AfterBurn for Vertigo E35

[FGA Office]

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

[Perello]

And the debut went just as she thought it would…

“Peasants.”

Felicity Banks is seen strutting down the hallway with a grin from ear to ear. Not bothering to change out of her gear, Felicity stops mid-hallway and drops her bags once she notices her unlaced boot.

Felicity Banks: Oh my God!

She glances up at the camera team, a scowl on her face as she grunts and stomps her feet.

Felicity Banks: Do you guys have any idea how hard these freakin’ things are to tie?! That’s why that expression ‘you couldn’t lace my boots’ exists! Because it’s FREAKING HARD AS HELL TO TIE THEM!

The HKW World champion hunches down to pick up her bag and rips off her boot. She slides her kickpad down to make sure her bare foot isn’t touching the ‘disgusting’ floor before she trots along. The female Banks gets as close to the exit without leaving as possible before:

“Nice win out there tonight.”

Banks stops and turns to see where the voice came from. Leaning up against a nearby wall is none other than Chandler Scott.

Chandler Scott: You definitely know how to throw those knees. Of course, anyone that knows of your reputation knows this. And I’ve definitely done my fair share of tape watching. But it’s a much different story watching it happen right in front of you with your own eyes. Impressive.

Despite the compliments, Felicity’s stone face remains. She takes one small step forward, glancing down at the kickpad covering her foot before her gaze returns to her future in-law.

Felicity Banks: And anyone who knows your reputation knows that you just looooove stealing the spotlight from people, right?

She says with a wink.

Felicity Banks: I mean, hell. You did it with Zero. You did it with Cordy, and now tonight? You did it with me.

Dropping her things once again, the HKW World champion gives the first ballot FGA Hall of Famer a golf clap.

Felicity Banks: Bravo, Chandler. Bravo. You really did your thing out there on commentary. Why don’t you try your hand out ring announcing next time. I would LOOOVE to hear you say---

She clears her throat.

Felicity Banks: THE SUPREEEEEMMMMMAAHHHHHHHHHH FELICIIIIIIITTYYYYYYY BAAAAAAAAAANKS! just one time.

Chandler cocks his side to the side, as if to say, “Oh really?”

Chandler Scott: “Stole your spotlight”? Hmm. And how exactly did I do that again? By coming out and doing commentary? Which was something that was advertised on the card two weeks ago? Or did you conveniently forget that part?

Chandler leans slightly forward while putting his index finger behind his ear, as if he’s waiting for an answer. When he obviously doesn’t get it, he stands up straight.

Chandler Scott: Let’s put things in their proper perspective, shall we? I went out there to commentate, which I did. I didn’t get on a megaphone and try to distract you. I didn’t hop on the apron. I wasn’t waving my arms from the commentary table. I wasn’t shouting anything out in your direction or even shouting, period. You didn’t hear me ringing any ring bells, cow bells or sleigh bells. I simply went out there to do my job. You knew for two weeks - two whole weeks - that I would be out there to commentate. So don’t come in here and start acting all brand new. Don’t get mad at me because you almost got beat by Bean Bands. The fact that you couldn’t stay focused on the task at hand and were more concerned with the guy on commentary instead of the guy inside the ring? That sounds like your problem, not mine.

Ignoring the first part completely (which she did a lot, as proven), Felicity dives into the last bit of Chandler’s words.

Felicity Banks: Distracted? Distracted?!

She crosses her arms with extreme sass.

Felicity Banks: I was irritated! I did miss the part where they announced you were doing commentary, but when you’re traveling from sea to sea you kinda miss the insignificant details. This was MY debut and it was supposed to be about ME.

The HKW World champion uncrosses her arms and forces a laugh.

Felicity Banks: You know what? I shouldn’t even be mad at you. I shouldn’t be mad at FGA. I should really be mad at myself for believing that maybe, just maybe Chandler Scott would do the right thing and keep his ass backstage where he belongs when I, ME--

She points at herself.

Felicity Banks: -- am in the ring. Guess I was wrong...for the first time like ever.

She says sarcastically as she glances down at her things and begins picking them up.

Felicity Banks: Can’t wait to see where you try to steal my spotlight next, in-law. Hell! Come do commentary for Control if you want! Watch me run through the face of the guy that helped you build the very foundation this place! Showoff off those vocals when you’re yelling out OFF WITH YOUR HE--

In an instant, Felicity’s demeanour changes. She straps her bag around one shoulder, her HKW World championship around the other, and stares right at Chandler as she pushes open the exit door.

