Vertigo (06.23.18)

[FGA Office]

Vertigo returns from the commercial break to the sight of Spencer Burke stood somewhere backstage, microphone in hand.

Spencer Burke: Ladies and gentlemen, joining me at this time... the team of Neal Durden and the FGA Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, Lowri Moss… Pendragon!

The camera pans out, and the audience respond with a loud cheer, as the Welsh grapplers come into view, both of whom are dressed in their respective ring attire and Pendragon t-shirts, while Lowri has her championship belt draped over her left shoulder.

Spencer Burke: Later on tonight, the two of you will do battle with the Reapers in Pride, in a match that will see the crowning of the inaugural United States Tag Team Champions. What’s your mindset, heading into this momentous occasion?

Neal looks at Lowri, as if to see if she has anything to say before he opens his mouth like the impatient bastard that he is. When he sees she has nothing to say and in fact is letting him take the first word, he smiles, like a child on Christmas morning.

Neal Durden: To be quite honest with you, I feel ready for the challenge ahead. Yes, I know this is the first true chance Lowri and I have to become tag team champions in the time we have been together as partners. Yes, I know RIP are two tough as nails competitors. But I want this… I want this just as much as Lowri wanted that piece of gold draped over her shoulder; I want this just as much as Macdonald wants to beat Flashpoint. So, what’s my mindset… simple really, I want that gold.

His response to Spencer’s question, not beating around the bush, draws a wry smile from Lowri.

Lowri Moss: I suppose that has been our mindset, or at least our goal, from the outset of the tournament. When our esteemed general manager made the announcement last month that Vertigo was going to have its own brand exclusive tag team titles, I’m sure a lot of people probably thought that it was simply intended as a way for the Good Guys to get more gold in their possession. But Neal and I had other ideas - we wanted those belts. We dealt with The Keisters. We overcame Evan and Ricky.

Her smile broadens slightly, as she recalls her and Neal’s victory two weeks ago in the semifinals.

Lowri Moss: “Basic fundamentals can still get the job done.”

After quoting a tweet of Chandler Scott’s, Lowri gives a wink, before continuing.

Lowri Moss: Now it’s the Reapers in Pride that stand in our way of becoming the first ever United States Tag Team Champions. Of the eight teams that started the tournament, it’s just us and them left - they’re all that stand between us and making FGA history, as well our own personal history. And we haven’t come all this way just to lose in the final.

Spencer Burke: How confident are you then about your chances of defeating the Reapers in Pride?

Neal taps on Lowri’s shoulder, as if to say “I got this,” and proceeds to answer Spencer’s question.

Neal Durden: How confident are we about our chances? Well, we’re very confident. Of course, we don’t sleep on them. We know they’re dangerous, they have practically swept the tag team division on Vertigo since their arrival. They have experience together and know just how to bend the rules and not get caught doing it.

A half smile appears on Neal’s face as he looks directly at the camera and continues.

Neal Durden: But we have something they don’t…

Neal taps on his chest.

Neal Durden: We have the heart of champions. We don’t give up easily. How many times have other teams said they’re going to maim us, to take us out, to prove we’re nothing more than meddling kids… and yet, here we are in the finals for the FGA US tag team titles. On the verge of making history as the first to hold those titles, and Lowri as the first since Cordy to hold a singles and a tag title within FGA.

A small chuckle escaped him as he continued.

Neal Durden: Our opponents might be favoured due to the way they have been performing lately, but if our last match showed anything, it’s that we can scratch and claw our way to victory… and that’s something I’m not sure our opponents are completely prepared for.

Lowri Moss: Plus, we haven’t forgotten what happened two months ago, when the Reapers in Pride chose to involve themselves in a match of ours, by attacking both us and Firing Squad. We still owe Perello and McKnight for that one, and I can’t think of a better way for us to get retribution, than by defeating them in the the final of the tournament, to claim the United States tag team titles for ourselves.

Lowri looks to Neal, who nods in agreement.

Spencer Burke: Lowri, I want to pick up on something that Neal just mentioned.

She turns her attention back towards Spencer, ready and eager to hear what he has to say.

Spencer Burke: In addition to you and Neal having the opportunity to be the first ever United States Tag Team Champions, tonight you could become only the second double champion in FGA history, after Cordy Stevenson. What would accomplishing that feat mean to you?

Lowri takes a breath, as she contemplates the magnitude of what she could possibly be about to achieve.

Lowri Moss: Well, I would be lying if I said it was something I hadn’t thought about.

She pauses momentarily, before continuing.

Lowri Moss: I remember speaking to you a few months ago, Spencer... I think it was following a tag match Neal and I had been in, a couple of weeks or so after I had finally gotten my hands on this.

Lowri glances down at the belt that is resting on her shoulder, and then looks back to Spencer.

Lowri Moss: During that interview, the subject of me possibly becoming a double champion in FGA was brought up, and I believe I said that I didn't think it was a realistic target. Which at the time, I genuinely didn't think it was: back then, the only way I could see us potentially getting a tag team title match was if we were to win this year's Dynamic Duos tournament. As well as that, I also would've needed to remain Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion at least until we got our match for the tag titles, and... it all just seemed like it probably would've been too much to ask. Not that we wouldn't have given it our best shot though, of course.

She stops to take another breath.

Lowri Moss: But here I am now. Here we are. One win away from Neal and I being the United States Tag Team Champions. One win away from me joining Cordy in the FGA history books. And that would certainly be some illustrious company for me to be in. But you know what, Spencer? As much as this title means to me...

Lowri runs a finger over the faceplate of the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship.

Lowri Moss: As proud as I am to be the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion, I would be willing to give it up - if I had to - to win tag team gold with my best friend. Because that's the accomplishment that would mean the most to me tonight.

She looks towards Neal, gazing affectionately at her tag team partner and boyfriend, with a big smile on her face - a look that is reciprocated by Neal.

Lowri Moss: In a couple of months from now, it'll be two years since Neal and I made our pro debuts, and in that time, for one reason or another, we have been denied opportunity, after opportunity.

Three such opportunities immediately spring to mind for Lowri, and turning back to face Spencer, she holds up a finger on her right hand.

Lowri Moss: In our first match, we beat a team who three months later would go on to become the promotion's tag champs, whereas in eighteen months there, never once did we receive a shot at those titles.

She raises a second finger.

Lowri Moss: Earlier this year, in another promotion in the UK, we beat the then-tag team champions in a non-title match. However, nothing came out of that, either.

And a third finger.

Lowri Moss: But then, in March, we had earned ourselves what appeared to be a guaranteed Tag Team Championship match... only for New Kingdom PRO to close its doors just a matter of days later.

She lowers her hand. The smiling expression that Lowri's face had bore for most of the interview has now been replaced by a look of utter determination.

Lowri Moss: Tonight though, no one is going to deny us this opportunity.

Neal looks at her and there is fire in his eyes. Lowri recounting their history together as a tag team, and how close they have gotten to tag team gold only to get it stripped away from them got him to a point where his anxiety has faded and all that is left is his desire to burst into the match itself.

Neal Durden: Spencer, no matter what… tonight, we’re going to leave it all in that ring in order to earn those titles. It won’t matter what RIP throw at us, or if anyone from Flashpoint dares to interfere… Tonight! WE will walk away as the FIRST FGA UNITED STATES TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!

The Welsh duo then take their leave, to finish getting ready for their big match, and the cameras cut back to ringside.

[FGA Office]

• Singles Match •
Tyler Storm vs. Fenrys

Fenrys runs straight at Storm to start things off. Storm tries to cut him off with a clothesline. But Fenrys ducks down and goes around him. When Storm turns around, Fenrys hits him with multiple uppercuts. After bouncing into the ropes, Fenrys comes back and goes for a Rolling Elbow when Storm cuts him off with a European Uppercut that knocks him down for a two count. Storm then brings the action into the corner and hits Fenrys with multiple shoulder thrusts to the midsection. After an irish whip sends Fenrys into the opposite corner, Storm runs across the ring to attack when Fenrys knocks him back with a boot to the face. He then hoists himself up onto the middle ropes before knocking Storm down with a Shotgun Dropkick! As Storm starts to pick himself back up, Fenrys runs over to attack. But Storm ducks and dumps him over the top rope. When Fenrys lands safely on the apron, Storm turns around and knocks him off the apron with a bicycle kick! He brings Fenrys back inside and makes the cover. But he only gets a two count.

