Vertigo (04.29.17)

[FGA Office]

The arena darkens, then the stroke of a single piano key echoes through the sound system. A spotlight begins illuminating the stage as a woman's voice sings, accompanied by the soft sounds of a violin.

AMIRA

AMIIIRRAAA

The violin instrumentals intensify as none other than the artist formerly known as Skylar Cloud, the one and only AMIRA emerges from the darkness, standing in the spotlight with her arms extended outward and the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship belt strapped around her waist.

AMIRA, she's the best! Better than all the rest!

Kris Cruise: Oh, lovely, it appears our new Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion has decided to grace us with her presence.

Stephy Auger: That's Magnificent-AMIRA Legacy Champion! Get some inflection in your voice! Rise to your feet!

AMIRA slowly starts making her way to the ring, with the lights now strobing around; she is accompanied by a gaggle of hired hands who are carrying various props down to the ring.

AMIRA, she's so cool! Over you, she will rule!

Jeering fans in the front row tries to get her attention as she approaches the ringside area, but she chooses to ignore them and head up the ring steps.

Kris Cruise: Will you sit down?

Sheeee used to say to reach for the SKYYYY-lar; now she crushes all who deffyyy her! She's witty, strong and has no fear; the age of AMIRA is heeere!

After stopping in the middle of the ring apron with her back to the ropes, she raises a fist in the air, before demanding one of the lackeys holds the ropes open for and stepping into the ring.

Stephy Auger: I most certainly will not!

The lights start to return as she takes the center of the ring and then signals for a microphone as the ring gets set up behind her. An object--covered in a cloth-- is sitting atop a dais, while there is another covered up cylindrical object to the side of the dais. AMIRA straightens her posture, while tapping the microphone as her music fades.

AMIRA: Spotlight, please!

She declares, apparently undeterred by the last time she called for a spotlight in the ring. Holding the microphone to her lips, she waits for the crowds jeers to die down, before quickly losing patience.

AMIRA: Silence!

The platinum blonde shrieks, before closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

AMIRA: As promised I have returned to Verteego having successfully vanquished the Championship reign of the deleterious scallywag, Francis. For I do not make predictions, I simply give insight into what the future holds. Just like I gave insight into the fact that the era of the 'Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship' --

She raps the belt with her index finger.

AMIRA: --would be no more and I would be bringing in a better era as your Magnificent-AMIRA Legacy Champion. An era where there are battles atop volcanos, an era where the championship has prestige! Lo and behold, I kept my word, scouring the Earth for worthy competition. I sought out the Champions which other promotions called their best and painstakingly chose a Champion of Champions to do battle with me above my private volcano. Unfortunately, the response I received was one that made it clear that others out there do not share my ambition. Instead, they want to play games with me-- allow me to read it, verbahteem.

Pulling a cellphone from her pocket, she brings up the Twitter app and reads.

AMIRA: "If you would like to do some cross promotion, have the guys that run at FGA send me a message, perhaps we can work something out," that is by the way, from some management office monkey, not the man I called out.

Her face reddens as she puts the phone away.

AMIRA: How dare they insult me like that? I have made it very clear that I call the shots around here now and do not answer to management. I am not in charge, not them, me! The only reason I am battling Phil Dunphy on the premiere of Flashpoint is that I have deemed he needs to be taught a lesson. I am not a pushover, I will not stand for having everything I have worked so hard for disrespected, so there will be no interpromotional Volcano Match and you have these malfeasants who I will not deign worthy of mentioning by name to blame for it!

She stomps her foot.

Kris Cruise: So, she's saying she didn't expect her ridiculous grandstanding to get answered and now she's backing out?

Stephy Auger: That's not at all what she's saying!

AMIRA: I tried to create something wondrous and magical, but once again, someone else had to ru-een it! Rest assured though, that this is only a temporary bump in the road and I will still make this the most prestigious Championship in all of wrestling. Not only that, but despite this tragic occurence, I have prepared a special treat for everyone to be privileged enough to witness right here tonight! Because I, the hardest working individual in this business, do not rest on my laurels. No, I deliver excellence, so lo and behold --

AMIRA clears her throat dramatically.

AMIRA: -- The Magnificent-AMIRA Legacy Championship belt!

She whips the cloth off the dais to reveal a hideously gaudy abomination, even more so than the spinner belt of her face that she held in LDFC. This one of course does have her face as a spinner nameplate as well, but it does not end there. The belt also has blinking light up LED boards flashing, just to start. The crowd jeers as she removes the MAL title belt, placing it on the dais for the moment as she straps her new Championship around her waist while holding her arms out.

AMIRA: Bask in it! Breathe in its magnificent resplendence!

Reaching down, she presses on the nameplate, activating an audio board which causes a haunting voice to whisper "Amiraaaaa" much to her delight.

AMIRA: That is just a taste! Now you may be wondering how I managed to get such a masterpiece commissioned in such short order after winning it, thinking I am some kind of miracle worker. Well that is where you simple fools are wrong as usual--not about my abilities of course--but about this being crafted in short order. Obviously I had my finest craftsmen start creating this beauty as soon as I received my first title eliminator because I knew the inevitable that lay ahead!

She nods.

AMIRA: And now for the piece de resistance, it is time to complete the ushering in of the better and the dismissal of the obsolete.

Whipping the other cloth away, she uncovers a trash can.

AMIRA: It is time to symbolically dispose of this piece of tin, before of course, my loyal employees officially dispose of it in a compactor somewhere. Now, let the grand trashening be--

AMIRA is stopped in her tracks, as the intro of "Whirring" by The Joy Formidable plays over the sound system, which is the cue for Lowri Moss to appear on the stage. Lowri then hastily makes her way towards the ring.

Kris Cruise: Oh, thank goodness.

As Lowri slides into the ring, AMIRA drops the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship to the canvas, and bails out of the ring with her new belt. Lowri quickly goes to collect a microphone, keeping one eye on AMIRA as she does so.

Lowri Moss: Hey, AMIRA! Where are you going, chick?

She beckons to AMIRA for her to get back in the ring, but the new champion has no interest in complying with Lowri’s request.

Lowri Moss: I suppose I should’ve known that the moment I set foot in the ring, you would make a swift exit, just like you did four weeks ago.

Lowri picks the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship belt up off the canvas, and kicks over the trash can.

Lowri Moss: I was watching backstage, and I couldn’t just sit idly by and let you throw out this belt like a worthless piece of garbage. I’m aware that you have a history of remodelling titles in your image, AMIRA, but I wouldn’t have thought that you would have the temerity to actually throw this belt in the trash and show a complete lack of respect to the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship, and everything that it represents.

Lowri glances at the belt, before looking back to AMIRA.

Lowri Moss: But you know what, AMIRA? If you don’t want this belt, then maybe it needs to find its way into the possession of someone who - instead of showing it contempt - will treat it with the respect that it deserves.

She then raises the belt, which elicits a cheer from the crowd.

Lowri Moss: I would be proud to call myself the FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. Plus, I owe you one for the way that you screwed me over four weeks ago, and what better way for me to return the favour, than by defeating you to win this championship? I mean, if I can become the champion by beating you in the process, then so much the better.

AMIRA throws a tantrum from the ramp, screeching that is still her property to do with as she pleases and she will not stand for this. Lowri sets the belt down on the dais and gestures that she can come get in the ring, to which AMIRA starts charging forward before putting on the brakes. She backs off, gesticulating and indicating that she won’t let someone else dictate when and what she does. Her pace quickens as she backs up the ramp out of view, the crowd voicing their displeasure at her unwillingness to engage.

Kris Cruise: Wait, is she just leaving the Championship behind?

Stephy Auger: That's not the real Championship! The real one is around her waist! And I guarantee that Lowri Moss is going to pay for her disrespecting our savior!

[FGA Office]

The feed cuts backstage and we find Spencer Burke standing idly by with a microphone in hand. There’s a slight hesitation before he raises the microphone up towards his mouth and begins to address the camera crew filming him.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time, the newly crowned FGA Pride Champion, Chris Madison!

The camera pans over to Spencer’s right and we see Chris Madison standing statuesque, clutching the FGA Pride Championship as it hangs over his shoulder. Frankie Morrison stands by his side, beaming like a proud father. The cameraman zooms out, fitting all three men in the picture just as Spencer begins to interview the new champion.

Spencer Burke: Chris, congratulations! I know how hard you’ve worked to prove that you had what it takes to earn championship gold in FGA. At Only The Strong Survive, you bested Molly Reid in what may be considered a match of the year candidate!

Chris Madison: Thanks Spence.

Spencer Burke: I know these last few months must have taken a toll on you. You and Molly Reid went back and forth, but in the end you dethroned the second longest reigning Pride Champion in FGA’s history!

Chris Madison: Molly and I went back and forth for months; neither of us were backing down from the other. Molly Reid is one hell of a talent and she’s got years of competing still ahead of her. I spent a lot of time questioning her integrity. I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. Molly Reid had a chance to take a shortcut. She held this championship in her hands and could have gotten herself disqualified by driving it through my skull. She would have retained, her reign would have continued, but I would have been right. Molly made the decision that she’d rather risk losing as a fighter than winning as a coward! Molly Reid, you have my upmost respect. There’s not a doubt in my mind that sooner rather than later, Molly Reid will be a champion in FGA once again!

Spencer Burke: It’s got to be a weight lifted off of your shoulders to finally get over that hump and capture championship gold.

Chris Madison: It is. When you look back at my luck in championship opportunities here in FGA it would seem that I was destined to fail time and time again. Tommy Knox and I missed out on the tag team championships because Laurel Anne Hardy speared the official in our match. I lost to Annie Zellor in the second round of the Wildcard Lottery Tournament after she took advantage of the referee’s poor positioning and caught me with a low blow. My first Pride Title match against Molly I got bested by a handful of my shorts. It seemed that the only luck I had going for me was bad luck. Thankfully perseverance paid out and I can finally call myself a champion in FGA!

Spencer Burke: Well no one can take that away from you.

Madison smiled as he readjusted the championship belt. Morrison continued to stand uncharacteristically silent by his client’s side.

Spencer Burke: With that championship comes the responsibility of defending the belt. It’s already been announced that on the first edition of Flashpoint, there will be a eleven person battle royal, the final two will face off later on in the night in a one on one match to crown the new number one contender. Thoughts? Predictions?

Chris Madison: Honestly? I was a bit surprised that they committee went this route without Molly Reid getting a rematch. But I guess that’s why I don’t make those kinds of decisions. This Pride Rumble is filled with some extraordinary talent. It’s got everything you need to make for one hell of a match: fresh faces, feel good stories, grizzled vets, and villains that you just can’t stand to see succeed. I want to go down as a fighting champion. When people look back at my reign with the Pride Title, I want them to recognize that I never backed down from a fight. Ricky Valero, Noelle Smith, Savannah Taylor, Evan Envi, Owen Gonsalves, Chris Bond, Daniel Widdel, Stunray, James Edwards, Mark Storm, and Luke Jackson. If these are who the committee feels is next in line, who am I to argue.

Spencer Burke: Anyone on that list that you’d like to lock up with.

Chris Madison: Whoever is going to give me the toughest fight. This belt is supposed to symbolize the pure competitive nature of this business. It doesn’t matter who’s stand across from me inside that ring when the bell sounds, as long as they’re ready to scrap, it’s all good with me.

Spencer smirked as Chris danced around his hopes to get a prediction from the champion.

Spencer Burke: All of them are talented in their own right. And honestly, they all would offer you different challenges. I’m going to be blunt. Who’s the final two and who’s winning the number one contender’s match.

Frankie Morrison: If you don’t want to answer…

Chris Madison: Nah, it’s alright Frankie. Spence, you’re really going to put me on the hotseat just like that? As much as it pains me to say, you can’t deny Evan Envi’s ability and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. I think he beats Chris Bond in what could be one hell of a match!

Spencer Burke: I’d imagine you’d be glued to the screen during both of those matches on the premier episode of Flashpoint?

Chris Madison: Just ‘cause I’m not booked, doesn’t mean I won’t be there. You better believe I’m going to give myself the best possible vantage point in order to scout my future challenger! By the time I’m done I want to be in the conversation as one of the best wrestlers to hold that belt. That’s going to take hard work, dedication, and a never say die attitude. People thought I was a tough out before; they haven’t begun to fathom what it’s going to take to keep me down and out!

Spencer Burke: Chris, thanks for your time and I guess we’ll be seeing you at Flashpoint!

Chris nods his head and reaches out, shaking Spencer’s hand as the feed cuts out.

