Flashpoint (06.16.18)

[FGA Office]

Backstage we find Salem Kaiser, stretching her leg out up against the wall and adjusting the pad on her boot. It isn't long before Amanda Johnson rounds the corner.

Amanda Johnson: Salem! Just who I was looking for. I wanted to ask you a couple things regarding last Flashpoint and also tonight.

Salem straightened up and shook a few black locks from her face with a devilish grin.

Salem Kaiser: Well hey, you got questions… I got answers.

Amanda Johnson: Great! Tonight you've got a non-title match with Savannah Taylor. How are you feeling about that?

Salem laughed and her fingers through her hair.

Salem Kaiser: Feel? I feel great of course! I wanted another stab at Savannah ever since Rey Del Aire. She caught me that night, and I've been itching for a rematch ever since. She's crafty and talented, clearly. She's got gold around her waist again doesn't she? I gotta think if I can gain some revenge tonight and get a victory it will vault me up the rankings a bit. Maybe the next time we face after tonight it could be a title match, who knows. Ol’ Witchy didn't come back here just to scrap, she came back to win all the things. I do mean ALL. Step by step, baby!

Amanda smiled and nodded.

Amanda Johnson: You say step by step, but it appears there is a fresh new stone in your path in FGA by the name of Alex Chalwell. Do you regard him as an obstacle in your way, or an exciting new challenge.

Salem winked at Amanda and patted her on the arm.

Salem Kaiser: Now HOW did I know you were going to get to good ol’ Axel Chowderhead? It does seem like ever since I came back full time properly, he's been linked to me somehow like a flea on a dog. Salem, Alex...Alex, Salem. I came out last week because he was talking crap, because I don't back down from a beef. I called his bluff. Maybe that was a mistake.

Amanda Johnson: A mistake? How so? You seemed in the right to me. He backed down and left the ring, and then proceeded to bad mouth you some more after the show.

Salem Kaiser: He does seem to excel in places where can run his mouth exclusively without repercussion, doesn't he? No, the mistake I made was assuming Alex was a guy who had some balls and would stand and fight; not tuck tail and run. Now granted, he just had a match prior to that. A match he looked really good in, I have to give credit. Maybe he was winded and out of gas.  Maybe it was unfair of me. The way I see it, if he still had enough wind in his sails to be a blowhard on the mic, he had enough gas in the tank to go. I know if I'd just had a match and even gotten my butt handed to me, I would stand up for myself if someone else came out to cause trouble until my last breath. That's the difference between us, you see?

Amanda Johnson: He did say he wasn't fresh, and he wanted to wage war in his own way.

Salem rubbed her chin in thought for a moment.

Salem Kaiser: What's fair is fair. If Alex wants to be fresh, I can get fresh with him too, mama! I think we'd both be good and fresh at Glory Road.  So what do you say?  Alex vs. Salem one on one. The challenge is made, bub!

Salem stares into the camera with a stern look as we fade out.

[FGA Office]

Noelle is seen later on after having the potential issues and concerns on Team Flashpoint aired, though she is still looking clearly bothered as she walks down the back hallway. After a bit, she reaches her destination - the back area that Chandler Scott has taken over for himself. She knocks on the doorframe before she peeks in, hip cocked to the right and one hand up so she can twist one of her bouncy curls around a finger. The gesture shows a bit of her nerves, though her expression is soft as she calls out.

Noelle Smith: Hey… Chandler? Mind if I come talk to you?

Without waiting the response she laughs softly and blurts more out, not even certain he heard her.

Noelle Smith: I wanted to tell you about what the rest of the team is saying, and… I’ve got a few issues myself with this match I’m saddled with tonight.

Chandler gets up from his seat of the bench and unwraps the terry cloth white towel from around his neck.

Chandler Scott: Sure, Noe. What’s on your mind?

Those big dark eyes of hers take in his motions, a tiny hint of concern on her but he seems to be moving well so she takes a breath and lets her gaze catch his, before she looks over her shoulder then back to him.

Noelle Smith: It’s hard for me to trust, but when I do… it’s all the way. I don’t like what just happened, the ‘team’ met in Stryker’s locker pretty much after I went down there to tell him he needs to get his head in the game. I’m sure you can imagine how it went. No matter what they’re saying I don’t think Edwards or Stryker trusts Taylor, and well we know she doesn’t trust anyone either and that’s all well and good… but it irked me that it didn’t seem to matter that you’re here in the building and they didn’t even...

Noelle bites her lip.

Noelle Smith: And I know some of this is me being a little riled up at being teamed with Ashley Sullivan and … A.C. Smith.