Storm stays in control with multiple knife edge chops in the corner. After Storm whips Fenrys hard into the opposite corner, Fenrys staggers out and gets flattened with a yakuza kick for a two count! A swinging neckbreaker gets another two count. Storm then throws out a scissors kick. But Fenrys slips out of the way and counters with a Lungblower! He follows up with a Rear Shining Wizard for a two count! A pulling backbreaker, followed by a standing senton also gets a two count. Fenrys then goes for a running bulldog when Storm shoves him off into the ropes. When Fenrys returns, he knocks Storm down with a corkscrew enzuigiri for two! After Storm comes back from an irish whip, Fenrys goes or a hurricanrana. But Storm catches him in mid air and counters with a Buckle Bomb! After Fenrys bounces out of the corner, Storm throws him down with a Backdrop Driver for a two count!

As the match continues, Storm has Fenrys set up for the Bite Wound (Crucifix Cutter) when Fenrys slips down from behind and counters with a falling reverse DDT for a two count! He throws out Loki’s Wrath (bicycle knee strike). But Storm slips out of the way, grabs him from behind and throws him down with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count! An irish whip is reversed, sending Storm into the ropes. When he returns, Fenrys leapfrogs over him. Storm then continues to run the ropes. When Fenrys turns around, Storm tackles him down with a spear! He then pulls Fenrys back up and lifts him up onto his shoulders. Fenrys reaches out for the ropes. But he’s too far. Storm then throws him down hard with an Alabama Slam! After turning Fenrys over into the prone position, Storm gets down and applies the Tiger’s Cage (double underhook  crossface). The ref asks Fenrys if he wants to give up. Fenrys feverishly nods is head ‘yes’. The crowd cheers when the ref calls for the bell!

Tyler Storm O || Tiger’s Cage (9:14) || Fenrys X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The voices of our commentators carry over as we cut to the back, where our cameraman makes his way down the backstage corridors, looking in every which way, clearly in search of someone in particular.

Kris Cruise: A little later tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we have a handicap main event featuring our very own… “Chief” as the special guest referee. Before the show, we had Spencer Burke on a personal mission to track down Kol, Ricky Valero, and Evan Envi and get into their heads.

Stephy Auger: Why just them?!

Kris Cruise: Excuse me?

Stephy Auger: Why just Kol and the Good Guys? It’s not like this is a three-on-one match, Cruise! Evan Envi is the official! He has a duty to uphold, and he wouldn’t sacrifice the dignity of the black-and-white stripes! Especially not in the presence of one of the contenders to his Undisputed Championship!

Kris Cruise: ...I’m not sure I can stomach much more of this.

Stephy Auger: Oh, shut up! Look!

The camera man stops in front of a door that’s just partially wedged open. A hand reaches up into the frame and pushes open the door. Spencer Burke moves into frame, giving the camera man a nod before stepping into the locker room and clearing his throat. The door swings open, giving view to Evan Envi and Ricky Valero of the Good Guys. They turn toward Burke with looks of annoyance… and to their right sits Kol, earning a chorus of boos all of his own as he raises a brow at the intruding interviewer.

Ricky Valero: Did you hear a knock?

Evan Envi: I didn’t.

Spencer Burke: Evan, Ricky, Kol. Just wanted to get some thoughts from you guys before tonight’s--

Evan Envi: You might have treated the old Evan like this, but you’re not gonna treat an UNDISPUTED CHAMPION like this. Not in front of his peers, Spencer.

Spencer Burke: But--

Evan Envi: No. You see-- THIS is exactly what Team Vertigo doesn’t need. What if it wasn’t just us three? What if this was Kol and Ricky and the entirety of Team Vertigo going over important strategy that you would’ve just exposed to the entire world?! Huh? What’s wrong with you? What if I was in here talking to the Lord himself about the things I want pre-emptive forgiveness for when it comes to-- to Johnny Karma? Huh? What if? Do you even think?

Spencer Burke: Well, speaking of Johnny Karma, I wanted to let you kn--

Evan Envi: No! I’m done. YOU’RE done. Get out. Get out!

Spencer Burke: But I think you sh--

Evan Envi: LEAVE!

Ricky Valero: Right now!

Spencer Burke looks to Kol, as if for support, but Kol narrows his eyes at the interviewer, clearly unamused with the ongoings around him. Spencer nods and steps out of the locker room with the camera man following behind him-- only for the door to be swiftly shut. Spencer sighs into the lens and shrugs as we fade.

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

• Singles Match •
Molly Reid vs. Marlon Cure

Cure knocks down Reid with a Rolling Koppu Kick in the opening moments of the match! After dropping Reid with a Facebreaker DDT, Cure heads out onto the apron, ropewalks halfway across the top rope and goes for the Reign Storm (630 Senton)! But Reid gets her knees up! After Cure bounces off her knees, Reid pulls herself back up. She waits impatiently for Cure to get in position. Once Cure turns around, Reid throws out the Molly Kick (superkick)! But Cure drops to his back before rolling to the outside. The crowd boos while Cure takes a breather on the outside. But Reid isn’t about to let up. So she runs into the far ropes. When Cure turns around, Reid leaps over the top rope and takes him out with a suicide dive! She brings Cure back inside and makes the cover. But Cure kicks out at two.

Reid sends Cure into the corner with an irish whip. She then goes for a handspring elbow when Cure swats her down with a clothesline from behind. He follows up with a Deadlift German Suplex into the turnbuckles for a two count! Cure presses Reid against the ropes and lights up her chest with knife edge chops. After shooting her into the far ropes, Cure throws out a Rolling Elbow when Reid ducks. When Cure turns around, he gets knocked down by a handspring pelé kick! Cure starts to get back up. But he gets knocked back down with a flying chuck kick for a two count! Cure then reverses an irish whip, sending Reid into the ropes. When she returns, Cure sets up for a back body drop. But Reid counters with a sunset flip powerbomb for a two count!

As the match continues, Reid knocks Cure backwards into the corner with punches to the face. She then unleashes a flurry of punches, kicks, knees and elbows! After Cure is shot into the opposite corner, Reid runs across the ring and connects with a handspring elbow into the corner! She then heads into the far ropes, comes back and knocks Cure out of the corner with a corner dropkick for a two count! After a spinning back kick doubles Cure over, a shoot kick to the back of the thigh drops him to a knee. From there, Reid cracks him across the head with an Axe Kick for another two count! Reid then goes for a Springboard DDT when Cure knocks her out of the air with a dropsault! He follows up with Harvin’s Revenge (Michinoku Driver II) for a two count! A bridging northern lights suplex also gets a two count.

In minute eight, a running headscissors takedown sends Reid rolling to the outside. As she starts to pick herself back up, Cure heads into the fair ropes. When he returns, he leaps off the top rope and takes Reid out with The Sky Is The Limit (Springboard Shooting Star Press)! Cure brings Reid back inside and follows up with a topé atomico for a two count. He then applies a grounded abdominal stretch. When Reid doesn’t get up, he transitions into a fujiwara armbar. King Cure fights for the submission. But again, Reid won’t tap out. With the crowd solidly behind her, Reid scratches and claws her way towards the side of the ring before eventually reaching out to grab the bottom rope! Once the rope break has been initiated, Cure returns to his feet and puts the boots to Reid. He then drags Reid back towards the center of the ring, pulls her up and lifts her onto his his shoulder for The Blackout (fireman’s carry dropped into an overhead kick)! But Reid blocks with multiple elbows to the side of the head. She then slips down from behind and shoves him into the ropes. When Cure returns, Reid hits him with a spinning backfist, followed by a spinning back elbow, followed by That’s Using Your Face (double knee facebreaker)! She makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Cure gets his shoulder up.