[FGA Office]

Blake Rogers vs. Terrence Tillman

As the beginning horn sound that starts “Forever” blasts through the arena, Terrence Tillman runs out to the stage. Running back and forth shouting and waving his arms in the air motioning for the fans to get on their feet. He stops in the center and stretches his arms out to either side shouting “It’s Time” at the top of his lungs. Tillman starts his march to the ring with a smile on his face, slapping hands of the kids in the audience letting out an occasional “Wooo!” or “Yeah baby!”

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Orlando, Florida! Weighing in at 230 pounds! He is “Terrific” TERREEEEEENCE TIIIILLMAAAAAN!!!

Tillman rolls into the ring under the bottom rope and runs to each corner pointing to the fans, clapping his hands, and feeding off the crowd reaction.

Kris Cruise: “Terrific” Terrence Tillman is finally making his FGA televised debut. When he signed up to Lion’s Den Fighting Championships in February of 2015, this was a day that he always dreamed of. But today, that dream has become reality after all the hard work he’s put in over the last two years. This young man should feel proud of himself after all the strides he’s made. LDFC produced a lot of great talent that are having success all over. But Tillman holds the distinction of being the only one to sign to FGA as a full-time performer. That’s a lot of pressure to have on his shoulders. But if anyone’s strong enough to handle it, it’s the Top Tier Premier Pound For Pound Best Around!

Stephy Auger: You done blowing smoke up this guy’s backside? Sheesh. Plus, he’s not the first LDFC alum to sign to FGA. Are you forgetting your reigning Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, AMIRA!? It’s bad enough people are trying to steal her spotlight. Now she gets blatant disrespect from the likes of you.

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! He is “The Minimaist” BLAAAAAKE ROOOOGERRRRRSSS!!!

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: “The Minimalist” didn’t do bad for himself in his first Gold Rush Rumble despite coming in at #2. Of course, he spent most of that time battling his long time rival, Julian Tijerina.

Stephy Auger: The Spanish Sweetheart has been a thorn in Rogers’ side for the longest time. One of these days, Rogers is going to get Tijerina in that ring and finish this once and for all.

Kris Cruise: I can’t wait to see those two go at it. But I also can’t wait to see these two great athlete lock up.

The bell sounds as both men circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Rogers places Tillman in a side headlock. Tillman tries to shove Rogers off of him. But Rogers keeps the side headlock applied. After shifting around for a bit, Tillman is able to slip out from behind and reverse into a hammerlock. But Rogers is quick to lean forward and reverse into a hammerlock of his own. Tillman then uses his free arm to reach back and reverse into a side headlock. Rogers then shoves Tillman off of him and into the ropes. When Tillman returns, the crowd boos when Rogers knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. He then runs into another set of ropes as Tillman gets back to his feet. When Rogers returns, he knocks Tillman down with a running shoulder block. He then runs into another set of ropes as Tillman kips up. When Rogers returns, Tillman leapfrogs over him. Rogers then continues to run into the ropes. When Rogers returns, Tillman (without turning around) leapfrogs over him again. When Rogers returns, Tillman knocks him down with a dropsault to cheers from the crowd.

As Rogers returns to his feet, Tillman grabs him by the arm and delivers an arm wrench. He then gives a quick yank to the arm before delivering another arm wrench. The ref asks Rogers if he wants to give up. But he refuses. He then quickly reaches over and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. He then returns the favor by yanking on the arm before delivering several clubbing strikes across the arm. Rogers then delivers yet another arm wrench. The ref asks Triple T if he wants to give up. But Tillman refuses. He then rolls forwards, leans back, kips up and follows up with a headscissors takedown. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Rogers kicks out.

Tillman picks up Rogers and goes for an irish whip. But Rogers reverses, sending Tillman into the ropes. When Tillman returns, Rogers goes for a back body drop. But Tillman slips down from behind. He then grabs Rogers and sets up for a German Suplex. But Rogers blocks with a back elbow to the face. After performing a standing switch, Rogers grabs Tillman from behind and hurls him over his head with a release German Suplex. But Tillman’s able to flip over and land of his feet. When Rogers returns to a vertical base, Tillman runs at him to attack. Rogers throws out a clothesline. But Tillman ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Tillman returns, Rogers brings him down to the mat with a single leg takedown before dropping down into a leg grapevine. Rogers arches his back as he pulls back on the leg, causing Tillman to cringe in pain. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But Tillman refuses. He then takes his free leg, lifts it up and violently swings it down across Rogers over and over until Rogers breaks the hold.

After both men return to their feet, Tillman takes Rogers and whips him into the ropes. When Rogers returns, Tillman doubles him over with a knee to the midsection. He then takes a few steps back before running forward and throwing out the Terrific Kick (scissor’s kick). But Rogers slips out of the way. He then quickly grabs Tillman from behind and lifts him up for a German Suplex. But Tillman reverses into a wheelbarrow victory roll.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Rogers kicks out.

After both men return to their feet, Rogers knocks him down with a hard forearm smash to the face. The boos continue as he drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Rogers nearly knocked Tillman’s head off with that elbow.

Stephy Auger: Hopefully he knocked some sense into Tillman. Why does Tillman think he was screwed out of the 15 Championship, anyway? He was the dummy that decided to protoize another event over a 3GW show. Jordan Cain was well within his right to strip Tillman of hsi championship.

Kris Cruise: First off, I agree, it wasn’t the greatest idea to schedule himself for two shows in the same night. However, Tillman made it to the show despite being detained for questioning after an “anonymous tip”! He was outside the arena. But security was given instructions not to let him in. Given his issues with Cain, don’t you think that’s strange?

Stephy Auger: Nope, not at all.

Kris Cruise: Of course you don’t...

Rogers picks up Tillman, moves him into the corner and delivers a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. He then takes Tillman, irish whips him across the ring and follows him into the opposite corner. But instead of crashing into the corner, Tillman runs up to the top turnbuckle, back flips off and lands on his feet. He then turns and runs into the ropes. As Rogers comes from out of the corner, Tillman knocks him down with a spinning heel kick. As Rogers tries to get up, Tillman knocks him down with a roundhouse kick. He then takes a few steps back before running forward and flattening Rogers with a Shining Black. The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Rogers gets his shoulder up.

Tillman picks up Rogers, moves him into the ropes and hooks his arms over the top rope. He then delivers a trio of knife edge chops before running into the far ropes. When Triple T returns, Rogers unhooks his arms from around the top rope, ducks and dumps Tillman to the outside. But instead of crashing to the floor, Tillman lands safely on his feet. When Rogers turns around, Tillman leaps up onto the apron, doubles him over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes and hits a sunset flip. But Rogers rolls throws it, grabs Tillman towards the center of the ring and turns him over into a Boston Crab.

Stephy Auger: Great counter by Rogers!

The crowd boos as Rogers squats down and applies pressure to the lower back of Triple T. The ref asks Tillman if he wants to give up. He refuses to quit. But he begins to wail as soon as Rogers leans back.

Kris Cruise: Tillman’s trying to block out the pain. The last thing he wants to do is lose in his FGA debut.

Rogers continue to taunt Tillman while Tillman lays in pain. The ref asks Tillman if he wants to give up. But again, Tillman refuses to quit. He then plants his hands down on the canvas and tries to walk towards the ropes. Rogers can be seen shaking his head in disbelief as Tillman continues to pull himself towards the side of the ring. Triple T reaches forward… and grabs the bottom rope. But the cheers turn to boos when Rogers refuses to break the hold. The ref then gives him until a count of five to let release the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Rogers reluctantly lets go. He reaches down, picks up Tillman, brings him away from the ropes and throws him down with a scoop slam. He then drops an elbow across the sternum of Triple T before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tillman, scoops him up from the side and delivers a pendulum backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tillman, lifts him up from the side and delivers a belly to back suplex. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tillman and lifts him in the air. The crowd boos as Rogers holds him in place for ten seconds before leaning back and delivering a delayed vertical suplex. He then turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Rogers sits up Tillman and applies a rear chinlock. The ref gets down and asks Tillman if he wants to give up. But Triple T refuses. After turning over onto his knees and slowly returning to his feet, Tillman nails him with four elbows to the midsection. Once Tillman is free, he motions to run into the ropes. But Rogers reaches out, grabs him by the tights from behind, yanks him back over towards him and delivers a bridging German Suplex.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The crowd cheers when Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Close call there for Tillman! Triple T’s still hanging in there, Stephy!

Rogers picks up Tillman and whips him into the ropes. When Tillman returns, Rogers throws out a clothesline. But Tillman ducks and runs into the ropes. When Tillman returns, Rogers throws out a back elbow to the face. But again, Tillman ducks and runs into the ropes. When Tillman returns, the crowd boos when Rogers brings him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tillman, doubles him over with a knee to the midsection and applies an abdominal stretch.

Stephy Auger: He’s got him now, Cruise! Tillman’s got nowhere to go.

The boos continue as the ref kneels down and asks Tillman if he wants to give up. While the ref is checking in on Tillman, Rogers reaches back with his free arm and pulls on the middle rope, which elicits boos from the crowd.

Kris Cruise: Come on, ref Look up!

Stephy Auger: Look up for what? What’s happening? I don’t see anything.

Once the ref gets up, Rogers has already let go of the rope. So the ref kneels back down and continues to check on Tillman. While the ref is preoccupied, Rogers slowly reaches back before pulling on the middle rope. This time, the ref looks up and sees Rogers’ hand on the rope. The ref admonishes Rogers for cheating. But Rogers still won’t let go of the rope. So the ref goes over and knocks Rogers’ hand off the ropes. While the ref and Rogers are arguing, Tillman throws Rogers down with a falling hip toss.

After both men slowly return to their feet, Rogers nails Tillman with a right hand. Tillman comes back with a punch of his own. Rogers then nails Tillman with another right hand. Tillman returns the favor with a punch of his own. Rogers throws out yet another right hand. But Tillman blocks and counters with a punch of his own. Rogers throws out another punch. But again, Tillman blocks and counters with a punch of his own. He then nails Rogers with another punch… and another punch… and another punch. Tillman steps back and throws out a kick to the midsection. After Rogers catches his foot, Tillman knocks him down with a dragonwhip kick.

Kris Cruise: What a kick to the face by Tillman!

Stephy Auger: C’mon, Rogers...

Tillman picks up Rogers and goes for an irish whip. But Rogers reverses, sending Tillman into the ropes. When Tillman returns, Rogers sets up for a back body drop. But Tillman stops, stands him upright with a kick to the chest and follows up with the Chin Checka (savate kick). He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Rogers gets his shoulder up.

Tillman picks up Rogers and whips him into the ropes. When Rogers returns, Tillman throws out a clothesline. But Rogers ducks and heads into the far ropes. When Rogers returns, Tillman goes for a leapfrog. But Rogers catches him in mid air and counters with a rolling spinebuster. The crowd boos as he rolls across Tillman and hooks the leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

The boos turn to cheers when Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tillman and doubles him over with a kick to the midsection before running into the ropes. When Rogers returns, he knocks Tillman down with a running knee lift. He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Rogers picks up Tillman and sets him up for a DDT. But Tillman grabs him, runs forward and rams him back-first into the corner. Tillman then takes Rogers and goes for an irish whip. But Rogers reverses, sending him into the opposite corner. Rogers runs across the ring. But Tillman counters with a back elbow to the face before following up with the DDTripleT (Stylin DDT). He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!

The crowd boos when Rogers gets his shoulder up.

Tillman picks up Rogers and whips him into the ropes. When Rogers returns, Tillman sets up for a back body drop. But Rogers counters with a swinging neckbreaker. He then picks up Rogers, places him in a side headlock and goes for a running bulldog. But Tillman shoves Rogers off of him and into the ropes. When Rogers returns, Tillman rocks him with a discus elbow smash. He then doubles Rogers over with a knee to the midsection before knocking him down with the Terrific Kick. Tillman then picks up Rogers, whips him across the ring, runs, jumps and connects with a Corner Splash. After whipping Rogers into the opposite corner, Tillman runs, jumps from near the center of the ring and connects with another corner splash. He then leads Rogers from out of the corner before delivers the Top-Tier-Takedown (leaping reverse STO). The cheers continue as Tillman steps out onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle. Triple T goes to flip off for the Skyfall (450 splash). But his attention is immediately caught by Macy Dover, who is looking up at him from ringside.


Kris Cruise: Where did Dover come from? How did she get down there.

Instead of engaging with Dover, Tillman flips off for the Skyfall. But Rogers rolls out of the way. Thankfully for Tillman, he lands on his feet before rolling forward. When Triple T turns around, Rogers kicks him in the midsection, lifts him up and plants him with a snap brainbuster. The boos continue as Roers lifts up Tillman and delivers the Maximum Impact (pumphandle lift into a Stunner). He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!


