Final Frontier: Night 1 (12.22.17)

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

And now, Frontier Grappling Arts presents…

The scene shifts to an outside shot of Times Union Center in Albany, New York! We then transition inside the arena, where blue and white fireworks shoot off in various patterns. We then head to a wide shot of the arena. The camera pans around, capturing the rabid crowd.

Kris Cruise: Hello everyone and welcome to FINAL FRONTIER! I am your host, Geoff Penzer alongside my colleague, Stephy Auger! Tonight, we present to you the first of the final two shows of the year for FGA. 2017 has been a banner year from the company and we're looking to go out with a bang right here on Pay Per View. We are coming to you live from the Times Union Center here in Albany, New York! You can hear this capacity crowd behind us here, Stephy! They're ready for some action!

Stephy Auger: Yes I can, Cruise. I can hear them loud and clear and what they're saying is that a Vertigo grappler will in fact win the 2017 Frontier Lions Cup. And his name... is KOL!

The camera pans to the right along the announce table, revealing Flashpoint's Geoff Penzer).

Geoff Penzer: Or maybe it will be a member of the Flashpoint roster that walks away with the Frontier Lions Cup trophy! Hello, wresting fans! I am Geoff Penzer and I will be joining both Kris Cruise and Stephy Auger for the night's main event, as well as calling all of the individual Frontier Lions Cup matches between Flashpoint grapplers. Top to bottom, this has been one of the best Frontier Lions Cup tournaments ever. It has also been the largest ever, boasting a field of thirty two competitors across both brands.  Tonight's eight quarterfinalists have all advanced past the first two rounds. Tonight, if they want to win, they have to go through three rounds in one night. Kris Cruise, tells us about the remaining three rounds of this tournament.

Kris Cruise: I sure can! All Quarterfinal matches will have a 15 minute time limit. So time is not on the side of the grapplers during the first four matches. Then, all Semifinal matches will have a 30 minute time limit. Then finally, the Finals will have a 60 minute time limit. It could very well be a long night for one of these eight remaining grapplers.

Stephy Auger: It's definitely going to be a disappointing one for seven of the remaining grapplers. But really, it's going to suck for four of them because a Vertigo grappler, whether it be Kol or, God forbid, the likes of Magnum or Shootcamp, will walk out of here with the Cup. Oh, and by the way? Vertigo is walking out with the FGA Undisputed Championship tomorrow when Molly Reid Molly Kicks Johnny Karma's head right off and takes his title to boot. Just thought I'd throw that out there, Penzer. But no worries. You guys are used to not having champions, isn't that right?

Kris Cruise: I think that's enough Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Oh I'll tell you when it's enough.

Geoff Penzer: How about we just let the events of this evening, as well as tomorrow night, play themselves out and leave the bragging rights for later, huh?

Stephy Auger: Hey, if you don't have faith in your very own roster, then that's your problem. But when Brandon Macdonald comes knocking at your door and presents to you the opportunity of a lifetime by coming to Vertigo, you better be smarter than Brian Stryker and actually accept the offer!

Geoff Penzer: Or else what? One of your Vertigo roster members will have me taken out on the orders of your General Manager... allegedly?

Stephy Auger: EXCUSE ME!?

Kris Cruise: GUYS, GUYS! PLEASE! Let's save the fighting for the actual grapplers, okay? Not only do we have the Frontier Lions Cup tonight, but we've got a marquee tag team match between the burgeoning team of Firing Squad and Serpent's Touch. The personal issues have been brewing between these sides for weeks now. Each side has got one win a peice. Tonight is the rubbermatch. It's for all the marbles. One of these two teams is going to take a huge step forward in what is quickly becoming a deep tag team division here on Vertigo!

Stephy Auger: Did you hear that, Penzie? A DEEP tag team division. You guys over there on Flashpoint wouldn't know anything about that, now would you?

Geoff Penzer: ... Ah, now I see why Laurel Anne Hardy hates you so much.

Stephy Auger: What did you just say to me!?

Kris Cruise: AHEM! Also, in our lone championship match of the night, Pride Champion Chris Madison defends his championship against Fujiko Mine! Fujiko has been on a tear since returning to the company this past Summer. She's been doing great things, from merchandise to hosting. But tonight, guys, she has the chance to go down in history as one of a select few to hold that Pride Championship on two occasions. But we all know how much that Pride Title means to Chris Madison. We all know he wants to make up for that "championship defense" against Brian Stryker. The champ's got something to prove and I cannot wait to see those two throw down. But before my colleagues over here end up throwing down at the announce table, let's quickly send it backstage! Jessie, take it away!

[FGA Office]

In the backstage area, we see one of Vertigo’s Frontier Lions Cup competitors, Kol, sitting on an equipment crate, wrapping his wrists with black wrist tape. Enter Jessie Pederson, who gets an eye roll from Kol as he finishes up.

Kol: I’m not here to spend hours talking with you. I don’t even want you to ask any questions. I want you to stand there, keep the mic to my mouth, and let me speak my mind.

Jessie blinks a few times, then shrugs her shoulders. Kol gets off of the equipment crate and waits for Pederson to raise the mic so he can speak to it, smirking when she does so.

Kol: Good. Now, obviously you wanted to ask me how I feel after being on the wrong side of a three-on-one attack. An unjustified three-on-one attack. A cowardly three-on-one attack from the so called fan favorites in SHOOTCAMP and Jackson Magnum!

The audience cheers, but Kol doesn’t seem to care about their response.

Kol: They decided to take it upon themselves to get one over on me before the big show, but what they don’t realize is that this is my f**king state! And everything in this state is my damn city, including this place right here, called Albany!

This time, the audience boos, getting a scowl from the HKW Global champion, who folds his arms in response.

Kol: And no matter what these people think, I have the homefield advantage. And in sports, being the home team usually gives you a little bit of an edge. But I’m Kol, I do not need the edge. However, I will take it, just like I will take Magnum’s opportunity at the Frontier Lions Cup away. Just like I will take SHOOTCAMP’s dreams of winning the FLC away. Just like I will take and DESTROY Flashpoint’s idea of one of them bringing that cup back to their home.

He points to himself.

Kol: Tonight is my night. Tonight, I do what former World champions have done and I outclass the competition. I outwrestle every single person that stands in my path. And I outperform everyone in this tournament. The Frontier Lions Cup needs someone like myself to carry on the legacy of that tournament. I am as good as Chandler Scott. Cordy Stevenson. Sean Sands. I am just as good as them. I’d even say that I could beat them all.

Kol chuckles.

Kol: Can you say Ace Watson is anywhere near those names? No, you can’t. Because Ace Watson is not and will never be on my level and he will never be on that top level. He’s that nice hand that we talked about before.

Jessie Pederson: But Owen Gonsalves has won a top-

The New Yorker shushes Jessie, even placing his hand over the mic. She looks taken back by this, but he doesn’t care as he speaks again.

Kol: Yes, Owen’s got a nice resume. Won’t deny that. But here we are, with the person considered the favorite to win the Vertigo side of the bracket...ME. And that’s because I have the talent and the ability to become the face of this company. Owen doesn’t.

Jessie Pederson: And Mag-

Kol: What about Magnum? The man can barely beat people without needing my damn help! He should be thanking me he’s even gotten this far into this tournament because it looked like James Edwards was going to knocks his freaking lights out! Jackson owes me, but he refuses to believe that. So after I beat him tonight, he can call that a debt being cleared.

Jessie almost seems hesitant to ask another question, Kol having cut her off twice now. But Kol knows what she’s going to ask before she even asks it, cutting her off immediately.

Kol: And yes, I know I could have any of the 4 Flashpoint wrestlers across the ring from me at the end of the night. But it doesn’t matter if it’s Kendall Kingham, whose biggest career accomplishment would be making it that far into this tournament. It doesn’t matter if it’s Evan Envi, who was basically such an annoying pain in the ass that he was drafted last, like the fat kid in gym class when we all played dodgeball. It doesn’t matter if it’s Savannah Taylor, who has proven she can handle her own business, but has yet to prove she can be a main event player. A top dog if you will. And it doesn’t even matter if it’s Brian “The Dad” Stryker. Stryker’s clearly improved since the first time I ever saw him, so I’m hoping that he makes it to the end tonight...so that I can crush his dreams of winning that tournament.

Kol smiles.

Kol: Tonight, I prove that I am one of the best to step into that ring when I sweep the competition and REMAIN UNDEFEATED here in FGA. Magnum, SHOOTCAMP, Flashpoint. They will all fall to me.

With that, Kol exits the shot, leaving Jessie behind to mumble something about the man she just “interviewed” before we cut elsewhere.

[FGA Office]

FRONTIER LIONS CUP (QUARTERFINALS)
Owen Gonsalves vs. Ace Watson

"Rusty Halo" by The Script begins to play and the fans start to cheer as Ace Watson then steps out onto the stage. The reaction brings a smile to Watson's face as he starts to walk down the ramp, exchanging banter with the fans at the sides of the ramp as he makes his way down.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a Quarterfinals Match in the Frontier Lions Cup! Introducing first, from London, England! Weighing in at 225 pounds… AAAAAAACEE WAAAAATSOOONNNNNN!!!

Ace climbs the nearest ring steps after slapping a few high fives to some fans. Standing on the apron, Ace turns to the crowd and waves his arm upward to bring out a louder cheer from the audience. Pleased with the reaction, Ace steps between the ropes and walks across to the bottom corner of the ring, where he climbs the turnbuckle and raises an arm into the air, prompting another loud cheer from the fans. Ace then removes his Shootcamp t-shirt (which causes a few female crowd members to audibly react) and throws it into a sea of outstretched arms. Ace then turns and hops down into the ring again, where he then waits for his opponent.

Kris Cruise: The Quarterfinals of the Frontier Lions Cup kicks off with Owen Gonsalves going one on one against Ace Watson! It’s Shootcamp versus Shootcamp, Stephy! We’ve seen tag teams partners face off in the finals when Cordy Stevenson and Cyncity did it back in 2014. But I can’t recall a time when tag partners faced off this early in the tournament. Isn’t this great?

Stephy Auger: I couldn’t care less about Owen Gonsalves, Ace Watson or their annoying club.

Kris Cruise: Well actually, it’s not a club. It’s a camp. SHOOTCAMP! Their shirt are selling like hotcakes, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: I. Don’t. Care. I hope they both get KO’d so we don’t have to see either of them for the rest of the night.

The hard bass beat of Run The Jewels' "Blockbuster Night Part I" vibrates throughout the arena as the crowd immediately look down the aisle way in anticipation of the man about to step out from behind the curtain.

'Bunches and bunches
Punches is thrown until you’re frontless
Oodles and oodles
Bang bullets at suckers' noodles
Last album? Voodoo!
Proved that we was fuckin' brutal
I’m talking crazy, half past the clock is cuckoo'

As soon as Killer Mike spits the first words of the song, "Indestructible" Owen Gonsalves steps through to a pop from the audience as he flips up the collar of his old mentor's ring jacket and begins to analyse the crowd. Once El-P's verse begins, The Submission Alchemist immediately begins to walk down towards the ring, mouthing the words to the song as he acknowledges a few of the folks in the front row.
J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 202 pounds! He is “Indestructible” OOOOOWENNNNNN GOOOOOONSAAAAALVESSSSS!!!

'Look at these kiddies, Mike
I'm a rat-a-tat 'em for living
I deal in dirty work
Do the deed and then dash
Ditch 'em'

Having made his way to the bottom of the ramp, Owen starts shadow boxing to the camera at the bottom of the ramp before throwing an elbow in the camera's direction as El-P says 'ditch 'em'. Owen climbs on the apron and up on the second turnbuckle, looking out to the audience before hopping in the ring. The music slowly fades as Owen removes his ring jacket and begins to warm up, awaiting for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Ace Watson and Owen Gonsalves know each other like the back of their hands. They spent years as rivals and friends. But now, they’re not only one of the hottest teams in all of FGA, but they’re one of the most in-demand teams in the world!

Stephy Auger: So? You keep talking about “Shootcamp” this, “Shootcamp” that. You keeps talking about what a great team they are. This is a singles tournament, Cruise. They don’t get to hold hands into the next round. One of them is winning and the other is going home. I want to see who's willing to get their hands dirty and do what they have to do to bring home that cup and the guaranteed Undisputed Title shot that comes with it.

The bell sounds as Gonsalves and Watson make their way to the center of the ring. The two Shootcamp members face off while asking each other if they’re ready. The two friends continue to talk amongst themselves until they turn their attention to the chants from the crowd.

LET’S GO, OWEN!
GO, ACE, GO!

LET’S GO, OWEN!!
GO, ACE, GO!!

LET’S GO, OWEN!!!
GO, ACE GO!!!

Kris Cruise: We’ve got a house divided here tonight, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: They still are showing poor taste, regardless who they choose.

The tag team partners smile as they shake each others hand to cheers and applause from the crowd. After taking several steps back, the two grapplers circle the ring while the crowd breaks out into another chant.

SHOOTCAMP!
*CLAP-CLAP*

SHOOTCAMP!!
*CLAP-CLAP*

SHOOTCAMP!!!
*CLAP-CLAP*

SHOOTCAMP!!!!
*CLAP-CLAP*

SHOOTCAMP!!!!!
*CLAP-CLAP*

The Shootcamp members continue to circle the ring before slowing down. After sizing each other up, they motion towards the center of the ring when the crowd breaks out into yet another chant.

TUCK!
TUCK!!
TUCK!!!
TUCK!!!!

Kris Cruise: Even Tuck is getting some love!

Stephy Auger: Enough already!

The chant for the team’s mascot gets a smile out of both men, especially Watson. The then heads towards the center of the ring and lock up. Gonsalves quickly ducks under, goes behind Watson and applies a waist lock. Watson then reaches down, pulls Gonsalves’ arms from around his waist and reverses into an arm wrench. Watson delivers another arm wrench that causes Gonsalves to wince. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. But Gonsalves refuses by shaking his head from side to side. He then quickly reaches over, grabs Watson by the wrist and reverses back into an arm wrench of his own. The cheers continue as Gonsalves delivers another arm wrench. The ref checks in with Ace and asks him if he wants to give up. But he, too, refuses. He then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into another arm wrench. Gonsalves then rolls forward, bridges back, spins over onto his knees, flips over with a handstand, spins in place and then reverses into a hammerlock. He then spins Watson towards him before catching him in a side headlock. The hold doesn’t stay on for long as Watson shoves Gonsalves off of him and into the opes. When Gonsalves returns, Watson knocks him down with a standing shoulder block. He then turns and runs into another set of ropes. When he returns, Gonsalves turns over into the prone position. So Watson hops over him and continues to run the ropes. When Watson returns, Gonsalves gets back to his feet before leapfrogging over Watson. Watson continues to run the ropes. When he comes back, Gonsalves goes for a hip toss. But Watson steps through it and throws him down with a hip toss. When Gonsalves gets back to a vertical base, Watson runs over to attack. But he ends up getting taken down by an arm drag. The Technical Spectacle quickly transitions into an arm bar.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves got the better of Watson with that particular exchange.

The ref drops down and asks Watson if he wants to give up. But Watson refuses. After battling back to a vertical base, Watson uses his free arm to move Gonsalves into the ropes before shoving him off into the far ropes. When Gonsalves returns, Watson knocks him back down with another standing shoulder block. Watson then turns and runs into the ropes. When Watson returns, Gonsalves scrambles back to his fete and goes for another leapfrog. This time, Watson catches him in mid air before turning to throw him down with a powerslam. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Gonsalves kicks out.

Watson picks up Gonsalves, moves him into the corner and delivers a hard knife edge chop. Gonsalves answers back with a chop of his own. Watson then pulls his arm back before blasting Gonsalves with a blistering knife edge cop. Gonsalves answers back with another chop of his own. Watson then delivers a stinging knife edge chop to the chest. Gonsalves seethes from the blow before quickly answering back with a chop of his own. Watson then follows up with a European Uppercut. He then takes Gonsalves and whips him into the opposite corner. Watson runs across the ring to attack, but Gonsalves knocks him back with a back elbow. After shaking off the blow, Watson runs back into the corner. This time, Gonsalves knocks him back with a boot to the face. After shaking off the blow, Watson charges right back into the corner. This time, Gonsalves stuns him with a European Uppercut. After tossing Watson into the corner, Gonsalves delivers a series of European Uppercuts. He then takes Watson and whips him back across the ring and into the opposite corner. Gonsalves rushes across the ring and sends Watson slumping down in the corner with a running European Uppercut. Gonsalves walks away from the corner. He then turns around, charges back into the corner and hurls himself at Watson with a cannonball senton. But Watson rolls out onto the apron, sending Gonsalves crashing into the turnbuckles.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves missed the senton!