As the match continues, Reid brings Cure down with a leg lariat! She then follows up with a Rolling Thunder into a Somersault Senton for a two count! After sending Cure flipping down to the mat with a step-up enzuigiri, Reid heads into the corner and scales to the top turnbuckle. When Cure gets to a vertical base, Reid flips off and knocks him down with a corkscrew moonsault for a two count! She then plants him with a Springboard DDT for another two count! After a single leg dropkick drops Cure, Reid heads back out onto the apron. Once Cure gets back to his feet and turns around, Reid goes for a springboard Superman Punch when Cure runs over, leaps into the air, grabs her, flips and counters with The Moment of Clarity (Running Spanish Fly)! Cure then delivers an irish whip, follows Reid into the corner and connects with a Rolling Elbow! He then pulls Reid from out of the corner before bringing her down with a Ripcord Slingblade! While Reid is sprawled out on the mat, Cure heads into the corner, climbs to the top, rope walks halfway across the top rope, flips off and connects with the Reign Storm for the One, Two, Three!

Molly Reid X || Reign Fall (16:30) || Marlon Cure O

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

HEADLINE
United States Tag Team Championship Tournament (Finals)
Reapers in Pride vs. Pendragon

The match begins with Moss and Perello starting things off for their respective teams. Perello tries to close the distance on the reigning Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. But Moss continues to keep her distance from the much larger Perello. While Moss continues to play keep away, the crowd boos when McKnight gets in and knocks her down from behind with a double ax handle across the back! Perello then rushes over and puts the boots to her. The VP of RIP then brings Moss into the corner and unleashes a ballistic combination of rights and lefts to the body. He then applies a font choke, which he breaks up when the ref’s count reaches ‘four’. He then applies a foot choke while pulling down on the top rope. After breaking the illegal hold, he sends Moss into the RIP corner with an irish whip. Perello rushes in to attack when Moss knocks him back with a back elbow to the face. Perello runs back over to attack. This time, Moss knocks him back with a boot to the face. She then turns and hits McKnight with a back elbow. Moss turns back to Perello and hits another back elbow. When she turns back to McKnight, McKnight grabs her by the back of the neck and pulls down while dropping off the apron. The crowd boos as Moss bounces off the top rope and drops to the floor and after getting a hangman!

Tag in to McKnight, who puts the boots to Moss. McKnight slams her face-first into the corner before delivering multiple back elbows. After a hard irish whip sends her into the opposite corner, Moss staggers away from the turnbuckles. McKnight goes to take her head off with a lariat when she ducks. When McKnight turns around, Moss brings him down with an arm drag and transitions into an armbar. After McKnight battles back to a vertical base, he shoves Moss off into the ropes. When she returns, she slides through McKnight’s legs. When McKnight turns around, Moss knocks him back with a dropkick. Another dropkicks McKnight further back. After a third dropkick knocks McKnight into the ropes, Moss heads into the far ropes. When she returns, she goes for a crossbody block that will send them both over the top rope and to the floor. But McKnight catches her in mid air. McKnight walks with her around the ring until Durden leaps off the top rope and connects with a missile dropkick, knocking Moss down on top of McKnight for the cover! But McKnight kicks out at two.

After delivering an arm wrench, Moss tags out to Durden. Durden takes control of the arm and delivers an arm wrench of his own before shooting McKnight into the ropes. When McKnight returns, Durden knocks him down with a spinning heel kick for a two count. After an irish whip sends McKnight into the corner, Durden rushes over and connects with a running arched big boot. He then sends McKnight across the ring into the Pendragon corner with an irish whip. Durden then heads across the ring and goes for a handspring back elbow when McKnight catches him in mid air. He then walks out of the corner and goes for a German Suplex into the turnbuckles. But Durden’s able to rotate in the air and land on the middle ropes. When McKnight gets back to his feet, Durden brings him down with a diving headscissors. He then rushes over and executes a running hurricanrana, sending McKnight through the ropes and to the floor. Durden waves his arms up and down to hype up the crowd before taking off into the far ropes. The cheers turn to boos when Perello knees him in the back! Durden winces and holds his back before following up with an enzuigiri that knocks Perello off the apron. When Durden returns to his feet, he runs across the ring, flips over the top rope and knocks McKnight down with a topé con giro! He then rolls back in, runs across the ring, hurls himself over the top rope and takes out Perello with a somersault plancha! Moss then scales to the top turnbuckle, turns around on top and crouches down as Durden rolls back in. He then runs into the adjacent corner, springboards onto the top turnbuckle with no hands, flips off and knocks McKnight down with a moonsault! Moss then stands up on the top turnbuckle and flips off, knocking Perello back down with a moonsault of her own! Durden brings McKnight back inside and makes the cover. But he only gets a two count.

Tag is made out to Moss in minute nine. The Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion brings him down with a russian leg sweep for a two count. She brings McKnight back to his feet and goes for a headbutt. But the headbutt hurts Moss while it has zero effect on McKnight. McKnight then grabs Moss and delivers the Blood Rush (10 headbutts, followed by a Jumping Cutter)! He makes the cover, but Moss gets her shoulder up at two. After moving Moss into the corner, McKnight delivers Muay Thai strikes to the body from the clinch. He then hurls Moss from out of the corner and to the center of the ring. The Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion arches her back in pain. As she slwoly picks herself back up, McKnight charges out of the corner and throws her down with an STO for a two count!

A tag is made to Perello, who gets in and helps McKnight put the boots to Moss. RIP then deliver a double suplex for a two count! After McKnight is tagged back in, RIP knock Moss down with the East Side Clap (bearhug/jumping hook kick combo) for another two count! Perello is tagged back in. After Perello delivers a backbreaker, he holds Moss in place while McKnight delivers a diving knee off the middle rope! He makes the cover. But Durden breaks up the pin at two! Perello then sits up Moss and applies a neck crank. The ref asks Moss if she wants to give up. But she refuses. Perello positions Moss right in front of Durden so he can see the agony on her face. The capacity crowd begins to rally behind the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion. After battling back to a vertical base, Moss nails Perello with multiple elbows to the midsection. She then runs towards the far ropes. As soon as she bounces into the ropes, Perello rushes over and doubles her over with a knee to the midsection! He then throws her across the ring with an overhead belly to belly suplex! Perello heads over and hurls Moss across the ring with another overhead belly to belly! After a Buckle Bomb into the corner, Perello throws Moss down with a T-Bone Suplex! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Moss gets her shoulder up!

The match continues as Moss hits Perello with multiple right hands to the midsection. She then turns and hits the ropes. But McKnight swings over and kicks her in the back of the head! While Moss staggers away from the ropes, Perello flattens her with a running big boot! He makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Moss gets her shoulder up! Perello then pulls Moss up by the wrist before throwing out a short-arm lariat. But Moss ducks and counters with a Crucifix Driver! Durden begins to slap the top turnbuckle while Moss turns over and crawls across the ring. Durden can be seen frantically waving Moss over as the Mid-Atlantic Legacy Champion continues to scratch and claw her way across the canvas. Moss continues to pull herself towards the Pendragon corner as Durden jumps up and down. She’s about to make the tag when Durden is blindsided by a running yakuza kick from McKnight, knocking him off the apron and to the floor! McKnight then pulls up Moss and throws out Deep Sleeper (powerful overhand elbow strike with captivating hip movement) when Moss ducks and counters with a springboard enzuigiri! After McKnight drops to a knee, Moss turns over and dives into the corner. But she’s not able to make the tag as Durden is still down on the outside. After Moss pulls herself up in the corner and turns around, Perello nails her with a European Uppercut! The VP of RIP moves out of the way so McKnight can hit a corner yakuza kick! He then shoves Moss over towards Perello, who brings her down with the Ground Rule (freefall flapjack into a European Uppercut)! Perello makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THRE-NO! Durden dives through the ropes and breaks up the pin!!!