Noelle actually shudders at this, shaking her head and making her curls sway as she does. A deep breath and then she makes eye contact with him again, her voice just off.

Noelle Smith: I know, I know, poor Noelle suffers through a Main Event nobody thinks she deserves, again… well, maybe not nobody but… they don’t get it. I had to listen for years about what trash A.C. is, how much Evan despises him and the funny part is I always, despite seeing it on video, thought that he was exaggerating a little but then I saw firsthand with how he talked to Ashlyn and Logan that he’s … he’s exactly what Evan said he was and that’s the strangest feeling.

She bites her lip again, her expression rueful as she waits for Chandler to react.

Chandler Scott: “They didn’t even…” what? Invite me to the pow wow?

A smirk comes across his face.

Chandler Scott: It’s okay, Noe. I think I’m good on Trust Falls and all those other team building exercises.

He folds his arms.

Chandler Scott: But pray tell, what did I miss? Was Brian still referring to Team Flashpoint as “Team Stryker”? Were you able to get more than two words out of James Edwards? Was Savannah her usual self?

She can’t help it, a bright laugh comes from her and she shakes her head, gesturing with her hands.

Noelle Smith: Well when you put it like that, no you didn’t miss much.

Noelle pauses and then shakes her head, her shoulders even tremble a little with holding in the laughter.

Noelle Smith: Trust falls my God.

Noelle takes a deep breath, and lets it out slowly.

Noelle Smith: That’s what I don’t think either Edwards or Stryker get about Savannah… she’s always her. She’s going full in on this because they got her too, not because she feels any sort of brand loyalty… and that was a mistake on Vertigo’s part, I said it before and I’ll say it until they get it, I guess.

He nods in approval.

Chandler Scott: Yeah, they definitely screwed up on that one. I know her better than most. I’ve seen how driven she gets when she feels slighted. She’s going to unleash hell on them. Absolute hell. But…

Chandler rubs his chin. He shows a sign of apprehension before proceeding.

Chandler Scott: ...are you going to be okay teaming with her?

Noelle sighs, her eyes going partially closed but she nods, peeking at him from up under her lashes.

Noelle Smith: Yeah… I mean, yes. This isn’t like it was with NEON, or even Evan and Ricky. I’ll trust her to be her, and be a focused missile right at them, I’ll trust her until that last bell and then hopefully long enough to get to the back after. I’ve never failed to do my part in a tag match… and I don’t want to start now, no matter how much…

She shrugs lightly, though there’s a soft hit of pink on her tawny skin over her cheeks.

Noelle Smith: I mean I know it wasn’t professional to tell Sloan Talbot I wanted him to knock the mess out of A.C. Smith. And I know it’s not professional if I laugh when he does. But if he needs a tag before that final bell, he’ll get it.

He shakes his head.

Chandler Scott: No, that probably wasn’t the best move. I’m sure certain people might throw that back in your face. But I know you’re a good partner and I know you’ll have our back 100 percent at All Star Showdown.

She nods, though a bit of a crooked smile comes to her lips as she’s clearly thinking back.

Noelle Smith: Well at least this time, I’ll have actually done something to have thrown in my face, that’ll be refreshing…

Her smile warms then and she seems to be a whole lot more… herself after that.

Noelle Smith: I will, 100 percent. And after, no matter what, you know I’ve got yours.

The camera pans out then cuts away leaving the pair to go elsewhere in the arena.

[FGA Office]

★★★ NON-TITLE SINGLES MATCH ★★★
Savannah Taylor vs. Salem Kaiser

Kaiser stars off the match with an arm wrench into a knife edge chops followed by a headscissors takedown for a two count. After repeated chops that knock the United States Champion into the corner, Kaiser takes Taylor and goes for an irish whip. But Taylor reverses, sending Kaiser into the corner. Taylor runs across the ring to follow up when Kaiser runs out of the corner and nearly takes her head off with the New Hampshire Handshake (Superman Elbow)! But Taylor baseball slides underneath Kaiser. Once Kaiser lands on her feet and turns around, Taylor gets back to her feet and doubles her over with a boot to the midsection. She quickly follows up with a DDT for a two count! Kaiser is then shot into the far ropes. When she returns, Taylor tackles her down with a Lou Thesz Press! She mounts herself on top of Kaiser and rains down right hands to the face. Kaiser then rolls over on top of Taylor and returns the favor with multiple punches to the face. Taylor and Kaiser continue to roll across the ring until Taylor gains the upper hand. She pulls Kaiser up and tosses her through the ropes and out onto the apron. As Kaiser pulls herself up, Taylor heads into the far ropes. When she returns, she throws out Ultimecia (spinning backfist). But Kaiser drops off the apron, grabs Taylor by the ankles and yanks her down to the mat. She then slides back in before knocking Taylor back down with a spinning discus knee for a two count!