Stephy Auger: Good!

Watson picks himself up on the apron, reaches back into the ring and grabs a hold of Gonsalves. The crowd gasps as Watson has him set up for a suplex off the apron to the floor. Watson goes to lift up Gonsalves. But Gonsalves blocks the move. After tightening his grip, Watson begins to lift up Gonsalves. But Gonsalves quickly kicks his legs, forcing Watson to bring him back down. After delivering four punches to the midsection through the ropes, Watson lifts up Gonsalves for another vertical suplex. This time, Gonsalves knees Watson in the head on the way up. After Gonsalves slips down and lands on the apron, he nails Watson with a European Uppercut. Watson strikes back with a European Uppercut of his own. Gonsalves then nails Watson with another European Uppercut. Watson answers back with another European Uppercut of his own. Watson then beats Gonsalves to the punch and nails him with another European Uppercut… and another… and another… and another. After taking a few steps back on the apron, Watson runs forward and brings Gonsalves down with a Slingblade onto the apron!

Kris Cruise: Did you hear that loud thud!? That had to have taken quite a bit out of Gonsalves!

Watson slides back in, drags Gonsalves away from the ropes and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Good ring awareness there from Watson to pull Gonsalves away from the ropes.

Watson picks up Gonsalves, delivers an irish whip and follows him into the corner. Instead of crashing into the corner, Gonsalves puts his foot on the middle rope to stop himself. He then quickly greets the oncoming Watson with a back elbow to the face. While Watson is still stunned, Gonsalves turns around and hoists himself up on the middle ropes. But before he can jump off and knock Watson down with a Draco Meteor (Meteora), Watson reaches forward, grabs Gonsalves by the legs and yanks him off. Gonsalves flies off the ropes before smacking the back of his head on the canvas. He then reaches down, pulls up Gonsalves and sends him back into the corner with an exploder suplex into the turnbuckles! Watson drags Gonsalves from out of the corner, drops down and makes the cover.

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

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves is quickly founding himself behind in this match, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: But what is he going to do about it?

Kris Cruise: If you’re asking if Gonsalves is willing to cut corners to advance past Watson, then I can tell you right now that that’s not going to happen. Gonsalves is a better man than that.

Stephy Auger: Well, I guess he doesn't want it bad enough then.

Watson picks up Gonsalves and whips him into the ropes. Upon his return, Watson goes for a back body drop. But Gonsalves slips down from behind. He quickly grabs Watson from behind, rolls him out in front of him and throws out the Darkest Lariat (wristlock short-arm lariat). But Watson ducks. He quickly grabs Gonsalves from behind and places him in an inverted front facelock. The crowd gasps and cheers when they see Watson in position to deliver the Anglian Driver (rolling cutter). But before Watson can deliver the move, Gonsalves turns in place. He quickly grabs Watson and tries to counter with a bridging northern lights suplex. But Watson counters his counter by planting him with a DDT. He turns over and makes the cover.

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

Watson sits up Gonsalves and applies a neck crank. The ref gets down and asks Gonsalves if he wants to give up. But Gonsalves refuses. While Watson applies more pressure to the hold, the capacity crowd inside the Times Union center begins to rally behind Gonsalves…

LET’S GO, OWEN!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

LET’S GO, OWEN!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

LET’S GO, OWEN!
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*

The ref continues to check in with Gonsalves. But every time he’s given the opportunity to give up, he refuses. Gonsalves slowly turns over onto his knees. After battling back to a vertical base, Gonsalves nails Watson with four elbows to the midsection, doubling him over. He then turns and runs into the ropes. Upon his return, Watson throws him down with a scoop slam. He hooks the leg.

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

Watson pulls up Gonsalves and nails him with a forearm smash. He then deliver another forearm smash… and another… and another. While Gonsalves is dazed, Watson doubles him over with a kick to the midsection before bouncing into the ropes. When Watson returns, he throws out the STSK (running scissors kick). But Gonsalves slips out of the way, grabs Watson from behind and delivers the paroxysm (snap dragon suplex), leaving Watson folded up on the mat!

Kris Cruise: That suplex might have just turned to tide for Gonsalves!

Stephy Auger: If he can capitalize, yeah...

After Watson rolls over and gets up on his knees, Gonsalves runs over and blasts him in the face with the Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike (running bicycle knee strike). Gonsalves heads over, pulls up Watson and drapes him across the middle rope. He then steps out onto the apron, takes a few steps back, runs forward and blasts Watson in the side of the head with another Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike. After Watson crumbles back into the ring, he slowly begins to crawl across the canvas. Gonsalves steps back into the ring, makes his way into the corner and gives Watson the finger gun taunt. While a groggy Watson gets up on one knee, Gonsalves comes charging from out of the corner before cracking him across the back of the head with another Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike! He then reaches down, grabs the back of Watson’s tights and swoly pulls him back up to a vertical base. As soon as Gonsalves grabs him from behind, Watson nails him with repeated elbows to the face. He then performs a sanding switch before hoisting Gonsalves up onto his shoulders with an electric chair lift. Watson walks around the ring with Gonsalves held up on his shoulders until Gonsalves rains down pointed elbow strikes to the top of the head. After the last elbow strike, Gonsalves slips down from behind, grabs Watson, rolls him out in front of him and knocks him down with the Darkest Lariat! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

Watson gets his shoulder up.

Gonsalves picks up Watson and whips him into the ropes. When Watson returns, Gonsalves goes to scoops him up across his shoulders for a Death Valley Driver. But Gonsalves doesn't get a good grip on Watson. So Watson slips down from behind, hooks Gonsalves’ arm and delivers a half nelson suplex! While both grapplers are down, the ref starts his count.

Kris Cruise: Both Watson and Gonsalves are down! Who is going to get back to their feet first?



ONE!





TWO!





THREE!





FOUR!





FIVE!





A groggy Gonsalves slowly gets up on a knee. When he looks over and sees Watson on all fours, he points over to him and gives him the finger gun taunt. Watson smirks before scrambling back to his feet, running over and flattening Gonsalves with a Shining Wizard! He makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Watson brings Gonsalves back to his feet and delivers alternating European Uppercuts and forearm smashes. After a hard knee to the midsection doubles Gonsalves over, Watson turns and runs into the ropes. When Watson returns, he knocks Gonsalves down with the STSK! The cheers continue as he pulls Gonsalves over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Watson picks up Gonsalves, lifts him up, takes a few steps forward and then plants him with a brainbuster! He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: I thought Watson had him!

Stephy Auger: So did I!

Watson picks up Gonsalves, moves him into the corner and sits him down on the top turnbuckle. After climbing up onto the middle ropes, Watson goes to lift up Gonsalves for a brainbuster. But Gonsalves knees him in the head on the way up. After slipping down to the canvas, Gonsalves grabs Watson and yanks him off the ropes. On the way down, Watson smacks his face on the top turnbuckle. Gonsalves then grabs him from behind, pulls him back towards the center of the ring and knocks him down with the Darkest Lariat!

But Gonsalves doesn't let go of the wrist.

Gonsalves pulls Wason back up before knocking him down with a short-arm clothesline.

Again, Gonsalves doesn’t let go of the wrist. He slowly pulls Watson back to his feet before cracking him across the jaw with another Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike! After doubling Watson over with a kick to the midsection, Gonsalves hooks his arms, lifts him up and plants him with the Final Gambit (double underhook piledriver)! He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheers when “Blockbuster Night Part I” blasts over the PA

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, OWEN GONSALVES!

The cheers continue as Gonsalves gets his arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves barely edges out his tag team partner here tonight and advances to the Semifinals, where he will meet the winner of Kol and Jackson Magnum! After witnessing that match, I’ve got to wonder how much Gonsalves has left in him.

Stephy Auger: He better hope he has something left in the tank or else Kol will make short work of him.

Kris Cruise: Kol!? He hasn’t even had his Quarterfinals match yet. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here...

[FGA Office]

We cut to the backstage area where we see a long hook being used to position a framed jersey up on the wall inside the Times Union Center. The New York audience largely roars in approval as a few steps to the left by the cameraman reveal that the jersey is a familiar, purple #47 jersey. The reaction intensifies, complete with the handful of hecklers, as the camera pans out, revealing “The Chief” Evan Envi using the long hook to secure his frame up on the wall. With a satisfied smirk, he rests the hook against the wall and folds his arms, looking up at the framed jersey.

Evan Envi: Woo. Kobe ain’t got nothin on the Chief…

???: Well… he might have a couple of things on you.

The camera pans further over to reveal Logan Alexander coming to a halt several feet away from Evan.

Logan Alexander: I’m sure that you can beat or compete with him in many areas though.

With that, Logan nods to Evan in greeting. Envi glances at his watch with a raised brow before his gaze settles back on Logan with a smirk.

Evan Envi: Little early for your Tag Title match, innit?

Logan chuckles softly.

Logan Alexander: At least twenty five hours early. I had to come by to watch this show in person though. Big things happening… and I’m really hoping things go the way I’d like them to. And in that regard, I wanted to come by and see how you were doing.

Evan raises his hand and fist bumps Logan Alexander before beginning a small walk, down the corridor toward an open dressing room door, prompting the Tag Team Champion and the cameraman to follow.

Evan Envi: I’m doin’ good, sir. How about yourself? Heh… how’s it feel to be among the hunted?

Logan Alexander: Feels like business as usual really. Keeps you on your toes and gets you ready to be facing down all the predators who want a piece of you. Then you get the opportunities to savour the look on their faces when you whirl around and suddenly they realize that they weren’t the only ones hunting for game.

He grins a bit towards Evan.

Logan Alexander: Just keep that in mind yourself out there tonight. You’re a very skilled hunter, but you aren’t going to be the only one in this group of eight. I do think you’re the hungriest one out there though. I wonder if anyone else has realized that yet.

Envi takes a seat in one of the chairs in his dressing room as they enter it, unfolding a second one, motioning for Logan to follow suit which he does.

Evan Envi: Doesn’t matter at this point whether they did or not, I guess. I mean-- Kendall knows me better than anyone else in the field. Mentally, she might be the hardest person to beat, y’know? I worked with her every day for nearly a year. She’s fought for me. She…

Evan laughs a bit, shaking his head.

Evan Envi: I mean, she has a ‘W’ over me if we wanna get technical. And I need to get that back. But… if we’re being real... no one out there wants it the way I do, man. I feel like for years and years everyone’s been talking about where I could be, or how I should be competing…

His eyes drift toward Logan.

Evan Envi: Including you. And I tried. I spent years looking for some type of validation because I should’ve been headlining events like this ages ago, and something always happened. I always screwed it up. But this?

He gestures out toward the corridor where his jersey hangs on the wall-- albeit undeservedly so.

Evan Envi: I need this. I feel this.

Logan nods in acknowledgement of this.

Logan Alexander: I get that. I remember what it was like to be judged by others who think that they know where you should be. And you’re right that I’ve done that to you in the past… I’ve always felt that you were going to achieve greatness. I’ve had moments like that in my career… and I’ve always expected that you would surpass them eventually.

He pauses to let out a breath.

Logan Alexander: Maybe that served to undermine you though. I was there with everyone else, piling expectations upon you, which could have led to you pushing yourself to unreasonable lengths to get what everyone was telling you that you should have.

Logan falls silent, seemingly growing introspective about this. Evan looks at the man for a few moments, studying him for a bit before he offers a small ”hm” and turns, leaning back in his chair, both men now facing forward, gazes falling just outside the door as quiet seconds pass.

Evan Envi: Thanks, Logan.

The words seem to sum up more than just the conversation at hand. Evan takes a small breath and goes to say something else, but--

???: There you are. What the hell?

Deafening boos resonate throughout the arena before the owner of the voice is even revealed. The camera turns slightly, showing “The Queen of Mean” NEON standing in the doorway, a smug look on her face as she steps inside, arms folded.

NEON: Logan. Look at you, here a whole night early… to catch all those good vibes from FGA’s brand new power couple, hm?

Logan looks up with a bit of a start towards NEON. He recovers quickly and smiles slightly towards her.

Logan Alexander: Oh… well, you could say something like that. More like I was hoping to share some good vibes if possible. Wish some luck… to both of you tonight while I have the time to do so, and also offer a gift since it’s almost Christmas and all.

He then glances past NEON and through the doorway she’d entered. He then raises his voice to address someone out there.

Logan Alexander: Bag please!!

A few moments later, we can hear someone approaching the door and then a backstage technician appears in the doorway carrying a duffle sized gift bag. Logan holds his arms out towards him and the tech tosses the bag to him. While Envi’s face seems to light up, NEON raises a brow, slowly folding her arms, keeping a (side) eye on the Tag Team Champion. Logan turns his attention towards the bag, opening it up to get at the contents.

Logan Alexander: This has been bouncing around in my head for couple of months. Figured now might be as good a time to see how it fares.

He removes a pair of packages from the bag, and offers one to Evan and the other to NEON. Each package has their name on it.

Evan Envi: Wha-- sir! You shouldn’t have!

NEON looks down at the package, her name handwritten across the top, expression lingering somewhere around skeptical. Evan unties the thin rope that keeps the wrapping around the package, opening his with minimal hesitation. NEON glances quickly at Logan and then down at the package, slowly following suit.

Kris Cruise: Some Christmas magic for you, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Sshh! I’m waiting for Camp Envi’s looks of utter disappointment.

Evan opens his first, unfolding a dark purple shirt with lettering on the front that simply spells out “CAMP.”. NEON opens hers, revealing a similar shirt. Visible on the back of Evan’s is lettering displaying “Unwristlockable” and “#47”, while NEON’s is “Unexpected” and “#21”. Below the numbers on each there is a final bit of lettering showing “L.E.A.N.” albeit far less prominently displayed. Catching a look at the shirts, a large portion of the audience pops. Envi turns to NEON with a pleased expression.

Evan Envi: Christmas tree in the locker room doesn’t look so stupid now, does it?

The camera pans to a different angle, revealing an obnoxiously large, fully decorated tree toward the back of the locker room to a roar from the audience. Evan gestures toward it proudly, a broad grin on his face, but NEON refuses to even glance in its direction, rolling her eyes. Evan stands up, placing his shirt on the chair before embracing Alexander in a hug.

Evan Envi: Thanks, man.

Logan Alexander: You’re wel-

NEON: Look.

Boos erupt throughout the arena once again as NEON speaks, beginning to fold the shirt up in her hands, shooting Logan a-- clearly forced-- smile while Alexander settles down into the seat he’d been offered earlier.

NEON: This is nice. And I… appreciate the belated inclusion, but this isn’t the kind of mindset Evan needs to be in right now. Or me for that matter, less than a day away from my 15 Title match.

She rolls her eyes toward Evan, using the shirt to slap his shoulder while Albany boos her with reckless abandon.

NEON: This isn’t the time to get sentimental. It’s time to get serious. It’s time to be real and take what we want.

NEON looks at the shirt in her hand for a long, silent moment before nodding a little, looking at Logan and then at Evan.

NEON: So get real. Be real.

She turns, walking out of the room without another word or a glance to either of them. Envi looks down toward the shirt in his hands, his expression blank for a few moments as the audience boos the lingering words of NEON. Evan sinks back, sitting down in the chair, eyes drifting up to the doorway as he leans back… and the small smile returns to his face as he turns to Logan.

Evan Envi: These are awesome. Imma wear it out there and kill it tonight.

Logan smirks back at him and nods.

Logan Alexander: I would consider it an honour if you do. But… if I may make one suggestion...

Evan perks a brow in curiosity.

Logan Alexander: Don’t worry about the expectations tonight. This isn’t about proving yourself to anyone or any of the other baggage you’ve been carrying. Focus on doing your best and just enjoy yourself out there, then everything else will fall into place. That’s what I should have been telling you for all these years.

Evan looks at Logan for a moment, not saying much until Alexander rises to his feet and turns to him, extending his fist. Envi strikes it with a fist bump, glancing up at Logan.

Evan Envi: See you on the other side or something like that, right?