McKnight heads over and puts the boots to Durden in minute eighteen. After Perello returns to his feet, he stomps away on Durden as well. RIP then yank him up off the mat before sending him into the ropes. When Durden returns, RIP throws him down hard with a double spinebuster! McKnight then takes Durden and chucks him through the ropes and to the floor. Back inside, Moss is whipped into the corner. Perello rushes in to attack when Moss catches him with a back elbow to the face before knocking him back with a rope-assisted enzuigiri. McKnight then rushes over to attack when Moss turns him around with a boot to the face. She quickly hoists herself up onto the middle ropes before bringing him down with a Diamond Dust! She makes the cover on McKnight, but he’s not the legal man. Perello then dives over and delivers clubbing strikes across the back! After Moss is tossed through the ropes and to the apron, Perello goes to pull her up when she doubles him over with two shoulder thrusts through the ropes. Moss then executes a sunset flip. The crowd cheers as Perello is teetering. He swings his arms wildly to try and regain his balance. Once he does, he reaches down, grabs Moss by the neck with both hands and yanks her back to his feet. He goes for another overhead belly to belly when Moss counters with a bell clap to the ears! After a sitout jawbreaker sends Perello staggering back, the VP of RIP drops down to a knee. Moss then runs over and knocks him down with a Shining Wizard! She makes the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! McKnight dives over and shoves Moss off of Perello!

The match continues as McKnight shoots Moss into the ropes. Durden reaches up and makes the blind tag on the back of Moss’ calf. When Moss returns, McKnight doubles her over with a kick to the midsection. He positions Moss for a Powerbomb when Durden brings him down with a Sling Blade! Moss then sits down on the top turnbuckle while Durden drags McKnight into position. Durden then climbs up and goes for the aided hurricanrana somersault leg drop. But as Moss flips off the top turnbuckle, Perello catches her in mid air across his shoulders! Once Durden gets to his feet and turns around, he Buckle Bombs Moss into him! Perello then brings them both of the corner and bashes their heads together with a Double Noggin Knocker! While Pendragon is dazed, Perello heads into the far ropes. When he returns, Pendragon brings him down with a double flapjack! After Durden pulls Perello up, he hooks Perello’s arms from behind. Pendragon then goes for That Move (superkick/Tiger Suplex Combo) when McKnight comes out of nowhere and catches Moss’ foot. Moss then counters with an enzuigiri. While the ref isn’t looking, Perello low blows Durden with a mule kick! Moss then goes over to throw out a punch when Perello blocks and counter with a flurry of body blows followed by a jumping twisting uppercut! He then positions Moss for Your Tragic Ending (Pedigree) when Durden comes out of nowhere and connects with a springboard roundhouse kick, knocking him down! They then turn and connect with a double superkick, knocking McKnight through the ropes and onto the apron. Durden heads over, picks up Perello and lifts him up onto his shoulders before delivering Nirvana's Fall (fireman’s carry dropped into an Overhead Kick). After Perello drops down to a knee, Pendragon run into opposite sets of ropes. When they return, the crowd explodes with cheers when they connect with Dewin Ddraig Gleiniog (Double Shining Wizard)! Moss makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THREE!

NEW CHAMPIONS!!!
Pendragon O || Dewin Ddraig Gleiniog (27:04) || Reapers in Pride X

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

The Crimson Baroness: I remember a time, back when I was training to become a wrestler, back when I used to hear the name Malcolm Drake spoke in hushed tones...

[The familiar drumming of the opening to Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” booms from silence.]

”Listen to the wind blow, watch the sun rise
Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies"

[The scene transitions to The Crimson Baroness; she’s sitting in an interview chair, dressed in her ring attire. Her legs crossed, hands resting on one knee as she talks.]

The Crimson Baroness: ...whether it was Dommy talking about his days in The Murder; when the three of them ran rampant through FGA, carving a path of destruction through the tag division and all the way to the FGA Championship. Or from Chris and the other trainers at LDFC, telling me about the wars he’s been through.

[There’s a moment of hesitation as TCB switches legs.]

The Crimson Baroness: People...they never spoke of Chris in the same way, did they? Throughout his battles against people like Dom Harter, Savannah Taylor, Luke Jackson, or Chris Q, God rest his soul. Or even when he won a fatal fourway match against Michael Tomkins, Andreas Lasiewicz, and Michael Hopkins. When he became the first two time FGA Pride Champion…

[She shakes her head.]

The Crimson Baroness: They never took the time to appreciate him. What he could do, what he did. As he helped to build FGA into the promotion that it is today. For twenty years now my husband has left pieces of himself in that ring. Putting on matches that these fans should remember for the rest of their lives. But what do they do? They care more for the flavor of the months…

[TCB tuts and rolls her eyes, pausing for a moment as she thinks of what to say next.]

The Crimson Baroness: They let some like Malcolm Drake develop a cult of personality around themselves, feeding off his every word. They let people like Jimmy Page or Johnny Karma ascend to the top. They watch as people like Yun Goeun, Neon, Julian Tijerina...Blake Rogers...get given title opportunities. But I promise you, after Glory Road, you’ll remember what Chris Bond can do for the rest of your life. As he brings down the man, the myth, the legend. You’ll speak of Chris Bond in the same reverence as the rest of your idols, as he finally takes his rightful place as a bonafide legend in this business…

[Darkness. The song picking up again.]

”And if, you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain)”

”And if, you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain)”

[The scene opens up to Jimmy Page sitting down in front of a black background looking at an interviewer off-screen. He scratches the side of his nose and contemplates for a moment.]

Jimmy Page: Malcolm and Bond are foundations in FGA. LIke they helped build this thing from the ground up. Two vets in this business who have had...two separate stories breaking in and making a name for themselves here. When I think of Drake, he’s been the guy who shaped this...enigmatic aura...so to speak that I wish I had. He’s unpredictable, I guess that’s why he helped me a couple of months back because he wanted to see the surprise on Dom’s face when he returned.

Jimmy Page: You don’t know what the Hell he’s thinking, and most people don’t want to pick at his head. That’s what makes this match so interesting, because he’s only showing you pieces of what he is. Chris has to worry about the entire picture. And not for nothin’, Bond’s pretty good. He’s a bit of a prick, but the guy’s old school. He doesn’t pull back, he doesn’t apologize, he understands the business and that’s what makes him what he is. He had his hand in teaching new wrestlers back when FGA had it’s Lion’s Den developmental territory two years ago. He’s forgotten more about wrestling and the in’s and out’s of it than most guys in the locker room will ever know.

Jimmy Page: Still don’t like’em though, still think he’s going about his mid-life crisis in a way that seems desperate. He wants to go down in a blaze of glory, he’s going to picking a fight with Drake. Drake finishes what he starts. And he’s gonna try and close this chapter on this rivalry between the two. Maybe that might be his downfall for overlooking Bond, who knows really? But at the end of the day, this thing is gonna boil over. All we can do is just watch honestly…

[The camera zooms in on Page’s face, his grizzled mane and stubbled face fading out to reveal the Crimson Baroness walking down a hall, being tormented by Malcolm Drake. Her running from fear to a shot of Chris storming out, looking for Drake, to the a close up of Drake dropping the Baroness on the ramp with a variation of Bond’s finisher at Only the Strong Survive, much to Bond’s horror.]

”Listen to the wind blow, down comes the night
Running in the shadows, damn your love, damn your lies
Break the silence, damn the dark, damn the light”

[We then get a quick shot of Seth Iser as it looks as if he is in a studio setting as he is sitting on a chair dressed in a suit.]

Seth Iser: I’ll keep this simple since I was asked for my opinion here. Personally I hope Chris Bond wins because Malcolm Drake is a lunatic but...professionally you have a very interesting match up here between the two of them. I’ll start with Chris and first thing that stands out when you see him in the ring is his experience. What does that experience mean? He gets the most out of every little move. We all know what leverage is in the sport...Chris’s experience means he knows how to truly maximize it. Like everyone knows how to put on an arm ringer. Chris’ll put his knee to the shoulder to bend your arm back that little bit further and know where to put his hands to get that extra ten pounds of leverage. The other is he will just stand up and punch you in the damn mouth. Win lose or draw you’re going to be sore the next day because you were in the ring with Chris Bond. Just there is a pair of tradeoffs for this. One is that bulky brace on his right knee is essentially a bullseye for any wrestler looking to aim for a victory. The other...I learned this in the fatal four way personally and that’s his temper. You find a way to weaponize his temper against him...he’s going to be far more into the business of maiming you than trying to beat you. And you can see where that can be a problem.