As the match continues, Kaiser delivers a shinbreaker into a leg-hook Saito Suplex for a two count! Kaiser then takes Taylor and drapes her across the middle rope before heading into the far ropes. When Kaiser returns, she connects with a leapfrog body guillotine for a two count. After a forward palm strike knocks Taylor back into the corner, Kaiser delivers repeated chops before sending the Las Vegas Siren into the opposite corner. She then runs across the ring and throws out a corner cartwheel leaping hip attack when Taylor moves out of the way, causing Kaiser to crash into the turnbuckles! She then takes Kaiser and chucks her through the ropes and to the floor. As Kaiser starts to pick herself up slowly on the outside, Taylor steps out onto the apron before taking her out with an Asai Moonsault! Taylor brings her back inside and makes the cover. But she only gets a two count.

The Las Vegas Siren remains in control as she shoots Kaiser into the far ropes. When Kaiser returns, Taylor knocks her down with a running hip strike of her own! She then delivers an atomic drop, followed by Blonde Ambition (forward russian legsweep)! Taylor then steps out onto the apron, scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and delivers a Frog Splash to the back for a two count! The Gamble (corkscrew neckbreaker) gets another two count! After Kaiser is sent into the corner with an irish whip, Taylor runs across the ring, leaps up and connects with a hesitation dropkick. After turning Kaiser around, Taylor lifts her up onto the middle ropes. The US Champion steps out onto the apron, climbs to the top turnbuckle, places Kaiser in a three quarter facelock, flips back and brings her down with Welcome to Sin City (Avalanche Shiranui)! She makes the cover. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Kaiser gets her shoulder up!

In minute eighth, Kaiser is placed in a rear chinlock. The ref asks if she wants to give up. But Kaiser refuses. After battling back to a vertical base, she nails Taylor with four elbows to the midsection, breaking the hold. She then takes off into the ropes. When Kaiser returns, Taylor flattens her with a yakuza kick! She goes to follow up with a standing moonsault when Kaiser blocks by getting her knees up!

After both grapplers slowly get back to a vertical base, they trade punches until Taylor ducks the last punch and counters with the Ultimecia. With Kaiser dazed, Taylor turns and runs into the ropes. When she returns, Kaiser knocks her down with a flying calf kick! Another flying calf kick knocks Taylor down. So does a lariat takedown for a two count! An irish whip is then reversed, sending Kaiser into the ropes. When she returns, she sees Taylor setting up for a back body drop. So she stops, hooks the arms and counters with a double underhook suplex! Kaiser follows up with a Shining Wizard that knocks Taylor out onto the apron! Kaiser reaches out, pulls Taylor up and goes for a vertical suplex back in the ring. On the way up, Taylor takes her arm and grabs a hold of the top rope while Kaiser has her in the air. She then falls on top of Kaiser for the lateral press!

ONE!
.
Taylor gets her feet on the middle ropes!
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO

Kaiser kicks out!

Another irish whip sends Kaiser into the ropes. When she returns, she brings Taylor down with a wheelbarrow bulldog, followed by a somersault cutter! Kaiser pulls Taylor up onto her knees and throws out a Buzzsaw Kick! But Taylor ducks before rolling Kaiser up with a schoolboy!

ONE!
.
Taylor hooks the tights!
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

Kaiser kicks out!

Taylor goes for another irish whip. But Kaiser reverses! The Witch then heads across the ring and connects with a corner cartwheel leaping hip attack, followed by a Monkeyflip DDT! After Taylor is shot into the ropes, Kaiser runs over, leaps into the air and strikes her down with the New Hampshire Handshake for the one, two, three! Kaiser celebrates her biggest win in FGA to date until Alex Chalwell slides in, spins her around and lays her out with Pepperidge Remembers (DDT)!

After beating down Kaiser, Chalwell has a grin on his face. He has an air of satisfaction to his demeanor and looks over the prone body of the woman he deems responsible for initiating the “war” and “tarnishing his brand.” He then picks up the microphone and speaks over the sea of boos that’s showering him for his actions.

Alex Chalwell: You started this, now I’m going to end it. Salem, at Glory Road I’ll prove to YOU and EVERYBODY back there; just why, I AM —

Chalwell takes a pause to soak in all the hate that the crowd is throwing at him.