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

The boos continue as Rogers gets his arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Terrence Tillman might have switched companies. But he continues to get screwed over.

Stephy Auger: Hey, no one told him to take his eyes off the prize. He once again cost himself after making yet another crucial error. Instead of blaming Dover and everyone else, Triple T should blame himself.

Dover gets Tillman a sarcastic round of applause before taking her 15 Championship off her shoulder and raising it in the air.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to where Jessie Pederson has managed to find the pair of Dan Herrera and Peaches, otherwise known as the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad. They’re not dressed to wrestle, obviously, since their next match isn’t until Flashpoint. But they’re dressed casually, standing around a monitor backstage to watch the show.

Jessie Pederson: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here with the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad. Now, we last saw you during the Gold Rush Rumble where you two seemed to have some problems with The Keisters...

Peaches: Well it wasn’t just us, they got to Elon Elysian too. But I’d like to think we got a bit of revenge on ‘em at the end there.

Dan Herrera: Sometimes you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do. Because I saw them out there wreaking havoc; they eliminated Peaches, they eliminated Elon Elysian, and I wasn’t about to let them do it again. But they wanted to try and make their mark on the Gold Rush Rumble - and I’d say the fans’ll remember this for years to come. That spear on Kalli, the discus elbow on Kammi, and that Final Word on Kimmi…

Peaches: Now, see, you’re talkin’ ‘bout this an’ I’m beginnin’ to think I missed out on somethin’.

She nudges her boyfriend as the pair of them smile at one another. But before either Dan or Peaches can speak, Jessie pipes up again.

Jessie Pederson: Peaches, you were obviously one of the people eliminated by The Keisters’ interference. And in your first ever Gold Rush Rumble as well. How does that make you feel?

Peaches: That pissed me off, Jessie. I mean, I was happy finally bein’ in the rumble after all those years standin’ at ringside. An’ gettin’ to wrestle against damn near everybody on the roster - but then that Kimmi yanked me off the apron. Pissed me off...

Dan Herrera: And then she went on Twitter, without a trace of irony, to talk about how I shouldn’t have attacked someone who wasn’t in the Gold Rush Rumble.

Peaches nods, knowingly.

Peaches: They ain’t the sharpest knives in the drawer, we know that. But between all that they did at Only the Strong Survive, an’ what they did at Vertigo when they attacked Dan with a steel chair?

Dan Herrera: I think what Peaches is hinting at is that when we finally get our hands on The Keisters again, they won’t get off as lightly as they did the last time we faced them.

Jessie Pederson: That’s...understandable. They’ve certainly been doing their best to make sure they’re getting noticed by both you and the current FGA World Tag Team Champions, The Elysian Empire - who are your opponents in a tag team match at the first ever Flashpoint show in one week’s time!

Peaches: Damn right!

Dan and Peaches high five as the smiles return to their faces.

Jessie Pederson: But obviously that match is a non-title contest. How do you feel about The Elysian Empire being champions, and do you think you’re ready to challenge for the belts?

Peaches: Well, anyone’s better than The Usual Suspects…

She says half-jokingly, but the truth resonates with all three of the people present; Dan & Peaches both had their run ins with Rother and his boys in the past, and it’d be fair to say the bad blood was still there.

Dan Herrera: I can respect what The Elysian Empire have been able to accomplish here in FGA. I can remember when they first showed up and nobody gave them a second thought, nobody gave them a second look. But they persevered, and they prevailed through it all. That’s why they’re holding the FGA World Tag Team Championships. Those belts, however? I still maintain they should be in the possession of Status Quo.

Peaches: As for bein’ ready for them?

Dan Herrera: Now those belts may not be in possession of Status Quo anymore. We can blame Zero McHannon all we want, we can blame The Usual Suspects. It doesn’t change the fact that The Elysian Empire hold the belts now, or that we’re coming for those titles. The Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad, we’ve been working our way through the competition here. We’ve been working our way up the ranks...

Peaches: ‘Cause we beat The Keisters. An’ we beat Daniel Widdel & Stunray when they teamed together. An’ it ain’t like we’re strangers to tag gold, but those FGA World Tag Team titles - they’re what dreams are made of, Jessie. An’ they’re the belts that shoulda never left Dan’s waist, but Zero McHannon went an’ screwed him and Cordy out the titles a few months back. An’ we’ve been strivin’ to get them belts back since we first teamed up here.

Dan Herrera: And next Saturday in Springfield, Massachusetts, we’re going to show everybody that we have what it takes to not only face The Elysian Empire, but to beat them too. And to show everybody why one day soon, The Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad are going to be holding the FGA World Tag Team titles.

Dan and Peaches high five before walking off screen, leaving Jessie alone as the show cuts back to ringside.

[FGA Office]

Jimmy Page vs. Daniel Widdel

Acoustic chords of "Nothing Personal" by Night Riots echo through the sound system. When the hard hitting chorus hits, Daniel Widdel steps on stage. He extends out his arms out to his sides leaning his head back soaking in the positive reaction from the fans. Daniel lowers his arms to pause for a moment to take in everything.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, now residing out of Santa Monica, California! Weighing in at 215 pounds! He is “mr. Right Now” DAAAANIEEELLLL WIIIDELLLLL!!!

Daniel eyed the ring while he walked down the walkway with Aimee Widdel. Daniel jumped onto the apron and sprung himself over the top rope. Daniel went to the furthest right turnbuckle and inaudible shouted out to pump up the fans and himself. He jumped down the turnbuckle and stood in the ring. On the outside, Aimee can be seen giving Daniel a round of applause.

Kris Cruise: We saw Aimee Widdel make her presence felt early on tonight in Stunray’s match before being escorted away by security. But she’s back out here now to support her husband.

Stephy Auger: Well I don’t think all the support in the world from his wife is gonna help him against the man that’s about to walk through those curtains. In fact, if he was smart, he’d tell his wife to take a hike before she gets caught in the crosshairs.

A song crashes into the P.A. system that sounds of static and a guitar. The lights begin to flash a violent red frantically. As the song "Murdered Out" by Kim Gordon really kicks in, the lights continue to flash red. A silhouette appears at the entrance. With a controlled stagger, Jimmy Page comes from the back, head down and arms out from his sides. Page swaggers down to the ring in at a methodical pace. The camera gets a close up of his hair covered face as he makes his way down the aisle. He stops at the top of the ramp, flinging his hair from his eyes and glaring around, chewing on a piece of gum. Through the static red, a spotlight follows Page as he makes his way to the front of the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Flint, Michigan! Weighing in at 245 pounds! He is “The King of the F’N World”, JIIIMMYYYYY PAAAAAAAGE!!!

He takes a running start, sliding on top of the apron. He stands, gets in the ring, then climbs on top of the turnbuckle. Page spits his gum outside of the ring, into the crowd. Jimmy leaps down from the turnbuckle, and begins to slither down into a seat on the lower turnbuckle; Placing his head against the middle turnbuckle, knocking the back of it against the corner gently as he awaits the bell.

Kris Cruise: We’ve heard people voice their displeasure with Dom Harter in recent months and be skeptical over his “new leaf” claims. But no one spoke louder than Page here tonight, who came out and threatened Harter. Page told him that if this doesn’t stop, he’ll make it stop. What do you make of that, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: I think that Harter might have opened up a can of worms with his actions in the Gold Rush Rumble. Jimmy Page would be the last person that I would ever want having an issue with me.

The bell sounds as both men starts the match off with a lock up. After jockeying for position, Widdel places Page in a side headlock before performing a standing switch and transitioning into a hammerlock from behind. But the hammerlock doesn’t stay on for long as Page uses his free arm to elbow Widdle in the face. The boos continue as Page takes Widdel and places him in a side headlock. But after a few blows to the midsection, Widdel is able to slip out and reverse into another hammerlock. The ref asks Page if he wants to give up. But Page refuses. He then reaches back with his free arm, grabs Widdel by the back of the neck and throws him down in front of him.

As Widdel tries to get back to his feet, Page catches him in a front facelock. When Page cinches in the hold, Widdel does his best to move Page back across the ring. After Widdel reaches out and grabs the middle ropes, the ref gives Page until the count of five to release the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

As soon as Page lets go, Widdel quickly grabs him and goes for an irish whip. But Page reverses, sending Widdel into the far ropes. When Widdel returns, Page knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. He then goes to deliver a stomp to the face, but Widdel rolls out of the way. As Widdel returns to his feet, Page marches over towards him. Widdel then begins to move to his left, but Page cuts him off. He then goes to the right. But again, Page cuts him off. He then feeds Page his foot, only to quickly counter with an enzuigiri. While the King of the F’N World is staggered, Widdel returns to his feet and runs into the ropes. When Widdel returns, Page throws out a running big boot. But Widdel slides through his legs. When Page turns around, Widdel runs over and connects with a dropkick, sending Page stumbling back. Widdel then returns to his feet, runs over and connects with a dropkick, sending Page through the ropes and onto the apron. As Page pulls himself up on the apron, Widdel runs over and connects with a running clothesline, knocking Page off the apron and to the floor.

After Widdel steps out onto the apron, he waits for Page to returns to his feet. As Page slowly picks himself back up and turns around, Widdel runs along the apron before connecting with a hard kick to the face that knocks Page down.

Kris Cruise: Page just got nailed right in the face with that hard kick from Widdel!

Widdel hops down to the floor, picks up Page and rolls him back inside. He then rolls himself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Page kicks out.

Widdel picks up Page and delivers a knife edge chop before whipping him into the far ropes. When Page returns, Widdel lifts him up and brings him down with a belly to back side slam. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Page kicks out.

Widdel picks up Page and nails him with another knife edge chop before whipping him into the turnbuckles. Widdel then runs into the corner, but Page knocks him back with a boot to the face. Page then comes from out of the corner, only to get knocked back into it by a front dropkick. After returning to his feet with a kip up, Widdel runs into the corner. But he gets countered with a back elbow to the face. Page then grabs Widdel by the throat before tossing him into the corner. The crowd boos as Page delivers a series of knee strikes to the midsection, followed by a series of shoulder thrusts. He then delivers a series of back elbows to the face. Page then pummels Widdel down into the corner with a barrage of elbow smashes to the face. After pulling Widdel back up, Page whips him hard into the opposite corner. As Widdel stumbles out of the corner, Page bounces into the ropes, comes back and blindsides him with a running big boot to the face. The boos continue as he drops down and makes the cover.

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

Page picks up Widdel, turns and brings him down with The Paralyzing (neckbreaker across the knee). He makes the cover.

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

Page picks up Widdel and delivers a vertical suplex. He turns over and makes the cover.

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

Page picks up Widdel and whips him into the ropes. When Widdel returns, Page sets up for a back body drop. But Widdel stops and counters with a kick to the face. He then turns and runs back into the ropes. When Widdel returns, Page throws him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Widdel was able to get on offense and take it to Page. But now he’s in the worst position possible and that’s at the mercy of Page.

Stephy Auger: If his wife were smart, she’d thrown in the towel. This is gonna be a lot worse before it gets better.

As Page slowly pulls Widdel up off the canvas, he gets nailed with several elbows to the midsection. Widdel then stands up and nails Page with a series of right hands. But a straight right to the jaw cuts the comeback short, dropping Widdel down to the canvas. Page then reaches down, pulls up Widdel and connects with a headbutt, sending Mr. Right Now stumbling back into the ropes. After making his way over towards Widdel, Page doubles him over with a knee to the midsection. He then sets up Widdel for a cradle piledriver. But Widdel counters with a back body drop, sending Page over the top rope and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Page gets sent back to the floor!

While Page arches his back on the floor, Widdel stays on all fours. As he slowly crawls towards the center of the ring, Page turns over before pulling himself up using the edge of the apron. Aimee can be seen slapping the canvas in support of her husband as he tries to get back to his feet. Towards the side of the ring, Page can be seen rolling back inside. When Widdel turns around, Page gets to his feet, runs over and throws out a clothesline. But Widdel ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Page turns around, the crowd cheers when Widdel brings him down with an STO. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Page kicks out.

Widdel picks up Page and goes for an irish whip. But Page reverses, sending Widdel into the ropes. When Widdel returns, the crowd cheers when he jumps up and delivers a double knee facebreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Widdel picks Page, turns and brings him down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Another nearfall for Widdel.

Stephy Auger: He’s gotta be wondering to himself what he has to do to keep a man like Page down.

Widdel picks up Page, brings him into the corner and sits him down on the top turnbuckle.

Kris Cruise: Widdel’s looking to put this one away right here!