[There’s a pause as you can see a flash of Chris’s highlights showing a particular emphasis on what Iser means about leverage before you cut back to Seth.]

Seth Iser: Now for Malcolm Drake...is the fact that he’s such an unpredictable individual that he could jump off of a cage to try to get a piece of you or come through the crowd...under the ring. Hell...he might mug you in a damn store if he’s determined enough to get after you. That means especially in a hardcore situation where your imagination is your only limit...you can’t really prepare for what he can do. He could dive off the top rope with anything in an effort to hurt you. There’s also tradeoffs for that. First as we saw just recently...he ignored a match with Piper just to get after Chris. In a way they share this weakness even if it takes a different form. That kind of emotion and tunnel vision it can create. And secondly sometimes you can only do so much to try to make up for what you have. Wrestling has a reputation of being a land of the giants at times even with this wave of hardcore and junior heavyweight stuff coming in but when you’re 5’9 and 190...well...it’s a hell’va lot harder in a traditional sense to go in there and trade fists and you can’t do certain moves against most people just because of weight and leverage.

[You can see the various highlights of Drake play off now highlighted by that spectacular elbow drop against Dom Harter at A New Odyssey.]

Seth Iser: Professionally you have an interesting match up with some similarities and differences. Personally? I hope Chris Bond kicks Malcolm Drake’s ass.

”And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain)”

[Former FGA champion Sean Sands is seen sitting in the interview room, dressed in a casual suit as he smiles.]

Sean Sands: If you had asked me if I thought that Malcolm Drake and Chris Bond would be going to war in 2018, I wouldn’t have been surprised. If you had told me that Chris Bond is the disliked one though? I’d have never guessed this 4 years ago.

[Sean chuckles.]

Sean Sands: It’s funny how much time can change, especially when it comes to people. This war that they’ve got going has had many casualties, but it’s tough to care about that when you hate the man across the ring from you.

[Sands leans back in his seat.]

Sean Sands: Despite our differences, I can admit Chris Bond is very talented in the ring. Smart as hell too when it comes to that squared circle. But he relies too much on something else to help him out most times. He gets too complacent and he gets beat. He looks for shortcuts and he gets beat. The biggest problem Bond has is himself.

[The former champion moves around a bit in his seat.]

Sean Sands: Malcolm Drake, on the other hand, is a different animal. Smart and very good at what he does, yes. But he’s a lot more dangerous. Always has and always will be. He’s very good at getting in your head and building a nice camp up there. However, he’s got his weaknesses too. He sometimes lets his bloodlust overrun everything else and that’s possibly when you can take the most advantage against him, especially if you know how to, like Bond.

[Sean shrugs.]

Sean Sands: These two hate each other and are willing to do terrible things to one another, so I’m not shocked at whatever happens.

”And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain)”

[The camera pans from Sean Sands’ smirk to that of what appears to be a YouTube channel, or something similar, courtesy of an old familiar face… Bob Pooler.]

Bob Pooler: Ladies, gentlemen and assorted gender fluid patrons, tonight I sit before you a man waiting for a queue to pop so that I can get into this raid. Alas, we seem one tank short of a full team so instead … I vamp”

[He says with a smile as he adjusts the headphones over his ears.]

Bob Pooler: Now, ordinarily I’d be sitting here talking about whoever the flavor of the month is that’s hell bent on ‘comin’ for ma Strong Style title’, but something else caught my eye. Seems that there’s still a bit of blood pumping through the veins over in Frontier-land and a few of you reached out to let me know that there was an upcoming match that I should try and catch.

He leans forward, the smirk on his face widening into a full smile as a tendril of hair falls from beneath his backwards hat.

Bob Pooler: Malcolm Drake versus Christopher Bond

[He says with exuberance, the hair now dancing as his eyebrows raise and lower excitedly.]

Bob Pooler: Now, I’ve taken a few too many chair shots in my days, but I don’t remember the last time these guys faced each other, if ever there was a time. I mean.

He laughs.

Bob Pooler: For a pair of guys who’ve danced around the same small company for years, how’ve they NOT done this before? I dunno; but what I do know,.

He winks

Bob Pooler: Is that this is going to be a match for the ages. See, if there was anybody out there who knew these guys better …

He pauses, his eyes darting skyward as he comes to the sudden realization.

Bob Pooler: Well, I s’pose Harter knows Drake about as well as I do … but nobody knows Bond like me.

Chris Bond and Bob Pooler go back to a time in professional wrestling when it was about the wrestling. There were no vampires, demons, or Super Mario Wrestling Bros. This sport was pure and simply two guys beating the holy hell out of each other until one of ‘em couldn’t do it anymore. More times than not,.

He chuckles.

Bob Pooler: Bond was the one getting his arm raised in that ring; on more than one occasion against me as well. Thing is, all you guys asking me who I think is gonna go over in this match? Well, seeing as how I don’t have a horse in this race I’ve got no problem throwing a random prediction your way.

He settles back in his chair, pulling the earphones off his head for a moment to adjust his hair back beneath his hat before replacing them. He takes a deep breath for a quick second before exhaling it out in force through his nose.

Bob Pooler: So Malcolm Drake – you guys already know that Drake and I ran together during my time in FGA. We were the predominant faction in that company and owned the tag titles. The Murder rolled over everyone that stood in our way. In the end.

He says with a shrug.

Bob Pooler: Only thing that stopped us was our own apathy. Drake got hurt, or peaced out, I don’t even remember; Harter? He, uh...

He pauses long enough to scratch his chin.

Bob Pooler: I haven’t got a clue what happened there. But I do know that whatever the reason, the three of us just faded out of FGA. I got my release and haven’t really looked back. See...

He laughs.

Bob Pooler: I guess when push came to shove I was never the ‘company man’ like Bond’s always been. That...

He says pointedly.

Bob Pooler: Is one of his strengths. Dude has always been able to dig deep and do whatever he could to come out with the win – of course that’s always been one of his weaknesses too. I’ve known Chris for damn near a decade and in all that time he’s never … never backed down from a fight. No matter how much bigger, badder, and meaner the other guy was – Bondo kept going. Probably what led to that knee of his getting blown out before it should have. Guys like him, the have a definite shelf life, but guys like Malcolm – with egos that big? They burn out even quicker. Hell, Mal isn’t the first guy to shine too bright before fading away. Anybody in the stream remember Chris Q?”

He stops to read the chat as it lights up with a flurry of activity at the mention of the former FGA superstar.

Bob Pooler: Yeah, guy had the world at his fingertips and then one day, poof!

Bob Pooler: So a winner, eh?.

He says with a half hazard shrug.

Bob Pooler: I’m going to go with Bondo because even though I know Malcolm will do anything to pull out a win, Chris just has lived with a horseshoe up his butt for the last several years. Guy is going to find an opening and then plant Drake for the one … two … three! Either way...

He says with a sly wink to the webcam.

Bob Pooler: I wish ‘em both the best of luck, and may the better man win!

[We cut from Pooler’s face, mid-game face, and to Vertigo 55, where clips of Bond being informed he was suspended for the night, to he and the Baroness taking a seat at ringside, to Drake’s scheduled match for the night, and all hell breaking loose as Drake flies over the top rope and crashing down upon the two of them. A quick cut to a slow-motion shot of Drake flying through the air and into Bond and the Baroness, popcorn and fans scattering. Then a quick cut back to their brawl, Bond being speared through the guard rail, and loads of security separating the two.]

”And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain)”

[We cut to a black screen. Silence, as the song stops… and the deep, raspy voice of the Battle-Hardened Veteran, Chris Bond, sounds across the airwaves.]

Chris Bond: I am a man.

He starts, coldly and calmly. Sitting on a steel chair in the middle of the ring, Chris Bond is at the center of a dark, empty arena.

Chris Bond: I am a man, and this is my life. I eat. I sleep. I breathe. I bleed. I cry. I hurt and I pain for this. This ring, is where I feel most at home. This arena is my church. The screams of happiness and agony that echo throughout this hallowed chamber… those are the hymns of my faith.