Logan Alexander: Yeah. Go put on a show.

Logan’s eyes drift toward the doorway as he walks out toward the hall. The camera follows him-- revealing the other half of the Tag Team Champions, Ashlyn De Luca, standing just outside of the dressing room. She says something to Logan that can’t quite be picked up by the cameras before she turns, shooting Envi a wink.

Ashlyn De Luca: Ay. Don’t make us look dumb for cheering for you.

The comment earns a short, dry chuckle from Envi. De Luca reaches forward and closes the door on Envi, shooting him a knowing smile as she does so. Envi continues to sit in the chair, now alone in the locker room, a faint smile on his face as he looks down toward the shirt. He sighs, leaning back in the chair again, eyes on the closed door as we fade to black.

[FGA Office]

FRONTIER LIONS CUP (QUARTERFINALS)
Jackson Magnum vs. Kol

The arena turns green as a deep grey smoke filters through the entrance way. A bright yellow light flashes on the stage with a green superman signal in it only with a J instead of an S. As Jax walks out into the misty smoke he’s wearing a custom made suit with spectacles. Giving a smirk he looks out into the crowd. He then walks hops off the stage where a phone booth is waiting.

“In a land where people have lost their way, there is one man who has found that through his own methods, this world can be better. His power, his ability, his mere prowess evokes fear into the hearts of them who would oppose him. His talent unbelievable, his accolades undeniable, he is thee Irish Superman.”

Jax steps into the phone booth as a green curtain falls over it. Almost instantly a bright light flashes as the phone booth door explodes open. The sound of Sinead O’Connor and the Chieftains “Foggy Dew” begins to play from the PA system as Jax steps backwards out of the booth. The first thing to come into view is his black cape with a green J within the superman symbol. Turning around Jax shows off his new green and black ring gear, with matching green shades.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a Quarterfinals Match in the Frontier Lions Cup! Introducing first, from Dublin, Ireland! Weighing in at 215 pounds! He is “The Irish Superman” JAAAAACKSOOONNNNN MAAAAAGNUUUMMMM!!!

He jumps back onto the aisle way, turning his head he blows blows smoke that filters into the air. Letting out a primal scream before walking down the rampway and towards the ring. As he reaches the ring he leaps onto the apron in one motion. He then paces on the apron for a moment before whipping his feet off, and stepping into the ring. He spins in a circle as he reaches the center of the ring. Pulling his glasses off he hands them to the referee, then slowly unsnaps his cape. Folding it into a perfect formation leaving the J symbol exposed he instructs the referee to be careful with his stuff.

Then he backs away into the corner waiting for the match to begin.

Kris Cruise: Jackson Magnum did the one thing that a lot of people wished they’d do and that’s pop Kol right in his big fat mouth. That’s exactly what happened two weeks ago on Vertigo when Kol tried to start trouble with his fellow Vertigo quarterfinalists. You can only trash the competition for so long until someone gets fed up. That’s what The Irish Superman did and I can’t say I’d blame him.

Stephy Auger: He sucker punched Kol, plain and simple. If the roles were reversed, you’d be crying injustice. But because it’s Kol, you’re fine with it. Hypocrites! All of you!

"Tear Away" by Drowning Pool plays throughout the arena as the audience boos loudly! Once the beat kicks in, the man formerly known as Colton Sterling steps out from behind the curtain, a smirk on his face as he looks out at the audience. He listens to them boo him before he nods and begins to make his way down to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Buffalo, New York! Weighing in at 233 pounds… KOOOOOOLLLLLL!!!

Kol doesn't pay attention to any of the fans as he makes it to ringside before he slowly circles the ring, keeping his eyes locked on the squared circle. Once he's circled the ring fully, Kol hops on the apron and wipes his feet on it before entering the ring. The New Yorker then finds the nearest corner and climbs to the middle turnbuckle, a small smile appearing on his face as he raises his hands up to some boos. Kol hops off and removes his jacket, tossing it out of the ring. He then slowly makes it to his corner and stretches there as he waits for the match to start.

Stephy Auger: Listen to this disrespect! Kol is a record breaking champion! He’s an HKW Hall of Famer! This is his home state and this is the disrespect he gets?

Kris Cruise: Buffalo is nowhere near Albany, Stephy! Even if it was, I doubt these people would embrace him with his attitude change over the past two years.

Stephy Auger: They’re just soft and weak. Just like Colton Sterling was weak. But there’s nothing weak about Kol. He is as strong as they come and he will break your precious Irish Superman here tonight. Watch!

The bell sounds as Kol and Magnum engage in a snug collar-and-elbow tie up. After jockeying for position, Kol begins to move Magnum across the ring. Just then, Magnum puts on the brakes and begins to move Kol across the ring in the opposite direction. Manum continues to muscle Kol across the ring until Kol pivots at the last second and presses Magnum up against the ropes. The ref quickly heads over and gives both grapplers until the count of five to break it up.

ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

As soon as Magnum lets go and puts his arms up, Kol tries to sucker punch him. But Magnum ducks and counters with a forearm strike to the face. The cheers continue as Magnum knocks Kol back with three more forearm strikes. He then takes Kol and whips him into the ropes. Magnum throws out a Superman Punch, which elicits gasps and cheers from the crowd. But instead of coming back and getting nailed with the Superman Punch, Kol hangs onto the ropes before dropping to the canvas and rolling to the outside. Kol can be seen walking around the ring as he mutters to himself “not again…”

Kris Cruise: Where is Kol going?

Stephy Auger: Getting the heck out of dodge? Or would you prefer him to stand there and let Magnum hit him with another Superman Punch!?

The boos continue while Kol continues to take a breather on the outside. But unbeknownst to him, Magnum has rolled to the outside and is approaching from behind. Magnum grabs Kol and slams him face-first onto the apron before shoving him back inside. As soon as Magnum climbs back up onto the apron, Kol leaps through the ropes and nails him with a shoulder thrust. The boos continue when Kol follows up with a rope-assisted gamengiri, knocking Magnum off the apron and to the floor. While Magnum tries to shake out the cobwebs, Kol paces back and forth in the ring before making his way over and out onto the apron. Once Magnum gets back to a vertical base and turns around, Kol runs along the apron, leaps off and knocks him down with a flying forearm smash! The boos continue as Kol picks up Magnum and rolls him back inside. He then rolls back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Magnum kicks out.

Kol picks up Magnum and goes for an irish whip. But Magnum reverses, sending Kol into the ropes. As soon as Kol hits the ropes, he leaps across the ring and goes for another flying forearm smash. But this time, Magnum ducks, turns and catches Kol from behind on the way down. He’s got Kol set up for a German Suplex when Kol counters with a back elbow to the face. He then hits Magnum with two more elbows to the face before performing a standing switch. Now behind Magnum, Kol lifts him up for a belly to back suplex. But Magnum’s able to roll over his shoulder and land on his feet. When Kol turns around, Magnum throws him down with a belly to belly suplex. He makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kol kicks out.

Magnum picks up Kol, moves him into the corner and unleashes a ballistic combination of rights and lefts to the body. He then takes Kol and goes for an irish whip. But Kol reverses, sending Magnum into the corner. He then rushes over to attack. But Magnum’s able to duck and dump Kol over the top rope. When Magnum turns around, Kol knocks him back with another rope-assisted gamengiri. Kol then scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and brings Magnum down with a flying crossbody!

But Magnum’s able to roll through it and make the cover!

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kol kicks out.

Kris Cruise: Magnum nearly got him there!

Stephy Auger: Yeah, he nearly stole this match right out from underneath Kol!

Magnum picks up Kol and goes for an irish whip. But Kol reverses, sending Magnum into the ropes. As soon as Magnum bounces off the ropes, he leaps across the ring and knocks Kol down with a flying forearm smash of his own. After throwing Kol down with a scoop slam, The Irish Superman steps out onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle. He then leaps off and goes for a top rope elbow drop. But Kol rolls out of the way, causing Magnum to crash onto the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Magnum missed! Kol moved out of the way and Magnum caught nothing but the canvas!

Stephy Auger: I guess the high risk didn’t pay off for him, huh?

As Magnum slowly gets up off the mat, Kol runs up, grabs Magnum from behind, runs forward and throws him shoulder-first into the ring post.

Kris Cruise: Oh come on, Kol!

The crowd boos as Magnum crumbles from out of the corner and falls to the mat. While Magnum holds his left arm, Kol repeatedly puts the boots to him. He then reaches down, pulls Magnum back to his feet and sits him down across the top turnbuckle. After climbing up onto the middle ropes, Kol grabs Magnum jumps back and brings him down with a belly to back superplex! The crowd boos as Magnum bounces off the back of his neck before rolling over into the prone position. Kol crawls over, pushes Magnum over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers whe Magnum gets his shoulder up.

Kol picks up Magnum, hammerlocks his left arm and throws him down with a hammerlock scoop slam. Magnum howls in pain after landing across his left arm. Kol reaches down, pulls Magnum back up and throws him down with another hammerlock scoop slam. Kol follows up with a leg drop before turning over and making the cover while purposely holding down Magnum’s right arm.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO

Magnum struggles to get his left shoulder up.

Kol picks up Magnum, brings him into the corner and hammerlocks his left arm around the top rope. The ref quickly gives Kol until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Kol lets go. He then steps back towards the center of the ring, charges forward and nails Magnum with a double knee lift to the back of the left shoulder. Kol grabs Magnum, pulls him back towards the center of the ring, turns and plants him with an Evenflow DDT. After placing Magnum’s left arm away from his body, Kol steps out onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle. He then leaps off for a diving headbutt onto the left arm. But Magnum rolls out of the way!

Stephy Auger: NO!

Kris Cruise: Kol missed! Kol missed! Kol missed!


The crowd explodes with cheers when Kol lands face-first onto the canvas. Kol bounces off the canvas, staggers across the ring and collapses against the ropes. While Kol clutches his face, Magnum slowly gets up on all fours. Once Magnum gets back to a vertical base and runs around, Kol charges across the ring and throws out a lariat. But Magnum ducks and runs into the far ropes. When Magnum comes back, the crowd cheers when he turns Kol inside out with The Blue Blur (Sick Kick). He turns Kol over and makes the cover.

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

Kol gets his shoulder up.

Magnum picks up Kol and whips him into the ropes. When Kol returns, Magnum throws out a back elbow to the face. But Kol ducks and runs into the ropes. When he comes back, Magnum throws out a clothesline. But again, Kol ducks and runs into the ropes. When Kol comes back, he throws out a running clothesline. But Magnum ducks before running to the ropes. After Magnum and Kol bounce off opposite sets of ropes they collide in the center of the ring with flying forearm smashes! Magnum lays sprawled out on the mat after the collision while Kol turns over and begins to crawl towards the corner.

Kris Cruise: Both Kol and Madison collided hard in the center of the ring...

Stephy Auger: … but it looks like Magnum got it worse than Kol. he hasn’t gotten off his back yet!

Magnum continues to lay on the mat while Kol pulls himself up using the turnbuckles. While Kol’s got a hold of the top turnbuckle pad, Magnum returns to his feet. Once he sees Kol, he runs across the ring, leaps into the corner and connects with a flying forearm smash to the back of the neck. As Kol falls down from out of the corner, he accidentally pulls off the top turnbuckle pad.

Kris Cruise: Kol just pulled off the top turnbuckle pad. He’s got that steel turnbuckle exposed.

Stephy Auger: It was an accident...

Magnum reaches down, picks up Kol, lifts him up and sits him down across the top turnbuckle. After climbing up onto the top ropes, Magnum hops onto Kol’s shoulders, flips back and brings him down with an avalanche reverse frankensteiner to cheers and applause from the crowd. As a barely conscious Kol rolls over onto his back, Magnum points to the top turnbuckle. Once he hears the cheers from the crowd, Magnum nods before stepping out onto the apron. He then scales to the top turnbuckle, dives off, shifts his position in mid air and goes for a Five Star Frog Splash. But at the last second, Kol ends up getting his knees up. The crowd boos when Magnum crashes down hard across Kol’s knees.

Kris Cruise: Kol blocked the Frog Splash! Magnum might have just gotten the wind knocked right out of him!

Magnum rolls off of Kol and curls up while Kol slowly turns over on all fours.

Stephy Auger: Come on, Kol! Get up! Get up!

Both grapplers slowly begin to pick themselves back up. When Magnum turns around, Kol charges at him and connects with a front dropkick, sending Magnum flying backwards into the corner. The crowd boos when the back of Magnum’s head smacks against the exposed turnbuckle. The Irish Superman then crumbles from out of the corner. The boos continue as Kol goes over and drags Magnum back towards the center of the ring. He pulls Magnum up, places him in an inverted front facelock and then brings him down with the Kol Kutter. The boos continue as Kol makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos when “Tear Away” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, Kol!

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

Kris Cruise: Kol gets the win and advances to the Semifinals to face Owen Gonsalves! But we’ve got to talk about Kol pulling off the top turnbuckle pad and exposing the steel turnbuckle!

Stephy Auger: No we don’t. It was an accident, remember?

Kris Cruise: Says who? What was he doing fidgeting around with the turnbuckle pad, anyway?

Stephy Auger: Why are you trying to take away his accomplishment?

Kris Cruise: I’ve got no problem with admitting that Kol is a great wrestler. What I DO have a problem with is him advancing to the Semifinals by blatantly cheating!

Stephy Auger: Blatantly cheated? If that’s the case, why wasn’t he disqualified? EXACTLY!

[FGA Office]

Backstage of Final Frontier is a buzz. The conclusion of the Frontier Lion’s Cup is tonight but before the fans can get to that, they get to enjoy 6 more qualifying matches to determine the final two. One of those potential finalist is Brian Stryker. He is seen standing backstage with Flashpoint’s Amanda Johnson.

Amanda Johnson: Hello everyone and welcome to Final Frontier. I have with me Brian Stryker who is facing Savannah Taylor is the quarter finals. Brian, it has a been a whirlwind few weeks for you. First cashing in that 15 title for a shot at Vertigo’s Chris Madison and his Pride title, only to be attacked by Julian Tijerina and losing your title shot to a forfeit. Next Savannah goes on Flashpoint and insinuates you are a wounded animal. How does that sit with you?

Brian is stern in his look as he looks down at Amanda. He rubs his chin before he goes to speak.

Brian Stryker: I got several things I got to say, but first……Have you seen my daughter?

His mood is suddenly different as he pulls out a photo of his new baby girl and holds it up to the camera for the world to see.

Brian Stryker: Isn’t she just the cutest little thing you ever seen? One month premature but the doctors are saying she’s a strong little fighter and will have a nice recovery and growth! She’s just so precious!

Amanda Johnson: Yes she is quite cute, but Brian, tonight is a big night. You have a chance to win the Frontier Lion’s Cup AND get a shot at the world title currently held by Johnny Karma. Does that make you any bit nervous?

Brian sighs as he nods his head and puts the photo of his daughter back in his pocket

Brian Stryker: Nervous? I don’t get nervous. I don’t get scared. I know what’s at stake here. A chance to really seal my name as 2017’s best new wrestler in FGA. I mean I already proven so many doubters wrong. Winning this cup and getting that shot at the world title would just be the feather in the cap for me. I already did what some folks couldn’t do. I became the 15 and made that title worth something. I cashed in before anyone else could even sniff it. And yes it did end badly for me, but Now Flashpoint is getting a brand new title.

Brian Stryker: Savannah was right to call me a wounded animal at the time. I was wounded, but you never insult or corner a wounded wolf. Because that’s when they get desperate and vicious. I am a man on a mission. And when I’m on a mission. I don’t stop. The #QuesttoPride was derailed, but Quest to the Final Frontier and Beyond is still going and I don’t plan on losing that easily. Savannah Taylor is a former Pride Champion, she knows what it takes. But here’s the thing. She’s never faced someone like me.

Brian Stryker: I am NOT the same man I was a few weeks back. I am a better man. I am focused. I am determined. She can’t possibly imagine what it’s like to step into the ring with The Dad of Pro Wrestling. And WHEN I beat her, well I got a semifinals to prepare for. And it doesn’t even matter who I face in the finals. Could be Magnum, Kol, Watson, Owen. Or they can bring in someone else for the finals. It doesn’t matter. It’s gonna end with me winning it all.