Widdel climbs up onto the middle ropes and sets up for a superplex, but Page blocks it. Widdel tries to muscle up Page for another superplex but again, Page blocks it. After three punches to the midsection, Page breaks free and shoves Widdel down to the canvas. After Page climbs down in the corner, he gets nailed with a running clothesline from Widdel. Widdel steps back towards the center of the ring, charges back into the corner and connects with another running clothesline. After stepping back towards the center of the ring, Widdel goes for a third running clothesline. This time, Page steps out, grabs him and counters with an exploder suplex into the turnbuckles. The crowd boos as Widdel lays in the corner.

Page then drags Widdel towards the center of the ring, lifts him up onto his shoulders, runs forward and delivers a turnbuckle powerbomb. After Widdel crumbles from out of the corner, Page positions himself several steps behind him and waits for Widdel to get up. As Widdel slowly gets up on his knees, Page charges forward and nails him across the back of the head with the Trauma Symphony (Boma Ye).

Kris Cruise: My God, Page nearly took his head right off.

Stephy Auger: You think he was envisioning Harter or no?

Page grabs Widdel by the back of his tights and brings him towards the center of the ring. After wrapping his arm around him, Page blasts him with the Concussion (Ripcord Rolling Elbow). The boos continue as he drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos as “Murdered Out” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, JIMMY PAGE!

The boos continue as Page gets his arm raised.

Kris Cruise: Jimmy Page picks up the win here tonight against a tough opponent in Daniel Widdel. You can bet that Page will have his eyes on the main event, as well as all things Dom Harter, until Page gets what he wants.

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Backstage, interviewer Jessie Pederson is seen standing by with a microphone in hand. Beside her is former FGA Pride Champion Molly Reid. She’s wearing her own shirt, and a backwards hat covering her short hair. She’s smiling as Jessie holds her microphone up.

Jessie Pederson: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here with the former Pride Champion Molly Reid. Molly, first things first, congratulations on an incredible title match at Only the Strong Survive. While I’m sure it didn’t feel good to lose, some are talking about that match being a potential match of the year candidate, which has to feel good. What are your thoughts on that match?

Molly smiles a bit while still looking slightly disappointed, likely at the fact that she was unable to retain her Pride Championship for a third consecutive defense.

Molly Reid: Thanks Jessie. Bittersweet, is probably the best way to describe how I’m feeling now, and really how I’ve felt since that match. Like you said, it was a phenomenal match. In my opinion, having watched it back again, it was the best match in FGA this year so far. And it’s nice to hear people agree with me out there. It’s nice to be appreciated for putting on phenomenal matches, because I know I’m capable of that every single time I step into the ring. I knew going into the match that Chris and I were going to have a fantastic match. Look, you’ve seen Chris wrestle, you know what he can do out there. And I can hang with any wrestler in the world in the ring. So it had all the makings of a phenomenal match and we delivered. But I didn’t win, and that hurts. I have nobody to blame but myself, which makes it worse. There was a moment where I got frustrated, a lapse in judgment and it cost me the match. If I hadn’t left to go get that title, if I hadn’t wasted time with that brain fart, I could’ve taken advantage and beaten Chris. But I didn’t. Every wrestler knows that it only takes one mistake to lose everything. And I made that one mistake and lost everything. Taking nothing away from Chris of course. He wrestled one hell of a match and he took advantage of my mistake and beat me. We’ve had two Pride title matches now and we’re tied three-three in terms of falls. So maybe we’ll have a final rubber match one day to settle it once and for all. But for now, he’s a very deserving Pride Champion and I look forward to watching what he can do.

Jessie Pederson: That brings me to my next point. Those who’ve seen interactions between the two of you since, whether on television or Twitter or wherever, have seen you somewhat bury the hatchet with Chris. Is that true?

Molly Reid: Yeah, you know, we just got caught up in this tough situation, with what happened in our first title match. We’re hard-headed competitors, we were going to clash if we didn’t agree on certain things. And he thought one thing, I thought another, and we both reacted to that. I’ve said it, I think he’s said it, but we both could’ve handled things better. But it’s over now. Chris is going to be a fantastic Pride Champion. He deserves all the praise he’s been getting. He knows I’m happy for him. I hope he holds the title for a long time.

Jessie Pederson: Molly, next weekend is the debut of FGA’s new show, Flashpoint. A match was announced to name the newest contender for Chris Madison’s Pride Championship, and your name was not among those named. Does that mean you’re not going to invoke any rematch clause or try to win back the title?

Molly pauses for a moment as she seems to be thinking about what to say or how to say it. She eventually smiles and talks again.

Molly Reid: Yeah...I don’t want to spoil things for people expecting a surprise but there’s no twist coming or anything. I’m not going to compete in that match, and I’m not going to wrestle for the Pride Championship any time soon. Look, I was champion for over half a year. I defended the belt twice, I beat countless of wrestlers in between those defenses. I proved to myself and to everyone that I still have what it takes to be a champion in a new company. My first championship outside of my original company. But now that’s over and it’s time to move on. Chris is the Pride Champion now, and he’ll wrestle whoever wins the right to challenge him, but it won’t be me. I’m moving on to bigger and better things.

Jessie Pederson: Would those bigger and better things have anything to do with your top-four finish in the Gold Rush Rumble?

Molly Reid: Sort of, I suppose. That definitely helped further my belief that I’m one of the best and most talented wrestlers in FGA. But I think I knew that I was always going to move on eventually. The Pride Championship was amazing but I had one goal when I came to FGA and that was to one day become the FGA World Champion. I haven’t had that chance yet, but I think now it’s time for that to change. And now people know that I can do it. Finishing in the top four of the Gold Rush Rumble proved that. So yeah, I guess tonight officially marks the start of my quest to become FGA World Champion. You heard it here first.

Jessie Pederson: So what does that mean for you at All Star Showdown? Obviously you aren’t going to be wrestling for the world title there, so what match are you looking at there?

Molly Reid: Well, I’ve got a few ideas. But we’ll see. I think after my match next week, on FGA’s debut of their new show, Flashpoint, don’t miss it, but I think after that, I’ll have a better idea of where I’m going to be at All Star Showdown. Tonight I just came to watch some great matches and they’ve delivered so far. And should keep on delivering, especially that main event. But like I said. Tune in to Flashpoint next week to see me compete again and maybe see where I’ll be come All Star Showdown.

Jessie Pederson: Thank you. Molly Reid ladies and gentlemen.

With that, Molly smiles one last time before shaking Jessie’s hand and walking off down the hallway. Jessie stands there watching Molly leave, before turning back to the camera as we cut back to the ring.

[FGA Office]

Noelle Smith vs. Sadie San Francisco

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 a reaction mainly littered with boos resonates among the audience. Sadie San Francisco steps out onto the stage, a cold expression written on her face. She rolls her eyes toward the curtain behind her before a louder chorus of boos resonates throughout the arena. Behind her emerges "The Queen of Mean" NEON, with a broad grin to the near-deafening audience. Sadie doesn't look back at her, but walks down the ramp, not paying much attention to the jeers or catcalls on either side of her. Sadie pauses in front of the ring, glancing up at it before calmly walking around toward the side which the hard-camera faces. NEON lingers behind at the bottom of the ramp, smirking at the crowd's response.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from The West Side! She is “The Pope” SAAAADIIIEE SAAAAAN FRAAAAANCIIIIIISCOOOOOO!!!

Sadie places a hand on the bottom rope before turning, looking over her shoulder toward the audience with a glare, despite a reaction that at times seems mixed as opposed to hateful. She shakes her head for a moment before swiftly pulling herself into the ring beneath the bottom rope and right back up to her feet. NEON enters the ring behind her, beneath the bottom and middle ropes. She moves in front of Sadie, toying with her hair as she grins toward the crowd, earning that same deafening, booing response. Sadie narrows her eyes at her partner from behind, but trades it for a clearly-fake smile when she turns around. NEON winks at Sadie as she walks past her, stepping through the ropes and dropping down to the outside. Sadie waves off the referee dismissively as he says something to her that isn't picked up. She makes her way to the corner, awaiting the start of the match.

Kris Cruise: The Pope was defeated in tag team action by Noelle Smith and Brian Stryker back at Only the Strong Survive. She was then accidentally eliminated from the Rumble after Noelle dropkicked Evan Envi into her. As I stated earlier, these last two weeks haven’t been the greatest for Camp Envi. Can Sadie San Francisco follow NEON’s lead from earlier tonight and pick up a win here over a hated rival in Evan Envi? We’ll find out shortly...

Stephy Auger: Of course she can! What kind of question is that, Cruise? It’s only Noelle Smith!

Kris Cruise: “It’s only Noelle Smith”??? Noelle’s never been one to be estimated, Stephy. You know better than that.

Stephy Auger: The only thing I know is that Sadie is gonna drag Noelle around that ring tonight.

“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: And her opponent, from Orlando, Florida… NOOOOELLLLLE SMIIIIIIITH!!!

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.

Kris Cruise: Here is Noelle Smith, who is more than ready to take it to Sadie San Francisco. These two have been at each others necks for months since Sadie showed up here in FGA. It was only a matter of time until these two went at it one on one. I cannot wait for this one, Stephy.

The match starts with both grapplers charging towards the center of the ring and throwing out a pair of dropkicks.

Kris Cruise: They’re not wasting any time going right after each other.

After both grapplers return to their feet, they throw out another pair of dropkicks. Once Noelle and Sadie return to their feet, they begin exchanging a flurry of forearm smashes to the face. The strikes pick up in speed as both grapplers use their free arm to grab the other by the back of the neck.

Kris Cruise: This Laredo crowd is at a fever pitch as they’re watching these two beat the heck out of each other with forearms!

The exchange of blows continue until Sadie gains the upperhand. The boos continue as The Pope continues to nail Noelle with a barrage of left arm forearm strikes to the face. While Noelle is dazed, Sadie turns and runs into the ropes. When Sadie returns, the crowd cheers when Noelle knocks her down with a dropkick. Sadie gets back up, but Noelle knocks her back down with another dropkick. When Sadie returns to a vertical base, Noelle throws out a roundhouse kick. But Sadie ducks and counters with a clubbing strike across the back of the neck, doubling Noelle over. She then grabs Noelle, runs and tosses her through the ropes. After Noelle lands on the outside, Sadie turns and runs into the far ropes. When Sadie returns, Noelle slides back in and cuts her off with a jumping calf kick to the face. After Sadie gets back up, Noelle doubles her over with a spinning back kick to the midsection before knocking her down with a running high knee to the face.

Noelle picks up Sadie and knocks her back into the corner with a series of right hands. She then climbs up onto the middle ropes and continues punching Sadie while the crowd counts alongs.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEV-

The crowd boos when Sadie reaches up and shoves Noelle down to the canvas. As Noelle gets back to her feet, Sadie charges from out of the corner, leaps up and delivers a cross-legged hurricanrana into a triangle choke.

Stephy Auger: She’s got Noelle locked inside a submission, Cruise!

Kris Cruise: Sadie’s looking to try and choke the life out Noelle. Look at her eyes, Stephy!


The crowd boos as Sadie cinches in the hold. The ref asks Noelle if she wants to give up. But she refuses to quit. She then moves herself back before reaching back with her right foot and placing it across the bottom rope. The ref then tells Sadie to break the hold, but The Pope refuses.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Sadie reluctantly lets go. After returning to her feet, she picks up Noelle, marches into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Noelle around, Sadie sends her slumping down in the corner with another barrage of forearm strikes to the face. From there, Sadie stomps away at Nelle before choking her with her foot. The boots continue as Sadie pulls down on the top rope.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Sadie reluctantly lets go. She then reaches down, pulls Noelle up by the hair and cracks her with a headbutt. She then takes Noelle and whips her hard into the opposite corner. But instead of crashing into the turnbuckles, Noelle flips over onto the apron with a turnbuckle evasion, springboards onto the top rope and knocks an oncoming Sadie down with a shotgun dropkick.

Stephy Auger: How did she do that!?

Noelle returns to her feet and stomps away on the Camp Envi member. She then reaches down, picks up Sadie and doubles her over with a knee strike to the midsection. She then turns and runs into the ropes. When Noelle returns, she jumps up for a Fameasser. But Sadie slips out of the way, grabs Noelle from behind on the way down, runs and tosses her over the top rope. But instead of falling to the floor, Noelle hangs onto the top rope with both hands. Sadie turns around and does a double take once she sees Noelle. So she rushes over to attack. But Noelle pulls herself up, wraps her legs around Sadie’s neck and pulls her down to the floor. After Noelle “skins the cat”, she turns and runs into the far ropes. When Sadie gets up and turns around, Noelle leaps through the ropes and knocks her down with a suicide dive. The cheers continue as she mounts herself on top of Sadie and hammers away with right hands.