He stops, tilting his head for a moment and looking up just barely, his left eyebrow arched for a moment.

Chris Bond: I don’t believe in talking snakes. I don’t believe in the creation of man. Good or evil. Isaac, Abraham, Paul, Judas, or Jesus himself. I believe in the tangible things, the things I can touch, I can feel… I breathe, see, or taste. I believe in… these.

Bond looks down at his hands, raising both up, and staring at the wrinkles of time, scars, and scabs that this this business, and his life, have taken a toll upon.

Chris Bond: These hands, have made me famous. These hands have won me titles. These hands… have cost me opportunities in life, in glory… and in love.

He drops his hands and places them atop his legs.

Chris Bond: I have been kicked and prodded and beaten up and down this country, across the pond, and over the world. I have had my dances with glory and laid in bed with failure. My career isn’t gilded with happiness… and greatness. I am no idol. I am no God. I am… but a man.

Bond stops, tearing up as he discusses his career. He looks down, and takes his right thumb and traces at the slight peak of the scar atop his knee.

Chris Bond: I am well aware of my mortality. I have met my weaknesses head on. The booze, the pills, my body and my mind… and I am well aware that out of all my shortcomings in life, my biggest adversary has and always will be… me.

He drops his head, crying out in a moment of shame before laughing a little bit in a fit of discomfort.

Chris Bond: And even though this battlefield of life has bits and pieces of me strewn all across the globe… I can’t quit. I’m not good at anything else. I gave up the bottle. I gave up the pills. I gave up the women. But I can’t give up THIS!

He shouts, standing up and kicking away the chair. His words echo throughout the empty arena, the chair making a loud racket as it smacks into the ropes before falling and sliding out and landing on the mat with a thud.

Chris Bond: I am jealous of Malcolm Drake. I envy the fact that those people cheer his name. I envy the fact that people fear his reckless behavior. I envy the fact that people root for his very presence. I envy that he could just walk away from it all… and me, I can’t. I’m stuck, forever chained to this business, this business that has built me up, broken me down, bathed in my blood and my sweat, and my tears… and Malcolm Drake was just going to walk away from it all, like none of it mattered.

A small tear rolls down his cheek. Chris quickly wipes it away and turns from the camera, looking out into the empty arena.

Chris Bond: History has a funny way of bringing two people together, Malcolm. We’ve both been dancing around this hall for ages. We’ve eaten at the same table. Slept in the same hotels. We’ve even rode in the same cars… but we’ve never really met each other one on one, have we Malcolm?

Bond looks out and waits for a reply.

Chris Bond: This war that we’re waging. It isn’t about glory. It isn’t about titles, or winning, or going down in history. No, the one thing I’ve wanted more than anything for years… has always been to be held in the same regard as people like you. People like Johnny Cannon, and Chris Q, and every other idol those people have screamed and cheered for. I was never seen as good enough to be compared to the likes of you! YOU’RE A GOD TO THEM!

He stops, and lowers his head in disbelief. He places his hands on his hips, standing in the single spotlight that shines over the ring.

Chris Bond: You are a f*cking deity of pain! And me? I’ve only ever been a footnote in the history books. I could never walk the walk, or talk the talk in their eyes. Hell, I don’t even think most of them would consider me worthy of lacing up your boots!

He stops, and lets out a quick fit of rage. Screaming out in rage and disbelief, his cries of rage and pain echo throughout his place of worship. He turns, slowly falling to the mat, stopping at his knees.

Chris Bond: I know that their words mean nothing. That their thoughts, their prayers, their concerns and their cheers mean nothing in the long run. But to be seen by others, by YOU YOURSELF as not being worthy, Malcolm… that is something you just can’t get over. Because I’ve known, even from the start that I am worthy. That you and me, we’re fucking equal. Cut from the same cloth, and this match… this dog collar match, it’s going to prove to you that you are not a god.

Chris Bond: It’s going to show them that you are not my superior. But that we are equal.

Chris Bond: You were never better than me, Malcolm. And as much as you think that you really could have walked away from it all. Men like you… Men like me… we’re forever destined to be chained to this business.”

He stops, breathing slowly, inhaling for a moment and then exhaling. His tattooed arms outstretched, like he’s sacrificing himself at the altar of his church.

Chris Bond: I am the one to show world that he, who they call a God… is nothing more than a man. One who drinks to numb the pain. One who bites and who kicks to feel anything. I am the one to show the one who thinks of himself as a God… that he bleeds just like any man. The pain is real, Malcolm. You’re not immortal. And at Glory Road, I’m going to show you your mortality by proving that you are not better than me.

[We cut back to the scene from earlier tonight, Vertigo 56, when Bond and Drake were separated by a sea of security and Asherman was reprimanding them. Reading them the riot act for behaving like starving dogs, snapping at each other over the smallest bit of food. The threat of cancelling their match, of being fired… and then a fast-forward version of everything else that has gone down. To the referee being thrown at Bond, to Drake and MacDonald exchanging words, to all havoc breaking loose. And it all culminates with…]

A darkened stairwell, lit only by the soft red glow of an EXIT sign hanging over the only way out. And under its halo, blocking the large steel door is Malcolm Drake. His bedraggled hair hanging limply over his face, mixing with the scraggly curls of his unkempt beard; piercing blue eyes staring up from between the dangling strands. Slowly, like the movement of a glacier, a smirk carves a path through the side of his mouth, raising a bearded cheek and bringing the creases of age up along his eyes.

Malcolm Drake: I WAS trying to leave.

Drake begins, his voice rising and falling with each empathetic inflexion.

Malcolm Drake: I WAS trying to do the right thing… heh… for once. I WAS trying to contain the fire, trying to make sure no one else got BURNED… but you couldn’t let me do that… could you?

Malcolm Drake: I’ve said it for months now: I want to take everything from you. I want EVERYTHING that Chris Bond has… so I can turn it to ASH. But why? Hmmm? Why? What drives me? What’s going on inside that crazy little, scruffy head of mine? You all always seem to want to know… Is Malcolm Drake just that crazy, just that DERANGED that he’d go through all this trouble, all this physical and mental anguish and torture, just because Chris Bond jumped him?

Drake’s smirk turns to a scowl.

Malcolm Drake: No.

Drake’s tone if flat, but direct. It always seems like someone else’s voice, lacking the lithe sing-song quality of his usual, extended responses.

Malcolm Drake: I’m not a man who has very much. That, as they say, is the nature… of the beast. BUT… I did have one thing. One… tiny… little… thing. And it was mine. It took me forever to get my grubby mitts even close to it… and for a brief moment I held it in my hands…

There is a long pause as Drake’s eyes falls to his empty, outstretched hands. Cradled, as if holding something very fragile and precious in his palms.

Malcolm Drake: ...and

Drake’s voice wavers slightly. He continues barely above a whisper.

Malcolm Drake: Heh, and… like a fool… I allowed myself to believe that - just once - I might be able to find some happiness in this world for me. To find some peace. After a life of pain, and anger, and violence, and HATE… and war… I thought I held that peace in my hands.

Drake’s shoulders droop, as if a large weight has just been placed across his back. It takes a moment, but slowly his head raises. And through the mess of hair and dirt, those blue eyes seem to smitter. Wet.

Malcolm Drake: I had… my way out. My EXIT…

Malcolm Drake: AND CHRIS F*CKING BOND STOLE IT FROM ME!

Drake mule-kicks the big steel door behind himself, creating a loud bang that echoes through the stairwell and causes the red “EXIT” light to flicker for a brief moment.

Malcolm Drake: He stole the only thing I had in this world… and he did it because he was JEALOUS of me. THAT is the kind of WORM that Chris Bond is. The man with all his titles, all his accolades, his beautiful wife, and the begrudging respect of his peers… he decided he didn’t have ENOUGH. His GREED and his JEALOUSY were too damn much. He had to steal the one thing I had for myself. Because… heh… because he wants my… aura…

Drake throws his arms in the air in exasperation, as if the reasoning is almost too stupid for him to fathom. To say it’s uncharacteristic, would be an understatement equivalent to a dog speaking being uncharacteristic.