Alex Chalwell: BETTER THAN YOU!

Chalwell throws the microphone hard against the mat and leaves the ring. Salem is now finally regaining consciousness and Chalwell simply screams insults at her as he walks to the backstage area.

Savannah Taylor X || New Hampshire Handshake (13:43) || Salem Kaiser O

★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★

[FGA Office]

★★★ SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH ★★★
Noelle Smith, Ashley Sullivan, A.C. Smith vs. Mark Storm, Tristan Ambrose, Sloan Talbot

AC Smith makes his way out to the ring first. Noelle Smith then makes her entrance. Ashley Sullivan’s music hits. But due to the attack on her by The Resistance earlier in the night, she’s unable to compete! It’s bad enough for Noelle that this Six Man Tag Match has quickly turned into a Handicap Match. But now she’s stuck teaming with AC Smith as her only ally for the contest.

Out next came Sloan Talbot, who jaws at AC on his way to the ring. Out next is Tristan Ambrose, who receives a chorus of boos from the attack he orchestrated on Sullivan. Coming out last is the reigning 15 Champion Mark Storm. The crowd erupts with boos as Storm makes his way to the ring. The crowd here in San Antonio are livid after what he did to Kendall Kingham. Storm, Ambrose and Talbot are feeling good about their chances when “My Name is Human” blasts over the PA. Out from the back steps “The Burning Heart” James Edwards! Edwards makes his way down the ramp when suddenly, Brian Stryker brushes past him and storms to the ring! Edwards stops in his tracks as Stryker leaps onto the apron and enters the ring. He walks past AC Smith, climbs up onto the middle rope and poses for the crowd. He then hops down and says something to Noelle Smith before the ref comes over. Stryker lets the ref know that he’s taking Ashley Sullivan’s place in the main event! Storm and Ambrose protest. But the ref doesn’t give in and calls for the opening bell.

★★★ SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH ★★★
Noelle Smith, Brian Stryker, A.C. Smith vs. Mark Storm, Tristan Ambrose, Sloan Talbot

Brian Stryker and Storm start things off. The former two-time 15 Champion gets the better of the reigning 15 Champion with a flurry of forearm strikes. An irish whip is then reversed, sending Stryker into the ropes. When he returns, he sees Storm setting up for a back body drop. So Stryker stops, turns away from Storm and rolls across his back. Once Storm stands up, Brian Stryker grabs him from behind and brings him down with Stryke 2 (leg-hook Saito Suplex) for a two count! Storm is then knocked backwards into the corner after Stryker delivers the First Stryke (arm wrench into a hook kick). He then heads over and lights up Storm’s chest with chops. Storm is then brought out of the corner before being shot into the ropes. When he returns, Stryker leapfrogs over him. Storm continues to run the ropes. When Storm comes back, Stryker drops down to a prone position. So Storm hops over him before continuing to run the ropes. Stryker then goes for a dropkick. But Storm hangs onto the ropes. After Stryker flips back and lands on his feet, Storm runs over to attack when Stryker catches him with a dropkick for a two count!

Storm is knocked back against the ropes with a flurry of right hands. Stryker then goes for an irish whip. But again, Storm reverses. When Stryker comes back, Storm delivers a hip toss, cartwheels over, claps his hands and follows up with a dropkick to the face for a two count. He pulls up Stryker and places him in a front facelock. After performing a standing switch and transitioning into a hammerlock from behind, Stryker reaches back, grabs Storm and delivers a jumping snapmare takeover. As Storm gets back to his feet, Stryker runs over and executes a running hurricanrana, sending the champion through the ropes and to the floor. Back inside, Stryker turns and runs into the far ropes. When he returns, Talbot runs him over with a running shoulder block. This then brings over AC, who knocks Talbot back with multiple punches to the face. He then steps back before running forward and connecting with a clothesline, sending Talbot over the top rope and to the floor! After Talbot lands on his feet, he reaches back inside, yanks AC down onto his back and pulls him to the outside. From there, Talbot and Storm deliver clubbing strike across the back! While this is happening, Stryker gets up and takes back off into the ropes. When he comes back, he readies himself for a dive to the outside when Ambrose blindsides him with the Lethal Dose (jumping knee strike)! He then heads into the corner before throwing his back against the turnbuckles. Ambrose proceeds to stomp his foot on the canvas in rhythm. He’s setting up for The Cure (Curb Stomp). He waits impatiently for Stryker to get into position. Once he does, the leader of The Resistance makes his way out of the corner when Noelle blindsides him with a springboard flying knee! Smith and Stryker look at each other before running into the far ropes. When they return, Smith leaps through the ropes and tackles down Storm with a suicide dive! Meanwhile, Stryker knocks down Talbot with a springboard Shooting Star Splash to the outside! Stryker brings Storm back inside and makes the cover. But he only gets a two count.