Kris Cruise: Noelle’s absolutely taking it to Sadie in this contest. She isn’t holding back on those punches at all.

As Noelle slowly picks up Sadie, The Pope quickly grabs her and rams her back-first against the guardrail. After a knee to the midsection, Sadie pulls Noelle away from the ropes, lifts her up and throws her down with a scoop slam across the edge of the apron. Noelle bounces off the apron before falling to the floor. After Sadie rolls back into the ring and gains the ref’s attention, NEON runs over and knocks Noelle down with a discus forearm. The boos continue as she pulls Noelle back up to her feet before throwing her back down wit a sitout spinebuster. NEON grabs Noelle and rolls her back inside. Sadie then moves the ref out of the way before going over and making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Noelle gets her foot on the bottom rope.

Kris Cruise: We finally get our first pin attempt of the match and it’s a two count for Sadie san Francisco.

Sadie takes Noelle, drags her away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Sadie with another lateral press…

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

Sadie returns to her feet, yanks Noelle up by the hair and throws her down with a hard scoop slam. The Pope follows up with several stomps to the right hand. Sadie then reaches down, picks up Noelle and moves her over into the ropes. After hooking Noelle’s arms across the top rope, Sadie delivers a series of knife edge chops to the throat. She then turns and runs into the far ropes. When Sadie returns, Noelle unhooks her arms, ducks and dumps Sadie over the top rope. After The Pope lands on the apron, Noelle follows up with a pelé kick, knocking her off the apron and to the floor.

As Sadie pulls herself up using the apron, Noelle runs into the far ropes. When Noelle returns, Sadie slides in and goes to cut her off with a clothesline. But Noelle ducks and runs into the ropes. When she comes back, the crowd boos when Sadie nails her in the face with Palo Alto (running corkscrew roundhouse knee strike). She makes the cover.

Stephy Auger: Did you see how hard Noelle got hit with that knee!? That’s it, it’s over!


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

The crowd cheers when Noelle gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Not so fast, Stephy!

Sadie turns over Noelle and places her in a Camel Clutch. The ref gets down and asks Noelle if she wants to give up. When she refuses to quit, Sadie pulls back, increasing the pressure of the hold.

Kris Cruise: Noelle’s trying to hang on. She never wants to lose a match. But the last thing she wants is to give Camp Envi, especially Envi himself, the satisfaction of seeing her submit.

Noelle can be seen cringing in pain while Sadie keeps the pressure applied. The ref asks if she wants to give up. When Noelle refuses, Sadie delivers a clubbing forearm strike across the face. She then locks the Camel Clutch back on.

Kris Cruise: Sadie fighting like hell for that submission. But will she get it? I don’t think so.

Stephy Auger: But how long can Noelle hold on for? How long can she continue to block out this pain? I think she’s seconds away from tapping!

Noelle can be heard wailing in pain from the hold. The ref asks her once more if she wants to give up. When Noelle refuses, Sadie releases the hold before delivering a jumping seated senton across Noelle’s back, flattening her on the canvas. She then turns Noelle over and makes the cover.

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

Noelle gets her shoulder up.

Sadie grabs Noelle by the hair and drags her into the corner. After pulling her back to her feet, she turns her upside down and hangs her in the Tree of Woe. The boos continue as Sadie chokes Noelle with her foot.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Sadie lets go before delivering a stomp to the jaw. While Noelle hangs helpless in the corner, Sadie heads into the opposite corner. She then charges across the ring and goes for a baseball slide to the face. But Noelle escapes by sitting up, causing Sadie to slide to the outside. While Noelle tries to unhook her legs, Sadie slides back in, pops up to her feet and nails Noelle with a clubbing strike across the back. She then climbs up onto the middle ropes and delivers three more clubbing strikes to the back before trying to throw Noelle down to the canvas with a German Suplex. But Noelle blocks the move. She then nails Sadie with three elbows to the face. The last of which knocks Sadie down to the canvas. Noelle then unhooks her legs before standing up on the top turnbuckle. When Sadie gets to her feet and turns around, Noelle flips off and knocks her down with a moonsault. The cheers continue as she turns over and makes the cover.

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

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

Noelle picks up Sadie and goes for an irish whip. But Sadie reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Noelle returns, she knocks Sadie down with a spinning heel kick. She makes the cover.

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

Noelle picks up Sadie and shoots her into the ropes. When Sadie returns, Noelle throws out a kick to the midsection. After Sadie catches her foot, Noelle turns her inside out with an enzuigiri. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd boos when Sadie gets her shoulder up.

Noelle picks up Sadie and goes for an irish whip. But Sadie reverses into a an irish whip feint, followed by a kneeling jawbreaker. Sadie picks up Noelle, places her in a front facelock and delivers sharp elbows to the back of the neck. She then hooks Noelle’s leg before delivering the Vaticanplex (rolling double fisherman’s suplex).

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

The crowd cheers when Noelle gets your shoulder up.

Sadie picks up Noelle and whips her into the ropes. When Noelle returns, Sadie scoops her up from the side and plants her with an angled sidewalk slam. While Noelle clutches the back of her head, Sadie steps out onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle.

Stephy Auger: Sadie’s gonna put this one away, cruise!

Sadie leaps off and goes for a diving knee drop. But Noelle rolls out of the way, causing Sadie to crash onto the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Wrong again, Stephy! Nobody was home!

Stephy Auger: Gah!

The crowd cheers as Sadie can be seen clutching her right knee. As Sadie tries to get up, she continue to favor her right leg. Noelle sees this, so she quickly runs over and connects with a basement dropkick to the leg. Noelle then brings Sadie up onto her knees, places her in a Muay Thai Clinch and nails Sadie with rapid stiff knees to the face. The last of which knocks Sadie down to the canvas. Noelle then drops down and makes the cover.

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

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

Noelle picks up Sadie and goes for an irish whip. But Sadie reverses, sending her into the corner. The Pope then charges into the corner, but Noelle knocks her back with a back elbow to the face. Noelle then hops through the ropes before knocking her down with a springboard flying knee to the face. The cheers continue as Noelle heads back over, picks up Sadie and brings her down with the Swing, Set, Match (swinging neckbreaker). She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheers when “Lose My Breath” blasts over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, NOELLE SMITH!

The cheers continue as Noelle gets her arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Noelle once again gets the better of Camp Envi! This time, with a one on one with over Sadie San Francisco.

Stephy Auger: Wait until our Chief hears about this! He will not be a happy camper!

While Noelle continues to celebrate the win, Sadie gets helped to her feet by NEON. The Queen of Mean helps Sadie up the aisle while The Pope looks dejected...

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

Spencer Burke is backstage carefully eating a muffin. He’s trying his best not to get crumbs on his suit when someone behind him clears their throat. He turns towards the sound, the muffin hanging halfway out of his mouth. The camera pans to reveal The Elysian Empire standing behind Spencer. The FGA World Tag Team Championships are wrapped around the waists of Emery and Elon the latter of which is eyeing Spencer up and down disappointedly. Spencer looks from the siblings down to his muffin before shrugging and hurriedly finishing the bite.

Spencer Burke (his mouth filled with muffin): Hey guys. Look, you caught me in the middle of a little break. If you’ll just give me a sec-

Effie Elysian: Take your time, Spencer, because we have a lot to say.

Elon Elysian: Yeah, and it’s ridiculous that we have to be the ones to come looking for you at a time like this, Spencer.

Spencer swallows, his curiosity as journalist starting to overtake his hunger. He puts the quarter of a muffin he has left down and picks up his microphone.

Spencer Burke: Well then, we wouldn’t want to risk you forgetting anything now would we. Let’s get started.

Elon Elysian: You have crumbs all over your jacket…

Spencer quickly pats himself down before clearing his throat.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce my guests at this time, The FGA World Tag Team Champions, The Elysian Empire.

Effie Elysian: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us Spencer, sincerely.

Effie glares at Elon who rolls his eyes and shrugs.

Spencer Burke: Emery and Elon, you both participated in the Gold Rush Rumble for the first time at Only the Strong Survive. We didn’t hear much about your thoughts on the match prior to it happening, but what was that experience like for-

Elon Elysian: Let’s skip the fluffing bullsh*t, Spence.

Effie Elysian: Elon!

Elon Elysian: We all know what happened at the Rumble. There we were, fresh off of defeating a game duo in The Usual Suspects for these FGA World Tag Team Championships, and then we were given the opportunity to compete for the number one contenders spot for the FGA Undisputed Championship. We were flying high with momentum, but then The Keisters had to steal the light.

Emery Elysian: It’s understandable that they’d want to make a name for themselves, Lonnie.

Elon looks taken aback.

Elon Elysian: Please! They had their chance when we beat them months ago. Besides, you weren’t the one that got eliminated by people that weren’t even in the match! If it’d been you you’d be pissed too.

Spencer Burke: You weren’t the only competitor to be eliminated by the Keisters’ interference, Elon. Peaches also fell victim to their antics.

Elon glares at Spencer causing the reporter to nervously look away for a second.

Elon Elysian:...Is that supposed to make me feel better, Spencer?

Spencer Burke: Uhh… No. I was just...transitioning.

Effie Elysian: I think what Spencer is saying, Lonnie, is that the Keisters clearly had a MO. They didn’t appreciate being left out of the match and what better way to make a statement than to go after the FGA World Tag Team Champions and their rivals, the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad. They didn’t receive an opportunity to shine, so they took one. We’re always talking about taking opportunities, so we can’t exactly be upset when someone else does it, Lonnie.

Elon shakes his head furiously.

Elon Elysian: This is bullsh*t. I’m the only one on this team that got attacked. You should be backing me up.

Emery puts a hand on Elon’s shoulder.

Emery Elysian: We’ve got your back, but right now you need to calm down. Spencer, what were you trying to say?

Spencer Burke: Right. As you know, FGA is introducing a new show called Flashpoint, and you’re scheduled to compete on the pilot episode against the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad, Dan Herrera and Peaches. This is a huge opportunity for them as a win would put them in contention for the FGA World Tag Team Championships. How much pressure is there for you to win this one?

Emery Elysian: There’s pressure for us to win every match, but matches like these almost feel like title matches. A lot is on the line. Where the Keisters are trying to earn an opportunity using underhanded tactics, Dan and Peaches will be doing it the old fashioned way, winning matches. At the same time, we’re trying to establish ourselves as champions. This is our first tag match since winning the titles. I’d be lying if I said that the pressure isn’t even greater than before. Add to that we’re facing a former tag champion in Dan Herrera and the pressure is almost insurmountable. I respect Dan for always staying true to himself. He’s an honorable guy and was a great champion. The fact that he’s making a climb back to the top of the division with a different partner is only a testament to his skill as a competitor and his devotion to his craft. We’re a lot alike.

Elon Elysian: Yeah, neither of you were eliminated by the Keisters. You’re two peas.

Effie swiftly punches Elon on the arm causing him to hold his arm at the point of impact.

Effie Elysian: Enough, Lonnie.

Elon Elysian: Jesus, Fi.

Lonnie rubs his arm and inspects it. A bruise begins to form. He shakes his head.

Elon Elysian: You know what, Spencer? I honestly don’t feel any pressure in this one. While I respect Dan and Peaches, it’s clear that no one around here respects me.

Elon begins to count with his fingers.

Elon Elysian: Anthony Rother didn’t respect me. The Suspects didn’t respect me. You didn’t respect me enough to seek us out for an interview, Spencer. The Keisters sure as shit don’t respect me, and now I’m being disrespected by my own family. I’m tired of being seen as the easy target around here, the guy whose head should always be on a swivel. So guess what? I’m putting the pressure back on the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad, the Keisters, and everyone else that feels like I’m some kind of low hanging fruit.

Elon stares into the camera and points to he and his brother.

Elon Elysian: We’re the champions. I should expect everyone to be coming after us. The Keisters showed me that at Only the Strong Survive. Unfortunately for everyone else, knowing that you’re the one being hunted takes off a lot of the pressure. It allows me to get prepared. So no, I’m not worried. People on this roster have continuously shown their hands and now I know not to expect much sportsmanship from many of them . If Peaches and Dan want a shot at our titles, and they feel like they have to take me down to do it, then all I have to say to them is this: come and get some. This isn’t more than a routine match for me. Go out there, compete, and win. They’re the ones that have high stakes involved, not us.

Effie shakes her head and sighs. She looks up to the ceiling, her lips pursed, before bringing her gaze back to Spencer.