Brian Stryker: I don’t like saying someone “deserves” anything. Now one deserves or is owed a thing in this world. But I will say is I worked my ass off this year to earn this chance. I worked harder than most of the wrestlers on this show and worked harder than most in the Flashpoint locker room. When I win it all it’ll be because I was hungrier. I was more determined to win. I am focused on just tonight. Just this moment. It all comes to this night. I will solidify my spot as one of FGA’s best. Flashpoint’s own Chandler Scott won it all last year and I plan to bring the trophy back home to the A Show myself. This is my time to shine and like Sirius A, the Dog Star, I’m gonna shine the brightest. “Wounded animal” or not. I’m beating Savannah tonight and no one is gonna question it. Welcome to the Stryker Show. You’re in for a rip roaring time.

Brian pats Amanda on the back harder enough to knock the girl off balance a bit as he cracks his neck and walks out of frame.

[FGA Office]

FRONTIER LIONS CUP (QUARTERFINALS)
Savannah Taylor vs. Brian Stryker

"The following beat down has been brought to you by Dark Horse Protection. Dark Horse Protection: Protecting your ass, cause we need root beer money."

"Yeah,
I've made my mistake
I've seen my heart cave in
I got my scars
I've been to hell and back again"

Dark Horses by Switchfoot starts to play as the guitar intro hammers out into the arena. Brian Stryker walks out from behind the curtain, his hood up. Brian walks to the center of the stage. He gets down on one knee and runs his hand over the floor of thee stage. He rises to his feet and throws his hood back as the fans start singing the bridge.

"Born for the blue skies
We’ll survive the rain
Born for the sunrise
We’ll survive the pain"

He walks down the ramp, not taking his eyes off the ring. When he gets to the steel steps, he walks up them and climbs the turnbuckle to the top. He looks out to the crowd before holding out his arms as the crowd sings the chorus.

"We’re singing…
Hey, you can’t count us out
We’ve been running up against the crowd
Yeah, we are the dark horses
We’re singing…
Wait! It’s not over now
We’ve been down but we’ve never been out
Yeah, we are the dark horses"

Stryker sits himself on the top turnbuckle as he waits for the ref to start the match.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a Quarterfinals Match in the Frontier Lions Cup! Introducing first, from Maui, Hawaii! Weighing in at 215 pounds! He is The Dad of Pro Wrestling… BRIIIAAAANNN STRYYYYYKERRRR!!!

Geoff Penzer: We are now getting set for our first of two Flashpoint Quarterfinals here tonight. Earlier tonight, you saw Owen Gonsalves defeat the other half of Shootcamp, Ace Watson, in the opening contest of Final Frontier. Then, just moments ago, we saw Kol defeat Jackson Magnum to advance. But it was not without controversy. Right now, we have Brian Stryker, who is looking to have some things finally go his way again after that awful incident from a few weeks back. Over the last several months, Brian Stryker spent his time building up the 15 Championship with successful defense after successful defense. Once Stryker reached four successful defenses, he had the option of either keeping the championship, or exchanging the championship for a guaranteed Pride Championship Match. Stryker took the latter and called his shot. He was all set to challenge Chris Madison for his Pride Championship when he was jumped by Julian Tijerina, as well as Serpent’s Touch. Earlier on that same day, Vertigo GM Brandon Macdonald tried to butter up Stryker to get him to leave Flashpoint and sign exclusively to Flashpoint. But Stryker saw through what Macdonald was doing and was having none of it. The timing is incredibly fishy as the attack on Stryker happened not too long after that. GM Macdonald has insisted that he didn’t have anything to do with what happened to Stryker. But you can understand why people, especially over here are on the Flashpoint side, are skeptical. One thing to note. While Julian Tijerina is scheduled to compete tomorrow, he is here in Albany. I did get word that Tijerina has been spotted in the area. I don’t know what Stryker would do if he ever saw Tijerina again. But if I’m Tijerina, I’m keeping my distance from Stryker after what he did.

There was silence; the lights began to fade away slowly. A soft instrumental echoes out across the audience. It starts slowly, a beautiful sound that contrasts the heaviness of the world. Like feathers, it glides among the waiting audience. The lighting fixtures produce a gentle spotlight upon the stage, offset by the occasional flash here and there. As the song continues, a woman’s words begin to come through. Her voice is tender, not raising upon a whisper.

Deceived by my eyes and all I was told I should see
Opinions not mine, the person they taught me to be
One night in the dark, a vision of someone I knew
And in the darkness I saw, a voice say, I'm you.

On the stage, a feminine figure appears. Her head lowered to everything. People cannot make out who it is. As she stands there, the flashes briefly illuminate her figure. It only gives small clues on who stands at the gate. She stands in the spotlight, her shadow cast large and proudly among the stage.

Inside me a light was turned on…

The instrumental picks up again. An electric guitar now joins the progressively exciting instrumentals of before. The singer’s voice suddenly intensifies.

Then I was alive!

In the light, it is revealed that it was Savannah Taylor. She stands at the gate, a robe of obsidian and ivory hues. The hood of it shadows her eyes, but the intensity of the final EXODUS World Champion remains clear as day. She starts off down the ramp, with a serious aura radiating from her body.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Las Vegas, Nevada… SAAAAVANNAHHHHH TAAAYYYYLOORRRRRR!!!

If you close your eyes your life,
A naked truth revealed
Dreams you never lived,
And scars never healed

Savannah makes her way up the ring steps. She looks out towards the audience for a moment before entering the ring. From there, she heads for a turnbuckle. She stands there, taking in everything. She then lifts her up on top of it. She peers out in nothing, then takes off the hood with a flashy flourish. Her blonde locks fly up in the air. They descend, shaping her face as they famously do.

In the darkness, light will take you to the other side
You'll find me waiting there you'll see, if you just close your eyes

While she stands in her corner, she closes her eyes and takes a heavy breath. When her bright eyes open, Taylor is completely composed. There is nothing more than the heat of battle awaiting her. She takes off her robe, giving it to a stagehand. She stretches her wrists before devoting her mind to the war upon the horizon.

Geoff Penzer: After being drafted #3 overall by GM Hadley Herrera in the FGA Brand Extension Draft, Savannah Taylor has seen her fellow Heroes Never Die cohorts disappear one after the other. Her allies are now gone. But Taylor has stated that she never needed anyone to have her back or fight her battles for her. What better way to drive that point home than on a stage like tonight.

The bell sounds as Taylor and Stryker lock up in the center of the ring. Taylor quickly gains the advantage with a side headlock. But she’s quickly shoved off Stryker and sent into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Stryker leapfrogs over her. Taylor continues to run the ropes. When she comes back, Stryker turns and drops down into the prone position. Taylor hops over him before continuing to run the ropes. When Taylor returns, the crowd cheers when Stryker knocks her down with a dropkick. He knocks Taylor down with another dropkick before delivering an arm wrench. The ref asks Taylor if she wants to give up. But she refuses. She then rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of her own. But Stryker is quick to counter with the First Stryke (arm twist/hook kick combo)! Stryker pulls Taylor back to her feet before sending her into the ropes. When Taylor returns, Stryker goes to set up for a back body drop. But Taylor counters with a kick to the face. While Stryker stands back up, Taylor turns and runs back into the ropes. When she returns, she goes to knock Stryker down with a running yakuza kick. But Stryker’s able to catch her foot before knocking her off her feet with a legsweep. Taylor tries to get back to her feet. But Stryker quickly delivers a spiking hurricanrana! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Taylor kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Taylor was just driven head-first into the mat with that hurricanrana. But she had the wherewithal to kick out.

Stryker picks up Taylor, moves her into the corner and delivers three knife edge chops. He then takes Taylor and whips her into the opposite corner. Stryker runs across the ring to attack. But Taylor’s able to duck and dump him over the top rope. After Stryker lands on his feet, he doubles Taylor over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes before slamming her hard face-first onto the top turnbuckle. While Taylor stumbles back, Stryker knocks her down with a springboard dropkick! The cheers continue a he crawls over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Taylor kicks out.

Stryker brings up Taylor and goes for an irish whip. But Taylor reverses, sending Stryker into the ropes. When he returns, he brings Taylor down with a running hurricanrana. Once she returns to her feet and turns around, Stryker runs over and clotheslines her over the top rope and to the floor! Stryker shakes his fists while he paces back and forth.

Geoff Penzer: Brian Stryker is feeling it here tonight, ladies and gentleman! He’s clearly still upset over being screwed out of the Pride Championship!

While Taylor begins to pick herself up on the outside, Stryker turns and runs into the far ropes. When he comes back, the crowd explodes with cheers when Stryker knocks her down with a springboard Shooting Star Splash to the outside!

Geoff Penzer: The high risk pays off for Papa Stryker as he wipes out Taylor!

Stryker picks up Taylor and rolls her back inside. He then rolls back in and makes the cover.

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

Stryker picks up Taylor and whips her hard into the corner. After Taylor crashes sternum-first into the turnbuckles, she stumbles back over towards Stryker, who brings her down with the Overdose (straight jacket Shiranui). He then follows up with a running Shooting Star Splash and makes the cover.

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

Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Stryker picks up Taylor, moves her against the ropes and nails her with a forearm strike. He then takes the former Pride Champion and whips her into the far ropes. When Taylor returns, Stryker throws out a clothesline. But Taylor ducks and continues to run the ropes. Upon her return, Stryker throws out a back elbow to the face. But again, Taylor ducks before continuing to run the ropes. When she returns, she tackles Stryker down with a Lou Thesz Press. The boos continue as she mounts herself on top of Stryker and hammers down with a flurry of right hands to the face.

Geoff Penzer: Taylor is going to town on Stryker with those punches!

Taylor pulls up Stryker by the hair, runs into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Stryker around, Taylor lights up his chest with knife-edge chops. She then steps back and applies a foot choke while pulling down on the top rope. The crowd boos Taylor while the ref gives her until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Taylor reluctantly breaks the choke. She then takes Stryker and goes for an irish whip. But Stryker reverses, sending Taylor into the opposite corner. Papa Stryker then runs across the ring, nails Taylor with a running corner elbow and follows up with a CCS Enzuigiri. While Taylor is dazed, Stryker returns to his feet, turns her around, lifts her up and sits her down on the top turnbuckle. After climbing up onto the top ropes, Stryker goes for a Spider Suplex. But Taylor blocks the move. So Stryker tries for another Spider Suplex. But again, Taylor blocks the move. Stryker legs go, delivers three clubbing strikes across the back and goes for another Spider Suplex. But once again, Taylor blocks the move. Taylor then elbows Stryker repeatedly in the face. While Stryker is stunned, Taylor reaches back, grabs Stryker, flips back and brings him down with Welcome to Sin City (Avalanche Shiranui)! The boos continue as she makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Stryker gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Stryker avoided the three count. But you can believe that top roep Shiranui took something out of him!

Taylor picks up Stryker, delivers an irish whip, follows him into the corner and connects with a running clothesline. She then takes Stryker, whips him across the ring, follows him into the opposite corner and connects with a running forearm strike. Taylor goes for a running bulldog from out of the corner. But Stryker shoves her off into the ropes. When Taylor returns, she throws out a running yakuza kick. But Stryker evades it by dropping down onto his back. When Taylor turns around, Stryker returns to his feet with a kip up and quickly follows up with a pelé kick. While Taylor is dazed, Stryker turns and heads back into the ropes. When he returns, Taylor nearly takes his head off with the Desert Rose (spinning backfist)! She then reaches down, pulls up Stryker and plants him with a DDT. The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
T-NO

Stryker gets his shoulder up.

Taylor picks up Stryker and doubles him over with three knee strikes to the midsection. She then turns and runs into the ropes. When Taylor comes back, she goes for a curbstomp. But Stryker slips out of the way, grabs her and counter with the Stryke 2 (leg-hook saito suplex). While Taylor is down, Stryker heads into the corner, climbs up to the top turnbuckle and flips back for a corkscrew moonsault. But Taylor rolls out of the way, causing Stryker to crash onto the canvas. As Stryker pushes himself up on all fours, Taylor runs back over, jumps up and brings him down with a curbstomp! The boos continue as Taylor pulls Stryker over and makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Stryker gets his shoulder up.

Taylor pulls up Stryker, doubles him over with a hard knee to the midsection and brings him down with The Gamble (corkscrew neckbreaker). The boos continue as Taylor steps out onto the apron, scales to the top turnbuckle, dives off and crashes on top of Stryker with a Frog Splash. She hooks the leg for the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Stryker gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Stryker gets his shoulder up just in the nick of time.

Taylor picks up Stryker and whips him into the corner. She then runs across the ring and throws out a corner yakuza kick. But Stryker’s able to catch her foot before shoving her down to the mat. After Taylor rolls back up to her feet, Stryker charges out of the corner and turns her inside out with a falling clothesline. The cheers continue as he pulls up Taylor, lifts her up and throws her down with the Freak Accident (pumphandle neckbreaker lift into a cutter). Stryker then heads into the corner before delivering  springboard Phoenix Splash! The cheers continue as the ref slides over to start the count.

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

The crowd boos when Taylor gets her shoulder up.

Stryker picks up Taylor and whips her into the corner. He then runs across the ring to follow up with an attack. But Taylor turns him around with a boot to the face. While Stryker staggers away from the corner, Taylor comes up from behind, grabs Stryker and drives him down with Blonde Ambition (forward russian legsweep). The boos continue as she picks up Stryker before planting him with the Siren’s Song (Scissored DDT). She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd erupts with boos when “Just Close Your Eyes” blares throughout the arena.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, SAVANNAH TAYLOR!

The boos continue as Taylor gets her arm raised in victory.

Geoff Penzer: his crowd was solidly behind Brian Stryker. They wanted to see him win the Cup after getting screwed out of his Pride Championship match. But unfortunately, Stryker’s run here in 2017 ends with a loss in the quarterfinals to the Las Vegas Siren...

[FGA Office]

Recorded Earlier

FGA cameras are outside the Times Union Center when they spot Frontier Lion's Cup participant Kendall Kingham approaching the building, rolling her luggage behind her. A voice from off camera calls her name out, asking if they can get some thoughts on how she's feeling heading into this huge showcase tonight. She perks her head up, flashing a huge grin as she approaches them.

Kendall Kingham: Yeah, sure! I'm a little nervous, but good nervous and excited. I think if you don't at least have a little bit of nerves, you're not taking things as seriously as you should-- you know? It's that feeling that kinda makes the feeling after worth i--

She notices that the crew members seem distracted, causing her voice to trail off. Crinkling her nose, the Flashpoint wrestler slowly turns around, spotting Vertigo's Piper Lennon ambling up to her. Piper gives a short wave and flashes a small smile.

Piper Lennon: Hey there, how's it going; you wouldn't mind if I just borrow this camera for a bit, would you?

Kendall quirks a brow.

Kendall Kingham: Uh, I kinda do, I was in the middle of something. Talking about the biggest night of my career and all that.

That doesn't seem to fluster or dissuade Lennon in the least.

Piper Lennon: And that's cool, that's cool, but here's the thing. I sorta made a promise to Arty Kaiser-- facing her in the Young Guns Cup-- that I'd continue the conversation I was having with her in a place that'd be a bit more visible than, you know, lost in the Twitter shuffle. Soooo, I figure if this is recording something to play during Final Frontier ... what better place?

She lightly shrugs and Kingham looks even more baffled, while trying really hard to keep her patience.

Kendall Kingham:Wait, so you want to interrupt me talking about FGA on an FGA show to talk about a match that's happening somewhere else?

Lennon's reaction is to start "talking with her hands" as she responds, presumably to help spell out what she's saying.

Piper Lennon: Weeellll, technically I've already interrupted you. And I could go on about how the experiences I'm gonna have elsewhere will shape the person I am in my journey here, but I don't wanna waste your time with philosophical debates. It's basically like this-- I don't make too many promises, I'm kind of a take things as they come kind of person more about experiencing life than planning it out-- so when I do make a promise to someone? I kinda feel like it has to mean something, you know what I'm saying?

A few terse moments pass before Kendall sighs and steps aside.

Kendall Kingham: Please, just make it quick--I already forgot what I was in the middle of saying now--so uh, just do your thing so I can remember what I was saying.

She takes a seat on top of her rolling luggage, trying not to pout as Piper shoots her a thumbs up before turning to face the camera directly.

Piper Lennon: Hey there, so like I said, I was going to get back to our conversation and what exactly I do make of you. Out of respect I felt like I should probably hold to my word, because believe it or not, I really am looking forward to facing you.