As the match continues, Noelle is tagged in. She places Storm in the corner, applies a Muay Thai Clinch and delivers several hard knees to the body. Once Stryker is tagged back in, he delivers a series of knife edge chops that echo throughout the arena. Once AC is tagged in, he nearly drives the air out of Storm with shoulder thrusts to the midsection. After a hard irish whip into the opposite corner, Storm staggers away from the turnbuckles before getting through down by a big back body drop for a two count. AC pulls up Storm, places him in an inverted front facelock and delivers three clubbing strikes to the chest before knocking Storm down with an elbow for a two count. After Stryker is tagged back in, the former 15 Champion scales to the top turnbuckle and goes for a diving crossbody. But Storm counters with a dropkick in mid air! He then crawls over and tags in Talbot.

Talbot gets in, picks up Stryker, moves him into the corner and delivers multiple European Uppercuts. After an irish whip sends Stryker hard into the opposing team’s corner, Stryker staggers away from the turnbuckles. Talbot then scoops him up from the side before delivering a Samoan Drop for a two count! Stryker is then shot into the far ropes. When he returns, he goes for a crossbody block. But Talbot counters with a powerslam for a two count! Talbot then delivers a backbreaker into a fallaway slam, sending Stryker rolling across the ring and out onto the apron! The big man marches over, climbs up onto the middle ropes, grabs Stryker and brings him back inside with Enter Tragedy (Superplex from the apron) for another two count!

In the tenth minute, Ambrose is tagged in. The leader of The Resistance gets in and puts the boots to Stryker. After Stryker is moved into the corner, Ambrose drivers multiple knees to the head from the clinch. He then brings Stryker from out of the corner before delivering a reverse DDT for a two count. Stryker is then placed in a rear chinlock. The ref asks if he wants to give up. But Stryker refuses. After battling back to a vertical base, Stryker nails Ambrose with multiple elbows to the midsection until the hold is broken. He then turns and runs into the ropes. When Stryker returns, Ambrose knocks him down with a Pop-up Uppercut for a two count! A Turnbuckle Powerbomb, followed by a Tilt-a-whirl backbreaker also gets a two count!

Tag out to Storm, who brings Stryker down with a flapjack before turning into an ankle lock. The ref asks Stryker if he wants to give up. But Stryker refuses. After pushing himself up onto his hands, he rolls forward, sending Storm crashing into the corner. As Storm stumbles back, Stryker grabs him from behind for a suplex when Storm counters with back elbows to the face. After a standing switch, Storm lifts him up before throwing him down hard with a sitout face slam! He turns over and hooks the leg for the cover. ONE! TWO! THR-NO! Stryker gets his shoulder up. Storm pulls up Stryker by the hair before delivering two palm strikes, followed by two elbow strikes, followed by a shoot kick to the leg, followed by a spinning backfist. Storm then throws out a discus clothesline when Stryker ducks and counters with the Overdose (straight jacket shiranui)!  

While Storm is trying to get back up, Stryker dives over and tags Noelle back in! Noelle then knocks Storm down with a springboard missile dropkick for a two count! After an uppercut elbow, she brings Storm down with the Flip Trip (snapmare) before flattening him with a running front dropkick for another two count! She then throws out an enzuigiri, but Storm ducks. He pulls Noelle up from behind and goes for an inverted exploder suplex. But Noelle blocks with multiple elbows to the back of the head. She then runs forward into the ropes. When she returns, Storm runs past her. So she stops and turns around. When Storm comes back, Noelle brings him down with a hurricanrana! She makes the cover. ONE! TWO! TH-NO! Talbot breaks up the pin with stomps to the back. This then brings in AC, who tackles Talbot through the ropes and to the floor! Stryker then runs across the ring and knocks Ambrose off the apron before taking him out with a high vaulting body press to the floor! Back inside, Storm reverses an irish whip and sends Noelle into the ropes. When Noelle returns, Storm scoops her up and tries to position her for a Tombstone Piledriver! But Noelle slips down from behind. She then hops onto Storm’s shoulders before flipping back and delivering a reverse hurricanrana! Noelle follows up with the Swing, Set, Match (swinging neckbreaker), getting the one, two, three!

Noelle Smith, Brian Stryker, AC Smith O || Swing, Set, Match (18:25) || Mark Storm, Tristan Ambrose, Sloan Talbot X