Effie Elysian: Speaking of respect, I can’t say enough about Peaches. She’s worked hard to get where she is now. It’s her dedication to getting better in the ring that got her a spot here in FGA, not Dan Herrera. So while Dan may be the one people will have their eyes on in this one, we’ll be careful not to underestimate the impact Peaches can have. She and Dan realize what winning this match would mean for them, and for us. Not only will they probably get a shot at our championships, but they'll also have all of that momentum that Elon talked about earlier. They'd know that they could beat us instead of just having confidence that they can beat us. Like Emery said-

Effie coldly stares at Lonnie who defiantly locks eyes with her.

Effie Elysian:-a lot is on the line here.

Effie's eyes linger after saying, but Elon doesn't back down. Her nostrils flare as she exhales deeply through her nose and breaks eye contact with Elon, returning her gaze to Spencer.

Effie Elysian: Ultimately, I think we’re all excited for Flashpoint, Spencer. A match between high quality tag teams? What more could anyone ask for in a pilot episode?

Spencer Burke: Well said as always, Effie.

Effie nods at Spencer, her ears beginning to turn red.

Effie Elysian: Thank you, Spencer.

Elon walks past Effie and Emery, not so subtly bumping their shoulders with his arms as he does so. He gives them both a look before leaving the frame.

Emery Elysian: Don’t be a child, Lonnie!

The camera pans to Elon who is flipping Emery the bird. The camera pans back to Effie and Emery who are both shaking their heads.

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
Dom Harter vs. Heather Lasiewicz

The lights go dim as the first drum beats of “Believer” by Imagine Dragons start. As the music kicks up, a single purple spotlight hits the stage, and the silhouette of Heather Lasiewicz is seen dancing. The camera gets a close-up and she’s seen clearly singing the first lines of the song with the music.

“First things first, Imma say all the words inside my head

I’m fired up and tired of the way that things have been, ooooohhhh

The way that things have been, ooooh”

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest, scheduled for one fall, is your main event of the evening. Introducing first, from AUSTIN, TEXAS! Making her return to the ring, she is “The pretty Lil Texan” HEEEEEAAAATHERRRRR LAAAAAAAASIEWICCCZZZZZ!!!

As she sings, she slinks towards the ring, the spotlight following her every step. Her body sways naturally to the beat of the song, acting out the words of the song as it plays out through the arena. The song cuts to the pause before the chorus as she hops up onto the ring apron. She slowly unbuttons her ring jacket, swaying her hips to the music.

“PAIN!!!!”

As the singer yells out the word, she lets the jacket fall.

”You make me a, you make a believer! Believer!”

Heather grabs the ropes and lets herself fall back in a burlesque style dance move. She uses this momentum to hop onto the bottom rope, in turn using that momentum to flip herself over the top rope and into the ring. The lights come back fully as she walks around the ring, soaking in the noise of the crowd and mentally prepping for her match as the music fades out.

Kris Cruise: Do you hear this reaction!? This capacity crowd is on their feet for Texas’ own Heather Lasiewicz! This is a match that’s been months in the making! This is a comeback that her fans have been waiting nearly two years for! Now they get to see it, live in her home state! It doesn’t get much better than this, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: But is she ready. I know she says she is. I know she looks the part. But is she ready to compete on the highest level against the likes of Dom Harter? Lasiewicz may have bitten off more than she could chew with this one.

The opening chords of “Low Self Opinion” begin to play throughout the arena as the some of crowd begin to boo, while others cheer. After ten seconds or so, Dom Harter steps out from behind the curtain. He throws his arms out to either side, the ever familiar crooked grin plastered on his face as he begins to stride down the aisle, soaking in the reaction that are coming from the fans here in Laredo.

J.A. Aldridge: And her opponent, from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada! Weighing in at 225 pounds! He is “The Tenacious Little Bastard” DOOOOOOOM HAAAAAARTERRRRRRR!!!

Harter climbs up the ring steps and climbs in through the middle rope; once inside the squared circle, Harter climbs up to the middle rope, posing for the fans as he waits for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Dom Harter, in typical fashion, did not bite his tongue. He didn’t mince words when he spoke about his former love in the buildup to this huge main event. When this match was first announced, we thought that maybe this would be a friendly contest between the two. But I don’t think this will be anything of the sort. There’s a lot of bitterness, tension and contempt here, Stephy. It’s so palpable. As soon as that bell sounds, this thing is gonna explode at any second.

Stephy Auger: And I can wait. A lot of trash has been talked. A lot of words have been said. Someone is walking out of this match with the sweet taste of victory? The other? They’ll be stuck with the bitter taste of defeat. Let’s go!

The bell sounds as both grapplers make their way to the center of the ring. Harter and Lasiewicz take part in an intense staredown as the crowd in Laredo is buzzing with excitement. Lasiewicz can’t help but to crack a smile once she hears the support of the home state crowd.

Crowd: “LET’S GO, HEATHER!” *clap-clap, clap-clap-clap* “LET’S GO, HEATHER!” *clap-clap, clap-clap-clap* “LET’S GO, HEATHER!” *clap-clap, clap-clap-clap* “LET’S GO, HEATHER!” *clap-clap, clap-clap-clap* “LET’S GO, HEATHER!” *clap-clap, clap-clap-clap*

The former flames begin to bicker back and forth until Lasiewicz slaps the taste out of Harter’s mouth. The crowd explodes with cheers as Harter walks away rubbing the side of his face. He turns back and narrows his eyes at the sight of the Pretty Lil Texan.

Harter makes his way over and begins to circle the ring along with Lasiewicz. Harter tries to close the distance. But Lasiewicz plays keep away as she tries not to engage in a grappling match with Harter. The Tenacious Little Bastard stays on task as he continues to close the distance. He then lunges forward and tries to tackle Lasiewicz in the corner. But the Pretty Lil Texan moves out of the way. When Harter turns around, he’s met with a series of shoot kicks to the chest that cause the Laredo crowd to cheer. Lasiewicz then takes Harter and goes for an irish whip. But Harter reverses and follows her into the opposite corner. But instead of crashing into the turnbuckles, Lasiewicz vaults herself behind her oncoming opponent. When Harter turns around, he’s met with a series of right hands to the face that rock him.

Kris Cruise: Lasiewicz is proving to be just a step too quick for the Tenacious Little Bastard.

Lasiewicz then brings Harter from out of the corner and goes for an irish whip. But again, Harter reverses. When Lasiewicz returns, she brings Harter down with a running hurricanrana. When Harter gets back to his feet, Lasiewicz runs over and connects with a dropkick, sending him through the ropes and to the floor. After Harter returns to his feet, he turns and slaps the apron out of frustration before turning away to run his hands through his hair. Lasiewicz turns to the Laredo crowd and waves her arms up and down, hyping up the home state crowd even more than they already up.

Kris Cruise: Lasiewicz has once again gotten the better of Harter.

Stephy Auger: I know. But it’s early. She hasn’t been in the ring with someone as physical as Harter in a long while. She hasn’t been in a grueling match in a long while. She’s got the speed and agility. But let’s see what her gas tank is looking like in another ten minutes.

Harter slowly circles the ring as he periodically looks back over at Lasiewicz, who motions for him to get back inside. Harter then stops when Lasiewicz makes her way over to him, sits down on the middle rope and holds the top rope open. The crowd cheers, but Harter finds nothing funny. After Harter refuses her gesture, Lasiewicz gives him a flippant shrug of the shoulders before making her way back to the center of the ring. After Harter climbs back up onto the apron, he steps back inside the squared circle.

Kris Cruise: I don’t think he appreciate that at all. Not one bit.

Stephy Auger: Nope.

The two grapplers continue to circle the ring. Harter continues to try and close the distance while Lasiewicz continues to remain light on her feet. Once he feels that Lasiewicz is within striking distance, Harter lunges forward for a lock up. But Lasiewicz ducks underneath, goes behind and applies a waist lock before transitioning into a side headlock. Lasiewicz wrenches the hold, causing Harter to cringe. The ref asks Harter if he wants to give up. But the Tenacious Little Bastard refuses. He then grabs Lasiewicz and lifts her up for a belly to back suplex. But Lasiewicz rolls over his shoulders, lands on her feet and slaps on another side headlock. The hold doesn't stay held on for long as Harter shoves her off of him and into the ropes. When Lasiewicz returns, the crowd cheers when Harter knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. He then goes to follow up with an elbow drop. But Lasiewicz rolls out of the way. As Harter gets back to his feet, Lasiewicz latches onto his arm and wrenches it. But Harter quickly follows up with a punch to the face, eliciting a mixed reaction from the crowd. He then grabs onto Lasiewicz’s arms and delivers a hard arm wrench, sending Lasiewicz flipping down to the canvas. He then follows up with a hard stomp to the face.

Stephy Auger: You think he put a little something extra behind that stomp? I think he did.

Harter picks up Lasiewicz, marches into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Lasiewicz around, Harter delivers a series of shoulder thrusts to the midsection. He then leans Lasiewicz back before blasting her with a knife edge chop. After taking in the echo from the previously strike, Harter fires off another blistering chop. The Pretty Lil Texan can be seen guarding her chest as she cringes. But Harter shows no mercy as he swats Lasiewicz’s arms out of the way before nailing her with three more chops to the chest. He then takes Lasiewicz and whips her into the opposite corner. Harter charges across the ring, but Lasiewicz knocks him back with a back elbow. After shaking off the blow, Harter charges back into the corner. This time, Lasiewicz knocks him back with a boot to the face. Lasiewicz then runs out of the corner to attack. But Harter counters by hurling her across the ring with an overhead belly to belly suplex. After Lasiewicz bounces off the canvas, she rolls out to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Great counter by Dom Harter! And now it’s Heather Lasiewicz that’s send to the outside!

On the outside, Lasiewicz can be seen holding her back on the floor.

As Lasiewicz pulls herself up using the apron, she looks over and sees Harter sitting down on the top rope while holding the top rope up for her. As soon as she sees Harter’s signature smirk, she quickly grabs him by the ankle and yanks him down to the canvas. After dragging the Tenacious Little Bastard to the outside, Lasiewicz fires off another series of right hands to the face. She then takes Harter and goes for an irish whip into the guardrail. But Harter reverses. Instead of crashing into the guardrail, Lasiewicz hops onto the top of the guardrail, flips back and brings Harter down with Every Rose Has It’s Thorn (Stylin DDT).

Kris Cruise: What a counter by Lasiewicz! She just delivered that modified reverse DDT right onto the floor!

Stephy Auger: That had to ring his bell.

The cheers continue as Lasiewicz takes Harter and rolls him back inside. She then rolls herself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Harter kicks out.

Lasiewicz picks up Harter, moves him into the corner and delivers a series of kicks to the chest before returning the favor with a series of chops of her own. She then brings Harter from out of the corner and goes for an irish whip. But Harter reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Lasiewicz returns, she slides through Harter’s legs. When harter turns around, Lasiewicz gets back to her feet and throws out a kick to the midsection. After Harter catches her foot, Lasiewicz follows up with an enzuigiri, but Harter ducks the kick. He then reaches down, pulls Lasiewicz up from behind, applies an inverted front facelock, lifts her up and delivers an reverse Implant DDT. He turns over and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Great counter there from harter, but it only gets two.

Harter picks up Lasiewicz and nails her with a forearm strike, sending her stumbling into the ropes. Harter goes over, pulls Lasiewicz away from the ropes by the hair and drops her down to a knee with a headbutt. As Lasiewicz tries to get back to her feet, Harter runs into the ropes. When he returns, he flattens her with a yakuza kick. He makes the cover.

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

Harter sits up Lasiewicz and applies a rear chinlock. The ref gets down and asks Lasiewicz if she wants to give up, but she refuses. The crowd immediately lets the home state favorite know that they don’t want her to quit.

Crowd: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

Harter looks around at the crowd before pulling back on the hold. Lasiewicz tires to reach up to grab at Harter’s face. But shakes her hand off of him and moves his head out of the way. The ref asks Lasiewicz if she wants to give up. But again, she refuses. Feeding off the enthusiasm and support of the crowd, Lasiewicz slowly turns over onto her knees. After returning to her feet, she nails Harter with three elbows to the midsection, breaking the hold. She then goes to run into the ropes. When lasiewicz returns, Harter throws her down with a powerslam. He hooks the leg.

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

Harter sits her back up and applies another rear chinlock. The ref asks Lasiewicz if she wants to give up. But again, she refuses. She then turns over onto her knees before battling back to her feet. After delivering four elbows to the midsection, Lasiewicz nails Harter with five punches to the face. While Harter is dazed, Lasiewicz turns and runs into the ropes. When she returns, Harter throws out a back elbow. But Lasiewicz ducks and runs into the far ropes. When she returns, Harter knocks her down with a hard lariat.

Kris Cruise: He nearly knocked the air right out of Lasiewicz!