Piper stretches her arms over her head, then cracks her neck before returning her hands to her sides.

Piper Lennon: Sorry about that, stiffened up a little bit on the flight over here. Which kinda brings me to what I was saying about you, how you seem very ... stiff in everything you do. Like, I thought about that, and I thought about how you reacted to me and that old twitter handle you had ... what was it, God of Anger? That's kinda fitting, so props on that.

She holds her index finger up.

Piper Lennon: Just to be clear, I don't think that was you flipping your shit or whatever, but like the way you were ready to tense up and see what I was saying as an attack really says a lot about you. Like I'm thinking about it, and ... acting the way you as a human are supposed to seems kinda hard for you, doesn't it? The being stiff thing, like, there's a hitch where you have to kind of think of the way you're supposed to react in a social situation. Whether it's wit, or arrogance, confidence, or determination you're trying to get across it's a little bit strained, yeah? I think that's a fair thing to say.

A short nod of her head.

Piper Lennon: I mean I know you're married or engaged or whatever, so you could kinda pass as being functional in day to day life, but it's a struggle isn't it? Seems the wifey's been pretty open on the ol' tweetybird about what a turbulent year or so this has been for her personally, kind of explaining the popping up and shifts in demeanor. Which given the relationship says to me again, that trying to function is a struggle for you, it's something you have to work at. But the one human reaction, the one emotion that does come to you naturally ...

She lets a beat skip.

Piper Lennon: ... well that's anger, isn't it. That's your default state of being, and it's a legit problem for you when you have to try and be anything but. And I don't want you to get the wrong impression out of this, I'm not trying to analyze you to find some sort of weakness to exploit, or anything like that. Just wanted to make the point that I'm a pretty dedicated observer of everything around me, it's how I take the world in and try to grow as a person, so coming across someone like you is exciting for me.

Piper takes a step back, does a small twirl in place before striding back forward.

Piper Lennon: Honestly, you should take this all as a compliment, because it seems to serve you well as a wrestler. And I really had to like, break that down to the core for you, because I haven't run into anyone like you yet in FGA, so this is legitimately going to be a exciting experience for me. I could have just paid you lip service by saying I was excited, but I felt like I needed to really break things down to show you that this is genuine, this is real. There's not a lot of people like you out there, and short of just being able to ... take you apart and see how you work, this is probably the best way to experience everything you're about.

She smiles as she starts to shuffle back, tapping the camera hanging from her neck as she does so.

Piper Lennon: Anyhoo, thanks for hearing me out. See you soon, should be a blast.

As Piper starts to walk out of view, the shot focuses on Kendall still sitting on her luggage, running her hands through her hair, seemingly trying to tune Lennon out. She's asked if she still wants to finish up, to which she pauses, then nods and pops to her feet.

Kendall Kingham: Holy crap ... but that actually has me thinking about something. Like, I know I'm not the one everyone's thinking about heading into tonight left in this tournament. As long a time coming as this match with Evan has been, I'm not, I wasn't even the one at the front of my own interview just now. Maybe it's because I'm new, or I don't have the accomplishments of the others, or because I haven't talked a lot about the other people in the FLC.

She shakes her head.

Kendall Kingham: But that's okay, because that just reminds me how much harder I have to work than everyone else tonight to prove my point and start making my mark. Which all starts with Evan, which is why I really haven't been spending my time bantering with the other people in it. Because none of them matter if I can't win that first one, and they're all great wrestlers, but I don't really know what to expect if I do get to that point. Like, I can study all the tape I want, but what if Savannah or Stryker have a bad leg or shoulder after their first match so they completely switch up their strategy to something I didn't plan for? I don't want to waste time I could be spending getting ready for Evan thinking about what comes next, because none of us know what's next and none of us know what shape we'll be in for the second or third match of the night.

A shrug.

Kendall Kingham: I don't know if that makes sense, but that's the way I look at it. Like, there was a while where I was in this business and I didn't really get it, but I think I'm understanding it better now and this is why I'm ready to make my move in my career to really be taken seriously. And to do that, I need to be locked in focused on what I do know is in front of me, which is a super driven, locked in Evan. I know he's as good as anyone out there in the ring, and I also know he's come up short a lot in big matches, whether here or SCW where we thought it was finally gonna be his time. Between the motivation of that, the #47 thing and the fact I know I won't catch him taking me easy after I got him in the Tombs in that tag? That's a challenge that deserves all my attention. It's not just about the wrestler, it's about where they are in there career too you know?

She takes a deep breath and straightens her posture up.

Kendall Kingham: But it's a challenge I absolutely know I can get past if I perform my best and use all the hard work putting in-- and if I can do that? I can win this whole darn thing.

An awkward pause follows.

Kendall Kingham: No catchphrases this time, I just gotta deliver.

[FGA Office]

FRONTIER LIONS CUP (QUARTERFINALS)
Kendall Kingham vs. Evan Envi

The frantic opening to “Can You Feel It?” hits the PA system to a deafening mixed reaction from the audience. As purple-colored strobes flicker throughout the darkened arena, Evan Envi walks through the curtains toward the top of the ramp. He pauses, looking out among the audience with an arched brow before casually making his way toward the ring, a look of amusement crossing his face as he endures the varying reactions from the audience. He pauses just once at the bottom of the ramp, looking around the venue once more, a smirk spreading across his face.

Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is a Quarterfinals Match in the Frontier Lions Cup! Introducing first, from Ocean City, Maryland! Weighing in at 203 pounds! He is the “Chief” EVAAAANNNN EEEEENNNNNNVIIIII!!!

Finally, as Envi walks up the steel steps and onto the apron, the lights slowly return to normal. He climbs the ropes like a staircase, raising the double “V” fingers into the air as he pauses on the top turnbuckle and then drops down into the ring, fingers still raised above his head as he marches toward the far set of ropes, looking out into the audience with a wink, muttering something to himself as his music fades and his arms lower to his side, loosening up his limbs as he backs into the corner.

Geoff Penzer: After returning to active competition after the Brand Extension Draft, The Chief netted himself a pair of high profile wins. Things seemed to be on the upswing for the Camp Envi leader after what had been a bit of a tumultuous year. However, he’s had a number of high profile losses recently, due in large part to some untimely miscommunication between he and Neon. While Neon is not at ringside here tonight, the fact remains that both members of Camp Envi are heading into Final Frontier ice cold. That does not bode well for Envi and Neon’s championship aspirations.

The lights drop, and multi-colored ones start strobing around as "Professional Griefers" starts up to the cheers of the crowd. Kendall Kingham emerges into sight wearing her regular gear, sunglasses, and an airbrushed jacket.

Kendall bounces on the balls of her toes before making her way down the ramp, slapping a few hands along the way.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, New York… KENDAAAAAALLLL KIIIIINGHAAAAMMMM!!!

She hops up on the apron, runs to an unoccupied corner, and climbs to the second turnbuckle. Raising a fist to a pop from the crowd, she slingshots herself inside, and removes her jacket and glasses as the lights come back on while her music fades.

Geoff Penzer: Kendall Kingham who is ready and set for action. Since coming to FGA, she’s sported a spotless record. That 3-0 record of hers could increase to 6-0 by the night’s end if all goes according to plan for her. If you look at a lot of the predictions from various outlets, Kingham is one of the dark horses here tonight. She’s a relative newcomer to FGA, so she doesn’t have the name of the other remaining Quaterfinalists in this tournament. But Evan Envi said it best himself just a few weeks ago during a sitdown interview with our very own Amanda Johnson. “Getting past her is a feat in and of itself. Even if that doesn’t hold a lot of weight with some people yet, it’s a accomplishment to me.” Evan Envi knows exactly who and what he’s up against here tonight. The Chief isn’t about to take her lightly.


The match starts with both grapplers circling the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Envi gains the advantage with a side headlock. Envi tries to cinch in the hold. But Kingham’s able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. She then spins Envi towards her and brings him down with a snapmare takedown. After sitting Envi up, she applies a wirstock and tries to turn him over into The Tombs (grounded top wristlock submission). But Envi’s able to slip out and crawls backwards towards the ropes.

Geoff Penzer: Envi nearly got trapped in The Tombs for the second time.

After Envi pulls himself up using the ropes, him and Kingham begin to circle the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Envi takes control of the arm. He then takes the arm and delivers an arm wrench. The ref asks Kingham if she wants to give up. But she refuses. She then rolls forward leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of her own before applying a top wristlock. Envi shakes his head as Kingham begins to push him down to a knee while having him in the top wristlock. The ref kneels down and asks Envi if he wants to give up. But The Chief refuses. So Kingham applies more pressure to the wrist, which causes Envi to let out an audible groan. Kingham continues to fight for the submission while Envi tries to hang on. After declining another opportunity to give up, Envi slowly rises back to a vertical base. He then grabs a hold of Kingham and throws her down with a release northern lights suplex. After both grapplers return to their feet, Envi rushes over to attack. But Kingham’s quick to throw him down with a japanese arm drag. Envi returns to his feet, only to get returned to the mat by another japanese arm drag. Kingham rushes over to attack Envi. But he leapfrogs over her before she continues to run the ropes. When she returns, Envi delivers a step up hurricanrana, sending Kingham through the ropes and onto the apron. As Kingham picks herself up on the apron, Envi runs into the corner and connects with a triangle dropkick, knocking Kingham off the apron and to the floor.

While Kingham picks herself up off the floor, Envi runs into the far ropes. When he comes back, he leaps through the ropes and knocks Kingham down with a suicide European Uppercut!

Geoff Penzer: Envi wipes out Kingham with the dive out to the floor!

While Kingham is down, Envi climbs back up onto the apron. He looks down at Kingham… then over at the top turnbuckle… then back down at Kingham… then back over at the top turnbuckle. Cheers cna be heard from the crowd as Envi marches across the apron.

Geoff Penzer: What’s Envi going for here?

Fans in the crowd stand up as they see Envi slowly climbing up onto the top turnbuckle. Once Kingham returns to her feet and turns around, Envi flips off, knocking her down with The Classic (diving moonsault) to a a surge of cheers from the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: Envi just took out Kingham with a diving moonsault to the floor! Unbelievable!

Envi picks up Kingham and rolls her back inside. He then rolls himself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Kingham kicks out.

Envi picks up Kendall, moves her into the corner and unleashes a series of alternating European Uppercuts and knife edge chops. Envi and the crowd “WOOOOO” between each strike. He then takes Kingham and whips her into the opposite corner. The Chief runs across the ring to attack. But Kingham hoists herself up onto the middle ropes and cuts him off with a diving European Uppercut. She makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Envi kicks out.

Kingham picks up Envi and goes for an irish whip. But Envi reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Kingham returns, Envi sets up for a back body drop. Kingham sees it coming, so she counters with a sunset flip. However, Envi’s able to roll through it. After rolling back to his feet, he quickly lifts up Kingham’s leg and goes to put her in a figure four leg lock. After spinning around Kingham’s leg, Kingham reaches up, grabs Envi and pulls him down into a small package.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Envi kicks out.

After both grapplers return to their feet, Kingham knocks him down with a Brazilian Kick. She makes the cover.

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

Kingham picks up Envi and brings him back down with a three quarter russian leg sweep. She makes the cover.

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

Kingham picks up Envi and goes for an irish whip. But Envi reverses, sending Kingham into the ropes. When Kingham comes back, she knocks Envi down with a crossbody block.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Envi kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Yet another nearfall for Kingham! She’s really turned this match around and now has Envi on his heels!

Kingham picks up Envi and knocks him back into the corner with a European Uppercut. She then takes into the corner, takes Envi the wrist and goes for an irish whip. But Envi reverses, sending Kingham into the opposite corner. The Chief then runs across the ring to follow up with an atack. But Kingham hoists herself up and counters into the Tarantula. The crowd cheers while Envi howls in pain. The ref quickly goes over and gives Kingham until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Kingham releases the hold. She then grabs a hold of Envi with a Thai Plum, moves him over into the ropes and delivers short range punches, knees and elbows to the head. While The Chief is dazed Kingham turns and runs into the far ropes. When she comes back, the Chief goes to dump Kingham down to the floor. However, she’s able to land safely on the apron. When Envi turns around, the crowd cheers when he gets brought down by a slingshot spear through the ropes. She makes the cover.

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

Kingham pulls Envi and then nails him with a hard knee to the midsection that doubles him over. While Envi remains doubled over, Kingham turns and runs into the ropes. When she returns, she throws out a Knee Trembler. But Envi’s able to slip out of the way and quickly counter with a saito suplex. After Kingham rolls over on the mat and gets up on her knees, Envi heads over and delivers a series of shoot kicks to the chest before rocking Kingham with a buzzsaw kick. While Kingham is dazed, Envi runs past her and into the ropes. When he comes back, he brings Kingham down with a running cutter. The mixed reaction continues as he makes the cover.

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

Envi pulls up Kingham and sets her up for a Uranage when Kingham counters with repeated elbows to the side of the head. Once free, Kingham turns and runs into the ropes. When she comes back, Envi nearly turns her inside out with the Kapowski Kick (quick spinning heel kick). He makes the cover.

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

The crowd cheers when Kingham gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: That was nearly it for Kendall Kingham and her dreams of winning the Frontier Lions Cup. But she got her shoulder up just in time!

Envi picks up Kingham and whips her into the ropes. When Kingham returns, Envi hoists her into the air for a Pop-up elbow strike. But on the way down, the crowd cheers when Kingham knocks Envi down with a Samoan Spike! She makes the cover.

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

Cheers and boos can be heard from the crowd when Envi gets his shoulder up.

Kingham picks up Envi and whips him into the corner. She then runs across the ring to attack. But Envi counters with an overhead belly to belly suplex into the turnbuckles! The mixed reaction continues as The Chief picks up Kingham and sits her down on the top turnbuckle. He then scales to the middle ropes, hooks Kingham from behind in an inverted facelock and delivers an inverted superplex! As Kingham slowly rolls over onto her back, Envi steps out onto the apron. After grabbing a hold of the top rope with both hands, Envi connects with a springboard Helter Skelter (450 Splash)! He hooks the leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

Cheers and boos can be heard throughout the crowd when “Can You Feel It?” blares throughout the arena.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, EVAN ENVI!

The mixed reaction continues as Envi gets his arm raised in victory.

Geoff Penzer: Evan Envi has done it. He has advanced to the Semifinals, where he will meet Savannah Taylor!

Envi continues to celebrate in the ring until he turns and sees Kingham slowly pulling herself up using the ropes. The look of disappointment is clear on her face. Instead of exiting the ring, The Chief slowly makes his way over towards Kingham. The two stare each other down until Envi extends his hand. Kingham looks down at the hand, then back up at Envi’s face… and shakes it. Cheers and applause can be heard throughout the crowd as the two embrace...

[FGA Office]

Inside Susan's locker room, Susan is sitting on the bench, Kendra turns off her phone and addresses Susan.

Kendra Hollis: I know I've said this already, but you need to stop listening to the fans forget what they want, you've listened to the fans and its gotten you nothing, your not even featured on this show, and the fans you claim to love probably doesn't even know that your not featured on the show, and they probably, don't even care, Its not about them anymore its about what get you results, and you have to do whatever you have to to get those results if that means being more selfish, more vicious and bending the rules so be it, show them the real Susan Kent, show them why you deserve to be the biggest star in the company and on Vertigo, if you keep on this current track, you will continue to fail.

Kendra's phone buzzes, Kendra looks at the screen.

Kendra Hollis: I have to take this call, you have to decide what's best for you.

Kendra walks off, Susan continues to sit on the bench, Kendra words still fresh in her head...

[FGA Office]

TAG TEAM MATCH
Firing Squad vs. Serpent's Touch

The bell rings to signal the audience’s attention to the ringside area.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is a tag team match scheduled for one fall!

The lights go out. A lone purple spotlight reveals the silhouettes of Faye Valentine and Kimiko through the smoke covering the stage. Kimiko has her head bowed, wearing a kendo stick on her back and her trademark oni bandana around the bottom half of her face. "Heart Killer" by Gossling begins to play, and The Divine Valentine sings her team's theme as the smoke slowly dissipates around them. Kimiko looks up, and  with Faye Valentine right behind her, begins to walk down the ramp to the ring as the lone purple spotlight breaks into several purple spotlights, drowning the arena in a sea of royal blood.