Felicity Banks: Would you look at that. I have a chance to beat BOTH of the guys who built this company in the very same month, which would undoubtedly prove that I am the superior talent in this business today.

She shrugs nonchalantly as she steps one foot out the exit door.

Felicity Banks: I guess I was right when I spoke to Jessie. Nothing happens at random.

Chandler Scott: Control?

Chandler ponders as he rubs his chin.

Chandler Scott: Nah, I’m good on that. But I’ve got something else in mind.

Chandler smirks as he looks over in Fel’s direction.

Chandler Scott: See you soon…

With that, Chandler winks at Felicity before turning and walking away, leaving Felicity to ponder his words.

[James Edwards]

"I respect you; I hope you know that Mark, but I also know hope you know that respect only exists outside of the bells."

A draw. It is a dirty word in fighting circles; a designation on a man's record that means he couldn't get the job done. James wants to feel shame; it would certainly give him the fuel necessary to prevent this kind of embarrassment from happening again, but in his heart, he knows he can only feel pride.

James Edwards: There ain't any shame on how our fight ended, Mark. A double knockout is rare. Almost as rare as me hugging another person, but that is how much I value the effort you gave and brought out in me. It's what this sport should be about, and it is a very, very beautiful thing. Beauty can't exist within the bells, it has to die, just like my respect for you will have to die the next time we cross paths, Mark.

He takes a breath and pauses, hoping that the silence is an invitation for his friendly rival to carefully consider what he has to say next.

James Edwards: I know that this fun for you, Mark. It's a game, something that brings you back to life after the toxic things you brought into the world during your last run. That's not me. I don't have the luxury of being a good person when I fight. I can't hold back; I have to be brutal, and I can't give a shit what happens to someone else. I have to be this way because I wanna make my mark in this company. I can't back to begging for matches or waiting for my turn. My time is now, and the only way to keep that on track is by finishing you between the bells, but don't worry, I'll still pick you up off the canvas after it is all over and shake your hand. That's a promise.

[ChrisMadison]

AfterBurn continues with Spencer Burke approaching the catering area. He instantly perks up as he sees Chris Madison standing alone, helping himself to a cup of coffee. Burke wastes no time and closes in on the FGA Pride Champion as he places the coffee pot back down.

Spencer Burke: Chris! There was speculation that you didn’t make it to the arena tonight. I think I speak for most when I say that we didn’t hear from you after losing to Savannah Taylor and Izzy Anders on Flashpoint.

Chris sipped the styrofoam cup in his hand and watched as Spencer Burke eagerly awaited a response.

Chris Madison: Sorry to disappoint…

Chris began to turn away from Spencer Burke, but the FGA journalistic mainstay wasn’t about to let this opportunity slip away.

Spencer Burke: Come on Chris. Just give me something to work with…

Chris freezes, looking over his shoulder at Spencer Burke as he takes another sip of coffee from the styrofoam cup in his hand.

Chris Madison: You know, I wanted to sit back tonight intentionally. At Flashpoint, Savannah and Izzy worked together like a well oiled machine and beat Johnny Karma and I. Even though I ended up on the losing side of things, Savannah still couldn’t find a way to keep me down! I wanted to give her chance tonight to own that momentum and make her case for being a legitimate contender to my FGA Pride Championship. Tonight should have been about her. But let me turn the tables on you for a moment Spence. Speculation was that I didn’t make it to the arena? Where was Savannah tonight?

Spencer’s eyebrows raised as his head nodded up and down.

Spencer Burke: That’s a fair question…

Chris Madison: I’ll tell you where she was. Savannah was tucked away in Izzy Anders’ locker room! Tonight’s agenda just didn’t have her in the cards so she had to ride the pine while Izzy did her own thing. Bet if Izzy planned on getting into it physically with Johnny Karma you would have seen Savannah show her face tonight.

Spencer Burke: Don’t you think you’re exaggerating this relationship just a bit?

Chris Madison: No. Tonight should have been about Savannah. Tonight she should have been out here bragging about how she overcame the surprise of me being Johnny Karma’s mystery partner and pinned the number one contender to the Undisputed Championship. Instead, nowhere to be found. Hope Savannah gets permission from Izzy to come down to that ring at All-Star Showdown, so I can end this charade of her being the top threat to my championship belt and we can all move on and find a viable contender!

Madison turns once again, this time he walks away and leaves Spencer Burke to himself as the AfterBurn feed cuts away.