Malcolm Drake: You want to know how I got this… F*CKING aura, Chris?! Because *I* am nothing like YOU. I’m not over six feet tall, hell I’m not even over 200 pounds. I don’t babyoil myself up, and I don’t count my titles and trophies. But most importantly, I don’t OBSESS about what other people think of me.

Malcolm Drake: I am who and what I am, because I can’t be anything else. Unlike YOU I am not measured in wins and losses. I’m not measured in titles or trophies. I’m not measured in neat little statistics and kudos and pats on the back from your f*cking chums.

Drake sneers.

Malcolm Drake: I am measured in that cold feeling in your stomach when you hear my name.

Malcolm Drake: I am measured in the hairs that stand up on the back of your neck. I am measured in the pimples that dot your skin when you lock eyes with me.

Malcolm Drake: I am measured in the number of bones I’ve broken, and the number of bones I still have to break. I am measured in the gallons of blood I’ve bled and the gallons upon gallons I’ve spilled.

Malcolm Drake: I...

Drake straightens his shoulders, pushing the hair out of his face.

Malcolm Drake: ...Am Malcolm. F*cking. Drake. And at the end of the day, you - Chris Bond - you’re still just a man. And all men die.

Malcolm Drake: You took away my exit… my way out… but what you failed to realize is that NOW… you’re trapped in here with me…

Malcolm Drake: Memento mori.

[As the two men come face to face, separated by about a foot and a few dozen security guards, the camera zooms in and captures their final words for one another.

Chris Bond: I want you to lay dying, feeling every insecurity that I have ever felt, and when you feel that last semblance of hope, of comfort, that’s when I want to stomp your life from your body and make you feel like you truly have nothing. Because, to me... you are nothing.

Malcolm Drake: I want to leave a pool of your blood on the canvas, and when you stare into it, when you look at your reflection, it’s Malcolm Drake you see staring back at you. Then, and only then, will you truly feel like you have nothing left. And it was all because of me, Chris. I am the one who took everything from you. I am the creator of your demise.

”And if you don't love me now
You will never love me again
I can still hear you saying
You would never break the chain (Never break the chain)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)
Chain keep us together (running in the shadow)”



Friday, July 13, 2018
Key Arena
Seattle, Washington

Main Event
Chris Bond vs. Malcolm Drake
Dog Collar Match

• COMMERCIAL BREAK •

[FGA Office]

MAIN EVENT
• Handicap Match •
Evan Envi is the Special Guest Referee
Kol & Ricky Valero vs. Jimmy Page

Kol is out first, followed by the introduction of The Good Guys. FGA Undisputed Champion Evan Envi grabs his referee shirt with one hand and points to himself with the other. Out next comes Jimmy Page to a monstrous pop from the crowd. Before the match begins, Envi keeps both sides separated. He instructs Page to stay on his side of the ring and his opponents to stay on theirs. Envi then goes to pat both Kol and Valero down. Once he’s determined that they aren’t trying to smuggle any foreign objects into the ring, he calls over Page for an inspection. But Page is in no mood to play Envi’s games. Envi then walks up to Page and points to his referee shirt. He then instructs Page to hold his arms out to the side. But Page just stares a hole through him. Envi relents and starts patting down Page’s knee pads and boots. He then instructs for Page to turn around. But Page won’t turn his back to Kol and Valero. So Envi quickly grabs a hold of Page’s right leg! While Page is trying to get free, Valero runs across the ring to attack. But Page knocks him back with a cross chop! Page then eventually shakes Envi off his leg. When Page turns his attention elsewhere, Kol drops him with a bicycle kick! The crowd erupts with boos as Kol and Valero put the boots to the 2018 Gold Rush Rumble winner!

Valero yanks up Page by the hair, brings him into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. He proceeds to light up Page’s chest with knife edge chops. Kol then heads over and gives Page a series of chops of his own. Valero then tries to one up Kol by delivering a blistering series of knife edge chops. Kol then one ups Valero by delivering chops that leave welts across Page’s chest. An irish whip then sends Page crashing into the opposite corner. Kol runs over to attack when Page knocks him back with a boot to the face. Valero then runs over to attack when he gets knocked back by a boot to the face. Page then quickly climbs up onto the middle ropes, jumps off and knocks an oncoming Kol down with a diving Trauma Symphony (Boma Ye)! Once Page gets back to his feet and turns to his left, Valero knocks him down with Dream Street (jumping corkscrew roundhouse knee to the face)! When Valero makes the cover, Envi quickly drops down and makes the quick count.

ONE!
TWO!
TH-NO!

Page kicks out.

Valero with another lateral press.

ONE!
TWO!
T-NO!

Page kicks out.

Valero picks up Page and goes for an irish whip. But it’s reversed. When Valero returns, Page brings him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! Envi grimaces as he sees Valero in pain. Page then looks over at Envi while he pulls up Valero. He hooks both arms before hurling Valero across the ring with a double underhook suplex! Envi cries out for “Richard” as Valero arches his back in pain. Page heads over, drags Valero in front of Envi and applies a fish hook. The crowd cheers as Page tries to rip Valero’s mouth apart. Envi’s had enough and quickly gives Page until a count of five to break the illegal hold.

Envi: ONE!TWO!THREE!FOUR!FIV-

Page quickly lets go and gets right in Envi’s face, almost daring him to try something. Envi calmly points to his referee shirt. Page then fakes a punch, which causes the Undisputed Champion to flinch. As Page turns and goes to pick up Valero, Valero rakes him across the eyes! Page then turns over and staggers over into Kol, who drops him with an Evenflow DDT! He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!

Page gets his shoulder up.

Kol picks up Page and delivers a belly to back suplex. He makes the cover.

ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!

Page gets his shoulder up.

Kol pulls up Page and delivers a neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!
TWO!
THR-NO!

Page gets his shoulder up.

An irish whip is reversed, sending Kol into the ropes. As soon as Kol bounces off the ropes, he leaps across the ring and knocks Page down with a flying forearm smash! The boos continue as Valero follows up with the Leg Drops of Jupiter (rally of consecutive leg drops)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
TWO!
THRE-NO!

Page gets his shoulder up.

Valero picks up Page and delivers a swinging neckbreaker. He brings Page back up and delivers a double underhook backbreaker. Envi gets right in Page’s face and asks him if he wants to give up. But Page swats his hand in his direction, forcing the Chief to move back. Valero then pulls Page back up, lifts him up onto his shoulders and follows up with a Turnbuckle Powerbomb! He then moves out of the way, allowing Kol to deliver double knees in the corner! He then pulls Page by the hair out of the corner before bringing him down with a jumping reverse bulldog! While Page is sprawled out on the mat, Kol steps out onto the apron, scales to the top turnbuckle and goes for a diving headbutt when Page rolls out of the way, causing Kol to crash face-first onto the canvas!

While Envi checks on Kol, Valero rushes over and puts the boots to Page. He then steps out onto the apron, scales ot the top turnbuckle, leaps off and goes for Burying The Hatchet (diving double foot stomp) when Page rolls out of the way. After Valero’s feet hit the mat, his momentum rolls him forward. Once Valero gets to his feet and turns around, he runs over and knocks Page back down with a step-up enzuigiri! He then pulls Page up and sets him up for the PinnaclePlex (leg hook belly to back suplex) when Page counters with multiple elbows to the back of the head. After performing a standing switch, Page delivers a half nelson suplex!

As the match continues, all three grapplers slowly get back to their feet. Page turns to Kol and nails him with a forearm shot. He then turns to Valero and delivers another forearm shot. Page turns back to Kol and delivers a back elbow. He then turns back to Valero and hits a cross chop to the throat. Page turns back to Kol when Kol rakes him across the eyes! He then goes for an irish whip when Page reverses. When Kol returns, Page goes for Sole destruction (discus big boot)! But Kol catches his foot. He then swings Page’s leg away from him. But Page uses the momentum to clobber Kol with the Concussion (Rolling Elbow)! He drops down and makes the cover! Envi then gingerly gets down onto his knees, which causes the crowd to erupt with boos. He starts to count.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOONEEEEEE!
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T-NO

Valero dives over and breaks up the pin!