I am known as a killer
A heart killer
I'll have it, so you don't know
I'm nothing but a mean foe

Kimiko's full attention is to the ring as Faye Valentine continues singing their theme, both making their respective ways down the ramp and towards the ring. While Kimiko does not turn to look at the fans, not to anyone, ignore everyone and everything in favor of her full concentration on the task at hand, Faye Valentine dances seductively and flirts with the fans at ringside, clearly enjoying the attention she's getting, and she's getting everyone's attention. Faye Valentine graces a fan at ringside with an intimate touch, sliding the tip of her two fingers across his cheek, as her voice helps him reach ecstacy, but she breaks off mere moments before he reaches nirvana. Faye Valentine smirks at him, leaving him, and the rest of the crowd, always wanting more.

J.A. Aldridge: Introducing first, on their way to the ring, at a combined weight of two hundred and fifty-eight pounds, the team of Faye Valentine and Kimiko… SERRRRPENT’S TOOUUUUCH!

I'm gonna be your partner
Your love partner
You're gonna take it real slow
I'll make sure that you let go

Kimiko grabs the middle rope from the floor and hoists herself up the apron. She gets in the ring without any theatrics. Faye Valentine, on the other hand, walks up the steel steps and lingers on the apron, facing the crowd. She dances for a bit before she spins around and inside the ring, straddling the ropes through which she entered the ring, as she continues singing. The crowd dances to their song, latching on to every word that slithers out of her lips. Meanwhile, Kimiko takes to the middle of the ring, bows to each side of the squared circle, and gets down on the mat as she takes the kendo stick from her back. She places the kendo stick right in front of her on the mat and bows to it three times. Finally, as Faye Valentine ends her performance, she whips her hair back and comes back down to the mat, grinning playfully at everyone, including the referee and their opponent. Kimiko gets up, walks to one side of the ring, and once again sits down with her back against the corner ring post, waiting. Faye surrenders her microphone to a stagehand and warms up before the match, another performance, begins.

Kris Cruise: Faye Valentine and Kimiko have been embroiled in what I would probably describe, plain and simple, as a war with the young team of Ymir Ocampos and Luke Jackson, also known as Firing Squad. It started as just a war of words between competitors, Stephy, but the first time these two teams stepped into the ring against each other, something snapped in Ymir Ocampos. We saw a side of her that I don’t think a lot of people were expecting.

Stephy Auger: Serpent’s Touch brought that out of her, Cruise, and do you remember what happened? It cost them. It cost Firing Squad the match!

Kris Cruise: And they got that win back two weeks later on Vertigo. I’m not sure what you have against them, but the reality is, Ocampos and Jackson are turning heads. And tonight, they look to make an undeniable mark in the tag team division with a victory in the rubber match.

Stephy Auger: But they have to go through Faye and Kimiko. And with the peak condition they’ve been in for the past couple of months? Good luck with that.

“Lose Yourself” hits the PA to a pop from Albany! Luke comes out with a huge smile on his face, not down the ramp, but through the audience, basking in the glory of wrestling. He has a black wife beater on and backwards Oakland A’s cap on, making his way down the stairs, slapping the hands of fans on his way down to the ring.

Kris Cruise: And it looks like Luke’s coming through the audience, already on the same page as his partner!

Luke pauses near the barricade, giving a bitter smirk toward Serpent’s Touch in the ring before his music fades. All the lights go down, throwing the entire arena into a state of utter blackness.

Stephy Auger: And what is this now? Always with the lights with these kids!

Fans begin looking about, almost in a form of panic, unsure what to expect. The sound system releases the first lively riff of the familiar entrance theme - that of “The Final Countdown”. It is music that is both energetic and strangely uplifting at the same time. Coming to life, the giant monitor above the catwalk shows static. The snowy graphic resolves into a montage of Ymir of The Rain in action.

J.A. Aldridge: And their opponents…

Suddenly, the entire venue is assaulted by chaotic gold strobe lights. The pulsing throb of the music is accompanied by the marching of countless figures. Each one is dressed identical to Ymir Ocampos - wearing a blood splattered Komainu mask and her big-match white ring gear. They converge on the ringside area and the image is daunting. Behind the steel barrier is a virtual army, made up of countless duplicates of a single persona. It is impossible to tell who is the real Red Faced Komainu, assuming that the original is there at all.

Stephy Auger: What in the actual hell, Cruise?!

Then, one individual steps over the barricade and lurches onto the apron. With a flourish, she grasps the top rope with one hand and throws her weight back with the other. To a chorus of cheers the charismatic performer steps into the ring. Her movement resembles an orchestra conductor trying to walk a high wire while mildly intoxicated. Crimson streaked hair flows over her komainu mask; bold chocolate eyes survey the crowd. She perches atop a ring post, eyes drifting directly toward Faye Valentine while Luke Jackson slides into the ring, kneeling down in the corner in front of his partner, still glaring across the ring at Serpent’s Touch.

J.A. Aldridge: In the ring, at a combined weight of three hundred and twenty pounds, the team of Ymir Ocampos and “The Kid” Luke Jackson… FIIIIIRING SQUAAAAD!

The audience roars for the team as Ymir’s music fades and she steps down from the ring post, over the turnbuckle, and down into the ring. Faye Valentine shakes her head, leaning in the other corner whispering to Kimiko. Valentine’s expression lingers somewhere between amused and disgusted. The audience roars as Ocampos removes the mask, placing it on the ring post in her corner, shooting a glare toward Kimiko. After a brief conversation with Luke, he starts things off for Firing Squad while Faye begins for Serpent’s Touch. The referee calls for the bell!

Stephy Auger: There we go-- this one’s official!

Kris Cruise: Firing Squad and Serpent’s Touch part three, and these teams aren’t gonna hold anything back. Weeks ago, Faye Valentine said that the Firing Squad, specifically Ocampos were untouched, like a white banner-- able to be changed or painted by anyone they came across. Ymir and Luke are looking not only to claim victory on their biggest stage thus far, but to prove that they know exactly who they are.

Stephy Auger: Oh, they’re about to find out who they are, Cruise. Trust me.

Faye jaws off to Jackson as the two move toward each other. Luke’s jaw visibly tenses as Faye goes on… and she opens her hand, going to strike Jackson with a slap to the jaw-- but Luke grabs her arm and pulls her forward into a vicious short-arm Clothesline seamlessly! Valentine scrambles to her feet as Luke shoots the ropes, rebounding with a Running Clothesline to the delight of the audience! Cursing audibly, Valentine scrambles upright again-- right into a Standing Dropkick! Sent to her back, Valentine pushes herself up once more, only making it to a knee before Jackson shoots the ropes and rebounds with a Basement Dropkick! Thrown to the canvas, Valentine shrieks in frustration and rolls out of the ring, garnering applause from the Albany audience once more.

Kris Cruise: Luke Jackson starting out hot!

Kimiko drops down from the apron as Faye beckons her over, but Luke Jackson turns, tagging in Ymir Ocampos to a roar from the audience. Ymir steps through the ropes and sprints across the ring, vaulting the top rope on the other side!

Stephy Auger: STOP, THEY’RE NOT READY!

Kris Cruise: Kimiko and Valentine have no idea!

Kimiko turns, eyes widening as Ymir sails through the air and captures her with a Diving Hurricanrana outside the ring! Inches away, Faye looks on in shock, reaching, grabbing a handful of Ymir’s hair-- but Jackson dives through the ropes, nailing a Suicide Dive, taking Valentine to the ground!

Stephy Auger: REF!

Kris Cruise: Nonstop tandem offense here by the Firing Squad! They said they learned more and more about Serpent’s Touch every time they watched them and we’re seeing that here!

Ocampos groggily rolls into the ring while Jackson hoists Valentine up, sliding her into the ring beneath Ymir. Faye pushes herself up to her knees, looking toward Faye, slowly raising her hands as she shoots quick glances at her corner-- but Kimiko is still down on the outside! Faye slowly rises to her feet… feigning turning to her own corner-- but as Ymir draws near, Faye turns, driving a closed fist into the rookie’s jaw! Staggered, Ocampos stumbles back-- and Faye yanks her forward, smashing into her jaw with a European Uppercut! The audience groans at the impact… but Ymir fires right back with a knife-edged chop, catching Valentine n the throat!

Kris Cruise: This thing’s in danger of turning into an all-out brawl!

Valentine and Ymir immediately begin exchanging uncalculated rights and lefts, bringing many in the crowd to their feet! Valentine seems to gain the advantage after a moment and shoots the ropes while Ymir reels, but Ymir blocks with a knee to the midsection! Valentine cries out, lurching. Ymir applies a Half-Nelson and yells out before delivering rapid knee strikes to the chest and neck of Valentine! Valentine falls to both knees and Ymir nails a roundhouse kick, flooring the tag team specialist! Ymir hooks both legs, leaning into a deep cover!

ONE
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TWO
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Stephy Auger: Gahhh, my heart…

Kris Cruise: And a kickout by Valentine, but Ymir isn’t finished!

Ymir calmly rises to her feet behind the stirring Faye Valentine, unblinking as the songstress rises to her feet-- only to be met with a Scoop Slam by Ocampos! The rookie rushes to the corner, leaping to the second turnbuckle before nailing a low Moonsault on Faye, hooking the far leg for another cover, leaning deep across the shoulders!

ONE
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TWO
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Kickout!

Kris Cruise: And another kickout by Valentine, who needs to tag out of this match and regroup immediately, Stephy.

Stephy Auger: Or the referee needs to get a handle on these rookies operating on the outskirts of the rules! Attacking Serpent’s Touch outside of the ring like they did-- where’s the integrity? What are these kids learning?!

Ymir forces Valentine to her feet by the wrist and leads her toward her corner, but Faye fights back with a right hand to the jaw. Ymir pulls her forward into another knee strike, taking Faye down to a knee herself. Ymir reaches back, tagging in Jackson while she pulls Ymir into a front facelock. Jackson steps up to the top turnbuckle, looking out into the roaring Albany crowd… before leaping from the top with a Flying Bulldog as Ymir lets go! Faye cries out, a hand over her face!

Kris Cruise: Luke Jackson and Ymir Ocampos are out to brutalize Serpent’s Touch!

Kimiko pases on the apron, glaring a hole through Jackson who rises to his feet, backing into the ropes… before he delivers a running baseball slide to the skull of Valentine! Faye rolls onto her back, clutching her head before Luke hops upright, pivots on his heel and delivers a hangtime Standing Moonsault! Faye cries out at the impact, but Luke cradles both of her legs while the ref drops down to make a count!

ONE
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TWO
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THR--!

Kris Cruise: Stephy, I know you don’t appreciate this, but Firing Squad is completely taking it to Serpent’s Touch here in Albany!

Faye scowls as she sits upright, but Jackson is quick to deliver a boot to her chest, sending her to her back. He begins to walk toward his corner again, but Faye grapevines his leg! Luke catches himself to stop from tripping, but Faye uses Luke’s own body weight to pull herself to her feet by his arm. Luke shakes her free and goes for a Clothesline, but Fake ducks beneath it and plants Luke with a Reverse DDT! Boos resonate through the arena, but Faye uses the ropes to pull herself up, scowl evolving into a smirk as she measures the rising Luke… and nails a Sling Blade!

Kris Cruise: Sling Blade by Faye!

Stephy Auger: Tag out, Faye!

Valentine rolls to her feet, seething as she watches Luke pulling himself up in the far corner. Valentine backs herself into the opposite neutral corner before sprinting forward-- and leaping into the air to nail a Front Dropkick, knocking Luke back into the corner!

Stephy Auger: Heatseeker I!

Luke staggers out of the corner, falling face-first to the canvas in the center of the ring while Valentine ascends to the top turnbuckle. Ocamps shouts words of warning to her rising partner, but Jackson turns around to a Front Missile Dropkick, sending him flat to his spine! Faye dives on top of Jackson, hooking the near leg for the cover!

ONE
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TWO
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THHH-- Kickout!

Kris Cruise: And a perfect Heatseaker II finds its mark but Jackson kicks out! This may be the opening Serpent’s Touch needed here though!

Faye pushes herself up to her feet and walks to her corner, tagging Kimiko with a wicked grin. Kimiko zeroes in on Luke, measuring him, hands gripped on the top rope as she shifts her weight in anticipation. Despite another warning from Ymir, Luke stands upright-- and Kimiko springboards onto the adjacent top rope, nailing a Triangle Springboard Moonsault, her knee catching Jackson right in the skull, driving him to the canvas!

Kris Cruise: Oh my God!

Stephy Auger: They’re not like these kids, Cruise! Kimiko and Faye? They’re not just flash, but substance!

Kimiko rises to her feet, stomping viciously upon the prone Jackson. Luke tries to cover up, and Kimiko drops a knee across his spine! Luke rolls away, pushing himself up to his feet-- and Kimiko nails a forearm, followed by a Backfist, knocking Luke into the neutral corner to a groan from the crowd. A second backfist rocks Jackson, followed by a hard open hand to the face and a third backfist, knocking Jackson to a seated position in the corner! This time, it is Ymir Ocampos that paces along the apron while Kimiko backs to the far corner-- then sprints across, hitting a Running Hip Attack to the cornered Jackson!

Stephy Auger: Kimiko just smashed Jackson’s head right into that bottom turnbuckle! That’s where Serpent’s Touch are willing to go to put these kids in their pl--

Kris Cruise: Here she comes again!

Kimiko nails a second Running Hip Attack and Luke slumps out of the corner. Kimiko rolls him onto his back, pinning his shoulders to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Cover!

ONE
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TWO
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The ref break’s the count as Luke’s foot drifts beneath the turnbuckles. Kimiko drags Luke back a few inches and grinds a forearm across his face, reaching for the near leg as she covers again!

ONE
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TWO
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Kickout!

Kimiko pushes herself up, glaring down at Jackson before she steps through the ropes and ascends to the top turnbuckle. As Luke climbs to his feet near the corner, Kimiko hooks him in a high-angle front facelock before swinging herself off and nailing a Tornado DDT, smashing Luke’s face against the top ring rope while Kimiko lands on the apron once again! Luke writhes on the mat in agony as Kimiko races to the top turnbuckle once more!

Kris Cruise: Oh my God! Luke’s nose and jaw just crushed against that top rope, all of Kimiko’s weight coming down on top of him!

Stephy Auger: This kid is busted wide open!

The audience grows loud, seeing blood rush down from Jackson’s nose. Kimiko smirks briefly at Ocamps before she leaps from the top for a Diving Double Foot Stomp to the heart… but Luke rolls away! Kimiko grunts, staggering gingerly as she lands, but as Luke rises to his feet behind her, Kimiko turns, blasting him with a Spin Kick that sends Luke corkscrewing to the mat! Our camera catches a look of shock cross Ymir’s face before we cut back to Kimiko who stomps viciously at Luke Jackson once again while Faye screams words of encouragement from the corner, laughing in delight!

Kris Cruise: They’re out to maim the Firing Squad, damnit!

Stephy Auger: And the rookies weren’t out here looking to do the same exact thing? Stop picking sides, Cruise! This is what they asked for. This is what happens when your words are bigger than you are! Luck isn’t getting them out of this. It’s a harsh reality!

Kimiko walks to her corner with a raised hand and Faye emphatically tags herself in, grinning as she races over to Luke, nailing a Running Senton across his ribs! Luke cries out and Faye turns, delivering a hard right hand to his already bloodied-nose. The referee backs Faye off while the audience boos, sliding on plastic gloves as he asks if Luke can continue. Luke groggily pushes himself up, not even responding to the referee before he turns, rushing toward Faye…

Stephy Auger: EXPLODER!

...and Faye counters with an Exploder Suplex that sends Luke upside-down into the corner, landing roughly on the canvas.

Stephy Auger: My, how the tables have turned.

Kris Cruise: After spending so much of this match in firm control, Firing Squad is being absolutely picked apart here.

Luke pulls himself up in the corner as Faye rushes at him and nails a Leg Lariat! Luke slumps down, falling to his knees and then face-first to the canvas while Faye hangs onto the top rope, grinning at the masses.

”BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”

Ymir rushes to the corner and swipes at Faye to the delight of the crowd, but Faye hops down from the ropes, backing away with a cackle as the referee scolds Ymir, directing her back to her corner. Faye uses the distraction to throw Luke across the bottom rope. Kimiko delivers a stomp to the side of Luke’s head before pushing down on the back of his neck, choking him across the bottom rope. Luke flails and Ocampos tries to point it out to the ref, but she has no choice but to rush back to her corer, grabbing the tag rope. Kimiko backs away right before the ref turns around, sending another chorus of boos throughout the arena. Faye forces Luke up to the middle rope, using the back of her knee to crush his throat against the rope.

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Faye breaks, raising both hands as Luke gags for air. She then pulls him up to his feet, but reaches between the ropes, choking him against the top rope in a three-quarter facelock!

Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!

Faye breaks again, this time the ref admonishing her, turning his back to Luke… allowing Kimiko to blast Jackson with a Running Single Leg Dropkick to the side of the head! The shot echoes throughout the arena and Jackson collapses to the mat! Faye pushes past the ref and scrambles for a cover, hooking the far leg!

Kris Cruise: Come on now-- not like that!

ONE
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TWO
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THRE-!

Stephy Auger: What?!

Jackson throws the shoulder up and Ocampos applauds while the audience roars! Faye glares at the referee, pushing her hair out of her face before rising up and moving to her corner as Kimiko climbs back up onto the apron, tagging her in. Kimiko enters the ring Faye shoves Luke into her arms, dropping to a knee. Kimiko positions Luke for a Cobra Clutch… but the audience roars as Ymir springs herself over the ropes! She races across the ring, using Faye’s knee as a step-up, flying through the air to nail Kimiko with a Clothesline, catching her across the face! Finding himself freed, Luke rushes forward, nailing the kneeling Faye Valentine with the Drive-By Kick before collapsing!

Stephy Auger: WHAAAT?!

Kris Cruise: A modified version of Black Rain by Ocampos! The Oakland Drive-By by Luke Jackson! Serpent’s Touch, just that quickly, is in all kinds of trouble!

Ymir forces Valentine off of the ground by the hair and tosses her through the ropes, roughly to the floor on the outside of the ring to a groan from those that see the landing up close. The ref warns Ymir, who glares down at the writhing Valentine before backing into her own corner, stepping out to the apron.

Kris Cruise: That was a terrible landing for Valentine, but Luke Jackson really needs to take advantage of all this and make a tag. He has been absolutely brutalized throughout this match.

Chants of ”LET’S GO JACKSON!” begin to echo throughout Albany. Luke drags himself across the canvas using his elbows. Kimiko shakily pulls herself up using the ropes, looking across the ring at the pair.

Kris Cruise: And Luke’s right there!

Luke Jackson rises to his feet, raising his hand for the tag… but Kimiko races past him, blasting Ocampos with a forearm to the face, knocking her from the apron to a thunderous chorus of boos from the crowd! She turns around, going for a Spin Kick to Jackson, but Luke ducks! Kimiko follows up, seamlessly going for an Enzuigiri, but Jackson ducks that as well! Kimiko falls to her knees and Jackson nails a Russian Leg Sweep, but rolls himself and Kimiko to their feet, following up with a high-angle Back Suplex! Kimiko clutches the back of her head, rising to her feet at the same time as the bloodied Luke. She goes for a right hand, but Luke blocks! She then nails a Backfist, reeling Jackson. Kimiko nails a shoot kick to his chest, taking him to a knee… and seething, she goes for a second-- but Jackson catches her foot and swings her around, nailing a Belly-to-Back Suplex! Ymir climbs back onto the apron and Luke scrambles toward her as the masses come to their feet!

Stephy Auger: Faye! Yes!

Faye Valentine enters the ring from the side and rushes into Jackson, forcing him back… but the bloodied Jackson cries out and spikes her into the canvas with a DDT!

Stephy Auger: Faye! No!

Luke dives and slaps the hand of Ymir Ocampos to a roar from the crowd!

Kris Cruise: THE TAG!

Ymir Springboards onto the top rope, nailing Kimiko with a proper Black Rain as she rises to her feet! Ymir turns her attention to Faye Valentine who groggily climbs upright, and runs forward, nailing a Wheelbarrow Bulldog! She nods out to the roaring audience as she begins to ascend to the top turnbuckle, backs turned to both members of Serpent’s Touch as they help one another to their feet-- and Ymir crashes down on them with a Diving Corkscrew Moonsault! Faye rolls away, clutching her head and Ymir pulls herself onto Kimiko! The ref drops down to count!

ONE
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TWO
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THRRRE-!

Kimiko throws the shoulder up, rolling onto her stomach, breathing heavily. Ymir sits upright, nodding to herself a bit as the audience claps and stomps rhythmically to get behind her.

Kris Cruise: The gears are turning, and this is where Ymir Ocampos needs to make a decision! This is where Serpent’s Touch needs to be put away!

Stephy Auger: You want so bad for lightning to strike twice, but it’s not gonna happen. It’s only a matter of time until Faye and Kimiko regroup and end this.

Ymir Ocampos glares down at Kimiko, who reaches her hands and knees, glaring right back up at Ymir. There is a standoff between the two before Kimiko take the rookie down with an ugly-but-effective double-leg takedown! Ymir covers up, but Kimiko rises to her feet, delivering sharp soccer kicks to the right arm of Ocampos! Ymir grunts in pain and Kimiko tries to drop down into the Armbar, but Ocampos immediately plants a foot beneath herself and counters into a Schoolboy!

ONE
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Kimiko flips Ymir over and goes for the Armbar again, but once more, Ocampos rolls her up with a Schoolboy!

ONE
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TWO
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Once more, Kimiko rolls through and tries to secure the Cross Armbar on Ocampos! Ymir struggles to keep her hands locked, audience reaching a fever pitch! She cries out in agony, but gets a knee beneath herself and counters into the Schoolboy once more-- before bridging her entire body over Kimiko, putting all of her weight on top of her! The referee slides into the count!

ONE
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TWO
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THRE-!

Kimiko pops out of the cover with a fifth of a second to spare, the audience applauding the efforts of both teams as the Grapplers try to push themselves to their feet.

Kris Cruise: Back and forth between the Red Lotus and the Red Faced Komainu!

Stephy Auger: Kimiko knows she’s gone to the well one too many times. Now she can adjust. These kids are screwed now!

Ymir throws a right hand out to Kimiko, but the rookie is blocked and pulled into a Fireman’s Carry! A loud section of the audience instinctively roars ”GO TO SLEEP!” in unison, but Ymir drops down behind Kimiko! Kimiko turns around, right into a high boot to the face! She reels and Ymir shoots the ropes, rebounding and leaping onto Kimiko’s shoulders for a Hurricanrana-- but Kimiko plants her feet and kneels a bit before grunting as she hoists Ymir up into the air and then drops down for an Elevated Sitout Powerbomb! A mixed reaction surges throughout the audience and Kimiko rolls into a cover, hooking the far leg while many in the audience count along!

ONE
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TWO
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THRRRE-!

Kris Cruise: Kickout by Ymir!

Stephy Auger: …

Kimiko closes her eyes for a moment, but scowls and looks back to her corner. Valentine, still holding her head with one hand, extends the other for the tag. Kimiko nods and stands upright. She begins to walk to her corner… but Ocampos grabs her foot, still prone on the ground. Kimiko shakes her head and kicks Ymir’s hand away, delivering a stomp to her ribs for good measure. She walks to her corer and tags in Faye Valentine, who enters the ring with no hesitation. The ref warns the pair, but they each take a spot on either side of Ocampos. Faye shrieks and rushes forward for the Bicycle Kick, catching Ymir in the jaw!

Kris Cruise: Kiss of Death! And now--

Kimiko rushes forward, but the recovering Luke Jackson manages to grab her leg from outside of the ring! Kimiko falls roughly to the mat before Luke drags her to the outside. With a fistful of hair, the bloodied Jackson cries out in rage, rushing Kimiko to the barricade and launching her clear over, into the timekeeper’s area! Kimiko smashes across the timekeeper’s table before bouncing down to the concrete to a roar from the audience! Chants of ”HOLY SHIT!” echo throughout Albany!

Stephy Auger: What in the hell? REF!

Faye Valentine’s jaw drops as she looks out at her unmoving partner. She raises a hand to her mouth, shaking her head… but quickly turns, remembering the downed Ocampos, making the cover!

ONE
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TWO
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THRE-!

Ocampos kicks out and the audience erupts again! Faye screams at the referee in rage before pulling Ymir up with two handfuls of hair. She performs a single underhook and drags the rookie to the center of the ring.

Stephy Auger: Say goodnight, children!

Kris Cruise: Faye Valentine’s gonna end it with the Lethal Dose!

Faye hoists Ymir up for the Brainbuster…

Kris Cruise: Wait!

...and Ymir wriggles free, dropping out of the air to nail a twisting Stunner to counter Valentine! Valentine goes completely still on her feet before falling to her side! Ocampos rises to her feet, glaring down at her rival before she turns to her corner where Luke Jackson gives her a nod, extending his hand for the tag. Ocampos walks over, slapping Jackson’s hand as she steps out to the apron! Jackson measures Valentine as she struggles to her feet. Faye looks up at Luke, glaring at him. She delivers a slap to his face-- and Luke pivots, smashing into her with a Spinning Back Elbow! Again, Faye goes stiff before collapsing to her back!

Kris Cruise: BO TO THE FACE!Did you hear that?!

Stephy Auger: …

Luke Jackson points to Ymir Ocampos, who is already a step ahead, climbing up to the top turnbuckle. She looks down at Faye before an otherwordly shriek escapes her throat. Ymir leaps high into the air, tucking her knees and extending her legs at the last moment for a precise Double Foot Stomp to the stomach! Ymir rolls head-over-heels out of the ring as Jackson slides into the cover!

Kris Cruise: The Bo! The Heavenly Weeping! The cover!

ONE
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.
TWO
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.
.
.
THREE!

The bell sounds and the audience roars as “Lose Yourself” hits the PA system. Ymir slides back into the ring, embracing her bloodied partner as he sits on his knees, still trying to collect himself.

J.A. Aldridge: Here are your winners… FIIIIIRING SQUUUAAAAD!

Ymir helps Luke to his feet and the referee raises both of their arms. A small smirk crosses Ymir’s face as she looks at the unmoving members of Serpent’s Touch.

Stephy Auger: I don’t know what happened.

Kris Cruise: Ymir Ocampos and Luke Jackson showed up. They overcame the odds and beat a very, very game Serpent’s Touch. They proved that the first time wasn’t a fluke. The future is bright for Firing Squad, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: Someone come check on Kimiko, damnit!

Ymir and Luke each climb the turnbuckles, celebrating with the audience. Faye begins to stir, propping herself up, asking the referee what happened. She scans the area for her partner, rolling out of the ring while Ymir continues to shoot her a smirk. She turns toward the audience again, continuing to celebrate alongside Jackson as we fade.

[FGA Office]

The scene cuts backstage. BROOKFORD is standing there without an interviewer. He is wearing a black double breasted suit. Staring menacingly into the camera he opens his mouth.

BROOKFORD: Isn’t tonight exciting? We got the Lions Cup, a Pride Championship match. The Firing Squad taking on Serpents Touch. Exciting for all you wrestling fans out there. Nothing that happens tonight means a damn thing to me. I can hear it now, how dare BROOKFORD not have butterflies in his stomach being a witness to what I don’t doubt will be a great Night 1 of Final Frontier. The answer to my mehness is simple. None of what happens tonight is any of my business.

BROOKFORD: Why should anything relating to the Lions Cup affect my bottom line?

BROOKFORD: I don’t care about the Pride Championship, my eye is on the United States Title.

BROOKFORD: If I was part of a tag team, maybe I’d care about the other match.

BROOKFORD: So what’s the point of showing up at all? Simple, honestly, to deliver a message.

He pauses momentarily.

BROOKFORD: My name is Nathaniel BROOKFORD. I came to Frontier Grappling Arts for a few express reasons. I used to wrestle in a company that shall not be named for several years. That place was my home. I left that place, returned to that place, thought I was gonna end my career in that place. Something happened. I came to the realization that the place I considered home became a joke. Normally I wouldn’t care about how the higher ups command the ship. I am a legitimate competitor. Always have. Always will, be. I can’t tarnish my good name associating with a company that doesn’t meet my standards. Frontier Grappling Arts DOES meet my standard. That’s why I came. A legitimate bad ass like myself deserves to associate himself with the best wrestling company on the planet.

BROOKFORD: And that plays into the second reason I’m here. Frontier, like any company, has its fair share of problems. There are a lot of nuances running around here that need to be put in check, I ain’t gonna name names. They know who they are. I am in the supply and demand business my friend, if you have a problem that needs to be solved, I’m your guy.

BROOKFORD: Do you have a rival that needs to be taught a lesson before your big match?

BROOKFORD: Do you need someone put on the shelf... forever?

BROOKFORD: Do you need to teach a fool that you are not to be trifled with?

BROOKFORD: For a modest price, BROOKFORD is your guy.

BROOKFORD: Shoot me a DM at brookfordps. Catch me backstage. Break out the checkbook, lets talk business. In the meantime there is a little rodent I want to put in its place. On the Flashpoint roster, there is one rat in particular I’m gonna have a little fun with. Trap it in the corner, watch the rat cower in fear. When the time is right, exterminate it.

BROOKFORD cracks a smile.

BROOKFORD: Who is the rat? Heh. Not gonna spoil that. Tune into Flashpoint in 2018. Business picks up, believe that!

BROOKFORD scoffs. He walks off camera as the scene fades.

[FGA Office]

Kol is seen walking the halls after his match, a big smile on his face after coming out victorious against Jackson Magnum in the first round. He shakes off the cobwebs, Magnum having done a good number on him as he leans up against the wall and begins laughing.

Kol: Did you really think he had a chance?

The now FLC semifinalist slowly leans off of the wall.

Kol: Did you really think Jackson Magnum was going to defeat me? Did you think he was going to pull off the upset? Did you think he was going to embarrass me in front of everyone tonight and make me eat my words?

The New Yorker shakes his head.

Kol: No, no, no, no, no. That wasn’t going to happen. I refuse to let that happen. I refuse to allow myself to be embarrassed tonight. I refuse to walk out of here, unsatisfied with my performance. Jackson Magnum learned that I will always be better.

A small grin appears on his face as he stares at the camera.

Kol: Now, OWEN GONSALVES will learn that I am better than them as well. Soon enough, you will all see just how damn good I am!

With that, Kol pushes past the cameraman, leaving the shot once more as the audience boos him in return.

[FGA Office]

FRONTIER LIONS CUP (SEMIFINALS)
Owen Gonsalves vs. Kol

"Tear Away" by Drowning Pool plays throughout the arena as the audience boos loudly! Once the beat kicks in, the man formerly known as Colton Sterling steps out from behind the curtain, a smirk on his face as he looks out at the audience. He listens to them boo him before he nods and begins to make his way down to the ring.

J.A. Aldridge: The following contest is scheduled for one fall and it is semifinal match in the Frontier Lions Cup! Introducing first, from Buffalo, New York! Weighing in at 233 pounds… KOOOOOOOLLLLL!!!

Kol doesn't pay attention to any of the fans as he makes it to ringside before he slowly circles the ring, keeping his eyes locked on the squared circle. Once he's circled the ring fully, Kol hops on the apron and wipes his feet on it before entering the ring. The New Yorker then finds the nearest corner and climbs to the middle turnbuckle, a small smile appearing on his face as he raises his hands up to some boos. Kol hops off and removes his jacket, tossing it out of the ring. He then slowly makes it to his corner and stretches there as he waits for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Our first of two semifinal matches is about to get underway. On the Vertigo side, it’s going to be the man you see right here, Kol, taking on Owen Gonsalves. The winner goes on to meet either Savannah Taylor or Evan Envi in the Finals. The loser goes home. Earlier tonight, Kol advances by defeating Jackson Magnum. But it was far from an honorable victory

Stephy Auger: What do you mean?

Kris Cruise: What do I mean? He shoved Magnum into the exposed steel turnbuckle!

Stephy Auger: ...I didn’t see anything.

Kris Cruise: Of course you didn’t. You never see anything when one of your favorites does something underhanded!

Stephy Auger: Look, it’s not Kol’s fault that Magnum knocked himself silly. Kol was simply there to take advantage. That’s all.

The hard bass beat of Run The Jewels' "Blockbuster Night Part I" vibrates throughout the arena as the crowd immediately look down the aisle way in anticipation of the man about to step out from behind the curtain.