Harter reaches down, grabs Lasiewicz by the wrist and pulls her back to her feet. He then throws out a short-arm clothesline. But Lasiewicz ducks and counters with a crucifix pin.

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

Stephy Auger: Lasiewicz nearly stole the match there...

After both grapplers return to their feet, Lasiewicz quickly knocks him down with a legsweep. As Harter turns over and gets up on one knee, Lasiewicz lunges forward and nails him with a hard knee strike to the chest. She then drops down and makes the cover.

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

Lasiewicz picks up Harter and whips him into the ropes. When Harter returns, Lasiewicz throws out a kick to the midsection. But Harter catches her foot. As he swings her leg away from him, Lasiewicz uses the momentum to nail him with a Kesagiri Chop to the side of the neck, followed by a pelé kick. While Harter is dazed, Lasiewicz gets up and runs into the ropes. When Lasiewicz returns, the crowd cheers when she knocks Harter down with a rolling wheel kick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Harter gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: What a back and forth contest this has been. Neither grappler is holding back.

Stephy Auger: I’m a bit surprised Lasiewicz has been able to keep pace despite her absence from the ring.

Lasiewicz picks up Harter and goes for an irish whip. But Harter reverses, sending her across the ring. But instead of crashing into the turnbuckles, Lasiewicz vaults herself out onto the apron, springboards onto the top turnbuckle, dives off and brings Harter down with a flying hurricanrana. She then crawls over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Harter gets his shoulder up.

Lasiewicz picks up Harter, moves him into the corner and nails him with a European Uppercut. She then nails him with another European Uppercut… and another… and another...and another… and another. Lasiewicz takes the Tenacious Little Bastard by the wrist and goes for an irish whip. But Harter reverses, sending her into the turnbuckles. Harter then runs across the ring to attack. But Lasiewicz knocks him back with a back elbow to the face. While Harter is dazed, Lasiewicz turns to the crowd and goes for a springboard moonsault. But Harter catches her across one shoulder, pops her up, catches her across body shoulders and drives her down with a Samoan Driver.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Lasiewicz gets her shoulder up. Harter looks over at the ref and holds up three fingers. When the ref holds two back at him, Harter drops his head.

Kris Cruise: How close was that one, Stephy!?

Stephy Auger: Too close!

Harter picks up Lasiewicz and goes for another short-arm clothesline. But Lasiewicz ducks. When Harter turns around, he turns into another Kesagiri Chop. She then runs into the ropes. When Lasiewicz returns, she leaps up for a hurricanrana. But Harter counters with a sitout spinebuster.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Lasiewicz gets her shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Yet another close call for The Pretty Lil Texan!

Harter picks up Lasiewicz and cracks her with a headbutt. After Lasiewicz drops down to her knees, Harter reaches down, pulls her back up and nails her with a kidney shot before grabbing her by the wrist and turning her inside out with a lariat. He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Lasiewicz gets her shoulder up. Harter slaps the canvas out of frustration.

Harter picks up Lasiewicz and whips her into the corner. He then runs across the ring, hurls himself into the corner and connects with a double knee strike. After bringing Lasiewicz from out of the corner, Harter brings her down with a swinging neckbreaker. He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Lasiewicz gets her shoulder up.

Harter picks up Lasiewicz and whips her into the ropes. When Lasiewicz returns, Harter sets up for a back body drop. But Lasiewicz stops and counters with a kick to the shoulder. She then steps back, moves forward leaps onto Harter’s shoulders and leans back for another hurricanrana. But Harter blocks the move, leaving Lasiewicz upside down. Harter then grabs a hold of her and swings back, sending her face-first onto the canvas with a flapjack powerbomb. He then turns Lasiewicz over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Lasiewicz gets her shoulder up. Harter slowly runs his hands down in his face.

Kris Cruise: How is Lasiewicz hanging on?

Stephy Auger: I don’t have the slightest idea!

Harter picks up Lasiewicz and whips her into the turnbuckles. After pointing across the ring, the Tenacious Little Bastard charges over into the corner. But Lasiewicz nails him with a boot to the face, turning him around. While Harter staggers away from the corner, Lasiewicz steps out onto the apron, climbs to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and drives him down with a flying bulldog.

As Harter turns over onto his knees, Lasiewicz slowly gets to her feet before running towards the ropes. After hopping onto the middle ropes, she flips back and connects with a Lionsault.

Kris Cruise: The Cowgirl Ride! Lasiewicz busted out an oldie, but goodie!

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
TH-NO!

Harter gets his shoulder up.

Lasiewicz looks around and wonders to herself what she has to do to put the Tenacious Little Bastard away. Suddenly, the lightbulb goes off. After brining Harter back to his feet, she doubles him over after another Kesagiri Chop to the neck. She then slowly hooks one of his arms, then the other…

Stephy Auger: Oh no… you don’t think...

Lasiewicz looks around and nods before planting him with a double underhook DDT.

Kris Cruise: Spin the Black Circle on Dom Harter! Lasiewicz just used one of Harter’s old pattened moves against him!

After Harter bounces off the canvas and turns over onto his back, Lasiewicz runs towards the ropes, hops onto the middle ropes, flips back and connects with another Cowgirl Ride! The Pretty Lil Texan returns to her feet and begins waving Harter up. As Harter slowly turns over and gets back to his feet, Lasiewicz nails him with sharp kicks to the calf. After the last kick drops Harter down to a knee, Lasiewicz blasts him with Texan Pride (Shining Wizard). She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
THREE!

Kris Cruise: She’s done it! She’s done it!’ Heather’s done it!

The crowd explodes with cheers as “Believer” blasts over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, HEATHER LASIEWICZ!

Kris Cruise: Heather Lasiewicz has done in it! In her first match back, she’s defeated Dom Harter in her home state! What an unbelievable win this is for The Pretty Lil Texan!

The cheers continue as Lasiewicz gets her arm raised in victory. She then exits the ring and makes her way up the aisle high fiving some of the fans. Back in the ring, a dejected Harter sits up with his hands over his head...

[ COMMERCIAL BREAK ]

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

"THE CHAMP IS HERE!"

Drum beat.

"THE CHAMP IS HERE!"

Drum beat.

"THE CHAMP IS HERE!"

A final drum beat.

"THE CHAMP IS HERE!"

The intro of Jadakiss's "The Champ is Here" plays as a precursor to Izzy Anders' arrival. Boos come in droves, almost drowning out the PA system.

Stephy Auger: Awww, don’t boo our new champion. And it’s not like she didn’t give us a half a year to prepare for this!

Kris Cruise: That’s why they’re booing her! She told everybody that she wants to burn FGA to the ground. She has drilled it into everyone’s head, but that only gives way to everything horrible thing she has done to this point. We’re in the Izzy Anders Era...and that’s not a good thing.

Izzy Anders comes from behind the curtain, wearing a Heroes Never Die shirt, her first piece of merchandise in ages. He reaches to her waist, which the camera follows to reveal that she had the FGA Undisputed Championship. More notably, she is dragging behind her a wagon. On said red wagon is a large, metallic barrel, which she gives a simple tap. The echo of the metal startles some fans and it only serves to make her laugh. She pulls the barrel down towards the ring.

Kris Cruise: She has…a barrel? To what end will she go to mock everyone?

Izzy, reaching the edge of the ring, rolls the barrel in and follows it. She sets up methodically, enjoying each antagonizing second. When it’s upright, she gives a small kick, before asking for a microphone. The stagehand sends it in, which she takes gleefully. She stands in the ring, looking out towards the uproarious audience. She gorges herself on the hateful atmosphere, almost reaching an euphoric high as she does. She brings the mic to her lips, her smile as wide as it has ever been.

Izzy Anders: I’m going to start this off by asking a question to a select amount of people.

She clears her throat.

Izzy Anders: To Johnny Cannon, Chandler Scott, and Sunshine Scandalous, people who never looked my way and when I forced them too, they looked down on me.

A beat.

Izzy Anders: But I guess in Tony-san’s case, I can mock him just as bad as everyone else does now. In one good try, I did something he couldn’t do in all of his time in FGA.

She laughs, and due to her status, the most rare of chants break out.

“S-S-T-C! S-S-T-C! S-S-T-C!”

Izzy rolls her eyes, letting the fans do what they please.

Izzy Anders: To Lacey Allen Cohen, who can never leave her safe space. I came to ECWF and messed your whole system up. I came back to FGA and won the big one. Thanks for the warmup, slags.

Her rant continues.

Izzy Anders: To Chris Q, who thought that he was better, because he was the big shot in the past. Well, f*ck you, I’m the Big Bad! I’m the biggest bad that FGA has ever seen. Because in just one quarter of a season, I got FGA on its knees like a five dollar hooker. SPEAKING OF WHICH--

Izzy Anders: To Fujiko Mine and all of Renati, who I’m better than 100% of the time, if they like it or not. I made it to the top by beating people like her and making companies mad.

Izzy Anders: To all the people in SSWA who bothered the hell out of me, like Zack Jones and La Qoya. To Alexa Corra, who I owe the biggest ass beating for hurting my best friend, Zero. To good ol’ Wadjethetop, who joined MY faction, because he knew he could never beat me.

She pauses entirely, her eyes starting to glisten with the malevolent glow that only comes when she speaks of one person. Her smile softens a bit, as if it was plastered on rather than a genuine emotion.

Izzy Anders: To Bitch Made Harter for opening my eyes to the dark places of the world. If it wasn’t for him trying to break my neck on a car, then I wouldn’t have realized how badly I needed to evolve.

She forces herself to readjust, not wanting to get stuck.

Izzy Anders: To GRENDEL, who helped me during that trying time, making me strong enough to reach this point. I was given a choice to evolve...or to die. But I’m immortal, bitches. Many have stress tested it.

She starts to name them off.

Izzy Anders: Noelle Smith, Dan Herrera, Salem Cartier, Annie Zellor, and even my lovely partner in crime, Savannah Taylor tried to. But none of them could break this. None of them could force me to take steps back. I’m talking about all the people that I rattled off, sans the ones I haven’t fought obviously. Each name is a mark, a milestone that led to right here...right now.

Izzy Anders: To Cordelia “Queen of Curve” Stevenson, I would apologize for what happened, but I told you any means necessary. I told you that I was going to take this belt from you, because I wasn’t going to let sentiment get in the way of my dream. OF MY MISSION! I was ready to use every little last thing to make sure that I walked out of that match as the new FGA UNDISPUTED GODDAMN CHAMPION! And I did! I DID! You can be mad all you want. You’ll be fine in a little bit, because you know you love me.

Izzy gets out of the ring, walking around it to retrieve something. She pulls out, as casually as one can, a book of matches and a can of lighter fluid. She slides it in and follows.

Izzy Anders: Finally, to my new number contender, Johnny Karma, who has done the unthinkable. He beat Chandler Scott! He beat him twice. One in a regular ol’ match and then finally he did the damn thing and won the Gold Rush Rumble!

Despite it being a derisive tone from Izzy, the fans pop for the acknowledgement of Johnny Karma’s success. Izzy sarcastically claps.

Izzy Anders: Yeah...it’s some kind of funny that he’s going to be my first challenger. This mess writes itself. We have the gutsy challenger who didn’t defeat Izzy Anders last time they faced each other. She played him like a fiddle and tried to teach him the same things she was forced to learn. But now, things are different!

She feigns a shocked gasp.

Izzy Anders: He’s ready for anything that I have to throw at him. I’m the last demon he has to vanquish, because this belt right here?

The champion raises her belt before tilting her head.

Izzy Anders: This belt is everything to him. It’s his final goal to really prove himself. If he beats me, he’ll get the belt that means Johnny Karma is good enough. It’s the good ending. It’s what he wants to be the true ending. Sadly, the Holy Grail that he wants…

Izzy promptly, without much fanfare, drops the championship onto the ground.

Izzy Anders: Is about to go up in flames.

The crowd’s boos intensify and Izzy starts to laugh uncontrollably. She picks up the lighter fluid and douses the inside of the barrel with it. She dances around the barrel as she continues pouring it in. She then flings the lighter fluid up in the air, which causes some front row fans to move swiftly away.

Izzy Anders: C’mon, you idiots, you thought I was joking.

She reaches over and picks up the championship with a shrug. She takes the book of matches and takes one out slowly and theatrically. When she strikes it, she holds it up high and lets it drop into the barrel, setting it ablaze. Finally, she starts to hover the championship above the pyre.

Izzy Anders: This championship stands as the representation of everything that FGA is and everything that I hate. When I won this championship, yes, I felt that childlike elation. I have clawed my way to this title and rejected every prediction and claim along the way. I wasn’t supposed to be here after my few weeks. I have outlasted your best “rookies”, the dregs of EXODUS, the FGA “mainstays”, and any other big name that tried to excel here. But it only took a second for me to realize that this championship was the thing that needed to go first.