Valero takes Page and whips him into the corner. He rushes over to attack when Page steps out of the corner and heaves him into the turnbuckles with an Exploder Suplex! Page then shoots Valero into the far ropes. When Valero returns, Page flattens him with Sole Destruction! He then brings Valero back to his feet before taking him down with The Paralyzing (hangman's neckbreaker across the knee)! Page then holds Valero in place on the mat and looks right at Envi while he applies Icarus (hammerlock armbar)! Envi pleads with Page while Page is threatening to fall to his back and snap Valero’s arm in two. Page continues to threaten Envi when Kol comes out of nowhere and nails him with a running knee to the back of the head, breaking the hold! The crowd erupts with boos as Page crumbles to the prone position. Envi’s eyes widen as he sees Page trying to shake out the cobwebs while he slowly pushes himself up onto all fours. Kol sees Page is perfect position for Broken Dreams (running punt kick), so he takes off into the far ropes. As soon as Kol hits the ropes, the cameraman on the apron bashes him in the back of the head with the camera, sending Kol crumbling to the mat! Envi is outraged! He reads the cameraman the riot act as the cameraman drops the camera to the mat and slowly steps through the ropes. He then takes off his glasses and flings them into the crowd. After pulling the wig off his head and ripping the latex mask off his face, the camera reveals himself to be Chandler Scott! The crowd erupts with cheers. Envi is in stunned silence.

Envi slowly shakes his head in disbelief as he slowly steps backwards. But he stops walking backwards when he bumps into Page. When Envi turns around and sees Page, the Chief drops down to a seated position before rolling to the outside. He’s about to climb over the guardrail when Johnny Karma appears to a monster pop! Envi turns around and sees Page stepping through the ropes. He turns back and sees Karma climbing over the guardrail. Envi then turns and hightails it around ringside and up the aisle! Instead of running up the ramp, Envi runs to the side of the ramp and to the back while Karma and Page are in hot pursuit! Back in the ring, Scott slowly turns around and sees both Kol and Valero coming to. He then slowly turns to his right and sees Brandon Macdonald, Marlon Cure and Piper Lennon marching down the ramp.

Macdonald gets on the apron and points at Scott. Valero can be seen jawing at Scott until Scott points behind them. Both Valero and Macdonald turn and look at the Tron just above the entrance ramp. The Tron cuts from live footage of the ring to live footage of the parking lot, where the Reapers in Pride are being jumped by the Polychromatic Lion Attack Squad! While Dan Herrera and Peaches double team McKnight, Perrello nails Peaches across the back with a garbage can. Herrera then spins Perello around and socks him with a right hand. He then hits Perello with another right hand… and another. PLAS then take Perello and throw him against the outside wall of the arena. They then rush over towards the bike that McKnight rode in on and kick it over. After chaining Perello’s bike to the back of a truck, PLAS hop in and take off, causing the the VP of RIP’s bike to scratch across the ground. Perello looks on in disbelief as his bike is being dragged out of sight. The camera then cuts to another part of the backstage area, where Pendragon’s celebration is cut short by Smart Style, who jump them from behind! Mark Bisley and Shintaro Majima put the boots to the inaugural United States Tag team Champs. Bisley then takes Moss whips her hard into the wall. Duden then turns Bisley around and lights him up with right hands. But when Durden turns around, he gets turned inside out with the Kurimuzon Kasai (Lariat) from Majima!

A camera cut shows various members of the Flashpoint roster overturning the Vertigo interview area!

The camera then cut to another area backstage, where Patrick Jones is unloading clubbing strikes to Ryan Wilson. Fenrys rushes over to attack when he gets blindsided by Vince Steel. Steel sends Fenrys flying across the hall with a running low-angle shoulderblock! The Crimson Baroness then cracks her patented cane across Steel’s back. But Steel doesn't budge. When Steel turns around, TCB turns to run away when Terrence Tillman lays her out with the Chin Checka (savate kick)!

Another camera cut shows The Chaotics brawling with Bristow & Barnes in their locker room. After Bristow shoves De Luca off to the side, he turns to face Logan Alexander, who lunges forward and spears him against the lockers! Barnes then gets hit across the back with her half of the World tag Team Championships, sending him crumbling to the mat!

Another camera switch shows Vincent Moretti wheeling himself down the hall to safety when he comes to a dead stop. The camera pans around to reveal BROOKFORD, who shakes his head. Moretti tries to turn fend off the Problem Solver with his crutch when BROOKFORD smacks the crutch away and grabs a hold of the wheelchair!

The camera switches back to the ring, where Macdonald is furious. The crowd erupts with cheers as Brian Stryker, Noelle Smith, Savannah Taylor and James Edwards can be seen all racing through the crowd from various angles. They then hop of the guard rail and slide into the ring. Stryker then stands in front of the other four Flashpoint members and points right at Macdonald. Macdonald then motions for his troops to rush the ring. Kol and Valero rushes over towards Team Flashpoint while Cure and Lennon rush the ring. Macdonald quickly retreats to safety on the outside.

Back in the ring, Scott and Valero are trading strikes until Kol knocks Scott down from behind with a clubbing strike! Edwards then spins Kol around and delivers a double leg takedown. He mounts himself on top of Kol and rains down right hands to the face. Kol then rolls over on top of Edwards and rains down rights and lefts to the face. Edwards then rolls back over on top of Kol and unleashes a flurry of punches until Kol reaches up and rakes him across the eyes. Kol then rolls back over on top of Edwards before ramming the back of his head against the canvas. Across the ring, Lennon doubles Smith over with a throat cross chop. She then turns and runs into the far ropes. When Lennon returns, Smith doubles her over with a jumping knee strike to the midsection before knocking her down with the Moroccan Sunset (Muay Thai style axe kick)!

In the corner, Cure is going to work on Stryker. He applies a two-handed choke to Stryker until Taylor drops down to a knee from behind and low blows him! As Cure stumbles back and drops down to a knee, Stryker comes out of the corner and delivers a spiking hurricanrana! Both Stryker and Taylor proceed to stomp Cure out of the ring and to the outside. Across the ring, Scott delivers a running clothesline, sending Valero over the top rope and to the floor.

The crowd erupts with cheers as Molly Reid rushes down to the ring. As soon as she slides in, she rushes over and knocks Scott down with a Superman Punch, sending him to the outside! She then runs over and knocks Smith down with a That’s Using Your Face!! Reid runs across the ring and connects with That’s using Your Face to Stryker! She then throws out a Superman Punch to Taylor when Taylor ducks. After Reid lands on her feet and turns around, she throws out the Molly Kick. But Taylor catches her foot. She then goes to swing the leg away from her. Reid uses the momentum to throw out a spinning backfist. But Taylor ducks, doubles her over with a boot to the midsection before bringing her down with the Siren’s Song (Scissored DDT)! Across the ring, Kol goes for a jumping reverse bulldog. But Edwards hangs onto the ropes, forcing Kol to hit the back of his head on the canvas. Edwards then delivers the Double Tap (consecutive spinning backfists) before bringing Kol down with a release reverse exploder suplex! After pulling Kol up into a seated position, Edwards heads into the ropes, comes back and flattens him with the Violent Gospel (Running PK) to an explosion of cheers!

On the outside, Scott kicks over the steel steps before lifting up the top half. After dragging Valero across ringside, the crowd explodes with cheers with Scott plants him wiht a DNA Driver (Bloody Sunday) onto the bottom half of the steel steps!

Macdonlad shakes his head in disbelief on the outside. He’s starting to back away from the ring when Smith grabs him from behind and rolls him back inside. Macdonald gets to his feet and looks at Taylor, Edwards, Smith and Scott who are all closing in. When Macdonald turns again, Stryker doubles him over with a boot to the midsection before planting him with the Stryke Out (snap double underhook DDT)! Stryker then heads out onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle as Scott and Smith move Macdonald into position. After Edwards places a steel chair across Macdonald’s face, Stryker flips off and connects with Air Stryke (Shooting Star Press Leg Drop) onto the chair to an explosion of cheers!

“Perfect Insanity” blasts over the PA as all five members of Team Flashpoint stand tall over members of the Vertigo roster…