Talking about what's next.. The Gold Rush Rumble, April 15th... what are your thoughts on being involved?

He chuckles before answering. 

Mark Storm: Only The Strong Survive. 30 other competitors. One opportunity. One moment. One victor to go on and challenge for the most prestigious title this promotion has to offer, the reason why we're all here - the Frontier Grappling Arts Undisputed World Championship. That's what's next. That's the goal. I've still yet to make an impact here Jesse. Sure, you've all seen glimpses but that's not enough. That's not enough to solidify my status, as legendary.

Pausing, allowing himself time to recuperate, exhaling heavily. 

Mark Storm: Back in 2015, I told myself that in five years time, I'd be the hottest thing in professional wrestling. Two years on from when I said that, I've traveled the world, faced the best, even beat some too but I haven't made that dent yet. There's been moments upon moments, memories upon memories, glimpse after glimpse but that's not enough. Winning something like the Gold Rush Rumble, that catapults to the top of the pedestal. You don't have to do the nitty and gritty hard shit that everyone else has to endure over a long duration of time. All you need is one night. One opportunity, one moment.. that's all you need. 

Jesse Pederson: Could it be your night, April 15th? Do you think you've got what it takes to be the last competitor standing?

Once again, he allows a chuckle to escape his mouth, wiping the sweat beaming down his forehead with his forearm. 

Mark Storm: I know that the people wanna see it happen. I know that you, Jesse, you wanna see it happen. But has he got what it takes? (chuckling) Man, it's funny Jesse because in whatever I do in this industry, people always ask whether Mark Storm, has what it takes. And it's baffling to me because I've got what it takes to perform at the highest level week in, and week out, day in and day out over months and months and months! I proved that last year and I'm still proving that this year! The king of the indies! The prince of CHAOS! But they'll say oh.. has he got what it takes to perform on the grander stage? When it means something? I proved that too, when I defeated Savannah Taylor at the granddaddy event of them all, All Star Showdown. Has Mark Storm got what it takes to win the Gold Rush Rumble? You bet your ass, I've got what it takes. From your hero, and mine. 

He looks intensely at the camera, before allowing his signature smirk to appear upon his lips, and cutting from the scene.

Jesse Pederson: Thanks Mark. 

Fade to black.

[ChrisMadison]

The AfterBurn production cuts back to the trainer’s room where a team of EMT’s are taking a closer look at Frankie Morrison. He’s sitting on one of the trainer’s tables, holding an ice pack to his head as an EMT shines a small pen-sized flashlight into his eyes to check the pupil’s reaction to the light. Behind Frankie Morrison, Chris Madison paces back and forth, snarling as he cracks his knuckles against the palms of his hands. Spencer Burke cautiously approaches the pair, watching momentarily as the EMT’s finish their examination.

Spencer Burke: Frankie, how's the head feeling?

Morrison winced as he lowered the the ice pack and placed it down by his side.

Frankie Morrison: Not too bad. Nothing a nice glass of scotch can't fix…

Spencer Burke: It’s a shame that things have escalated to the point where it's gotten physical between you and Molly.

Frankie Morrison: Not the first time either. We seem to fight worse than I do with my ex-wife; and I once woke up staring down the barrel of a revolver being pointed in my face.

Spencer Burke uncomfortably looked over towards Chris Madison, as if he was expecting some kind of signal as to whether or not Frankie Morrison was being honest. Madison paid him no mind and continued to pace back and forth.

Spencer Burke: We’ve already heard from Molly Reid earlier…

Morrison was quick to interrupt before Spencer Burke could finish his train of thought.

Frankie Morrison: ...and let me guess, she twisted the facts to make herself look innocent?

Spencer Burke: Well, yeah…

Frankie Morrison: Of course she did. She's been doing that for the past few months, hasn't she? Molly Reid is a very driven young woman; I'll never deny her that. When she beat Fujiko Mine back in October, the general consensus was that she had finally put it all together and was destined for a meaningful championship reign. Here we are, six months later, and her run is shrouded by controversy. Only two title defenses over that time. One in a no disqualification match; which kind of contradicts everything the Pride Championship represents. The other, against Chris, where she had to cheat in order to retain. Those are the facts! That belt is supposed to signify the purity of this sport; its champion should be someone honorable who exemplifies what that championship represents. No matter how bad she wants it, no matter how much she thinks she fits the bill, she's not the kind of champion that belt and the fans of FGA deserve. When we first received the news that Chris would challenge her for the title, we were ecstatic because we thought that the two of them could put on instant classics that would be etched into FGA lore. Unfortunately her fears and insecurities have robbed everyone of that!