The fans start to cry “no, no, no”, but Izzy simply gives them a brief look of disappointment.

Izzy Anders: Whoops.

She drops the belt into the barrel.

Izzy Anders: Butterfingers, man.

She starts to laugh nigh-maniacally as she watches the belt get wrapped in flames. She looks at the flames as they rise and fall. The silence among the crowd was stagnating. Izzy slumps onto the nearest ring rope, unable to hold herself up. She leaves the ring, heckling any fans that look at her. Walking over to the timekeeper’s area, she pulls her duffel bag out. She slides underneath the bottom rope and stands next to the fire. She unzips the bag and takes out…














Another FGA Championship?

She holds it for a moment before looking over at the crowd.

Izzy Anders: But then I realized. Burning the title would be counterproductive.

She rubs her hand over the plate.

Izzy Anders: FGA could just buy another belt. Burning down FGA would be cowardly. If one wants change, then they don’t need to destroy and start over. No, a proper hero, an actually decent person, takes what they don’t like and they force it to change to what they envision. See, the thing about being the champion is that I got FGA at gunpoint. If they fire me--

The crowd cheers loudly at the idea. Izzy dismisses it with a very censored middle finger.

Izzy Anders: They can’t do that. Shut up.

She shakes her head.

Izzy Anders: If they fire me, then they prove my point. And people outside, you know the people not a part of the hivemind? Those people will start to notice and then FGA will slowly, but surely get ripped apart by negative press and the other consequences of firing their champ because I’m just a little outspoken about the crap that happens here. I have the power to do what I want and change this place from the ground up. And the worst part is--

A devilish smirk dawns on the Mindkiller’s face.

Izzy Anders: I’m still going to make more money for this place than anybody else. Have tickets sold out yet for All-Star Showdown?

She peers over at the commentary table. Kris doesn’t respond, but Stephy gives Izzy a shrug.

Izzy Anders: Regardless, I have the power. I have the resources. Savannah might not be the only backup I got in this mission of mine.

The audience harshly jeers the idea of expansion. Izzy looks down at the mat before looking up, a serious expression on her face.

Izzy Anders: Most of all, I have the skill to beat anyone in FGA...no, in the world. Because I’m Izzy FREAKIN’ Anders. And you all should just get used to this sight.

Voice: Should we?

Upon hearing the interruption, Izzy turns her attention towards the entranceway knowing full well who it is that has just walked into the arena, and any confusion that the viewer may have is swiftly cleared up when the camera cuts to show Johnny Karma stood on the ramp, mic in hand, and he frankly looks fed up at having to hear everything that has come from Izzy’s mouth for the past few minutes

Johnny Karma: So you think that, just because you finally have your moment in the sun, anyone and everyone who might have a couple of dozen home truths that you don’t want to hear should shut up and fall in line?

As Karma begins to walk down the ramp there’s a noticeable urgency in his pace, especially compared to the more leisurely pace he walked down to the ring earlier this evening

Johnny Karma: I hate to break it to you...honest, but until the office signs off on that overseas tour to North Korea, this isn’t a dictatorship - and if that somehow eluded to you, have you forgotten what happened to the last champion who did nothing but kvetch and moan about how he didn’t get any “respect” and threatened to take his ball with him?

A slight giggle escapes the champion.

Izzy Anders: He beat you and everyone else that got in his face, walked out the company, left everyone directionless for a bit, and then defended his belt all over the place? I mean, the most unfortunate thing that happened to him is that he got buried six feet under by a crazy bitch that I gotta maim. But whatever.

She shrugs.

Izzy Anders: By all means, continue.

Karma lifts the mic to his lips...but then pauses, which draws a smirk from Izzy - but instead Karma meets her smirk with one of his own, as he raises an eyebrow

Johnny Karma: How predictable. Rather than admit that, the last time somebody thought they had the company over a barrel, that person found themselves sealed inside that barrel and kicked off the side of Niagara Falls when they realised life went on without them hogging the limelight, instead you try to suggest that when you try the exact same thing it’ll be different?

Upon reaching ringside, Karma is momentarily overcome by the stench of lighter fluid, which he attempts to resist as he climbs into the ring

Johnny Karma: I guess I should congratulate you for providing a visual representation of how that’ll work out for you with that dumpster fire you decided to put on for us, but here’s the point: you want to complain about how they’ll easily get another belt made to cover for anything you do to it, but that’s because you don’t understand one thing - the belt’s bigger than you, and it’s getting bigger by the second.

Upon making that last comment Karma kicks over the now-smoldering barrel that remains in the ring, sending ash and embers scattering across the canvas as he does so, at which point he reaches down and picks the charred remains of the FGA Championship title out of the debris and defiantly places it over his shoulder

Johnny Karma: All those months ago I was the one who said that, if this company was going to change for the better, it needed somebody to drag it up from the muck and the mire until the accepted version of how things should be, a place where Zero McHannon or Jimmy Page or Chris Q were no longer the standard - and look at where I’m standing right now, in the place where all it takes is one match and then this…

Slapping his hand on the faceplate of the ruined FGA Championship for emphasis, Karma continues

Johnny Karma: …this will be out of your hands, and there won’t be anything left for you to destroy - but there is literally years worth of rebuilding that needs to start, and if you’re the last obstacle that needs to fall I’m taking you down with a wrecking ball to do it.

The crowd gives a thunderous roar in response to Karma’s response …

And just at that moment, before they even have a chance to die down, “New Level” by A$AP Ferg and Future begins to blare throughout the arena causing it to get that much louder inside of the building. Both the champion and her contender turn their attention towards the ramp, where the former Undisputed Champion Cordelia Stevenson makes her way through the curtain, an obvious scowl on her face. She glares at the sight before her, just shaking her head as she casually makes her way towards the ring and sipping on her bottle of water. She pulls a microphone from her back pocket as she climbs up the steps and makes her way into the ring. The music dies out as Cordy slowly circles around both competitors, but her gaze is locked on the champion as she flicks her bottle in Izzy’s direction causing little droplets of water to splash at her feet.

Cordelia Stevenson: Shame…

She hisses as she continues to circle around Izzy now, continually flicking the water at her.

Cordelia Stevenson: Shame… Shame… Shame…

She continues on, straight treating Izzy like she’s a sinner in the eyes of the Faith of the Seven. The fans seem to eat it up, chanting it in rhythm with the former champion until she finally stops in front of Izzy and sharply jerks her bottle towards the champ, causing water to fly into her face, and yelling out one final SHAME!

Cordelia Stevenson: Shame on you for coming out here and having the nerve… the gall… the au-da-city to stand out here and feed these people such a load of crap. Shame on you for having the nerve to celebrate your selling out everything you ever stood for, but most importantly shame on you for not having the heart to actually see your mission through.

Izzy gives her one of those what the hell are you talking about looks.

Cordelia Stevenson: Burn FGA down. That’s all you spoke about. You claimed that was your one and only goal, and here you are with the chance to do just that, and look at you… afraid to pull the damn trigger. Typical Izzy. Just like at Only The Strong Survive, you had the chance to prove the one thing that you’ve always wanted to prove… that you were indeed the best in the world; and what did you do? You had thrift store ‘I used to be good but now I’m hardly mediocre’ Barbie come out and ruin what damn well could have been your shining moment. Yeah, you won Izzy, but you and I both know that you didn’t prove a damn thing. You didn’t answer any questions, nor did you silence any doubters. All you did was open a huge can of worms, and all you did was open yourself up to constant scrutiny. All you did was give these people something to hold over your head.

Cordelia leans in and whispers.

Cordelia Stevenson: The truth.

Cordelia smirks.

Cordelia Stevenson: All you did was prove that whenever Isabella Anders needs to get something done… she needs help doing it. And that’s why every single person you named during your faux academy award winning speech a few moments ago? Still won’t view you any differently. Your historical and memorable rise to the top… ruined, all because you were afraid of failure. All because you didn’t have the heart to see your damn mission through. But the more I sit back and listen to you, the less I become convinced you even know what your mission is; the more you start to seem like that bewildered little girl that’s simply out of her league and trying to find her niche. Two weeks ago you wanted to burn the company down, and now? You want to make it more money than it’s ever made before. The goddamn Mind Killer just can’t seem to make her damn mind up. But I will tell you this, Izzy… whatever your plans are; this whole stage of self discovery or whatever the hell it is you’re going through, it’s going to be done without my title… because I want it… back.

The crowd lets out a loud pop as Cordy says this. She takes a step back and finally focuses her attention on Johnny Karma.

Cordelia Stevenson: And I apologize Johnny; I know this is supposed to be your big coming out moment, your moment in the sun so to speak, to celebrate you finally riding a wave of momentum to a career defining victory. You deserve your moment, truly you do. No one has busted their ass in this company to get where they are like you have. But she and I? We’ve got some unfinished business. She has something that doesn’t belong to her, and I’m … taking it back. I do believe I’m owed a rematch… and I want it right now!

The crowd really comes to life as Cordelia drops her microphone and takes a step back, motioning for Izzy to come on - but instead it’s Karma who cuts in

Johnny Karma: With respect, Cordy...do you honestly think you’re the only person in the locker room who has unfinished business with…?

Rather than actually say Izzy’s name, Karma gestures in her direction to emphasise his point

Johnny Karma: Needing help to get the job done because you can’t? Tick. Being told you’re a stepping stone to something greater, yet that “something greater” never appears? Tick. Hearing about how the company you worked so hard for needs to be destroyed? That’s a big ol’ tick right there...or should I say that’s the third strike? And let’s not forget about the time…

Izzy groans obnoxiously loud to intervene with the two competitors before her.

Izzy Anders: Gosh, you’re all so whiny. It’s giving me a headache.

Izzy takes the time to wipe the water off her face before spraying some of it on Cordy, not enough to be effective, but enough to just be petty.

Izzy Anders: Cordy, love, firstly, I said that it would be ironic that I’d be making FGA more money than you could with your sexy ass.

She winks.

Izzy Anders: I know exactly what I’m trying to do. Originally, I did plan on burning this whole place down, closing it down, but then you inspired me to do something a tiny bit different. But that’s aside the point. There’s no point in trying to explain what I’m trying to do to ignorant fools who would rather fight. Then again, you have no right to fight, Cordy. Good ol’ Karma came down here and talked some crap, but at least he had the right because he won. Something...you didn’t do.

She feigns another gasp, looking around the booing arena.

Izzy Anders: I mean, both of you did the trick before, but now it’s not going to happen. You said that people can hang this over my head, but baby girl, you can’t hang nothing over my head. I’m at the top of the mountain now. Nothing’s higher than me. So...this?

Izzy makes a circle with her finger around Cordy’s aggressive stance.

Izzy Anders: This ain’t happening, girl. You can turn your fine ass around and take it to the back. You can be petty with the other loser, Chandler, and you can try again when I’m done beating Karma’s ass.

She turns her full attention onto Johnny Karma, taking a step forward, but making sure to stay out of range of Cordy.

Izzy Anders: You picked the belt out of the barrel. I can’t say I was expecting that. It’s certainly dramatic. Now what you said was interesting. I always knew that we had this weird parallel going. We both want to change FGA, but the thing is, I’m better at doing than you. You’ve tried eons to do it, and you had some success. You got rid of the New Kings. Congratulations.

She claps a few times, directly in front of his face.

Izzy Anders: However, I’m not some obstacle for you to overcome, because I don’t believe in Cinderella stories. If anything, FGA’s a tragedy and you’re the next one on the chopping block. I’m going to tell you that everything you’ve done to this point makes this the most important opportunity that you ever had. But I’m going to ask you a single question that will put all of this in perspective for you.

She pauses, narrowing her eyes at him.

Izzy Anders: Do you really think I’m the only obstacle in your way?

Seeing that Cordy’s no longer wasting time, Izzy suddenly shoves Karma into Cordy, bringing them both to the mat for a brief moment. Karma gets up, bringing up his fists. He looks around for Izzy, while Cordy leaves the ring. She runs around the apron to try to catch Izzy, who has retreated over the barricade. By the time that Cordy can make it over to the barricade, Izzy’s halfway up the stairs. She laughs up there while holding her championship up high.

Izzy Anders: Cordy, you want another shot? Karma, she’s getting in the way of that shot. Why don’t you work this out for yourselves? I can wait until All-Star Showdown to see who I gotta beat.

She points at the stagehands before slowly putting the microphone down, just to make this job a little harder. Turning on a heel, she leaves the two in the ring, glaring up at her. The scene then fades.