'Bunches and bunches
Punches is thrown until you’re frontless
Oodles and oodles
Bang bullets at suckers' noodles
Last album? Voodoo!
Proved that we was fuckin' brutal
I’m talking crazy, half past the clock is cuckoo'

As soon as Killer Mike spits the first words of the song, "Indestructible" Owen Gonsalves steps through to a pop from the audience as he flips up the collar of his old mentor's ring jacket and begins to analyse the crowd. Once El-P's verse begins, The Submission Alchemist immediately begins to walk down towards the ring, mouthing the words to the song as he acknowledges a few of the folks in the front row.

J.A. Aldridge: And his opponent, from Melbourne, Australia! Weighing in at 202 pounds! He is “Indestructible” OWEN GOOOOONSAAAAALLLLLVESSSSS!!!

'Look at these kiddies, Mike
I'm a rat-a-tat 'em for living
I deal in dirty work
Do the deed and then dash
Ditch 'em'

Having made his way to the bottom of the ramp, Owen starts shadow boxing to the camera at the bottom of the ramp before throwing an elbow in the camera's direction as El-P says 'ditch 'em'. Owen climbs on the apron and up on the second turnbuckle, looking out to the audience before hopping in the ring. The music slowly fades as Owen removes his ring jacket and begins to warm up, awaiting for the match to start.

Kris Cruise: Owen Gonsalves had a tough road getting to this point. In tonight’s opening contest, Gonsalves had to go through his brother in arms, Ace Watson, to advance to the semis. A match like that under those circumstances had to be taxing for Gonsalves, both physically and emotionally.

Stephy Auger: Oh boo hoo, Gonsalves had to fight friend. Big deal! Let’s all shed a tear because Gonsalves and Watson had to fight each other. Whatever. I’m just disappointed that the match didn’t end in a Draw. Kol could have had a cakewalk to the Finals. Instead, he’s got to break a sweat while he breaks apart Gonsalves.

Kris Cruise: I wouldn’t look past Gonsalves of I were you.

Stephy Auger: Look at Gonsalves. He’s a twig! He looks like he hasn’t had a meal in months! Now look at Kol. That’s what a real man looks like!

The bell sounds as Kol charges across the ring and nails Gonsalves with a front dropkick, sending him flying backwards into the corner. The boos continue as Gonsalves bounces off the turnbuckles and crumbles to the mat.

Kris Cruise: Kol’s going right after Gonsalves!

Stephy Auger: As he should! If I was being constantly disrespected by someone like Gonsalves, I’d go after him, too!

Kol returns to his feet, marches over and puts the boots to the Shootcamp member. He then reaches down, pulls up Gonsalves and grabs him by the hair with both hands. After pulling Gonsalves’ head down and holding it in place, Kol delivers repeated knee strikes to the head before tossing Gonsalves through the ropes and to the floor.

Kris Cruise: Kol just carelessly tossed Gonsalves to the outside!

Stephy Auger: He just took out the trash, that’s what he did.

After hopping out onto the apron through the ropes, Kol waves up Gonsalves. Once Gonsalves returns to his feet and turns around, Kol runs across the apron and nails him with a running penalty kick to the face, knocking him down. Kol then hops off the apron before putting the boots to Gonsalves. He reaches down, yanks up Gonsalves, scoops him up and then drops him with a snake eyes across the top of the guardrail. The boos continue as Gonsalves bounces off the guardrail and falls to the floor. Kol puts the boots to Gonsalves once more before applying a front choke. The ref quickly heads to the outside and gives Kol until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Kol reluctantly lets go. He then reaches down, picks up Gonsalves, runs over and slams him face-first onto the steel steps. Kol then grabs Gonsalves by the hand and slams him face-first onto the steel steps three more times. A groggy Gonsalves is then shoved back inside before Kol slides back in. The HKW Hall of Famer picks up Gonsalves, delivers a double leg pickup, runs across the ring and rams him back-first into the opposite corner. After a series of shoulder thrusts double Gonsalves over, Kol takes him by the wrist and whips him across the ring into the corner. Kol then charges the ring, hurls himself into the corner and bashes Gonsalves with a double knee strike. After Gonsalves crumbles from out of the corner, Kol makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Stephy Auger: Kol’s waving his way with Gonsalves just like I thought he would!

Kol picks up Gonsalves and connects with a headbutt that sends him stumbling backwards into the ropes. While Gonsalves tries to shake out the cobwebs, Kol marches over and bashes him in the face with an elbow smash. He then pulls his arm back before blasting him with another elbow smash. This one sends Gonsalves slumping down against the ropes. Kol smirks as he sees Gonsalves helpless on the mat. After nudging Gonsalves’ face with the sole of his boot, Kol reaches down, grabs him by the hair and slowly pulls him up. Gonsalves begins to fight back with right hands to the midsection. But Kol quickly puts a stop to that with a headbutt. The headbutt sends Gonsalves staggering across the ring before dropping down to a knee. While Gonsalves tries to shake out the cobwebs, Kol runs into the ropes. Upon his return, he rocks Gonsalves head back with a hard running knee lift. Gonsalves tries to sit up. But Kol is right there to knock him back down with a jumping stomp to the face. Kol barks insults at Gonsalves and motions for him to get up. Gonsalves tries to sit up. But again, Kol knocks him back down with a jumping stomp. Kol then puts his foot on Gonsalves chest and motions for him to get up. After Gonsalves knocks Kol’s foot from off his chest, Kol drops down into a mount and rains down a flurry of right hands to the face. Gonsalves tries to cover up, but some of the blows still sneak through Gonsalves’ defense. Kol then reaches his hands through Gonsalves’ attempted block, grabs a hold of Gonsalves by the head with both hands and repeatedly rams the back of his head against the canvas.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves has taken quite a bit of punishment from Kol.

Stephy Auger: I agree. Maybe the ref should do his job and stop the match.

Kol slowly pulls up Gonsalves off the mat. He then pulls Gonsalves close to him where he trash talks the Australian. While Kol continues to taunt him, Gonsalves quicklys slaps Kol’s hands from off of him and follows up with a forearm strike to the face. The cheers continue as he nails Kol with another forearm strike… and another… and anoth-NO! Kol doubles him over with a kick to the midsection before planting him with an Evenflow DDT. The boos continue as Kol turns over to make the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

After sending Gonsalves into the corner with an irish whip, Kol runs across the ring and connects with a clothesline. He then picks up Gonsalves before placing him in the Tree of Woe. From there, Kol goes to town with repeated kicks to the body before applying a foot choke. The ref gives Kol until the count of five to break the choke.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Kol gladly breaks the choke and motions to walk away… only to come back and apply another foot choke!

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Kol reluctantly breaks the choke. He turns and heads across the ring and into the opposite corner. Once he turns around, Kol runs back across the ring, leaps into the air and connects with a hesitant dropkick. After Gonsalves is knocked out of the Tree of Woe, Kol drags him back towards the center of the ring and delivers an elbow drop across the back. Kol returns to his feet and delivers a second elbow drop across the back. Then a third. Then a forth. Then a fifth. Kol reaches down, palms the back of Gonsalves’ neck with his hand and slowly pulls him back to his feet. Kol looks over at Gonsalves and shakes his head before lifting him up and delivering a belly to back suplex. While Gonsalves lays sprawled out on the mat, Kol steps out onto the apron. He’s immediately met with a surge of boos from the crowd. But Kol doesn’t let it phaze him. Instead, he scales to the top turnbuckle. From there, Kol leaps off and goes for a diving headbutt.

But Gonsalves rolls out of the way!

Stephy Auger: AH!

The crowd explodes with cheers when Kol crashes face-first onto the canvas. Kol bounces off the canvas, turns over onto his back and covers his nose while he groans. Gonsalves can be seen slowly pushing himself up on all fours. Once both grapplers return to their feet, Gonsalves knocks Kol back with a shoot kick to the chest. He then knocks Kol back with another shoot kick to the chest. And another. Another another. After shoving Kol into the corner, Gonsalves rocks Kol’s head back with a flurry of hard European Uppercuts that sendS him slumping down in the corner. Gonsalves marches across the ring before stopping to look at the cheering crowd. Gonsalves nods, turns back towards Kol and gives him the finger gun taunt before charging back over, hurling himself at Kol and delivering a cannonball senton. The cheers continue as Gonsalves drags Kol away from the corner and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Kol gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves is back in this match, Stephy!

Stephy Auger: For now...

Gonsalves picks up Kol and goes for an irish whip. But Kol reverses, sending Gonsalves into the corner. He then runs across the ring to attack. But Gonsalves catches him with a European Uppercut. While Kol is knocked back, Gonsalves hoists himself up onto the middle ropes, leaps off and drives Kol down with a Draco Meteor (Meteora). He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Kol gets his shoulder up.

Gonsalves brings Kol back to his feet before shooting him into the ropes. When Kol returns, Gonsalves scoops him up across his shoulders for a Death Valley Driver. But before Gonsalves can plant Kol with the DVD, Kol elbows him on the side of the head. After slipping down from behind, Kol wraps his arms around his waist to set up a German Suplex. But Gonsalves counters with alternating back elbows to the head. Once the waist lock is loosened, Gonsalves performs a standing switch, grabs Kol from behind and goes for the Darkest Lariat. But Kol ducks the lariat. He quickly grabs Gonsalves from behind in an inverted front facelock to set up the Kol Kutter. But before Kol can deliver the move, Gonsalves quickly turns over (while inside the inverted front facelock) and counters with a bridging northern lights suplex.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Kol gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: What a counter from Gonsalves.

Gonsalves picks up Kol and tries to put him in a sleeper hold. But Kol is able to grab his arm and lunges forward, sending Gonsalves flying over his shoulder and to the mat. After Gonsalves gets back to his feet, Kol rushes over and throws out a bicycle kick. But Gonsalves catches him and counters with a Capture Suplex! He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Kol gets his shoulder up.

Gonsalves pulls Kol back to his feet and delivers four European Uppercuts. He then steps back, rushes forward and connects with the Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike, which knocks Kol almost through the ropes. But Kol grabs a hold of the top rope on the way out, swings himself back in and throws out a rebound lariat. Gonsalves then ducks, swings himself around to the back of Kol and knocks him down with the Darkest Lariat! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
TH-NO!

The crowd boos when Kol gets his shoulder up. Gonsalves can’t believe it.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves thought he had him! He thought he ha the match won!

Gonsalves picks up Kol, delivers another European Uppercut and follows up with a jumping knee strike that drops Kol down to a knee. While Kol is still groggy, Gonsalves pulls him back to a vertical base and scoops him up across his shoulders for the DVD. Gonsalves is able to hit the move when Kol nails him with repeated elbows to the side of the head. He then slips down from behind before brining Gonsalves down with a jumping reverse bulldog. The boos continue as he turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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.
T-NO!

Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Kol brings Gonsalves back to his feet and nails him with an elbow smash. Gonsalves comes back with a European Uppercut. Kol then delivers another elbow smash. Gonsalves answers back with another European Uppercut. Kol then bashes Gonsalves in the face with a hard elbow smash. Gonsalves responds with another European Uppercut. Before Kol can strike back, Gonsalves nails him with a shoot kick to the chest. He then nails Kol with two more shoot kicks. Gonsalves throws out yet another kick. But Kol catches it and delivers a pointed elbow strike across the thigh. After throwing Gonsalves’ leg down, Kol throws out a wild roundhouse kick. Gonsalves ducks the kick. But as soon as he stands back up, he gets caught with a pelé kick. After the pelé kick drops Gonsalves to a knee, Kol turns and runs into the ropes. When he returns, he flattens Gonsalves with a bicycle kick to the face! The boos continue as Kol marches across the ring, steps out onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle. The HKW Hall of Famer crouches down while he waits for Gonsalves to return to his feet. Once Gonsalves gets back to a vertical base and turns around, Kol stands up, leaps off and bashes Gonsalves in the head with a diving Bionic Elbow. Gonsalves turns, drops down to his knees and then collapses face-first onto the mat. Kol pushes him over before making the cover…

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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.
TH-NO!

The crowd cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves is still in this match!

Stephy Auger: Barely! Are we even watching the same match?

Kol picks up Gonsalves and shoots him into the ropes. When Gonsalves returns, Kol leaps across the ring and knocks him down with a flying forearm smash. Kol returns to his feet with a kip up before heading out onto the apron. The boos continue as he scales to the top turnbuckle. Kol then leaps off and crashes down across Gonsalves with a diving elbow drop. Instead of going for the cover, Kol gets back to his feet and steps back out onto the apron. A surge of boos can be heard throughout the crowd as Kol climbs to the top turnbuckle. He leaps off and lands on top of Gonsalves with another diving elbow smash. Kol returns to his feet and motions to head to the outside. But he stops once he hears the surging boos from the crowd. Kol smirks before stepping out onto the apron. He scales to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and goes for a third diving elbow drop. But Gonsalves is able to roll out of the way at the last second, causing Kol to crash elbow-first onto the canvas. The crowd explodes with cheers upon seeing Kol get nothing but the canvas. The cheers continue while Kol clutches his arm.

Kris Cruise: Kol is down and he looks hurt!

Gonsalves turns over and gets up on all fours before grabbing a hold of Kol’s arms. He bends the arm at 90s degrees, presses Kol’s palm down on the mat and follows up with a jumping stomp the elbow. The crowd cheers while Kol howls in pain.

Stephy Auger: Listen to these savages. Kol could be hurt and they’re cheering! CHEERING!

Gonsalves reaches down, pulls Kol back to his feet, grabs a hold of the right arm and delivers repeatedly short-arm shoulder thrusts to the arm. Gonsalves then takes the arm, lifts it up and delivers repeated armbreakers across his shoulder. The last of which sends Kol staggering over towards the ropes. While Kol leans against the ropes, Gonsalves pulls him back from behind, hooks both arms and delivers a bridging Paroxysm.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

The crowd sighs, then boos when Kol gets his good shoulder up.

Gonsalves picks up Kol and shoots him into the corner with an irish whip. He then charges in to attack, but Kol knocks him back with a boot to the face. Kol then rushes out of the corner to attack. But Gonsalves stuns him with a European Uppercut. He then leaps up onto Kol and applies the Kimura Lock with Bodyscissors.

Kris Cruise: Equivalent Exchange!

The ref asks Kol if he wants to give up. But Kol refuses. He then slips his arm in between Gonsalves’ legs and counters with a scoop slam. After delivering a leg drop to Gonsalves, Kol pulls him back up before whipping him into the ropes. Upon Gonsalves’ return, Kol goes for another flying elbow smash. This time, Gonsalves stops, ducks, catches Kol across his shoulders and plants him with a DVD! He turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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.
THR-NO!

The crowd boos when Kol gets his shoulder up.

Gonsalves heads across the ring and waits for Kol to return to his feet. After Kol turns over on all fours and gets up on his knees, the crowd cheers when Gonsalves gives him the finger gun taunt. The Indestructible charges from behind and cracks Kol in the back of the head with the Soul-Stealing 7-Star Strike! He then pulls up Kol and hooks his arms to set up for the Final Gambit. But Kol’s able to break free, pull Gonsalves to the mat with a standing double leg takedown and catapult Gonsalves into the corner. After Gonsalves smacks face-first against the top turnbuckle, he stumbles back over towards Kol, who brings him down from behind with the Kol Kutter! The boos continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd explodes with cheers when Gonsalves gets his shoulder up!

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves got his shoulder up! It’s not over!

Stephy Auger: How was that not three!?

Kol heads into the corner and waves Gonsalves up. After Gonsalves turns over and gets up on all fours, Kol rushes from out of the corner and goes for the Broken Dreams (running punt kick). But Gonsalves is able to slip out of the way. When Kol turns around and runs back over to attack, Gonsalves throws him down with the Ultimate Eye (half nelson lifted and dropped into an Olympic Slam) from out of nowhere! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

The crowd explodes with cheers when “Blockbuster Night Part I” blasts over the PA.

J.A. Aldridge: Here is your winner, OWEN GONSALVES!

The cheers continue as Gonsalves gets his arm raised in victory.

Kris Cruise: Gonsalves gets the win! He’s defeated Kol and has now punched his ticket to the Finals of the 2017 Frontier Lions Cup!

Stephy Auger: Noooo! No, no, no, no, no!