Spencer Burke: Obviously Chris has the chance to change all of that with a win at Only The Strong Survive. What do you say to those who are beginning to doubt his ability to win big in FGA? He's had a few chances to capture gold here but has been unsuccessful thus far…

The statement from the FGA interviewer caused Chris to stop dead in his tracks. Madison turned towards Burke and shot him an intimidating glare. Burke anxiously forces that lump in his throat down as his eyes widen.

Frankie Morrison: He doesn't have that great of a track record here, does he?

Spencer stood silent, uneasy about answering Morrison.

Frankie Morrison: You don't go nearly seventeen years in this business without having your ups and downs. Championships in FGA have seemed to elude Chris, that doesn't mean he's not capable. He's been a champion in just about every promotion…

Madison steps forward and places his hand on Morrison’s chest, interrupting him mid sentence.

Chris Madison: So you don't think I have what it takes to win a championship here in FGA?

Spencer Burke: That’s not what I’m saying…

Chris Madison: No? It’s definitely what you're implying. Molly Reid beat me to retain that belt. As much as she likes to let this charade carry on, the truth is, she knows that she's not capable of out wrestling me. I don't need to hear her admit it. She can keep trying to convince everyone otherwise. By the sounds of the fans as of late, they're not buying her B.S. either. I’m going to get great satisfaction in proving everyone wrong by stripping her of that Pride Championship belt.

Spencer Burke: You won a hard fought contest tonight against the returning Mark Storm, how does he differ from facing someone like Molly Reid.

Chris Madison: Mark is one of the few bright spots in the wrestling world. That kid has passion to get out there and compete as often as physically possible. I'd share that ring with him anytime, anywhere! Molly is a horse of a different color. She talks a good game but when it comes down to it, she never respected me as an opponent. She never really wanted to just leave it all in the ring for the sake of competition. Talented as all hell but selfish as shit. Leading up to our first title match I was played. Despite having my suspicions, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and fully expected to put on a wrestling clinic with one of the hottest talents on the scene right now. Instead, she took the easy route… Shame on me for letting my guard down and allowing myself to get put into this predicament.

Spencer Burke: What's to stop her from grabbing the tights again to pick up the victory and retain the championship?

Chris Madison: Not much of anything. I'm going to have to rely on my abilities and experience to keep myself out of that position. If not, I might as well kiss that championship goodbye. We’ve all seen that she's willing to do ANYTHING in order to keep that belt where it is. I have to prepare myself accordingly…

Spencer Burke: The Pride Championship match isn’t the only thing on the docket for you at Only the Strong Survive. You’ll also be taking part in the Gold Rush Rumble. Any predictions?

Chris Madison: That match is hard to predict anything. You have thirty hungry competitors, all vying for the same opportunity. For me, the Gold Rush Rumble is one of the staples of FGA that really gives this company it’s own identity. It’s going to be an honor to mix it up with a bunch of guys and girls that I have never had the privilege to in the past. Winning would obviously secure me another golden opportunity, an FGA Undisputed Championship match. But all of these opportunities mean nothing if I can’t come through in the clutch. And like you keep graciously pointing out, I don’t have that great of a track record here in FGA when it comes to championship opportunities.

Spencer Burke nods his, turning towards his camera crew, seemingly ready to wrap up the interview. Before he could step away, Madison speaks out.

Chris Madison: No matter how Only the Strong Survive plays out, Molly Reid is going to be forced with having to deal with me; in the Pride Championship match and maybe even the Gold Rush Rumble. I plan on making sure that she leaves Tampa with absolutely nothing to show for her efforts. I’m going to take her belt, take any opportunity at challenging for the Undisputed Championship, and take whatever dignity she thinks she has left!

Morrison proudly watches over Madison’s shoulder as the shot fades to black.

[Deleted]

The scene opens with Spencer Burke standing backstage with the three members of The Keisters – Kimmi, Kammi, and Kalli – who are standing on either side of Spencer; Kimmi has one arm around his shoulder, with Kammi standing next to her, while Kalli is on the other side.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here with The Keister Sisters who we saw earlier tonight attacking The Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad.

Kimmi Keister: Uh, you’re not doing us justice, Spencer! We didn’t just attack them, ok, we beat their arses.

Spencer Burke: Yes, well…

The Keisters all look rather pleased with themselves as Spencer tries his hardest to remain composed, even while surrounded by all the ample cleavage on display.

Spencer Burke: The question we all want to know the answer to is … why? We know you had some interactions with Dan and Peaches on Twitter, but this?

Kimmi Keister: Look, Spencer, it’s like really simple, ok? Kammi, tell him why we did it.

Kammi Keister: Umm, ‘cause you told us to…

Kimmi Keister: Exactly!

It takes a moment to register what her sister said, before Kimmi rolls her eyes.

Kalli Keister: Nooo, sis. She meant what did she tell us before we attacked them.

Kimmi Keister: She knows, ok. But it totally goes beyond Peaches and Dan. This is like, bigger than The Usual Suspects. This isn’t even about The Elysian Empire anymore.

Spencer looks confused, as he wonders when this was ever about The Elysian Empire.

Kimmi Keister: These teams, ok, they think that just because we’ve lost a couple of matches here we’re not a threat. And that’s just, like, super ridiculous, ok? And Peaches wants to throw challenges around, saying she can beat me one-on-one. Pleeeease! I’ve got more talent right here–

She places her hands on her buxom bosom, shaking them around a little bit as Spencer is forced to look away.

Kimmi Keister: –than Peaches or Dan has in their entire bodies. Same with Kalli, same with Kammi! Ok. So you wanna count us out, we’ll see how you do when we’re coming for those FGA World Tag Team Titles! You wanna think we’re not a problem, we’ll see how you do when we eliminate you all from the Gold Rush Rumble! You wann–

Spencer Burke: Kimmi–

Spencer interrupts her, raising one hand to get her attention.

Spencer Burke: None of you are entered in the Gold Rush Rumble this year.

Kalli Keister: No way!

Kimmi Keister: Urgh, no fair.

She stomps her foot in anger, pouting as she takes a moment to recompose herself.

Kimmi Keister: Whatever. Elysian Empire, Usual Suspects, Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad – you’re looking at the next FGA World Tag Team Champions, ok. And those belt you boys have, they’ll look so good around our waists. But if you don’t think we can do it your way, then we’ll have to do it Keister Style!

And with that the scene fades to black as all three sisters smile for the camera.

[James Edwards]

"Why make a fuss when you can silently prove a point?"

Distant honking, an odd question, and an ever present Kentucky drawl welcome's FGA viewers back to new signee James Edwards and his staircase.

James Edwards: I got this feelin' deep down that the locker room ain't gonna understand why I don't want the fancy videos or the poster with the belts I've won on em'. Before I get going on another ramble, pay close attention to this, I ain't doing this to be a rebel or build a buzz.

He pauses and looks annoyed as if he already anticipates the charges that might potentially be thrown his way.

James Edwards: Here is the thing about makin' a fuss. It builds expectations. Those things are a death sentence. The second a man fails to live up to them he is branded a failure. And why? Because he tried to create a reputation without provin' a thing, and the way I see it a man that does that deserves to fall into a grave. I ain't the kind of man or fighter that goes fallin' into a hole.

He pauses again. Either to catch his breath or his tongue. Saying a dumb thing in the heat of the moment is a bad habit of his.

James Edwards: I aim to be a free man, no chains or expectations. Like I said before, forget every piece of information you've ever heard about me; consider me a white wall going into my first fight. I'm a nothing without a thing to hold him back and everything to prove. I'll succeed or fail by own merits, not by what the people in the stands or the folks in the back think of me. I'll do the work to prove I'm a man of my word because it's a lot more fun to hear whispers instead of laughs.

He smirks and then the scene fades to black.